Diesel Prices affecting choices?

[Bob4x4]

I am seeing more repair work then upgrades and less people racking up the recreational miles. The upside is I have seen more nice 12v's show up for sale. Everybody with the 3rd gens are looking for guarenteed fuel mileage

gains.





Bob

 

[Troubleshooter]

Until a few months ago this was almost a moot point, as I was fulltiming in the 5th wheel and the CTD was the only vehicle available. Now that I've settled to one spot to work for awhile, I've gotten the sports car out for the 30-mile commute and the truck is in for some mods: transmission, exhaust, PacBrake, locker in the rear diff, etc. I'm un-retired for a few years, so there is still cash flow there to do thesde things; and I've seen enough men die before they were able to realize their dreams to understand there must be a balance between saving for "the future" and having some fun in the present.



Am already consolidating trips to town, using the car as a daily driver, and cutting down on "Sunday driving" but still plan to haul the 5th wheel out for a couple of long journeys this summer and fall.

 

[FLynes]

So it would seem that the general concensus is that we have reduced spending, for the most part.



I listen to Dave Ramsey in the morning, on my way to work. He's got a great saying, "Live like no one else today, so that you may live like no one else tomorrow. "



If I could, I'd take a second job in the evening, delivering pizzas or something, so I could get some extra cash to do what I want, but my command expressly forbids it.



My worry is that this mess is going to get worse and we're going to see the Stock Market crash, like in '87. In a way, I really wish it would, that way prices would normalize again. What kills me is that in 1998 the price of oil, with adjusted inflation costs, was only $15/barrel. I remember paying $. 76/gal in Colorado Springs.



Time goes by too fast... .

 

[RRees]

It's a comforting feeling knowing our elected officials are looking out for their constituents.

 

[EGroeneveld]

It's a comforting feeling knowing our elected officials are looking out for their constituents.

And don't forget that Hillary or Obama will solve all our problems because they promised:-laf

 

[Driftwood Ram]

I am not making any more changes to my current CTD but it is because I really need a truck with 6 wheels to haul the load I currently have and I am not spending any more money on the 2500.

We are going back to Washington this spring with the RV, but it is because we still have Dr. ’s up there. We are considering driving the Saturn up too (34mpg) so we have another vehicle to drive while there and park the truck for the spring/summer months.

I only use the truck here in Arizona to go on our monthly local RV trips, usually about 200 miles round trip.

My retirement has not gone up either

 

[onestackdram]

here is what I find the most ammusing and never seem to hear anyone (poloticians or oil co. ) address it. On 9. 10. 01 we had a surplus of oil barrels, and I was paying less than if not right at a $1 a gal for diesel then on 9. 12. 01 we had a shortage and it jumped $. 50 a gal. 7 years later it has jumped 400% and now I pay $4 a gal. Someone please explain to me how in two days we had shortage

 

[FLynes]

I'm surprised no one's blamed Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom for sucking up fuel yet.

 

[AKaiser]

I'm surprised no one's blamed Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom for sucking up fuel yet.

Waiiiiiiiiiit forrrrr it... waiiiiiiiit forrrrrr it...

 

[RRees]

And all this time, I thought a "gas war" was good for consumers.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

here is what I find the most ammusing and never seem to hear anyone (poloticians or oil co. ) address it. On 9. 10. 01 we had a surplus of oil barrels, and I was paying less than if not right at a $1 a gal for diesel then on 9. 12. 01 we had a shortage and it jumped $. 50 a gal. 7 years later it has jumped 400% and now I pay $4 a gal. Someone please explain to me how in two days we had shortage

The real answer is easy...



While a few volunteer defenders of the oil companies and speculators with agendas of their own, attempt to draw our attention from the REAL cause of price increases, and focus upon the "reasonableness" of the publicly displayed 10% profit they are making, attention is diverted AWAY from the FACT that USA fuel CONSUMPTION has stabilized, and in many areas DROPPED - yet they still cling to "supply and demand" as justification for consumer pricing and corporate profit.



"Demand" has NOT quadrupled in the last 5 years as prices have, there are still the SAME number of refineries producing fuel, in the same general volume as always - so WHERE is all that extra "supply" coming from?



Oil exploration and associated pumping and delivery of crude has not quadrupled, nor has refining expense.



Even if you add up ALL the associated oil exploration, delivery and refining cost, I challenge ANYONE to even come close to a 4-times increase in those - OR the "supply/demand" numbers as related to actual fuel consumption.



SO, what HAS changed? S-P-E-C-U-L-A-T-O-R-S! - yeah, those guys in BETWEEN the oil producers and consumers who contribute absolutely NOTHING to the production or transportation and refining of the oil - they are the hedge-fund carpetbaggers who have jumped from the construction and mortgage fund investments, over to oil commodities - and from all outward appearances, are doing as well or better than when in the mortgage investment business!



SURE, if "big oil" makes the same 10% profit regardless of the base price of the raw crude, why should they CARE what the crude costs? Just like the trucking industry, why should they care what the price of diesel is, if all they have to do is pass that price increase on to the shipper and consumer?



And, of course, THAT is exactly what IS happening!



UNTIL a change is made in the way unneeded profit-taking middle men are allowed to interfere with, and manipulate the price of fuel to the end user, what we are seeing now will continue - and don't let the "Capitalism/Free Enterprise" apologists divert focus away from the REAL culprits of upward spiraling fuel costs - we have been told by OPEC, the oil companies, and economy analysts, it has LITTLE to do with the oil company profit, and EVERYTHING to do with uncontrolled oil speculators!

