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New U.S. rule mandates Canadian snowbirds to register with Homeland Security

News

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March 12, 2025

New U.S. rule mandates Canadian snowbirds to register with Homeland Security

With pressure between the U.S. and Canada continuing, reports indicate some Canadian snowbirds may change their future plans and not visit the U.S. Now a new U.S. rule may cause even more to stay away. Effective April 11, 2025, Canadian citizens who visit the U.S. for more than 30 days must register with U.S. Homeland Security. The snowbird registration will soon be underway.

Many RVers will be hit with the snowbird registration rule

The rules were published in the Federal Register March 12, 2025. According to a U.S. immigration attorney, Rosanna Berardi, the rules will hit a lot of Canadian RVers. How so? Most Canadians who drive into the U.S. don’t have Form I-94 documents. Officially named the Arrival/Departure Record, it’s a document issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to record the legal entry and departure of non-immigrants (non-citizens) into the United States, proving their legal status and specifying how long they can stay.

Now. according to the Immigration and Nationality Act, Canadians staying in the U.S. for 30+ days must register. Initial reports indicated they would also have to be fingerprinted, but the Federal Register filing doesn’t show a fingerprint requirement.

Canadian snowbirds who’ve been in the states for more than 30 days will now have to file a Form G-325R with U.S. Customs and Immigration. There is no fee for filing, but apparently the government is considering adding a fee.

Card-carrying Canadians—or else

With all of those hoops gone through, snowbirds will need to be careful to carry their U.S.-issued “Proof of Alien Registration” whenever they’re in the U.S. Get caught without it, and they could be charged with a criminal offense.

For those who take issue with these new requirements, think twice. Those who “willfully fail or refuse to apply to register” are open to nasty consequences: a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

Regarding the snowbird registration rule, Attorney Berardi told a Florida news outlet, BocaNewsNow.com that “the rule is ‘real,’ but enforcement may simply be education—at least for a while.”

“While the law technically allows for fines up to $5,000 and possible imprisonment for failing to register, enforcement against Canadian visitors is likely to focus on education and compliance rather than penalties,” said Berardi. “It seems as if the statutory consequences exist primarily as a framework, with actual enforcement expected to take a more measured approach, particularly during the initial rollout phase. The absence of registration fees indicates DHS is prioritizing participation over punishment.”

Berardi also told the news outlet: “The digital registration form contains approximately 20 questions about personal information and immigration status. While individuals can choose to register now or wait until the requirement becomes mandatory, I’m concerned about elderly Canadian snowbirds who may face challenges navigating the online system without assistance.” The new snowbird registration rule may have unexpected fallout.

DUI: Some marijuana users’ attitudes toward safety may put you in danger

News

Russ and Tiña De Maris

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March 12, 2025

3

DUI: Some marijuana users’ attitudes toward safety may put you in danger

Drivers are constantly reminded about the dangers of drunk driving. In 2022 alone, alcohol-related crashes killed 13,524 people. Marijuana use is up, making cannabis the third most-used substance in the U.S. Marijuana and driving—Is there a problem? Although not every marijuana user drives under its influence, a survey published by AAA shows that your chances of being involved in an accident with someone who does are far from reassuring.

AAA wants to understand attitudes toward marijuana and driving

Cannabis consumption is legal in 38 states—24 allow recreational use, and 14 permit only medical use. As cannabis use increases, impaired driving has become more common, raising the risk of crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

“Understanding what motivates cannabis consumers to drive under the influence can be helpful in developing effective safety strategies,” said Dr. David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. “With insights on perceptions, decision-making, and behavior, we aim to inform policies and interventions that make our roads safer for everyone.”

Users’ attitudes toward safety deeply troubling

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released findings from a study that analyzed marijuana users’ thoughts, perceptions, and reasons for driving under the influence. The study used surveys to gain a deeper understanding of cannabis consumers’ behaviors and perceptions of themselves.

A panel of public health, law enforcement, traffic safety, and cannabis subject matter experts developed these surveys.

