By James Raia Bragging rights at the top-end of pickup trucks’ towing capacities just got a little more competitive among Chevrolet, Ford and Ram.
Chevrolet recently announced an increase of 500 pounds for the 2021 Chevrolet 2500/3500, pushing the maximum to 36,000 pounds towing capacity on the 3500. The boost occurred after engineers made changes to the suspension and available wheel packages.
The 2021 Chevrolet 2500/3500 has an increased towing capacity.
The improvement to the Chevy places it 1,000 pounds less than the Ford Super Duty (37,000) and 900 pounds more than the Ram HD (35,100).
Chevy’s 36,000-pound maximum is available only on the regular-cab Silverado 3500 Work Truck with dual rear wheels and rear-wheel drive. The 445-horsepower, 6.6-liter Duramax diesel making 910 pounds-feet of torque, with the 10-speed Allison transmission and Max Tow Package.
Besides its new towing capacity, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD also has a dashboard of new features, including jack-knife alert. It warns the driver if the angle between the truck and trailer indicates a jack-knife situation could occur.
Cargo bed view and rear side view improvement make it easier to either hook up a gooseneck trailer or use a split-view monitor to properly position your cargo.
Rear trailer view and trailer-angle indicator help back up a trailer and judge the angle between it and the truck are also improvements. Additionally, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking can be added to the Work Truck and Custom trims. They’re part of the Safety Confidence Package.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections are available on the LT trim and standard on the upmarket LTZ and High Country.
Production of the new Chevrolet Silverado HD lineup began in September, with the vehicle available in late fall 2020 and early in 2021.
James Raia, a syndicated columnist in Sacramento, California, publishes a free weekly automotive podcast and electronic newsletter. Sign-ups are available on his website, www.theweeklydriver.com. He can be reached via email: james@jamesraia.com.
By Russ and Tiña De Maris Have you ever been on the downhill side of a steep pass and had that sickening feeling of no brakes? A runaway RV is a scary situation, and one that some have not lived to tell about. Commercial truck drivers face the same issue, often on a larger scale, when running upwards to 40 tons. You’ll often see – but hope to never use – a runaway truck ramp on steep downgrades along interstates. Typically, the ramp is a buildup of deep gravel, designed to slow and stop a runaway rig.
Infamous intersection
Semi truck demolishes store when brakes fail. fox13now.com.
U.S. Highway 89 in Garden City, Utah, is an infamous spot among long-haul drivers. The steep descent into Garden City ends in a “T” intersection along a busy city thoroughfare. Back in 2018 a semi-truck lost its brakes on the downgrade into the town. A security cam caught the last few seconds of the ride as the trucked blew through the intersection – and into a sporting goods store. Sadly, the driver didn’t make it out alive.
Other accidents and near-misses followed. In one astonishing traffic cam video, a semi-driver somehow made the turn at the bottom of the hill – the wheels on one side of his trailer off the ground as he struggled to keep the combination upright. Obviously, something needed to be done.
Utah Highway Department officials eyeballed the situation, but finding a tract of land alongside the highway long enough, and a clear-enough shot for a runaway RV or other big vehicle just wasn’t there. But an answer to Garden City’s runaway problem has manifested itself: It’s called a “truck escape system” that doesn’t utilize a gravel ramp but, rather, a technological stopping system.
Shoot the chute
Results of a similar system used in Wyoming. Photo: Wyoming Dept. of Transportation.
The system is basically a concrete walled chute, which directs runaway drivers down to a series of cable nets. The nets, strung out across the chute, catch the barreling runaway and unspool, slowing and eventually stopping the rig. As fearsome as the thing looks, highway officials say there should be little vehicle damage when the system is used – certainly far less damage than blasting through a building or a line of stopped traffic at the bottom of the highway.
It’s the first-of-its-kind escape ramp in Utah, and there was a learning curve for the state’s highway engineers. Oddly enough, though, while the escape system is technological in nature, it actually cost less and takes up far less space than a conventional gravel “truck trap.” For a news story with video, click here.
Should you ever make the trip to Garden City and find you have a runaway RV, don’t hesitate to ride that bucking bronco down the chute. The life you save may be your own – or somebody else’s.
By Andy Pargh, The Gadget Guru Many RVers, myself included, are using motorhomes, travel trailers or fifth wheel units to break the COVID-19 monotony while maintaining social distancing recommendations. In this day and age, it’s nice having your own bed to sleep in and your own bathroom to … well, you know what … without having to share these spaces with strangers.
For those of us who are taking social distancing seriously, there’s a good chance that you’ve postponed some routine, but non-urgent medical appointments. While I never thought I would utter the words “I miss going to the dentist,” I’m simply using my Waterpik® more often than I did in the past in order to keep plaque at bay.
What do you do when you need new eyeglasses?
But what happens when you need to update an eyeglass prescription but don’t want to visit an optometrist or ophthalmologist office? The answer is … there’s an app for that!
I recently tested the EyeQue® VisionCheck™ system and, I have to admit, it works. While it’s not a replacement for an eye examination by a medical professional, it is a solution for updating eyeglass numbers from the comfort of your home or RV.
