I happened to be on eBay motors and saw an ad for a class a mobile home.
These are the big bus like campers. the ones that get 6-8 mpg.

So suddenly operating costs are 50 cents a mile for fuel alone.
I talked to a friend and 4 camper manufacturers have folded this year.
looking at prices on eBay it is amazing at how cheap some of these are selling for.

 

Three of my sisters are into "camping." Most of their trips are closer to home this season.

A former co worker of Rick's (retired) and her husband had a nice trip to Nevada planned. The cost of gas has made them cancel it. (truck with 5th wheel). She told me they have the $, but they just won't spend that much on gas. So much for enjoying their retirement years as they planned. I'm sure many others feel the same way.

 

Matt wants a Class A to retire to and travel the great US of A. We honeymooned in a GMC motor home with central vac and had a blast! But that was 25+ years ago!

I just want to buy some land in TN and hide for a few years ...... oh, I want a barn and a mule too!

 

I was amused looking at them then Barb looked over my shoulder and got excited.
She would love to go see the country in one.
If we were to ever do that we'd have to have a trailer for the toy.


I'm guessing that this summer they will get really cheap.

 

I have to believe that this is an entire American industry/activity that will die due to the gas prices. I can't imagine we'll ever see $2.18/gallon again. Once the oil companies see how far they can bend us over the desk, and we take it, they never return to previous price levels. I guess the industry will be limited to the independently wealthy...those who can afford 6-8 mi/gal. Will John Madden fly?

 

some of the busses are $500,000 plus The rick who would own one really don't think about the money for fuel.
If you spend a night at a nice hotel and 3 meals for 2 people
you could spend $400 a day. plus flight to get to destination or gas for the car.
Time waisted with TSA in airports flight delays

Motor-home you have everything you need and a tow vehicle. Laundry food satellite TV your pet Dog / cat.
No maids to dig through your personal belongings or DNA soaked carpet and spread on the bed.
I grew up camping in motorhomes from 1972 ith my parents until 1984. My parent still belong to
the SAME camping club group since then. There is a lot of BEAUTIFUL areas that are not near a hotel
even the NASCAR drivers live in them... but these I'm sure are milti MILLION dollar coaches

 

I had a casual conversation a couple of years ago with a man who had just retired, sold everything and bought a new class A motorhome. At the time gas had just passed 2 dollars a gallon. He said he would probably not have bought one if he had known it would get that expensive. But, the savings in eating in the M/H and not getting a hotel paid the gas bill. I doubt that's the case now though.

Read on MSN yesterday that the average class A now costs about 500.00 to fill up.


I'd love to travel the country in one, but can't imagine paying 50 bucks in gas to go 100 miles..

It would be interesting to see a comparison between the cost of taking a trip between traveling by car, with related expenses for meals and hotel, versus the cost of a motorhome with lot rentals and fuel.

Willinathen

 

I am with you on this. Flying these days, at least by commercial airline with the rest of the ants, makes me shudder. Airports are generally filthy and I have had it with the lack of service in hotels as well. But, selling the idea of a motorhome to my wife is becoming increasingly difficult in the days of $5 diesel!

 

math it out....


My parents have a class Dolphin at 9 mpg V10 ford regular gas
Busses towing and full load bet 7 mpg

300 miles a day is a good number (some can travel 400 miles a day)
You travel by motor-home to see and do the little shops along the way, not just to get
Calif to Colorado 1500? miles in 24 hours

300 miles a day / 7 mpg = 42.8 gallons X $5.25 a gallon (over inflated Calif Diesel) about $225.00 fuel cost
300 miles a day / 9mpg = 33.3 gallons X $4.00 regular (average Calif regular) about $135.00 fuel cost

How much would you pay for gas in your SUV trip and hotels and 2 meal a day over 3 day Calif to Colorado

 

What price is happiness?