By Greg Illes RV water systems are designed for modest water pressure. The typical built-in 12-volt pump produces a maximum of 45 psi or 55 psi, which is enough for a decent shower. But when you hook up to “city water” there are no guarantees.
I’ve been connected to water supplies as low as 18 psi (wow, does that take a LONG time to fill the fresh tank), and as high as 125 psi, which is enough to damage water system components. It’s always a Russian-roulette game, and it’s one you really don’t want to play.
Always test the water pressure before you hook up
The short story is to always test the water pressure before you hook up. But this involves digging out your water pressure gauge (now which drawer was that in?), screwing it onto the faucet, testing, unscrewing, and then (finally) attaching your water hose. For most of us, it kind of begs for laziness (“Oh, it’s probably okay”), which can be an expensive mistake. A handier solution is to make up a water quick-connect assembly with integral gauge.
Attach the Y-fitting female to the flex-line and then to the city-water faucet. The flex-line allows attaching the setup to even the most inaccessible faucet. Then the water pressure gauge attaches to one of the Y-fitting male outlets and your water hose to the other.
How to test the water pressure
When you are ready to hook up, screw the flex-line onto the city water faucet, turn off the valve going to the hose, turn on the valve going to the gauge, and then turn on the city water valve. The gauge will show you what pressure you have. If it’s okay, turn on the Y-fitting hose valve. If the pressure is too high, of course you’ll need a water pressure regulator – but you don’t need to employ such a flow-restricting device if the water pressure is under 80 psi.
Leave the whole setup attached to your water hose and you’ll never get lazy. This dandy apparatus will keep you honest, always providing the important pressure reading whenever you connect your precious RV water system to that strange faucet.
Greg Illes is a retired systems engineer who loves thinking up RV upgrades and modifications. When he’s not working on his motorhome, he’s traveling in it. You can follow his blog at www.divver-city.com/blog.
Issue 1511
Welcome to another edition of RV Travel’s Daily Tips newsletter. Here you’ll find helpful RV-related and living tips from the pros, travel advice, a handy website of the day, tips on our favorite RVing-related products and, of course, a good laugh. Thanks for joining us. We appreciate you. Please tell your friends about us.
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Today’s thought
“You buy furniture. You tell yourself, this is the last sofa I will ever need in my life. Buy the sofa, then for a couple years you’re satisfied that no matter what goes wrong, at least you’ve got your sofa issue handled. Then the right set of dishes. Then the perfect bed. The drapes. The rug. Then you’re trapped in your lovely nest, and the things you used to own, now they own you.” ―Chuck Palahniuk
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Apricot Day!
On this day in history: 1908 – Grand Canyon is named a National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Did you see the news?Click here to read the latest issue of the Sunday News for RVers.
By Nanci Dixon No matter how much or how little cabinet storage there is in an RV it just never feels like enough. When we upgraded our motorhome with more cabinets, I just seemed to fill them up faster. The kitchen cabinets are the worst. I have them packed full and I hardly even cook! Here are five tips I use to increase RV kitchen storage space. Continue reading.
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2021 Airstream Interstate 19 Class B. Tony doesn’t like this RV as much as he’s liked others in the past. Read why here.
If it’s yours and you can prove it to us (send a photo for comparison), tell us here by 9 p.m. Pacific Standard time today, Jan. 11, 2021. If it’s yours you’ll win a $25 Amazon gift certificate.
We’ll have another photo in tomorrow’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter (sign up to receive an email alert so you don’t miss the issue or those that follow). Some of these photos are submitted by readers while others were taken by our editors and writers on their travels around the USA.
RVelectricity – This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session
Please get a meter kit. Here’s why
Dear Readers,
I’ve had more than a dozen inquiries in just the last week about various types of power failures in RVs. Some were due to the batteries dying from a failed converter. At least one (maybe two) of them was because the circuit breaker feeding the charger was tripping due to more current going to the batteries than the breaker was rated for. Several of them had hot-skin conditions they discovered by being shocked. Continue reading, and learn what Mike recommends and why.
• Join Mike’s Facebook group, RVelectricity.
• Read more of Mike’s articles here.
Having this might save your life!
Reader Bill Jeffrey writes, “Add a marine air horn to your emergency pack. Small, light, cheap, easy to use, and can be heard for miles. They are way louder than you can yell. They double as a deterrent to scare away coyotes, bears, and so forth, and can also be used to re-unite parties that have gotten separated. You can get them on Amazon for a good price. They weigh only a few ounces and easily drop into your day bag.”
Pros and cons of joining Thousand Trails
This is one of the best reviews of the Thousand Trails membership program we’ve seen. John and Mercedes, the RV Odd Couple on YouTube, took a lot of time to analyze the TT program, offering both pros and cons of the various levels of membership. If you’re thinking about becoming a member, you should definitely watch this video. *Note: This video is about a year-and-a-half old, but still has valuable information about TT.
Reader poll
Have you participated in a Zoom video meeting within the last six months?
Hitch Ball Lubricant extends the life of your hitch mount!
Protect hitch balls and receivers from corrosion with this high-film strength and waterproof grease. Formulated to stay where you apply it, this lubricant reduces friction, wear, rust, water corrosion and noise. Compatible with any variety of trailer applications like receiver hitches, ball mounts, hitch balls, locks, couplers, jacks, and more. Learn more or order here.
Quick Tip
Clean your hose before you store it
“A while ago there was an article on sanitizing an RV water system. An item that is probably overlooked is how to store your water hose for long-term storage. I drain it really well and will use my blowout plug with the compressor to push all the water out. I then put about 1/8 cup or less of Clorox in the hose and roll it up and connect both ends together. After that, I keep turning the hose to get the Clorox throughout it and then drain it again and reconnect the ends. The hose is nice and fresh the next time I use it.” Thanks for the tip, Joseph Bulger!
Website of the day
MapCrunch
This is so cool! This website drops you off at random locations all around the world through Google Street View. You’ll never know where you’re going to end up, but you’ll end up walking on roads all over the world! Check it out.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
100 Drives, 5,000 Ideas. Adventure awaits…
If you like to explore off the beaten path, this book is for you. Inside are 100 epic journeys through all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces offering thousands of sites and roadside attractions along the way. There’s something here to satisfy every passenger. Filled with expert tips, tons of activities, and plenty to see and do as you drive, you’ll want to order a copy for yourself here.
Trivia
If you’re a vegetarian, you might want to plan a trip to India. India has the lowest meat consumption per person out of every country in the world!
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“This is Freeway. She has allowed us to travel with her in her RV for nine years now. Sometimes she even lets me drive! Freeway is half Chow, quarter Bishon and quarter Shih Tzu.” —Matthew Mastin
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Saturday RV Travel newsletter.
Leave here with a laugh
Bob forgot about his 25th wedding anniversary and his wife was very mad about it! She said, “Bob, tomorrow morning I expect to find a gift in the driveway that goes from 0 to 200 in 6 seconds and IT BETTER BE THERE!” The next morning when she woke up, she looked out her window and saw a beautifully wrapped gift in the driveway. She opened it and found a brand-new bathroom scale. Bob has been missing ever since…
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Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
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This week I explain why it is essential for every RVer to get a meter kit. One reason is so that if you have a question, one of the really smart moderators or admins of my RVelectricity Facebook group can help you figure out the problem.
