By Tony Barthel CONTRIBUTING WRITER What is the future of RVing? A year ago the RV industry was predicting a significant slowdown and was gearing up to gear down and build fewer units. Then a pandemic hit. Then everybody realized that the safest way to go on vacation was to do it in an RV.
“I do believe that, about mid-2021, there will be a glut of used RVs on the market and that those who can wait may be rewarded with some pretty respectable deals.”
The RV industry is bending over backwards to do everything it can to fulfill the incredible number of orders they have for anything that moves. In virtually every category the manufacturers are burning the midnight oil to get anything out the door of the factory and into the hands of consumers.
At the same time, the pandemic has created disruptions in supply chains and manufacturing issues across the globe. Sure, your American RV manufacturer is cranking away but there is a sea of nearly completed models in a lot somewhere awaiting a few parts to make those units whole. This, combined with just finding enough shippers, and your local dealership might look more like an empty parking lot.
Lastly, dealers are often selling units which were ordered sight-unseen, so the moment a unit shows up at a dealership it’s back out into the hands of a customer.
So what’s the future of the RV industry?
I think the first half of 2021 is going to remain strong for the RV industry. This is still the best way to see the USA. I do believe parts shortages will start to work themselves out as production ramps up overseas and here as well.
But, at some point, you’re going to see a dramatic shift.
Right now people are buying RVs simply because their choices in vacation options are limited. I personally can’t imagine being cooped up with thousands of my fellow passengers in a cruise ship, nor sailing through the air breathing recycled coughs and sneezes as I go to a hotel after watching all those exposé shows demonstrating what you see when the black lights are on. Eww.
But what about all those people who are buying an RV today who just won’t like the experience? I truly feel that RVing is the best way to see this country – but that’s my opinion and not all Americans share that. There will be a good number of people who buy an RV now to take their family places and just hate the whole experience. Towing a trailer or driving a big motorhome or even dumping tanks and dealing with bugs and forest creatures makes me happy – but that’s not true for all people. Okay, maybe not the tank-dumping part.
Once things get back to whatever normal is, many of those RVs are going to hit the market so that the owners can go on a vacation that better suits their own style.
Unfortunately, with so many people adopting this form of seeing this beautiful country, a lot of them haven’t learned the etiquette and some have been truly misbehaving in campgrounds and shared lands. This leaves a strong distaste with a lot of people for the RV lifestyle who have witnessed this bad behavior and would rather vacation where it doesn’t exist.
Others will have to sell their RVs just because of economic realities. Let’s face it: We’re still waiting to see how this all shakes out, and I am not as optimistic as some that all small businesses in particular will ride this thing out. I have a lot of friends in the entertainment, food and event industries and they are not optimistic about the outcome for small business in the U.S.
Huge numbers of inexpensive RVs are being sold these days. We’ll these buyers stick with RVing in the long run?
Also, with so many people having bought RVs sight-unseen, a third wave of folks likely bought the wrong RV and will want to trade in/up/down.
I do believe that, about mid-2021, there will be a glut of used RVs on the market and that those who can wait may be rewarded with some pretty respectable deals. For those who have learned how great this lifestyle is, they may be able to trade up/down and find plenty of choices in barely used RVs, along with a nice number of choices in new rigs as manufacturers catch up on inventory and parts.
However, I also am of the opinion that manufacturers will have caught up with demand and changes in the economy, and that will then combine with significantly reduced demand for new rigs. I’m not so sure now is the time to invest in RV manufacturer stock. Are you reading this, Warren Buffett?
Will places to camp get too crowded?
What about availability of sites?
Anybody who has tried to reserve a campground knows that campgrounds are full. Campground owners are not only reporting record numbers of reservations, but are also saying that reservations aren’t slowing down as much as they typically would at this time of year.
The kids may not be returning to the school itself, so Mom and Dad and some form of Internet connection are hitting the road. It’s better to see Mount Rushmore in person than to read about it in a book, after all.
But mobile Internet is still relatively spotty and campgrounds are packed. This is particularly true west of the Mississippi, where things are more built out. Anyone who’s tried to reserve a camp spot has probably figured out that everybody else is doing the same thing.
The relief that may help here are alternatives to traditional campgrounds. For example, residents or businesses that want to capitalize on a bit of land “out back” may start to see RVers as a solution to a number of problems. Recently I spoke with a railroad museum that just created several RV spots and asked me how to advertise those.
They did this for the same reason other businesses I have talked to have done this. It’s additional revenue at a time when traditional travel is down and lots and lots of RVers are looking for interesting places to stay. I’ve also spoken with a few homeowners who are considering allowing mid-term RV stays, and services such as Boondockers Welcome have expanded their technology to allow for some payment for infrastructure such as electricity and water.
Furthermore, additional resources for alternative campgrounds such as Harvest Hosts, Boondockers Welcome, BLM lands and other choices will open up some doors left closed by campgrounds that have seen capacity-level guest counts even outside the normal RVing season.
RVers will need to be creative in their space-hunting skills, but I also see these alternative campsites being more receptive to modern reservation technologies than traditional campgrounds, many of whom frustratingly still rely on their answering machines instead of a digital reservations system. And, if vacationing is all about the experience, these may be different but exceptional alternatives and still offer a positive experience.
Lastly, I also see a number of people who have been forced into alternative work and educational lifestyles who are probably going to remain in that space. I think that traveling while working and also educating one’s children on the road opens up doors that might not have been available in the past.
With companies and schools realizing the potential of distance learning and working, I am predicting that RV companies will start to incorporate this more and more into designs. The biggest challenge for these people will remain the spotty Internet coverage, but with Starlink and the other pending technologies this challenge could go the way of cruise ships and group tours.
