High fuel prices poll-

**Crabman** · 02-23-2012, 08:41 AM

With fuel prices forecast to be absurdly high this Summer, how will it affect your RV plans?

Please vote and feel free to reply on the issue

edatlanta · 02-23-2012, 08:51 AM

I can't believe I was the first to vote. I drive slow already, but this is the only option that really fit. Maybe even slower will be better?

RVhiker · 02-23-2012, 09:16 AM

I voted "Other".

It depends. We'll evaluate current fuel prices, where we want to go, how much we want to go there, and how much money is available.

It's the incremental cost of higher fuel prices that for us is the consideration. I've been paying $3.80 per gallon or so for diesel for quite a while. A trip requiring $500 of fuel at $3.80 per gallon would cost $634 at $4.80 per gallon. Is the trip worth the extra cost? Maybe.

High fuel prices do remind me to vote in November. Actually, I don't need another reminder; voting day has been marked in my calendar for several years.

Quahog · 02-23-2012, 09:20 AM

There's some good tips here. I have been doing this stuff for years out of habit but it always amazes me when I riding with someone who will continue to press the gas pedal as the taillights in front of them are all coming on.

http://www.wikihow.com/Hypermile

nylyon · 02-23-2012, 09:46 AM

I've been planning a South Carolina trip for a little while now. Today I started my calculations for fuel. I like to calculate high so I high and I calculate my fuel mileage low and I begin to budget NOW so I can save for the fuel cost.

Is it going to cost more, well yes, but if I just start saving more now I can compensate for that and have less of an actual impact.

FYI, I am calculating at $5.00 / gal average Diesel in July (hoping it'll be less in the south) and 10 mpg (although I get about 14 towing)

Seann45 · 02-23-2012, 09:51 AM

When I go somewhere this summer I will stay longer and probably explore my home province more... Not going to plan any 1000 + mile trips this year...

dalenoel · 02-23-2012, 10:15 AM

i answered 'Other' and mean that our group is going to the UP in Michigan but then we will stay at 6 different campgrounds instead of coming home and going back to the area later in the year.

We are not staying longer at one campground but putting several trips together and only driving to the area once.

This has been our policy for a couple of years and is not changing.

If the cost of gas goes up $1 and we drive 1000 miles a summer at 10MPG it will only cost $100 more for the entire year. Not a dealbreaker for any of us.

Tyreguy · 02-23-2012, 11:02 AM

Since this out first camper, we have't gone too far away from town (we're still in the trial-and-error phase). And since there are several CG's in less than 100 miles that we haven't been to yet, we have good 'local' exploring to do.
I may slow a bit on the highway, backing down to 55 vs 60mph (dosen't matter anyway, if you're driving 60 you're making people mad regardless) might help with the mpg a tad. Not that my mpg's are horrible to begin with, but pulling our pup loaded as usual, the Jeep averages 17 mpg.
What this boils down to is the price in fuel will not stop us from camping. Period.

overpar · 02-23-2012, 12:10 PM

We are planning on staying close to home (2-3 hours away) to get used to the new tt since it is our first. In october though we do have a trip planned to go to Nashville, Tn, which will be about 1100 miles roundtrip for us. Probably going to stay for 4 or 5 nights since this will be our long trip.
We just decided that gas prices are not going to deter us from getting away camping or otherwise.

Old Blue · 02-23-2012, 02:31 PM

Voted, Other. Plans have already been made along with Reservations so just will have to suck it up this year. Might make a difference next year if prices are still up there

drfife · 02-23-2012, 05:33 PM

Life is short.

Go where you want while you still can.

RV'ing is still an economical way to travel, even with high fuel prices.

Grumpy · 02-23-2012, 06:30 PM

We've been RVing since 1972 and none of the "spikes" in fuel have ever caused us to cancel or shorten a trip and I'm not starting now.

Rustic Eagle · 02-23-2012, 06:46 PM

I voted "other", because I've had a major issue with the manipulation of crude oil prices for a long time

It bothers me that the price of a gallon of gas can hold me hostage when on a fixed income. I'll leave it at that

Anyway, I plan at least one "long distance" trip a year that I just go and ignore the pump prices, and the remaining camping trips are close to home.

Bob

**Crabman** · 02-23-2012, 06:57 PM

Well data from the poll so far suggests there are no rich JOF members, and there are no broke JOF members. Just a happy medium.

nambarc · 02-23-2012, 07:17 PM

Me gonna drive me scooter no mattser what dey to do us.

clutch · 02-23-2012, 10:44 PM

It takes approximately 120 gallons of fuel for me to go from Idaho to Arizona. At $4 a gallon that is about $480. At $5 a gallon it would be $600.

$120 is not going to keep me in Idaho with a snow shovel for a hobby.

David472 · 02-24-2012, 10:59 AM

I voted to drive slow, which I typically do anyway. I remember the early 1970's when the Double Nickel was put in place. For those young folk, the maximum speed limit was lowered to 55 mph nation wide (even in Canada). This was done to save fuel during the last big energy crisis. My how history tends to repeat itself. I also voted to stick with our camping plans for the summer, which would mean a total towing distance of about 1200 miles for the season. Still a much less expensive vacation than what people get from a travel agent, and alot more fun too.

Quahog · 02-24-2012, 03:35 PM

What I remember about that period was waiting in line for gas... sometimes an hour or two and then being told you can only pump $10 worth. At the time, I was working in and around Boston and I had a 63 mile commute each way!

Denise · 02-24-2012, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David472

I remember the early 1970's when the Double Nickel was put in place. For those young folk, the maximum speed limit was lowered to 55 mph nation wide (even in Canada). .

*trip down memory lane*

DAvid! I remember getting my license and the speed being reduced to 55mph!

Saving grace? I was 16yrs old taking my mom to a medical appt an hour away and she felt bad that I got the ticket. I was extremely annoyed with the slow pokes in front of me. Zig-zagging back and forth through the traffic on a two lane highway that used to be something like 70mph made sense to me! Duh! It didn't matter if you had a light colored car, if you zig zag you might has well have a bright red car with neon lights LOL. The first and only ticket I ever had! Tears didn't even work LOL! To this day my heart races when I see a police car behind me.

Gas is now over $4 where we live. I'm afraid that we will cancel our plans for a trip back east this year. Altough it would've been a 3 month triip, it looks like we will wait til next year and plan for an extended 6 month opportunity.

**Crabman** · 02-24-2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by healthi

.

Gas is now over $4 where we live. I'm afraid that we will cancel our plans for a trip back east this year. Altough it would've been a 3 month triip, it looks like we will wait til next year and plan for an extended 6 month opportunity.

What? At this rate you`ll never make it to Crabland! Even nambarC is pouting!

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