By Mike Sokol
Dear Readers,
I’ve had more than a dozen inquiries in just the last week about various types of power failures in RVs. Some were due to the batteries dying from a failed converter. At least one (maybe two) of them was because the circuit breaker feeding the charger was tripping due to more current going to the batteries than the breaker was rated for.
Several of them had hot-skin conditions they discovered by being shocked. One hot-skin was from a broken ground pin in an old extension cord. And the other hot-skin shock was from an ungrounded outlet in the garage of a pre-1960s building.
The solution – Get a meter (kit)
Okay, I’ve written about this many times, but there are a lot of first-timer RVers reading this now, so at the risk of repeating myself: GET A METER! Or, better yet, get a meter kit.
Why is this important? Well, electricity isn’t something you can easily guess at. And if you expect me (or my really smart team of moderators and admins of my RVelectricity Facebook group) to help you figure out your problem, we need measurements.
The triple-header of meter kits
Several manufacturers now offer simple digital meter kits for around $30 or so, and I’ve found these products to be reasonably accurate and easy to use. These are great tools to pack with you on the road. Let’s break down the three different things that typically come in one of these kits.
Digital Multi-meter
This is the centerpiece of any meter kit, a basic digital meter that can measure AC or DC volts and resistance. Yes, they can also measure current if you’re very careful, but there are better (and safer) ways for the general public to measure the amperage than current wires and splicing meter leads into it. So let’s stick with AC and DC volts, as well as simple resistance, shall we. To read about how to use a digital meter to measure an outlet, please click HERE
Outlet Tester
This little gadget has two amber lights and one red light. By plugging this into a standard 15- or 20-amp outlet (or using a proper adapter), you can get a quick reading on outlet polarity, grounding and open conductors. I’ll be the first to admit there are lots of failures it won’t detect, but as a basic test it’s pretty darn good. Read what all those lights mean HERE.
Non-Contact Voltage Tester
This is my favorite piece of passive test gear. I say passive because you don’t have to disconnect anything before testing with a NCVT. In fact, you don’t have to even touch the item in question to see if its skin and chassis are energized. I just had a reader find a hot-skin voltage on his RV that made his NCVT light up and beep from 2 feet away. That certainly will get your attention. Read more about how to use one with this video.
Here are the kits I can recommend
I like this kit from Southwire which you can get from Lowe’s or Amazon for about $42.
And here’s a similar kit from Klein tool for about $40 on Amazon.
Either of these meter kits should serve you well, and will help us assist you with any RV electrical problem.
OK, everyone. Remember that electricity is a useful and powerful force, so we all need to pay attention to safety precautions while using it.
Let’s play safe out there….
Mike Sokol is an electrical and professional sound expert with 50+ years in the industry.
Today we review the 2021 Airstream Interstate 19 Class B motorhome on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van chassis.
ByTony Barthel Everything in life has a balance. One of the balances when choosing any RV is the tradeoff between a larger rig with more interior space and a smaller rig that’s more maneuverable. Today I’m looking at the 2021 Airstream Interstate 19, a Class B RV based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.
The difference in vans
Unlike the ultra-popular Winnebago Travato I reviewed recently, the vans on which the Airstream and the Travato are based couldn’t be more different. The Fiat Ducato/Ram Promaster is front-wheel drive using a transversely-mounted gasoline-fired V6. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is rear-wheel drive using a longitudinally-mounted turbocharged V6 diesel engine.
So what, you say? Well, it does make a difference.
For example, by having front-wheel drive in a van, it moves all the driving components up front essentially under the hood. This allows for a lower floor and the ability to hang a generator, as Winnebago does, under the floor easily.
Disadvantages of Sprinter chassis
With the Sprinter chassis, a good bit of the space under the floor is consumed by the driveshaft and the rear axle with its differential. This means that the floor must be higher. That also means there is less space for things like water tanks and generators and all of that stuff.
Furthermore, while there used to be an absolute advantage to a diesel engine in the past with their incredible torque and long life, that’s less true today. More and more electronic and emissions systems affect the reliability and longevity calculation of a diesel engine. Plus, it costs hundreds of dollars for just basic maintenance of a Sprinter. This is what owners have reported to me.
I’ve been told a simple oil change is more than $200. Yikes.
Yes, there are disadvantages of front-wheel drive in a van. More of the weight is likely to be on the back wheels. This eliminates the traction advantage of front-wheel drive in this type of platform.
But it’s a Mercedes … and an Airstream
Of course, that oversized three-pointed star on the hood and the Airstream badge on the back doors of the 2021 Airstream Interstate 19 do have some cachet. Indeed, Airstream does have some nice features in this van.
For example, all the shades are power activated. You can lower or raise them all from one place in the van. That’s cool.
There is a power awning, as expected, but it has a motion sensor so it should retract if it senses wind. The lights on the awning are also dimmable. And the sliding side door is power-operated for 2021, a new feature.
You can open or close the door with a button from the cockpit or on the pillar behind the passenger seat. You can also open or close the door by touching the door handle, or from a remote key fob. I also like Airstream’s simple but effective sliding screen door over the open sliding door.
There’s also a power screen cover for the rear doors. If you choose to leave the rear doors open, you can just lower a screen to cover the whole opening with a button. There is also a privacy shade that covers the rear windows of this van, also power operated.
Essentially, you’ve got it made with the shades.
Two lithium batteries are standard
For 2021, the Interstate comes with two lithium batteries as standard. You can either charge these with solar panels on the roof or with the built-in generator or with the drive engine while rolling down the road. Two lithium batteries provide over 200 amp-hours of charge and with the built-in 1,000-watt inverter you’ve got a great deal of power with these.
You can run virtually anything on the Interstate except the AC and the microwave on batteries and, I suspect, two lithium batteries are more than enough to keep things rolling overnight with reserves to spare.
The black tank is of the macerator variety, which is essentially a garbage disposal for the toilet. The gate valves are both power-operated and all the controls are behind a panel so it’s both convenient and neat. Furthermore, since the black and gray tanks are pumped through a smaller hose you can literally pump the contents uphill. Nice. The hose is on a permanent reel that features a power retractor. The whole process of dumping the tanks is really effortless.
What I don’t like about the Airstream Interstate 19
Unfortunately, I really don’t think this rig is well thought out at all. And I don’t often write that.
There’s a small 9.34-gallon propane tank aboard that you have to find and drive to a propane station to fill. But there’s also 24.5 gallons of diesel fuel aboard. Which is easier to find? So why in the world is there a propane-powered generator instead of a diesel model?
As part of writing these, I contact the manufacturer and also talk with owners. I watch several demonstrations of the vehicles so I get a good feel if I can’t see the rig in person.
The touch screen system is complicated
In at least two of the videos I watched, I observed the typical Airstream customer fumble their way through the complicated touch screen system. They were trying to figure out how to turn on or dim lights, check tank monitor levels or do other basic functions. These could easily be done with redundant switches. Unless you can score user interface designers from Apple, don’t do user interfaces. This one has a series of nested menus and is just a hard no.
