America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 1250
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Today’s thought
“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers.” —Pat Conroy
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Public Sleeping Day! (Which, legally speaking, makes that rest area nap a cultural activity.)
On this day in history: 1983 – The final episode of “M*A*S*H” airs, with almost 110 million viewers.
Featured news
Love’s Travel Stops has rolled out a revamped Love’s Rewards program that makes it easier for RVers and other casual drivers to earn—and actually use—points on both fuel and in-store purchases. You no longer have to feel like the loyalty program was built only for truckers. Learn more here.
Earlier this month, Florida-based Sprint Data Solutions announced what it calls the nation’s largest “verified RV owner” database, which allows marketers to target RV owners using “verified” ownership data compiled from multiple sources. The announcement confirms a suspicion many have had for years: Owning an RV increasingly puts you on a permanent marketing list—whether or not you asked for it.
BIIIIIG recall: Ford is recalling millions of pickup trucks for trailer towing danger. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights or a loss of brake function. If you own a 2021-2027 Ford, click here.
If it feels like campground stays cost more than ever you’re right. New national pricing data backs that up. While the sharp price spikes of the past few years have eased, nightly rates have settled at a noticeably higher level than many RVers remember. Continue reading.
The National Park Service says loosening or eliminating timed-entry systems at several of the country’s most visited parks will expand public access. Alas, experience suggests fewer reservations can mean longer lines and tougher conditions for larger rigs wanting access. The changes affect some of the nation’s busiest destinations. Learn more.
Think a lifetime RV warranty covers everything? Not so fast. A Connecticut RV dealership is offering lifetime warranty coverage on new and used RVs—with no deductible—for as long as the original owner keeps the RV, provided required maintenance is followed. But as similar offers pop up nationwide, many buyers are asking: Does “lifetime” really mean fewer big repair bills? The short answer is no. The longer answer takes some explaining.
Starlink says it wants future satellites to deliver internet speeds up to 150 Mbps directly to smartphones. Phones would connect to space without cell towers or rooftop dishes. For RVers who routinely travel beyond reliable cellular coverage, could satellite-to-phone internet eventually simplify life on the road? Here’s the story.
If you’ve shopped for an RV lately, you may have noticed something: Lots still look full, but the deals aren’t feeling desperate. Camping World’s latest financial report helps explain why. They’ve reported another unprofitable quarter—and responded by pulling back, not pushing harder. For RV buyers, that shift carries some real-world consequences.
Uh oh. A major I-10 project is coming to Quartzsite. Arizona transportation officials are advancing the Quartzsite I-10 interchange project, a major overhaul of one of the town’s most important freeway connections. While construction remains months away, the plans are already raising questions for RVers who depend on Quartzsite’s limited Interstate 10 access points.
The last place you would think you’d find children’s bouncy balls is in the production of automotive parts. In this case, Ford parts. Well, if your imagination does not provide you with an answer to what this is about, here’s the scoop: Ford recently tossed 1,000 bouncy balls into a testing machine, not for fun, but to demonstrate just how rough life can be for auto parts before they ever make it onto a vehicle.
Self-driving vehicles operating under California testing permits logged more than 9 million miles on public roads between Dec. 1, 2024, and Nov. 30, 2025, according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The growing number of test miles means more encounters with autonomous vehicles, particularly in California’s urban corridors and major travel routes. Will a robot be driving your RV soon? Well, maybe!
RV industry executives in the RV Manufacturing Capital of America of Elkhart, Indiana, don’t have much to cheer about at the news of last month’s RV shipments. The just-released statistics for the RVIA’s January 2026 survey of manufacturers found that total RV shipments started the year with a big thud.
THE MORE YOU KNOW… Learning how to play the didgeridoo, an Aboriginal tribal instrument, may help with your sleep apnea. A 2005 study found that patients suffering from snoring and sleep apnea had improved sleep quality and decreased symptoms after learning how to play it because it requires good breath control and helps develop the muscles supporting the airway. Somewhere, an RVer is now practicing the didgeridoo outside their rig while a neighbor slowly packs up and leaves.
Tanner Toons
with Tanner Woods
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RV review
2026 Forest River Georgetown 5 Series 34M5 Class A—nice and spacious
By Gail Marsh
I’ve been eager to see Forest River’s Georgetown 5 Series 34M5. This RV boasts an open floor plan and space to easily accommodate solo or couple RVers, with room for overnight guests. A generous, light space welcomes you upon entering. The living room/dinette slide opens up across from the galley, and the sightline to the rear bedroom makes the coach feel much larger than its 38-foot footprint. Continue reading.
Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel
How homeless RVers are shaping public perception of RVing, plus THOR’s reorganization
A growing trend is quietly reshaping how RVing is viewed—and it could be making it harder to build new campgrounds or even keep overnight parking options. As more communities associate RVs with homelessness rather than recreation, local decisions on zoning, parking, and campground approvals may be shifting in ways that affect all RVers. Meanwhile, THOR’s major corporate shakeup signals big changes behind the scenes in how RVs are built and sold. Here’s Tony’s take on this week’s big news.
HAPPENING NOW! RIGHT NOW! Somewhere right now, someone is backing into a site while their spouse says, “You’ve got plenty of room,” and they absolutely do not.
News briefs
THOR Industries has announced it is restructuring its North American RV operations into two primary business groups, a move aimed at improving collaboration, streamlining decisions, and responding more quickly to market changes. The world’s largest RV manufacturer says the shift reflects evolving dealer networks, growing product complexity, and the need for stronger alignment across its brands. Learn more.
