Jason Boggs
I think me meant that chasers who do it for a living basically have to go out and try to find storms. The amateur chasers like most of us on this board do not depend on chasing for the majority of our income.
Will Gas Prices Kill Long Distance Chasing?
- Thread starter Jeff Miller
- Start date
I think me meant that chasers who do it for a living basically have to go out and try to find storms. The amateur chasers like most of us on this board do not depend on chasing for the majority of our income.
Rocky Rascovich
EF4
Being the moderators have asked to leave "politics at the door" I won't rant 
But, I'll say this, The prices we're experiencing is to put it nicely on this forum, revolting. I was planning on my usual 2-3 day trek of solo chasing on the high plains this year... if I do it, it will be in my honda civic... with 104,000mi. its just getting broken in and averages about 32 on the highway to as much as 36 mi. in the city. I've gotten as much as 40mi/gal.
Great car but scared poopless in a high wind event, where as my beloved Ford Excursion.. hardly sways in an 80mph crosswind (at least how it reacted in a violent rfd gust on the 5/9/03 event here in OKC.
Anyway... sticking to the point, my long distance chasing will obviously be curtailed onless I can get at least 3 others to join me.
BTW: onless, God forbid, another terrorist attack occurs or some other kind of disaster, expect next year to have at least a 50% reduction in prices.. after all, it will be an election year... ooops! that almost sneaked in the door.
Rock&family tired of being ripped off!!!!!!!
But, I'll say this, The prices we're experiencing is to put it nicely on this forum, revolting. I was planning on my usual 2-3 day trek of solo chasing on the high plains this year... if I do it, it will be in my honda civic... with 104,000mi. its just getting broken in and averages about 32 on the highway to as much as 36 mi. in the city. I've gotten as much as 40mi/gal.Great car but scared poopless in a high wind event, where as my beloved Ford Excursion.. hardly sways in an 80mph crosswind (at least how it reacted in a violent rfd gust on the 5/9/03 event here in OKC.
Anyway... sticking to the point, my long distance chasing will obviously be curtailed onless I can get at least 3 others to join me.
BTW: onless, God forbid, another terrorist attack occurs or some other kind of disaster, expect next year to have at least a 50% reduction in prices.. after all, it will be an election year... ooops! that almost sneaked in the door.
Rock&family tired of being ripped off!!!!!!!
Tony Laubach
EF5
I think the Colorado gang has it figured out... pile 4 of us into my minivan and split 4-ways. While its hard to coordinate those efforts, particularly eaarly in the season and/or midweek, its a definate perk and makes long distance chasing worth while when done that way. While I do miss my Tracer, the gas mileage vs. people room certainly offsets the money saved in gas. I do still enjoy my solo chasing and will probably give myself a dedicated week every season on my own, but unless gas gets riduculously high, I think the current scheme myself and friends have will keep us going out season-after-season.
Dick McGowan
EF5
My blazer had broken down the week of the 4th and the 5th, so I "borrowed" a 2003 Camry, that got great gas mileage. I think it gets like 33 on the highway and 23 in the city. My blazer gets 13 city/ 18 highway, so sacrificing the 4 wheel drive was okay with me. I'm like Tony, get as many people piled in my car as possible and split the bill. We chased on a little over 380 bucks for the 4th, 5th, and 6th including 60 buck hotel rooms two nights, with 1600 miles ALL in Kansas.
I'm interested in a Toyota Prius; I got by well the other day without 4 wheel drive, so the days of chasing with an SUV for me, are almost over.
Better gas mileage obviously = more chasing. Wonder how long it will be before all of these hybrids are snatched up?
I'm interested in a Toyota Prius; I got by well the other day without 4 wheel drive, so the days of chasing with an SUV for me, are almost over.
Better gas mileage obviously = more chasing. Wonder how long it will be before all of these hybrids are snatched up?
Andrew Pritchard
EF5
I'll cut back on everything else before I cut back on chasing. Making changes elsewhere will help a lot more than you think. Don't go out to eat so often, don't commit to all those impulse buys... etc. Over the winter "off-season" and especially during the months right before chase season kicked off I cut back on almost everything and saved all that money for gas during the spring. So thanks to that, I've saved up a lot more money than I would have otherwise and the price surge isn't hurting as bad.
As others have said, carpooling makes a huge difference. With gas at $3, just chasing with one other person cuts your pay down to $1.50/gallon, and for those piling 4 into a car, they are each paying under a dollar a gallon. I still prefer to chase alone, and on most in-state chases I will continue to do so but for those long distance marathon chases it's almost silly not to at least split it with one other person. The difference in $500 for gas, and $250 for gas is one I can't ignore. Plus, when you can't get someone to go along, that chunk of change you saved by going with someone last time can help you be able to actually afford a long distance solo chase.
So I guess, if you can't live without chasing, and are sitting at home because of gas, cut back on everthing you CAN live without and it won't hurt so bad and won't leave you wishing you had that extra fifty bucks, and can buy you a few "marginal" setups. Then when you can, carpool carpool carpool.
