Has the high price of fuel changed your camping habits any? I know I don't go as often or as far. My trip south to AZ last year cost me around $1500 in fuel. So I didn't go this year. Shorter trips are planned this year. Desided to get a part-time job a couple of days a week to help the SS check a little.

I wonder if in the long term high fuel prices will effect the RV industry in general? It certainly eliminates a lot of us on a fixed income. I don't know how much longer I will keep the trailer.

 

the camp ground I went to last summer,said they had been very busy all summer,but it was from local campers,and not the long distance,travelers.

 

No, not really. Sooner or later it'll probably end up happening, but in the meantime I'm going to do my best to enjoy my truck as much as possible.

 

It did put an end to our CA to FL Disney World trip. It will be cheaper to fly and get a hotel room. It hasnt stopped us from our other rockhounding trips. Wife and I were just talking about when the price of gas doubled from 1973 to 74. Than starting in 78 it again quickly doubled and for awhile, you could only get gas on odd or even days depending on your license plate number. Than as now, we just planned our trips a little better.

 

I think that for "poor" people like me, the fuel prices tend to keep the camping trips closer to home - plus it's easier to get away for just a few days if you only have to drive 45 mins or so.

I don't think it is going to slow anything down for people who have motorhomes worth 200+Gs.

I do have to wonder about the folks who are making payments on their 50K truck & 50K trailer. The fuel is probably on credit too

In the end it's not really the fuel that is killing us.... it's the flippin insurance costs to keep a couple vehicles running. (thankfully the 5th is only about $12/month).

 

I already have a trip planned to Nevada in May, probably go to Minnesota in July, then somewhere else in September. Those are my longer trips, will do quite a few shorter ones in between them.

Since I don't have any idea regarding fuel prices 6 or so months from now and beyond that, you could say that prices will be what they are, and I'm going anyway.

I was going to look at new 5th wheels or possibly even a BP, but I think I'm waiting a while longer, going to get more miles out of my little old Wilderness Ukon. There might be some really good deals as people just throw in the towel and scale down. Shame to have to say it that way, but I think it will be a reality in the near future.

CD

 

my advice on the trailer is to sell it as fast as you can!
used trailers are not in demand with the fuel prices going up...people who can afford to travel very much with an rv
will not buy a used one... i tryed to sell mine when the fuel prices started going up, i still have it!

 

We're shortening our summer trips so that we spend more of our time at the campsite or short sight-seeing excursions rather than long distance traveling. In a few years we'll retire. We'll just have to see how the economics work then.

 

I just bought one......so I guess i will have to see how much I use it...I bought used because I didn't want to have to pay all that money for a new one.

I wish my friends had money to chip in on the gas. Local trips to the lake will be fun...

 

Fuel is still one of the cheapest liquids in North Americia.
Theres lots of oil in the ground and its keeping the economy going .......so FILL UP and enjoy!

 

The fuel prices are terrible, I am deployed right now in Afghanistan, when I get back I was planning on a long trip to visit family, with the prices the way they are, I am not sure we can swing it...

 

The part of it that gripes me is that diesel is $.55 more than regular gas in our neck of the woods. I know it doesn't cost more to refine it.

 

Unfortunately, the price of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel does not reflect the cost to refine it; although the new ultra-low sulfur standard has added a bunch to the refining process. The price is classic "supply and demand", especially in our part of the world.

Diesel fuel is the fuel of commerce. First in line at the "pump" is the military for national defense. Then comes commerce; trains, ships, trucks and planes (yes, jet fuel is a cousin to diesel fuel). Then you have a quantity set aside for home heating and power generation. At the end of the chain comes those of us who have diesel-powered vehicles for personal use. Remember that there have been no new refineries built for half a century in this area, yet the demand as increased tenfold. There is also more Federal tax on a gallon of diesel than there is on gasoline.

Why do they charge more for diesel than gasoline at the pump?
Because they can!! Plain and simply.

 

Why stay home...even figuring when fuel was 2.50 for a while last year and now 3.30 or so my trip to FL and back next week will cost me less than $200 more now (2400 miles roundtrip). Is it worth not going and having fun with my kids for $200?? NO. I just went on a weekend trip and could have driven the wifes econo-box and got 30mpg but I still took the truck. I like driving my truck and will continue to do so.

 

That is an excellent way of looking at the issue. Yes, it is getting expensive (even more here... about $3.90 US gal / 1.04/litre) but just how much difference is it going to make for the planned trip?

Personally we still get out a lot in our RV, but we do tend to plan shorter trips. Lots for us to explore between 1 & 3 hours from home....