Welcome to the RVtravel.com newsletter. “Home of the RVing Experts since 2001.”
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Issue 1167
Subscribers edition
Featured articles
Better Starlink for RVers – No need for residential subscription
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Many folks rave about the Starlink satellite internet system. Go just about anywhere and you can still stay connected. For RVers, however, it meant buying a [regular] dish for the RV, and needing to have a residential subscription. Now there’s better Starlink for RVers.
Motorhome auction prices spike, but still could be good time to buy a new RV
Used RV wholesale prices for auctions in June showed a giant anomaly. For months motorized RV prices dragged their heels. Suddenly, motorhome prices spiked, while towables lagged. Why the statistical shoot-up? And why would an RV market-watcher suggest now might be a good time to buy a new RV? Read on.
Most popular states and cities for new RV sales
Why not open an RV dealership? If William Shakespeare was correct when he wrote, “What’s past is prologue,” then looking back on last year’s statistics might help the would-be RV dealer pick the right location for a successful venture. With the cooperation of a recent RV Trader study, here are the most popular states and cities for new RV sales.
Campground crowding (and more!)
Investment companies running RV parks “into the ground”
This week Nanci Dixon shares more of your stories about the necessity to reserve and pay far in advance in order to get preferred campsites, a possible solution to deal with campsite no-shows, and a suggestion for RVers to contact U.S. senators and representatives asking that government-owned campgrounds change the current reservation system (at recreation.gov) to 50/50 first-come, first served.
RV walk-through
The ultimate “sheep camp” RV—cozy, mighty, and impressive
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below from Peak Mountain Camps, we get a tour of a modern updated sheep camp trailer and it is, indeed, mighty impressive.
More RVing news
Vehicle value analytics firm JD Powers trotted out its summation of RV values for May and June. Powers indicates RV values saw two good months, but are still lagging compared to the same months in 2023. Here are the travel trailer, fifth wheel, and motorhome numbers.
In similar numbers, results for the RV Industry Association’s June 2024 survey of manufacturers found that total RV shipments ended the month with 25,308 units, an increase of 5% compared to the 24,095 units shipped in June 2023. It’s still not looking good for motorhomes…
A 42-year-old man, identified as Ronnie Dean Stout II, from Chico, California, was arrested on Thursday and charged with arson. He is suspected of causing California’s devastating Park Fire. The fire is California’s largest wildfire so far this year. At the time of writing, the fire has already consumed more than 164,000 acres as of Friday morning and is currently only 3% contained. Here’s the story.
Pet owners are being warned about a distressing scam that exploits the emotional turmoil of losing a beloved pet. This scam involves callers who claim to have found the missing pet and demand payment for its return. Here’s how it works. Don’t let this happen to you!
A California RVer was killed after a semi rolled over in front of the Class C motorhome he was riding in. The motorhome driver was caught by surprise and crashed into the rig when it came upon the Freightliner on Utah’s Interstate 70 near milepost 200 last Sunday afternoon. Read the story here.
Looking to reserve a site in an Idaho campground? Reservations for 2025 camping will soon get tough. Idaho State Parks reservations will be effectively turned off on August 1. Here’s why.
Was the driver hot-dogging? Frankly speaking, we’re not sure. But when the Wienermobile rolls over, it probably will do more than just play dead. Jaded Chicagoans may think they’d seen everything, but on Monday, it was something new. An Oscar Mayer Wienermobile turned over on the Tri-State Tollway. Here’s what happened.
Wildfires in Washington state have forced several state highway closures, including two cross-mountain passes. One of those passes, the North Cascades Highway, was reopened Friday afternoon: Vehicles are now being allowed through by flaggers, delaying travel times by about 30 minutes. Highway 12, White Pass, has been closed since Thursday morning by the Retreat Fire burning about 14 miles southwest of Naches at Rimrock Lake. The fire has burned more than 13,000 acres. So far there is no estimate for when White Pass will reopen. Also closed: Highway 14 near Bickleton in Klickitat County because of the Big Horn Fire and Highway 21 near Keller due to the Swawilla Fire.