This device works in tandem with a phone app that, through a series of on-screen vision exercises, allows you to generate the numbers needed to order eyeglasses online. I have found this product to be ideal for RVers as once you used the VisionCheck to generate the numbers, you can go online to sites such as EyeBuyDirect.com and order glasses. Based on my experience, their glasses were 75% less than what I paid for the most recent pair of glasses I purchased from a sticks-and-bricks optical retailer.
Also included is an ingenious PDCheck device. While these look like a pair of trendy eyeglass frames, they lack the lenses. They work in tandem with an app that allow you to use your phone’s camera to capture a selfie that measures the pupillary distance … a number that’s required for eyeglass ordering.
The VisionCheck is currently available from EyeQue.com and retails for $89. There’s no charge for the companion phone application. However, if a second person wants to use the VisionCheck, an additional $5 per person fee applies.
In this video, I interview Phoebe Yu, EyeQue’s director of marketing, and she provides additional details on the VisionCheck, PDCheck and the Smartphone Vision Screener products.
This newsletter is for intelligent, open-minded RVers. If you comment on an article, do it with respect for others. If not, you will be denied posting privileges.
Issue 1448
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.
“Live in the present, remember the past, and fear not the future, for it doesn’t exist and never shall. There is only now.” ―Christopher Paolini
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Yorkshire Pudding Day!
On this day in history: 1903 – The Boston Red Sox win the first modern World Series, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in the eighth game.
Tip of the Day
Watch your dumping operation closely (but not TOO closely)
By Greg Illes I don’t think anyone will argue that the dumping of holding tanks is the worst of RV jobs. This skanky task makes equals of us all: Young or old, rich or poor, we have to get rid of our sewage by dumping the black tank now and then.
Most folks have an understandable aversion to any close association with 30 or more gallons of waste disposal. But there are good reasons to brave the experience and “do it right.” Here are some tips on how to do it.
Do you need a special RV driver’s license? You might!
Driving an RV proves to be easy for most RVers after they get the feel of their rig. But for RVers in 10 states, there may be more to driving or towing an RV than climbing in the driver’s seat and heading down the highway. Find out here if you need a special driver’s license.
Weather so cold your refrigerator won’t run properly? Reader Phil E. suggests, “Put duct tape over the upper vents, but just remember to take the tape off when the weather warms up.” Thanks, Phil!
Gary V. and Deb L., full-timers, suggest the following: “One way to modify the vents on the fridge intake is to insert a section of round foam pipe insulation cut to length to fit your unit’s vents. We have spent three years in ski country (often below 0 degrees) and this technique, along with a 40-watt lightbulb in the compartment, kept the fridge working normally even at 9000-feet elevation. And afterwards, no duct tape residue to clean up, and you have just what you need for the next time it’s needed.” Thanks, Gary and Deb!
Website of the day
EarthCam
Want to know what the weather is like in New York right now? Want to see how many people are at the Eiffel Tower? EarthCam has live webcams all over the world to help you moderate some of your wanderlust.
Psst: It’s Amazon Prime Day! Thousands of items are on sale! Need something for your RV? Need to update an electronic device? Stock up now while things are on sale! Get holiday shopping done early with these amazing sales!
And the Survey Says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 1,500 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 28 percent say their RV had just one previous owner before they bought it
• 29 percent make a strong effort to limit their use of single-use plastics
• 82 percent never have to go to the chiropractor
Maine is the only U.S. state that borders just one other state. Think about it, it’s true!
*What did Hitler take 28 medications for regularly? Hint: It’s NOT what you’d expect… We told you yesterday.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Meet Maggie the Wonder Beagle.” —Richard Bauer
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.
Don’t scream, just fix the screen!
This roll of screen repair tape is just what you need to fix those torn or ripped screens in your home or RV. Don’t waste money on a new screen! Cut as much tape as you need, stick it over the torn patch and you’re good to go. Learn more or order here.
Leave here with a laugh
My wife asked me, “Why don’t you treat me like you did when we were first dating?” So I took her to dinner and a movie and then dropped her off at her parents’ house.
This newsletter is brought to you Monday through Friday by RVtravel.com and is funded primarily through voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you! IF YOU APPRECIATE THIS NEWSLETTER and others from RVtravel.com, will you please consider pledging your support? Learn more or contribute.
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Senior editor: Diane McGovern. Social media and special projects director: Jessica Sarvis. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
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.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
Ah, a nice, steaming cup o’ coffee… what better way to start your morning? Well, okay, some of you might not agree. Perhaps those of you that don’t enjoy coffee, for one reason or another, prefer to start your day with tea, or juice, or water or… wine? Hey, nobody is judging.
Do you start your day with a cup of coffee? If so, how do you take it? Milk? Cream? Hazelnut creamer? Cocoa? Sugar? Honey? Tell us in the comments below the poll.
We know these polls can sometimes take a few moments to load, and we appreciate your patience. While you’re waiting, take a look below the poll. We want to see your favorite coffee mug!
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE COFFEE MUG? SHOW US!
Everyone has a favorite coffee mug, don’t they? Many people collect them on their travels and have cupboards overflowing with mugs. Do you have a favorite? If so, please send us a photo and a description (How long have you had it? Where did you get it? What makes it so special?). Click here.
