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Saturday, May 25, 2024
Issue 1158
Members edition
Featured articles
Forest Service plans to cut down hundreds of trees from popular campground
Officials at the Tonto National Forest in Arizona plan to cut down hundreds of trees in a popular campground to return it back to the days when natural wildfires naturally thinned the area. For Arizonans who seek the shade of these trees in the hot summers, this is a very unpopular idea. The Forest Service says at least some of the trees are a hazard and need to go. It’s complicated. Russ and Tiña De Maris have the story.
Yes, it’s true: RV takes direct hit from lightning bolt!
This is the stuff of nightmares: your RV takes a direct hit from a bolt of lightning. That’s what happened to Lisa Hettrick’s trailer. Read more and see a photo of the RV (well, actually, the ashes).
Truck companies want driver-trainees to drive alone with no instructor
How’s this thought? You’re driving down an Interstate and you somehow learn that the big rig driver behind you and even ahead of you are truck-driver trainees—and they are driving alone, without an instructor? If that gives you the willies, read on—that’s a situation that some big trucking companies are asking the government for permission to do. Read more.
Ten tips about how find quiet RV parks
By Gail Marsh
Who wouldn’t want a little peace and quiet? From morning to night, daily noise hammers at our senses. Work, traffic, technology, conversation, and more audio assaults fill our ears in a never-ending cacophony. Wouldn’t a nice, quiet getaway be welcome? Yes! But how can you find a quiet RV park? Here are some suggestions.
RVing outside the U.S with a dog? Pay attention to new rules
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Are you planning on traveling out of the U.S. with your dog? Heads up! Come August 1, dogs coming back into the U.S. have new rules. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says the rules apply to dogs coming into the country, even those that have only traveled across a single international border, and set out stringent regulations. Learn more.
Ten things to know about visiting Yellowstone National Park
If you plan to travel to Yellowstone National Park this summer, plan ahead to protect yourself and this wild and awe-inspiring place. Click here for the details.
Frequent hurricanes predicted this season
RVers, other travelers as well as residents in areas normally affected by seasonal Atlantic hurricanes may face especially challenging activity in the months ahead. If you plan to spend time this season in such an area, be sure to constantly monitor the weather forecast and have an escape plan if trapped with nowhere to go. Read more, including the names of the first 21 storms (do any share your name?).
Police recruit jail inmate to start motorhome he stole
Nothing is too strange in the world of crime. In Washington state a man in jail for stealing a motorhome was later recruited by police to help start a motorhome they couldn’t get running. The weird part: the RV was the same one the thief stole that landed him in the slammer. Read all about it.
POP QUIZ: What percent of RVtravel.com readers are spending this weekend in their RV? Is it closer to 29 percent, 37 percent or 56 percent? See yesterday’s poll for the latest results (and go ahead and respond if you didn’t already).
Campground Crowding (and more!)
RV buyers change mind, will not buy RV — “No place to camp”
RV sales have slowed and fewer people are buying RVs. Has that changed campground crowding? This week Nanci Dixon shares some of your stories about RV parks owned by corporations which are not enforcing rules so the parks are getting run down. If someone complains, they are told they can move because there’s a waiting list to get in. (Wow!) Plus, folks have opposite views on long-termers in RV parks. And an RVer has learned not to give away their secret favorite RVing locations because they can quickly get crowded and trashed.
RV Walk-through (new name, same column!)
2024 Leisure Travel Vans Unity MBL Class C motorhome in big demand!
By Cheri Sicard
In [this video], we join Izzy and MJ from Endless RVing (one of the winners of our 2024 RV Video awards), for a walk-through tour of the 2024 Leisure Travel Vans Unity MBL, a unique, small Class C motorhome. That’s because the MBL stands for Murphy Bed Lounge, an unusual layout that gives this small motorhome a lot of versatile function.
More RVing News
- New RV Park opens in Ocala, Florida
- Gas prices up slightly for Memorial Day weekend
- Free admission Memorial Day to Veterans to California State Parks
- Wide swath of the Midwest under (ongoing) severe weather watch
- Don’t miss the annual donkey release coming soon to Colorado
- Mitsubishi’s Maximum Offroader van belongs on the moon
- You don’t have to be dumb for a park wildlife mishap
- How do your RV road trip plans compare to other RVers?
- A church pivotal in Harriet Tubman’s life opens to the public
What’s new at campgrounds and RV parks
Stay up to date on news about campgrounds and RV parks across North America. Every week, learn about new parks, expansions, or special events coming up at campgrounds throughout North America. Read this week’s latest news here.
Saturday Giveaway!
Sorry, folks. No giveaway today. This contest will return next Saturday, June 1.
Reader poll
Will high fuel prices affect your RV travels this summer?
