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Latest News for RVers Issue 1096, Saturday edition

Welcome to RVtravel.com, America’s longest continuously published RV newsletter. Be sure to check out all our other RV-related newsletters.


Saturday, March 18, 2023
This is the abbreviated, free edition of this newsletter. For the ad-free, full edition, please become a voluntary subscriber. Thank you!



  Featured articles  

Own the world’s fastest motorhome! Only $95,000

This is not your average motorhome. Not by a long shot! This 1977 GMC LSR is, in fact, the official World’s Fastest Motorhome, and it’s totally street legal. Beneath the “MoHo’s” hood lurks a 700 horsepower engine. So go ahead and buy it, then drive it over to Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats, where it’s right at home. Maybe you can beat its current record of 121.5 miles per hour which was set there. Read all about it, but if you want it, you’d better get a move on. It could go fast!

Satellite-to-cell service by SpaceX and T-Mobile planned for this year, will end ‘mobile dead zones’

By Randall Brink
Starlink for RVs has changed its name to “Roam” and added a “global roaming” service at an increased price—$200 per month. The regional roaming price for Starlink RV remains at $150 per month. … Also, SpaceX and T-Mobile will begin testing their joint venture satellite-to-cell service this year, according to Jonathan Hofeller, SpaceX vice president of Starlink Enterprise Sales. The service will offer space-based data services directly to smartphones and other devices on the ground. Learn more.



Lightship self-propelled RV – or self-aggrandized RV – leaves too many questions

By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Last week RVtravel.com readers responded to a piece published about Lightship RV company’s L1. The company puffs it as an “Aerodynamic, battery-powered travel trailer and the first purpose-built travel trailer with a self-propulsion system that enables near zero range or mile-per-gallon efficiency loss for the vehicle towing it.” Readers, on the whole, reflected plenty of skepticism, and the promoters left many questions in our minds, too. We set about trying to get some answers.

Company files motion to dismiss Recreation.gov lawsuit

By Randall Brink
RVtravel.com reported on a lawsuit filed in February against Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. pertaining to its contract operation of Recreation.gov on behalf of thirteen agencies of the U.S. federal government. On March 10, 2023, Booz Allen filed a Motion to Dismiss the lawsuit, along with a 48-page Memorandum of Law supporting its motion. Continue reading.

Senate again considers gun legislation that affects RVers

By Randall Brink
The U.S. Senate Traveler’s Gun Rights Act, S.741, was reintroduced in the 118th Congress to protect the rights of lawful gun owners who travel full-time and remove roadblocks that prevent individuals with no fixed physical residence from completing an instant background check before a firearm transfer. The new act would clarify “state of residence” and “resident” to overcome various residency-related issues facing full-time RV travelers, individuals with multiple physical residences, active-duty military personnel, and military spouses. Learn more.

Tainted pharmaceuticals found. Is it safe to buy prescription drugs in Mexico?

By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Earlier this week, multiple news outlets “broke” the story that Americans who cross the border into Mexico to buy prescription drugs could be in danger. Lawmakers quickly reacted, urging the U.S. State Department to publish a travel advisory. “The State Department needs to warn Americans traveling to Mexico of the danger they face when purchasing pills from Mexican pharmacies,” urged Senator Edward J. Markey and Congressman David Trone in a joint letter to the State Department. What’s the basis of the screaming headlines? Is it safe to buy prescription drugs in Mexico or not? Learn more here.



Campground Crowding:

Costs have risen, and this RVer’s spreadsheet is solid proof

As usual, many readers weighed in this week on campground crowding and the costs for campsites. In fact, Diane M. keeps a spreadsheet of costs and it proves what we have all been feeling. Mark S. reports on rates doubling at their favorite KOA. And Dawn H. sees prices rising and people with no camping etiquette. (Sounds too familiar!) But Darla B. just completed her first snowbird trip and had no problem finding campsites.

Click here to read


That was the RV week that was

March 11–17, 2023

Recent surveys conducted by the Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO), Florida and Alabama RV Park and Campground Association, and the Campground Owners of New York (CONY) indicate that campground operators are expecting higher occupancy rates in 2023 than last year. Among the survey’s key findings:
• 54% anticipate better occupancy in 2023 than 2022; 39% about the same.
• 60% are basing their answers off advanced reservations for this year; 44% off inbound calls and inquiries.
• 60% said guests are booking at about the same time as they were in 2022; 25% said earlier than in 2022.

The annual Southern California RV Industry Show, once an industry staple, is returning to the Pomona Fairplex Oct. 25-29, and will be billed as the 68th Annual Pomona RV Show. The plan is to have the RV’s displayed so all the motorized units will be in the same block, all the toy haulers in another block, trailers in another and so on, said show spokesman Tom Gaither.