By Greg Illes I don’t think anyone will argue that the dumping of holding tanks is the worst of RV jobs. This skanky task makes equals of us all: Young or old, rich or poor, we have to get rid of our sewage by dumping the black tank now and then.
Most folks have an understandable aversion to any close association with 30 or more gallons of waste disposal. But there are good reasons to brave the experience and “do it right.”
One inexpensive method is to install a clear fitting in your drain hose. Yeah, that’s right — so you can actually look at all that nasty stuff as it disappears into some septic system. Why, oh why, on this beautiful green Earth, would you ever want to do something like that? Well, there really are some pretty good reasons.
Ask yourself these questions about how well you’d like your sewer system to be working. The answers might suggest some corrective action to take before your system becomes inoperative.
• Did the effluent come out easily, or was it thick and slow flowing? (not enough water used)
• Did the effluent come out in a rush, or in a slow trickle? (blocked plumbing or tank)
• Is there undissolved toilet paper flowing by? (wrong paper used)
• After flushing, did the water run clear or still have contamination? (inadequate flush)
Hook up a clear fitting in-line with your drain hose and you can (however reluctantly) watch the process when dumping your black tank and assess the final condition of your tanks. A fitting can be placed at the beginning or end of the hose, but it’s easier to monitor progress near the RV instead of at the dump station port. Also, if you have room to semi-permanently install the clear fitting at your primary drain outlet, you can even check if one of your dump valves has been leaking (or left open) before you remove the cap and end up with a big puddle at your feet.
Camco makes a nice selection of clear fittings that connect to standard bayonet attachments and they come in various lengths, both straight and angled. You can buy one of these from Amazon or an RV parts store for $15-$20.
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.
This newsletter is for intelligent, open-minded RVers. If you comment on an article, do it with respect for others. If not, you will be denied posting privileges.
Issue 1447
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.
Happy Thanksgiving Day to our friends in Canada! We’re thankful for you!
Today’s thought
“’What makes the desert beautiful,’ said the little prince, ‘is that somewhere it hides a well…’” ―Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Vermont Day! It’s also Columbus Day!
On this day in history: 1792 – In Washington, D.C., the cornerstone of the United States Executive Mansion (known as the White House since 1818) is laid.
Did you see the news?Click here to read the latest issue of the Sunday News for RVers.
Tip of the Day
An alternative to duct tape for quick repairs
By Russ and Tiña De Maris We know we may be stepping onto hallowed ground: RVers love their duct tape. It’s the greatest thing for on-the-fly repairs of all kinds. But we found something that you may want to add to your tape deck, if you’ll allow it. It’s called Waterproofing Repair Tape, made by Nashua, one of the big duct tape producers. The manufacturer claims this stuff is so good that it’ll stick to almost anything, and it’ll do it even underwater. Continue reading.
RV Electricity – This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session
Generator carbon monoxide reminder
As part of my series on staying safe in cold weather (you should remember last week’s article on electric space heater safety), it’s time to remind you all about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from running a generator inside of (or even near) your house or RV. Read these important safety reminders.
• Join Mike’s Facebook group, RVelectricity.
• Read more of Mike’s articles here.
Which heater is best: Forced air, ceramic or catalytic?
Greg Illes, veteran RV boondocker and DIYer, wrote this very thorough article breaking down the pros and cons of ceramic vs. catalytic vs. open-flame vs. forced-air RV heaters. Whew! Let us know in the comments under his post if you have anything to add. Learn all about heaters.
Reader poll
How difficult is it to pay your bills each month? Please tell us here, and remember, we have no way of knowing how you answer.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE COFFEE MUG? SHOW US!
Everyone has a favorite coffee mug, don’t they? Many people collect them on their travels and have cupboards overflowing with mugs. Do you have a favorite? If so, please send us a photo and a description (How long have you had it? Where did you get it? What makes it so special?). Click here.
Hang up the heavy stuff!
RV walls aren’t exactly designed for having screws or nails driven into them. Enter acrylic mounting tape. This is a clear, double-sided tape that is sturdy enough to hang heavy objects and can easily be removed without doing damage to the walls. Get some here.
Quick Tip
This might save your life…
“Add this item to your hiking emergency pack – a marine air horn. Small, light, cheap, easy to use – they are usually intended for small boat rescues and can be heard over water for miles. Over land, their effective range depends on terrain, of course, but the sound is distinctive, and they are way louder than you can yell. Beyond that, they double as a deterrent to scare away coyotes, bears, and so forth, and can also be used to re-unite hiking 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.” Thanks for the tip, Bill Jeffrey!
Website of the day
Go RVing Canada
We’re sure you know about Go RVing, but do you know they have a Canadian site for all your moose-viewing, maple-syrup slurping adventures? There’s a whole other world up there – go explore it! Well… when the borders reopen, that is. *sob*
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
You won’t “wine” about this!
Well, it’s official. We have a new RV accessory that we’re obsessed with. How cute are these?! This motorhome wine stopper (and this trailer one) belongs in every wine drinker’s RV! It would also make a cute stocking stuffer … hint hint.
