Just out of curiosity, I'm wondering why more of you don't run this cheap fuel. I'd like to be able to buy a newer (than 2001) vehicle but with no demand there are very few used vans to choose from....
Why don't more of you run natural gas?
- Thread starter brokcanadian
- Start date
runrunner
Veteran Expediter
Hard to find filling stations. Impractical for the Expediting industry.
I knew that was coming...anyway I saved $15000 in fuel last year, being a cng only van, I'm on a route right now but everybody knows most cng vehicles are gasoline/cng both... Don't they?
15 grand a year savings would most likely make more drivers survive out here instead of leaving after 12 months due to starvation....
I used to drive a CNG taxi a Crown Vic best I could do is Hamilton to Pearson and return and CNG would be empty...2 tanks in that huge truck....hope CNG technology has improved a lot....or we'd be filling up every 100 miles or so......not to mention the weight of them tanks...
OVM, dodge van came factory with 4 tanks underside and I added a 5.5 foot 12" dia. Behind the seats...built my bunk over that but had 8 feet of cargo space otherwwise...565 km or 350 miles depending on your state of mind 
As for weight, van was 4100 stock 5800 with full tanks
As for weight, van was 4100 stock 5800 with full tanks
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Rising_Cow
Active Expediter
Sounds like they are still heavy, don't see them getting to much past that. Years ago where I was at did CNG conversions and I was showed the system. We had CNG vehicles in the fleet (few) and a pump, never got see one installed or install a system. No demand, we where told we could convert our cars, just no demand for it.
And everywhere in the area that used CNG and pumps are gone.
Did u say u have the tank inside, not to be rude, but did you check reg's on tank placement.
And everywhere in the area that used CNG and pumps are gone.
Did u say u have the tank inside, not to be rude, but did you check reg's on tank placement.
Yes the tank is bagged and vented. I had the work done by a shop, Kiff Auto, the last shop I'm aware of near me that is certified to do conversions...I guess lack of shops would be another reason but chevy/gmc and dodge dealers are supposed to service their factory cng vehicles...I would love for some people to convert their promasters so I can pick them up at half price in a few years! 8 years in a van and I still bang my head some mornings
Rising_Cow
Active Expediter
The tank you are using is it the composite reinforced with the fiber wrap? I think they were the lightest at the time. And I bet switch over is just a flip of the switch, the old way you to let the carb drain where it started to die then switch over. About the CNG I like it but;
CNG is good because your engine will last longer on it and the cost is cheap ( not much ) for now. But competition out there is more attractive like bio diesel, Eco boost technology's, electric hybrids like the volt and the hybrids are now trucks and someone will possibly make a van.
And you got hydrogen technology, waiting on the bench. Gas engines can be very efficient and long lasting, but mpg is regulated by the gov, By class of vehicle . The major stock holders of oil company's. They are thinking green, but not the green we want them too. I may have miss some things there, under or over stated some?
I think it's awesome what u have there and the way your thinking. Maybe someday they will make it more attractive for consumers, we will not run out NG anytime soon.
CNG is good because your engine will last longer on it and the cost is cheap ( not much ) for now. But competition out there is more attractive like bio diesel, Eco boost technology's, electric hybrids like the volt and the hybrids are now trucks and someone will possibly make a van.
And you got hydrogen technology, waiting on the bench. Gas engines can be very efficient and long lasting, but mpg is regulated by the gov, By class of vehicle . The major stock holders of oil company's. They are thinking green, but not the green we want them too. I may have miss some things there, under or over stated some?
I think it's awesome what u have there and the way your thinking. Maybe someday they will make it more attractive for consumers, we will not run out NG anytime soon.
Then again lets look at supply and demand....early 80's propane was like .20 a litre.....90/$1.00 a gallon approx....now look....$3.50 a gallon....and yet home propane is about 1.70/2.00 a gallon...
Robert Transport and Bison have a lot of new tractors running CNG in Ontario and Quebec.
I Imagine there are lots of dedicated runs where running CNG is a real good idea....Once a network/routing has been identified....
That's why I run natural gas and not propane, I paid 1.01 a gallon all last year and it spiked up to 1.34 this year...tax in
Rising_cow it came with wire wound fibreglas tanks, the large add on tank was steel out of a ford, and as for the switch, the only switch is off when you run out of cng its dedicated...no gasoline tank, injectors, or emmissions junk
Also the 5800 lbs is with full tanks, tools, spare parts, structural plywood floor and bunk/partition, and my fat kiester
Rising_cow it came with wire wound fibreglas tanks, the large add on tank was steel out of a ford, and as for the switch, the only switch is off when you run out of cng its dedicated...no gasoline tank, injectors, or emmissions junk
Also the 5800 lbs is with full tanks, tools, spare parts, structural plywood floor and bunk/partition, and my fat kiester
does the gov. still offer grant money to convert?
Canada. No, and i can't even use carpool lane, its for electrics, US?? Anyone know?
There was some CNG fill up places on our route...which is great for you....
There's a station whether you cross at Buffalo or Lewiston, one in Westfield, one in Cleveland, and one in St Catharines but 0.75 a litre is too rich for my blood
Rising_Cow
Active Expediter
That's cool, must be a nice setup. All we did is conversions no dedicated. And propane is what some went to (like buses) when CNG died out, was sad to see it go. And propane didn't last either, CNG and propane are still used in Columbus Ohio for Cota and few others.