The bottom line
If I’ve polished up my crystal ball properly, I see that used RVs are going to be plentiful within the next year. New RVs will be, too, but demand for those will be way down. Campgrounds will remain very full, but I see alternatives to the rescue and more people will be calling in via those Zoom meetings from wherever they park their RV and find that some form of mobile Internet is just enough for them to get in on the call.
Tony Barthel is a former RV industry insider having handled sales and warranties at an RV dealership. He now publishes the StressLess Camping podcast and website with his wife, Peggy. He also works directly with campgrounds on their digital presence.
By James Raia 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 Ram 1500 TRX will have a new competitor, the more powerful Ford 150 Raptor.
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.
Ford F-150 Raptor: Power galore
Ford’s decision to reintroduce the more powerful Raptor will please truck enthusiasts who appreciate the highest end of high performance.
According to early reports among industry analysts, the new Raptor will feature a supercharged V8 from the Shelby GT500. Ford hasn’t announced specifics, but the Raptor will produce between 725 and 750 horsepower and will feature a coil-spring rear suspension, a first for the Ford F-150.
The 2022 Ford F-150 Raptor is still under wraps.
The current Raptor is powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 with 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque.
Ford’s announcement comes just after the manufacturer announced its new Ford F-150 EV.
The Ram 1500 TRX is scheduled to enter production later this year. Besides its powerful engine, the new truck will include a wider track, a prominent hood scope and flared fenders.
The power-infused Ford Raptor is expected to be unveiled in the spring of 2021. Consumer sales are predicted toward the end of the year.
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.
Free and inexpensive places to stay with your RV in the U.S. and Canada!
Updated weekly
When it comes to free places to stay a night in an RV, Walmart is the best bet. We estimate that about 60 percent of all its stores in the USA allow stays in self-contained RVs.
Other businesses that allow free overnight stays include Flying J Travel Centers, Cabela’s, Cracker Barrel restaurants (official policy is overnight stays are NOT permitted although most stores allow the practice), Costco and Kmart. Many RVers routinely stay in shopping center or factory outlet parking lots. Many casinos allow or even encourage overnight stays in RVs.
Recent reports of free and inexpensive places to stay with an RV:
From OvernightRVParking.com
Sam’s Club #6509, Rome, GA FREE! Overnight parking is allowed. Permission from the store required by telephone at least 24 hours before arrival. Unless directed otherwise, park in the far NW corner of the lot, without obstructing traffic lanes. Level with drainage slopes, well-lit, and quiet. Walmart adjacent and at least 8 – 10 restaurants along Shorter Ave (SR 30), which runs behind the store. Click for details.
Casey’s General Store, Higginsville, MO FREE! Overnight parking is allowed, but permission from staff on duty required. Park along the edge of the gravel roadway behind the store; don’t block traffic lane or obstruct movement by other vehicles. Click for details.
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.
Two excellent guides to free campgrounds
Roundabout Publications has teamed up with the Ultimate Public Campground Project on these two new guides. Discover thousands of designated camping areas in the West and in America’s Heartland – real places – not big box store parking lots. Included are areas managed by various governmental agencies. Learn more about the West edition or Heartland edition.
From Facebook user Rene Malak on our Free Campgrounds Facebook group, “36 miles outside of Seattle, Tulalip Casino will allow you couple of nights free of camping.”
On our Facebook group, Outstanding but affordable RV parks, Gary Gilmore left this comment: “Hill & Hollow Campground in Pentwater, MI. ‘Quiet Season’ (before Memorial Day/after Labor Day), full hookup sites (30/50a, water, sewer, basic wifi) only $30/night. We’re in a 36′ Class A Winnebago. Almost all sites level or close to it.”
See last week’s free (or almost free) locations here.
Resources • Walmart Directory: Best printed directory of Walmart locations • Overnight RV Parking: More than 14,000 location listings. Inexpensive membership required.
• Harvest Hosts: Members can stay free overnight at farms & wineries.
The latest news about camping and developments in North American campgrounds and RV parks from Janet Groene.
DISCLAIMER: This blog covers timely news for RV travelers. Information is believed current at press time but conditions can change quickly. Check ahead by phone directly with the campground. Don’t rely on websites or Facebook. Full facilities and activities may not be open. Get specifics about rates, campground facilities, reservation policies, campsite specifications and the condition of access roads. No endorsement of any campground or product is implied by this reporter nor this website.
FULL ALERT: Schedules of openings, partial openings, re-closings and cancellations are still in flux not just because of COVID-19 but because of wildfires, floods, road maintenance and other factors. Almost all parks require COVID-19 measures, which vary. Check ahead.
DATELINE:October 10, 2020
ARIZONA WELCOMES VINTAGE TRAILERS
Dry camp in your vintage trailer for only $10 a night at the Sara Park Rodeo Grounds in Lake Havasu City for a rally November 5-8. Showers and restrooms are available. Campers who have vintage trailers meet during the weekend for chili and cornbread, a swap meet, hiking, a potluck and morning coffee. Get details at (360) 708-7495 or email jra@cnw.com
FLORIDA CLASSIC CAR SHOW INVITES RVs
The Field of Dreams Classic Car Show in Brooksville, to be held November 21 and 22, will have RV camping with hookups plus DJ music, food vendors, arts and crafts, expert pinstriping and air brushing and a swap meet. Spectators pay $5 to see the show. Proceeds benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children. (813) 956-3503.