Trivia
Hitler had a farting problem! In 2012 The Telegraph gained access to Adolf Hitler’s medical records. They found that flatulence had become such a problem for Hitler, that he took 28 drugs regularly to keep it under control!
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Meet Bentley. He’s our 6-year-old Chug (Chihuahua/Pug). He is my wife’s best buddy, and my hiking companion. He loves to travel, and is game to go wherever his short little legs can take him!” —Tom & Jean Hudson
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
Q. What is the most expensive video-streaming service these days?
A. College
This newsletter is brought to you Monday through Friday by RVtravel.com and is funded primarily through voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you! IF YOU APPRECIATE THIS NEWSLETTER and others from RVtravel.com, will you please consider pledging your support? Learn more or contribute.
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Senior editor: Diane McGovern. Social media and special projects director: Jessica Sarvis. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
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.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
Welcome to my J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session, a weekly column where I answer your basic electrical questions. If you’re a newbie who’s never plugged in a shore power cord (or ask – what’s a shore power cord?), or wonder why your daughter’s hair dryer keeps tripping the circuit breaker, this column is for you. Send your questions to Mike Sokol at mike (at) noshockzone.org with the subject line – JAM.
Dear Readers,
As part of my series on staying safe in cold weather (you should remember last week’s article on how to avoid electric space heater danger – Part 2 coming soon), it’s time to remind you all about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from running a generator inside of – or even near – your house or RV.
Recent CO deaths
This isn’t just for RV usage since there have been several more families who died from exhaust fumes during Hurricane Delta last week. Because there are hundreds of thousands of homes without electric power from the grid, you can hear portable generators running everywhere. But all generators carry a hidden danger that can’t be seen or felt. Yes, it’s carbon monoxide poisoning, or CO poisoning for short.
First things first
So, first of all, does everyone have an operational carbon monoxide alarm in their house and RV? Your RV should already have a DC-powered version of this. If not, then get thee to a big box store and buy one TODAY, or you can also find one on Amazon here.
Remember that not only can a generator create a fatal dose of CO, anything that burns fossil fuel can create this colorless, odorless gas that will lull you to sleep and kill you while you’re dreaming. So even an improperly vented home furnace or a portable propane heater can generate CO gas.
Generator placement
The first rule is NEVER place any kind of generator inside of an occupied structure – and that includes the porch or attached garage. All generators create carbon monoxide, and it takes surprisingly little time for it to build up.
Keep your distance
Also, a portable generator should be kept at least 10 feet away from any windows on your house or RV. And never place it UNDER your RV while running to keep it safe from thieves and the weather (which I have indeed seen more than once). While this may seem impractical in some situations, especially if you’re worried about someone stealing your expensive generator, then consider the possible tragic consequences of sucking in exhaust fumes via an unsealed window or vent on your RV while you and your family sleep.
Don’t let it walk away
One possible solution that I’ve seen to keep your generator from walking away is to secure it in the bed of the tow vehicle by chaining it in place. Or put it in front of your truck on the ground and chain it to the bumper. Those would seem to be good solutions to the stealing problem if you have a towable RV, plus it locates the generator far enough away from your RV to prevent CO infiltration.
Just remember, anything that burns a fuel of any sort can generate deadly carbon monoxide gas, even catalytic heaters on propane if something goes wrong. So a CO alarm is one of the best lifesaving investments you can make to protect yourself and your family.
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. His excellent bookRV Electrical Safety is available at Amazon.com. For more info on Mike’s qualifications as an electrical expert, click here. Join Mike’s popular and informative Facebook group.
And you don’t want to miss Mike’s webcasts on his YouTube channel.
For information on how to support RVelectricity and No~Shock~Zone articles, seminars and videos, please click the I Like Mike Campaign
COVID-19 has affected many people, and not just health-wise. Millions of people have lost their jobs, and millions of American’s are scrambling to get by. Perhaps you’re one of these people. We hope you aren’t.
If you aren’t struggling right now, would you consider donating some money or food to a local food bank? It’s a nice thing to do, especially this time of year when the weather is cooling, the holidays are approaching, and so many need so much.
Each month, how difficult is it to pay your bills? Remember, when you vote, we have no way of knowing your answer. Thanks for sharing your answer with us.
By Russ and Tiña De Maris We know we may be stepping onto hallowed ground: RVers love their duct tape. It’s the greatest thing for on-the-fly repairs of all kinds. But we found something that you may want to add to your tape deck, if you’ll allow it. It’s called Waterproofing Repair Tape, made by Nashua, one of the big duct tape producers.
The manufacturer claims this stuff is so good that it’ll stick to almost anything, and it’ll do it even underwater. Well, we haven’t tried the underwater claim yet, but it is pretty sticky, and it is certainly durable. It goes beyond duct tape in that its outside cover isn’t the venerable gray stuff, but rather silvery metallic, reminiscent of “silver tape” used on fiberglass ducts. There’s a backing strip to protect the “business end” of the matter, a butyl sealing adhesive.
