Good news on diesel prices

[belfert]

Diesel prices in my area are now running the same price as gasoline or even as much as 10 cents lower depending on the station.  This is very good news, especially since all of my vehicles are diesel powered.  I would rather all petroleum fuels were less expensive, but at least diesel isn't 60 cents more than gasoline like it has been at times.

Diesel fuel and gasoline are predicted to be very close in price for the entire summer mostly due to higher gasoline prices. 

I lieve in Minnesota, and typically diesel prices tend to get higher as I drive west once past Wyoming.  This spring, prices in Nevada are actually the same or lower than Minnesota when typically the prices are a good 25 cents a gallon more than Minnesota.

I'm just hoping that fuel prices don't get so high I can't use my bus this fall.  My friends pay for most of the fuel for the big yearly trip and they will chicken out and go for a less expensive vehicle at some point.  I will admit I spent way more than planned on my conversion and now I don't have the funds to drive it much.

Brian

[TomC]

Before, certain states were running low sulfur Diesel that was 500ppm. Others were at 1500ppm.  But now with the 15ppm ultra low sulfur Diesel, I don't know why the states have different prices-it is all the same.  In Los Angeles, Diesel is running as much as $.20 cheaper than regular-which is a nice change since my car is also Diesel.  Good Luck, TomC

[HighTechRedneck]

My friends pay for most of the fuel for the big yearly trip and they will chicken out and go for a less expensive vehicle at some point. 

Perhaps, perhaps not.  Be sure to present the math to them as discussed in this thread - Bus vs Motel

[belfert]

My friends pay for most of the fuel for the big yearly trip and they will chicken out and go for a less expensive vehicle at some point. 

Perhaps, perhaps not.  Be sure to present the math to them as discussed in this thread - Bus vs Motel

My firiends took a conversion van with a 454 on the same trip last year and it cost the three of them less than it would have cost to take the bus.

They stayed in a tent instead of a bus/RV and the camping is free since it is boondocking.  They stayed two night at a casino hotel and still spent less overall.

Brian Elfert

[HighTechRedneck]

I guess it is all a matter of personal preference and what comfort level is fun.  I can see it being an interesting experience once, but not a routine unless they are really into tent camping.  Conversion vans are fine for going a couple hundred miles to a game, but I wouldn't want to travel for several days in one.

• Bed in a climate controlled environment vs. sleeping bag in a tent.
• Private restroom on board for use at will vs. waiting/walking for public restrooms or a nearby bush.
• Cooking and eating what you want, when you want by just walking a few feet in to the kitchen as opposed to paying several times as much for what's on the fast food menu.
• Being able to get up and walk around at will (obviously does not apply to the driver) vs. sitting in a chair until the next time the vehicle stops.

[TomC]

You couldn't pay me enough to go tent camping.  I had just about all the tent camping I could stand when I was a Boy Scout (did become an Eagle Scout).  Last year did a 17-day 2,300-mile trip from Los Angeles to the southern part of Arizona (Bisbee-really neat old mining town built on the side of a mountain) up to Grand Canyon, Zion and home.  When we got to Zion, we got salmonella poisoning from of all things baby carrots.  For the two days we were in Zion, it was multiple trips to the toilet and drinking lots of fluids.  I couldn't imagine trying that in a tent.
Also, we sometimes camp with another family that only tents.  I can pull into our space, level, hook up, set up outside chairs and BBQ in about 10 minutes.  The tenters take well over an hour.  Keep your canvas, I'll take my aluminum and steel tent everytime!  Good Luck, TomC

[edvanland]

We have camped while riding motorcycles, while at Lake Powell when we went up river for 7 days, that was neat, out of cars and trucks.  Have had motor homes for 35 years and a bus for 5 years, I'll take the bus and do the driving myself.  Have enjoyed ten camping when younger but now I like the comforts of the bus.
Just my 2 cents
ED
MCI 7

[WEC4104]

First off, it sounds like some of you are pretty encouraged by the cost of diesel fuel in comparison with gasoline.  Here in the mid atlantic area, it seems like diesel has been holding steady (expensive), and gasoline is shooting back up again (very expensive).  So while this looks good in relative terms for bus owners, I'm not seeing anything to put a smile on my face.  But looking at things realistically, hotels, airfares, and restaurants are also going up in price, so I don't think it will influence my decision to keep on driving my bus.

Regarding the differences in fuel prices between states, my understanding is that it is mostly affected by taxes levied by each state. It is not unusual to see $0.20 or more difference in the taxes charged.

Lastly, regarding tent camping, I am probably in the minority on this one. I enjoy tent camping. I've been an active Boy Scout Leader for the past 16 years, and camp with them regularly. I especially enjoy the backpacking trips when we are roughing it.   But does that mean I want to give up the creature comforts in my bus? No way!    My interest in camping runs the full range: from backpacking to having all the amenities at my disposal.

[JackConrad]

     When were first married, we camped in a tent, then moved up to a slide-in camper in a pick-up truck. From there to a Plymouth MaxiVan, followed by a 20', then 28' travel trailers. Our next RV was a 24' Winnebago. THEN, we got smart and bought a 4106. That was followed by our current bus, a MC-8.  Would we go back, NO WAY! As I get older it is hard enough getting out of bed, I can't imagine trying to get up from a sleeping bag on the ground. Jack

[belfert]

First off, it sounds like some of you are pretty encouraged by the cost of diesel fuel in comparison with gasoline.  Here in the mid atlantic area, it seems like diesel has been holding steady (expensive), and gasoline is shooting back up again (very expensive).  So while this looks good in relative terms for bus owners, I'm not seeing anything to put a smile on my face.  But looking at things realistically, hotels, airfares, and restaurants are also going up in price, so I don't think it will influence my decision to keep on driving my bus.

Am I happy that fuel in general is so expensive, absolutely not!

But, it is a lot better for diesel to be at $2.79 and gasoline at $2.89 than for diesel to be at $3.19 or $3.29 like it has been running in the past when gasoline is at $2.89.

Peope liike to bitch about fuel prices, but gasoline demand is increasing at a greater percentage rate than ever.  Prices aren't going to go down much as long as people don't drive less or move to more efficient vehicles.