FLORIDA STATE PARK HAS STAR QUALITY
They claim it’s the best star gazing in Southwest Florida. On November 12 join expert astronomers from the Everglades Astronomical Society at Collier-Seminole State Park, Naples, for a night of heavenly sights using your own or the Society’s telescopes. Bring your chairs to the boat basin at the salt marsh. The interpretive presentation begins 30 minutes after dusk followed by viewing with telescopes. View constellations, stars, galaxies, planets and nebulae. The event is weather permitting and subject to cancellation. Call on event day for updates at (239) 394-3397. Flashlights with red covers only. No dogs allowed. Campsites have electricity, water, a grill and picnic table. The restrooms have hot showers and there are laundry facilities and a dump station.
MINNESOTA’S NEWEST CAMPGROUND
In Soudan the first new state park in decades is getting good reviews in this third year since opening. Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park has 33 campsites. Bicycle, boat, fish, hike. The park has electric hookups, dump station, free Wi-Fi, flush toilets, and hot showers. Drinking water is available. Underground mine tours are suspended for now. (218) 300-7000. Click here for info.
MISSISSIPPI MSU GAMES ISSUE NEW RULES
RV camping is available again for this year’s MSU football season at the MS Horse Park on the MSU campus, Starkville. The MSU-Vanderbilt game is November 7. The plug-in fee for water and electric is $150 for the weekend (Thursday, 8 p.m., through Sunday, 2 p.m.). Shuttles are no longer provided. Dry camping is $80 for the weekend and generators are allowed. Wi-Fi is free. Reservations must be made well in advance using a credit card at mshorsepark.com. No reservations are made by phone but call (662) 325-9353 with questions.
NEVADA STATE PARK CONTINUES TO GROW
Walker River State Recreation Area, Yerington, Nevada’s newest state park, includes several large ranch properties that have been largely closed to public access for over 100 years. Today, they afford a unique state park experience at Pitchfork Ranch, Rafter 7 Ranch, Flying M Ranch and the Nine Mile Ranch. The Flying M Ranch is currently under a life estate agreement and is not planned for development at this time. Park units will open to the public as development and infrastructure are completed. Currently, the Elbow section of the Nine Mile Ranch is open for exploration. The Riverbend campground has 16 RV sites with no hookups but there is a dump station. RV sites with power and water hookups are available at the Quail Run Campground. The Bighorn Campground has campsites that include a table and fire ring. Sites cannot be reserved and there are no hookups. Restroom facilities are available. (775) 463-1609
OREGON CASINO RV PARK SCHEDULES ENTERTAINERS
There is plenty to smile about at the Mill Casino Hotel & RV Park, North Bend, where an exciting menu of shows and entertainments goes on all year. On November 6, Chris Simpson and Chase Mayer do comedy, and throughout the year you can see top stars of comedy, music and more. The RV park has pull-through and back-in campsites, all with full hookups including cable, and some with views of Coos Bay. Super sites can accommodate the largest RVs. Check schedules of upcoming events and make reservations at (800) 953-4800.
TEXAS PARK NOW IN PRIVATE HANDS
Oakdale Park, the historic family park including “The Plunge” pool, convention center and campground in Glen Rose, is now under private ownership. At present there are 120 campsites. An official grand opening is planned for May 1 next year. (254) 897-2321
TEXAS RV PARK SAYS ALOHA
Hawaiian-born ukulele artist Kainoa Kamaka appears in concert on December 17 at the Casa Del Sol Mobile Home and RV Resort in Donna. The 55+ resort, popular with winter Texans, has 200 full-hookup sites and a long menu of fun features including a rec hall, two Jacuzzis, card room, indoor/outdoor pool, shuffleboard, pickleball, dog park, craft room, billiards room, fitness center, library and kitchen. Group activities are held often. (956) 464-2272.
Stay Tuned
• In Ontario, Canada, Minaki on the River in the Kenora District announced it’s adding 198 seasonal RV sites to the former lodge property. The development will include a restaurant in addition to the eight existing cabins. The golf course will go. The original lodge burned in 2003. (According to the website, it appears the sites are for sale.) Get updates at minaki.com.
• Flamingo Lake RV Resort in Jacksonville, Florida, is now a Sun Communities resort. The property features a 17-acre lake, RV sites, a clubhouse and fitness center, food store, pool, pavilion and playground. (904) 766-0672
Read more of Janet Groene’s Campground Chatter news and updates here.
By James Raia 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. All-wheel drive is standard on RTL-E and Black Editions. It’s optional on Sport and RTL trims.
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline has a bold new exterior appearance.
The Ridgeline will continue to feature an extra-wide stance on an extra-wide standard bed. It’s the only truck that can flat-carry four-foot-wide items between its wheel wells.
With its unibody construction and independent rear suspension, the Ridgeline also comes standard with a washable, lockable in-bed trunk. It offers an additional 7.3 cu.-ft. of secure storage space under the bed floor.
2021 Honda Ridgeline: Bold new exterior
The 2021 Ridgeline also features a new sheet metal front with roof pillars forward. Design changes further include a hood sporting a pronounced power bulge and front fenders that emphasize the squared-off nose.
A more upright grille flanked by LED headlights updated for better illumination, and a new bumper are among front exterior improvements. A reshaped rear bumper and new twin exhausts add further changes.
New aggressive sidewall and shoulder designs will give the Ridgeline a broader, more planted stance.
The Honda Performance Development (HPD) package is also new. It includes an upgraded grille treatment, black fender flares, aggressive bronze-colored wheels, and special HPD graphics on the bed walls.
