Issue 1195 • Ads have been removed in this newsletter for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
Video news: Seasonal jobs cut as public lands and RV industry face big changes
Jason Epperson from RV Miles shares news updates on key topics affecting RVers, including a hiring freeze on seasonal employees in national parks, the renaming of Denali to Mount McKinley, potential tariffs on the RV industry, and a 2024 industry wrap-up. Additional news covers Starlink service changes, Michigan campsite fee adjustments, a casting call for RV owners in Washington, and Love’s Travel Stops’ expansion. Watch this quick, info-packed video to stay up-to-date on the latest RVing news.
The latest news for RVers
The RV industry is just beginning to emerge from the nightmare of years of declining sales. As we reported earlier, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) reported that sales in 2024 finally hit a positive mark—sales up 6% compared to those in 2023. But now the industry has a major fright: A large chunk of U.S.-made RVs are exported to Canada. With the apparent trade war shaping up due to import tariffs, U.S. RV manufacturers are facing the potential for profit losses and layoffs.
Garmin has debuted what it calls “the ultimate control panel” for travelers who want a smart RV experience with a sleek, modern touchscreen display. Serving as command central for the RV, drivers and passengers can easily control onboard entertainment, monitor security camera feeds, change the temperature settings and adjust other systems throughout the cabin — all from a single screen. Learn more about it here.
Ford CEO Jim Farley announced earlier this week that the company will not be producing heavy-duty electric pickups, focusing instead on mid-size and smaller electrified trucks. This decision came during Ford’s fourth-quarter 2024 earnings call, as the company stated that larger electric trucks are not currently feasible.
If you’re sitting in the RV park and a rig pulls into the space next to yours, don’t be surprised if the RVer has a young face. RV industry promotion group Go RVing says there’s “a dynamic shift in the RV ownership landscape.” First-time RVers are younger and wealthier. Among the findings of the study, changes among first-time owners and families with children under 18 stand out. The median age of RV owners has declined from 53 in 2021 to 49 in 2025, with 46% of owners now falling within the 35-54 age range. Find the rest of the interesting stats here.
If a serious crime happens while you’re in one of America’s national parks, the response may not be so quick. In 2024, some 1,200 rangers kept watch over the park system. But back in 2010, nearly double that number was on hand. Park ranger numbers are in decline—and seriously threatened. The National Park system has landholdings half the size of Texas—85 million acres. That breaks down to 71,000 acres per ranger. Continue reading.
And speaking of National Park jobs… As the Trump administration cuts spending and eliminating federal jobs, National Park employees find themselves directly in the crosshairs, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times. Last week, the seasonal workers who staff 433 national parks and historical sites, including Yosemite, Death Valley and Joshua Tree, began receiving emails saying their job offers for the 2025 season had been “rescinded,” with little further explanation.
A fire in California’s Riverside County that was initially reported as “non-injury” has now turned out to be murder. An alleged arsonist has been arrested, and also charged with the murder of an RVer caught in the flames. The RV arson-murder case took only a day to unravel. Read the story here.
When state police got a call that a campground staffer had been threatened with a gun, little did they expect a “magic” experience. But before police were able to clear the scene, the gun threat also revealed a “secret garden” of so-called magic mushrooms in an RV—and a fugitive under the bed. What a story!
Amid the threat of tariffs, the national average for a gallon of gas ticked up two cents from last week to $3.13. That’s 7 cents more than a month ago and one cent less than a year ago. The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same, at 34 cents. More info here.
Speaking of gas prices… Planning to RV in Colorado? Don’t be surprised if pump prices are higher than in neighboring states. Potential Colorado fuel price tariffs based on Canadian imports get the blame. It seems the only oil refinery in Colorado is in Commerce City. The Suncor Energy plant sees its home base in Alberta, Canada, and the refinery distills about 40% of the fuel sold in Colorado… Continue reading.
Campground crowding, comments & concerns
RVers talk “hanging up the keys.” Plus, are the homeless taking over campgrounds?
