I hope I'm not repeating thread subject matter too much. I had my heart set on going to Gainesville's drag races this year, I've been loyal since 1998. Gainesville is in the SAME state as me but it would cost me three tanks of fuel, one up, one back and one to run the genny for four days (rough estimates). Before I even buy a hot dog I've spent $1200 in fuel....I couldn't justify it and it broke my heart not to be able to go. Add the destination costs and it would have been over $2K, for a long weekend.
Anyone else had sad second thoughts on trips?
She goes really REALLY FAST
2002 Rexair 40' DP Cummins 400HP with Banks
Suzuki GS 290HP Top Gas Dragbike, 0-180mph in 7.5 seconds
Suzuki GS 230HP Bracket Dragbike, 0-150mph in 8.5 seconds
Enclosed race trailer, A/C, gen, compressor, mini-shop
When it comes down to traveling long distances for a short stay (a single long weekend) the math becomes harder to swallow, but the further you go and the longer you stay away that changes.
All that said, if the difference in cost from years passed to this year is only the equivalent of a few hundred dollars (the extra cost of fuel, the rest of the costs would seem fixed or only marginally higher?) then I can't see how the extra cost of gas would have stopped me.
I think when it comes to special trips like this that are going to cost alot of money for a short period (but with high fun payoff) budgeting ahead is the key. If it would have cost you $1700 last year but $2000 this year due to higher fuel costs, is it really the cost of fuel that's stopping you?
I am guessing we are talking about a round trip from Key West, Florida to Gainesville, Florida or a trip of about 1000 miles. Lets say you get 8 MPG. You would then burn about 125 gallons of fuel. Lets say diesel is $4.10 per gallon. That trip will then cost for fuel $512.50.
Lets compare that to diesel fuel costs of one year ago. That trip would have cost last year $375 for fuel assuming diesel was $3.00 per gallon.
OK, we now have a difference of $137.50. You mean to tell us that you will not engage in an activity you had your "heart set on" for $137.50?
Of course, the costs of running the generator is not included in this cost analysis, but I think that you would not burn 100 gallons of fuel in 4 days. Even if you do, using the figures above, add another $110.00 and the total additional costs are $247.50.
I suggest dear sir/madam that you can no longer afford your motorhome period, and you should relieve yourself of it.
Why not hop in a car that gets 25 mpg. Your 1000-mile round trip (@ $3.50 per gallon) now costs you $140 in fuel. Add to that 3 or 4 nights in a pretty nice motel, and you still haven't come close to your fuel-only cost to go by RV. Sure, we all love RVing, but there's more than one way to skin a cat. Don't cancel a trip you really want to take, because an RV is NOT the only way to go. Just a suggestion.
We haven't cancelled a pre-planned trip, but we face the reality of not being able to comfortably afford all the travels that we once could. It's not just the higher and higher cost of fuel, but also the higher and higher cost of everything you want to pay for, during a trip. We're down to an annual diesel fuel budget of about $3,300.
I want to add; if you live in Key West, and own a motorhome, you have to go a long way, in one direction, in order to go somewhere.
Whereas, we made an attempt to base in a central location whereby we could motorhome in all directions. I suppose there's no place like home.
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
Gas/diesel prices are what they are. They have us over a barrel. All I know is we enjoy RV'ing too much. If we cut out say dining out when we are home then they we would have enough for the higher fuel prices. Sorry for the sarcasim, but too me it sounds like an excuse.
Alan, Brenda, Kyle
Queen Creek, AZ
2007 F-250 XLT Supercrew V-10,w/tow command,4.30,Equalizer hitch, WD bars
2008 Jayco 26BHS
bkbajb wrote: Gas/diesel prices are what they are. They have us over a barrel. All I know is we enjoy RV'ing too much. If we cut out say dining out when we are home then they we would have enough for the higher fuel prices. Sorry for the sarcasim, but too me it sounds like an excuse.
It doesn't sound like an excuse to me. I can easily relate to a situation where one has been cutting back on other expenses, for several years, just to be able to pay for a "first love". Then, at some point you decide that you have slowly been decreasing your quality of live in all the other places,....just to go to the races.
That's why I now do NOT engage in racing, other than watching it on TV.
wayne_tw wrote: I am guessing we are talking about a round trip from Key West, Florida to Gainesville, Florida or a trip of about 1000 miles. Lets say you get 8 MPG. You would then burn about 125 gallons of fuel. Lets say diesel is $4.10 per gallon. That trip will then cost for fuel $512.50.
Lets compare that to diesel fuel costs of one year ago. That trip would have cost last year $375 for fuel assuming diesel was $3.00 per gallon.
OK, we now have a difference of $137.50. You mean to tell us that you will not engage in an activity you had your "heart set on" for $137.50?
Of course, the costs of running the generator is not included in this cost analysis, but I think that you would not burn 100 gallons of fuel in 4 days. Even if you do, using the figures above, add another $110.00 and the total additional costs are $247.50.
I suggest dear sir/madam that you can no longer afford your motorhome period, and you should relieve yourself of it.
Nope, we're not canceling any trips due to fuel prices. We're still taking our one "long" trip in about a month, but will probably scale back our plans for the summer and stay closer to home.
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