RV Travel Newsletter for Saturday, January 6, 2024

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Saturday, January 6, 2024
Issue 1138
Free, abbreviated edition

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  Featured articles  

Used motorhome prices “drop like a rock,” says wholesale market watcher

Black Book, the authority on wholesale RV prices, reports the most recent auction values are tumbling. Used motorhome prices dropped like a rock in the most recent posted month, November 2023. Continue reading.

Big recall: Ford recalls 112,965 F-150 pickups with tow package

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 pickups equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design. The rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub splines. Learn more.

BLM, SEC maneuvering to sell off public lands; future of camping could be significantly impacted

By Randall Brink
Throughout the past year, RVtravel.com has published several news articles and essays about the actions of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to alter its mandate under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA). … BLM is attempting to implement the rule without congressional oversight or approval. It has the potential to curtail access to public lands dramatically and, if implemented, would significantly impact the future of campgrounds, boondocking, and dispersed camping. Read more.

North Carolina RV dealer files for bankruptcy

An RV dealer files for bankruptcy, this one in Raleigh, North Carolina. USA RV isn’t pulling the pin, but has filed for a reorganization under Chapter 11. Find out why here.

Most dangerous time to drive varies by state, revealing critical patterns across the U.S.

Thousands of lives are lost annually in vehicular accidents worldwide. A recent study utilizing data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has unveiled the most perilous times to drive in each U.S. state, shedding light on factors contributing to the alarming statistics. Learn more.

The latest Starlink Roam news digest for RVers

By Randall Brink
Here is Starlink Roam news and interesting facts from the first week of 2024. Yes, these stories are very interesting.

Dramatic body cam footage captures heroic rescue of elderly RVers trapped in burning motorhome

By Russ and Tiña De Maris
On Tuesday we brought you the story of a burning motorhome rescue. In a nutshell, an RVing couple, Raymond Hanas (82) and Patricia Grabley (81) were motoring down New York’s Interstate 97 Thruway when their Class A caught fire. They immediately pulled onto the shoulder and tried to get out, but their rig’s door was too close to the guardrail to open. Intense flames from the fire at the rear of the motorhome were heading their way—sending an enveloping cloud of toxic smoke right at them. New York State police troopers came on scene while the RVing couple were still trying to get out of their rig. Trooper Scott Westfall’s body camera caught the action. Watch it here. Wow!

Campground Crowding

RVer notes camp host jobs no longer paying, now on volunteer basis. Plus, how one full-timer RVs for cheap!

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 relates the pros and cons from several RVers when it comes to full-time RVing (polar-opposite views!). Also, we hear from a young couple who are finding camp hosting no longer pays but is mostly volunteer work now, and the reason they think it’s gone this way recently. And one reader won’t shop at stores that don’t allow overnight parking.

Click here to read those stories and many more

A “cool tool” indeed: The Magnetizer/Demagnetizer
This gadget, recommended by Dave Solberg and Dustin Simpson, instantly magnetizes or demagnetizes steel tools and other small parts. You can convert any tool blade to a magnetic retriever of things like screws, nuts, and metallic particles. No batteries or electricity required. Never lose a screw again! Read more about it here, or buy one for yourself here.

RV Tours

Tour the new 2024 Airstream Basecamp 20X—sleek and smart

By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, we join Gabby of RVs with Gabby for a tour of the 2024 Airstream Basecamp 20X. This is a sleek, quality trailer with everything you need for off-grid adventures, which is what the X in the name signifies. This means more ground and tank clearance and other features to enhance the off-road and off-grid experience.

Continue reading and take the tour

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Don’t want to sign up? Don’t worry. This newsletter isn’t going anywhere. Continue reading this newsletter every Saturday for a recap of the latest news for RVers.

More RVing News

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced today that it is closing 1,091 acres of public lands northeast of Apache Junction, Arizona. The closure will last for two years, to allow the construction of the new Goldfield Recreation Area. In this case, the BLM is closing out camping in the area on a permanent basis. More info on this closure here.

New RV broke, no help from the manufacturer until a TV station stepped in. Living the full-time RV dream—that’s what Wanda Johnson and her husband thought they were getting into. They sold their house and bought a 42’ Cedar Creek fifth wheel. The Johnsons were ready to start a new adventure until their new RV broke. Calling their dealer didn’t help much. Calling Forest River got no more than sympathetic clucking. But when the Johnsons called a TV station, things got fixed—in a hurry.

Police in Bozeman, Montana, are asking for your help in locating a missing RVer. Megan Ashley Stedman, who is 34 years old, has been missing since December 15, 2023. She was last seen in the Bozeman/Livingston area. She is described as African-American/Native American, 5’7” and 195 pounds, brown hair and brown eyes, no known tattoos. Click here to learn more, and keep your eyes out for Megan!

