What impact will fuel have on your vacation/RV Purchase

[hammersley]

I'm thinking twice about getting a TT. Not sure the cost of fuel and TT and camping sites makes the decision very wise... ... But I know the decision is an individual one. My Question - those who have an RV - be honest - do you think the fuel cost will effect your use this Summer and or maybe your decision about replacing it in the future?

 

[mikel]

My wife and I have owned a trailer for about two years and we're using it more and more as time goes by. The way I see it, if we were going to go do anything and stay in a hotel, then we'd still spend some of the fuel cost getting there and then we'd have to pay for the hotel and all our meals out to eat.



If we bring the trailer we pay a little more in fuel, but less on a spot than a hotel room and we don't have to go out to eat at all if we don't want to.



To me the extra fuel is a non-issue since we still come out cheaper to drag the trailer along than to stay in a hotel.



As far as replacing it, we enjoy it enough that when the time comes that it needs replacing then unless our lives have changed so much that we can't replace it then we will get another one.



Good luck with your decision,

Mike

 

[RustyJC]

Like boating, RVing is an expensive hobby. If I can afford to buy a 5th wheel and a truck to pull it, I'd better be able to pay for fuel and campsites. Ya gotta pay if yore gonna play.



If we want to go somewhere, we hitch up and go.



Rusty

 

[BV]

It might change the color of fuel I burn but I would like to go camping this year since last year we had no way to pull the TT.

 

[CajunDieselMan]

Well..... let's see... . to compare driving my truck empty for 1000 miles or with my 5th wheel for 1000 miles--my calculations say I burn about 25% more fuel towing the fiver. This is about 17 gallons more per 1000 miles@$2. 00 per gallon=$34. I usually tow less than 500 miles round trip (lots of nice places in Louisiana) and have never paid more than $1. 65 a gallon for diesel. Ain't gonna change my mind.



Besides, a fair sized boat only gets--at best--4 to 5 mpg! I still see plenty of boats on the water.

 

[fkovalski]

I have a WilderNest camper/ topper on my truck and soon the permacamping equipment will go in the back soon and stay there till the end of hunting saeson. I am fortunate to live in a playground where I can primative camp in some of the most spectacular places many of which are less than an hour from where I live. No- fuel prices are not going to affect me

 

[klenger]

Between payments and insurance, I'm spending about $1200 / month for the truck and camper. I don't think that a few extra dollars for fuel is going to make much difference. What I do need is more time off to do it.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

As much as I resent price gouging on fuels, as evidenced by the record oil company profits, I'm getting to old and too few years of mobility left to let a few extra dollars for diesel to stop me... Sure don't plan any anything newer or bigger than our current '88 Kit 24 footer.

 

[willyslover]

I'm with the old geezer above !!



but I'm in a 35 ft'er and a 25' G/N to play with the pullers and dragers...

 

[crobertson1]

Fuel prices will not keep us from creating some fantastic memories for my family and I. Some of our most treasured times have been while RVing. I can't wait to yank our TT around with our new "600"!

 

[GFritsch]

The price of not going is far more than the price of staying home, even if fuel were twice as much.



having to work 49 weeks a year I would explode w/o putting the camper on and driving to a place where only God had control...

 

[hammersley]

In summary - they have us don't they - and it really T's me off!

 

[klenger]

Yup, and "they" are probably reading this too !!!

 

[Bob Wagner]

Originally posted by klenger

Yup, and "they" are probably reading this too !!!

and laughing

 

[Gene Arnold]

I'm planning to travel as much or more as in the past (family needs have changed and freed me up to do more), but I'll probably try to travel "smarter" (watch my speed, tire pressures, etc. ). Also, I'm helped by my AAA Financial Credit Card that gives me a five percent rebate on my fuel. That, plus the penny savings with my Flying J card, saves me eleven cents per gallon @ $2. 00. The trip to Nebraska and Colorado I'll take next month will cost me approximately $125 more than in previous years (figuring $2 per gallon cost). Not enough to keep me from visiting friends and family!



When I figure the cost of my investment in the truck and trailer, fuel costs, campground fees, etc, I'm not sure I save a nickel with my TT compared to motels & restaurants, but I hate motels, and I like eating in my own environment. Besides, my wife is a better (and cleaner) cook than I find in most restaurants

 

[Partyat33]

I really don't see it changing my plans at all. I might drive a little slower with the trailer in tow to help MPG. But I am still going everywhere we want.



Dennis

 

[Dkevdog]

I think the general consensus here is apparent- We will still travel, it will just cost us more. That iis the beauty of fuel prices to the oil companies. They could charge $4 a gallon, we would complain like he**... but we will still buy, and drive. Good business to be in!



I think they only change I might have is to take trips closer to home. We had originally planned a 5000 mile trip, which may now be replanned closer to home.



Kev

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I sure would like to see lots more of THIS:



http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-04-30-truckers_x.htm?csp=24

 

[HBarlow]

I'm leaving for a two month journey to Alaska Monday morning pulling my Avion TT. I estimate I'll travel 9,000 to 10,000 miles roundtrip by the time I'm back home at the end of June.



I'm thinking of the old adage, "you only live once. " And, I might add, for a relatively short time. So my answer is no, I'm not going to let fuel prices make me stay home. I'm going while I can.



In constant dollars, in other words adjusted for inflation, fuel is actually cheaper now than it has been in some previous years. Besides that, putting it in perspective, diesel fuel is cheaper than bottled water, soft drinks, a cup of coffee or a glass of tea when purchased in a restaurant, certainly cheaper than beer, wine, or mixed drinks. Considering that a gallon of diesel fuel will move 17,000 pounds of Dodge and Avion about 14 miles down the highway, it seems pretty cheap.



If I was concerned about record oil company profits as the media spins it, I'd buy stock in the major oil companies to get my share. I think higher fuel prices are actually caused more by supply and demand. China is modernizing and using more fuel which creates more world demand. We Americans use more fuel every year also. The US has not increased refining capability by building new refineries in many years. Simply put, demand is exceeding supply. That situation is guaranteed to raise prices.



Harvey

 

[fkovalski]

Originally posted by HBarlow



I'm thinking of the old adage, "you only live once. " And, I might add, for a relatively short time. So my answer is no, I'm not going to let fuel prices make me stay home. I'm going while I can.

God Bless you for that attitude. Be safe! We'll want to hear about your jaunt when ya' get back (and maybe along the way if ya' got a 'puter)