Why is the TV a 110vac model? With this much lithium power aboard it’s silly to have to run the inverter just to watch the TV. There are plenty of good 12-volt televisions available.
There are two ottoman chairs that are power-operated and this is a nice bed when the whole rear of the coach is converted to the same, but you can’t comfortably sit in those chairs. They make sense in the larger versions of this van but not here. Those ottoman chairs are partially under the counters from the kitchen and pantry so you’re paying for a power ottoman that you can barely use.
Trying to be objective in my reviews
I have been accused of being too positive in my reviews. I do look for the good and the bad and try to be objective. The RV lifestyle offers so much joy. I also recognize that RVs are all hand-built in small numbers and undergo a regular torture test. You’re well served to have some mechanical ability if you own any RV. So I don’t mention that as all RVs have issues.
Usually there’s enough good to outweigh the bad. But it seems to me that whoever was in charge of the Interstate project is more looking at spec sheets than actually taking one out and camping with it.
So, if you’re thinking of getting a Class B RV there are certainly a lot of good choices where the inevitable compromise designers have to incorporate have resulted in more usable decisions. It seems that buyers share my opinion based on sales of the Travato versus the Interstate, but that could also be because at $165,143 for the base model, I could get a better floor plan and save $35,000 by getting the Travato.
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Got an RV we need to look at? Contact us today and let us know – thank you!
By Nanci Dixon No matter how much or how little cabinet storage there is in an RV it just never feels like enough. When we upgraded our motorhome with more cabinets, I just seemed to fill them up faster. The kitchen cabinets are the worst. I have them packed full and I hardly even cook! Here are five tips I use to increase RV kitchen storage space.
1. BE SQUARE
There is so much wasted space between items. Rectangular or square containers save so much space in RV kitchen cabinets. I found affordable rectangular food containers that can stack and snug up to each other. I can also put items together in the containers that I normally would not. Anything that has been opened or might spill out, I put in Ziploc bags and force the air out. You can also buy collapsible storage containers that will store flat when you’re not using them.
2. THROW AWAY BULKY PACKAGING
Packaging takes up a lot of room. Another way to condense is to remove unnecessary packaging. For example, I don’t use the Bisquick mix very often and it was taking up a fair amount of room in my cabinet. I kept having to move it out of the way to get to other things. I removed the inner bag with the mix, sealed it in a plastic storage bag, cut out the instructions and added to an existing square container. The same goes for oatmeal in the big round container. I put it in a plastic storage bag, labeled and dated it and included cooking directions. And then, as I mentioned above, you can keep two of these, or more, in one storage container (if you need to).
3. NEST ITEMS
Use wasted space to store other items. I keep a pitcher my sons gave me years ago mostly for sentimental reasons. I can justify keeping it by using it to store other essentials, right?
4. DIVIDE AND CONQUER IN YOUR RV KITCHEN STORAGE
Someone that had just bought the same motorhome we have stopped me yesterday to ask how I handle the long drawers. I ran inside and took a photo to show her my drawers. Dollar store to the rescue! I laid out everything then measured what I needed to make the compartments.
5. STACK, STACK, STACK – USE THAT SINK SPACE
Although I had always used under-the-sink space for cleaning products, buckets and rags, when we got our motorhome I was in a fry pan quandary. I considered the space under the sink rather dirty and a catch-all, but quickly realized that I now had one BIG open box to store stuff. I took advantage! Pans can stack and the wastebasket can fit alongside my beloved Instant Pot™ – and there’s still room for a small basket of cleaning/dishwashing stuff. I even added an upside down Command hook to hold the sink cover. Moral of the story? To increase your RV kitchen storage, make use of every space. ##RVDT1511
Ah, Zoom… a website we hardly knew about before 2020. Now we’re having Zoom work meetings, Zoom family game nights, Zoom baby showers and even Zoom weddings. What a world!
Within the last six months, have you participated in at least one Zoom video meeting? If so, was it for professional reasons or personal reasons?
Every week we have our RVtravel.com staff meeting via Zoom. It’s not the same as our old meetings used to be, where we met at a community center inside a bookstore, but hey… it does the job!
Welcome to RVtravel.com, the newsletter that cares. Learn about RV camping, RV travel, RV news and much more. This newsletter, now in its 20th year of continuous publication, is made possible in large part by the voluntary subscription contributions from our readers.
Sunday, January 10, 2021 Non-Members (advertising supported) edition
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The Big Quartzsite RV Show: They have built it – will you come?
The big Quartzsite RV Show is slated to open in just a few days. Scheduled dates are set for January 16th through the 24th. Look – the big tent is up, guards are already posted to keep away the questionable. Show promoters, the King family, have posted on their site, “IT’S A GO!” The question is: Will you go? Continue reading this update from Quartzsite residents Russ and Tiña De Maris.
Today’s RV review…
In today’s review, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the Volvo VNL Sleeper Cab. He writes, “There is a large contingent of RVers who use these and other commercial truck cabs to move their rigs. There are a lot of advantages to doing so including the towing capability, of course, but they also include what you get in a tow vehicle.” Read more here.
Will he or won’t he? That’s the question RVtravel.com staff have been posing to the office of Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World. You may recall that Marcus pledged a $250,000 reward in the search for the person responsible for the Christmas Eve RV bombing in Nashville, Tennessee. Since police used tips to help turn up the deceased bomber’s name, we’ve called to find out if Lemonis is still planning on shelling out the reward. Repeated requests for comment have led nowhere.
Visiting a Colorado State Park? You may get docked an extra buck just to enter. Six of the state’s parks, Lake Pueblo, Golden Gate Canyon, Staunton, Castlewood Canyon, Roxborough and Highline, join a growing list of “high use” parks where the state is tacking on the additional fee. They join Cherry Creek, Chatfield, Boyd Lake and Eldorado Canyon state parks, where officials say the extra fee is needed to defray higher costs with the increasing visitor load.
koaa.com
Responding to a call of a “suspicious vehicle” must surely bring up the stress level for law enforcement officers. A deputy with the Pueblo County, Colorado, sheriff’s office recently took such a call. What he found left his heart moved. The “suspicious vehicle” turned out to be a car, occupied by an 81-year-old homeless man who had less than $10 to live out the waning days of 2020. Deputy Sam Wolfe said, “He’s a little bit younger than what my dad is. He kind of reminded me of him, and I felt like I needed to do something and help him out and get him through at least the holiday season.” The deputy and his humanitarian-spirited crew pitched in and gifted the gent better than $200. The unnamed man said he hopes to put the money toward buying an RV to live in.
top: google.com bottom: pirateland.com
The Horry County, South Carolina, fight over the sale of two RV parks we’ve been reporting on has taken a new, but not unexpected, turn. Myrtle Beach officials have been leasing land to Pirateland and Lakewood RV parks for years. When the city declared it would sell the properties to their respective leasees, the local airport authority, which had been a beneficiary of lease payments, objected. County officials filed suit, and a circuit court judge has declared the sale is on hold until after a hearing February 1.
