Subscribers RV Travel Newsletter for Saturday, January 18, 2025

Issue 1192 • Ads have been removed in this newsletter for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.

The latest news for RVers

Earlier this week, California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) withdrew its request to move forward with regulations that could force a total ban on big diesel trucks in 2036. CARB had asked the federal Environmental Protection Agency to grant them authority for the ban under its Advanced Clean Fleets program, which would’ve required truckers to buy zero-emissions trucks. CARB’s backpedaling could have implications for the so-called California motorhome ban. This is big news.

When revealing its 2024 survey of the most trustworthy businesses in the U.S., Newsweek prefaced its results with this: “Trust may be the most important dynamic between consumers and the companies they do business with—it affects decisions about where to shop, what to buy and even where to work.” Most trusted companies. How do businesses that RVers often deal with stack up? Where do, say, companies like Thor and Winnebago stand? Find out here.

Chris Smith, former CEO of the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA), is the new leader of the Harvest Hosts-owned Escapees RV Club. Harvest Hosts is a membership program for RVers that offers camping experiences at farms, wineries, attractions and other unique locations. Smith brings a wealth of experience from his work at FMCA, where he elevated member benefits and expanded the club’s community-focused programs. Learn more about Chris and his plans for the Escapees RV Club.

Los Angeles residents affected by the horrific wildfires haven’t caught too many breaks. But the city’s mayor, Karen Bass, has issued one that may help many with recovery efforts. Considered by some as a 180-turn in direction, the mayor says those whose homes have been wiped out by the fires will be able to live in RVs on their properties during the recovery process. Here’s the story.

Gas prices are climbing yet again. Oil costs hovering around $80 a barrel have helped push the national average for a gallon of gas four cents higher since last week to $3.10. Meanwhile, today’s national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station remained at 34 cents. Here are the rest of the stats.

Airstream is rolling out a new 28-foot RV this week in its Classic travel trailer lineup. The Classic 28RB will be unveiled at the 2025 Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa. The Classic 28RB offers a rear bedroom layout, which has become popular with Airstream’s Pottery Barn Special Edition Travel Trailer. This new floor plan is designed for longer trips or full-time living. More details here (and expect a full review from Tony coming in Monday’s RV Daily Tips newsletter). 

Speaking of new RVs… Grand Design RV will debut its new Lineage Series F Super C motorhome at the 2025 Florida RV Super Show. This marks the first consumer viewing of the new Grand Design Super C, dubbed Series F. It’s the second model in Grand Design’s Lineage motorized RV lineup. It follows the launch of the Lineage Series M last year. Learn more here. (And come back tomorrow for Tony’s review of it. He’s right on top of things, isn’t he?)

As we reported last week, Camping World officials were to be hailed before local government over an illegally lofted American flag. While Camping World had hoped that the Greenville, North Carolina, city council would grant an amendment to the existing ordinance, city councilors were adamant and now the company is digging in its heels. Despite the council’s order, and flag flying penalties, the local CW manager says the flag stays. Continue reading.

In the latest RVing disaster news… A propane stove malfunction led to a fire that engulfed a fifth wheel trailer this week at Crazy Horse Campground in Lake Havasu, Arizona, witnesses reported. Firefighters quickly contained the blaze. A faulty stove was to blame, burning the RVer’s dinner and rig… Here’s the story.

And another… Last Friday saw fire rescuers respond to an unusual call-out. Someone crashed a Class A motorhome into a home in Fort Worth, Texas. If crashing a rig into a house wasn’t enough, the RV caught fire. When arriving on-scene, firefighters weren’t aware the driver was still in the rig. He’d been thrown from the driver seat and pinned in the wreckage. This is quite a scary scene.

Campground crowding, comments & concerns
RVers sick and tired of other RVers complaining so much: “Stay at home or live with it!”

This week, Nanci Dixon shares many readers’ complaints of complainers. Hmm. But there are other comments regarding how to deal with things that may annoy RVers, as well as a suggestion on how problems in campgrounds can be dealt with, if only… Read more.

More RVing news

National Park rangers need your help! The National Park Service (NPS) seeks help identifying the person or people who illegally drove on Eureka Dunes in Death Valley National Park. The vandal performed the stupidity in late December or early January. The vehicles caused significant damage to rare plants listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Do you know anything about this?

The fires in and around Los Angeles have forced the closure of the entire Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. They will remain closed through tomorrow, Sunday, January 19, at midnight. This closure is tied to critical fire danger. More info here.

And speaking of those horrific fires… With tens of thousands of homes burned to the ground, California residents are indeed suffering and emergency housing is a huge issue. The Los Angeles area was already critically short on housing, so where will these folks go? Are there RV rentals for fire victims? Enter El Monte RV Rentals, who says it is “deeply committed to supporting impacted families, first responders, and our communities as they navigate this difficult time.” How is the big rental company responding and is their response well-meaning or just another sales hustle?

REI Co-op, a prominent retailer in the outdoor industry, has announced the closure of its Experiences division after four decades. Established to offer adventure travel, day tours, and educational classes, REI’s Experiences division provided outdoor enthusiasts with guided trips and learning opportunities. This move aims to refocus the company’s efforts on its core retail operations.

The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine, Florida, has made history. It’s the first U.S. national park to earn the Certified Autism Center™ designation. This achievement underscores the park’s dedication to creating an inclusive environment for autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors. It also hopes to pave the way for a more accessible national park system. Learn more.

