I always wanted to get a bigger tow vehicle and trailer. I am looking in the paper and $12,000.00 (F150s/Chevrolet 1500) discounts are not uncommon now and can be had without negotiation. My wife and I have a 21 foot (with a queen bed rear expandable) travel trailer that we tow with a V8-4Runner. We would have like something bigger in the 27 to 30 foot range. Either a 5th wheel or another TT and a tow vehicle to match.
But now with gas/diesel prices at an all time high - it has taken all enthusiasm out of buying anything RV wise.
Down the road when the 4Runner wears out, we are considering an even more economical tow vehicle and a Trailmanor.
Sadly, this new energy situation will affect all of us in ways we do not even know
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Well at least we are saving our oil in the ground until the Middle East runs out so that gives some piece of mind to some. We have to think about the grand kids.
Buying because of the fuel prices just doesn't seem to make a bunch of sense to me.....unless you figure that now is a great time to buy! That $12K you mentioned saving, and probably even more with the larger trailer, would sure go a long way towards the difference in price of the gas!
My guess, like most people, you'll wait until gas prices go down, and the TV and TT prices go up, before you decide to buy What is the difference??? Money is money.....
For the year 2008, you will spend "X" number of dollars on RVing....figure the "TOTAL PICTURE", not just one aspect of it. I saved a bunch of money on my RV this year, and that money will go a long way to paying the difference in the gas prices. Save your money by planning your trips better, spending less during your times at home (less meals out, etc), and you'll have plenty for "adventures". Camp closer to home too!!
And as has been said many times on this forum....you can't put a price on the memories you'll have in your RV!! Just seems as if a lot of people are!!
Just my 2-cents!!
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008 The Pets
We are not selling anything or buying anything different, but admittedly, fuel prices have taken some of the enthusiasm out of RVing, for us anyway. We'll stay home more. Fortunately, we have a nice ranch on which to live, and so we are outdoors a good bit, as it is, but we like to travel and see new sights. I guess we'll all adjust in our individual ways, according to our particular situations. Still, life is short and should be enjoyed with prudence and in good measure, when possible. It was always a luxury and so one just adjusts, things could be a lot worse.
No matter how you explain it when you fill that tank you may need a home equity loan to pay. Lots of difference in paying cash for TV and Camper, than financing and monthly payments(a few dollars discount does not amount to much in a long range loan) but when you fill that tank that is money that has to be paid now..
The perfect theory would be to pay cash for camper,tv or MH, take the saving(discounts) put in the bank and then draw off that to pay your gas bills.
Sure, we will all "adjust". But, let's face it, the bottom line is that our previous measure of "quality of life" will have to change. To give up those things which you have enjoyed for many years, in order to have enough money to buy fuel for RVing, simply means that our quality of life has decreased. And, it also means that many businesses will shut down because we no longer will have money to support them. There will be thousands of people put out of a job.
It won't be just about me. The vast majority of us will be poorer, and that's all there is to it. Yep, a lot of the "magic" will be taken away.
The way to survive, and remain happy, is to count your blessings.
Hey, yesterday, we only burned 6-1/2 gallones of gas to run up to the Crawfish Festival,.....danced to a lot of Zydeco music. Today, I'll get to watch the Indy 500 and the Coca Cola 600. And, I can afford to go a few miles out to Outdoor World and drive the NASCAR stockcar simulator. And, Tuesday, we'll drive down to Braunig Lake and go fishing. Life is still good.
Willie & Betty Sue
Miko & Sparky
2003 41 ft Dutch Star Diesel Pusher/Spartan
Floorplan 4010
Blazer toad & Ranger bassboat
My sister lives in the U.K and they're paying just shy of the equivelant of $9 U.S. dollars for a gallon of diesel fuel for their 24' European MH that they use to travel around Wales and the rest of the U.K. FWIW: Yes I miss the .25 cent a gallon gasoline prices of my 1950's youth but considering we can take a 2000 mile trip today paying $4.50+ a gallon for diesel fuel averaging 11 MPG towing our 14K+ 5'er and still enjoly ourselves and pay less compared to auto driving, staying in hotels, and eating out, I think we've got it pretty good! We enjoy a quality of life not enjoyed by most of the rest of the world and fuel prices certainly will never have an impact on my quality of life. However, fuel availability like the embargo's of the 70's can bring everything to a screaching halt. But I have no control over that so as long as diesel fuel is at least available, our quality of life in no way has been affected. Our freedom to do what we want, when we want, where we want, and for as long as we want, with the freedom to be able to put ourselves in a position to afford and enjoy such luxuries not easilly available to the rest of the world, has not been affected in any way because of fuel prices. We've recently acquired a 33' MH in addition to our 5'er that we intend to fully restore and are excited about eventually using on a regular basis. Regardless of the price of fuel, I can't help but get excited at the opportunity to hit the road and enjoy the RV lifestyle. IMHO: Most of the folks complaining about not being able to afford to feed their RV's today were probably on the bubble of actually being able to afford ownership in the first place. JMHO.
Happy camping!!! See ya'll down the road!!!
AIR FORCE RETIRED "EITHER LEAD,FOLLLOW,OR GET OUT OF MY WAY"!
2006 GMC 3500 SLT CC DRW 4X4 D/A LBZ,PREDATOR & FS2500 OIL FILTER
2004 HR PRESIDENTIAL 30 SCD 5'ER.
CHEROKEE & CHEYENNE, MINI DOXIE'S
LOADED LIKE A FREIGHT TRAIN, FLYIN LIKE A JET PLANE!!
As a former Trailmanor owner they are great campers BUT--- have you checked the price of one? Even the mid-sized one cost nearly as much as a 5er. I towed mine with a 2500HD 6L gaser and at best got 12 to 14 MPG.
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What is the difference??? Money is money..... 
Just seems as if a lot of people are!!
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- Crickeydog - No one is "complaining" - we are just commenting and - most of us are not all on any "bubble"!!