Interior upgrades include a Display Audio System and new upholstery with contrast stitching. The Sport, RTL and RTL-E trims have a new dash, steering wheel and center console accents.
The new Ridgeline has a 1,580-pound payload capacity and a 5,000-pound towing capacity. The tailgate can handle dynamic loads of up to 300 pounds, supporting long payloads such as motorcycles and ATVs.
Inside the bed are eight standard tie-down cleats, rated at 350 pounds each, for securing loads. The bed is constructed of glass fiber-reinforced SMC composite. It resists dents and scratches without the need for a separate bed liner.
The Ridgeline comes standard with the Honda Sensing featuring a collision mitigation braking system, forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist road departure mitigation, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.
Additional specifications and prices will be announced closer to the truck’s expected consumer debut in early 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.
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October 10, 2020 Non-Members (advertising supported) edition
Editor’s corner
With Chuck Woodbury
H
ave you seen the photos of the giant cruise ships being ripped apart to be sold as scrap? If not, just look below at these ships being disassembled in a port in Turkey. These are not old ships being put out to pasture after a full life. No, they’re ships that would likely be sailing today if people could, or were willing to book passage again.
Carnival announced recently it will be unloading 18 of its ships this year – about 12% of its fleet. While some cruise lines will likely start sailing again, you can bet the number of passengers will be a fraction of years past. Meanwhile, air traffic is so bad that industry experts are just waiting around for some of the biggest airlines to go belly up. Right now, the world airline fleet numbers 25,900 aircraft, of which 29% were still parked as of last month. Boeing projected this past week that it will deliver 11 percent fewer jets in the next decade compared to pre-pandemic forecasts.
Amtrak PR people have contacted me repeatedly lately with special deals including two-for-one packages on roomettes.
My Edmonds, Washington, neighbor Rick Steves, who leads tours to Europe, has cancelled every tour for the remainder of 2020 and is unsure if he can even resume in 2021.
Meanwhile, RVs are selling faster than manufacturers can build them and there is no end in sight. Is it any wonder? RVing is the safest, most enjoyable way to travel these days. How could we have ever envisioned such a monumental jump in its popularity even a few years ago?
A friend of mine in the advertising business told me last week that one of his clients who normally had a few hundred RVs on its sales lot has 12 today. It’s the same across the country.
I asked another friend who promotes several RV shows if any would be coming back in 2021. He doesn’t know. But he said one show in his area was prepared to open again, but won’t because dealers don’t have any inventory to bring there. “Why would they spend tens of thousands of dollars to attend an RV show when they can sell everything they can get already?”
The traffic at RVtravel.com has doubled since last December from one million page views a month to more than two million, and should easily hit three million before next summer. Our readers are reporting hordes of new, inexperienced RVers in their campgrounds – in rental RVs or in brand-new rigs still with temporary licenses.
KOA in Des Moines, Iowa. No RV needed.
RV parks are being built but not nearly fast enough. Many are “resorts” that cater to luxury travelers. “Glamping” (luxury camping – an RV is seldom needed) is hot. KOA recently converted an RV park in Maine to luxury tents-only that rent for a few hundred dollars a night. In its advertisements, KOA sometimes doesn’t even show RVs – just cabins and luxury lodges. Many, if not most, of those structures were once RV sites.
Entrance to Badlands National Park. Signs like this are common across the country.
In the last year, Google searches for “RV park” have doubled. If you think RV parks were crowded this past summer, just wait until next year. It will be a madhouse.
The Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO) just advised RVers who plan to visit the Lone Star State to make reservations soon. “Campgrounds and RV resorts are seeing more first-time RVers this year because of the pandemic, and 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,” said Brian Schaeffer, executive director and CEO of TACO. “This is creating more demand for RV sites than we typically see at this time of year.”
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Crowding does change things. Twenty years ago this was a quiet two-lane road. Today, same place, it’s a congested mess. Can the same sort of overcrowding happen in the RV world?
So what does this mean for you and me? It means if you want to stay in your “first choice” parks, start making reservations now – as in “right now!” If you’re willing to take what’s available when you pass through, you might find a decent park but, hey, there’s always a Walmart parking lot.
WHAT TO DO
Solutions are out there including the creation of many, new, inexpensive, no-frills RV stopover “parks” to help with overnight stays. I am trying to free up time to promote this idea again, but it’s a big task and so far nobody in the industry with both vision and money is seriously considering the idea. Just imagine if Cabela’s was to provide a dozen reservable, automated overnight RV spaces in its store parking lots, each with an 50-amp hookup? Ditto Target stores, etc. No, it’s not “camping,” but there is definitely a need among RVers “on the move” (see a great example of how this can work).
And we need more alternatives to traditional campgrounds and RV parks like innovative programs from Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome, both of which offer unlimited potential to expand the number of quality places to stay.
Why couldn’t big box stores offer 50-amp overnight spots for RVers like Tesla does with its charging stations?
Still, expect to see a huge influx of new RVers in the months and years ahead. Crowding ruins a lot of things and, indeed, that’s what’s happening in our RV world. So, yeah … that’s not good news for you and me. Yet, with careful planning, the idea of a fun RV trip is still very much possible, just a bit more challenging than in the good ol’ days when an RV was “Grandma’s and Grandpa’s Playhouse” and uncool to anyone younger than 50.
Tomorrow’s cover story
With RVs selling far faster than manufacturers can make them, and faster than dealers can keep them in stock, we wondered what the future looks like for our favorite pastime. Will all of today’s buyers stick with RVing after the pandemic passes? What will happen to the resale values of our RVs? And more…
Coming later this month
The third edition of my book “The ABCs of RVing” will be available within two weeks on Amazon.com in both printed and Kindle editions. This will be the best book available for people who are just getting started RVing. It addresses the most basic questions new RVers ask, or in some cases don’t even know enough to ask. With record numbers of people buying RVs, this book, I believe, will be a great way to speed up their learning curve.