In this week’s column, Nanci Dixon shares more of your concerns about increased costs of RVing and crowded campgrounds, and to the point of more RVers considering hanging up the keys. But, as usual, other RVers relate that they don’t have issues with crowded campgrounds and tell us how they handle some of RVing’s challenges. We ask for your input on one reader’s comment that rates should be cheaper in the winter, and also what you think about a comment regarding the homeless taking over campgrounds. Read it here.
RV and RV-related recalls
Brinkley RV recalls nearly 2,000 5th wheels for fire danger
Brinkley RV is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model G fifth wheel trailers. The solar charge controller may fail and overheat. An overheated controller increases the risk of fire. Learn more.
Jayco trailers recalled for cooktop gas leak
Jayco is recalling certain 2025 Jayco Jay Feather Micro trailers equipped with InVision Three Burner Cooktops. The aluminum burner tube may crack and cause a gas leak. A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Read more.
Highland Ridge RV recalls fifth wheels because of tire misinformation
Highland Ridge RV is recalling certain 2025 Highland Ridge Open Range 3X fifth-wheel travel trailers. The tire size listed on the vehicle certification label is incorrect. The incorrect tire information may result in the wrong tires being installed on the RV, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. Learn more.
More RVing news
There will be no adjustment in oil production plans. That’s the word from OPEC+ made during a review meeting on February 3, despite President Donald Trump urging the group to lower crude prices. OPEC production will remain the same. A panel led by Saudi Arabia and Russia confirmed plans to maintain current output levels for the rest of the quarter. It does plan gradual increases starting in April. Continue reading.
This U.S. state is considering extreme measures to slow down speeders. Too many folks are “putting the pedal to the metal,” says one state legislator. With one-in-three fatal crashes involving speeding, the lawmaker says enough already. If they won’t slow themselves down, a proposed law would do it. The law would require speed limiters in the vehicles of repeat speed limit breakers. Here’s where and when this could happen.
And on a similar note… “Camp out” in the fast lane in Arizona, you could get hit with a $500 fine. That’s the aim of a bill currently working its way through the Arizona legislature. Some have dubbed it the Slow Poke Bill. It has already passed out of committee and will head to the floor of the House. Drive the speed limit or move over, Arizona!
If you’re an RVer, you’ve likely seen or own one of those U.S. decal maps—adding a new sticker for every state you visit. For Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis, his version of the map looks a little different. Instead of tracking road trips, it marks each new state where the company has established a presence. Now, Delaware gets its sticker. Camping World has officially expanded into the state, making it the 44th to join the retailer’s growing nationwide footprint.
We reported last year that Yosemite National Park would require reservations to enter the park during peak hours. Some weren’t surprised by the news. According to Yosemite National Park’s website, the Yosemite entrance reservation system for 2025 will be announced soon. Learn more here.
And speaking of entry reservations… Glacier National Park is reminding future visitors that 120-day advance timed entry vehicle reservations become available on Recreation.gov starting February 13, 2025, at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. A timed entry vehicle reservation is required from June 13 to September 28, 2025, for the West Side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork. Reservations can only be purchased on Recreation.gov. More details here.
In yet another case of vandalism in public lands, law enforcement needs your help. A pictograph panel at Utah’s Buckhorn Wash Pictograph Panel, believed to be around 3,000 years old, has been vandalized with “Silvia P.” scrawled across four petroglyphs of bighorn sheep. Take a look, and please, please, please help identify the vandals!
President Donald Trump has announced plans to establish the “National Garden of American Heroes,” a sculpture garden featuring 250 sculptures, one for each year of U.S. history. This project aims to celebrate the nation’s heritage and is scheduled for completion by July 2026, if Congress agrees to fund it.
Months after a devastating flood, Missouri’s Montauk State Park will reopen to day-use guests Feb. 24, and overnight guests will be welcomed back into the campground starting Feb. 25. The monumental flood on Nov. 4, 2024, left the entire park with substantial damage. Here’s more info.
On the “bad day” scale of 1 to 10, we’d have to rate this one as an 11. A Pocatello, Idaho, man was driving his motorhome down an area street when his “brakes failed,” and the wayward rig crashed through a guardrail and into a river. The motorhome in the river incident sent two to the hospital. Here’s how it unfolded.