We found our “visiting” travel trailer was oozing a bit of a leak through a sidewall. The weather was typically Northwest winter: cold, miserable rain, compounded with high winds. No time (or tools) to remove the suspect water heater or the alternative villain, a kaput marker light. Instead, we removed the marker light, tucked the connecting wires back in the sidewall, and cut off a chunk of the Nashua stuff. After rubbing it down well, we’ll let it sit out until the weather clears and we can do a “real” repair.
To work around the suspected dried-out putty tape around the heater, we cut appropriate lengths of repair tape, pulled the backing off, and wrapped a shield around the outer edges of the water heater. Here someone had apparently used a silicone-containing caulk, which admittedly made the tape have a much harder time sticking. We did a double row of repair tape here, and we’ll see how it all holds up.
While the repair areas were wet, we decided to take no chances and cautiously wiped the areas down with a dry rag to clear dirt and excess moisture. Time will tell, but we suspect the outer shell of this tape will hold up much better than plain old duct tape.
One area we found the new tape wouldn’t stick – up on the metal roof, around a roof vent. Too much moss, perhaps, but the tape just wouldn’t cut it. We opted for a special sealant to chase away the rain.
You’ll find Nashua Waterproofing Repair Tape at most of the big box hardware stores in the duct tape row or, of course, on Amazon.com. There are lots of other brands of waterproofing repair tape available, but Nashua is what we have used.
Learn about RV camping, RV travel, RV news and much more. This newsletter, now in its 19th year of continuous publication, is funded primarily through advertising and voluntary subscription contributions from our readers, plus the generous financial support of SoftStartRV, an inexpensive device every RV with an air conditioner should have.
If you shop at Amazon, please visit through our affiliate site (we get a little commission that way – and you don’t pay any extra). Thank you!
Sunday, October 11, 2020 Non-Members (advertising-supported) edition
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What’s ahead for RVing? A glut of cheap used units next year?
Our contributing writer and industry insider Tony Barthel looks into his crystal ball to try to determine where the RV industry is headed, and where RVers are headed, too. Will the present sales boom continue? When the pandemic gets under control will many RVers unload their rigs to travel the way they did before? Here’s what Tony thinks.
RVers are voting early!
In yesterday’s poll we asked readers if they had already voted in the upcoming election. Frankly, we didn’t expect many had. But, wow! Were we ever surprised! See the results and if you didn’t vote yesterday in our poll, please do so today.
Trucks with no drivers coming soon to a road near you?
The massive trucks likely won’t pass you on the freeway. But don’t be surprised when two new driverless vehicles soon appear on the horizon. Sweden-based Einride recently released renderings of an autonomous truck it hopes to have on the roads as early as 2021. The futuristic vehicle is called the Autonomous Electric Transport. It will be available in four variants – all with the same aerodynamic silhouette. Read more.
That was the RV week that was
October 4–10, 2020
More warnings from the RV park industry: If you’re planning on getting a spot for a winter getaway, you’d better get it now. The Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO) reports many of its member RV parks are reporting much higher than normal “first time” user reservations. “Many of these folks are planning to continue their travels well into fall and winter because they have realized how easy it is to work remotely from their RV. This is creating more demand for RV sites than we typically see at this time of year,” says a news release. Perhaps the “missing” Canadian snowbirds won’t be missed as much as was first thought.
yourcentralvalley.com
An RVing couple got an early and abrupt end of their vacation in Clovis, California, last Wednesday. Cruising down Highway 168, their “combo” started to jackknife out of control. It ended with the “back end” rolling over. What didn’t help was that the pickup was pulling a good-sized travel trailer – which in turn was pulling a utility trailer occupied by an ATV. Yes, we said “travel trailer,” not fifth-wheel. The set of doubles coming to grief tied up traffic for a while but, happily, no injuries.
Back in June there may have been grumbling when visitors to California’s Yosemite National Park learned they needed a “day pass” to get into the park. A day pass? With coronavirus “in the air” and crowds wanting to get away from pressure by visiting nature, park officials felt it important to limit the number of visitors in the park at any given time. Initially only 1,700 passes were issued per day but, later, the limit was changed to allow 3,600 per day. Those wanting a pass had to register to get one in advance. The Park Service now reports it will end the day pass requirement November 1. Until then, you’ll need to register online and pay $33 for a day pass, valid for seven consecutive days. Folks holding annual or lifetime admission passes still need a day pass until November 1, but the fee for them is $2.
Quick! Name the world’s biggest oil company! Did you say Exxon? Well, you would have been right, but the new top on the pyramid is Chevron, which beat out Exxon in terms of market value. The figures from October 7 stock trading show Chevron’s market capitalization at $142 billion, edging out Exxon’s $141.6 billion. And if your memory goes back far enough, you may recall that the “loser” in this race started up as Standard Oil. But that was over 100 years ago, so you might be forgiven not being there at the time.
cheknews.ca
They may be bundled up in long-sleeve wool shirts, but it’s warmer here than “back home.” That’s the message coming out of RV parks in British Columbia, as snowbirds who’d normally be populating California, Arizona, and Texas are taking up winter residence in the western-most Canadian province. With COVID-19 keeping the land-border to the U.S. closed down, the chill of winter on the Canadian prairies has sent many to Vancouver Island, where RV parks report “full up” or nearly so – this in early October. Living Forest Oceanside Campground reports it has never in its history had so many calls – and never a wait-list for winter camping. Very few of its 330 sites are left to be had. Judging from the looks of things, by the time you read this, they too could be gone.
