How to tighten the belt?

[anchorman]

Like alot of people, this economy has really effected my income. I still want to ride this winter, but I am looking at how I can do it on less $$ this year. I'm definitely riding the existing iron this year. I'll probably tie more trips into work trips (luckilly I can do this), I'll take the 4-place & the sled deck and get more of us in the truck to split the cost.

When I was younger and didn't have the responsibilities that I have now, I would just go and not worry about the cost. I don't have that luxury now and I'm not puting anything on the Visa. So what are your ideas?

 

[ArcticBoy]

Splitting the expenses however it takes. Hotel, fuel etc.

 

[moyiesledhead]

I pick my days now. Never enjoyed riding in crappy weather that much anyway. Now I have an excuse not to.

 

[Rprecision]

This is the most expensive sport for me to date......................

I have the wife all twisted up in it now........so at least she can help !

Another thing to consider is how and what you ride, even a insurance claim isnt cheap !

Good thread

 

[anchorman]

Thanks. One other thing I've vowed to do is to pay a lot better attention to the sleds themselves. If I spend a bit more time after each ride, checking them out, maybe I can find problems and take care of them before they become more costly issues. I used to just have to pay for myself, but now that my 14 year old likes to go so much, the cost has doubled. The 10 year old will go a few times and then a couple of times a year we will drag out all 6 sleds and the whole fam will go. That is the budget killer!

 

[skibreeze]

The best way to save money is to know your sled inside and out, so you can work on it yourself and take care of small issues before they become big ones. Buy a factory service manual and study the hell out of it.

 

[Wade]

Maybe you should find people to ride with, that have the money, but limited people to ride with. I have a heck of a time filling my truck with people. But then, I'm big on riding in three person groups.

 

[sdobbs20]

the more people in the truck the cheaper it will be. i usually pack food too, that saves quite a bit of money. obviously you gotta go to the bar though. if you go on long trips, make them worth while and stay a couple of days because gas still ain't that cheap.

do preventive maintanence on your sleds so something big doesn't happen and cost lots of $$.

 

[anchorman]

Wade, I'm with you on those 3 person groups. That size is just right! I'm lucky in that the fuel for the pickup isn't as much of a factor - just in the sleds. On Skibreeze's advice, I ordered the manuals for my sled and my son's today online. I think that's a great idea.

I know I may be in the minority on here, but I love to ride and HATE to turn wrenches. I may not be making the highest mark possible because of it, but I'm just not that good at it. I guess that is just going to have to change!

Thanks for the suggestions guys! And Wade, if you ever find yourself looking for a riding partner, send me a message! I'll even drive!

 

[coyote9090]

I work on peoples sleds or truck for a free ride up the hill

it works out great most times they get there stuff fixed at less than
dealer prices and I get to go more

Im looking into a used slide in camper this year the hotel bills from
last season are still haunting me.

I own my own business and most think that I make buckets of money
but thats just not the case. My current gross business income is half
what it was two years ago and it wasnt that great back then.

 

[diggerdown]

You're lucky to live close the mountains, we have a two thousand mile round trip just to get to there. We try to fill my crewcab and stay at places that have a kitchen so we can cook our own meals and bring the drinks with us. Rooms cost more, but by the time you figure the meals in, it comes out cheaper. I bring lots of tools and spare parts and learn to live with a few bent and cracked parts!

 

[TheFlyingFynn]

I also travel 750 miles each way to ride so here is my basic cost..$175 fuel for truck $50 to $70 fuel for sled plus oil about $25 a trip I figured. So my fuel costs for a 3 day trip is $320 then we get a deal on rooms so $60/2 + $30 per person x 2 nights $60. Then usually spend a $100 on food drinks and snacks.

So I am at a cool $500 bucks if nothing breaks on my truck or sled and I have to split the room with a buddy.

500/3 = $166 per day to ride.......wife and co workers think I'm nuts. You know though they all want to come and try it. Except the wife she not into the cold so if it not easy she wont put up with much.

I figure 10 trips a year $5k if nothing goes wrong.

I am saving all the money I can so I have my sled fund by Novemeber.

I have a buddy who lives further then me and hopefully we can ride together m ore this year and save us both some gas money.

But thats my plan.

This year should be better last year I did that and bought a new sled. So should be better this year I hope...unless I get the trailer...lol

 

[Snorider]

I like the small riding groups, usually 3 too,

so it adds to the cost there a little bit but like it.

I don;t mind heading out with bigger groups every once in awhile, but..........

lol

I wrench all my own stuff, that saves a ton of money, pack my food and if we are staying a couple nights we keep the bar to an hour or two and bring the rest from home.

 

[Scut Farkus]

i have a budget just for sledding that i contribute to every month, just like a 401k, college savings for daughter, etc. i figure that the days i stay at the cabin only cost me $30 in fuel and oil. i pack my own food and drink, so that doesn't cost me anything extra since i would need those things also. i find that the biggest expense comes from the day trips (usually thursdays) when there is travel fuel and bar stops. i can plan on spending $100 on those days but my riding group doesn't split the bill-we just rotate every week. my truck=my fuel bill, their truck=their fuel bill and so on.

 

[PCDOC]

Staying out of the bar on trips would save big time, but we aren't that smart I guess. If it were just fuel and food the trips aren't too bad. We have at least 500 miles one way (usually closer to 700) depending on where we go. With a crew cab full with 4 guys we end up around $150 each in travel expenses.

Wrenching on your sled will save a TON of money. Not only do you save by finding small problems before they get big, but paying someone to do all of the maintenace and tweaking I do would cost a fortune.