NEW: 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.
MEET YOUR FELLOW READERS
In our search to know our readers better, we’ve asked that they tell us about themselves. We know that thousands of them have followed us for a decade or more. We’ve met a few hundred of them through the years, which has been very nice. But who else, we wonder, reads what we write week after week? So, please, tell us about yourself! Here’s this week’s installment of Meet our Readers.
*Note: There’s a great song in here by one of our readers that you’ll want to listen to!
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RVtravel.com, and the 650 newsletters about RVing we publish every year, would not be possible without the financial support of our members, those 3 percent of all readers who voluntarily subscribe. Now, in the most challenging time of our lives, your support is needed more than ever for us to be your #1 source of honest, unbiased news, information and advice about RVing. Every contribution makes a difference. A donation of only $12 a year comes out to less than 2 cents for each issue we publish! And when you become a member, you receive a special member-only ad-free version of this newsletter. Learn more or donate.
Last week’s Tip of the Day in RV Daily Tips Newsletters
SoftStartRV – Run an air conditioner with a small generator
By Dave Helgeson
Earlier this year I installed a SoftStartRV™ on my RV’s roof air conditioner. Impressively, the SoftStartRV allows me to run an air conditioner with a small generator. … I also promised a follow-up report after I had the opportunity to field test the unit over the summer under varying conditions. Here’s my report. (Hint: For me it’s been a game changer.)
Top 10 complaints RV park managers have about campers
By Nanci Dixon
In last week’s issue, I told you about the top 5 complaints campers voice at the RV park office. This week I thought it would only be fair to write about the top ten complaints RV parks have about campers. Now you’re in the hot seat! The office staff were a vocal group, hence 10 complaints this time instead of 5! Are you guilty of any of these?
Casino camping not necessarily a bargain anymore
In this week’s column about camping at casinos, we have a couple of comments and corrections to what we wrote last time. And there have been a number of you writing in saying that the cost of staying at Casino RV parks has gone up, or is rather pricey to begin with. There are several more casino recommendations, and there’s a question from a reader for those of you who have stayed at casinos for more than one night. Read more.
Great source of information: the RV Advice Group on Facebook. Moderated by the editors of RVtravel.com
Last year at this time, these were the most popular articles
Pay attention to passing motorists’ warnings of trouble
On the road, most of us have experienced looking out our window to see a car passing by with someone waving frantically, and pointing toward our vehicle or behind it. Most of the time these are good Samaritans who have spotted something wrong with our vehicle or the one we’re towing. This message and the ensuing responses were posted at our RV Advice Group on Facebook and we believe are worth passing along. Continue reading.
Easy almost-Homemade Chicken Wild Rice Soup
By Nanci Dixon
We love soups, particularly as the weather starts to cool in the fall. I have been making a lot of soups in my Instant Pot™ lately but today decided to cook on the stove, making a chicken and wild rice soup. I used a packaged mix as a starter, so I kind of cheated, but I added additional ingredients so it’s almost homemade! … It was easy, quick and delicious. Get the recipe here.
What’s a Super Bugger? A VW camper conversion, of course!
The Super Bugger was the result of a wacky idea of an entrepreneurial company in Costa Mesa, California. In the mid-1970s, the outfit converted a 1970 VW Beetle into a hybrid camper it called the Super Bugger. It cost $6,000. The rage for the strange little machine conversion didn’t last long, and not many of the hybrids in decent shape remain. But there’s one for sale on eBay. Check this out.
The roadside American Armory Museum has Jelly Belly roots
Geoff Lippman is the general manager of the American Amory Museum in Fairfield, California.
RV travelers on Interstate 80 in Fairfield, California, can visit the American Armory Museum. It’s just off the freeway near the halfway point between Sacramento and San Francisco, and it’s where vintage tanks, uniforms, weapons, flags from several countries, and all things military reign. The indoor-outdoor homage to military transportation and artifacts also has an unusual connection to the Jelly Belly Candy Company. Read more.
Crowded campgrounds. RVers would rather quit than fight!
In this installment of our weekly column Crowded Campgrounds, RVers vent their frustrations at how much difficulty they’re having finding a find a place to stay. “If this is the new norm I doubt I will enjoy traveling for much longer,” one wrote. “Thor, Winnebago, and the rest – keep on cranking them [RVs] out and know you are about to hit a wall – a very big one,” another wrote. Read more.
How would you like to win this Happy Camper Coffee Mug (maybe to add to your collection)? Well, this might be your lucky day! In one of this past week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletters we published a secret phrase. Simply email the phrase to us at RVcontests@gmail.com . We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (October 10, 2020) by 11 a.m. Pacific time. Remember, you can only enter once and after we notify you by email that you won, you have 24 hours to respond or we’ll give the prize to someone else.
Where to complain about bad RVs, dealers, service, RV parks. This is an ever-expanding list of resources where you can report, share or discuss your problems with RV manufacturers or dealers.
Directory of RV parks with storm shelters
In case you’re on the road with your RV and the weather report is showing a tornado headed your way, have this list handy.
What does financing an RV for 20 years REALLY mean?
In case you missed this article the first time around, here it is again. Important! Click here.
Stuck with a lemon RV?Contact Ron Burdge, America’s premier RV lemon law attorney.