Don’t buy a portable generator Use your car’s engine instead. Save money. Save hassle. Learn more at cargenerator.com.
When Colorado’s Cameron Peak Fire roared through the Roosevelt National Forest, folks wondered just how badly campgrounds were hit. The fire is still burning, but preliminary overviews show less damage than might have been expected. The fire has been burning since August 13, and earlier this week had chewed more than 128,000 acres. An assessment team accessed six campgrounds a few weeks ago and reports that at the Jack’s Gulch Campground most infrastructures were either wiped out or seriously damaged. Aspen Glen, Big South, Chambers Lake, and Sleeping Elephant campgrounds suffered little or no damage, although landscape just outside some of the campgrounds was seriously singed.
September and October are months marking the start of the Desert Southwest snowbird season.
If you’re headed to Arizona, watch out! September and October mark a an unusual sort of migration: It’s tarantula mating season, and lovesick male tarantulas may be found crossing the roads seeking romance. Guy tarantulas may travel up to 50 miles in this pursuit, while females are smart: They just hang around and wait for a suitable suitor to appear. Pity the ones that don’t meet the qualifications: Female tarantulas are known to slaughter and eat unsuccessful candidates. They may exhibit the same behavior after a tryst as well.
Medford, Oregon neighborhood wiped out. Photo: Damon Arthur, Record Searchlight, via statesmanjournal.com
Bend, Oregon, has relaxed its ordinance to allow folks to live in RVs. Wildfires have left untold numbers of folks homeless, and the Bend City Council took action to stop enforcement of city codes which prevent living in an RV on private property. Bend councilors looked to nearby neighbors from Talent and Phoenix devastated by the recent infernos. Bend joins Medford and Talent in the move. However, it is only a temporary measure. Come September 10 next year, unless extended, RV living will again be verboten in Bend.
Ben Lonergan with eastoregonian.com
In Hermiston, Oregon, RVers can find out how power is made for the shade. A new outfit, Panelview RV Park, offers shade canopies to park under. Up top of the canopies? Solar panels. The park’s solar array will pump out 226,357 kilowatt hours of juice per year, helping to reduce the RV park’s energy costs by nearly $20,000 a year. Panelview claims it will be the first RV park of its kind.
Vehicles of the Imagination
From the mind of Steven M. Johnson
Copyright 2020 by Steven Johnson
The Woodsman: This trailer is often viewed as a perfect example of American excess. Critics wonder why one would need such a large trailer.
When families “shop” for an RV park, they often weigh factors like swimming pools and playgrounds. Enter coronavirus. Now a San Diego, California, RV park, Campland on the Bay, is offering a new kind of family amenity: an open-air study hall. Throughout the school year, students can study in the shade with Wi-Fi to keep connected. No study hall teacher is provided; parents must supervise their offspring. In addition to ”headphones are required,” so too are appropriate face masks and social distancing.
Missouri Department of Conservation on Facebook.com
Will 2020 go down in the record books for the weirdest year of the century? From coronavirus to politics, wildfires and whatever next, here’s the whatever next: Missouri officials have found a spider web “big enough to catch humans.” The web was found “out on a trail near Springfield,” by a Department of Conservation employee. Was it some sort of freak, DNA-modified spider that manufactured the frightening trap? Nah, just a common orb-weaver spider, who, at a 1/2-inch body diameter, is still something to behold, and isn’t interested in anything but bugs for a meal. Interestingly, the orb-weaver generally spins out a web in time for nighttime catches, then eats the web (with fresh dew drops) the next morning. (BTW – The web in the picture is “bigger than a dinner plate.”) Here’s a link to the original post.
With RV dealers finding their “cupboards bare” with the sudden surge in RV sales, pity the Jacksonville, Florida, dealer. Fire broke out at the Travelcamp dealership on Blanding Boulevard on October 3. By the time firefighters arrived, at least three new rigs were shooting smoke and flames high into the air. Happily, no reports of injuries, although the video shows a hot time in the old town.
Free Guide to 2021 RVs
We told you about this great deal a few weeks ago, but in case you missed seeing it here’s a very valuable resource for RV buyers, the 2021 RV Model Year Guide. If you’re in the market for a new RV or simply curious about the latest developments in recreational vehicles then this will provide good reading. The fact that it’s free, with no strings attached, makes it an especially outstanding (and rare) offer. Click here to learn more and begin reading.
How can you legally discourage RV parks from being built near your downtown or beachfront areas? Amend the local zoning ordinance that requires parks to be built on a minimum of one-and-a-half acres to a new minimum of 10. That’s the clever approach the Rogers City, Michigan, city council may soon take. The local mayor doesn’t like the idea of RVs “Driving very much downtown, or blocking the view of the lake. Closer to the highway would be better,” reports The Alpena News. Since there aren’t any tracts of 10 acres near downtown or near the lake, problem solved. City councilors say they look forward to having a park development put in, eyeballing the revenues the city could see. Just don’t bring the money to downtown or by the lake.