Survey respondents who are confirmed cannabis consumers revealed a few key themes:

Daily and frequent consumption – 44.1% said they consume cannabis multiple times per day.
Driving regularly – 57.8% indicated that they drive daily.
Consuming then driving is common – 84.8% revealed that they drive the same day that they consume cannabis, with 53% saying they consumed an hour or less before driving.
Believe consumption has little effect on driving – 46.9% believe they either drive the same, a little better (14.7%), or much better (19.4%).

Should we be worried about marijuana and driving? More than 80% of marijuana users feel that their cannabis use either doesn’t negatively affect their driving, or actually makes them a better drivers. Look out! Research across seven states with legalized recreational cannabis found an average 10% increase in motor vehicle accident deaths, with effects varying by state.

RVers, check out these special deals on Friday

News

Gail Marsh

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March 12, 2025

3

RVers, check out these special deals on Friday

If you’re an RVer always on the lookout for tasty stops and budget-friendly eats, Pi Day this Friday—March 14, 2025—might just be your golden ticket.

From $3.14 pizzas to sweet dessert deals, several national chains are rolling out offers in honor of the iconic 3.14. RVers, check out these Pi Day deals!

Pi Day?

The 14th day of the third month of the year (March) is Pi Day. Pi Day is celebrated to honor the mathematical constant pi (π), approximately 3.14. This represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. Listen to a Pi Day song here!

The celebration of Pi Day originated at the San Francisco Exploratorium in 1988. It was devised as a fun way to merge math, science, and the joy of pie. Since its inception, Pi Day has grown into a global phenomenon that brings together educators, students, and food enthusiasts alike.

Note: Not all locations may offer the following Pi Day deals. Independent franchises may choose not to participate. Always check ahead of time to confirm.

Pizza perfection

If you happen to be traveling on Friday, or if you’re already parked in your campground site, a pizza always sounds yummy. And if you can get that pizza at a discount, all the yummier!

7-Eleven
Participating 7-Eleven stores (along with Speedway and Stripes) are serving any flavor large pizza for just $3.14—a quick, filling meal when you’re on the move.

Blaze Pizza
Enjoy an 11-inch pizza for $3.14 when you buy a regular-priced pizza. And if you dine in on Pi Day, you can take advantage of an additional buy-one-get-one offer at the same price through the end of March—perfect for sharing a slice with your travel buddies.

California Pizza Kitchen
CPK Rewards members can indulge in an Original BBQ Chicken, Pepperoni, or Traditional Cheese pizza for $3.14 when spending at least $25 on food and non-alcoholic beverages.

CiCi’s Pizza
For those who just can’t get enough, buy a medium or large one-topping pizza with the original crust and snag a second pizza for only $3.14.

Crust Pizza Co.
Purchase any large pizza at Crust Pizza Co. on Pi Day and get a second large one-topping pizza for $3.14. Limit one per customer. This offer is valid for both carryout and dine-in.

Domino’s
While Domino’s hasn’t announced a specific Pi Day deal, their app is known for mix-and-match specials—like a medium Pepperoni Pizza paired with a Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich for around $10. It pays to keep an eye on app-exclusive offers during your trip.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
On Pi Day 2025, grab slices of pizza for just $3.14 each at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria—a perfect on-the-go snack for your road trip.

Papa Murphy’s
Order online on Pi Day and use promo code PIDAY25 to enjoy 31.4% off regular-priced menu items—a great option for a relaxed RV meal.

Pieology
Members of Pieology’s Pie Life Rewards can earn double perks on a Create Your Own Pizza, Calzone, or Salad purchase on Pi Day—giving you extra rewards along with your feast.

Round Table Pizza
Rewards Members can get a Personal Pan Pizza with one topping for $3.14 when you purchase any Large or XL pizza. (Make sure you’re a rewards member before March 14!)

The Pizza Press
Order in-app at The Pizza Press and score a Signature Pizza for $3.14. Limit one per customer.

