Community Forums

Neumann · 06-10-2018, 09:06 AM

This is from a trip we took in summer of 2002 with our 30 foot travel trailer.
We have kept a journal of all our travels since 2000. Started keeping track of the RV park
costs in 2002.

Red Bluff, CA. Red Bluff RV Park 2002 cost $20 2018 cost $35.
Trinidad, CA. Sounds of the Sea. 2002 cost $21.25 2018 cost $49.50.
Gold Beach, OR. Four Seasons RV Park 2002 cost $27.50 2018 cost $37.
Charleston, OR. Oceanside RV Park 2002 cost $19.80 2018 cost $64.00.
Newport, OR. South Beach State Park 2002 cost $20.33 2018 cost $31.
Ilwaco, WA. Cape Disappoint State Park 2002 cost $22 2018 cost $46.50.
Hoodsport, WA. Rest-A-While RV Park 2002 cost $24.82 2018 cost $45.
Bothell, WA. Lake Pleasant RV Park 2002 cost $28 2018 cost $44.
Leavenworth, WA. Icicle River RV Park 2002 cost $26.25 2018 cost $42.
Coeur d’Alene, ID. River Walk RV Park 2002 cost $25.60 2018 cost $46.50.
White Bird, ID. Swift Water RV Park 2002 cost $20 2018 cost $30.
Winnemucca, NV. Hi-Desert RV Park 2002 cost $22.27 2018 cost $37.50

We retired in 2000 and RV park fee’s seemed reasonable, but today you can see the increase in cost of the parks. In 2002 the average cost for RV parks was $23 a day, in 2017 it was $44 a day.
Also diesel fuel was between $1.28 & $1.53 a gallon & the 1998 Dodge 2500 got 11 MPG. Now our MH gets 6.5 to 7 MPG.
Now I know where my money is going, or at least some of it. It’s been a great time & we’re still going traveling.
In my my life I've spent my money on women, booze, and traveling. The rest I just wasted.

Hal

TexasTom · 06-10-2018, 09:12 AM

The demand is so great that I think we can expect to see greater than 15% increases for a number of years. Our favorite summer RV Park has risen from $65/nite to $100 in the past 4 years.

grindstone01 · 06-10-2018, 09:22 AM

Inflation is coming worst than we have dealt with in decades!!

followingsea · 06-10-2018, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neumann

Started keeping track of the RV park
costs in 2002.

I think I see the problem. Cost of camping on the river on COE land near hydro plants, zero, zip, nada. No check in hassel, no neighbors, no tax.

Recently spent $6 for a pull through with 50 amp service at Hood Park on the snake.

There are an infinite number of under $20 spots to park that much nicer thant the RV park we recently stayed at because we want a pool to the grandchild.

weredoingit · 06-10-2018, 09:34 AM

Been to the grocery store lately?? Everything is up, and I wouldn't expect things to change. I could go on for ever about how things are more now then 15 or 20 years ago, but it won't change anything. It's life, just have to adjust with the prices, or stop doing the things we love to do.

hohenwald48 · 06-10-2018, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grindstone01

Inflation is coming worst than we have dealt with in decades!!

Somebody has to pay for government freebies. All taxes are ultimately paid for by the end user (consumer). Price increases are the result.

Inflation is the way the taxpayer is forced to pay for irresponsible government.

grindstone01 · 06-10-2018, 09:50 AM

Along with min wage increases and now tariffs.

CJ7365 · 06-10-2018, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hohenwald48

Somebody has to pay for government freebies. All taxes are ultimately paid for by the end user (consumer). Price increases are the result.

Inflation is the way the taxpayer is forced to pay for irresponsible government.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grindstone01

Along with min wage increases and now tariffs.

The OP listed prices from 2002, well yeah, no kidding the prices increase.

Just because prices increase does not mean the sky is falling.

So far as all the freebies, yeah, lets cut the umbilical cord, and really save some money.

If you don't like the price increase go else where, free market, supply v.s. demand, love it.

hohenwald48 · 06-10-2018, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ7365

So far as all the freebies, yeah, lets cut the umbilical cord, and really save some money.

I guess I wasn't clear. When I said "freebies" I had my tongue firmly in my cheek. Every thinking person knows there's no such thing as "freebies". There just ain't no free lunch. Only lunches that other people are forced to pay for.

CJ7365 · 06-10-2018, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hohenwald48

I guess I wasn't clear. When I said "freebies" I had my tongue firmly in my cheek. Every thinking person knows there's no such thing as "freebies". There just ain't no free lunch. Only lunches that other people are forced to pay for.

You made yourself clear as can be.

Maybe I should of put freebies in quotes.

I agree, only freebies are to the ones who are taking it, the rest of US are paying for it.

Contrarian · 06-10-2018, 01:02 PM

The OP is observing (accurately)that in the last 15 years the price of many goods and services has doubled or worse.
I believe a primary point to be taken from this observation is to also consider that our Gubment wants us to believe their assertion that inflation has only been 2% per year on average during this time period for a total increase of about 35%.

By using such smoke and mirrors technique, the federal government can reduce payouts such as increases in social security benefits to retirees while simultaneously service their debt with overinflated dollars.

Just my inflated 2 cents’ worth.

I admire the OP’s ability to keep such meticulous records, BTW.

Neumann · 06-10-2018, 01:48 PM

I agree that most all cost have gone up a lot since 2002. I just wish our retirement income would rise as much to help balance it out.
Hal

docj · 06-10-2018, 02:26 PM

Regardless of whether or not people believe the government's cost of living (inflation) calculations, an item that cost $10 in June 2002 now costs ~$14. That means that a $25 RV site in 2002 should now cost $35. Some of the OP's examples are higher than this, but some are less.

If one totals up all the OP's examples in both 2002 and 2018 the data shows that the total cost of the CG's in 2018 is ~1.84 times as much as they were in 2002. That's in comparison to the factor of 1.4 that one would have expected just from the overall inflation rate.

If one uses a bit of higher mathematics he can quickly calculate that the average compounded inflation rate for the period was ~2.1% in comparison to a compounded inflation rate for this group of RV parks of ~3.9%. So, on the average this group of parks has gone up at nearly twice the average inflation rate for the 16-year period, but, even still, the rate of inflation isn't all that bad on a historical basis.

I'm not in any way denying that things do cost more than they used to, but compared to the inflation of the 1980's this is very low. Furthermore, contrary to "talk show wisdom", some small amount (~2%) of inflation is necessary to ensure stability in the economy.

Joel (AKA docj)

dexters · 06-10-2018, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neumann

We retired in 2000 and RV park fee’s seemed reasonable, but today you can see the increase in cost of the parks. In 2002 the average cost for RV parks was $23 a day, in 2017 it was $44 a day.
Also diesel fuel was between $1.28 & $1.53 a gallon & the 1998 Dodge 2500 got 11 MPG. Now our MH gets 6.5 to 7 MPG.
Now I know where my money is going, or at least some of it. It’s been a great time & we’re still going traveling.
In my my life I've spent my money on women, booze, and traveling. The rest I just wasted.

Hal

$44.00
$23.00
$21.00
0.91%
15 Years
6.087%

It is higher then inflation. The question is have the costs
electricity
taxes
labor costs
increased greater then inflation?

Regardless ... get used to it. Supply and demand says higher prices to come.

I try to travel on shoulder seasons and stay a month. to get a lower price.