Techjess on wikimedia commons
“The pen is mightier than the sword,” wrote Edward Bulwer-Lytton. We might add: “So, too, is the bean bag.” Proof comes from Pocatello, Idaho, where last week police were called to a disturbance near Alameda Park. Locals said a man with a sword was blocking the street. When officers turned up, the man dropped his sword and beat a hasty retreat to his motorhome, parked nearby. Minutes later, after a bit of negotiation, the man popped out of the RV – armed with yet another sword. Negotiations were apparently futile – the man was combative. An officer nailed the sword-wielder with a beanbag gun, taking the fight out of him long enough to subdue and arrest him.
Keep your RV locks working smoothly
Twice a year insert graphite spray into the small tubing into your locks. This should keep them problem-free. Hey, you really don’t want to get locked out of your RV in the middle of nowhere, do you? Learn more and order a highly rated product for less than $9.
Another independent RV dealership has been swallowed up. This time it’s happened at Ground Zero of the RV industry. Total Value RV, located in Elkhart, Indiana, has been “acquired” by Lazydays Holdings, Inc. The latter says its newest acquisition is “the number one motorhome dealer in Indiana.” The company will rename the dealership, Lazydays RV of Elkhart. It makes for the ninth Lazydays in the country, with locations in Indiana, Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Minnesota, and Tennessee.
City councilors in Longmont, Colorado, are struggling to deal with “sleeper vehicles,” RVs, slept in overnight on city streets and rights-of-way. This week the council will hold a “study session” to consider an outright ban on the practice. Under current local law, people can sleep in RVs in the city, provided they move their rigs at least 600 feet every 48 hours. Facing a homeless population, city officials had kicked around the idea of using a county-owned lot for safe overnight parking for those needing it, but quickly learned the county had other uses for the lot. Part of the consideration: “sleeper vehicle permits” issued for short-term use, largely to residents entertaining out-of-town guests.
It doesn’t sound too promising for a proposed RV park in New Braunfels, Texas. The local planning commission is unanimously recommending the city council deny a special use permit for the park on Farm-to-Market Road 306. Neighbors brought up the usual concerns: noise, blight, traffic, environmental, and historical impacts. Unless the proponent pulls its application, the full city council will take the matter up on October 26.
Quit struggling with hose and cable hookups at the campsite
Are you tired of struggling to hook up your coax cables, water hoses and other connections when you arrive at your campsite? It’s a snap with Cable and Hose Grips from J Wright Concepts. Save time and frustration! Life is too short to hassle with the little stuff! Learn more or order.
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS STOLEN RV?
Ryan Beaudoin is heartsick. His dad, a Bronze Star-holding Vietnam veteran, has worked hard for 40 years and finally reached retirement. Looking forward to travel, Ryan’s dad bought a brand-new 2020 Cougar Half-Ton Series travel trailer – and hadn’t even got it licensed. In the dark of the night of September 24, crooks ripped off the trailer from a lot at Southeast Stark and 200th in Portland, Oregon. The “new” trailer image in the composite is a stock photo; the other pictures are from security cams that caught the lousy crooks. Click the image to enlarge it. If you recognize them or know anything about this, Ryan wants you to contact him. Phone 971-seven-one-two-3371.
Need mail forwarding? Americas Mailbox is the best. There are many plans available. Learn more.
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.
Truck wars: Ford F-150 Raptor vs. Ram 1500 TRX
As competitive as the truck segment has become, it’s about to get more intense. Ford has announced it’s bringing back the one missing truck from its vast lineup: the 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor with a V8 engine. The announcement comes after the recent news of the pending 2021 Ram 1500 TRX. First introduced as a concept vehicle in 2016, it will be equipped with a supercharged 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 with 702 horsepower. Learn more.
2021 Honda Ridgeline
2021 Honda Ridgeline gets rugged new good looks
Renowned for its unibody design and unique appearance, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline will debut early next year with a pronounced redesign. It will showcase the pickup truck’s road and off-road versatility. All 2021 Honda Ridgeline trims will include a 3.5-liter, direct-injected V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Continue reading.
Rare Jeep Honcho pickup truck was once the boss
Jeep doesn’t make a lot of pickup trucks. But for seven years beginning in 1976, the Honcho trim was offered. … It’s not the most coveted vintage truck, but it’s now often considered the rarest pickup truck ever made in the United States. Despite their scarcity, original Jeep Honchos are available on well-established vintage vehicle websites. Read more.
New to RVing or know someone who is? Sign up for our Beginner’s Guide to RVing Newsletter. Reader Robert McG says, “Wow, really enjoy the crisp format and valuable information, thank you!” Sign up here.
Reader poll
Have you already made at least one campground reservation for next summer?
What do the following words have in common?
Assess, Banana, Dresser, Grammar, Potato, Revive, Uneven, Voodoo
(Answer below.)
A fun way to solve problems with your RV!
This amazing Digital Inspection Endoscope makes discovering problems with your RV fun! This small two-camera endoscope with a viewing monitor allows you to see into tight, small, dark spaces to locate where problems might occur. Have mice? See where they’re coming in. Have a wire that has come loose? Peek at it and see where it needs to be tightened. Have a water leak? Find the source! Read more about this amazing device here. Every RVer needs one!