Yosemite National Park will begin its reopening process today with restricted access and hours after being closed due to severe storms in the region. The park received more than 15 feet of snow at Tuolumne Meadows and 21 inches of rain. Almost two dozen rockslides and debris flows impacted park roads and facilities, but most have been cleared. Some smaller roads and their corresponding areas remain closed. The park will be open from sunrise to sunset this weekend, with limited overnight lodging starting on Monday. Visitors are advised to bring warm, waterproof clothing and vehicle chains.

A new Love’s Travel Stop along I-295 in Jacksonville, Florida, has 5 reservable RV hookup sites and a dog park. Learn more.



Camping World Holdings has announced it will acquire Pan Pacific RV Center. The French Camp facility is located at 252 W. Yettner Road along I-5 south of Stockton, California. The Morgan Hill location is south of San Jose at 16695 Condit Road on Highway 101.

Here is your lesson for the day. When towing a trailer (or anything) in snowy conditions, do not try to pass a snowplow. What you see in the photo above is what happened on Highway 195 near Spangle, Washington, shortly after the pickup driver passed the plow. We do not know if there were injuries.

Montana’s Glacier National Park is reopening Avalanche, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier campgrounds for the 2023 camping season after closing due to COVID-19 in 2020. The park will require advance reservations through Recreation.gov to better manage visitor flow and improve the camping experience. Two Medicine Campground will open on June 5 and Many Glacier Campground will open on June 9. Avalanche Campground is set to open on July 17, or potentially earlier if the full length of the Going-to-the-Sun Road opens sooner.

Rocky Mountain National Park’s largest and most popular campground will close for a year beginning this summer. Moraine Park Campground, with 244 campsites, will undergo a $19 million restoration project to replace wastewater and electrical systems. Electrical hookups will be added to 60 RV campsites.



Same-day reservations will now be available at all New York State campgrounds. Reservations will be required and patrons can now book a camping reservation as late as 5 p.m. on the desired day of arrival. The public will also be able to book a one-night stay at any state campground beginning April 7, so gaps between reservations will be filled earlier than in previous years

Popular camping app The Dyrt analyzed federal data to find the hardest reservations to snag in the state of California, which has the most national parks and the second most national forests in the country. The report found that Twin Lakes Campground in Inyo National Forest is the most-sought-after reservation in the state. The park is fully booked 97.2% of the time. Good luck getting a spot there, though it sure looks beautiful

A rendering of The Palace Resort luxury RV resort’s clubhouse.

J. Cubas Holdings LLC plans to develop The Palace Resort, a luxury RV resort near Goodyear Boulevard and Jenny Lane in Virginia. The resort will feature 333 RV sites at 7.2 sites per acre, some with private casitas, as well as amenities such as pools, spas, a restaurant, bar, clubhouse, gym, tennis and pickleball courts, and more. The resort will complement the upcoming Caesars Virginia casino project. According to J. Cubas Holdings LLC, The Palace Resort will be a truly customized, upscale community.

And finally… a very accurate observation from the National Park Service.

[Diane’s dog would yawn when she did. Does your dog (or cat) yawn when they see you yawn?]


CONTEST

Is this your RV?

Win a $25 Amazon gift certificate if today’s RV photo shows your rig
Every day we post a photo of an RV either submitted by its owner or by our editors and writers as they move about the country.

Click here to see if your RV made it into today’s issue.



Advertisement/Affiliate

At last! A directory of where to camp on public lands!
The Bureau of Land Management Camping book describes 1,273 camping areas managed by the BLM in 14 Western states. Details for each camping area include the number of campsites, amenities, facilities, fees, reservation information, GPS coordinates, and more. You’ll want this book if you camp or are interested in camping on BLM land. Learn more or order.



Saturday Giveaway!

How would you like to win a Stanley Classic Insulated Thermos?

How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (March 18, 2023) by 7 p.m. Pacific time. Remember, you can only enter once and after we notify you by email via RVcontests@gmail.com that you won, you have 24 hours to respond or we’ll give the prize to someone else.

Click here to enter or see last week’s winner!


Reader poll

Did you ever own a car with fins?

Oh, the good ol’ days, when cars weren’t boring-looking like they are today. No, back then, cars had fins! Man, were they cool and so (in theory) were their owners? Did you ever own a car with fins? That’s our question today.


HAVE YOU SEEN THESE STOLEN RVs?

This 2021 Keystone Arcadia travel trailer took a powder just east of Warner, Oklahoma. The Muskogee County Sherriff says it vanished sometime between the evening of February 24 and the morning of February 25. Contact the sheriff at 918-577-6906 with any information.

