Industry, RVers differ on gas prices
With Memorial Day weekend the official kickoff of camping season, RVers are keeping a close eye on fuel prices.
The official RV industry folks keep sending out news releases telling us that the cost of fuel is of little consequence.
Common sense says that many average RVers, especially those on fixed incomes, by necessity will cut back on their travels.
Earlier this month the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association said that despite “fluctuating” fuel prices, “76 percent of RV owners intend to use their rigs more often this spring and summer than they did last year.”
It stated that only 4 percent of the people surveyed said they were planning to travel less, while the other 20 percent indicated they would RV the same amount as in 2006.
“Readers of RVtravel.com are singing a different tune,” says Chuck Woodbury, editor and publisher of RVtravel.com, an online site that attracts about 750,000 visitors a month.
The first week of May, Woodbury asked readers how $4 a gallon fuel would affect their travels.
About three quarters of 3,700 respondents said they would cut back their RVing. Nine percent said they would stop altogether. Only 23 percent say that $4 a gallon fuel would have no effect on their RV travels.
“People in Spokane, Seattle or Missoula who are watching their money are going to still use their RVs – but trips are going to be shorter,” says Woodbury when reached at his office in Edmonds, Wash.
“I have got to believe that people living on very little money just won’t have the freedom they’ve had before,” he says.
“My guess is that local state parks are going to be pretty darn crowded this year.”
Your summer plans
What are your RVing plans for this summer?
Will you be staying closer to home? If you are, which of the public or private campgrounds do you plan to visit? Are you going on any long cross-country trips to visit relatives or attend high school reunions? Let me know by calling (509) 459-5435 or e-mail juliannec@spokesman.com.
RVing silversmith at expo
Western silversmith Greg Pauline drove his 1991 24-foot Coachman class C motor home more than 800 miles from Cedar Ridge, Calif., to be part of this weekend’s Ride the West Horse and Trade Expo at the Spokane fairgrounds.
“This is only our second show,” says Pauline, owner of Hiram West Company, located “smack dab” in the middle of California’s Sierra foothills gold country.
“We’re planning on doing more shows,” he says. “We thought now that our kids are older, we can travel more and have working vacations.”
An engraver and metalsmith for more than 20 years, Pauline specializes in intricate personalized work.
His stock includes silver three-piece rancher buckle sets, earrings, money clips and saddle trim.
“We enjoy making the custom work most,” he says. “It allows our creative side to come more into focus.”
Stop by the Hiram West booth (number 109 in building C), or go online to www.hiramwest.com.
The annual Ride the West show continues today and Sunday at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center at Havana and Broadway, Spokane Valley.
Gates are open today 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 at the gate (ages 9 and under are free). More information at www.ridethewest.com.
A bumpy ride
Life on the road can sometimes get a little bumpy, according to a recent survey conducted by Progressive insurance (www.progressive.com) of more than 1,000 RVers.
The survey found that the most common mistakes RVers admit to are: driving off with the steps extended, backing into a post or other stationary object, misjudging the amount of overhead or side clearance space, not connecting the tail lights correctly and running out of fuel.
“But it’s not just operating your RV that some people have trouble with,” states the news release. “Two percent of RVers surveyed actually admitted to mistakenly leaving a passenger behind at a campground, rest area or other stop.”
The person left behind most often? “A spouse or significant other. Pets and grandparents are least likely to be left behind.”