lack of discussion on fuel $$

[bigdisneydaddy]

I havent seen much discussion lately on the price of fuel and its effects on RV travel. Does this mean that we are getting used to the higher prices and have accepted them as an unsavory part of the RV lifestyle ?

I laugh about the time we went to FW in the summer of 2004. While we were there the Northeast had a major electrical shutdown due to the outdated poorly maintained grid in this part of the country. On our way home the price of gas went from around $1.40 gal up to almost $2 . We were floored at the prospect of $2 gas, now three short year later we would welcome that same price.

Just curious what Y'all think ?

 

[kimluvswdw]

I know that in the mtorhome we just sold we averaged about 7 mpg and got expensive. We even took our motorhome when the gas was right over $3 a gallon, (ouch). I will be glad to go back to someday towing a travel trailer with our Ford Expedition 5.4L. I am not sure what we will average mpg, but it has to be better than the motorhome.

 

[Donna]

We calculated it cost us about $600 from sw PA to the Fort. That is about the same cost as airfare (not on sale) for the 3 of us and it's alot more fun in the RV, although the plane is ALOT faster, just not as much fun and adventurous AND we can take our dog. I don't know what the threshold will be, but it'd have to be pretty high for me to give this up. We've only had our RV a year or so.

 

[Colson39]

Slow increases allows people to get used to the new price. If the price of gasoline had jumped from $1.40 to $2.90 overnight, people would be outraged. By slowly bringing the price up, people start to think they've always been paying this much for gas.

So who is going to come out with the first electric motorhome??? Hey, you could just plug it in right at the Fort!

 

[Shannone1]

We just started camping last fall so we've always had these high prices unfortunately. We bought the motorhome knowing that we weren't going to be camping to save money. We prefer our OWN bed, bathroom and space. I don't have to worry about who has been sleeping in the bed before me and I'm not afraid to walk barefoot on the carpet.

 

[jsmla]

Hubby just ordered a tent (God help me, please!) so that we can camp without dragging Dino behind his truck. We're going to tent camp out of a Toyota Camry. To say I'm having second, third and fourth thoughts would be an understatement.

Jennifer

 

[loveDmouse]

I think a lot of people have just accepted it. Not sure when it would get high enough to be too much and cause people to just stop traveling?????

We do most of our camping pretty close by on weekends so it isn't too horible. When we go camping at the Fort that is the longest trip we take. At least right now. I would like to try some other camping for big trips someday.

We don't like to fly. So we are happy to drive our motorhome on vacation. We can drive our motorhome to Florida cheaper then we can fly there. Plus I really love being able to sleep in my own bed.

 

[ntsammy5]

I think a lot of people have just accepted it. Not sure when it would get high enough to be too much and cause people to just stop traveling?????

I've seen studies on price elasticity of gasoline where somewhere around $5.00/gallon is the magic number! Good grief!

Of course that number changes as we approach it. AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH

 

[loveDmouse]

I've seen studies on price elasticity of gasoline where somewhere around $5.00/gallon is the magic number! Good grief!

Of course that number changes as we approach it. AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH

Good grief is right!

 

[stacktester]

The price of fuel I'm sure hasn't stopped at $3.00 a gallon. Oil is selling for around $100 a bbl right now so I'm sure it will be going up soon. The only way I've seen to combat this is to take trips closer to home and make them longer. The only good thing I see about high fuel is it may slow the Michigander's from coming to the fort too often and freeing up a few more sites. Yes that was aimed at you Scott (BigDisneyDaddy) lol. I'm just kidding though. I have a Vespa type scooter I've been using around the house when I just need to run short distances. It beats crankin up the diesel just to run to the store or to get lunch or something. I was going to sell it but I think I better hold on to it just in case. It'll be great for FW to run up to the store or to a park if I want.

 

[loveDmouse]

I have a Vespa type scooter I've been using around the house when I just need to run short distances. It beats crankin up the diesel just to run to the store or to get lunch or something. I was going to sell it but I think I better hold on to it just in case. It'll be great for FW to run up to the store or to a park if I want.

