fuel prices

[stacktester]

So how many of you are either cancelling or cutting back on activities you would normally do with your camping hobby due to rising fuel? I know overall it adds a few bucks to a trip, but a few bucks is a lot to some who save for a trip.

 

[becky1960]

I know a lot of people are saying it only adds a few dollars to a trip, but it adds a lot to overall driving. Diesel is now $ 3.27 here in my area and just 6 weeks ago I bought it for $2.33 at one station. If it goes to four, and they are predicting that much by first of 08 I think we will cut back on our trips. I now see in my area many RV's for sale, all types.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Ya know....I remember walking to a corner gas station when I was a kid to buy gas for the lawnmower. One gallon can, ......33 cents!! MAN....I'm gettin OLD!!!

 

[stacktester]

Ya know....I remember walking to a corner gas station when I was a kid to buy gas for the lawnmower. One gallon can, ......33 cents!! MAN....I'm gettin OLD!!!

I didn't know they had gas then.

I can believe the rv's for sale. I go get this big 5'er and diesel shoots up. I think it's going to really affect the economy especially the tourism. Even though we're 2.5 hours away from WDW it still costs us a c-note to get there and back. Maybe I'll trade again lol for a tent or a pop up with the deck for the 4 wheelers. Much lighter and fuel efficient.

 

[MBMacs]

If we let the gas prices hold us back, then they win. If we use ponchos in the rain, then they win, if we don't bring our own cart, then they win.if we don't......can you see that I will not let them win??? No seriously, gas is going threw the roof, you can tell its the holdays soon.Easily will be $400 round trip for us.

 

[snocrossmechanic]

Diesel is up to 3.39 a gallon here today. We are heading to the fort mid december. We guessed at 1100.00 round trip for fuel and I think we may need to add a couple hundred if the price keeps climbing. We have heavy fuel taxes up here so I added a 55 gallon fuel tank to the truck. Now we just need to monitor the states within that range and then we will fill up in the cheapest state.

Anyway you look at it the cost of airfare is the same for 4 of us so the fuel cost is not really a big deal. We do save on lodging and meals (if you forget the cost of the RV) so the trip seems less expensive. We really like the drive and having our "2nd home" to sleep in rather than a hotel room. I dont see us cutting back on the travels at all.

Happy trails to all.

Mark

 

[LarryJ]

Diesel is up to 3.39 a gallon here today. We are heading to the fort mid december. We guessed at 1100.00 round trip for fuel and I think we may need to add a couple hundred if the price keeps climbing. We have heavy fuel taxes up here so I added a 55 gallon fuel tank to the truck. Now we just need to monitor the states within that range and then we will fill up in the cheapest state.

Anyway you look at it the cost of airfare is the same for 4 of us so the fuel cost is not really a big deal. We do save on lodging and meals (if you forget the cost of the RV) so the trip seems less expensive. We really like the drive and having our "2nd home" to sleep in rather than a hotel room. I dont see us cutting back on the travels at all.

Happy trails to all.

Mark

That's my take on this also. It takes around 150 gal of fuel for a RT to WDW and even at $4/gal it's still a bargain to RV it over flying, renting a car, staying at a regular resort/cabin and eating out. We also have two dogs to consider so add kennel costs for us if we don't RV it. For our upcoming trip it would cost us more in kennel costs alone (for 45 days) than what we will spend on fuel alone. In the overall scheme of things doubling the cost of fuel for us from say $300 to $600 is just not that big of a deal in the end.

Also, those that try and amortize the cost of the RV in the equation don't realize that one does not buy an RV based mainly on cost savings, but in what RVing offers from the overall flexibility and life style that it offers which one can't put a $$$ value on. We raised two sons and have always owned a trailer and have made many, many trips some coast to coast when I was on active duty and the memories when camping as a family are now priceless.

I do feel for those that are still working and have a long commute. That can really bite into one's life style for those that are basically living pay check to pay check.

Larry

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I agree with Larry re. the cost of an RV. I have seen several write on this board implying they are interested in buying an RV because it would be so cheap to camp at FW for their Disney vacation, and I have tried to clue them in on the expense of purchasing and maintaining an RV.

This last trip I budgeted 600 dollars for gas from Eastern PA to WDW and back. We ended up spending about 450 bucks and that included running around the Orlando area and a trip to Lakeland. A couple of years ago I remember spending more on gas when it was floating closer to 3 bucks a gallon and more. Now granted, my tow vehicle/trailer combo isn't what some of you are pulling, but I'm not the smallest unit on the road, either.

 

[OK GRUMPY]

I was there last week, I seriously thought about filling up before we got to FW. When we left FW I kept seeing gas about .20 more a gallon then it was when we went in I thought hmm must be a tourist trap. That was a real reality check! I'm sure it will effect some campers. I live in NW Florida and I've thought about a Hotel room ... Maybe! Maybe Not! But it sure something for me to think about.

 

[kimluvswdw]

With the rising cost of fuel, I now don't feel so bad about selling our motorhome.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Since Hess took over the stations on WDW, I try to hold off filling up until we get to WDW - the stations on WDW now have some of the cheapest gas prices in the area. Not so when Exxon had the stations.