 

[onestackdram]

Whats aggravating also is, what happened to the days where gas stations fought to get your buisness, now instead of lowering their price to get you to come in there instead of the store across the street, now they raise their prices according to the one across the street

 

[arthr31]

Gary - K7GLD has said precisely what the issue is.

As for me, a 12-v owner, I drive the truck less. I was going to install twins (a short for my 64/14) but instead bought a new bike. I will be biking to work (2x a week) at about about 12 miles each way.

The current issue isn't going to change, and I need more $$$ to pay for groceries so I need to adjust. However, I do refuse to sell the truck. I will fix a transmission problem next, and then may new injectors. But from there, that's it. Maintenance only... .

 

[jgillott]

I never intended to use this truck as spairingly as I have been, but lately mine is only on the road when I need to haul or tow with it. I think I may have put just over 300 miles on it last month.



I had all intentions of modifying this truck like I did my last one. Instead, I may just put that money toward a cheap commuter vehicle.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I never intended to use this truck as spairingly as I have been, but lately mine is only on the road when I need to haul or tow with it. I think I may have put just over 300 miles on it last month.

We're lucky - retired, and don't need to do too much driving - but that doesn't isolate us from other rising costs associated with purchase of retail goods, and those prices are certainly rising in tune with the cost of delivery fuel by transporters.



The net effect upon the nation's financial institutions is also troubling, even to retirees like us, who have retirement investments across a wide range - and we keep hearing rumblings as to various shaky financial institutions, mortgage and banking, trembling on the brink of failure.



The shrill and vocal defenders of oil company operation and associated commodities speculators might just see their chickens come home to roost, if THEIR investments go south thru the contortions of this countries economy and it's collapse - taking THEM and their savings with it...



Standing to one side, smuggly aloof and insensitive to what our country is going thru, and to the damage inflicted upon neighbors and friends may well come back to haunt - and I seriously doubt the oil companies or commodities traders can be counted upon to toss them a rope - unless perhaps it has a noose on the end of it...

 

[JDiepstra]

We're lucky - retired, and don't need to do too much driving - but that doesn't isolate us from other rising costs associated with purchase of retail goods, and those prices are certainly rising in tune with the cost of delivery fuel by transporters.



The net effect upon the nation's financial institutions is also troubling, even to retirees like us, who have retirement investments across a wide range - and we keep hearing rumblings as to various shaky financial institutions, mortgage and banking, trembling on the brink of failure.



The shrill and vocal defenders of oil company operation and associated commodities speculators might just see their chickens come home to roost, if THEIR investments go south thru the contortions of this countries economy and it's collapse - taking THEM and their savings with it...



Standing to one side, smuggly aloof and insensitive to what our country is going thru, and to the damage inflicted upon neighbors and friends may well come back to haunt - and I seriously doubt the oil companies or commodities traders can be counted upon to toss them a rope - unless perhaps it has a noose on the end of it...

So what is it going to take for these speculators to get what they have coming? I have to drive my truck for work. I have no choice. I now drive and accelerate more slowly, but what really can I do?

 

[jgillott]

We're lucky - retired, and don't need to do too much driving - but that doesn't isolate us from other rising costs associated with purchase of retail goods, and those prices are certainly rising in tune with the cost of delivery fuel by transporters.



The net effect upon the nation's financial institutions is also troubling, even to retirees like us, who have retirement investments across a wide range - and we keep hearing rumblings as to various shaky financial institutions, mortgage and banking, trembling on the brink of failure.



The shrill and vocal defenders of oil company operation and associated commodities speculators might just see their chickens come home to roost, if THEIR investments go south thru the contortions of this countries economy and it's collapse - taking THEM and their savings with it...



Standing to one side, smuggly aloof and insensitive to what our country is going thru, and to the damage inflicted upon neighbors and friends may well come back to haunt - and I seriously doubt the oil companies or commodities traders can be counted upon to toss them a rope - unless perhaps it has a noose on the end of it...

You know, the truth of the matter is, I really feel a little guilty complaining about the cost of fuel to feed my truck, equipment, etc. The fact is, most of what I use them for is for my hobbies, enjoyment etc. Thank God we have the means by which to continue to do the things we enjoy, even if it does come at a higher net cost.



But with that said, I think you really explained the real issue very well. There is a point that the rising cost of fuel, food, etc. will simply outpace the ability of our economy to absorb the inflation.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

So what is it going to take for these speculators to get what they have coming? I have to drive my truck for work. I have no choice. I now drive and accelerate more slowly, but what really can I do?

Everyone concerned has their own level of potential action - from merely doing what goes on here, keeping the topic - and protests - alive, These boards and threads get read far more than many realize, and by MANY types of individuals, for many purposes.



For my part, in addition to boards like this, I've written letters to major, as well as smaller, newspapers - to legislators, and major networks - and helped in establishing and circulating a nation-wide petition.



None of those, alone, will accomplish much - but a widely diverse focused action by MANY, can help.



Doing nothing, GETS nothing done!

 

[tom sweeney]

... . ditto on the commuter vehicle,when i return from May Madness '08,the truck will have at least 1 tank full,and then it'll remain parked while i use the 32mpg Honda for daily driving!!!... . gone are the days when i would rack up close to 30k miles per year on my truck... tom

 

[KFranco]

There's no doubt fuel prices have affected all of us. For me and and my family we have cut back on eating out etc... and have budgeted that money saved for the extra rv towing fuel. We have camp with our 30'TT about 15-20 times a year and will not miss these trips. We love to camp and will find a way to get the extra money for fuel. I have to admit there will come a slowing point soon if the prices keep going beyond $5/gallon.