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Saturday, December 2, 2023
Issue 1133
Free, abbreviated edition
NEW FACEBOOK GROUP: MOTORHOME DRIVING TIPS
Featured articles
Dangerous driving—scary stats say more than half of drivers are doing it
As you and your RV motor down the highway, do you ever face problems with someone’s dangerous driving? It wouldn’t be a surprise. A new report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says more than half of drivers on the road exhibit dangerous driving behavior. Only 4 out of 10 can be considered “Safe Drivers.” Continue reading (and be safe out there!).
Tesla Cybertruck: The future of EV campers finally hits the road
After years of anticipation, Tesla’s Cybertruck, a vehicle that has captured the imagination of both enthusiasts and skeptics alike, has finally hit the roads. December 1, 2023, marks the day that Tesla began delivering its long-awaited Cybertruck to customers. This launch is a new chapter for Tesla and a pivotal moment for electric vehicles (EVs) globally. Learn more by clicking here.
BLM concedes, halts use of cyanide bombs
The United States Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced that it will halt the use of M-44 cyanide bombs for predator control. This policy change aligns with the stance of other federal agencies, such as the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service, which already prohibit the use of M-44s. However, the U.S. Forest Service and ten states continue to employ the devices in various forms. Read more.
Are gasoline prices about to increase again?
Despite less than stellar domestic demand, the national average for a gallon of gasoline fell only two cents since last week. The primary culprit is the cost of oil, which is creeping closer to $80 a barrel. Since oil is the main ingredient in gasoline, higher oil costs tend to put upward pressure on pump prices. Continue reading.
Does Harvest Hosts have a new rival? LandTrust “new alternative”
Harvest Hosts has proved to be a popular program for RVers. For those looking for an overnight alternative to an RV park or a Walmart parking lot, Harvest Hosts offers more. Stay at “wineries, breweries, distilleries, farms, and attractions.” Now a “land-sharing marketplace” wants RVers to stay at their “partner” members’ places. Learn more.
Unscrupulous towing services may charge six figures for a tow
A new report from the trucking industry publication Land Line is reporting that predatory fees are common with towing companies of heavy-duty vehicles, even as much as six figures. Learn more here, and please tell us what you’ve been charged to have your rig towed to a service facility.
Utah road rage bill could take away ragers’ vehicles
A road rage bill in the Utah state legislature could authorize police to take away offenders’ vehicles. The bill would do that, as well as actually define “road rage” in statute. But not everyone is supportive of the idea. Click here to read more.
New RV floor heating system now in some Class B rigs
While big motorhome users have basked in the luxury of warm feet for some time, now Class B motorhomers have the same chance. A new RV floor heating system with all the bells and whistles has hit the market. Learn more about it here.
Stop RV Repair Bills from Ruining Your 2026 Travels
Say goodbye to rising RV repair costs when you protect your RV and your travel budget with Wholesale Warranties this new year. With 20+ years of experience, personalized coverage options, and 5-star customer support, we help RVers stay on the road. Save on costly repairs, enjoy flexible coverage including mobile mechanics, and travel worry-free all year long. Get your FREE personalized RV warranty quote today and enjoy peace of mind for every mile.
Campground Crowding
RVer wonders, ‘Will there be enough new buyers to support the RV industry?’
RV sales have slowed and fewer people are buying RVs than has been the recent trend. Has that changed campground crowding? This week Nanci Dixon shares your recent emails and comments about this, including no problem finding affordable campsites in Texas and other areas around the country, praise for Recreation.gov, and a complaint about “Young couples and families are taking over campgrounds.” One reader wrote about the ten-year rule and 84-month RV loans, and whether or not there will continue to be enough new RV buyers to support the RV industry at the rate things are going.
RV Video Tour
First look at the IMPRESSIVE 2024 Brinkley Model G 4000
By Cheri Sicard
Join Josh the RV Nerd (one of our readers FAVORITE RV YouTube channels) for a tour of the 2024 Brinkley Model G 4000 toy hauler 5th wheel.
Josh says to “buckle up and get the popcorn,” because in his 15 years of reviewing RVs, the 2024 Brinkley Model G 4000 might just be the single most impressive RV that he has ever seen. In fact, he says this is his ultimate “pipe dream RV,” meaning the absolute best you can get if things like price, and size, and weight were not issues. Be sure to watch the video, as you truly have to see this amazing RV to appreciate its quality and uniqueness.
Click here to read more and tour
Take an extra 10% off a GhostBed luxury RV mattress!
