It's not the price of gas

[bizcamp]

Oil sitting at 108bbl now, any move up is just temporary and a great place to look smart. Tell your friends to get ready for cheap gas!
Global economy and U.S. slowing down dramatically = lower prices on everything!
Cash is going to buy you some real opportunities!

Going down, down
Bizcamp

[bizcamp]

If Gustav hurts rigs, current oil in the barrel becomes more valuable because the supply for current delivery might be restricted.... It takes 3-6 months to process oil to gas, pump, deliver, refine, store, distribute to gas stations. Oil price jumps rapidly based on expectations of short term supply demand issues, Gustav could limit supply for uncertain period, remember Kat? Gas at the pump is based on the old price for Oil 3-6 months ago... 147.5bbl old high. Gas prices rise and fall smoothly based on the cost of the Oil refined...Oil changes prices every minute... could you imagine if gas was priced by the minute? It would drive us crazy.

Lesson over,
Bizcamp

[warbler5]

In our area, two RV dealers have gone out of business, as well as several car dealers (including a Volvo dealership and a Ford dealership). I am waiting for the new Blue-Tech diesels from Europe before selling my 2001 VW. The local Mercedes dealership had folks returning their leased cars....just driving in and handing over the keys! I think car sales really suffer when folks are feeling uncomfortable with the economy!

We have made fewer trips this year, but I think we spend the gas $$$ in lieu of other things we may not really need. And, we plan our around-town trips more carefully....

[Mikethefixit]

Hang on DURAMAX(Isuzu) Which makes engines for GM announced this morning they will layoff Permanently 350 employees at its KETTERING ENGINE PLANT(Dayton,Ohio) This plant originally employed 1200 people. The reason given was sagging SUV and Lite trucks sales.
Roger

[Gen Disarray]

I cant speak to sales of RVs, however, I did notice that a large proportion of RVs out on the road this summer that I encountered were rental RVs with European families. I suspect that between Europeans being used to higher priced fuel and the relative strength of the euro to the dollar, that driving around the US at the summer prices looked like a good deal. Another observation that really troubled me was what I perceived to be a dramatic decrease in tent campers. I suspect that this reflects the number of lower income folks who couldn't swing the extra bucks to drive to the mountains to camp. If I am correct about that, then the margin that a whole bunch of people in this country are living on is way, way to thin. Virtually everywhere I went the tents were virtually non-existent. I worry about that.

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by Gen Disarray

Another observation that really troubled me was what I perceived to be a dramatic decrease in tent campers. I suspect that this reflects the number of lower income folks who couldn't swing the extra bucks to drive to the mountains to camp. If I am correct about that, then the margin that a whole bunch of people in this country are living on is way, way to thin. Virtually everywhere I went the tents were virtually non-existent. I worry about that.

I think a lot of that is that more and more people have switched from tents to travel trailers and motor homes. We don't rough it as much as we used to.

[Gen Disarray]

Originally Posted by Minnie's Mate

I think a lot of that is that more and more people have switched from tents to travel trailers and motor homes. We don't rough it as much as we used to.

I'm not entirely convinced that is where the explanation lies. While probably you are correct in saying more are using RVs, a disproportionate number of younger people seemed to be missing from the west this summer. Having said that, all I am going on is my impressions, not data.

[bizcamp]

The Age Wave is evidencing itself in the move to RVs vs tents. Older and more affluent, able to afford, means no more ground. This is one of the reasons I bot the BC. I typically motorcycle/tent camped but now I can Moto in style, no more ground I
got floor...and more!
P.S. Oil is now 105bbl!

Elevated,
BizCamp

[pjude]

Hi! Over the past few weeks I have made several trips between Dallas and Shreveport....the lack of MHs is obvious...maybe its the time of year but even during the latter part of the summer I noticed fewer and fewer MHs on the freeway. Our 345 was used sparringly this summer but at least it was used.

[bizcamp]

Update oil. Broke $80bbl. Just saw $3.25Gal. Get Ready for $60bbl!
Looks like all the unregulated Hedge Funds are dumping the commodities,
Net Net for gas in the long run... $2.25gal. Biggest price drop per gallon on gas was this last week. Roll on, big rig!

Its a gas man!
Bizcamp

[Minnie's Mate]

Gas has broken the $3.00 mark in Atlanta at a few stations. However, the average is still about $.40/gallon higher than the national average (Average is $3.42/gallon in Atlanta). I ventured out into the hinterlands this weekend and in rural central Georgia I found $3.04 at many stations. I always felt that prices would drop back to something reasonable...at this rate we may be there by spring!

[reday]

It may be a great time to buy a TV or RV, but you would get nothing in trade for what you have now. I'm afraid I couldn't justify multiple Airstreams like some. That and not enough time to keep them up much less use them! If you were just getting into it and didn't need to finance, you could just about have your pick right now...

[airstreamhobo]

I just paid $3.59 yesterday for Gal. Diesel. It has dropped gas to $2.69 here in Pa. at Hess Gas with my 5% off thats $2.57 Gas ...$3.44 Diesel keep coming down Please!!!! I wanna Travel!!!

[Minnie's Mate]

I paid $3.86/gallon for diesel last Thursday and I'm sure it has come down some more since then. I can actually fill my tank on empty for less than $100 now! Wow, a whole weeks worth of gas for less than $100. What will I do with the extra money? Ye'ah, right.