A treasure hunter from Utah who thought he was on the trail of the infamous Forrest Fenn treasure has ran amok with federal agents. Roderick Dow Craythorn of Syracuse, Utah, has pleaded guilty to excavating or trafficking in archeological resources after he was caught digging about in the Fort Yellowstone Cemetery in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park. He’ll be sentenced in court on March 17. In addition to the charge already listed, he’s also pleaded guilty to injury or depredation to the United States. He could face up to 12 years in prison and nearly $300,000 in fines. Fenn’s treasure was found by a college student on June 6, 2020, in an undisclosed Wyoming location.
recreation.gov
Has the global COVID-19 pandemic pulled the plug on government agencies getting ahead financially? One answer comes from Hesston, Pennsylvania. The Army Corps of Engineers says the Raystown Lake Seven Points Campground it operates there is a HUGE winner in what might be called the COVID camping contest. Seven Points normally takes in $625,000 a season in camp fees, but in the most recent year, which included the dreadful time of pandemic, income surged to $730,000, up 25% from 2019. It also shot Seven Points to the top of the national list of revenue-producing campgrounds in the Army Corps’ system.
Two alleged RV crooks have been indicted in the theft of two RVs worth $145,000 from an Elkins, West Virginia, dealer. Taylon Batista Garcia, 35, and Yankier Gaston Garcia, 32, are accused of bringing heavy-duty trucks from Florida into West Virginia, hitching up, and hauling away the loot. Additionally, they’re on the hook for conspiracy to commit offense against the U.S. Prosecutors say the two were part of a four-man troupe that rolled into Roy’s RV Superstore last July, each hitching up to an RV and driving away. The Garcias’ mistake was evidently failing to pay the tolls on two different toll routes in their getaway attempt. They were nailed by police on the Virginia Turnpike. And the other two crooks? Police are still looking for them – after they found the two other stolen RVs in Odd, West Virginia. If convicted, the purloining pair’s prison possibility is up to 15 years in the pen.
A new campground has been denied, and the expansion of another is in suspended animation – both decisions hale from Wisconsin. The proponent of both is one Steve Austin, who is himself a Burnett County Supervisor. He’d asked for a permit to build a 180-site RV park in Swiss, Wisconsin, and to expand his existing Oak Ridge Campground in Webb Lake by 30 sites. Both locations are in Burnett County. If Austin expected his position to gain him any traction, he was destined to see his hopes skid out. Both Swiss locals and their elected officials panned the new RV park plan, objecting that it would change the rural flavor of the area. Burnett County’s land use board sided with Swiss, and soundly rejected the request. As to the expansion of the other RV park, the board tabled the matter, claiming insufficient information from Mr. Austin. It’s not clear when the request will be revisited.
A major move in the battle of chain RV dealerships took place this week. RV Retailer, LLC, has just picked up 14 more dealerships. Family RV Group, which runs 12 dealerships in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia is turning over to RV Retailer. Additionally, Northgate RV with two dealerships in Tennessee and Georgia is likewise giving it up to RV Retailer. The sales are expected to close next month. RV Retailer will now have 52 stores in 15 states.
Gas mileage down. Air pollution up. That’s the word from a new federal report that says that the up and down figures were both spotted for the first time in five years, and was drawn from statistics for 2019 model-year vehicles. The findings put two groups at loggerheads: The EPA says the changes are proof that automakers couldn’t meet “unrealistic standards” for fuel economy and air pollution from the Obama era. Environmental groups charge that auto builders stopped marketing fuel efficient vehicles and electrics, and used loopholes, recognizing that the Trump administration would soon be rolling back both emission standards and mileage requirements.
Trying to trick your insurance company is no treat. So says Canada’s Manitoba Public Insurance, which included in its list of Top Five Fraudulent Claims of 2020, this one: An insured reports that his brand-new travel trailer was stolen right out of the front yard. The firm’s investigator does a little sniffing around, and finds the RV just six miles out of town – burnt to a crisp. Surveillance camera footage shows the RV being towed by a truck that bears a striking resemblance to the truck owned by the claimant – a man experiencing “financial difficulty.” When asked to allow his truck’s onboard computer system to be accessed to show where it was the night the trailer vanished, the man demurred – and withdrew his $37,000 claim.
RV park residents in Florida’s Lee County were hoping they wouldn’t see a repeat of New Year’s 2020. Residents at Cypress Trails RV Resort there said when revelers got excited and fired weaponry heavenward, they got the results – in the form of aerated RV roofs. “They’ve come through our motorhomes,” Susan York reported to WINK news. “Somebody found it on the pillow. Somebody found it on the living room floor.” The barrage of gun shots continued for 15 to 20 very long minutes. A nearby church has cancelled its outdoor New Year’s services, indicating that parishioners had been hit by falling projectiles. No word yet if this year’s celebrations led to lead-fall.
koa.com
The issue of expanding an RV park in Currituck County, North Carolina, has taken on a bizarre “ping pong” effect as it bounces from court to court. Relatively new owners of the Outer Banks West KOA sought permission from the county to add 314 RV sites and 78 tent spots, plus a new swimming pool. Back in 2013, the county banned all new campgrounds, and when the Outer Banks’ request came in, in 2019, the county planning department shot the request down for the new sites, and dried up any plans of a new swimming pool. Outer Banks appealed to the board of adjustments, which sided with the earlier ruling and nixed the plans. Next stop: Superior Court, where the judge rejected the earlier expansion rejections of the county. In the court’s view, the county’s rejection was arbitrary. But as for the swimming pool, well, so sorry, no pool. This left neither the RV park nor the county happy. The county has taken its beef to the state Court of Appeals, and Outer Banks is appealing the pool put-down, too. Time will tell the final outcome, or if these cases will continue to ricochet around, undoubtedly making lawyers rich. Still, the county is now reconsidering its “arbitrary” policy and may start allowing new campgrounds in the county – with “limitations.”
Another RV show bites the dust: The Boston RV Show, which was originally set for January but rescheduled for April, is now totally off the 2021 calendar. Show organizers made the announcement Friday, but “circumstances beyond our control” caused show managers to scrub the show and refund vendor fees. The site for the show would have been the Boston Convention Center. Center officials have scrubbed all leases from April through June. It’s suggested the shut-down may have come to allow the center to be used as a COVID-19 vaccination center.
Human foosball. Stock photo, campbusiness.com
Yogi does foosball? Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort franchise in Milton, Pennsylvania, has changed hands – with new “improvements” planned. Included in the advancements are “human foosball” courts. Think of the rec-room table game changed to a life-sized outdoor game with human players instead of plastic pieces. Other “sports” for the young, or old people with too much energy, include laser tag, a gaga ball pit, and water wars games. (We’re tired out just writing about it.) The new owner is a Texas-based real estate development firm that recently got into RV parks.
