Author Topic: Gas prices & camping vacations (Read 1492 times)

pastorp · « **on:** May 06, 2011, 07:31:51 AM »

With gas over $4.00 a gallon and the predictions that it will be over $5.00 a gallon next summer how are we going to drive a vehicle pulling a camping trailer or motor home on vacation.

A few years ago I would take my cabin cruiser on vacation trips. It gets about 1 mile to the gallon. I haven't been able to really use it in quite a while.

Anyone got any ideas about this? Ideas on less expensive travel & camping?

Regards,

bulletstuffer · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2011, 09:25:19 AM »

Traveling with friends and splitting the cost of gas is the only way to keep things affordable at the current gas prices. Pump shuts off at $100 and the vehicle is still not full

The cost of fuel will kill the economy and the small towns that get tourist business. We are in a viscious cycle

A change at the top will help the economy

Good luck,

Bulletstuffer

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2011, 11:00:18 AM »

I took the cure on pulling the RV the last fuel spike go around. The next year we doubled our stay, doubled our mileage for less money. The answer? Loaded up the tent instead. Myself and four women aged 8 to 42, they all agreed they were done with the camper. They were as tired of fuel stops as I was. They apreciated the improved ride and speed getting to destinations. This was a trip to Custer, S.D. via camper vs. Yellowstone and Missoula, Mt. with tent.

Sleeping on the ground did offer a few forgotten "challenges". A cot isn't exactly optional anymore

. To be honest we use camp as a bed and breakfast and rarely return before 2100, heat a meal and right to bed. That doesn't describe most folks.

I feel sorry for folks making payments on an RV they can't afford to fuel up.

burntmuch · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2011, 11:16:30 AM »

Ive got a couple fishing trips planned one with my boat & 3 other guys. Then one in a buddies boat & same 3 other guys. We split the gas. That will put some walleye in the freezer. Then a couple day trips in the canoe for catfish. One week long vacation at the lake with family & friends. The boat will float in one spot more than move. The rest of the summer will be spent in the backyard. Cant afford these prices anymore.

Curtis · « **Reply #4 on:** May 06, 2011, 11:35:58 AM »

Not an option for everyone but.........

I have to pack light with this trailer. I take it if I'm going to be eating out mainly. Just tent and sleeping stuff, a folding chair and a few other comforts.

I have a conventional two wheel trailer that I take if I'm going to be cooking a lot. It will carry more weight without towing badly. My cooking stuff adds lots of weight (relative to motorcycle camping).

Curtis

pastorp · « **Reply #5 on:** May 07, 2011, 06:01:14 AM »

Curtis,
In 1967 my wife & I bought a new volkswagon bug. We also bought a one wheel trailer that we pulled behind it on trips. Pulled it all the way to canada from Florida.

With these fuel prices we may all need to downsize. Gas in alaska is over $4.00 and up to $7-8.00 in the villages. I can't even afford to run my boat anymore.

Regards,

BBF · « **Reply #6 on:** May 07, 2011, 08:18:15 AM »

a
At well over five bucks a gal here, there will be no vaction runs. I doubt we will ge south although I really realy dislike to spent a Nova Scotia winter here. We have a small RV in Fl and pay storage without getting any use of it and we have a boat sitting on the hard in Canada, costing storage without any use. I'm so ticked. !!

Curtis · « **Reply #7 on:** May 09, 2011, 04:19:22 PM »

Quote from: pastorp on May 07, 2011, 06:01:14 AM

With these fuel prices we may all need to downsize.

Byron, luckily I was doing the travel trailer type family vacations in the late 80s and early 90s. Once I became single again and the kids fledged, it just made sense to downsize. I take pretty much the same "kit" when I hunt even though I take the truck and sleep in the topper instead of the motorcycle/tent. Keeping things basic is a blessing if you can get away with it and if you learn to do it well.

Curtis

Hooker · « **Reply #8 on:** May 09, 2011, 05:18:30 PM »

Curtis I remember the days when me and brother would have dad drop us off at the Red River with a canoe a sack of taters, salt pepper, a frying pan some cooking grease a couple of small cooking pots, some fishing equipment a 22 rifle, 2 bed rolls and a tarp. We'd make a week long float down to lake Texoma. Of course gas back then was about 50 cents a gallon and 2 rowdy boys had plenty of energy to power that old canoe.

I still swing a pretty mean paddle and love canoeing, which is still a cheap means of getting to some great camping spots.

Pat

blind ear · « **Reply #9 on:** May 09, 2011, 05:46:50 PM »

Hooker;

That sounds like an ideal vacation reguardless of gas prices, a real "high Priced" adventure.

I hope to get to camp and fish and flounder gig on a Mississippi Barrier Island this weekend. (fingers crosed)

ear

billy_56081 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 09, 2011, 06:40:14 PM »

Car and tent, my wife, daughter and I went to Beavers bend state park in Oklahoma last month. It was great.

Hooker · « **Reply #11 on:** May 09, 2011, 08:08:07 PM »

Billy Beavers Bend and Broken Bow lake are my favorite hang outs.
We paddle the lake a lot and camp at Holly Creek , Burks Landing and various spots along the east side of the lake.
We have a hunting lease just east of the lake at Shed Springs. I'm going back down there some time around the end of the month to put up a tower blind , do a little hog hunting and maybe a little canoeing at the lake. If it's not hot I might even squeeze in a little squirrel hunt

Pat

Curtis · « **Reply #12 on:** May 12, 2011, 05:15:02 AM »

Quote from: pastorp on May 07, 2011, 06:01:14 AM

Curtis,
In 1967 my wife & I bought a new volkswagon bug. We also bought a one wheel trailer that we pulled behind it on trips. Pulled it all the way to canada from Florida. With these fuel prices we may all need to downsize. Gas in alaska is over $4.00 and up to $7-8.00 in the villages. I can't even afford to run my boat anymore.

Regards,

Byron, how long were you and your wife out on that trip? Sounds like an awesome adventure. I've towed my single wheel trailer all around Colorado (love it there in summer). My son and I rode to Florida and I towed the single wheel trailer all the way to Key West from Dallas area.
Curtis

Curtis · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2011, 05:17:42 AM »

Quote from: Hooker on May 09, 2011, 05:18:30 PM

Curtis I remember the days when me and brother would have dad drop us off at the Red River with a canoe a sack of taters, salt pepper, a frying pan some cooking grease a couple of small cooking pots, some fishing equipment a 22 rifle, 2 bed rolls and a tarp. We'd make a week long float down to lake Texoma. Of course gas back then was about 50 cents a gallon and 2 rowdy boys had plenty of energy to power that old canoe.
I still swing a pretty mean paddle and love canoeing, which is still a cheap means of getting to some great camping spots.

Pat

Some buddies of mine and I paddled down the Brazos and camped. However we were well stocked with a strong box that must've weighed 300 pounds. Man dragging that canoe over the rocks in places was a chore!
Curtis

Curtis · « **Reply #14 on:** May 12, 2011, 05:20:45 AM »

Billy/Pat,
I've always enjoyed Beavers Bend. We usually camped below the dam. There are some good cliffs on the north end of the lake to jump off of. My buddy's depth finder was showing 80' where we were jumping in and the lake was about 20 feet low or more.

Curtis