RV and RV-Related Recalls
Forest River recalls RVs with dangerous, sagging LP lines
You can spot this problem. Forest River is recalling RVs with drooping LP lines. Left uncorrected, the problem could lead to a fire. RVs included in the recall include certain 2024 Solera, 2024-2025 Forester and Sunseeker motorhomes. Forest River has issued a Stop Sale Notice until the defect is remedied. If the Liquid Propane (LP) line is not properly secured, it can become damaged and leak. Learn more.
Forest River recalls trailers; water tanks could detach
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Coachmen Independence Trail, 2020-2024 Viking, and 2021-2024 Clipper travel trailers. The freshwater tank could detach from the vehicle when full or overfilled. A detached tank can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash, injury or worse. As many as 2,204 travel trailers may be included in the recall. Continue reading.
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS STOLEN RV?
This 2017 Jayco Flight was stolen from 125 E 34th Street, Tucson, Arizona. The license plate is NSA4SN and the VIN is 1UJBJ0BN7H77V0240. A $2,000 reward is offered for information leading to an arrest of the thief and recovery of the trailer. Call or text 520-837-9794 if you have information. You may remain anonymous.
Did someone rip off your ride? Let us post information on your stolen RV. Email Russ (at) rvtravel.com.
Latest fuel prices
Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of May 20, 2024:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.58
Change from week before: Down 2 cents; Change from year before: Up 5 cents.
Diesel: $3.79
Change from week before: Down 6 cents; Change from year before: Down 9 cents.
For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Brain Teaser
A word I know, six letters it contains, remove one letter and “12” remains. What is it?
(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter. And please don’t spoil it for other readers by posting the answer in the comments.)
Upcoming RV shows
Click here for a directory of upcoming shows.
Recipe of the Day
Spinach Artichoke Lasagna Rolls
by Melody Perkins from Altus, OK
This can be made as a traditional lasagna, but rolling the noodles up is a fun way to serve these spinach artichoke lasagna rolls. The cheese mixture includes a combination of Mozzarella, Provolone, Romano, Asiago, and Parmesan. Once combined and baked, they are nice and gooey. Then, there are the layers of spinach, artichokes, and browned Italian sausage. If there’s extra filling, fill a few more noodles and bake them in another pan. We think these lasagna rolls will be a big hit around your dinner table.
Trivia
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, but do you know how he wanted us to answer his beloved invention? If Bell had gotten it his way, we’d all be answering our phones, “Ahoy-Hoy!” Thomas Edison thought that was silly, and suggested a simple “Hello” instead. Edison might have won, but until his death, Bell answered his phone, “Ahoy-Hoy!” If you’re a fan of The Simpsons, you’ll note how Mr. Burns always answers his phone with “Ahoy-Hoy!” as a nod to Bell.
The Perfect Scam
Jody and her husband love to travel, and they love to save up credit card reward points to make their family vacations more affordable. When they start getting notifications that some of their points have been redeemed without their permission, they are led on a monthslong ordeal to secure their accounts from criminals who are turning those hard-earned points into cash.
Laugh of the Week
Today in History
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
I think the new truck trainees should have a ride along with them for a time but the most frightening thing on the highway is the 40′ 5th wheel camper or motor home passing you at 75 mph!
Selfish and Stupid make for a dangerous combination no matter what you drive. Although the size and length of what you are driving does increase those two .”Happy Trails” as long as you are not tailgating or passing me.
Go ahead & pass me. Get far away from me.
Agree on both of your points, When we moved from a small Class C to a larger Class A, we took driving lessons. When we went to the 5th wheel (long, heavy, and tall) we had fellow 5th wheelers in the park we wintered take us around and help us learn the set up. Now, I wasn’t always so smart as I used to freak a bit in construction areas with semi’s behind or on me…so I sped up. Pulled into a rest stop and a fellow RVer came to me and said, “Told my wife we need to stay away from that RV (me). Going too fast and swerving.” I was embarrassed but grateful. Got over the issues and now don’t mind leading the parade.
Is there supposed to a link for “The Perfect Scam”?
No link. Just hit the play button to listen to the podcast.
Thanks for the answer. Unfortunately, I don’t see a play button. It must be the browser I’m using.
I did a Google search and found it.
Gas $2.99 here in Savannah, TN
Based on your Latest Fuel Prices post, shouldn’t the Poll be: Will steady gas prices affect your rv travel? ?
Hi, Jeff. Or maybe, “Will gas prices affect your RV travel?” That should cover any contingency.🤔😉 Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
🙂 I love this newsletter.
Thanks, David! And we love and appreciate you, and all of our other terrific readers. (Well, most of them, anyway.😉) Have a great day.🤗 –Diane at RVtravel.com
“Have You Seen This Stolen RV?”
From the photo posted it looks to me like they have no lock on the trailer. Anybody could hitch it up and be gone. At least a lock will slow them down somewhat.