Unfortunatly yes but it's not just the gas prices. Living in N.E. I have to worry about heating this winter, with oil at just under $5 the bill will be about double last years. Electric just went up as have the groceries. Everything pretty much except the income. Somethings got to give, closer trips (like 8 hours instead of 50) is an easy but unwanted way to make a cut.
Bob & Deb
W Ma.
04 GMC 1500 4X4, 5.3L
06 Starcraft 18SB
I'd be stupid if I said no. The price of gas has doubled since we got our RV. We plan our trips more intelligently now. This year, we visted a friend in VT. we left the RV there, and now are exploring the Adirondacks, Canada and VT from our "New home base". We will look next year into placing our RV in a central location to do our traveling from. This way we only make two (down and back) major rides in our unit. This way we can make more shorter trips and save us considerable dollars.
We've been camping MORE actually. Just bought a new tow vehicle also. Since we'll have a car payment for a couple years again (we've been car payment-free for over 2 years now), I'm cancelling cable at home (we rarely watch tv anyways), I'm getting cheaper internet service and I'm also going back to coupon clipping. Oh, and my kids don't want to do a lot of extracurricular activities this year and I'm not pushing it. That alone will save us a good bit of money!
We may not go on far camping trips, but that's ok.
Me: 31, DH: 33, DD: 10, DD: 8
2001 Ford Expedition
2001 Honda Odyssey
2003 K-Z Coyote 23
DW hates the driving part of getting anywhere and four hours is about her limit, so we have never driven more than 200 miles to a campground (plenty of really nice state parks in that radius). Let's see, at $5/gal. for diesel and 10 miles/gal. that's 50 cents/mile or $200 for a maximum trip. Yikes! I've never worked that out before.
We're lucky if we do 10 trips a year and the fuel cost for that would be $2000. Well, that's not chump change but it's doable, especially since we're cutting our expenses elsewhere.
Anyway, to answer the OP's question, no, we haven't changed our RV habits but I'm sure (as of this post) more conscious of the cost.
First of all, Thank You! We appreciate what you are doing in Iraq. I can just picture you over there dreaming and searching the net for rvs. We do that to see what's out there that's new. You probably don't have a lot of time to search like we have, because you can spend hours looking at campers when you are excited about purchasing one. I agree with the others on this thread who say not to let the gas prices worry you. So it will cost more, so what? The amount of pleasure you get from camping with all of your stuff in your camper is soooooo relaxing and fun! Get what you want and enjoy it! If you think you want a toy hauler, then get one. Happy camping!
Hubby and Me
Dog - Cody, shepherd/heeler mix
2007 Itasca Spirit 31C
No toad yet
2006 Holiday Rambler LX 5th
2005 Keystone Outback 5th
1980 Jayco Pop Up
Currently I try not drive more than 6 hours to camp for a variety of reasons, gasoline prices notwithstanding.
I still look at the enjoyment RVing gives me and the cost benefit it has over many other vacation options. Sure, CGs are no longer cheap but if one has amenities getting there is going to cost something.
If we ever have to go back to gas rationing and odd/even days that could make trips a bit more interesting.
Absolutely--I won't pay $4.70 to go ten miles to have "fun". Of course it is stopping a bunch of people--probably some that have answered you in the negative.
I have more enjoyable pursuits that are far less expensive--golf being one so I can wait it all out for awhile.
I would not discourage anyone from continuing to drive their RVs, it is a personal decision--I choose not to spend the kind of money it takes to fuel up my unit.
We'll see what happens after the election and the "no drilling, no where" bunch takes the licking they deserve.
nope. we just finished the north and are sitting in vermont getting ready to head for colorado. gas has been under 4 bucks everywhere for the last 5 weeks of our trip this year, and we won't let it stop us even if it were to go up.
I go back to the adage if you can afford a big rv, you can afford to use it. our little 27 foot is what is is and we know that. still cheaper then staying in a hotel and visiting all the places we have been so far.
1992 Four Winds Class C 27'
2002 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
A couple of kayaks, bikes, and whatever else we can pile on
classCcuisine wrote: nope. we just finished the north and are sitting in vermont getting ready to head for colorado. gas has been under 4 bucks everywhere for the last 5 weeks of our trip this year, and we won't let it stop us even if it were to go up.
I go back to the adage if you can afford a big rv, you can afford to use it. our little 27 foot is what is is and we know that. still cheaper then staying in a hotel and visiting all the places we have been so far.
Exactly.. We took a 2400 mile trip at the peak of the fuel costs and it still was far cheaper than driving a car, staying in hotels and eating every meal in a resturant.
That said, price not considered, It was far better also. Our 26' trailer is much nicer than any hotel room, even a 4 star. Besides the views where we stayed were priceless.
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