The 2025 Quartzsite RV Show is underway in the desert outpost of Quartzsite, Arizona. Admission is free and so is camping on the vast BLM lands that surround it. Be sure to look for RVtravel.com contributor Tony Barthel and his wife, Peggy, who are heading up the show’s speakers program. To learn more about Tony and Peggy’s seminar topics (as well as all others) click here (pdf).

Speaking of RV shows… The giant Florida RV SuperShow is underway in Tampa through Sunday. Adult admission is $15. (See the list of current and upcoming RV shows below.)

Vermont State Parks is recruiting campground volunteers for 2025. Current positions are available at Allis State Park, Mt. Ascutney State Park, Wilgus State Park, Jamaica State Park, Ft. Dummer State Park, Button Bay State Park, Branbury State Park, DAR State Park, Brighton State Park, Stillwater State Park, Lake Shaftsbury State Park, Emerald Lake State Park and Bomoseen State Park. Learn more.

Modern America Campgrounds, the largest RV park owner in the Northeast, has acquired King Phillip’s Campground in Lake George, NY. King Phillip’s has 220 sites and is the closest campground to Lake George. With the acquisition of King Phillip’s, Modern America Campgrounds is set to expand its portfolio to 33 parks by the beginning of next season, with three additional acquisitions in the pipeline.

Following devastating wildfires that damaged and destroyed homes, businesses, and vehicles in the Los Angeles area, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara put the California Department of Insurance on alert for potential fraud and illegal actions targeting survivors. The Department has posted “Don’t Get Scammed After a Disaster” tips in English and Spanish urging consumers not to rush into decisions and to report any suspected illegal actions by unscrupulous contractors or public adjusters.

A new program designed to make e-bikes more affordable to Washington state residents will launch this spring. In April, the Washington State Department of Transportation and its vendor, APTIM, LLC, will launch the state’s first e-bike rebate program. The rebates will occur through point-of-sale discounts on e-bikes and associated safety equipment.

RV and RV-related recalls

Forest River recalls trailers for cooktop explosion risk

Forest River is recalling certain 2025 Shasta Oasis and Spirit travel trailers equipped with InVision Three Burner Cooktops. The aluminum burner tube may crack and cause a gas leak. More info here.

Winnebago recall prompted by workers’ failure to follow procedures

They gave the guys on the production line instructions. When the tire carriers started falling off, Winnebago managers figured out they didn’t follow them. It’s all led to the Winnebago tire carrier recall. Winnebago is recalling certain 2025 Minnie Winnie and Spirit motorhomes. The spare tire carrier mounting bolts may loosen, allowing the carrier to detach. Here are the details.

Saturday giveaway

How would you like to win a copy of Where Should We Camp Next?: Budget Camping?

How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today by 7 p.m. Pacific time. You can only enter once and after we notify you by email that you won, you have 24 hours to respond.

Click here to enter or see last week’s winner!

Reader poll
Overall, did you make a good or bad choice when choosing your current RV?

Respond here.

Latest fuel prices

The latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of January 13, 2025:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.04
Change from week before: Down 1 cent; Change from year before: Down <2 cents.
Diesel: $3.60
Change from week before: Up 4 cents; Change from year before: Down 26 cents.

For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Upcoming RV shows & seminars

• Nashville RV Show, January 17-19, Nashville, TN (**Seminars by Neal Davis)
• New England RV Supershow, January 17-20, Boston, MA (**Seminars by RVtravel.com’s Dave Solberg)
• Ohio RV & Boat Show, January 10-19, Columbus OH
• Original Pittsburgh RV Show, January 11-19, Pittsburgh, PA
• Florida RV SuperShow, January 15-19, Tampa, FL
• Grand Rapids Camper, Travel & RV Show, January 16-19, Grand Rapids, MI
• St. Paul RV Supershow, January 16-19, St. Paul, MN
• Columbia RV Expo, January 17-19, Columbia, SC
• Great Rockies Sportshow, January 17-19, Billings, MT
• Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show, January 18-26, Quartzsite, AZ

For more upcoming RV shows and seminars, click here. 

Brain teaser

I have a big mouth and I am quite loud! I am not a gossip but I do get involved with everyone’s dirty business. What am I?

(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter.)

Recipes of the day
Celebrate National Popcorn Day with these popcorn recipes

Make yourself some popcorn and settle in with a good movie or book! Try one of these yummy popcorn recipes for a twist on a classic. Plus, it’s National Popcorn Day and you deserve to celebrate! Here are the recipes.

Trivia

Popcorn is the only type of corn that pops because of its unique structure! Each kernel has a hard outer shell (pericarp) that traps moisture inside. When heated, the moisture turns into steam, creating pressure until the kernel explodes and turns inside out, forming the fluffy treat we love. Bonus fact: The oldest popcorn ever discovered was found in a cave in New Mexico and is more than 5,000 years old!

The perfect scam
Whiskey Investment Scheme Goes Barrel-Up

Ray is retired but always looking for interesting opportunities. So, when he gets a cold call from a whiskey brokerage firm asking if he wants to invest in some of the world’s rarest whiskeys, he’s intrigued. He meets with a wealth manager, Casey Alexander, who is well-mannered and professional. Ray feels confident investing over $300,000 in whiskey, although around this time, the investment scheme catches the attention of a U.S. attorney and the FBI.

Laugh of the week

Today in history

Today’s weather forecast across the nation

Visit Current National Radar Weather Map

Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.

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