Treats for every taste

Burger King
Spend $3.14 or more at Burger King and, if you’re a Royal Perks Member, snag a free Hershey’s Sundae Pie—a sweet treat to cap off your meal.

BJ’s Brewhouse
Dine in and treat yourself to a full-size Pizookie^® for $3.14—a warm, comforting dessert perfect for ending a meal on a high note.

Famous Dave’s
Celebrate Pi Day at Famous Dave’s: Get a free slice of Baker’s Square pie with any purchase of $10 or more. This offer is valid for online, in-app, and in-store orders on March 14 only.

GoldBelly
Head over to GoldBelly.com on Pi Day and enjoy a 31.4% discount on pizzas and pies—a great way to have your favorite regional treats delivered right to your RV.

Grand Traverse Pie Company
Savor a free slice of their Michigan ABC Crumb Pie—featuring apples, blueberries, and cherries—with any purchase on Pi Day.

Milk Bar
Order a pie at Milk Bar and get a second one 25% off when you use promo code PIDAY at checkout online on March 14.

Smoothie King
Quench your thirst with a 20 oz. Apple Pie Smoothie for only $3.14—about half the normal price. Just use the Smoothie King app to snag this sweet deal.

Tiny Pies
Enjoy a sweet start to your day by saving 20% off your first order at Tiny Pies when you use promo code WELCOME20 at checkout online.

Village Inn
Enjoy a free slice of pie when you purchase an entrée and a beverage at Village Inn—a classic, comforting treat to round out your meal.

Predicted Pi Day deals

The following deals are currently circulating as industry rumors. They have not yet been confirmed. Keep an eye out for updates as Pi Day approaches:

Casey’s: A buy-one-large pizza, get a small pizza, sticks, or wings for $3.14 deal (available online and in-app).
Chuck E. Cheese: Expected to offer 1,000 bonus eTickets with the purchase of All You Can Play Games (60+ minutes).
DiGiorno: May revive their Pizza Rescue program—upload a photo of a “smashed, squished, or crushed” pizza to receive a coupon for a replacement.
Giordano’s or Godfather’s Pizza (via DoorDash): DoorDash might offer a 50% discount on any pizza from these chains (with a minimum purchase of $3.14).
Kona Grill: Likely to offer a slice of pie for $3.14 with any steak or entrée purchase.
Krystal: Predicted to provide a $3.14 discount on all online orders of $10 or more.
Little Caesars: Expected to offer $3.14 off one pizza when ordering through their website or app.
Marco’s Pizza: May offer a medium one-topping pizza for $3.14 when you purchase any large or extra-large menu-priced pizza using a promo code.
Marie Callender’s: Look for a promo code offering $3.14 off select frozen multi-serve dessert pies at retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Amazon Fresh.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza: Anticipate a free mini pizza with any 20-ounce bottled beverage purchased via their app.
Noodles & Company: Expected to offer rewards to members for $3.14 Shareables with the purchase of a regular entrée.
Pie Five Pizza: May offer Circle of Crust Rewards members a $5 personal pan pizza.
Pizza Hut: Predicted to roll out a BOGO free large pizza deal.
Polly’s Pies: Rumored offers include BOGO 50% off online pie orders (with a promo code) and free slices for both e-members and non-members (dine-in only).
Sbarro Pizza: Watch for a potential online order deal at Sbarro.com.
Slice: First-time users might receive $5 off each of their first three orders of $25 or more with a promo code.
STK Steakhouse: May offer a slice of apple pie for $3.14 with any steak or entrée purchase.
Taco Bell: Expected to celebrate with a Mexican pizza for $3.14.
Uno Pizzeria and Grill: Likely to offer dine-in $3.14 thin crust cheese and pepperoni pizzas and take-out BOGO $3.14 pizzas.

Note: The above predicted deals are based on industry chatter and have not been officially confirmed. Check with your local restaurants or their apps as Pi Day approaches for the latest updates.

Why RVers love Pi Day deals

When you’re exploring the open road, every meal is an opportunity to relax, refuel, and enjoy a treat that makes your journey even sweeter.