If your RV travels take you to Oregon state parks, expect a few more parking fees starting March 30. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will begin requiring day-use parking permits at 22 additional parks that previously did not charge a fee. Here are the details.
Along with many other large national parks, Mount Rainier National Park has ditched its timed entry reservation system for any portion of the Washington park in 2026.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking volunteer campground hosts. Opportunities are available in all parts of the state. Apply here.
Grand Canyon National Park has implemented water conservation measures on the South Rim following a power outage that impacted the Havasupai Gardens pumphouse, preventing it from delivering water to the popular tourist area.
Be careful! Weber is recalling more than 3.2 million metal wire bristle grill brushes due to an ingestion hazard. Weber is aware of at least 38 reports where wire bristles detached from the grill brushes, including four reports of consumers who swallowed metal bristles and sought medical treatment to remove the bristles from their digestive tract or throat. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled grill brushes. More info.
Nashville-based Streamside Parks has acquired seven premium RV resorts, adding 1,562 RV sites in five new states to its growing platform. The newly acquired RV resorts are:
• Verde River RV Resort & Cottages, Camp Verde, AZ
• Indian Waters RV Resort, Indio, CA
• Fayetteville RV Resort and Cottages, Wade, NC
• Raleigh Oaks RV Resort and Cottages, Four Oaks, NC
• Twin Grove RV Resort & Cottages, Pine Grove, PA
• Americamps RV Resort & Cottages, Ashland, VA
• North Landing Beach RV Resort & Cottages, Virginia Beach, VA
Watch out for falling icicles, the National Park Service says. No, really, they could kill you!
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is scheduled to soon open to visitors for the first time. This will be the first new Texas State Park in 25 years. The park between Fort Worth and Abilene will feature more than 16 miles of trails, a 90-acre lake and 23 RV hookup sites with electricity.
The state of Washington may close some campgrounds operated by its Department of National Resources due to budget cuts. Currently, DNR has only 60 field staff across the entire state; only one staff person per every 21.6 miles of trail, 50,000 acres, or 333,000 visitors to DNR-managed lands. More (pdf).
California State Parks is recruiting volunteers for its 2026 Dockwalker Program, which teaches boaters how to prevent pollution and protect waterways. Volunteers share clean-boating tips at marinas and events. Interested? Click here or call (415) 904-6905.
A section of State Highway 54 in Idaho’s Farragut State Park has closed until July for construction improvement on a major intersection. New turn lanes will allow through traffic to flow continuously while providing safe refuge for larger turning vehicles such as RVs.
Like to crochet? Did you know the National Park Service has an entire section on its website of NPS-themed crochet patterns? Yes, you too can finally learn to crochet a halibut! Click here to see all the patterns.
This spring, Washington State Parks will take over management of the Beebe Bridge Park campground reservation system, consistent with several other parks along the Columbia River, including Wenatchee Confluence, Daroga and Lincoln Rock state parks. Info: Washington State Parks website.
Virginia’s Fairy Stone State Park has reopened its main campground following extensive renovations. Among the improvements: new pedestals at each campsite with 20/30/50-amp hookups.
The Klamath National Forest in far northern California is looking for volunteer camp hosts for this summer.
Oh, and another big Ford recall: Ford is recalling 412,744 model year 2017-2019 Explorers. The rear suspension toe links may fracture, which can lead to loss of steering control. Get info at 866-436-7332 (Recall 26S08).
Cue: awwww! The Marine Mammal Stranding Center in New Jersey came to the rescue of a female seal found in the middle of Long Beach Boulevard. Personnel kept traffic at bay as the seal made her way to Middlesex Avenue, where she settled down for a nap. Rescuers arrived on the scene and determined the seal was not injured, just sleepy.
Reader poll
Sorry, folks, we’re having issues with our polling software. We’ll be back with a new poll tomorrow. (Darn technology!)
Upcoming RV shows & seminars. Click here.
**If you’re near Philadelphia, PA, be sure to see Dave Solberg at his always educational and entertaining seminars at the Philadelphia RV Show today and tomorrow.
Brain teaser
How many squares can you count? (Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday RV Travel newsletter.)
Trivia
Ironically enough, alcoholic cocktails were popularized in the U.S. during prohibition! Funny, right? When the U.S. government banned alcohol, drinking went underground… and so did alcohol quality. Moonshiners flourished, but their quickly made stuff tasted foul. Those visiting speakeasies mixed the bottom-shelf gin (most popular at the time), with juices, syrups and bitters to take out the yuck-factor. And so was born the cocktail!
IMPRESSIVE! A Florida woman who became the world’s oldest competitive pool player at the age of 94 is still going strong at 98 and is headed to a tournament in Las Vegas. Go, Maggie Kennedy, go!
Laugh of the week
The perfect scam
Gas Station Employee Stops a Crypto Kiosk Scam
Eric’s day-to-day interactions at the gas station where he works have taught him to recognize when something isn’t right with one of his customers. He’s also aware that the crypto kiosk in the store is a tool that is used by criminals to steal money from fearful victims. So one day, when Ellen enters the store, talking on her cellphone while frantically looking for the store’s crypto kiosk, Eric knows it’s time to step in.
Today in history
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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RVtravel.com All Star Team
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Loved “The more you know”!
Love those Tanner Woods cartoons and Green Acres. Did you know Eddie Albert is a decorated WWII sailor?
I fully agree with your Tanner Woods comment, and also the notable contribution by Eddie Albert. (I didn’t know that fact.)
Didgeridoo, learned how to play one while living in Australia as well as some of their hunting weapons. Those were the best years of my military career.