Camping in this economy

Our number of trips we are planning are less this summer, but that is more due to teenagers running around doing teenager things... fewer "open" weekends. We've got 4 trips planned so far, working on a couple more. All weekend trips.

I have learned to love the State parks and similar places with no hookups, that cost 1/3 (or even less) as much as a full hook up resort. We don't really "need" the full hookups with the teenagers now. We are also doing more hiking and exploring the area around a campground.

When the kids were younger, the full hookup resorts were nice with all the activities and other kids.

Fuel prices... well, they are what they are. They aren't much lower that I can see - ~2 years ago it was $1.99 a gallon, I just filled up yesterday at $3.79 a gallon. That is almost double, and I find it weird that people are saying fuel prices are low!

I find the "cost" of camping/RV'ing to be well worth it for the enjoyment I get out of it.

We camp 80-100 nights a year. Now that my husband has retired from his retirement job we might camp more.

John & Angela wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

John & Angela wrote:
I would say this is the new norm for the economy. People get tired of staying home and by May the campgrounds are packed. Fuel is cheap, unemployment low, I doubt there will be any significant decline in camping in North America this summer.

You ain't from around here are you. Cause unemployment ain't low, and Fuel is definitely NOT cheap by any means.
But camping is still a bargin.

I suppose I am comparing to most of the rest of the world. Most of Europe has greater than 15 percent unemployment. Some in the 20 percent range. Fuel prices equivalent of 2 bucks a litre or more. Fuel is relatively cheap on this side of the pond which us why we consider 40 mpg to be good mileage over here. :) LOL.

I read foreign newspapers on a regular basis and I think they give me a different perspective on what we consider "hard times" I suppose. Overall things are pretty good.

Yep. It sucks to live across the pond. But then I don't live there, I live here, and here unemployment is unacceptably high, and fuel prices are as well. Here is better in every way. We don't need to lower ourselves to their standards, They need to raise themselves to our's. Get away from what drags them down, and change direction

Prius/TorkLift Class II Hitch/Reese Lighting Kit/RideRite Air Bags/Thule Transporter Combi: 50 mpg tent camping for 3 passengers + gear + 3 nights firewood...

Terryallan wrote:

John & Angela wrote:
I would say this is the new norm for the economy. People get tired of staying home and by May the campgrounds are packed. Fuel is cheap, unemployment low, I doubt there will be any significant decline in camping in North America this summer.

You ain't from around here are you. Cause unemployment ain't low, and Fuel is definitely NOT cheap by any means.
But camping is still a bargin.

I suppose I am comparing to most of the rest of the world. Most of Europe has greater than 15 percent unemployment. Some in the 20 percent range. Fuel prices equivalent of 2 bucks a litre or more. Fuel is relatively cheap on this side of the pond which us why we consider 40 mpg to be good mileage over here. :) LOL.

I read foreign newspapers on a regular basis and I think they give me a different perspective on what we consider "hard times" I suppose. Overall things are pretty good.

we try to get out once a month,, usually under 100 miles one way, gas has been right around $100 to $140,normally three to four nights... There are some really nice places close so we get out and enjoy,,, Heading out soon, 100 miles max round trip, fishing and full hook ups,$30 a night, three nights then back home till next month!!!

Terryallan wrote:

John & Angela wrote:
I would say this is the new norm for the economy. People get tired of staying home and by May the campgrounds are packed. Fuel is cheap, unemployment low, I doubt there will be any significant decline in camping in North America this summer.

You ain't from around here are you. Cause unemployment ain't low, and Fuel is definitely NOT cheap by any means.
But camping is still a bargin.

X2

Maybe if you're comparing to Europe

John & Angela wrote:
I would say this is the new norm for the economy. People get tired of staying home and by May the campgrounds are packed. Fuel is cheap, unemployment low, I doubt there will be any significant decline in camping in North America this summer.

You ain't from around here are you. Cause unemployment ain't low, and Fuel is definitely NOT cheap by any means.
But camping is still a bargin.

skipnchar wrote:
Might want to compute your ACTUAL use costs and see how very little they change by going camping. IF you're paying for the RV that continues whether you camp in it or not. Maintenance still is required even if it's sitting in the drive way. If you pay to store it, costs don't change just because you don't take it out. Insurance usually is about the same if you tow/drive the RV 20,000 miles a year or 20 miles a year. Campground costs actually SKYROCKET if you only go say once a year and amotize all of those other costs all into that one night.

If you OWN an RV and plan on continuing to own it, and don't go camping in it it becomes a VERY expensive hobby :)

We will just have to disagree. On a week at Myrtle beach. We save over $3000, for a week in the TT VS a week in a condo. In 6.7 trips, the Tt is paid for, So it has already paid for itself. That is not counting the money saved on countless mountain trips.

Honestly. IF we did not camp, We would not be able to vacation hardly at all. We most certianly would not be able to travel to different cities, or to spend a week at the beach, or several weekends in the NC High Country.

We left San Antonio right after Christmas, and now we are in Colorado Springs. Monday we leave for Soldonta, Alaska. Saved and planned for two years. We're on the way!