More Camping World dealerships are coming in the next three months. Camping World dealerships seem to multiply like flies. On January 2, the big corporate RV seller said it had closed the deal for taking over Ashley Outdoors. The latter was an independent RV dealer in Salem, Alabama. But this is only the beginning.

Gas prices are going down across the country, dipping slightly by three cents since last week. The national average price for a gallon stands at $3.09. AAA says the reason is likely lower demand—the holidays are over and folks are driving less.

Shipments of RVs from manufacturers to dealers improved slightly overall in November, the first uptick of the year, but shipments for the first 11 months remained down significantly. Yearly shipments for 2023 will likely end up being about half of 2021’s record year, when 600,240 RVs flew out the manufacturers’ doors. Read more.

An all-metal RV water heater tank rinser wand that works and won’t fly off!
Nanci Dixon shares her new favorite all-metal water heater tank rinser. She writes, “It is practically guaranteed to not come apart in the tank. They had two similar ones and I made sure to pick the one that came with an adaptor to fit a garden hose with an on/off lever. … The wand can go in far enough to cover the whole tank and the nozzle can be turned down to flush out the deposits on the bottom of the tank.” Read Nanci’s story here and order one for your RV.

Park rangers at California’s Death Valley National Park are worried about copycats. No, these aren’t an indigenous species in the park, but rather, visitors who may want to go off-road there. Recently, three vehicles went off-road in the park and got stuck. Their drivers also got stuck—with citations for mandatory court appearances. Yikes. Learn more.

Grand Canyon rangers implore – Please don’t use rat poison! Park officials at Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park are reminding visitors and employees: Don’t use rat poison. That’s not just limited to bait put out for rats. They stress that any poison intended for rodents is verboten at the park. The warning comes after the recent death of a bobcat at the park. More info here.

A 65-year-old man, ignoring rules in the Los Padres National Forest, got stuck for four days. Fortunately, an observant emergency dispatcher spotted his flashlight beam, saving him from freezing temperatures, hunger, and dehydration. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of following rules in remote areas… and a reminder to always carry a good flashlight.

Who’s in the toilet? A Georgetown Lake, Montana, wildlife biologist rescued an owl that had made the mistake of flying down the vent system of a vault toilet at the lake. The subsequent rescue is enough to make you want to take a shower. Read about this very heroic rescue here.

All this news takes a lot of work! If you enjoy it, say “Thanks!”
If you learn something new from us, if you find us entertaining, if you find yourself looking forward to reading our newsletters every day… say “Thank you!” RVtravel.com would not be possible without the financial support of our voluntary contributors. Their support helps us avoid relying on advertising, and keeps our resource-rich work unbiased and free for all RVers to enjoy. Every contribution makes a difference. When you contribute, you’ll receive a special member-only ad-free version of our weekend newsletters forever as one way for us to say thank you. Learn more or donate.

?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Like games? Like cheese? Ever wanted to throw a piece of cheese around? Well, you’re in luck! All your dreams will come true with this (and you’ll have fun with it!).

Saturday Giveaway!

How would you like to win this collapsible, portable cornhole set?

How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (January 6, 2024) 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

What do you call it: a signal or a blinker?

Tell us here

RV and RV-related recalls

• Carefree awning recall—may extend while traveling
• Winnebago recalls some Micro Minnie FLX trailers

The best trash can for your car or RV
Don’t let trash litter your car or RV! This small trash can is made for cars and can be attached to either a headrest or the center console with adjustable straps. When it’s not being used, it collapses flat. The trash can is leakproof and waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about anything spilling. This could also be used as a storage container for drinks, snacks or even pet toys. Learn more or order.

Latest fuel prices

Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of January 1, 2024:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.09
Change from week before: Down 3 cents; Change from year before: Down 13 cents.
Diesel: $3.88
Change from week before: Down 4 cents; Change from year before: Down 71 cents.

For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Upcoming RV shows

Click here for a directory of upcoming shows.

Recipe of the Day

Asparagus & Mushroom Chicken

by Shawn Lansing from Nolanville, TX

A quick and easy chicken recipe for when you’re looking to lighten up dinner. We love mushrooms and asparagus together. Combined with sliced chicken breasts, it reminds us of stir-fry and tastes like spring. With hints of garlic and lemon, we enjoyed this dish. Depending on how you serve it, this can be a low-carb meal. If you’re not watching carbs, it would be delicious served over rice.

Click here for the recipe

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Trivia

The world’s most expensive cheese is called Pule, and it comes from Serbia. Pule cheese is made from the milk of Balkan donkeys and is produced in small quantities, making it extremely rare and pricey. The donkeys are milked by hand, and it takes about 25 liters (6.6 gallons) of milk to produce just one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of Pule cheese. Due to its labor-intensive production process and limited availability, Pule cheese can cost several hundred dollars per pound, making it a luxurious and exclusive treat for cheese enthusiasts.

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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