Issue 1201 • Ads have been removed in this newsletter for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
Today’s thought
“The function of journalism is, primarily, to uncover vital new information in the public interest and to put that information in a context so that we can use it to improve the human condition.” —Joshua Oppenheimer
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Goof Off Day! Woohoo!
On this day in history: 1963 – The Beatles release their debut album, “Please Please Me”.
The latest news for RVers
Camping World is under fire after a South Carolina TV station exposed complaints about its North Charleston dealership. The report highlights the experiences of several customers, including a senior citizen sold a moldy RV and a young couple whose dream of full-time RV living was ruined by constant defects. With multiple lawsuits and an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau, Camping World’s practices are raising red flags. Click through to read the story.
A federal judge ruled the National Park Service must reinstate 1,000 employees fired earlier this year, but park management has told superintendents to hold off on contacting them. As parks brace for a busy visitor season, delays in rehires could mean more cuts to hours and services. Will these workers return in time to make a difference? Click to read the full story.
Imagine parking your RV after a vacation, unzipping the bike rack cover, and finding someone hiding inside. That’s exactly what happened to a British couple after their trip to France—but instead of praise for reporting the stowaway, they were hit with a massive fine. How did this happen, and could it happen to you? Click to uncover this crazy story.
Let’s clear the air about some significant changes happening at Thor Industries that have caused confusion and sparked rumors. The big news is that Heartland RV is being reassigned within Thor’s organizational structure. It’s moving under the umbrella of the Jayco family of RVs. Previously, Heartland operated as its own branch of Thor. Continue reading to learn more.
Pilot/Flying J unveiled its first B99 biodiesel station for commercial fleets in Decatur, Illinois, marking a big step toward sustainable fuel options. While primarily aimed at trucking fleets, RVers can also take advantage of this cleaner, low-carbon fuel—provided their rigs are equipped for the rapid-fill pump. With two more locations opening soon, could biodiesel be in your RV’s future?
From slowing down big rigs in New Mexico to raising speed limits in North Dakota, speed rules are a hot topic. Across the U.S., lawmakers are debating changes, with potential impacts for commercial trucks, RVers, and everyday drivers. While some aim to reduce accidents with split-speed limits, others propose higher speeds on interstates. Curious how these changes might affect your next road trip? Click to learn more about the latest developments.
As we reported earlier this week, the Army Corps of Engineers has been forced to close several popular campgrounds throughout the Susquehanna and Potomac River Basins in Pennsylvania. More Army Corps shutdowns are in today’s news. Here are the campgrounds that have been affected.
Campground crowding, comments & concerns
You tell us: What’s the difference between campgrounds, RV parks and RV resorts?
This week, Nanci Dixon relates more of our readers’ complaints about the lack of maintenance and upkeep on RV parks with full-time residents, and the disappointment of first-time snowbirders in Florida and what they found in an RV resort. An RVer has learned the hard way to not pay full price when making reservations. And a longtime boondocker says even some boondocking spots are getting crowded. Read more.
FUN NEWS: Several dozen people gathered Saturday at an apartment complex along the South Carolina coast to remember a longtime resident who died the day before — an alligator named Walter who sunned beside a pond on the property for more than a decade.
More RVing news
Last month, we reported that the authorities shut down camping reservations in some of Yosemite National Park’s most popular campgrounds. With spring travel season upon us, the California park has announced Yosemite reservations are available and some of them are being released this week. Learn more and book your spot!
Speaking of Yosemite… Your plans may need a reroute if you’re coming in to the national park from the Merced, California, area. A landslide near Yosemite has shut down a major access route—indefinitely. Here are the details.
And now, speaking of closed roads… If you’re planning your next adventure to Washington’s Olympic National Park, there’s some exciting—and unprecedented—news to share. The much-loved Hoh Rain Forest is set to reopen after significant road repairs. The repairs will come thanks to a mix of state funds, community efforts, and an unexpected lottery twist. What a great story!
Camping World raised a massive 3,200-square-foot American flag in Greenville, North Carolina—without city approval. When the council voted against allowing the oversized display, CEO Marcus Lemonis refused to lower it, leading to daily fines… and they’re adding up quick. How long will this go on?
A public meeting in Oregon was canceled because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers couldn’t pay for the venue due to a freeze on government credit cards. The meeting was part of a series to discuss the 2025 Master Plan for the Cottage Grove and Dorena reservoirs. While other meetings are still scheduled, the cancellation raises concerns about public access to government decisions.