Two of the best black tank dumpin’ gadgets
Tony Barthel writes: “Dealing with the black tank is one of the least enjoyable parts of the RV lifestyle. When a product comes along that makes the process even a little bit friendlier, I’m in. As such, two Camco products have really made my black tank dealings less miserable and have taken some of the frustration out of parts of this process.” Read more about these two helpful products here.
Featured video
Video: What was American life like in 1957?
This fascinating seven-minute video shows what life was like in America 63 years ago, at least in white, suburban America. To many middle-class Americans then it was the best of times, filled with promise. Many readers of this newsletter were young back then and may watch this with fondness. It’s also a reminder how things have changed, for better or worse, depending on one’s circumstances. Watch the video.
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.
A new blog: RV Warranties
I flooded my fifth wheel with poop! Am I covered by my warranty?
Hi, Tony,
I was flushing the black tank on my RV and got called away. Unfortunately I left the flush on and it flooded my brand-new fifth wheel. Now the dealer is telling me this isn’t covered by the warranty and I think the entire rig is ruined as it smells terrible. Who should I call? —Sincerely, Someone in a crappy situation Read Tony’s response.
RV Electricity
Hughes Autoformer testing – Part 2
My Hughes Autoformer testing is continuing. Here are more details on how much additional current an air conditioner draws (or not) as the voltage goes below 100 volts. This has particular relevance for campgrounds and their pedestals. For you casual observers this information may not sink in right away. But for any readers who have an electrical background this is going to read like a mystery novel. Read more.
This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session
Dogbone adapter confusion cleared up – Part 2
In my last JAM Session I posted a simple question about how dogbone adapters are named. I ran a survey because I often get a lot of confusing questions about these most basic of adapters in my various Facebook groups and RV forums that I watch. While there are lots of electrical questions to consider, the most basic one is what do we call an adapter that connects an RV with a 50-amp plug to a pedestal with a 30-amp outlet? Read more.
Read Part 4 of Mike’s series on Boondocking Power Requirements, sponsored by CarGenerator™, here. NOTE: CarGenerator will keep your household essentials running for up to 70 hours when your power is out due to any blackout – natural or otherwise.
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.
RV Tire Safety
How to avoid potential valve stem problems
By Roger Marble Sometimes my wife accuses me of being too negative because I seem to always come up with something negative about almost any topic. I guess it’s in my DNA to never be satisfied and always want things to be better, easier, safer or more durable. The simple act of checking tire air pressure is an example. Read more.
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.
Building an RV Park
We have RV storage progress, and more!
Pepsi to the rescue! Can you guess folks’ favorite beverages and food items to buy from a small store? Interesting! Also, AJ and Machelle had to take out a huge life insurance policy with the bank as beneficiary, even before they get their loan. And what’s up with a secret pond, Witch-a-Paloosa, and the Wild Women Saloon? Get all those answers and more here. Oh … and Happy 25th Anniversary, Machelle and AJ!
The RV Kitchen
Toasted Barley Risotto
Richly risotto. This versatile, easy, one-pot wonder is a vegetarian main dish when made with vegetable broth and maybe some meaty, cooked beans. It can also be a starch side dish with meat from the grill, or make it a one-dish main by stirring in diced, cooked meat or seafood. Get the recipe with several variations here.
The Digital RVer
Use a little solar battery to charge your phone
You may be boondocking in the desert, or maybe you live in an area prone to hurricanes and power outages. In either case, your cellphone is an important piece of safety equipment and it needs to stay charged. The key is to use a little solar battery to charge your phone. This is so cool!Read more.
For peace of mind, use a backflow preventer
Backflow happens when a fresh water system gets “cross-connected” with a source of bad water or other contaminants. You don’t want that! Prevent this from happening by using a backflow preventer. Here’s an affordable one. Use it and rest easier. (You can read more about backflow prevention here.)
What do you think caused this destruction? Well, you probably figured it was a dog. There’s more to the story, which you can read here.
Trivia
Have you ever been to the Iowa State Fair? If you love quirky competitions, you’ll want to attend. Since 1886 the fair has run quite a few unique competitions such as cow-chip and rubber-chicken throwing contests, a husband-calling contest, and even a beard-growing contest.
Joke of the Week
Q. What is the difference between a nasty bus stop and a lobster with a big bosom?
A. One is a crusty bus station and the other is a busty crustacean.
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Managing editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editors: Emily Woodbury, Russ and Tiña De Maris. Contributing writers: Mike Sokol, Roger Marble, Dave Helgeson, Janet Groene, Julianne Crane, Chris Guld, Machelle James, Nanci Dixon, Barry and Monique Zander, J.M. Montigel, Tony Barthel, Clint Norrell, and Andrew Robinson. Social media and special projects director: Jessica Sarvis. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
FOREVER IN OUR MEMORIES — OUR STAFF MEMBER IN HEAVEN, Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor, who was taken from us by the coronavirus.
Honorary Correspondents: Loyal readers who regularly email us leads about news stories and other information and resources that aid our own news-gathering efforts. • Mike Sherman • George Bliss • Tom and Lois Speirs • Steve Barnes + others who we will add later.
REGIONAL AND LOCAL ADVERTISING: We can now run banners on RVtravel.com in your town or in a designated area near you, for example to readers within 100, 200, etc., miles of your business. For information, contact Chuck Woodbury at chuck (at) RVtravel.com.
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.
RVtravel.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 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.
This is staff member Emily’s favorite mug. The handle is made from a carabiner. Pretty cool, huh?
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?). Try and keep it under 100 words if you can (unless it’s a really great story).
We’ll feature the photos in upcoming newsletters, so now is the time to show it off!