As others have said, carpooling makes a huge difference. With gas at $3, just chasing with one other person cuts your pay down to $1.50/gallon, and for those piling 4 into a car, they are each paying under a dollar a gallon. I still prefer to chase alone, and on most in-state chases I will continue to do so but for those long distance marathon chases it's almost silly not to at least split it with one other person. The difference in $500 for gas, and $250 for gas is one I can't ignore. Plus, when you can't get someone to go along, that chunk of change you saved by going with someone last time can help you be able to actually afford a long distance solo chase.
So I guess, if you can't live without chasing, and are sitting at home because of gas, cut back on everthing you CAN live without and it won't hurt so bad and won't leave you wishing you had that extra fifty bucks, and can buy you a few "marginal" setups. Then when you can, carpool carpool carpool.
Skip Talbot
EF5
My answer to the original question is no, and help may also be on the horizon:
http://www.physorg.com/news98556080.html
A hydrogen production method that solves the problem of storing and transporting hydrogen, and looks economically viable as well.
http://www.physorg.com/news98556080.html
A hydrogen production method that solves the problem of storing and transporting hydrogen, and looks economically viable as well.
Tarmo Tanilsoo
EF5
It looks like your gas prices are catching up to our local gas prices. They are approaching 15 kroons/liter = $4,9 per gallon here. However, I have a sinking feeling that they are rising here as well.
Looking from a positive point of view, amount of yahoos might decrease as the result of gas price rises.
Looking from a positive point of view, amount of yahoos might decrease as the result of gas price rises.
Paul Noble
This was posted on the Netweather forum last year and seems to show the same idea at work.
Best to right click and save as for some reason..
http://www.mysticfamilycircus.com/Pages/Community/Projects/h2oh29MB.mov
I'm saying nothing about prices here in the UK. *sobs*
Doren Berge
EF1
Gas is just one of many expenses. Some years we drive more than others so it varies. Even if the price doubled or tripled it would still be line item along with flights, truck rental, hotels, meals and other incidentals. The short answer for me is "no." Gas prices won't change my plans at all.
On the other hand, rising fuel prices will raise the cost of everything else on the list. Everything in the food chain will be affected, so it may impact planning i.e. booking flights earlier, etc... We'll see.
I have no intention of giving it up.
On the other hand, rising fuel prices will raise the cost of everything else on the list. Everything in the food chain will be affected, so it may impact planning i.e. booking flights earlier, etc... We'll see.
I have no intention of giving it up.
Chris C Sanner
EF5
At $4/gallon chasing with 4 people means you are just paying $1 per gallon (if everyone is splitting it evenly of course). I know I will definitely be cutting down my chase range to pretty local areas especially if I don't have anyone to go with me. With a few passengers you can probably chase as normal and not feel the sting so much. If gas reaches $5 or $6 a gallon, I think there will be bigger problems we'll be facing that doesn't involve storm chasing unfortunately..
Robbie Cox
EF2
question should be how many will keep working ?
I just had my wife quit her job at Target for $8.00 hr/40 hr and she was spending 150.00 a week in gas. living in rural Iowa you must drive 30-50 miles one way to get a good job as the local area keeps drying up.
Matthew Crowther
EF3
A couple points. I do think that maybe the sheer #of chase vehicle on the road MAY be reduced a tad, as a few people drop out and carpoooling becomes more popular. Second, I would not like to be running a chase tour right now, the profit margin must be really reduced by this increase.
Personally the only change I will be making is that I will probably be less inclined to drive a long distance for a marginal setup, but if it looks good, gas prices be damned.
Personally the only change I will be making is that I will probably be less inclined to drive a long distance for a marginal setup, but if it looks good, gas prices be damned.
Jon Gacke
Absolutely Matt, ("but if it looks good, gas prices be damned.")!
As to the main question - I believe prices will change things though not kill it for those (myself included) that are addicted to this.
My strategy at this point, is to not even look at the pump total or the receipt - less bothersome that way. Granted, not a statement everyone can make depending on budgets. I work a little more OT & save up.
This passion costs a little more - so what?
Additionally, I believe hybrids will become economically/functionally feasable as chase vehicles in the next few years.
Jon G
As to the main question - I believe prices will change things though not kill it for those (myself included) that are addicted to this.
My strategy at this point, is to not even look at the pump total or the receipt - less bothersome that way. Granted, not a statement everyone can make depending on budgets. I work a little more OT & save up.
This passion costs a little more - so what?
Additionally, I believe hybrids will become economically/functionally feasable as chase vehicles in the next few years.
Jon G
Greg Campbell
EF5
My accord gets 33 freeway, so even a 2500 mile jaunt to Kansas and back isn't too awful. (Just don't bust!) At $5 a gallon, the expense would start to become a serious issue. IMO, the time and effort required to drive halfway across the country is a far greater 'cost' than the few hundred dollars spent on fuel. Gas was near 3$ all last summer, and I still ran up over 4000 miles chasing lightning in S. AZ.
Jim Tang
EF3
Suggestion - go with a (some) chase partner(s) and divide the calculated gas cost of the trip equally amongst yourselves.
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