Police and fire officials in Cathlamet, Washington, got a New Year’s Eve call-out from an RVer. Dispatch reported the caller said the TV in their motorhome was smoking. When first responders arrived they found the TV was, indeed, acting out of sorts. The boob-tube was sparking. Cause? Rain dripping on it, via a leaky roof. A firefighter took to the roof with a tarp to make a temporary fix. A sheriff’s deputy noted on his report that he called the local mental health department to look into temporary housing for the RVer, but none was available.
Stinky sewer dump? This will do the trick!
If a sewer hose doesn’t fit tightly, sewer gases will escape and make the odor when dumping almost unbearable. It’s embarrassing and disgusting! This sewer adapter hose seal plugs the hole. No more stink! Read more about it here or order one here.
HAVE YOU SEEN THESE STOLEN RVs?
Another rig stolen at a dealership, this time in Little Falls, Minnesota. This 35′ tan and brown 2018 Rockwood travel trailer had a Minnesota plate RW25718. The rig was stolen from Hillmerson RV Marine Superstore on January 3rd, and was last spotted east of Little Falls on Highway 27, headed in the direction of Pierz, pulled by a dark-colored four-door Chevrolet truck. Know something? Call the sheriff at 320-632-9233.
Crooks have struck yet another “secure” storage facility, leaving a heartbroken family. This 2017 Keystone Outback (model 325BH) was ripped off from a storage facility in Simpsonville, South Carolina, most likely in the dark hours of January 2. While it looks like a lot of other Outbacks, it also bears “General RV” promotional decals on the rear and next to the entry door. Call the Greenville County Sheriff to share tips, 864-271-5210.
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?????? Time fries when you’re on the road! You won’t have to pass the fries anymore… See why.
Pickup truck news
According to our recent survey, about 80 percent of RVtravel.com readers own at least one pickup truck. Recognizing that, we’ll provide the latest news highlights about the vehicles here each week.
Ford F-150 reigns as country’s most popular new vehicle in 2020
It comes as no surprise. Pickup trucks remained the country’s most popular new vehicles in 2020. The Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 ranked first and second among the top-10 best-selling vehicles last year, according to the search engine iSeeCars.com. Continue reading.
2022 Truck Preview: No name yet, but Ford Maverick likely
It could be called the Ford Maverick, Courier or Ranchero. All are well-known vehicle names among enthusiasts of Ford offerings of yesteryear. And one is likely the name of the automaker’s return to offering a compact pickup truck. The automaker won’t reveal the name, but it has announced the new unibody vehicle. Learn more.
Used truck sales increased in 2020
Amid the pandemic, the automotive industry had solidarity. It suffered with the rest of the business world. But there were exceptions to the sales doldrums, notably the used truck market. Sales increased, lead by three best-selling used vehicles in 2020, all pickup trucks. Like its new counterpart, the Ford F-150 was the country’s top-selling used vehicle. Read more.
3-in-1 NOAA radio, flashlight and charger must-have for RVers This emergency hand-crank radio is a necessity for RVers. Keep it somewhere safe, you never know when it will come in handy. The 3-in-1 radio is also a bright LED flashlight and a smartphone charger. The radio can be charged via solar charging, hand cranking or a USB plug. You’ll want to buy one here.
Reader poll
Do you plan on selling your RV or buying an RV in 2021?
Fill in the middle word. This word should correspond with the first and last word.
1) Street _____ Jack
2) Bird _____ Bed
3) Shopping _____ Lady
4) Orange _____ Stump
5) Stamp _____ Lock
6) Wet _____ Fill
7) Air _____ Pad
8) Pocket _____ Keeper
9) Life _____ Company
10) Wish _____ Fragment
(Answer below)
Stay free on private property across America Boondockers Welcome is a great alternative to expensive, crowded RV parks or even Walmart parking lots. With a membership, you can stay for free at more than 1,000 private property locations across America. And, wow, will you meet some great people! Learn more or sign up.
Is this your RV?
If it’s yours and you can prove it to us (send a photo for comparison), tell us here by 9 p.m. Pacific Standard time today, Jan. 10, 2021. If it’s yours you’ll win a $25 Amazon gift certificate.
We’ll have another photo in tomorrow’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter (sign up to receive an email alert so you don’t miss the issue or those that follow). Some of these photos are submitted by readers while others were taken by our editors and writers on their travels around the USA.
News briefs
At least one city in Florida, Panama City Beach, reports COVID-19 has definitely had an effect on snowbirds. The local senior services agency estimates that the snowbird population is down close to 60% compared to an average year. Of those who have made the city their winter port-of-call, many of those are staying home out of fear of the virus.
National Park Service
Colorado’s Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument just got bigger. The National Park Service has accepted a 280-acre donation of land that will increase the monument’s montane habitat, and give better access when fighting wildfires on the monument’s western side.
Bend, Oregon, may become home to a 185-site RV park if a developer gets his way. Described as a “luxury” park, it would also include an area of heated RV storage buildings. If the project flies, it will happen on Murphy Road near Highway 97.
Memorial Day is slated to mark the opening of a small RV park near Avon Pier in North Carolina’s Dare County. The 26-site full-hookup park was approved in late December. Look for “Avon by the Sea RV Park” come this spring.
Avon by the Sea RV Park
Planning a visit to Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park? If staying on is in the planning, best add this to the planning: The park’s Colter Bay, Gros Ventre, Jenny Lake, Signal Mountain, and Lizard Creek campgrounds are all moving from first-come, first-served to “by reservation.” The changeover takes place January 26, and recreation.gov is the place to go for making reservations.
RV mega-dealer Lazydays is taking an early jump on the year to open a new outlet. This time, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is the landing point for the new dealership. The not-so-far-from-Nashville location marks the company’s second Tennessee sales-point. The company now has 11 dealerships in six states.
Raymond Poquette, an 80-year-old man with a history of vehicle-related crimes, has been charged with murder with his motorhome in Grass Valley, California. Read more about this troubled man.
Campground and RV Park News
Developments at RV parks and campgrounds across the USA
Janet Groene reports each week on developments at RV parks and campgrounds across the USA and Canada. There’s a lot of good information here that you can use to plan your travels. Read the current installment of “Campground and RV Park News” here.
Keep your hands warm! On a cold winter day, when you need to be outside, whether hiking, walking the dog, working on the RV. . . these hand warmers will be a blessing by keeping your hands toasty warm. Gloves are good, but these add a degree of comfort that is just plain wonderful on a cold day, and they last up to 11 hours! Learn more or order a 20-pack.
Things to smile about this week
A weekly roundup of news stories that will make you smile (and maybe shed a tear or two…). This week, a heartwarming story about RV park quilters making beautiful and warm quilts for families in need; an astronaut who persevered to finally achieve his lifelong dream and now is helping children to reach for the stars; a pawsome paddleboard motor; a big dog meeting its new tiny puppy pal for the first time (soooo cute!); and some inspiring words about “Things to Remember When This is Over.” Enjoy all of these, and more, here.
Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of January 4, 2021: Regular unleaded gasoline: $2.25 [Calif.: $3.10]
Change from week before: Up 1 cent; Change from year before: Down 33 cents. Diesel: $2.64 [Calif.: $3.40]
Change from week before: Up 1 cent; Change from year before: Down 44 cents.
