webiknight
Mesa, Arizona
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Joined: 04/14/2007
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We have had to greatly decrease our planned camping trips this summer due to the current increase in gas and food prices. We figure our normal $200 camping trip is now around $400. (This is for food, fuel and supplies.) We had in our vacation budget about $1200 for 18 nights of camping over the summer. Now for that same amount of money I am down to one 3 day weekend a month. 
Hopefully others get to have the fun, maybe next year or come on winter, desert camping is really close and nice at 60 degrees!!
2006 Starcraft 36RT
1999 Chevy 2500 Crew Cab 7.4L
2002 Yamaha Grizzly
2003 Yamaha Kodiak
2005 SunL 150
2008 Coolster 125cc
2008 Coolster 70cc
2005 SunL 90
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The Right to Bear Arms --- AFFIRMED 
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Go Dogs
Greene County, PA
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Joined: 08/09/2005
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So, if I understand right- You'll have 3,3 day weekends. Is that right? Well, that can certainly be lot so fun! Don't be down and look forward to your once a month trips!
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YnotTurbo
Alpharetta Georgia
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Joined: 04/20/2006
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We have been camping just as much if not more than last season. I am not going to let diesel prices keep us from our favorite past time. Our one week trip to Ashland WV cost over 1000 bucks. That was food, fuel, and campground fee's. Maybe prices will go down eventually.
Navy Chief
2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie w/6.7 CTD, 6 speed auto, Factory Exhaust Brake.
2007 KZ 41CKS3 Montego Bay Sportster
2006 Kaw KDX 200
2008 Can AM Outlander Max 650
2006 Yam R6
2007 Suz GSXR 600
Golf cart
Real Trucks Don't have Sparkplugs!
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emaav
Hillsboro, Oregon
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Joined: 01/20/2007
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Family memories are priceless. I figure that we have a few years left with our DS before he does not want to go.
Me (Eli) 1972
DW (Monique) 1974
DS (Alex) 1996
DD (Amanda) 2002
1997 GMC Safari
2003 Jayco Kiwi 21C
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tarkin
Belle River, Ontario
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Joined: 01/22/2007
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We're opting out of two camping trips in exchange for a trip to Walt Disney World in October. Frankly, I'd rather be camping!
...May the forest be with you...
PUP owner since 2006--Jayco '06 model# 1006
Days camped in '07: 21
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Caddywhompus
Southeast WI
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Joined: 06/27/2001
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I wish i had the disposable money that some have.
We have definitely backed off on our trips, with AND without the camper, this year. I have been watching my errand-running as well trying to combine several stops into one trip instead of hopping in the car for every little thing.
We are fortunate to have somewhat efficient vehicles so the fuel increases don't even bother us as much as some others. I have a friend who bought an Explorer instead of a minivan last winter because his wife wouldn't be seen dead in a minivan. They were supposed to go with us in August for a trip to Mackinaw and recently canceled. His reason is because he only gets 15mpg towing an 8' box popup with his V6 explorer, and he can't afford the gas to drive from SE Wisconsin to the UP. We are still planning on taking the trip ourselves, but we will just have less money to do fun stuff with. I may use the Subaru instead of the Freestar simply because the Subaru gets 4-5mpg better towing the popup than the van, which only manages 20mpg when the trailer is behind it. That I haven't decided for sure yet.
These increasing fuel prices will shift the market's thinking in the near future. You will always have those with the disposable income to continue pulling a small house behind them, but they are not the majority. The families with small campers and small tow vehicles are the majority. Old sayings like "You can't have too much truck" or "There is no replacement for displacement" sound silly to me now. You can have too much truck when you are wasting fuel! I predict people are going to be a little more selective about the RV they choose. Rather than buy the biggest one they can afford, then match a truck to it you will find more people buying smaller RVs that are towable by cars or minivans instead. A few of us already adopted this strategy.
Take care and be safe.
-Jimmy
'04 Ford Freestar (Primary tow vehicle)
'05 Subaru Forester (Backup tow vehicle)
'65 Bethany popup (best popups ever made!)
Looking for a tow vehicle
Minivan towing
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4hapyMcDs
Southern Ont. Canada
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Joined: 11/09/2006
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We are still going. With the gas prices at a high and going up we decided to go as much as we always do, just cut back on the sight seeing and extras along the way. Food is a cost at home or in the CG, we still have to eat. Enjoy. We normally take my DD's out for a passing supper and buy a gift, this year we decided to take a weekend passing trip. Buy a special supper for the BBQ, have a game day, the weekend will we dedicated to my DD's passing. I bought a pack of balloons for a old fashion water balloon fight. Things we normally don't do. One way for us to cut back but keep camping.
* This post was
edited 06/24/08 10:53am by 4hapyMcDs *
The outdoors is a wonderful place to be....
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jerr529
NY
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Joined: 09/01/2006
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I will never ever give up my time to spend with my family no matter how much i have to spend extra maybe instead of 3weeks to enjoy my Vacation ill just do 2.I fig i earned that time and i wont deny my fun ALL together .Ill just cut back on few things but i will still have my time together and i agree with few here that cutting back some wont deny me the pleasures . Ill have one less Bannana split and make it a cone instead lol
jerry
23ss Roo 09
chevy 09 Silverado 5.3 V8 3.73
DW,4boys all grown, GC 5 boys 5 girls ages 8 down to 1
http://community.webshots.com/user/jerr7
Equalizer hitch
ultra fab 3500 Power Jack
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henw
Florida
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Joined: 06/07/2007
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Just saw a " 60 Minutes " feature on children in Niger. We should not complain about anything.
I think it would be very educational if someone like Suzie Orman came into a few
RVer households and really made folks cut the fat. I'd bet 99% would find more funds than ever for travel.
We're walking, biking, making our own bread, cooking, gardening, opening windows. Hanging the clothes ouside to dry, navy showers, fluorescent bulbs. Generic foods, no beverages in bottles. Own yard work. Ironing clothes!!
Just like things used to be.
But, we will be traveling. Life is too short.
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FritoBandito
Full Timers
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Joined: 02/12/2004
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I.O.M.
Food costs are about the same wherever you go ... so that's a wash.
Fuel costs are about the same wherever you go ... so that's a wash.
The only measurable difference that I can calculate is ... do you want to give up the precious time together and family memories? Those times will live with you and your kids for a lifetime. Take pictures and make memories. Skimp on something else.
Oh yeah ... I.O.M.?"
It's Only Money"
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