How long does it take an RV to burn? We hope you’ve never learned the answer from personal experience, but videos show it doesn’t take long. How long does it take to put out an RV fire? It depends on a lot of factors, but fire crews in Smith County, Texas, set an admirable record. Watch the dramatic bodycam footage and see what record they set.
Yellowstone National Park, renowned for its geothermal wonders, experienced a hydrothermal explosion on Tuesday, July 23. The event happened in the Black Diamond Pool and resulted in the seasonal closure of Biscuit Basin. The area will remain closed for the rest of summer. Watch the truly insane footage and learn more.
Earlier this week, a Belgian tourist in Death Valley was rushed to the hospital after suffering third-degree burns on his feet. Park officials believe he was walking barefoot on the sun-scorched ground, which reached temperatures well above 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The extreme heat quickly caused severe burns, requiring immediate medical attention.
And speaking of extreme heat in Death Valley, where temps have been exceeding 120 degrees day after day, we’d like to remind you that this is not hiking weather. On July 18, bystanders helped rescue a female hiker suffering from heat illness. When park rangers arrived on the scene, the bystanders were carrying the unconscious woman toward the parking lot. Don’t let this be you!
Also in Death Valley… July 15 was a hot day in the park. Hot when an 18-wheeler caught fire on California Highway 190. It’s an RVers’ brake warning. The big rig was destroyed as a result of hot brakes. Lots of warnings in today’s newsletter, and this is certainly another one of them.
Ever wondered if your car was so hot that you could bake cookies in it? Sometimes it feels like it… Well, turns out you can. Park rangers at Badlands National Park embarked on an unusual experiment to demonstrate the intense summer heat and its potential dangers: They baked cookies inside a car.
All Seasons RV in Wenatchee, Washington, is closing on the year of its 50th anniversary. The official last day of operations is August 2.
Singer Jennifer Lopez was seen climbing into a luxury motorhome on Thursday in the Hamptons after celebrating her 55th birthday without hubby Ben Affleck. Rumors are swirling that the couple’s marriage is on the rocks. Lopez and Affleck, 51, reunited in 2021 after first splitting in 2004 but have been living separately in recent months. SOURCE: Daily Mail
In a significant effort to preserve an essential yet often overlooked chapter of American history, the National Park Service (NPS) has awarded $3.2 million in grants aimed at preserving WWII Japanese American incarceration sites. The grants support a variety of projects, including restoration, preservation, research, and education efforts related to these sites. Learn more.
Last month we warned readers that Evergreen State public landlords were considering curtailing stay-lengths in state parks. The agency has spoken. Washington State Parks 10-day maximum stay has become a reality.
Imagine your adrenaline levels when you realize the trailer you’re towing behind you is on fire. It happened in Elkhart, Iowa, on I-35. Seeing the flames, the combination pulled over and RVers braved the flames to disconnect the truck from the doomed rig.
How do you spell costly embarrassment? You could ask the RVer who is responsible for the shutdown of 15 miles of Colorado Interstate 70 on Monday. The RVer’s blown tire sparked seven wildfires along the rural Colorado stretch. Do not, we repeat, do not let this happen again!
Vintage camper enthusiasts, don’t forget! The Vintage Camper Trailers Boot Camp Online Restoration Summit is coming up on August 23 and 24. This free experience will bring you up close and personal with top-notch trailer restoration professionals, all from the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re looking to revamp interiors, master exterior fixes, or simply gain some inspiration, they’ve got you covered. More info here. This will be fun!
The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment, in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, has confirmed a human case of plague in a Pueblo County, Colorado, resident. This ancient disease, though rare, is still present today. Here’s what you need to know about how plague is transmitted, the treatments available, and protective measures you can take.
The largest active wildfire in the U.S. is chewing through Eastern Oregon. A major portion of Oregon I-84 is closed indefinitely. The Durkee Fire, which broke out July 17, has burned hundreds of square miles. I-84 is closed in both directions. The closure could add 3.5 hours to your driving plans. Here are the details.
Additionally, four Oregon campgrounds, including one KOA, have been evacuated. A wildfire, dubbed the Lemolo Fire, prompted the “get-out” orders. The Lemolo Fire is just one part of the vast Diamond Complex fire chewing through parts of the Umpqua National Forest.
