Fuel Prices

[Hob]

I have no clue as to where to put this. I imagine I could be told where to put such a nasty post as this is going to be to many of us.

I had big plans to trade in my 2009 Puma 27FQ. I started out wanting a 5th wheel, then I found out about the Lippert frame problems on the Wolf Pack 295WP that I wanted. Changed my mind and started looking at Flagstaff V-Lites. Since then I'm beginning to think maybe I just want to hang on to my Puma and watch what is going to happen.

Now to the title of this post, "FUEL PRICES!" The way the prices of fuel are going I'm not going to be able to buy a new trailer and travel as I want to travel. Bottom line is, I'm not going to buy a new trailer. I can afford to travel and do what I want if I don't buy a new trailer. I think I will just spend my money making modifications to this trailer to make it like we want it.

Has anyone else made big changes to their plans. I consider not buying the new trailer a big change. More questions, is this going to be a big blow to people in the food chain of selling trailers? Are campgrounds going to have to raise their prices to stay in business? If they raise their prices how much more are we willing to pay to stay in a campground? I see all kinds of changes coming. What are your thoughts on this?

Best Regards,

Hob (Bill and Linda) Keeping what they have.
2000 Ford F250 7.3 Diesel
2009 Puma 27FQ
and a Brittany Spaniel we wouldn't give up for anything.

[mike54]

not me it's d*mn the fuel prices full steam ahead

& I didn't change my plans in '08 when they went above 4.00

[acadianbob]

We don't change out plans. Cost of camping!

There is no doubt that energy in general (of all kinds) is going to become more expensive due to global demand. Eventually, this could put a crimp on the RV industry.

[crocus]

I hedge my fuel costs by buying energy stocks. They have made me so much money that the cost of fuel for camping is insignificant. But even if I didn't benefit from higher oil prices, I wouldn't let the cost of fuel stop me from enjoying my camper. It really isn't that big of a deal when you consider all of the other costs.
We had planned a trip down toward Colorado this year, and we ain't changing our plans because of a few more bucks spent on fuel. One of these days, we won't be able to travel at all, and the money will be meaningless.
I like to enjoy life, as I only get one shot at it!

[DAISY BOYKIN]

The man in Washington needs to get re-elected (he thinks), I'm counting on lower fuel prices, not the election, maybe by summer!

[D-mo]

I read these subjects every now and then and have to chuckle. I mean, in all seriousness, if you cant afford to pull what your pulling, and you didnt take into consideration future escallation in gas prices, then its just bad planning.
You will never be able to fight the price of gas. Your government will not fight the cost of gas either.
I live in Ontario Canada ... will all our oil, im an still paying well into the 4.00 a gallon mark. Am I upset ... no .. i just gave up. I drive smarter, make wiser choices, and perhaps may stay closer to home this year in my destinations. I have already given up a trip next month to Florida, due to this problem.

cheers ... d-mo

[Oakman]

In 2008 when fuel prices soared over $4.00 a gallon in late spring into summer, may RV'ers quit traveling, and people quit buying RV's. The result was tough on the industry, dealerships closed and many manufacturers went out of business. Will it happen again? I don't know, but I think the RV industry is healthier than it was back in 2008.

[Malco]

I don't think you can blame fuel prices for what happened in 2008.Not only rv related businesses took a hit,I never had one whole house to build in 2008 and the first half of 2009.

[capucine]

the alternative for us is to camp closer to home. We are lucky here because we have dozens of paradise camps near home on the big ste Laurence seaway. Many campers drives severals miles and hours to enjoy our sites. For us we can get the best 10 minutes from home.

[Terier]

When buying gas at the pumps hurts more than usual I try to plan better. This means grouping errants together rather than driving & returning to the same area the following day. As for camping I usually don't wander too far so the cost is a minimum difference. When prices got way of hand I started taking longer trips instead of weekend trips.

I have to admit I really felt the difference after trading in my beloved Rav4 for a truck - talk about shock when the gas bills arrived in the mail.

[RvBill3]

I'm taking delivery on a new MH next week and nothing is going to change my plans to enjoy it. I am going to do my part in November to see that we have people in DC who allow active development of North American oil resources and the pipelines to transport it.

[Hob]

D-MO,

I dKidn't say anything about not being able to afford what I drive now. I said I don't think I want to invest $32K into a new trailer when I can modify what I have now. I don't need a new trailer just thought it might be a good time to buy one. I'm planning on doing my mods and traveling with the trailer I have now. Don't think I'll go to Canada and pay their fuel prices though.

Regards,

Hob

[edman87k5]

Well, to combat high fuel prices, I did not change my camping trip frequency/ distance any. I did go to a more fuel efficient tow vehicle a couple years ago though. If $3 is tolerable, $4 is only 25% more, so go to places closer to home and it is a wash.
What I did to significantly reduce my fuel bill was get a honda civic to commute to work with. My job is 24 miles from home and I make trips to other towns at least once a week. This car reduced my non camping related travel by about 50%. It gets about twice the mileage of the other vehicle I was using as a commuter. I also plan a little better. Currently for 2 drivers we have a yukon that gets 14mpg, my f250 that gets 17-18 unloaded, my jeep that get 10-12 (rarely driven) and my civic that get a worst tank so far of 36.5, best tank 42 mpg. So, when driving, we try to use the civic as much as possible to save on fuel. It saves me probably on average, $150-200 per month just in fuel costs, plus I am putting wear on a car that is cheap to maintain instead of racking up miles on ones that cost more. Insurance is just over $100 for 6 months and the car was $3500 cash to buy.
If spending a few extra $$ per trip steers you away from an expensive rv, you need to take a look at the whole picture.
Works well for me!

[Len & Cheri]

Originally Posted by RvBill3

I'm taking delivery on a new MH next week and nothing is going to change my plans to enjoy it. I am going to do my part in November to see that we have people in DC who allow active development of North American oil resources and the pipelines to transport it.

X2

[capucine]

Hob: you are right the price of gas here in Canada makes your hairs comes off your head. Today's price is $1.259 per liter . Not for big gas eaters!

[Glockfanjohn]

Originally Posted by LFugate

X2

X3

[Malco]

capucine You should try living in NS.My wife just filled up her little car,takes Supreme to make it run right,payed $1.429 per liter.

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by Malco

capucine You should try living in NS.My wife just filled up her little car,takes Supreme to make it run right,payed $1.429 per liter.

YIKES! That's $5.41 per gallon.

[Malco]

That was for Supreme.If her car would run right on regular it was 8 cents a liter less.The worst part of this is that gas prices in NS are regulated and are adjusted at midnight Thursdays,so they will most likely be higher in the morning.

[j2detroit]

My wife and I are really glad that we are at a perminant camp site and really happy that we can get into our pt cruiser and drive the 18 miles to our camper