Pi Day deals offer a clever nod to both math enthusiasts and foodies—they let you indulge in quality meals at a fun price (hello, $3.14!). Here’s why these deals are ideal for RVers:

Convenience: Many of these offers come from chains located near highways and fuel stops. Whether you’re cruising through rural stretches or passing through bustling towns, you’re likely to find a deal nearby.
Affordability: Saving on meals means more of your travel budget can go toward campsite fees, attractions, or even fuel.
Community and fun: Celebrating Pi Day isn’t just about the food—it’s about sharing a moment of quirky festivity with fellow travelers. Snap a photo of your Pi Day treat and join the conversation on social media!
Variety: From hearty pizzas to refreshing smoothies and decadent desserts, there’s something to please every palate and fuel your adventure.

Final word

Pi Day isn’t just for math geeks—it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and, of course, delicious food. For RVers, these special deals provide a fun and economical way to enjoy meals on the go. So, mark Friday, March 14, on your calendar and get ready to indulge in a little slice of savings. Enjoy!

RV Daily Tips. Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Daily Tips Newsletter

Newsletter Editor

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March 12, 2025

5

Issue 2598

Today’s thought

“Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?” ―J.R.R. Tolkien

Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Girl Scout Day! We hear that as an excuse to buy Girl Scout cookies… Yum!

On this day in history: 1912 – The Girl Guides (later renamed the Girl Scouts of the United States of America) is founded in the United States.

Tip of the day
Optimize space in your RV shower to make it feel bigger than it is

By Gail Marsh
I can sing in our RV’s shower, but there’s no room to dance! Trust me. Even though we have a “walk-in” shower with triple-panel glass doors, it’s still small. Our RV shower feels especially cramped when grandkids add their shampoos, washcloths, and body wash bottles to our own collection of loofahs and products. To solve this issue, I’ve researched several ways to make the most of that small space. Here are some smart ideas I’ve found.

Ask Dave
How can I test my RV’s “emergency start switch”?

By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
How can I test the emergency start switch and then troubleshoot/trace an issue? I used it once several years ago and it operated as intended. I needed to use it again a few months ago and it didn’t operate. Thanks so much! —Grant, 2008 Fourwinds Windsport 35B Read Dave’s answer.

In the RV shop with Dustin
The importance of inspecting your seven-way cord and junction box

By Dustin Simpson
In 2022, a class action lawsuit was filed in a Montana federal court against Forest River, Inc. This lawsuit alleged that all Forest River fifth wheels built between 2002 through 2022 were equipped with an unsafe wiring system. 50 pages of documents accused the manufacturer of not safely insulating and protecting wires between the towing vehicle’s seven-way cord junction box and an RV’s battery. This can increase the risk of a short and create a hazardous condition. Continue reading and learn more.

Video of the day
5 steps to keep mice out of your RV during storage

By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, the team from The Camping Loop talk about five steps you can take to keep mice out of your RV. And if you have ever dealt with the aftermath of mice in your RV, you KNOW you want to prevent this destructive, unsanitary, and messy problem from ever occurring again. Especially if you are storing your RV for any length of time, you will want to pay attention to this video (or read the article).

Featured article
How to fix stripped-out screw holes in your RV: 3 simple methods

By Cheri Sicard
It doesn’t matter whether you are a seasoned handyman or just a beginner, this invaluable video will show you three practical methods for how to fix stripped-out screw holes in your RV when you don’t have access to the back of the hole. Learn how simple it is here.

Reader poll
Do you have vision or hearing impairment(s)?

Respond here.

You might like to see how our readers responded to this poll: Is your RV out of action because it needs a repair you can’t afford now? Find out.

RANDOM RV THOUGHT: If you RV a lot, it’s almost certain you will occasionally camp where the noise outside is annoying or even disruptive to a good night’s sleep. In situations where you cannot control the noise, earplugs can come in handy. They will block out most of the sound.

