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Saturday, December 16, 2023
Issue 1135
Free, abbreviated edition
Featured articles
Tesla recalls 2 million cars—An example of Elon Musk braggadocio?
Editorial by Russ and Tiña De Maris
It’s a big item on the news this week—the Tesla recalls. It’s hard to ignore that some two million cars from a single automaker could get a recall. But when you think about it, the company CEO likes to make a splash every time he opens his mouth. He may want to eat some of those words. Words like these: “Whether you hate me, like me, or are indifferent, do you want the best car or not the best car?” Continue reading.
RV industry dodges new rules cracking down on sales scams
Earlier this week the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced new rules to protect vehicle buyers from vehicle sales scams. The FTC calls its new rule the CARS Rule, for “Combating Auto Retail Scams.” The agency says it will prevent buyers from thinking they’re buying a rig for one price, and then finding out it costs a lot more. Why more? Find out here, including how the RV industry avoided this new rule.
On the road, but de-banked: RV full-timers dealing with banking challenges
By Randall Brink
Many RVers answer the call of the open road and recreate their lives in the freedom of full-time RV dwelling. However, the mobile lifestyle presents vexing challenges, particularly when it comes to managing finances. One major hurdle for full-time RVers is maintaining traditional banking services. Some financial institutions aim at nomadic RV travelers and refuse to serve customers who do not have a permanent physical address. Continue reading this concerning report.
USB cables good for many things—but not tire chain accessories
You can use them to charge your phone. Some portable fans operate with them. We’ve even seen razors use USB cables to charge. But don’t try and use a USB cable to fix a tire chain issue. In Washington state it can cost you, as one driver just found out. You won’t believe this!
CarePod A.I.-powered, self-contained DIY health clinics hit the road
For many RVers, the freedom and flexibility of the open road are often overshadowed by anxieties about accessing healthcare while traveling. Finding time for doctor’s appointments and routine checkups can be challenging, especially in remote areas. Fortunately, a revolutionary solution is emerging: Forward’s CarePod, a self-contained, A.I.-powered health clinic designed specifically for the needs of RVers. This is very interesting.
Don’t fall for a QR code scam
Most of us are “wise” to electronic scams. “Phishing” schemes keep us on our toes as to how we handle email from people we don’t know. “Boiler room” operators may call us by phone, trying to get us to part way with our money. But QR code scams? Who’d have thought it possible. Here’s important information from the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI.
Campground Crowding
5 additional taxes and fees added to campsite reservation costs. Can RVers afford to RV anymore?
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 reports your ongoing comments about paying more for less at campgrounds, a longtime full-timer complaining about road conditions being the problem rather than the prices at RV parks, and more complaints about RV parks billing themselves as “resorts” and charging accordingly when they are not resorts. Also, there’s a state park that tacks on several taxes and then charged these folks for a reservation fee even though they didn’t make a reservation.
RV Tours
Tour the 2024 Grand Design Solitude 310GK luxury fifth wheel
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, we join Ty Sullivan of DapperRV for a tour of the brand-new 2024 Solitude 310GK 5th wheel by Grand Design. From the unscientific perspective of my observations while traveling this country, I see a whole lot of Grand Design Solitude 5th wheels out there, so I was curious to see why so many folks like them.
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More RVing News
Google keeps track of what everyone searches for. No doubt the company sees great financial gain from that data collection. But that same information can benefit others. Ever wonder what national parks get the greatest amount of search play on Google? Here are the Top 10 National Parks searched on Google in 2023.
The National Park Service is investigating an online scam involving fraudulent parking tag sales to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Someone posing as the National Park Service is directing individuals and organizations to a website titled “Smokies Park Pass.” The website looks like it belongs to the park’s partner, Great Smoky Mountains Association (GSMA), but it is not a GSMA or NPS website. Do not visit or buy parking tags from this website. Official Great Smoky Mountains National Park parking tags are available online ONLY through smokiesinformation.org or Recreation.gov.
Planning to use your RV later this month? Christmas holiday travel could impact your RV plans. Well, don’t count out New Year’s, either, says motorist support organization AAA. AAA says it thinks 115.2 million folks will move out 50 miles or more over the 10-day holiday travel season at the end of 2023 and into the first week of 2024. That’s the second-highest number of folks traveling since AAA started tracking holiday plans in 2000. Continue reading to learn more.
