Diesel prices

[dsprik]

quote:Originally posted by Steve and Brenda

Yep, $4.00 a gallon hurts but if one votes for representatives that keep refineries out of our back yard, mandate exotic fuel summer blends or prevent domestic exploration we only have ourselves to blame.

Steve, these things are almost impossible to achieve without a massive, traumatic event that would change the mindset of the majority of voting Americans. Don't get me wrong. I agree with all three of these, but two out of the three - refineries and domestic production increases (exploration plus time) all would take years to come online and give us relief at the pumps.

I believe that while these goals need to be actively pursued for our long term security, we need something immediately. The rescinding of the mandates for these expensive blends could be fairly rapid - perhaps a few months after the fact and we could see price reductions at the pumps from this.

Do you have any ideas that would give RVers any relief this summer?

[richfaa]

Ohio had considered removing the State tax on fuel (28 cents) as a temporary relief.While not a solution to the problem and it has many negative effects as those dollars are used to keep the infrastructure up. The feds may do the same (14.5 cents) It would help in the very short term..But there would have to be some solution to the problem going on at the same time and at this time we are ignoring the issue.

[Art]

Yesterday I saw diesel posted at $4.05 a gallon! That may not seem "high" for some of you but NJ has some of the lower prices for fuel (lower gas tax)! Regular is $2.99-3.05 a gallon. I never saw a $1.00 a gallon difference before between regular and diesel. My gasser is looking pretty good right now---even if it does get 8 mpg!

[mail2us]

Art's response about the gap between regular and diesel was also noticed here in Central Florida. The gap has widen significantly in last week to 10 days. Not sure why but am sure supply and demand will be a reminder. Murphy oil at WalMart was in the 3.90 range yesterday with regular at 3.24.

[c214dick]

At the Illinoi/Wi line we are 409.9 for diesel and 327.9 for regular. There are some stations charging 425.9 for diesel a little south of here so we have that $1 difference also.

[TheRanch]

I hear ya Art That $1.00 a gallon difference has got me thikin bout tradin for a gasser!!!! Naaa! Only kiddin but I tell ya dont think we will spending as much time at shore campgrounds this year with the price of diesel and gas for the boat, makes the campsite rates seem like a bargan tho!

[c214dick]

I'm just wondering if the campgrounds will see a decrease in business because of the higher gas/fuel prices and will lower their fees in order to stimulate business?

[richfaa]

The C.G's are in a bind and some of them may go belly up. Their cost for utilities and services is increasing like everyone else and they depend on campers for income to pay the bills. They can't lower the fees and if the campers do not come they can't pay the bills.. they are in a lose, lose situation.

[c214dick]

It's kind of like going to the movie. It costs just as much to open for one person as it does for 500. I would think if the CG owners see a dramatic reduction in use they would go for volume at a lower rate than no volume at a higher rate.

[tom41]

I believe CG's can reduce their rates without any belly up! I have passport America, and get a lot of nice CG's at 1/2 price, and quiet a few you can stay up to 5 days and at times even longer. So if they can do 1/2 price then they can reduce their prices. I just was in Pigon Forge Tn and stayed at Creek Side with full hookups, great cable and really great wifi and for only $12.00 passport America normally 15.00 but 12.00 was the winter rate.and this was last week. Just look at the KOA's prices and tell me they not "Ripping " you off? Some CG's have been in business for yrs and never made an improvemant but still they raise the rates 3, 4, 5 times what they were just a few yrs ago.

[richfaa]

We know many C.G owners from our days as wagon master for our local camping group in Ohio... These C'g's have a significant overhead. Taxes, Insurance(which is outrageous) Utilities, salaries, Maint and upkeep. The EPA and local board of health are hard on them and many have gone belly up because they could not afford to upgrade to meet EPA Standards. The C,G manager here told us today that the cost of upgrading a single power pedestal was 2500.00. The discount clubs such as PA will fill spaces that the C.G can not fill at full rate but if they filled them all at PA rates they would be out of business in short order. Many of the C.G's we use in Ohio went to total permanent sites to attempt to stay in business because they needed to keep at leasts 85% of the sites occupied to stay in business. Every C.G knows how many sites they need to sell every month to pay the bills and make a reasonable profit.

[c214dick]

If the CGs can charge a monthly, seasonal rate at a lower perdiem than they can charge slightly higher than the monthly for their day rates, fill more spots, and make money.

[tom41]

Well Rich, maybe that CG owner is a bad manager. I have never been a wagon master, But I have camped since 1972 and fulltimed since oct 1998. I know I'm not as smart as you, since I have started up 2 successful business"s in my lifetime, and sold both which are still operating today. I also have a very good friend in chattanooga that operates a good size CG and A friend of mine has updated many of the electrical boxes, and it sure didnt cost him no $2500.00 The 50/30/20 amp box is only $225.00 and the labor was a long ways from $2500.00 , So maybe you should tell that CG owner he needs to check in on who is doing his work. So maybe its all in how you use your noggin,think smart, or he could end up like a couple banks that went belly up, not all because of hard times but just dumb management. off my soapbox now, LOL! anyways I got off subject here and will just read and slap my "fingers" hahaha,

[Hemlockusa]

I have to go with Tom on this one, any CG owner that is paying $2500 per hookup has a electrical contactor ripping him off, and he's not smart enough to know it. If that is the case, he shouldn't be in the business... There are plenty of passport america's around that are very nice for the price of $12.00 and a little more.. If you travel wisely you can adjust a little for the rising fuel.

[tom41]

Hey John I see you havent cut your fingers off with those carving knives! You still typing HAHAHA!

[tom41]

Rich tell your CG guy heres what he needs.........
55-9089 RV POWER BOX - 80A PANEL W/50,30,& 20AMP RECEPTACLES...Regularly $226.00 On Sale for Only $211.00 $211.00

[richfaa]

They would need more than a Box.He was talking about "upgrading" not updating the power pedestal to 50 amp service and Meeting all New codes and requirements . He is not the campground owner but a guy and his wife from North North Carolina who manages the C.G for a corporation. They are just employees.I have no "smarts" about Campgrounds having never owned or operated one. What I have learned has come from many C.G owners/Operators.

[Lady RV]

Please everyone, let's get back on topic again. This topic is Diesel Prices! The most recent turn of this conversation most likely warrants a whole new thread.

[Emmel]

Diesel prices today in Troy Ohio, $4.19 and regular gas was $3.29 at the same station. Needless to say, the truck is parked unless I really,REALLY need to drive it!

[richfaa]

These high prices happened a couple of years ago.. I recall that the difference between gas and diesel was more than 1.00 per gallon and the school I drive for grounded as many diesel busses as they could and went to the smaller gas busses. Something will have to give soon..Oil took a dump yesterday..lets hope it continues.However note the price of Gold is sky rocketing as folks all over the world abandon the dollar for a stable commodity. That is not good news.