Please fill out the form below and don’t forget to upload a photo. We’re looking forward to seeing your mug!
Dear Readers, If you subscribe to my monthly RVelectricity Newsletter you’ve already read the first part of my Hughes Autoformer test. If you haven’t seen it, please read Part 1 HERE. For you casual observers this information may not sink in right away. But for any readers who have an electrical background this is going to read like a mystery novel.
Disclaimer: Hughes has not offered to pay me for this test, and I neither asked for nor received any compensation. But Hughes did send me a 30-amp version of the Autoformer for testing with the understanding that I have 100% control over all tests and publication of my data. I have offered to share my results with them after the testing is done. So you can be assured that whatever data I gather and conclusions I come to are unbiased. In short, I don’t have a horse in this race. It’s just an interesting engineering question to answer.
What’s goin’ on?
Well, here’s the reason why I’ve set up this test in the first place. Hughes has a product they call an Autoformer, which is basically a low-voltage/high-current transformer (10 volts or so at 30 or 50 amperes) that’s connected in buck/boost mode with a relay to be able to boost low voltage from a campground pedestal up to a higher level.
Why is this needed?
The theory is that since air conditioner compressors draw more current as the AC voltage decreases, if the campground pedestal gets down to 100 volts or so, then you’ll burn up the compressor in your expensive rooftop air conditioner. The Hughes Autoformer product boosts any low voltage from the campground pedestal by 10% or so, which they claim keeps air conditioners cool and safe.
What’s the controversy?
Well, any transformer that can boost the voltage does it with an equal increase in amperage draw from the power source. So boosting the voltage going to a camper by 10% would also increase the current draw on the pedestal (and the campground) by a 10% increase in amperage. That’s exactly how it works for resistive loads like your water heater’s electric element.
This basic equation has caused the NEC to ban booster transformers of any kind in campgrounds. Their theory is that a voltage boosting transformer uses additional power that can further stress an already overloaded campground electrical system. Yes, as of the 2020 NEC, Hughes Autoformers (and any other voltage boosting transformers) are a code violation in U.S. campgrounds.
What is Hughes’ theory?
However, rotating inductive loads like air conditioner compressor motors have a more complex volt/amp relationship dependent on motor load, Locked Rotor Amps (LRA), flux field slip angle, etc.
So the position from Hughes is that their Autoformer product will reduce the overall load on the campground because their product increases the efficiency by boosting the voltage going to the air conditioner, which in turns draws less current. They say it may actually decrease the overall current needed from the campground even adding in the 10% extra amperage loss caused by the transformer voltage boosting action.
Why am I performing this first test?
Well, first to know what the Hughes product does I needed to get some baseline data on exactly how air conditioners operate at low voltage. So I did the simplest test possible, without their Autoformer in the circuit.
However, there’s one unaccounted variable in this first proof of concept test. Since I was just finishing up a round of experiments with a SoftStartRV™ still connected to my Dometic Penguin II air conditioner, that’s what I plugged into my big 3,000-watt VARIAC® for the dry run.
Here are the amperage measurements with the compressor running at the following voltage steps without the Autoformer, but with a SoftStartRV connected. Note that the air temp for the air conditioner was in the high 60s at the time of this first test.
120 volts = 12.06 amps
115 volts = 11.15 amps
110 volts = 10.86 amps
105 volts = 10.90 amps
100 volts = 10.93 amps
95 volts = compressor shut down
What the heck?!!! Even though all my EE books and urban myths say that air conditioner compressors will draw more amperage as the voltage goes down to 100 volts, that’s the opposite of what I’m seeing with this first test. While it’s drawing just over 12 amperes at 120 volts, when I run the VARIAC down to 100 volts, the current DECREASES to 10.93 amperes instead of INCREASING! That’s a 10% DECREASE in current when the voltage is reduced from 120 volts down to 100 volts.
Everything you know is wrong…
I published this first round of data just to gauge interest with my readers, and boy did it generate a lot of discussion. If my data was correct, then there’s some other mechanism allowing the current to decrease with a lower voltage rather than increase like all the textbooks say. The only possible explanation would be the SoftStartRV behaving in a way that was unanticipated by its designer.
Now, it’s also possible there was a mistake in my measurement protocol, or perhaps the Dometic Penguin II has some sort of additional circuitry that allows the current to reduce gracefully rather than increase and burn up the compressor, or maybe there’s something else going on that I don’t understand. That’s what I”m going to figure out.
Second verse, with a chord change
So just yesterday I reconnected this test setup, but removed the SoftStartRV controller and reconnected the stock starting capacitor for the Dometic air conditioner. And you can see the pictures below for the current readings at 5 volt intervals. Finally, the air conditioner amperage was behaving exactly as predicted by every engineering textbook and theory that I’ve read over the last 50 years.
As you can see from this picture sequence, the amperage is now increasing from 14.21 amps to 18.62 amps as I decreased the voltage using a VARIAC from 120.8 volts down to 85.8 volts, just as predicted by induction motor theory. Oh, when I tried to get down to 80 volts, the current shot up to 35 amps and the voltage dragged down to 76 volts right before the 25-amp fuse in the VARIAC blew with a big pop. Yes, I do blow a lot of fuses…
What does this mean?
Heck if I know. Is this from some Power Factor change I’m not metering for? Does the SoftStartRV modify the run current as well as the starting current? Did I just have a senior moment and write down the numbers incorrectly for Test #1? Or is there some other effect that can be exploited to help protect air conditioners in low voltage situations? And just where does the Hughes Autoformer fit into all of this? Stand by for my next experiment when I’m going to reconnect the SoftStartRV controller and repeat the exact same reduced voltage sequence.
