I've seen gas prices double in the early 1970s and again in the early 1980s, then bounce around for another 20 years and now settling in around $4.00/gallon. Gas in the early 1970s was $.30/gallon, now $4.00. That works out to a 13.3X increase. The cost of my motorhomes have increased about the same amount over the same time span, so what's new?
It won't help to burn the oil executives at the stake and drive them out of business because we're mad that our toys/homes are getting very costly to operate.
Really?
It wont help?
You sure about that?
I bet if this was 177X you would have told us that it wont help to rebel against King George and the British, that we should just pay whatever they want in taxes and be glad they have mercy on us and let us live to see another day.
"If you can't afford an expensive hobby, you need a different hobby"
ObviouslY, that's what it's coming down to. But you can't blame all the disappointed working class rv'ers from gripping a little bit about being shut-out. Those that are irritated by the complaining can relax. We'll soon be gone for good and the upscale folks can have the forum, highways and campgrounds all to themselves. It's probably a good thing for them - gets rid of all the TT and popup trash.
I wish! It's just started - oil's gone up $2/barrel everyday for the last week or so. A year from now - or a few months - $4 gas will be a nostalgic memory.
Wehren wrote: Why aren't we going after the fuel companies? These fuel companies are laughing all the way to the bank and nothing is doing about it. Its hurting all the working people, hurting businesses and all I hear is talk. Do you think if we talk enough, it'll all go away? Why are they scared to go after the fuel companies, cap the fuel prices of a gallon of fuel. Why not? What are your thoughts? Jim
Dont forget the government is making something like 30% tax on every gallon sold so they arent in a big hurry to tell the oil companies to cut prices or persuade people to drive more fuel efficient vehicles.The fuel companies maybe laughing all the way to the bank but the government is is in the same car going to the same bank.
"Second star to the right, and straight on till morning."
eltejano1 wrote: "If you can't afford an expensive hobby, you need a different hobby"
ObviouslY, that's what it's coming down to. But you can't blame all the disappointed working class rv'ers from gripping a little bit about being shut-out. Those that are irritated by the complaining can relax. We'll soon be gone for good and the upscale folks can have the forum, highways and campgrounds all to themselves. It's probably a good thing for them - gets rid of all the TT and popup trash.
Jack
You must admit tho, that fifty years ago, very few "working class" people could afford to RV.
I have said several times on these forums that we have lived through a period of history and prosperity which allowed the working man to live a lifestyle far above the historical norm.
This situation is rabidly changing and I do not see any reason why it will not continue to do so!
When truck drivers and factory workers can temporarily afford three bath homes and quarter million dollar toys, this is a situation that cannot and will not be substained.
I am not trying to be snotty, I spent my life working in dirty blue ond often black collar jobs.
My point is that sitting around waiting for the situation to revert back eight or nine years is in my opinion, wasted time, it is not going to happen.
That's mostly true, Sea Dog. But cheap fuel did make it possible for working folks to travel with a TT or truck camper. Now, even that is no longer possible for many. And I don't know too many of my class that have quarter million dollar rigs - mostly, we have pickups and a modest trailer, often bought used for a few thousand bucks.
When we retired in 2003, we could travel 300 miles/day and get a decent rv park for fifty bucks and now it cost three times that. I know the situation isn't going to revert back. I know it's all over - but it's kinda hard when you enjoy something so much, and get it in your blood, to suddenly have it yanked away like this.
The complaining isn't accomplishing anything concrete - it's just that misery loves company and sharing one's frustrations with others in the same boat somehow seems to make it a little easier to accept. That's all it amounts to - and I think the reason that some are so bothered by these "gripping threads" is because they really can't afford it either and don't want to be reminded of that fact. The truly affluent guys with the quarter-million dollar rigs are not troubled by fuel costs and they don't care whether we complain or not.
Rv'ing is addictive and some folks are going to drive(pun intended) themselves into poverty rather than give it up. My own wife of 43 years is one of them - and I feel it's my duty to hold the line and not jeopardize our comfort and medical care in our final years by devastating our retirement nest egg on fuel costs. I may regret it. Like some here are saying, you only live once. Maybe I should just go for it and let the govt pay for our rest home care. We all have to decide that for ourselves.
I admit I'm burning with jealousy, though, of those who are travelling this summer while we sit home - just plain, old sinful envy. I admit it. I just don't see how they can enjoy the trip under these conditions. We're all made differently. I've always been frugal and I'm too old to shift gears now.
I've vented my frustrations here and I thank y'all for your forebearance. It's time for me to shut-up.
The Government does control the price of milk or at least the price the dairy farmers are paid for their milk! Then the difference in milk from place to place has to do with how it is processed. How far the milk has to travel to be processed.
The same thing should be happening with fuel/oil. The government could set the price the big oil companies can sell it for. Cap the profits the refinery's can make in profit.
As someone else has stated I can choose to live without milk and I will be fine. I need fuel and lots of it each day. Yes I guess I could go back to a horse and buggy and save fuel! But I have come to rely on fuel to power my home, heat my home, and transportation.
And my point before is if the government is going to control the profits of dairy farmers why are they not doing anything about big oil company's.
2006 CHEVY 2500HD 6.0L 4.10 Ext Cab
Wife, 3 kids (boys... 6 month old, 5 year old, and 6 year old), and our dog RIGZ.
I'm beginning to think that the main cause of the recent spike in oil prices is caused by speculation in oil futures trading. Sure, we have increased demand, limited supply, refining shortages, and other factors. These have been with us all along and will continue to cause the price of oil to rise.
The frenzy in prices now is caused by the speculators. Just remember the effect that speculation had on the recent housing market debacle.
I hope none of you are holding the deed to a condo in Miami, that was sold 3 or 4 times previously before you purchased it, but such condo hasn't even been built yet. And never will be built. This is what speculation brought you.
I read the other days where a market analyst said, "An average American family of four is suffering so that a Wall Street trader can earn his $20 million. Could be a lot of truth to this.
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