Diesel Fuel could be gone by Thanksgiving

[Abigayle]

R.W.S.  I would not want to be the only one on the road if we go into a long term situation.  I am sure you have already thought of that.  Besides, you would not be able to get anywhere.  We have a Rav 4, but I would expect the ditches to be full, and even if you are well armed, the strength in numbers role comes into play here.  You can just get so many bad ass people in one truck.
Years ago, we got caught in an ice storm in Missouri, returning from work.  It came out of the blue.  There were cars everywhere, including ditches and people were walking down the roads going up to houses and jumping into cars or trucks.  By then, we were in our neck of the woods, so not worried about the caliber of people.  Had we been in the city, it would have been a whole other scene.  I was driving a Ford F150, my favorite transportation ever.  I had to keep climbing it in and out of ditches when there was room and light snow cover.  My son still owns that pickup.  He has replaced just about everything on it over the years, but it looks dang good!

[RWS]

I won't be the only one on the road.  I will be sharing it with bicycles, electric bikes, horse back and buggies.   As you said the rest will be at home or along side the road.  Besides I will be in rural region 8 or region 2.  I can charge an EV now in Region 8 from solar and am working on that capability in region 2.

[Surveyor1]

I won't be the only one on the road.  I will be sharing it with bicycles, electric bikes, horse back and buggies.   As you said the rest will be at home or along side the road.  Besides I will be in rural region 8 or region 2.  I can charge an EV now in Region 8 from solar and am working on that capability in region 2.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but if you are on the road in the only vehicle along with bicycles, electric bikes, horse back and buggies your life expectancy would be GREATLY diminished.  I’m not saying that to be mean or anything just being realistic.  The unsavory elements in society will do anything and everything to get a running vehicle in that situation, including brutal murder.  I have an EMP proof vehicle that would only be used in an extreme emergency because I understand the target that a working vehicle will provide.  Please don’t take what I’m saying the wrong way but please understand that TSHTF really means the shit has hit the fan and there is no longer any rule of law and all of those people that are “being restrained” by consequences of the law will now have free reign!  I don’t want to sound negative but just realistic!

[Abigayle]

Last night, a man was shot in the back (Atlanta), because the staff let him into the dining area, when it was closed.  The drive through was open and people were irate when this man was let in.  He was an employee, a cook.  He was taking E.M.T, training nearby and ran over on his break to get some food.  He is dead.  People  who kill over a hot waffle will kill for an electric truck in a New York minute.  The roads will be blocked by cars that don't get off.  Some will run out of fuel, or be stuck behind those that do. E.M.P.?  People will be sitting in their cars, waiting for someone to throw a universal switch..  Riots.... no truck.
Another story...When we lived in the Ozarks, my girlfriend and I were riding our horses along a river, on a beautiful fall day.  Three guys came out of the tree, two in front, on in back.  They tried to pull us off our horses.  If they were horse people, they would have understood that pressure from a rider's leg, can spin a horse around.  We knocked two down, and cracked another one with a crop.  Today, everyone would have been armed.  Horses will panic in a crowd of panicked people, unless they are being ridden by mounties, or mounted police.  There is no good mode of transportation.  One would have their best shot on horseback, in my opinion, if they rode really well.  Sorry R.W.S., you best hunker down with the rest of us and protect what you have worked for.

[RWS]

What you are saying is,  "I should look for an electric 4 wheeler that is road capable?"  Then I could drive thru the woods instead of the road !  AND use it around the farm.  Something to think about anyway....

[Surveyor1]

What you are saying is,  "I should look for an electric 4 wheeler that is road capable?"  Then I could drive thru the woods instead of the road !  AND use it around the farm.  Something to think about anyway....

Again I apologize up front!  I’m not trying to be difficult but just realistic.  Other than around your farm where do you need to go in a SHTF WORLD?  The supermarkets are empty, the pharmacy is closed and looted, the hospital has been over run and is closed and any of the other places one might need to venture is no longer there.  Unless right after TSHTF you have to go rescue someone and bring them back to your property, there is absolutely no reason to be on the road.

That said having a vehicle 3 years down the road once 90% of the population is gone and the survivors are trying to rebuild would be simply awesome! 

[John Galt 1]

As to whether to have a vehicle running a few months after things get bad it really depends on whether you expect it to be a shoot em up free for all or if you instead think neighbors will generally play nice and there will be some trading.

If neighbors play nice a vehicle may be needed for trade.      Since most people here have solar an electric vehicle may be a good idea.     I've been considering getting an electric golf cart or an electric ATV.
The fact that an electric vehicle is quieter than a gas vehicle is also a bonus.

[Abigayle]

John, that makes a lot of sense.  I vote for the ATV, both for mobility and to carry what you plan to trade.  Golf carts are somewhat limited, but if you already own one, you might be able to get  down the road and back.

[John Galt 1]

As mentioned before I'm in the fuel business.     
At least until after the New Year fuel usage drops because businesses hold off on new starts and: grading weather is poor with winter rain.      Holiday gasoline usage goes up slightly but diesel fuel usage will drop the next 7 weeks.

[Abigayle]

Soo John, We are at at risk of running out?  Are we using reserves?  The kids driving here from CO. are paying 7.00 a gallon.  They hit one station at 6.25  near Kansas City.  Can they expect it to drop?  She should be getting into Ga. tomorrow.

[John Galt 1]

Abigayle,     The last week fuel usage seems to be dropping.      Many businesses are pulling back on large projects      Large construction projects like a new school or subdivision can use 3000 gallons a week and at least in this part of GA companies are slowing down the grading and concrete work.     

Oil prices are dropping sharply, like more than $20 a barrel the last few months because companies are expecting an economic slowdown.       At this time we aren't expecting a diesel fuel shortage.     

As I may have already mentioned I recently got a good deal on a 50 gallon fuel can.        Instead of filling it with diesel for my truck and tractor I instead filled it with gas.        In other words I think we're fine for diesel at least through this winter.
But I may purchase a 2nd 50 gallon fuel can and pop some diesel in it after Christmas expenses are covered.

[Abigayle]

John Galt, your 50 gal will be on a stand, or can pump it.  Thank you for the update.  I agree completely on all the signs of a slowdown.
Wonder how many on this site realize that we will be having "bail ins" instead of "bail outs".?  Very worried about the future of the U.S.
Yes, people "bail ins" are legal and signed into law.  The government can take your money when things get tough.  Socialists would be the first to grab your money without blinking an eye.  This bill is signed.
I must say, I am disappointed in Tucker C. saying that diesel will be a problem by Thanksgiving.  Now I have to question other statements.  I never take comments from people I respect to the bank, but I do expect them to hold a certain a certain amount of credence.

[Surveyor1]

Don’t be so hard on Tucker, just like me “you are only as good as the information you are given.”  He has to trust his staff and sometimes they may simply be off base.  Diesel is tight but not dangerously low, yet…. We have a cold snap so let’s see what happens in a couple of weeks…