Quick tip
K-Cup storage trick

If you’re one of the multitudes who’s adopted K-Cup brews, you may be frustrated by where to put them in the typical RV galley storage space. Here’s an idea shared by Pinterest user inge shirey. Find lengths of the appropriate diameter PVC pipe, cut slots in the pipe, as shown, then mount under a shelf or cabinet. Your K-Cups are in easy reach but out of the way.

On this day last year…

Ask Dave: Why is there no airflow from one of my RV’s furnace vents?
RV walk-through: Woah! Tour a rare vintage 1979 Ford L700 motorhome
Video: Hot Well Dunes: Arizona BLM camping with hot springs!
Featured article: The two kinds of RVers: Two lifestyle choices, one open road

Website of the day

America’s most beautiful springtime destinations
If you’re near any of these beautiful locations, know that we’re jealous of you! These are some of the most beautiful places to visit in the spring. Now just try to not let all that pollen make you sneeze…

Popular from last weekend: Brace yourself – Tariffs may hit your wallet harder than expected

? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
One of these that doesn’t smell? It’s a meow-acle! This is too funny. We know quite a few people we could gift this to!

Trivia

With 280 state park units, more than 840 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites, 5,200 miles of trails, 3,195 historic buildings and more than 11,000 known prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, the California’s State Park System manages the largest and most diverse recreational, natural and cultural heritage holdings of any state agency in the nation.

Readers’ pets of the day

“Years ago, before downsizing from a motorhome, my travel buddies were my Greyhounds—Bella (left) and Baxter (right).” —Sharon Gelo-Nelson

Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. No blurry photos and please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!

• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.

Leave here with a laugh

Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY

Visit Current National Radar Weather Map

BUMPER SNICKER OF THE DAY: “You’re Not Driving A Phone Booth: Hang Up And Pay Attention!” Send your bumper snickers to editor@rvtravel.com

Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the Latest News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.

RVtravel.com All-Star Team

Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.

Our policy on using artificial intelligence.

Optimize space in your RV shower to make it feel bigger than it is

Tips & Advice

RV Travel

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March 11, 2025

2

Optimize space in your RV shower to make it feel bigger than it is

By Gail Marsh
I can sing in our RV’s shower, but there’s no room to dance! Trust me. Even though we have a “walk-in” shower with triple-panel glass doors, it’s still small. Our RV shower feels especially cramped when grandkids add their shampoos, washcloths, and body wash bottles to our own collection of loofahs and products. To solve this issue, I’ve researched several ways to make the most of that small space. Here are some ideas I’ve found.

RV shower storage options

• Tension rod. Installing a shower tension rod is one of the best hacks we’ve done to maximize our RV’s shower. We chose to place our tension rod at one end of the shower. We use the rod to dry towels, swimsuits, and more when the grandchildren aren’t along. When they camp with us, we use this hanging mesh organizer to hold their shampoos and more.

• Over-the-door storage. This style of storage container can be placed over the bathroom door. But it can hook over the shower wall, as well. I think we’d probably hang the wire storage system on the inside of our shower to hold shampoos, etc. If you choose to position it on the outside of the shower wall, it could store bath essentials like lotions, extra soaps, hair products, deodorant, etc.

• Suction cup holders: I’ll be honest. I’ve not had good luck with suction cups. Our shower wall has just enough texture that it will not sustain suction, especially when the RV is traveling down the road. Too often I’ve had a real mess of shampoos and body wash bottles on the floor of the shower. If your shower features smoother walls, they may just work for you.

RV shower water considerations

• Replace the showerhead. The water coming from our shower head was abysmal, at best. We replaced it with a low-flow, high-efficiency showerhead and we’re so much happier. We use less water. The new head has several different settings. And I love the hand-held feature.

• Boost your RV’s water heater. This is the unit we’re currently investigating. It’s an on-demand water heater. According to its manufacturer, Bosch, it can be installed at point-of-use on the floor, shelf, or mounted to a wall. (We’d use it to supplement our current RV water heater for shower use.) This unit weighs just 17 pounds and boasts a quick recovery time. The best news is that it comes with a six-year warranty on the unit, with a two-year warranty on parts. Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but would really help out when four or more grandkids camp with us at once.

