Gas prices take toll on RV users, others

By Suzan Manuel

July 3, 2000 Web posted at: 12:37 PM EDT (1637 GMT)

ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana (The Town Talk) -- January Vidrine sits in the shade of her family's recreational vehicle with her 17-month-old son, Dylan, contemplating gas prices.

"They're too high. This is ridiculous. It's almost $2 a gallon now," she said.

Vidrine and her family have been residents of the KOA campground since April due to her husband's job. In the last year, the Vidrines have been to Tennessee and California.

Gas prices are rising again across the country.

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In Alexandria, the average price is $1.53 a gallon for regular unleaded and $1.68 a gallon for premium. Two short months ago a gallon of unleaded was averaging $1.34 and premium was $1.50.

"They should go back to like they used to be -- but it won't happen soon," Vidrine said.

Because her family doesn't have the option of not traveling -- her husband's job requires it -- they have to grin and bear the ever-increasing prices.

The fluctuating prices aren't affecting the number of campers at the KOA Campgrounds, according to spokesperson Faye Lewis.

"The number of campers hasn't gone down, but we're hearing a lot of grumbling," she said. "The people who live here aren't driving as much."

Paul and Shirley Herbert, five-year residents of KOA, are considering canceling their vacation this year. The couple had planned on a trip to either Vicksburg or Biloxi, Miss, but say that the rocketing cost of fuel has become prohibitive.

"The cheapest I've seen gas," Shirley says, "is a buck fifty-one or fifty-two."

When pulling their RV, they average about 10 miles to the gallon, Paul Herbert said.

"I wouldn't take it on vacation because of fuel costs."

They are hoping that prices will be down by August. If they aren't, the couple plans to stay put.

"You can't tell me the oil companies aren't making a profit selling gas at $1 a gallon," Shirley said. "They did it last summer."

"$1 to $1.10 a gallon -- that's what I'd like to see again," Paul Herbert noted.

Lewis said that campers say that the price is too high and that many walk wherever they can.

"Something needs to be done, but nobody knows what," she said.

The rising cost of fuel is also affecting some local businesses.

Dorothy Hodge with Rent-A-Wreck said, "People want the cars with better gas mileage. It's affecting our sales too -- people are thinking, why buy a larger vehicle? The price of gas may go up again."

The skyrocketing cost is also affecting revenues from rentals.

"People are more conscientious," Hodge said, "They're driving less. We make extra money when they drive more. They get so many free miles a day; after that we charge 25 cents a mile."

Hodge says that the unpredictable fuel rates are affecting people mentally.

"Overall, it's leaving a sour taste in their mouths, because no one can give a substantial reason for the increases. People have been browbeaten by what the government does and we have to abide by it."

Oil industry experts are not predicting a decline in gas prices until after the summer's heavy travel season ends.

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