| W e a t h e
r W a r r i o r . N e t COST SAVING TIPS FOR STORM CHASING
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Food
Tip#1I try never to eat out at a restaurant or fast food. Instead, on down days I find a super market (or Wal-Mart superstore as a last resort). I keep a cooler and I'm even considering taking a Foreman grill this year. Eating turkey sandwiches, fruits, and other foods that are cheaper and healthier have significantly reduced my food costs from when I started chasing in the mid-90s. Tip#2 If staying at a hotel, try to take maximum advantage of the free "continental breakfast". Some hotels are better than others, so ask when making a reservation. |
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Hotel
Tip#1Stopping at rest stops and truck stops along the Interstates, usually you can pick-up the coupon books with discounted rates. It also makes it quick and easy to find a hotel at the end of a chase day. Tip#2 Try to pair up with other chasers and share a room. I chase with a group usually and almost always share a room. Tip#3 Memorial Day Weekend. Try to book in advance, days in advance. Sometimes I've booked around Dallas, OKC, and somewhere in Kansas, two weeks in advance. Then I cancel 24-48 hours prior to the reservation in any location I'm not near to. But check the cancellation policy when you reserve, sometimes they want more advance notice, or charge a fee. Tip#4 Try a State Park with camping. (My Favorite is Clayton Lake in NE New Mexico). You can almost always find a spot, and some parks are self serve, so you can show up as late as you want. There are showers and bathrooms and they usually are quite clean. Some private parks and KOAs are good too, the one in Amarillo is real close the NWS. Prices are cheap, as little as $8 a night. Just be sure to pack a sleeping bag, and maybe even a small tent. |
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Gas
Tip#1As hot as it is in the Plains, try to drive with the windows down, it is more efficient than with the windows up and A/C on. http://www.questline.com Tip#2 This varies somewhat, but try not to fill-up near the interstates, the price per gallon is usually higher. Same goes for Metro areas. Remote areas too because the transport of the fuel is expensive. Suburbs and local highways are best. Or in-town with some of the smaller towns. Be mindful of pricing and always fill-up to a full tank. Tip#3 Keep the roof uncluttered. As cool as all those antennas and weather stations look, they create drag and reduce mpg. It may be only 1 or 2 mpg, but if your chasing 12,000 in a season, it adds up. Tip#4 Slow down. If not chasing, try to maintain a slower speed. Not only will your mpg go up, but you can avoid those speeding tickets. |
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Vehicle
Tip#1Oil changes....if your driving thousands of miles during the chase season, be sure to change the oil often. Likewise, check tire pressure, fuel filter, etc. Keep the vehicle running in top condition. For the Air filter it is recommended to use a K&N which will both increase your gas mileage, but doesn't need to be replaced on the road. Just wash and dry and your good to go. I've also been recommended to use Royal Purple motor oil. Apparently it too can increase your gas mileage and is very reliable. Tip#2 When renting a vehicle: Because the extra insurance (full coverage) is required if your gonna chase, and it can run $20 extra dollars a day from the rental company, I suggest (for those than can) get an American Express card (or check your credit card company) and ask about the car rental coverage. AMEX charges $25 per rental, not per day, and they handle the claim and everything. In 2002, we trashed our Chevy Blazer rental. When we turned it in, it had 12,000 miles added, hail damage, crack windshield, rear suspension leaning to one side likely broken, dirt everywhere, air filter clogged with dirt, etc. It basically was non-rentable, if not "totalled". We dropped it off and split really quickly. As we walked away, I over heard the attendant saying "What the hell happened to this thing?" About two weeks later, get a call from AMEX, "Mr. Foster, there was a claim by xxxxx Auto Rentals, and we've taken care of it for you". |