The Nature’s Best Photography 2024 award winners have been announced. Click here to see last year’s winners. (They’re amazing, of course!)
FUN NEWS: Serial Guinness World Record-breaker David Rush may have created a new title category by juggling in all 63 U.S. national parks. Rush, who holds the most concurrent Guinness World Records, visited all 63 U.S. national parks with his family over the course of five years, and at each park he took some time to film himself juggling.
RV and RV-related recalls
Reader poll
Which do you normally choose, a pull-through campsite or a back-in?
Latest fuel prices
The latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of March 17, 2025:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.06
Change from week before: Down 1 cent; Change from year before: Down 40 cents.
Diesel: $3.55
Change from week before: Down 3 cents; Change from year before: Down 48 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.
RV History
In 1966, less than 10 years after the rise and success of Winnebago’s travel trailers, Winnebago began production of its first self-contained motorhome, a 19-footer called the F-19. It was built on a Ford chassis, then in late 1966, the famous D22 was built on a Dodge chassis for the 1967 model year. By the way, the company’s name was changed from Modernistic Industries to Winnebago Industries in 1961 by founder John K. Hanson, who named it for the county in Iowa where it was located. In 1969, the Winnebago Chieftain motorhome debuted. Among its many standard features was a built-in vacuum cleaner.
Upcoming RV shows & seminars
- Phoenix RV Supershow, March 21-23, Avondale, AZ
**Seminars by RVtravel.com’s Dave Solberg - Las Vegas RV Show, March 28-30, Las Vegas, NV
- Colorado Springs RV Show, April 3-5, Colorado Springs, CO
- Washington State Evergreen Spring RV Show, April 4-6, Monroe, WA
- Vacationland RV & Camping Show, April 5-6, Auburn, ME
For more upcoming RV shows and seminars, click here.
OFF-SEASON DESTINATION SPOTLIGHT: Visit Iceland in the spring for fewer crowds, slightly warmer weather, and a chance to see puffins returning to nest along the cliffs in April and May. RV rentals are widely available.
Brain teaser
Find a number less than 100 that is increased by one-fifth of its value when its digits are reversed.
(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter.)
Trivia
There were an estimated 10,000 grizzly bears in California in 1850, and less than 75 years later, there were none.
The perfect scam
Dream Kitchen Renovation Ruined by a Scam
Suzi and Gary retire to Tucson and find the perfect house with a less-than-perfect kitchen. They love to cook and entertain, so they put their energy and money into renovating their dream kitchen. Construction starts and is going smoothly until the payment for cabinets is due. The designer requests immediate payment by wire transfer, but a week later they discover that the designer never received the payment. Suzi and Gary discover that they are the victims of a BEC (business email compromise) scam.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: Don’t speed when driving. Slow down. Use the right lane when possible. Lowering your speed five or ten miles per hour won’t delay your arrival time by much, and you’ll save fuel and be safer. What’s the hurry?
Laugh of the week
Thanks for sending, Howard S.!
Today in history
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
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
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Yup, Journalism of old. In fact, that reminds me of the old days when a guy like John Stossel of ABC’S 20 Minutes would win an Emmy or a writer would win a Pulitzer for an investigative piece that would have uncovered the kind of stuff DOGE is uncovering. 20 billion dollar DOE slush funds, 20 million for Sesame Street in IRAQ,
Yup, there was a time when journalists were the watchdogs on govt waste and govt overreach…. now, they are the defenders of it. They have become what they once targeted. Very sad.
Oh well, I am happy. Go DOGE go.
I’m sure DOGE will find some examples of terrible decision making and abuse of our money. Unfortunately, they have yet to prove much. Other than FNews repeating talking points it is pure partisan made up stories. The Sesame Street claim is already fake despite a few hundred thousand to a related organization but never made its way to that program.
Perhaps the real journalist winners will help reveal the lies further and then go deeper to find the true fraudsters.
If we had a true leader of this nation they would bring in a reputable bi-partisan (perhaps tri-partisan since both sides are ridiculous) group to uncover information and be fully transparent, with receipts, of what they find.
You obviously prefer to watch and believe “news” stations and newspapers that actually LIE to you every day like CNN, MSNBC, NY Times etc. Such as the Russia Hoax, Hunter’s Laptop, Clinton’s squeaky clean reputation, The corrupt FBI & DOJ in conjunction with bought and paid for judges. Transparency at its finest!