Need a step up? Car or truck roof too hard to reach? Designed to fit over almost any tire, the TireStep allows you to reach three important areas of your truck or SUV: the engine compartment, the roof, and the bed. For fifth wheel owners, the TireStep may be the helper you’ve been wanting for a long time and just didn’t know it. Reaching over the truck bed using the TireStep is not a problem while hitching or unhitching your rig. Learn more here.
Upcoming RV shows
Some RV shows for the beginning of 2021 are canceled. We will restart our show directory feature as shows begin again. In the meantime, some of the shows coming in the next couple of months are still on. See the schedule here.
Be like Mike: Don’t forget the fuse!
Mike Sokol says: Your RV has both 120-volt AC electrical systems (like your house), plus 12-volt DC battery systems (like your car). If the power goes out, it could be a circuit breaker (like in your house) or a blown fuse (like in your car). Always carry spare fuses that fit your RV’s battery system. Confirm the exact type and size of fuses your RV needs, then get a set of replacements. Here’s one pack, but be sure to check what your RV actually uses before ordering it.
Free and bargain camping
From OvernightRVparking.com
Shoalwater Bay Casino, Tokeland, WA
FREE! Overnight parking is allowed but please obtain permission from the casino. Park at a red building in the north parking lot. We believe this to be the fireworks sales building; the casino says do not park on the grass, but there’s a gravel area that is OK. It is mostly level, well-lit, and believed to be quiet and safe. There are two-three restaurants inside the casino. Click here for details.
Walmart Supercenter #569, Columbia, KY FREE! Overnight parking is allowed! Store stated that they officially don’t allow it, but if you arrive late in the day, stay one night only, and depart early the next morning, it “shouldn’t be a problem.” Just obtain permission from the store, and have a backup location in mind. It is mostly level but with noticeable slopes for drainage, well-lit, and appears safe. RVer reports some customer and traffic noise in the lot. Burger King, Hardees adjacent to lot, and two to three additional restaurants close by. Click here for details (and scroll down).
Overnight RV Parking, with more than 14,000 locations listed, is the largest and best resource for locating free and inexpensive places to spend a night in an RV. For membership information and a demo of the site, click here. A modest membership fee required, but try the free demo. Watch a video about OvernightRVparking.com.
Other resources:
• Walmart Directory: Best printed directory of Walmart locations.
• Two excellent guides to free campgrounds. The West edition and the Heartland edition.
• Harvest Hosts: Members can stay free overnight at farms & wineries.
1) Car
2) Feather
3) Bag
4) Tree
5) Pad
6) Land
7) Mattress
8) Book
9) Insurance
10) Bone
Strengthen your hands, fingers and forearms Here’s a great, easy way to build up the strength in your hands, fingers or forearms. Perfect for RVers. If you suffer from arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis or tennis elbow this is for you. It’s also great for simply building up the strength of your grip. This is a best seller and costs about $9. Learn more or order.
Sunday funny
Thanks to Doug and Jean for sending this to us!
RV Travel staff
CONTACT US at editor@RVtravel.com
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury.Managing editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editors: Emily Woodbury, Russ and Tiña De Maris.
This website utilizes some advertising services. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
Today we look at Heavy Duty Trucks, including the Volvo VNL Sleeper Cab, to tow fifth wheels. We explore why a vehicle like this can also be a great second RV for the owner.
By Tony Barthel One of the questions brought about by the Luxe Elite Fifth wheel that I recently wrote about was, “What do you haul this with?” That’s a legitimate concern for a trailer weighing in at twelve tons. While there are certainly one-ton pickups that are rated to carry that much weight, others prefer a Heavy Duty Truck (HDT) to do that job.
As such, I contacted Volvo to inquire about their VNL, the latest iteration of commercial truck haulers and a popular choice among those who keep freight moving on America’s roads.
Do RVers use these?
There is a large contingent of RVers who use these and other commercial truck cabs to move their rigs. There are a lot of advantages to doing so, including the towing capability, of course, but they also include what you get in a tow vehicle.
Surprisingly, the newest Volvo VNL sleeper cab really is almost an RV in and of itself.
That sleeper cab features a 12-volt refrigerator, reclining bed featuring a very thick mattress and an upper bunk. It also has an optional microwave, full climate control and storage space. The obvious customer for something like this is the individual hauling freight. He/she is looking for a place to relax after a day of dodging passenger vehicles who think the truck can stop on a dime (it can’t). But these may also make a lot of sense for us RVers who want a larger fifth wheel.
You can outfit the VNL with a large dinette that converts to a bed if you prefer. That means that all those complaints I’ve made about rest stop lunches being impossible in fifth wheels where the slides block access to the kitchen are made irrelevant.
What sets these apart from other tow vehicles?
One of the things that set these big rigs apart from mere pedestrian tow vehicles is the number of choices you get when choosing engines and transmissions. The VNL offers a choice of four different diesel inline six-cylinder engines from the Volvo D11 to the Cummins X15. Most large trucks can be configured with engines and transmissions from various manufacturers.
Speaking of transmissions, the VNL offers an I-Shift transmission that rows through the gears for you. Yes, it’s still configured like a manual transmission but it takes care of all that shifting automatically. Oddly enough, that’s also how the transmission in a Smart car works. So maybe that’s why so many RVers who utilize HDTs like those little things too.
Do people use the sleeper cabs in their trucks?
In a Facebook forum about HDTs, there was a surprising number of people who, when asked, said that they do use the sleeper cabs in their trucks. These can provide rest for the co-pilot, or a place to just jump in the back and relax and have lunch on the road. It can even function as a “mini” RV when the main one is back at camp.
Facebook user Roger indicated, “I use mine as a camper all the time.”
Another user, David, wrote, “We set up the truck as an RV so it has power on board to run the heat, AC, microwave, refrigerator, TV, etc. It has been used for short trips with the trailer left in the campground.”
Another Dave wrote, “We have used it quite a bit. Wife likes to take a nap in the sleeper while we are traveling. We used it recently while the trailer was getting its suspension upgrade, and warranty work. We have used it for extra sleeping areas when guests are staying over. And we have used it as a mini motorhome when we drove 2,000 miles to pick up our new trailer.”
What about the cost?
While the base price of a Volvo VNL might be more than you’re willing to pay, these trucks can easily last a million miles. You can find used ones at auctions all the time. The price you’d pay for one with, say, half a million miles would be far less than a new one-ton pickup. You’d still have hundreds of thousands of usable miles left in it. From there you can take it to an upfitter. They can transform it into a rig that is better suited to towing your Luxe Elite fifth wheel. Or whatever.
In fact, there are companies who will set your HDT up to haul your daily driver around right behind the cab and then tow your large fifth wheel behind that. I’ve included a few photos from the HDT group I’m in to show how that works. You’re not limited to a Smart car. Look at the pictures of Robert Chapman’s Volvo and Jeep towing his fifth wheel. And check out the custom rigs from RVHaulers , for example.
While the idea of two RVs in one, and one in the form of an HDT, might have seemed ridiculous when you first read this, if you have a larger fifth wheel, I wonder if it doesn’t seem as silly now? I’m always happy to read your comments on these reviews.
