Diesel Prices - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Diesel Prices

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

We can only hope. Here in NJ this morning we did notice one station was at $ 3.39 last week and this morning is $ 3.29.

Sandra · RV-Dreams Family Member

Haven't noticed any changes here in Mesa.

brucedelta · RV-Dreams Family Member

Funny, I noticed a 3.27 sign (NJ) yesterday and commented that prices were dropping and I don't even have a vehicle that uses diesel fuel yet.

Guiler85 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Haven't seen much of a change here in lower Alabama. We paid $3.25 late last week which is the least expensive. We were thrilled with that! Most stations in this area are $3.39 or so. But, here's praying it's coming down! :)

wmalefyt · RV-Dreams Family Member

Still high here in SW Florida. Ranges from $3.299 to $3.399

blackoak99 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I really don't know what to think. We haven't got on the road yet, and it really makes me wonder if we really want to do this or not. But I still have that desire to get out and enjoy this beautiful country, and I feel that this is the only way that we will get to do it.

BillM · RV-Dreams Community Member

So here is a related question - When the price of Diesel rose did you cut back on your travel, did you adjust in other areas or did you just spend more per month?

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

It's meaningless in the grand scheme of things and the total cost per month to live the fulltime travelng life. We averaged $450 a month for diesel over the last 23 months, and we travel a lot and sightsee everywhere we go. In 2 years we've put 45,000 miles on the truck.

Assuming an average price of $3.25, it would mean we use about 140 gallons a month. For every 10 cent price increase, it would cost us an additional $14.00 a month. If it went up 40 cents it would only cost an additional $56 a month.

If that would keep you off the road, then I feel you should really think hard before selling the house. smile

Jim01 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We recently were talking to some friends that still live in the town where we used to live. They were complaining about rising heating fuel and electrical rates. After doing a little simple math, we determined that we ere still better off Full-timing even with higher diesel fuel prices.

The past 2 years, we haven't traveled as much, but starting this summer, we are planning to travel from the East Coast to the Midwest, back to the East Coast for a wedding, then to the West Coast to see our Son, and finally back to the East coast sometime in early 2009. We have saved enough money by not traveling as much the last few years, that we now feel we can travel to these places without too much concern about fuel prices.

If the fuel prices stay high, and I imagine they will, we'll just not travel as much for a couple of years, and then head out again.

It will take more than high fuel prices to make us give up this lifestyle. We'll find a way. biggrin

Jim

Guiler85 · RV-Dreams Family Member

The rising fuel prices have not stopped us from traveling. We are full-timers and have been for over 3 years. We budget $500/month for fuel and have only gone over budget one time (and we knew we were going to).

One way of keeping fuel costs under budget is to stay longer in the places you travel to. We tend to stay at least a week at each stop. This way we see more of the area and keep our costs down.

If this is the lifestyle you want, don't allow fuel costs to keep you from it. I agree with others here. Our costs are still less than those in "real" houses. And we have a lot of fun out here!

Weaverworks · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi Fred

That really is an interesting perspective! Makes worrying about rising diesel costs silly!

Thanks smile

Paul

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi,
The diesel price thing is getting stranger. We're staying in Blythe CA and going over the border into Quartzsite AZ for the shows. Diesel is $3.749 in Blythe and we just paid $3.059 just over the border in AZ. Ah, California taxes!!!

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are paying $3.35 for Diesel in Colorado and now the Govenors task force is asking for $.40 a gallon increase in tax to pay for road repair. Will not stop us from going on road though . Just tightens up our budget cushion a little cry

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Tim and Cathy,

I wouldn't let diesel prices be the determining factor in going fulltime. You need to review your entire budget and determine if this is what you really want to do. Everything is going up and stocks are bombing right now - the network news is scarying the h--- out of people and things could get tight for a while. But this is now a world economy so things should balance out in the end and there are ways around the diesel prices. You can travel less by staying longer in one place. You can budget more for fuel and cut back in other areas as long as you have a good budget to begin with. You can take on some workamping assignments along the way to cover the increase in expenses. I recommend that, if at all possible, you be debt free before retiring (or in our case, quiting w*rk). That will give you freedom to move about the country as you please. Remember, it ain't gonna be any easy on those who own houses and stay in one place either - it may even be harder on them. This is a wonderful lifestyle and we have a lot more options than most people when it comes to dealing with various situations.

Good luck on your decision and hope to see you on the road.

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Darrell!!! You are so right. I have my house on the market and I am fulltiming in my 5ver. My house cost more with me not living in it than what it cost me to live in the RV, and my house is paid for! As soon as my house sales I will be so much better off. Nothing could change my mind about that....Not all the increases in Diesel prices to come!