Other tips

• Curved curtain rod. You may have one of these for your stix-n-brix home. If so, you already know that with this shower curtain you gain eight inches of elbow room inside your shower. That’s a 30 percent increase in shower area—a game changer! We used a curved shower curtain rod in a previous RV and loved it!

• Drain strainer: Keeping hair, leaves, and other debris out of your shower drain is a must if you want your shower to drain properly. Devices like this one catch all of the above so your drain runs well. There is a variety of drain strainers on the market. Choose the one that works best for you. You’ll be glad you did!

Newer RV showers are going bigger with hinged teak seats and other fancy shower upgrades. Some shower enclosures I saw at a recent RV show seemed bigger than the shower we have in our stix-n-brix home. But there’s no need to have “shower envy.” All you have to do is try a few tips and hacks and you’ll be happily singing in your RV shower soon!

2024 national park visitation reaches new heights; officials told not to publicize

News

Russ and Tiña De Maris

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March 11, 2025

23

2024 national park visitation reaches new heights; officials told not to publicize

At RVtravel.com, we rely heavily on federal news releases to keep up with what’s happening on public lands. After all, there aren’t many of us here, and only so many hours in the day to chase news. At this time of year, we’re typically telling you about how many visitors chugged into the nation’s parks “last year.” But not so this year. The National Park Service has been mysteriously quiet about how many went to the parks in 2024, and now we know why. Call it “Park Service zips lips.”

Official directive: Park Service zips lips

Did you visit any national parks last year? It wouldn’t be surprising—2024 saw the highest number of visits than ever before. A huge 331.9 million visits—a 2% increase over 2023, which saw a bumper crop of guests. But Park Service media people have essentially been told to “zip their lips.”

National Parks Visitation Statistics 2024 (Click/tap to enlarge.)

“There is no external communications rollout for 2024 visitation data,” says an internal Park Service memo. How do we know this? A group called Resistance Rangers, made up of current and former park service employees, published the memo, which we include an image of.

That same directive says that after the data appears on NPS.gov on March 5, then individual parks can publish the information. That can be posted on their own individual websites if “that is the park’s standard process … but should not issue a press release or other proactive communications, including social media posts.”

Not quite “Don’t ask, don’t tell”—But only limited information allowed “out”

It’s not quite a “Don’t ask—don’t tell” situation. If a reporter specifically asks park media people for information, then they can be told facts and numbers. But park representatives are constrained from giving any information beyond the 2024 visitor statistics.

Us media types used to get releases that would tell us not only the visitor head counts, but would also proudly point out just how much local communities benefited from those visits, in dollars and cents. And those “gateway communities” will tell you, park visitors make a huge difference to their economies.

News outlet SFGATE, released the leaked memo it obtained from Resistance Rangers. They asked Don Neubacher, a former Yosemite superintendent and member of the executive council of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, about the issue. “‘Normally parks share this visitation data widely because they are proud of the number of Americans they oversee yearly,’ he wrote in an email to SFGATE. But news of the parks being more crowded than ever becomes inconvenient to explain when you’re making widespread staff cuts, Neubacher pointed out.”

The Park Service zips lips. Hopefully other information that RVers need will be more forthcoming.

The story I blew: The flyswatter repairman of Needles

Editor's Roadside Journal

Chuck Woodbury

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March 11, 2025

13

The story I blew: The flyswatter repairman of Needles

By Chuck Woodbury
ROADSIDE JOURNAL
I would like to tell you a story from many years ago that I didn’t write about. It was back in the day when I was just beginning my life as a professional writer. It was before I could come upon practically any situation and feel compelled to write about it.

It happened in Needles, Calif., a desert town along Route 66 best known for its sizzling summers and Snoopy’s brother Spike. I now call my non-story “The fly swatter repairman at the Texaco station I never knew.”