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Got an RV we need to look at? Contact us today and let us know – thank you!
In the year 2021, do you plan on selling your current RV or do you plan on buying a new RV? Both? In our weekly column, Campground Crowding, we have heard from many of you who say you’re “hanging up the keys” and selling your RV – “camping” just isn’t what it used to be! We want to know exactly how many of you feel that way. But, of course, we also want to hear from those still excited about camping – are you buying an RV this year?
Please tell us in the poll below and leave a comment, too, explaining your situation (why are you selling or why are you buying?). Thanks!
[Note: The following is an auto-inserted ad from Google. RVtravel.com did not place it in here.]
By Nanci Dixon In the midst of an abundance of bad news – rising COVID numbers, unemployment, evictions, homelessness and hunger – some good news stories still bubble to the surface.
We find ourselves mostly posting bad, sad or frustrating news in our Sunday newsletter. It’s not our fault, of course, but we want to make sure you come here and smile too. That’s why we’re bringing you this “Good News” column.
“MY SOUL IS FED WITH NEEDLE AND THREAD!”
RV quilters at Frostproof, Florida’s, Camp Inn RV Resort are enjoying their time spent sewing quilts but are even happier to be lending a helping hand to people in need. For more than 20 years they have been making quilts for migrant workers and their children. They say they get more than they give, particularly when a child gets a blanket, hugs it and smiles.
In addition to migrant workers’ families, the group has also made quilts for the homeless and for veterans. Before the pandemic hit, snowbird RVers would fill the sewing room with 20 to 30 people all joined together, working on these warm and heartwarming quilts, to share their talents with others. Way to go, quilters!
“GROWTH COMES FROM SETTING YOUR GOALS HIGH AND REACHING FOR THE STARS.” —Spencer W. Kimball
Jose Hernandez had a dream that he never gave up despite tremendous challenges. Jose’s family were migrant workers, working the fields in California for nine months of the year and Mexico for three. He knew early on what he wanted to be. He told his dad he wanted to be an astronaut when he was 10, but he didn’t speak English well until he was 12.
Jose followed his dream and got a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering and began applying to NASA. After 11 rejections, he was finally accepted by NASA and was on the crew of the Discovery in 2009.
He now runs a foundation, “Reaching for the Stars,” to help all kids pursue their dreams. Netflix will soon start production on a film about Jose and his remarkable journey.
EVERYTHING IS PAWSOME
Every paddle boarder needs this motor. Now, if he could only power an RV!
This was submitted by a longtime RV Travel reader and frequent contributor, George Bliss. [Wishing you a speedy recovery from your surgery, George!] In this extraordinarily hard time, it is good to remember that this too will pass and that there is hope as well as lessons to be learned and remembered.
“When this is over, may we never again take for granted;
A handshake with a stranger, Full shelves at the store,
Conversations with neighbors,
A crowded theater, Friday night out,
The taste of communion, A routine checkup,
The school rush each morning, Coffee with a friend,
The stadium roaring, Each deep breath! A boring Tuesday. Life itself.
When this ends,
may we find that we have become more like the people we wanted to be,
we were called to be,
we hope to be,
and may we stay that way – better for each other because of the worst.”
—Laura Kelly Fanucci
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
The big Quartzsite RV Show is slated to open in just a few days. Scheduled dates are set for January 16th through the 24th. Look – the big tent is up, guards are already posted to keep away the questionable. Show promoters, the King family, have posted on their site, “IT’S A GO!” The question is: Will you go?
Predictions are fuzzy
If we believed in crystal ball readings, ours could at best appear fuzzy. Based on vacant businesses, and folks that “should have been here by now,” Quartzsite is a little frayed around the edges. Highway 95 in downtown Quartzsite normally is plenty busy. This year, you’ll find one laundromat empty, one propane parlor not passing gas, and a once-popular take-out BBQ joint completely smokeless.
On the corner of 95 and Main Street, a big RV dealer whose come-on to get folks to come in and kick tires was a free pancake breakfast? Zero flapjacks. No RVs. Absent dealer. Just a vacant lot. Across the street where folks curb-stoned their used rigs, or flocked in to get their cracked windshields replaced – nada. Another empty lot.
The RV parks in town, too, are looking a bit befuddled – with the possible exception of the polar ends of the economic scale. There are few open spaces at the higher-priced Quail Run RV Park on the north end of 95. And over by Rice Ranch on the frontage road, many, shall we say, “unique” RVs are shoehorned in, all within easy earshot of Interstate 10. But the middle-of-the-road price range RV parks seem to have spaces open. Who knows, maybe these, too, will fill up at the last minute. But like a herd of zebras by the water hole, there’s what we perceive as a prevailing sense of nervousness. If the big Quartzsite RV Show is the watering hole, is there a lion in the bush?
Elephant in the room
Lion in the bush, maybe, but certainly the elephant in the room is spelled COVID-19. We called in to Quartzsite’s town hall to inquire about local officials’ view of visitor numbers. Assistant town manager Cliff O’Neill put on a cheery face. “Events are all ongoing!” he told us. Yeah, but how about the number of visitors? O’Neill pointed out there appeared to be plenty of folks out on the desert.
And in town? Usually we get a feel for how many folks are in town by the “flush-o-meter” scale. Never heard of it? It’s just how much sewage is processed by the local wastewater plant. We’d been calling O’Neill’s boss, town manager Jim Ferguson, leaving repeated voice mails requesting the information. O’Neill apologized, but couldn’t give us any information about “sewage flow rates.” In the end, he did say, “There’s a sense the numbers are down.”
Some numbers are up – the wrong ones
Could this be because other numbers are decidedly UP? Those numbers are the staggering statistics on COVID-19. Earlier today (Jan. 8), the local health department, La Paz County, reported 69 new cases of the virus, and one additional death. It may not sound like much, but put it into perspective. The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people stands at 173. Measure that against those figures for the entire state of Arizona: 127. As of today, La Paz County has the HIGHEST RATE of infection, per capita, in the ENTIRE STATE. Now note that Arizona, the Grand Canyon State, has the dubious ranking of Number 1 on the list of all states in the country with the highest COVID numbers.
A couple of months ago we reported that while the Quartzsite RV Show was “tentatively” a go, Show promoters noted that the town would have a final say as the time got closer. So we pressed Quartzsite’s O’Neill on the matter. In light of these huge infection numbers, the town was officially behind the Show? All he would tell us was that town officials had looked over the Show’s “health protocols,” and that the event “is ongoing.”
Taxes trump health concerns?
Interestingly enough, one “event” that is definitely off is the town’s library. Visitors looking for books or a place to get close to an internet Wi-Fi hookup will need to look elsewhere. A person who answered the phone at the library today told us the place is closed down, indefinitely, due to worries about COVID-19. One person this writer spoke with made the suggestion that perhaps the tax-generating aspects of the RV Show outweighed those same health concerns shown library employees and patrons.