The time is right. Right now, in fact! This week and next is the perfect time to witness Colorado’s annual show: wildflowers! Trust us, the scenes you’ll encounter are nothing short of magical. Here are the best spots for wildflower viewing.
Camping in Oregon? You won’t be having a campfire. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) temporarily banned campfires at most of its parks due to dry conditions and the strain on firefighting resources.
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
How would you like to win this tabletop firepit?
Since real campfires are banned in many areas, a portable tabletop firepit could help fill the void.
How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (July 27, 2024) by 7 p.m. Pacific time. Remember, you can only enter once and after we notify you by email via RVcontests@gmail.com that you won, you have 24 hours to respond or we’ll give the prize to someone else.
Click here to enter or see last week’s winner!
Reader poll
Would you like to own and operate an RV park if given the opportunity?
RV and RV-related recalls
Winnebago recalls 2,193 motorhomes for improperly designed solar charging system
Winnebago is recalling certain 2021-2025 EKKO motorhomes. The solar charging system was incorrectly designed without sufficient over-current protection, which can allow the circuit to overheat and melt the fuse. A melted fuse increases the risk of a fire, which can lead to injury or worse. Learn more.
HAVE YOU SEEN THESE STOLEN RVs?
We’re beefing up our coverage of stolen RVs to help find as many as we can, and you can help. To see what was most recently stolen, click here. Then keep your eyes open.
Latest fuel prices
Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of July 22, 2024:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.47
Change from week before: Down 3 cents; Change from year before: Down 13 cents.
Diesel: $3.78
Change from week before: Down 5 cents; Change from year before: Down 13 cents.
For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Brain teaser
Three playing cards in a row. Can you name them with these clues? There is a two to the right of a king. A diamond will be found to the left of a spade. An ace is to the left of a heart. A heart is to the left of a spade. Now, identify all three cards.
(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter. And please don’t spoil it for other readers by posting the answer in the comments.)
Recipe of the day
Grilled Peach Salad With Blue Cheese & Raspberry Vinaigrette
By Barbara Lentz from Beulah, MI
Light and fresh, this grilled peach salad is perfect for summer. The tangy and creamy flavor of the blue cheese is a wonderful complement to the sweet and smoky grilled peaches. Roasted pistachios add a nice crunch. What brings the salad together is the homemade raspberry vinaigrette. It is slightly tart and adds a refreshing burst of fruity flavor. To make this a dinner salad, add grilled chicken breasts or tenderloins.
Trivia
The fuzz on a peach serves a practical purpose. It helps protect the fruit from insects and excess moisture. This natural barrier keeps the peach’s skin dry and deters pests from laying their eggs on the fruit.
The perfect scam
Ohio Woman Comes Face-to-Face With Her Scammers
Lori is enjoying her early retirement, pursuing her hobbies and caring for her animals in rural Ohio. One day, a call from someone claiming to be from the Social Security Administration leaves her rattled. He says her information has been compromised and she must work quickly to convert her money into gold bars. What happens next is part of the dangerous trend of online crime leading to in-person, real-life meetings with money mules.
Laugh of the week
Today in history
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Wow, aren’t you proud. And please don’t spoil it for other readers by posting the answer in the comments.
RE blown tire sparked wildfires I can see this happening if a motorist didn’t know he had a tire failure. I can see sparks from continuing to drive on a steel wheel well after the tire failed. Another case for why TPMS are a good idea, Reminds me of an incident a couple of years ago. I was outside my RV and heard the “ringing” sound of a steel wheel being driven on. This sound continued for some time and only stopped when a RV trailer pulled into the campground driving on a steel wheel with no remnants of a tire remaining on the now-trashed wheel. When we left the campground the next day we could see the tracks of the wheel mark in the road and the marks continued for over 3 miles.
re; Trivia…the fuzz also keeps ME from consuming them!
The Sheep Camp Trailer truly is unique. But at over 10,000 lbs. it requires at least a Class A non-commercial license to pull in many states. After towing for 61 years I actually think you should have to have a check out drive by DMV to pull trailers anyway, but that’s another story. 🙂 Very nice rig though.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 I must be in the wrong mood, I can’t understand today’s laugh. 🤔😯 Thanks again, have a great weekend, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