The GhostBed RV mattress is 10” deep, crafted with gel memory foam for coolness, has 3 layers of luxurious comfort and is perfectly sized for your RV! Ahhhh… Wake up relaxed and rejuvenated. RVtravel.com readers now get an EXTRA 10% OFF a GhostBed Luxury RV Mattress! CLICK HERE and use code RVTRAVEL10. Watch RVtravel.com’s Tony Barthel’s RV mattress review here.
We are now reporting the news daily
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Don’t want to sign up? Don’t worry. This Saturday newsletter isn’t going anywhere. Continue reading this newsletter every Saturday for a recap of highlights of the latest news for RVers.
More RVing News
Would you buy an electric vehicle? Auto club AAA just released results from a survey it conducted with that question. See what percentage of U.S. adults would, and wouldn’t, buy an EV.
A mysterious, sometimes fatal illness is spreading among dogs in the U.S. Antibiotics don’t seem to work, and researchers are frustrated. Learn more about this sickness here, and be careful with your dog in public spaces!
RV shipments continued their monthly fall as they have every month so far this year. Results for the RV Industry Association’s October 2023 survey of manufacturers found that total RV shipments ended the month with 28,371 units, a decrease of 13.1% compared to the 32,652 units shipped in October last year. So far this year, RV shipments are down 40.6%. Read more.
Dramatic photo of a burning motorhome is a reminder to have an exit plan. A burning motorhome sent thick black smoke into the air over Saltillo, Mississippi, Thanksgiving afternoon. Learn more, and practice your exit plan!
Saturday Giveaway!
How would you like to win this large, cozy, heated electric blanket?
How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (December 2, 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!
RVing earrings for that special lady in your life
Name a cuter accessory, we dare you! That’s right, there isn’t one! These adorable acrylic dangle vintage travel trailer earrings are the accessory of the season and make the perfect gift and stocking stuffer for the lucky lady in your life. And yes, that lucky lady could be yourself! These are lightweight and have the design on both sides. Learn more or order for a great price, and check out the other designs, too!
Reader poll
Has a mouse, rat or squirrel ever taken up residence in your RV?
Recent Recalls
- Huge Honda Accord and HR-V recall: Seatbelts could fail
- Jeep recall – high voltage battery poses fire danger
Latest fuel prices
Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of November 27, 2023:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.24
Change from week before: Down 5 cents; Change from year before: Down 30 cents.
Diesel: $4.15
Change from week before: Down 6 cents; Change from year before: Down $1.00.
For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
These are usually big. Like, really big. Like, not RV-sized. At all. This one IS RV-sized though, and it’s perfect! See?! It’s perfect!
Recipe of the Day
Louisiana Shrimp Stew
by Deb Finney from Little Rock, AR
Deb did a great job recreating her mama’s shrimp stew. It’s super savory. The roux takes time but adds tons of bold, rich flavor. Filled with shrimp and potato, there’s a nice kick of spice. We served this shrimp stew over rice, as suggested, and it was quite good. Some crusty bread for dipping would also be delish.
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Trivia
The term “jiffy” is often used informally to mean a short amount of time, but it is also a legitimate unit of time in physics. In physics, a jiffy is defined as the time it takes for light to travel one centimeter in a vacuum, approximately 33.3564 picoseconds. So, the next time someone says they’ll be back in a jiffy, think about this!
Laugh of the Week
Today in History
RVtravel.com All Star Team
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 and Cheri Sicard. Contributors: Roger Marble, Dave Helgeson, Janet Groene, J.R. Montigel, Randall Brink, Dustin Simpson, Dale Wade, Jan Steele and Tony Barthel. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen. Artificial Intelligence (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.
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I will be making the Louisiana Shrimp Stew for sure. Looks really good.
On towing. Are you saying some towing companies charge $100,000 to tow an RV?
regarding the Rodents…
they have chewed through fuel lines “TWICE”, and we had to be towed.
Now we keep hood open with lights and repellent.
Great issue! Bravo for Utah for trying to put real punishment in effect for road ragers. Hope this gains traction elsewhere -as this is a national problem!
I always wonder when driving a tour bus where some idjits get their drivers license from. Someone told me you can still get them from the sears roebuck catalog. And no I will never get an electric vehicle. You will have to rip from my cold dead hands my gas car. As for gas prices NC seems to be below 3 a gallon. Otherwise if you really want to see crazy drivers go up to Acadia National park near Sand Beach. Uh huh…..
When mice took up residence in our 35-foot Tiffin I learned how tricky they are. I stored a 5-lb bag of rice in what I thought was a safe upper cupboard, only to find the empty bag when we got ready to travel. Stashes of rice were EVERYWHERE! All the way to cabinets and cupboards in the far back of the rig. We were finding rice for years.