News briefs
Camping World Holdings, Inc. has entered into a licensing agreement with kathy ireland® Recreation & Adventure to launch a new line of RV furniture. The products will be available exclusively at Camping World and Gander RV & Outdoors retail locations and online beginning in December.
The All Inclusive Motorhome Club (AIM) was launched in March 2018 by a group of Class A motorhome owners. AIM is open to any owner of a Class A, B or C motorhome and currently includes 2,500 members – up from 1,500 this past March on its two-year anniversary. Cost of membership is $35 per year. Anyone with a motor in their RV is welcome to join.
For the first time, the Lake County, Illinois, Fairgrounds in Grayslake will be available to store boats and RVs over the winter as a way for the nonprofit that runs the site to generate revenue during the pandemic. The facility is normally busy with flea markets, antique shows, craft shows, auto parts swap meet and an annual Oktoberfest celebration which have been cancelled.
Joseph William Lawrence, 47, died in a fire in his RV on Sept. 29 in the Walmart parking lot in Morgantown, North Carolina. Investigators determined the cause of the fire was accidental and stemmed from gasoline vapors from an open gas canister in the RV igniting by an open flame.
Canadian snowbirds who can’t venture south of the border because of the pandemic are flocking to Vancouver Island to spend the winter months. RV parks there are booked up with waiting lists.
A 3-year-old suffered second-degree burns after falling into scalding hot water at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Friday. The child “took off running from the trail” before slipping and falling into a small thermal feature. He was flown to the Burn Center at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center with burns to the lower body and back.
Forest River has announced it plans to expand two of its 10 facilities in Indiana and add up to 369 new jobs over the next two years. The company currently employs about 9,500 people across the state.
Camping World has partnered with the world’s largest motorsports sanctioning body as the sponsor of the National Hot Rod Association’s premier professional series, which will be known as the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series. The sponsorship begins immediately.
Roger Marble (tire expert and pretty smart guy) passed along this important information about COVID-19: “We hear a lot about masks but maybe not enough about why washing hands is important. SARS-COVID-19 can survive up to 9 hours on human skin while the Influenza virus only lasts 1 to 2 hours. But BOTH are dead in 15 seconds if the skin is sanitized with 80% Ethanol.” This information is based on a study published on October 3, 2020, in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. Read a compelling article about this at livescience.com here, then go wash/sanitize your hands.
Great source of information: the RV Advice Group on Facebook. Moderated by the editors of RVtravel.com
You really do wonder…
This photo was posted on our Facebook Group RV Crashes and Disasters. You have to wonder what someone is thinking when they try something like this. Stupid happens, doesn’t it?
Campground chatter
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 Chatter” here.
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.
Latest fuel prices
Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of October 5, 2020: Regular unleaded gasoline: $2.17 [Calif.: $3.06]
Change from week before: No change; Change from year before: Down 47 cents. Diesel: $2.39 [Calif.: $3.25]
Change from week before: Down 1 cent; Change from year before: Down 66 cents.
Upcoming RV shows
Most if not all RV shows for the remainder of the year are cancelled. We will restart our show directory feature as shows begin again. In the meantime, most of the shows scheduled for 2021 (earliest beginning Dec. 31, 2020, in South Carolina) are still on as of October 1, 2020. See the schedule here.
Free and bargain camping
From OvernightRVparking.com
Click here to view this week’s free and bargain camping spots.
This space-saving drying rack is a must-have
We feel silly about how excited we are over this retractable drying rack but it’s soooo handy for the RV! This wall-mounted laundry rack can hold up to 27 lbs. of clothes (and comes in two sizes) and folds flat up against the wall when you’re not using it. You’ll definitely want to learn more about this space-saving rack here.
Brain teaser answer:
If you take the first letter and move it to the rear of the word, you get the same word when read backwards.
Sunday funny
Click to enlarge.
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Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury.Managing editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editors: Emily Woodbury, Russ and Tiña De Maris.
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Are you planning ahead as far as next summer by already making at least one campground or RV park reservation? We’re hearing stories about huge numbers of new RVers coming on the scene, with warnings that they may pack campgrounds in the year ahead.
Are you concerned enough about securing a place to stay with your RV that you are planning into next year’s busy season? Curious minds want to know. Please feel free to leave a comment.
Did you see the results of last Sunday’s poll, where we asked: “Would you pay an additional $10 a night for an extra-wide RV site?” The results were very interesting.
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Don’t scream, just fix the screen!
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE COFFEE MUG? SHOW US!
You won’t “wine” about this!
What’s ahead for RVing? A glut of cheap used units next year?
The massive trucks likely won’t pass you on the freeway. But don’t be surprised when two new driverless vehicles soon appear on the horizon. Sweden-based Einride recently released renderings of an autonomous truck it hopes to have on the roads as early as 2021. The futuristic vehicle is called the Autonomous Electric Transport. It will be available in four variants – all with the same aerodynamic silhouette. 
That was the RV week that was
This photo was posted on our Facebook Group 
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