Re: Fuel prices having an effect?

On Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:15:37 -0700, "Technobarbarian"
<Technobarbarian-ztopzpam@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:


We're still seeing a lot of big rigs on the highway here in AZ, but I
suspect that the numbers are down some. When you look around the common
theme is that people are still using their RVs, they just aren't spending as
much time on the highway.

Stuff continues to be at a practical stand-still here. The motel hasn't sold
out a single weekend this season. Normal is for it to be sold out a week or
more in advance.

Saturday I toured the FS campgrounds. The pay sites were almost deserted (no
surprise at $10 and $20 a night). There were a few folks in the few remaining
free CGs but not nearly like it used to be.

Interestingly enough, fishing licenses and day permit sales are running about
normal. Go figure. We haven't figured out the logic of that yet. Apparently
people are driving up for day fishing trips instead of staying the weekend.
That's a LOT less fishing hours per gallon of gas (wonder if SI would
designate a unit for that measure? :-)

RV sales have always run in cycles, anyone who isn't prepared for that
is just fooling themselves. I suspect our biggest dealer here is feeling
some pressure because he has a very high overhead.

The RV ads I'm seeing in the local trader have asking prices that are
give-aways by last year's standards.

The price spread between diesel and gas has sure altered my plans. I'm
gradually getting dragged out of retirement and into RV repair and general
handyman work. Actually, not too much dragging involved, as I really enjoy
that kind of work.

I had planned on converting part of my diesel cube van into a small RV and
putting a shop in the back, even before this new business "opportunity" came
up. I wanted to have a mobile shop that I could take with me.

Now that's probably not going to happen. My gas MH and the truck get about
the same mileage. Gas is currently about $3.80 while diesel is a buck more.
That means that my shop will now probably go in an enclosed utility trailer
towed behind my MH. I don't want to fool with a trailer and having to back it
out of driveways and the like but a buck a gallon spread makes that a
tolerable pain.

I'll probably end up selling the truck. Fortunately it's paid for so I can
sit on it until the panic passes and fuel prices stabilize.

BTW, take a look at refrigerants if you really want to see a price spike. I
bought a 30 lb can of R22 last week. It was about $50 last year. This year
the wholesale (real wholesale, what my friend who buys it by the truckload
pays) price was almost $200. DAMN!

OTOH, R134a has gone down. Current Sam's club price is $70.88 for 30 lbs.
Last year it was over $100.

Go figure.

John

--
John De Armond
See my website for my current email address
http://www.neon-john.com
http://www.johndearmond.com <-- best little blog on the net!
Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
Multitasking: Reading in the bathroom!

.

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