How did you get that? I do not watch those stations. I’m a moderate and don’t believe/watch Fnews or CNN/MSNBC. Please, wake up.
“How did you get that” read what you write!!!
A lot of Pulitzers and Emmys could have been awarded in those years if real journalists had of done their jobs. Instead they ran interference for the real subjects of the stories.
Ahhhh, a true leader….. like JB? Now that was a leader to be proud of. In fact a leader so strong, so smart and so wise that his own party stabbed in the back in favor of the dumbest choice ever, a candidate without a single vote from the actual voters. A woman so smart, so wise and so strong that in a stroke of brilliance she picked happy hands Tim as the back up QB. OMG, the gaslighting continues.
If 1 year from now we save a trillion off the budget and Elon is not actually our King, will you say “Oops, I was wrong”?
Definitely not JB. It isn’t about two sides. They are all crooks
Indeed Dave. Both sides. This why I am happy to have a few outsiders that don’t need the graft to create wealth. It is the only chance we have, wealthy outsiders.
Power is not the path to wealth this time, that is the difference.
Can’t like this post enough.
Dave, I’m afraid it was bi-partisan legislation that approved the money spent that creates the $37T debt that we face today. The absence of accountability has allowed fraud, corruption, waste and inefficiency to grow.
The concept of the $500 toilet seat isn’t new, DMV’s efficiency has never been cited in a positive statement and everyone knows what “workin’ in a government job” means. That’s the proof of existence, what’s lacking is the proof it’s actually dead.
Okay, folks. Cool down. This is a camping and RVing website. Take the political arguments elsewhere.
Not to add to the politicing, but my planned trip into Maine and New Hampshire for this coming season, has been scrapped. Due to recent events concerning Canadians at the border, it pains me to say that I am done with visits to the United States.
That 1 page form in large font is truly burdensome. How dare a sovereign nation think they can ask who a foreign visitor is, upon entry.
Regardless, I will be visiting Canada this summer and am happy to fill out the Canadian version of this very same form under the similar Canadian policy, on the TravelCan website.
LOL, you’re going to get some eyerolls at the Canadian border when you tell them you filled out ArriveCan. That thing was discontinued for land crossings back in late 2022 or early 2023. As anyone who actually goes to Canada, rather than claims they are planning a trip, could tell you.
Well, strangely our trip into Canada last summer we registered at the arrivecan website, crossed at MilkRiver/Shelby and onto Calgary. It was a nice visit, having grown up in the area it is nice to see family. We even went to church at the RedDeer Lake United Church on out anniversary because that is where we were married 35 years ago.
I’m not sure where you cross the border Bud, but that’s where we cross.
Oh well…….
As Groucho Marx said, “Politics is the art of looking for problems, finding them everywhere, diagnosing them incorrectly and applying the wrong solution”.
Who died and made you the thread police?
Hi, Gary. I like Fox’s comment, as do the majority of our readers who have “voted” on it.🤔 Just sayin’. Have a good evening/night. 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
FYI Walter the alligator was euthanized. They were mourning because the residents said that he wasn’t a nuisance alligator and shouldn’t have been put down.
Thank you for publishing Nature Best Photography Winners photos! They are amazing!
And Thank you Debra – I missed that piece and had to go back. Amazing!
Random RV Thought on slowing down- I try to not tow faster than 63mph, or exceed 350 miles a day. And I stay off limited access (Interstate) highways as much as practical. I know I am hated by both commercial traffic and all drivers who think speed limits are minimum and merely a suggestion for the maximum.
The deer; I once heard Cisco call them 250lb slugs because they eat everything in sight.
Hi, Knuckles. Would that be Ciscoe Morris you’re referring to? Sounds like something he would say. I used to love to watch him, and his enthusiasm, on TV. Oh, la, la! Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Yes Cisco morris he is a card and a great gardener!
Thanks, Knuckles. He’s great! I looked him up on Google and saw one of his pictures when he was younger, and with very long hair! Ed Hume is also a terrific Pacific Northwest gardener, but he has a very “mellow” personality compared to Ciscoe’s enthusiastic and quirky personality. Have a good night. 😀 –Diane
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great weekend and safe travels!
Thanks for letting the political discussion continue.
I find it enlightening and entertaining.
I’m sure you have to do a lot of editing but I find it pretty darn balanced.