Desert Captain
Tucson
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Joined: 02/19/2011
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As fuel prices are once again fraudulently on the rise we are going to "Plan B" for late spring and summer. We live about 160 south of Arizona's White Mountains which are our favorite for camping (we have about a dozen favorites but there are many more we have yet to explore). Instead of hauling the TT up to 7, 8 or even 9,000' every trip which translates into 10.3 mpg we will leave it at a storage facility in or around Show Low. It costs about $25 a month to do so and we'll save about $65 a trip in gas as I get about 18 just driving the F-150. I'm thinking two trips a month for 4 to 7 days will put us ahead over $100 which pays most of the CG fees (most run about $8 to $16 a night). Most of the CG's will be open on or before May first so we don't have long to wait. Probably will bring the TT home in September. Should be a great summer. 
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twodog
arizona
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Joined: 09/14/2011
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Good idea. I did a similar thing keeping the TT on the res during the "off" season. They charged a buck a foot, so it was more economical to keep the trailer in the area I intend to camp. Down side is not having the "hobby" near the house for DIY projects.
Happy Trails.....
2dog
17' nash,pv,axleflip,hd sus w/shocks, yamaha gensets
t4r, arb goodies
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Glad that works out for you and should save you some serious money. Unfortunately when I travel it's the trip as much as the destination that I find enjoyable. Don't know as there is any real answer for me other than to get my foot out of the throttle and driving slower and actually THINKING about fuel economy when traveling. I find myself taking shorter (distance) trips instead of the big adventures like Alaska. May not SOUND like much of a compromise but compared to what I'd REALLY like to be doing, it is. Lots of great places within a thousand miles of home and I'll probably take full advantage of those places this summer.
Have a great camping season / Skip
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR -
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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don't let the gas people know this, they will have to raise the price a little more to make up for your gain
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Crazyfoe
USA
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Great solution if you travel to one location or in the same vicinity.
04' Chevy Silverado 2500HD 496 cu in - Allison
'06 Keystone Cougar 304BH
1 Honda eu2000i generator
Drawtight Activator
Huskey Weight Distribution System
1 Spazzed Weimaraner
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maskins
Goldston, NC
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Joined: 02/27/2007
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Crazyfoe wrote:Great solution if you travel to one location or in the same vicinity.
exactly, I'm 3 hours to the beach and 3 hours to the mountains. So my camper usually comes home with me because I don't know which direction I'm headed next.
2005 Chevy 2500HD
2008 Sunset Trail ST28BH
http://www.campgroundgallery.com/
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smokedummy
McLennan County Texas
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Joined: 06/08/2003
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I'm keeping my tent camping gear in reserve in case I can't afford the extra fuel to drag the trailer on a big trip this spring. I would still use the trailer locally.
travel pics etc
2012 Skyline Mountain View Retro 140, 16'.
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gmw photos
midwest
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Joined: 12/11/2011
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Yep, this is exactly what we did back the 1970's when fuel prices spiked up. We parked the boat and the trailer in storage close to the lake so we would not have to drive two vehicles pulling, all the time, and we all just piled into on car to make the trip.
More than one way to skin a cat ( pardon me, cat lovers....).
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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We like having the TT next to our house for loading/unloading food, clothing, etc. We just signed up for a gas card giving us 5% discount on their gas and we drive 56 mph when traveling.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
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Gdetrailer
PA
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Joined: 01/05/2007
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Desert Captain writes "Instead of hauling the TT up to 7, 8 or even 9,000' every trip which translates into 10.3 mpg we will leave it at a storage facility in or around Show Low. It costs about $25 a month to do so and we'll save about $65 a trip in gas as I get about 18 just driving the F-150. I'm thinking two trips a month for 4 to 7 days will put us ahead over $100 which pays most of the CG fees (most run about $8 to $16 a night). "
Sounds like a workable plan, but a little homework might be in order.
First is how safe and secure is the storage site?
Not to discourage you but I have read many posts of break ins and or theft of parts or even whole of RVs in storage. So, you should really research the storage facility for items like how well they secure the place, does it have some security guards, check around and see if the area is a high theft area and so on.
Next is if you do decide to store your RV there, REMOVE EVERYTHING of value like TVs, battery and perhaps the propane tanks before storing. These are all items that thieves tend to go for.
Since most storage sites tend to not have power you will not be able to leave food needing refrigeration since the fridge requires battery power for the control board.
Good luck and enjoy your summer camping!
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