Tomfoolery in Tomball, Texas: The Montgomery, Texas, County Sheriff says they think two guys with two trucks thieved a travel trailer in Tomball. The ripped-off rig is a Reflection by Grand Design, model year 2021. The pair of purloiners used a Ford F-250 or F-350 to pull the rig away; one man drove the Ford, another assisted and used what may be a Dodge Ram with dark wheels, and had a bum passenger side brake light. It all came down on March 1, 2023, at around 7:30 p.m. at a business in Tomball. The Reflection bore a Texas plate, B550773. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office would like to have information. Call them at 936-760-5800.

The case of the purloined Phaeton is nearly Sherlock Holmes-worthy. Not only did someone break the lock on the gate, they somehow overcame the alarm system for the garage in which the 2016 Class A Tiffin Phaeton was snoozing. It all took place in Lakewood, Colorado, last Monday, March 13. The big motorhome was wearing 2016 South Dakota license plates, 1BW-049. Know something? Got a tip on the Tiffin? Call the police at 303-980-7300.

Did someone rip off your ride? Let us post information on your stolen RV. Email Russ (at) rvtravel.com.


?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Never miss an important phone call, text or email ever again with this. We mean it. We don’t know how you could miss this…


Latest fuel prices

Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of March 13, 2023:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.46 [Calif.: $4.73]
Change from week before: Up 7 cents; Change from year before: Down 86 cents.
Diesel: $4.25 [Calif.: $5.31]
Change from week before: Down 4 cents; Change from year before: Down $1.00.


Upcoming RV shows

Click here for a directory of upcoming shows.


Recipe of the Day

Corned Beef Hash

by Tammy Bovender

We loved this rustic corned beef hash recipe. It has crispy potatoes, deliciously seasoned corned beef and caramelized onions. Everything cooks together until the flavors marry beautifully. It’s a savory dish that’s made even better with a fried egg on top. Delicious comfort food! If you have leftover corned beef from St. Patrick’s Day you can use that.

Click here for the recipe



The Perfect Scam Podcast

Every Saturday we present a podcast from AARP about scams and how crooks are stealing your money, often via telemarketing. Their efforts are often most successful with people 65 years and older who fall victim to the scammers’ sophisticated techniques. Here is this week’s episode.


Trivia

Sometimes visitors at Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, break the rules, and the law, by taking rocks home as souvenirs. But then, according to rangers, they often mail the stolen rocks back to the park, along with a note of apology.

Don’t take those rocks—or anything else, for that matter—from anywhere!


Laugh of the Week



Today in History


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RVtravel.com All-Star Team

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Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Associate editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editors: Russ and Tiña De Maris. Senior writers: Nanci Dixon, Gail Marsh, Dave Solberg. Contributors: Roger Marble, Dave Helgeson, Janet Groene, J.R. Montigel, Randall Brink, Karel Carnohan DVM, Cheri Sicard, Dustin and Ashley Simpson, Dale Wade, Paul Lacitinola and Jeff Clemishaw. Special projects director: Jessica Sarvis. Moderators: Gary Gilmore. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. Special Reports: Bradford Geer. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen. Artificial (AI) contributors: Johnny Robot and Milly MacWilly. Canine Mascots: Archie and Astor “the Disaster”

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.

CONTACT US
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Editorial (news)
: chuck@rvtravel.com
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Contact us.

Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.

This newsletter is copyright 2023 by RV Travel LLC.

Related Articles

Advertisement/Affiliate

At last! A directory of where to camp on public lands!
The Bureau of Land Management Camping book describes 1,273 camping areas managed by the BLM in 14 Western states. Details for each camping area include the number of campsites, amenities, facilities, fees, reservation information, GPS coordinates, and more. You’ll want this book if you camp or are interested in camping on BLM land. Learn more or order.


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jillie
7 days ago

Wants and needs. Sounds like my doctor saying you really want that but you really need to watch your weight and et all. Sigh. Can’t win.

jeff arychuk
7 days ago

are you aware that 9 times out of 10 your mystery product of the day is “currently unavailable” on amazon. whats the use?? i also object to your brain teasers moving to members edition only. not sure what the big deal is but i’m not buying (into) it.

Admin
Diane McGovern
7 days ago
Reply to  jeff arychuk

Hi, jeff. When I proof the newsletters just hours before they publish, I check all of the links, including the link to the Mystery product. If it indicates it is “currently unavailable” I’ll notify Emily and she’ll put another product in. So, when you look at it and it’s unavailable, it has occurred within the few hours since it was checked. Maybe our readers see them and buy up the last of the item before our other readers can click on the link. We apologize, but there’s not much we can do about it other than what we’re already doing. As for the Brain Teasers being available only to our members, that’s just one of their perks of donating (any amount) to help keep us in business. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com

Gary W.
8 days ago

No more brain teasers?

Admin
Diane McGovern
8 days ago
Reply to  Gary W.

They’re in the Members edition of the newsletter, Gary. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com

Leonard
8 days ago

“Lesson for the day.” Stupid is as stupid does, and Darwin is proved correct once again!

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