I was on a car road trip to the Midwest from my home in northern California. My gas tank was low so I pulled into the Texaco station to fill up. It was unbearably hot — a day when you want nothing to do with sunshine. As folks sometimes say in and around Needles, it was so hot “you could fry an egg on the hood of your car.”

THIS WAS A LONG TIME AGO, when an attendant would pump your gas. While my tank was being filled, I stretched my legs. In those days, gas stations did not have mini-marts, only coin machines that dispensed a bottle of Coke for a quarter.

So, in telling you that I was an adult in an era when Coke was a quarter, you know that I am of a generation that is commonly referred to as “old people.”

Quarter in hand, I walked toward the machine, which was near the big window of the gas station’s greasy, cluttered office. Inside, an old man sat on a chair. I couldn’t tell what he was doing. But then on the window I spotted a handmade cardboard sign: “Fly Swatters Repaired.” Sure enough, he was repairing a fly swatter.

For you youngsters, I should tell you that fly swatters were not always made of plastic. They once had a wire mesh webbing that was superb for obliterating a fly. I can’t remember now exactly how the man repaired his fly swatters because I was not curious about everything then like today. But I do recall thinking that a person could buy a brand-new fly swatter for less than a dollar. So how could anyone earn any money repairing one of the old-fashioned kind?

I watched the man for a minute then went back to my car, paid for my gas and drove away heading east on the Mother Road. After about 20 miles I realized that I should have talked to the flyswatter repairman. But I was too lazy to turn around.

A couple years later I passed through Needles again. I stopped at the Texaco station. The flyswatter man was gone, and no one had ever heard of him.

I am mad at myself and always will be about not talking with him way back when.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Chuck originally wrote this in 2020.

##RVT1200

Camping the West Coast? Two-thirds of campers struggle to secure reservations

News

Russ and Tiña De Maris

-

March 11, 2025

14

Camping the West Coast? Two-thirds of campers struggle to secure reservations

Are you having trouble getting a campground reservation when planning a West Coast trip? You’re not alone. According to a report from camping app publisher The Dyrt, many of those surveyed reported facing the same issue. But camping reservation problems aren’t just limited to the West; people across the country struggled to book campsites last year. Campers in the Pacific Region reported the most difficulty, with 66.1% saying they had trouble booking a site. That’s more than 10 points higher than any other region in the country.

Camping reservation problems on the rise again

Back in 2019, the percentage of campers who reported difficulty finding a campsite to book was just 10.6%. That number took a big jump in 2020 to 26.9% and inched up again in 2021 (30.2%) before exploding in 2022. The report found that 56.1% of campers said they had a difficult time booking a site in 2024 because campgrounds were full. The portion of campers experiencing the campsite crunch is once again near its peak of 58.4% from 2022 after dropping to 45.5% in 2023.

“We really want to see less friction in the campsite marketplace,” The Dyrt founder Sarah Smith wrote in the report. “The camping community is happier and healthier when people can find a site to book with relative ease. While increased inventory from private campgrounds helped bring this number down in 2023, interest remains extremely high in competitive public campgrounds with a fixed number of sites.”

App offers alternatives

Are there alternative solutions? The outfit thinks so. “Plenty of alternatives exist for those squeezed out from the most sought-after destinations,” says the report. It then offered one alternative that not all RVer’s will “cotton to.” “Glamping is the type of camping with the most availability, as survey respondents who favor glamping reported 34.4% less difficulty than average in finding an available campsite to book.”

“We were planning a trip through Utah last spring to visit the Mighty 5, as well as Great Basin National Park in Nevada,” says The Dyrt camper Jon C. of Idaho. “Because of the popularity of all of those parks, we tried to book ahead of time. We were signed on and ready to book immediately as the windows opened. In every case, without exception, all available sites were booked before we could pull the trigger.

“We then started looking at nearby state parks and were ultimately able to find sites. As it turns out, we were much happier with the state parks and glad that things worked out that way; however, we had to be flexible with our dates and keep trying days further out until we found a match and could book our stays. The end result was that the dates we were able to book sites drove our travel plans, instead of the other way around.