Health officials keep telling us that mask wearing is one of the principal ways to avoid spreading COVID. But the laissez-faire attitude toward such protection – unfortunately shown by many, locals and visitors alike – isn’t helping too much. And while many are putting stock and hopes in the administration of COVID vaccines, don’t look for much advancement in the Quartzsite sphere. A few days ago, the county health department indicated older folks with underlying health conditions may have to wait as long as late spring to get the jab.
Still, we wonder – will the Quartzsite RV Show be memorable this year? One way or another, it certainly will be. Let’s hope that it isn’t remembered as a major Super Spreader event.
The latest news about camping and developments in North American campgrounds and RV parks from Janet Groene.
DISCLAIMER: Conditions are still changing quickly, not just because of COVID but because of other factors such as highway conditions. Just before your trip get current information by phoning the campground directly. Don’t rely solely on websites, automated reservations services, GPS or Facebook. Full facilities and activities may not be open. Seasons and COVID restrictions vary. Get specifics about rates, campground facilities, reservation policies, campsite size and shape and the condition of access routes. No endorsement of any campground or product is implied by this reporter nor this website.
FULL ALERT: Because of distancing, fewer campsites are available so it’s more important than ever to have reservations and to be aware of cancellation requirements and current campground rules. Check ahead for details.
DATELINE:January 9, 2021
ALBERTA’S NEWEST CAMPGROUND BREAKS GROUND
Work begins this spring on a new campground that will open in Milo in 2022. A Stones Throw RV Campground will offer extra-large pull-through and back-in seasonal sites sized 50 by 92 feet. You’ll have room to accommodate a deck and add a storage shed or gazebo. This is the Monner family farm, now approved for adding a family-focused seasonal campground with a 10-acre fishing pond, dog parks for large and small dogs, washhouses with showers, a laundry, a community garden, a bike park for kids, walking trails, an astronomy area and a general store. The site is a stone’s throw from Lake McGregor and within an hour of 22 golf courses. Phone: +1 403-669-9443
CALIFORNIA CAMPGROUND OFFERS DOUBLE CELEBRATION
Celebrate both Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day with a long weekend, February 12-16, at the Desert Springs/Joshua Tree KOA in Desert Hot Springs. Events will include mask making, a champagne brunch and more activities for families and couples. The big-rig-friendly campground has a year-round swimming pool, dog park, hot tub/sauna, mini-golf, library and a rec room with billiards. For reservations call (800) 562-9861. To learn more call (760) 251-6555.
FLORIDA KEYS RV RESORT HAS NEW OWNERS
In the Middle Keys, Big Pine Key Fishing Lodge has been bought by Cove Communities, operator of 25 RV resorts nationwide. Their vision for the campground in America’s Riviera is to make the luxury, waterfront resort even more of a showplace for RV travelers by introducing Supersites, new landscaping and on-site services to the 181 campsites. Focus is on the Florida Keys lifestyle, sportfishing and nearby nature attractions such as the National Key Deer Refuge, Key West and Bahia Honda State Park. Waterfront RV sites with electric are from $83 nightly. (305) 872-2351
GEORGIA STATE PARK SEEKS FURRY FRIENDS
Join park rangers on January 29 at F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain, for a family-friendly game of Bears, Bobcats, and FurBearers Bingo at 6 p.m. Win prizes and learn fun facts about our furry friends in Georgia. Weather permitting there will be a campfire. Preregistration required. The location will be disclosed upon registration. The fee is $2 plus parking or camping fees. This is Georgia’s largest state park with more than 9,000 acres, 115 campsites, 40 miles of trails and a swimming pool fed by natural springs. See the modest Roosevelt home, a museum and the warm waters that brought the president here for relief from his polio. (706) 663-4858.
INDIANA STATE PARK SPRINGS INTO SPRING
As green-up time comes to scenic southern Indiana, families flock to the Shelby Spring Fling in Brown County State Park, Nashville. A staple for more than 40 years, this is a family event with a car show, Mustang rally, food, music, vendors, a banquet and the sound of classic Shelby GT350 automobiles roaring through the wooded hills. Covering almost 16,000 acres, the park offers RV camping. However, note that all RVs and vehicles towing trailers MUST use the park’s west entrance on State Road 46 two miles west of Nashville. They cannot use the park’s north entrance east of Nashville because of its historic covered bridge with limited weight and height allowances. Do not use GPS directions. For reservations go to ReserveAmerica.com
NEBRASKA TO HAVE NEW CAMPGROUND BY MAY
River Land Cabins and Campground is taking shape near Columbus on 24 acres east of Tailrace Park along the Platte River. On the north side of the land, 30 campsites with hookups are planned to be available by May. Some cabins are already completed. The campground will also have a shower house and dump station. Current visitors can fish, kayak and canoe. Future guests will find a volleyball court and a playground. Contact Earley Real Estate and Construction, (402) 564-1213.
OHIO STATE PARK IS THE PLACE FOR MAPLE SYRUP
At Malabar Farm State Park, Lucas, observe “sugaring off” time from sap collection to bottled maple syrup during selected weekends in March. Visit a sugar camp with live historical demonstrations, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, hear live music while sampling food and maple products for sale. (Please bring cash for purchases.) Donations to the horse group are also appreciated. For more info visit here or call (419) 892-2784. Ohio’s Mohican area has more than 4,000 campsites in public and private parks. For a list contact the Mohican-Loudonville Visitors Bureau, (419) 994-2519
ONTARIO KOA HOSTS THROWBACK WEEKEND
Dust off your white buck shoes and zip into your poodle skirt. It’s Greased Lightning Weekend at the Niagara Falls KOA May 21-23. Bring the family for fun, crafts, dancing and rock ‘n roll. This KOA has all the usual bells and whistles plus unique features such as wagon rides, a pub with great food and beer and, at added cost, a tour bus. For reservations call (800) 562-6478 and for information phone (905) 356-2267.
PENNSYLVANIA PARK HAS NEW OWNERS, NEW FEATURES
By Memorial Day, new attractions should be complete at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Milton. Added will be human foosball, a jumping pad, a gaga ball pit, cabanas at the upgraded swimming pool, golf cart rental and more food service options. Click here for more details.
SOUTH CAROLINA PARKS WELCOME SNOWBIRDS
Attention Southbounders! The 30-day special for snowbirds at four state parks in the Palmetto State ends February 28. Just call the state park, mention that you’re interested in the 30-day snowbird special, and pay for the month at the time you register. Take only one deal per park. There is no refund for early departures. Participating parks are Lee State Park, Bishopville, (803) 428-5307; Givhans Ferry State Park, Ridgeville, (843) 873-0692; Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet, (843) 237-4440; and Myrtle Beach State Park, (843) 238-5325
Stay Tuned
At F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Georgia, Lake Roosevelt is drained and closed for repairs. A reopening date has not been announced.
Read more of Janet Groene’s Campground and RV Parks News here.
Janet Groene is the author of more than 25 books including Living Aboard Your RV, 4th Edition, available at Amazon.com. Her new Farley Halladay book, “May Misfire,a Yacht Yenta Mystery,” is available at Amazon.com. See Janet Groene’s weekly Solo Woman posts at SoloWomanRV.
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That was the RV week that was
Keep your hands warm!
Things to smile about this week