On February 2, 2025, during the annual Groundhog Day event, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow and saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. Sigh.
Saturday giveaway
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Click here to enter or see last week’s winner!
Reader poll
How often do you stay with your RV in a scenic location?
Latest fuel prices
The latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of February 3, 2025:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.08
Change from week before: Down 2 cents; Change from year before: Down 5 cents.
Diesel: $3.66
Change from week before: Down <1 cent; Change from year before: Down 24 cents.
For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration. Here’s the link for propane prices around the U.S.
Upcoming RV shows & seminars
- Jacksonville RV MegaShow, February 6-9, Jacksonville, FL
- La Crosse Sport Show (with RVs), February 6-9, La Crosse, WI
- Knoxville RV Show, February 7-9, Knoxville, TN
**Seminars by RVtravel.com’s Dave and Cheri Helgeson - Houston RV Show, February 12-16, Houston, TX
- Chicago Camping & RV Show, February 13-16, Rosemont, IL
- Austin RV Expo, February 13-16, Austin, TX
- For more upcoming RV shows and seminars, click here.
Brain teaser
When Ashley was 15, her mother was 37. Now, her mother is twice her age. How old is Ashley?
(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter.)
Recipes of the day
Superbowl Sunday recipes
Get ready for tomorrow’s big game! If you’re still in need of something delicious to make, we know you can find a few options here:
- Get ready for game day with these dip recipes
- The best chicken wing recipes for Super Bowl Sunday
- From appetizers to subs and sliders: 5 meatball recipes everyone will love
- Delicious deviled egg recipes for game days, holidays, and more
- 6 crowd-pleasing dips perfect for any occasion
- Forget KFC and make these delicious fried chicken recipes at home
Trivia
The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910, but its origins trace back to an unexpected act of kindness. In 1909, an American businessman named William D. Boyce got lost in the fog while visiting London. A young boy helped guide him, but when Boyce offered a tip, the boy refused, saying he was just doing his duty as a Scout. Inspired by this, Boyce brought the Scouting movement to the U.S., leading to the creation of the Boy Scouts of America! (P.S. Today is National Boy Scout Day! And, as of today, Feb. 8, the Boy Scouts of America’s 115th birthday, the name is officially changed to Scouting America.)
The perfect scam
Job Seekers Targeted by a Work-From-Home Reshipping Scam
When Cathy’s disabled husband loses his Medicaid coverage, she must look for a job to help pay the rent. The retired Army Reserve veteran has impressive work experience, so when she puts her resume online, she almost immediately gets an offer. The job is for a shipping company, receiving, inspecting, and forwarding packages, and it allows her to work from home while caring for her husband. It seems like the perfect job for a while, but when they offer her a promotion to purchasing agent, it could end up putting their home in jeopardy.
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.
RVtravel.com All Star Team
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It’s a shame that Boy Scouts found it necessary to admit girls, thus effectively destroying the Girl Scout organization except as a way to buy cookies.
I believe it’s destroying both organizations. If the girls wanted to do the things that boy scouts do, they should have made changes in their own organization. The boy scout leaders that allowed girls to join should be ashamed of themselves.
I couldn’t agree more.
The Boy Scouts is a shadow of what it once was, having girls join, some of the merit badges are pretty lame. Read a book on fingerprinting and get a badge, when I received my Eagle Scout in 1959, we had go go catch the criminal and then fingerprint him.
That’s my story for my grandchildren and I’m sticking to it.
Had to walk up hill in the snow both ways to get him.
👍🤣 Yeah, that’s rough. Have a great day, David. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
barefoot in a blinding snow storm….stick to the script !
Ron, that’s quite the honor to achieve Eagle Scout. I’m sure it gave you a leg-up in both your personal life and your career. It instills trustworthiness, helpfulness and loyalty recognized by colleges, businesses and military. I’m sad that achievement path has been diluted now to DEI and pressure from special interest groups.
I was a Boy Scout in Chicago in the 50s, as were all my friends. It was fun. It was my intro into “camping”. You know, smelly canvas tents that leaked in the rain, cooking over an open fire (which never really tasted all that great), and doing the stuff we had to do to pass various tests to advance. It’s too bad it’s all gone by the wayside. Welcome to the digital and video game era.