“Fortunately, we’re retired and were able to be flexible. I pity the folks that are locked into specific timeframes because it’s got to be dang near impossible to find places to camp in any of the popular areas these days without being extremely flexible.”

Dyrt Alerts keep an eye on sold-outs that may actually come open

For those who have their hearts set on a sold-out campground, The Dyrt Alerts are availability scans that help campers get reservations. The Dyrt scans sold-out campgrounds and sends a text message when a campsite opens up.

The 2025 Camping Report Presented by Toyota Trucks provides these statistics, offering the most comprehensive look at the latest trends, topics, and figures for the U.S. camping industry. The Dyrt compiled the latest version of its annual report using the results of surveys conducted with three groups: thousands of members from The Dyrt camper community, a representative sample of U.S. residents, and camping property managers across all 50 states.

• For more information from RVtravel.com on The Dyrt, click here.

Tragic RV fire: One child killed and another injured after possibly being left alone

News

Russ and Tiña De Maris

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March 11, 2025

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Tragic RV fire: One child killed and another injured after possibly being left alone

A tragic story out of Washington state underscores how fast an RV fire can spread. The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office reports that a fire late Sunday took the life of a 5-year-old and seriously hurt a 1-year-old. Firefighters reported the fifth wheel fire on a rural property near Port Angeles, Washington, at about 7:45 in the evening.

Fire fighters learn children inside fifth wheel fire

When firefighters arrived, they discovered two children inside. Flames were already billowing out of the roof. While they removed the 1-year-old from the rig, they could not recover the older child until after the flames were out.

“We are committed to uncovering the cause of this incident and supporting those in need,” said Justin Grider, fire chief, in an interview covered by King5 News. The preliminary cause of the fifth wheel fire points to a small refrigerator in the rig. The Sheriff’s Office reports that the children were inside the fifth wheel and possibly unattended for “an unknown period of time.”

“Our hearts go out to the families affected by this unimaginable loss,” Chief Grider said. “The support and well wishes and prayers are always welcome.” The rescuers airlifted the surviving child to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. We do not currently know the child’s condition.

This tragic fifth wheel fire is another reminder of the importance of keeping a close eye on children, and making sure your rig’s smoke detectors are working.

Hundreds of Airstream trailers recalled for couch fire hazard

Russ and Tiña De Maris

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March 11, 2025

2

Hundreds of Airstream trailers recalled for couch fire hazard

A “thermal event” in a sofa was reported, leading to the recall of several hundred Airstream Classic travel trailers. It’s a highly unusual case, but Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Airstream Classic 33′, 2024-2025 Classic 30′, and 2025 Classic 28′ travel trailers. The sofa footrest switch may have underrated wiring, which can allow the wiring to overheat. Overheated wires increase the risk of a fire. The Airstream sofa wiring recall shows 648 of these RVs are affected.

Airstream sofa wiring recall remedy

Dealers will install a reverse relay on the sofa switch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 4, 2025. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111, ext. 7401 or 7411.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1- 888-275-9171), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Background

On January 22, 2025, Airstream got word of a Classic travel trailer with a thermal event relating to the sofa switch. “We requested that the trailer be brought back to Airstream for review,” says the company report to NHTSA. Airstream says it researched and found no warranty claims, customer complaints, or injuries related to this issue.

The Airstream sofa wiring recall problem is two-fold: The sofa footrest switch does not have a stop limit application, and it was manufactured with underrated wires for the application. If the switch is depressed for a extended period of time, the wires could heat up, potentially leading to a fire.

Did the Airstream couch actually catch fire? That’s not clear. In the context of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall, the term “thermal event” typically refers to a situation where a component or part of a vehicle (or trailer) experiences excessive heat, which could lead to overheating, a fire, or other damage. This term is often used to describe incidents where a part, such as wiring, batteries, or other electrical components, becomes too hot and causes a safety hazard.

Airstream indicates that users could be tipped-off to a potential problem in this case: “A burning smell may occur.”

Some might say, the more “bling” in your RV, the more the likelihood of problems to fix.