 

[LarryJ]

Since Hess took over the stations on WDW, I try to hold off filling up until we get to WDW - the stations on WDW now have some of the cheapest gas prices in the area. Not so when Exxon had the stations.

Has anyone filled up at the WDW Hess station(s) and can you tell me what the cost of diesel is.

In addition to the 40 gal stock tank, when going on long trips towing I also carry an additional 20 gal of diesel in four 5gal jugs secured in my rear enclosed storage area. I would never do this with gas for safety reasons, but when towing I already have at least one 30lb LP tank open for the refer so I have more safety concerns just with that than the extra diesel I'm carrying. I only fill these extra jugs on my first and last fuel stop usually at the Flying J. in either Carmel Church on I-95 or just north of Winchester, Va. on I-81 depending on where we are going. When going to WDW that gives me the ability to only stop at Carmel Church and Brunswick, Ga. at two of the cheaper Flying J's for fuel and going down do make sure I have the jugs filled in Ga. so I don't have to mess with fuel while at WDW. When the son's join us at WDW, I make like 4 round trips to the airport to get them so I can put on like 400+ miles while at WDW running around, but not towing I can get close to 15 to 18 mpg vs. the 11 to 12 towing.

Larry

 

[Disneefun]

I agree with some of the others. It sucks, but it's not affecting our plans, yet. We drive small cars daily (and I work from home so drive rarely) so we aren't laying out big fuel bucks every day. The MH is our only vehicle that really costs. And we love to travel and aren't willing to give it up until we're absolutely forced. So if not the MH, we'd be flying or cruising or renting cars and going somewhere. And it would all cost the same or more b/c we'd have to buy hotel rooms, food, kennel the dog, etc. Even if you factor in the cost of MH maintenance/ownership, it's probably still less in our case since we have no payments and it's an older unit w/cheap taxes.

So for now, we'll keep going. Although after our next 2 planned trips to WDW and the AP expires, we may opt to visit some states closer to us to save a little gas $$$. We just keep cutting down other luxuries like movies, dining out, etc. to make more room in the budget for our big passion, travel.

 

[ColoBlu6]

I know a lot of people are saying it only adds a few dollars to a trip, but it adds a lot to overall driving. Diesel is now $ 3.27 here in my area and just 6 weeks ago I bought it for $2.33 at one station. If it goes to four, and they are predicting that much by first of 08 I think we will cut back on our trips. I now see in my area many RV's for sale, all types.

We live in California and just paid 3.69 a gallon for diesel.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Its $3.49 a gallon up here and now that its winter (it snowed last night) I will get worse mileage from the winter blend fuel.
I just keep adding to the line item busget for fuel and taking it away from the fun parts but I am going to WDW for Christmas no matter what !

 

[Mr Man]

Fuel prices will not affect the frequency of our vacations/camping trips etc BUT it will definitely affect whether we choose to fly or drive to WDW. I knew this was coming (work in the Energy Sector) and thus chose to purchase DVC to give us some more options when we fly in to Orlando.

Regarding daily driving. Definite effect. We are trading in our Dodge Magnum (w/the mega huge hemi) for a Toyota Prius next week. We were on a waiting list for 6 weeks to get one. Not much of a deal but the tax write-off should ease the pain (not to mention the much improved MPG compared to the Magnum)

Still keeping the Durango though.......gotta pull that Hybrid TT (if I can just persuade DW.....)

Regards,

 

[clkelley]

I have very little daily expense for gas as it is only 3.5 miles to work each morning. But I filled up the truck this morning and it was $70.00 (Ouch!!)

I doubt I will cut my travels back too much cause we're committed to using the T@B at least once a month except we probably won't go out in December.

I'm saving my leave for at least 3 weeks at Disney next year (1 week in October, 2 weeks next December), so will probably keep the trips closer to home to the confines of a weekend.

 

[goofyjoe]

We love camping at the Fort...fortunately for us we only live about 60 miles away so it remains affordable for us.

 

[loveDmouse]

Well the gas prices suck but we aren't going to let it change our plans yet. We love coming to the Fort and only get to come once a year right now anyway. Right now low test (use to call it cheap stuff back when it actually was cheap, can't call it that now) $2.95 and we know one of the local gas station owners who said it would be going up 6 cents this afternoon when the truck comes and it won't be stopping there.
I must say at this point I am glad we don't have diesel.

I miss the days when I first got my license and gas was 99 cents a gallon. lol I hear that we won't see it go under $3 again. Who knows.

BTW we are in Virginia.

I agree with ftwildernessguy in saying that people should be aware that it isn't a cheap way to travel it is just a great way to travel. Although I must say that since most of our trips are weekends at a campground close by it is pretty cheap compared to going and staying in a motel somewhere and eating out. Honestly I don't count in our payment and maintenance when I am thinking about a trip.

 

[ram101]

We are new to camping and have taken only 2 trips in our MH. I do not believe that we would get rid of or lessen the amount of trips due to gas prices. If we were to get rid of any vehicle it would be the conversion van (11MPG highway)
Since the MH would only be used for trips and not everyday driving it should not effect us too much but, that conversion van is gonna have to go I think!!! Our other car is a Cavalier min of 20mpg so we use that more then anything! I think what is realy gonna hurt us is the cost of fuel oil!! At 2.83gal here !! You can only cut the heat back so much!!