States depend on taxes charged at the fuel pump for highway funding. But what if a vehicle “never sets foot” near a fuel pump? EVs, or electric vehicles, don’t pump gas or diesel, so roughly 60% of U.S. states are figuring out the need for an electric vehicle tax. Pennsylvania already has one, but proposed legislative changes could make Keystone State EV owners pay the biggest tax in the country.
Catalytic converter theft is big-time business for some. Reports of theft of those precious pollution control devices are too numerous to keep track of. But what about catalytic converter crooks—do they ever get caught? One Seattle man did—and now he’s headed to prison.
New Hampshire camping fees could blast upwards in state parks. That’s the case if a proposed change going before the Granite State legislature is approved. Read about this legislature and what it could cost you here.
Woody and Luna Faircloth have formed an unusual charity organization. The father-daughter team—Luna is 11—call it EmergencyRV. Wherever folks find themselves without a place to live, Woody and Luna are ready to step in and help, giving RVs to folks without homes. Donate your RV? It could end up in Hawaii—helping out folks devastated by the Maui fire. Read this.
It may be the West Coast’s most popular national park, with visitors swamping it every summer. The answer? The Yosemite reservation system will debut this summer, in an attempt to ease congestion and overcrowding. Learn more.
Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park says it’s increasing fees for cave tours and picnic shelter reservations. The start of the new fees takes place March 1, 2024. See these “mammoth” fee updates here.
Just in time for the snowbird rush, a new RV resort in Coachella, California, opens the doors. Coachella Lakes RV Resort held its ribbon-cutting on Monday, December 11. Read about it here.
For more than 20 years, Mobile, Alabama, hosted RV City for its annual Mardi Gras bash. RV City was an encampment in the downtown area, under an Interstate 10 bridge. The party is over—RV City is now just a memory.
Saturday Giveaway!
How would you like to win this funny “Starter Fluid” mug?
How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (December 16, 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!
Book for cheap city and town park camping
In most cases, camping in city and town parks costs less than nearby private or other better-known public camping areas. In many cases, the overnight fee is $10 or less, with many sites still free. Some even include free or inexpensive utility hookups. Now, our friends at Roundabout Publications along with The Ultimate Campgrounds Project have published a directory of these under-publicized parks. The first edition of its “Camping in America’s City & Town Parks” is now available. Continue reading about this great new resource.
Reader poll
Couples: Would you likely keep traveling with an RV if your partner died?
Recent Recalls
- Keystone recall: Dutchmen Coleman axle springs can be overloaded
- American Eagle recalls some motorhomes for detaching deflectors
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Drinking in a winter wonderland… That’s how it goes, right? Well, that’s how it goes with this, trust us! We love these. We want these. Okay, fine, we already ordered these…
Latest fuel prices
Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of December 11, 2023:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.14
Change from week before: Down 10 cents; Change from year before: Down 10 cents.
Diesel: $3.99
Change from week before: Down 11 cents; Change from year before: Down 77 cents.
For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Upcoming RV shows
Click here for a (recently updated) directory of upcoming shows.
Recipe of the Day
Italian Christmas Quiche
by Deb Lund from Rhinelander, WI
This is one yummy quiche with tons of flavor. The Italian seasoning goes great with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Chunks of meat and asparagus make this a hearty quiche. It’s simple to make and will be a delicious holiday breakfast or brunch.
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Trivia
The tradition of hanging stockings by the fireplace is said to have originated from the story of Saint Nicholas. According to legend, St. Nicholas wanted to help a poor family but knew they would be too proud to accept charity. So, he decided to help them anonymously by tossing three bags of gold coins down the chimney, and they landed in stockings hung by the fireplace to dry.
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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Yesterday N.H. State parks passed all the new increases! It’s still a bargain! Full hookups right on the ocean for a new rate of $70 a night with no taxes added on. Now that’s a great price! You can walk 50 yards to the beach!
Why would you publish such a hit piece and make it a feature article as the one sided, ill informed story about Tesla. This type of garbage should have no place in this news letter. I’m very saddened by your decision to print something like that. First off it is deceptive in its it “reporting” and does not have anything to do with Rving. I’m so saddened with your newsletter today.
Portland Oregon ?
OK I’ll ask it. Please explain the laugh of the week.
The “For Lease” sounds a little like “Feliz”, so they added “Navidad”. “Merry Christmas” in Spanish. Clever. Have a great day, Uncle Swags. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Shame on you for printing the article on Elon Musk. It reeks with bias from these two authors. Their disdain for Elon Musk just drips from this article. shame, shame, shame.
He needs to run for President