Oh the memory of smelly canvas tents. Isn’t it funny how that can trigger so many memories?
Isn’t that the truth. Canvas sleeping bags come to mind as well.
Hi, Tommy. I was a Girl Scout for 10 years just so I could go camping.🤔 In the meantime, I earned many more badges than would fit on my sash. Have a great day.🤗 –Diane
In addition to gas and diesel prices, it would be nice to see propane prices. Looking at the map of the north-east, where they have lots of snow and cold, I’ve been told has a significant effect on propane prices in Arizona, and elsewhere. It’s all about supply and demand.
Hi, Impavid. I asked Chuck many years ago if I should include propane prices in that section. No. But your comment “inspired” me to add a link to the propane page from the EIA so folks who are interested can just click on it for that week’s prices around the U.S. Thanks for the excellent idea! (And I’m sorry I didn’t think of that long before this.) Have a great day! 😀 –Diane
I lived in Casa Grande for 6 years the speed limit is 80 on I10
They may “camp “ in the fast lane but I really don’t care to drive 95 mph.
My experience is almost every day one or more people die on 10 between phoenix and casa grande
There were many days when I felt totally unsafe
Remember when we had a 55mph limit during the fuel embargo Too fast for comfort for me
The speed limit is 75 on I10 between Phoenix and Tucson
The 55mph speed limit was stupid.
I guess old age is setting in. The Brain Teaser set me off to complicating the required computation and creating a Excel Spreadsheet to find the answer when all I needed to do was double her mother’s age on Ashley’s 1st Birthday.
Same here! 😂But I figured that since Mom was 27 years older, the only time she could be twice her daughter’s age was………
🤫 Shhhh. Have a great day, Gary and Dick. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I’m the proud father of 2 eagle scouts, and the grandson of an eagle scout from the 20’s.
Ahhh, all the great camping memories we have
had to share with each other and others !
Cool! But you’re not an Eagle Scout, Bill? My walking buddy’s son is an Eagle Scout. I went to his Court of Honor a few years ago. And when my older son was in Scouts, I went to a ceremony and the leader who was running it asked for any Eagle Scouts in the audience (in the auditorium) to please stand up. The only two in the whole room who stood up were my dad and my boyfriend at the time.👍 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
My grandfather stood up at my oldest son’s Court of Honor in the mid 90’s to a round of applause, he was probably in his late 80’s at that time.
I believe I made it to second class while we were stationed on Guam in the mid 60’s, but there didn’t seem to be any interest between myself and older brothers when we returned to the states..
Gotcha. That’s very cool about your sons and your grandfather, Bill.👍 You have every right to be very proud of them. Like I said, I was in Scouts just so I could go camping, since my folks didn’t. Take care.🤗 –Diane aka Mountain Mama
Hi Bill: Scouting is one of the greatest adventures a youth can get involved with. I was instrumental in re-activating our local troop and served as it’s Scoutmaster for 10-12 years. My son attained 2nd class even tho he loved Scouting! We had 4 earn the Eagle rank. I also had to attend a week in the woods each summer as parent involvement was difficult to get! Sad! I still have my Scoutmaster handbook and carry it in the motor home…. My two great grandsons are interested in scouting however not much parent motivation as there is so much sports/activity competition in school. (12-08 yrs). Also, I call upon the local Scouts to participate in our American Legion Memorial Day service – which they gladly do. Both Cubs and Scouts as their leaders are our former Eagles! Great experience!
Yep, great memories with our scout troop here in east San Diego county. My sons and I traveled around the country with them..a few trips out of Ely, Minnesota into the Boundry Waters area and up and down the Colorado River canoeing and camping..they both even participated in the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery …alas, nothing going on with the grandsons
Congratulations, Bill! 🙂 Have a great week and safe travels!
Thank you, Emily and Diane, for your relentless efforts to craft an excellent newsletter each day. Have a great week and safe travels!
Thank you, Neal.😊 Have a great day and week!🤗 –Diane