To Infinity, and Beyond…
Now that my lab is fully functional I can do this type of experiment as well as a lot more important (and sometimes dangerous) ones that can help RV owners as well as the RV industry in general. I just don’t know what I’m going to find, which is the best type of science you can perform. I’m not trying to prove a theory, I’m trying to understand it and look for additional variables.
See you with more results next week. In the meantime, let’s play (and experiment) safely 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.
For information on how to support RVelectricity and No~Shock~Zone articles, seminars and videos, please click the I Like Mike Campaign.
The voting has begun for this year’s Presidential and other important federal, state and local elections. In many states, the voting has already begun and reports are that voters are responding in record numbers.
What about you? Have you already voted?
Because this question could cause the trolls and know-it-alls in the audience to go berserk, we are not allowing comments.
Please respond only if you plan to vote. And remember, it could take a few moments for the poll to load on the page. So stand by. . .
By the way, did you see our recent poll where we asked readers if they would pay an additional $10 a night for an extra wide RV site? We were surprised at the results (more than 3,000 readers responded). You might be, too. See the results of the poll and readers’ comments.
On the road, most of us have experienced looking out our window to see a car passing by with someone waving frantically, and pointing toward our vehicle or behind it. Most of the time these are good Samaritans who have spotted something wrong with our vehicle or the one we’re towing. This message and the ensuing responses were posted at our RV Advice Group on Facebook and we believe are worth passing along.
And thanks to those of you who care enough about others to flag them down when there’s a problem!
From a group member
“This is a tip for new RV drivers. As cars pass you, every so often, take a glance at the passenger seat of the car passing you. If they ignore you then that’s good! But, they may just be trying to get your attention to alert you that something behind you is not right. Maybe a strap is loose, or something is hanging. These things don’t cause an alarm for you, so if you can become aware about it sooner, you might just be able of fix it before something bad happens. Here’s to safe travels.”
And here are a few responses
“Had that happen while pulling a U-Haul last month. A wonderful young man came up beside us, stayed there til we noticed. He pointed, we pulled over….flat/blow out. Didn’t hear it or feel it! We were so thankful!! BTW, U-Haul came within a half hour and changed the tire quick!”
“Happened to me yesterday. My tow car trunk lid was up and some nice gentleman kept blinking his lights and motioning me that something was wrong. Of all the cars which passed, only 1 made such an effort.”
“Just happened to me. My water heater door was flapping and someone pulled up next to me and let me know.”
“Yep, on a small travel trailer last year people tried to get my attention but I didn’t get it at first. Lost a propane tank and one was dragging under the trailer, sparks flying and actually caused the tank to puncture. Could have ended in a disaster – lucky.”
“My husband used to drive truck and it was someone passing him that alerted him that the back of his truck was on fire. He was able to pull off as there was an exit right there and everyone was safe. Truck, not so much.”
“We had one of our bin doors open on the driver’s side. Luckily someone came up next to us and honked and pointed to tell my husband. He had not noticed it.”
What about you? Has a passerby ever pointed out a bad situation to you that saved your day? Please leave a a comment.
By Chuck Woodbury ROADSIDE JOURNAL
This fascinating seven-minute video shows what life was like in America 69 years ago, at least in white, suburban America. To many middle-class Americans back then, it was the best of times, filled with hope and promise.
Gasoline cost 25 cents a gallon (and uniformed attendants did the pumping, checked your oil, and washed your windshield). Homes were affordable on a single income, and Mom enjoyed the latest in kitchen appliances.
And, as the video points out, it was the early days of national television, making it possible for America to “show itself to itself.”
Many readers of this newsletter lived through that era and will likely watch this with fondness. For many Americans, of course, who did not or could not live such charmed lives, watching this would be a reminder of a life very foreign to what they experienced.
Viewing this, however, is a dramatic reminder of how things have changed.
Yikes! What the heck could cause such destruction of a leather couch?
A dog, that’s what — a Fox Hound.
The photo was posted in our Facebook group, RVing with Dogs. A member named Christina posted it. She said the dog, named Barney, was a rescue. “This was his handiwork about 2-3 weeks after adopting him,” she wrote. “The good news? He outgrew it. No more furniture eating.”
She also noted Barney had eaten a twin mattress. A fellow member suggested the reason for the dog’s destructive behavior was “extreme separation anxiety.”
A long discussion ensued about this incident and about crating dogs in RVs to keep them from creating such destruction.
You might want to check out the Facebook group, RVing with Dogs, and leave a comment there if you’ve experienced this sort of thing with a dog of your own.
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In our search to know our readers better, we’ve asked that they tell us about themselves. We know that thousands of them have followed us for a decade or more. We’ve met a few hundred of them through the years, which has been very nice. But who else, we wonder, reads what we write week after week? So, please, tell us about yourself! Here’s this week’s installment of 
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In this installment of our weekly column Crowded Campgrounds, RVers vent their frustrations at how much difficulty they’re having finding a find a place to stay. “If this is the new norm I doubt I will enjoy traveling for much longer,” one wrote. “Thor, Winnebago, and the rest – keep on cranking them [RVs] out and know you are about to hit a wall – a very big one,” another wrote. 
This fascinating seven-minute video shows what life was like in America 63 years ago, at least in white, suburban America. To many middle-class Americans then it was the best of times, filled with promise. Many readers of this newsletter were young back then and may watch this with fondness. It’s also a reminder how things have changed, for better or worse, depending on one’s circumstances. 
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. 
Hi, Tony,