I have a Honda scooter that I use to go to work most everyday and that really helps save. I am lucky to live close to work and the speed limit is low so I don't have to worry about going to slow for other traffic. It will go around 100 miles on a gallon of gas give or take a few miles. Not bad. I just love my little scooter!

Will they let you have then at FW? I thought I ready somewhere that I couldn't take it.

 

[des1954]

I've seen quite a few people with motorscooters at the Fort. They're a lot quieter than the Harley's people ride around on!!!

 

[kimluvswdw]

I ride my Suzuki SV650 and my husband rides his Honda Shadow around town to run errands. We get good use out of those saddle bags. I am tired of living at the gas pump with the truck.

 

[Mac and Us]

We traded our 30' class A motorhome for a Winnebago View. It's a lot smaller but we getting used to it. We went from 8-8.5 MPG to 17 MPG! It's diesel and it drives nice.

The last time we went to Disney (May 2007) it cost $1050. to drive to and from. It costs less than flying, staying at a hotel and eating out all the time but it's just doesn't feel right having to pay that much for gas.

 

[lawnspecialties]

When we went in Jan. '06, it cost me right at $400 in diesel fuel. But how often do you pull your TT to the Fort? I budgeted and prepared for the expense so it didn't really make an impact.

I guess the thing that would really take a hit is how often I would go to the Fort. But when you go once or twice a year (at most), I think even at $5.00/gallon, we'll all continue to head down.

I look at it this way. If fuel had been $1.50/gallon instead of $3.00, I would have saved $200. Big woop since we usually spend about $100/day when we go anyway. Now if I was into it so much we went down multiple times per year, then sure that would add up but even then all we'd do would be take maybe a trip or two less than usual.

 

[FloridaTeacher]

You know, my thought is that it's just kinda like continuing to beat a dead horse. We can fuss and complain but to no avail. We all hate it, but what are you gonna do? I'm sure not going to quit living my life like I want to because of it.

Yes, I do try to combine all my errands now and we don't go out to eat quite as often. But there is (Lord willing) no way I'm gonna quit camping, especially at the Fort.

We just budget for it and go enjoy!!! We're just thankful that we can do it.

 

[DANODANO]

If gas went up 2.00 a gallon,and a rv avg. mpg is 10 a 2000 mile trip will only cost 400 more,a few good meals at Disney is more.Camping is an expensive hobby,even the most inexpensive tow veh & travel trailer is about 40-50K.After that investment what is a few dollars more per trip? People spend 2-3k on scooters,that will buy alot of gas,but they to are fun toys.I love Disney & I'm lucky that I only live 30 mins away, & get to go to the fort 1-2 times a month,but if I were to move I would find ways to go.The good thing about an rv is that you can co anywhere.Many places are much cheeper & closer to home but the fort is the best!

 

[campingpug]

No one likes paying that much for fuel. But I get to sleep in my own bed and wake up in FW! My MH better than any resort at WDW. IMHO

 

[snocrossmechanic]

I guess I will never look at the price of fuel for our trips or in general. I have just accepted the fact that I need to get to work and run errands no matter the price. All we own in diesel vehicles so we tend to pay more for our fuel. One good think is that our vehicles tend to last longer and we feel that is the repayment on the fuel.

We drive from Minnesota to the fort once a year and this year we are expecting the cost of fuel to be about $1000 to $1200 for the trip. With 4 of us going we will match airfare so it is a break even for us. Like the others said......my bed, my bathroom, my kitchen.

I guess we should feel lucky. If you compare the price of fuel overseas we are much cheaper. I still like the feeling of exploring in my 5th wheel and wont let the price of fuel get me down. I knew going in that this was not the "cheap" alternative to traveling.

Happy Trails all

Mark

 

[CCIntrigue]

As long as our fuel expenses in the MH stay around the cost of airfaire or less, we still consider the MH to be a better alternative. DH hates to fly. He won't leave the dog in a kennel while we travel. So no MH, no travel. We eat most of our meals in, like others have said like the idea of sleeping in our own bed, feel we and our possessions are more secure in the MH, the list goes on and on ... bottom line, high fuel expenses may slow our travel, eliminate some trips, but we will still continue this lifestyle.