RV Travel Newsletter for Saturday, April 20, 2024

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Saturday, April 20, 2024
Issue 1153
Free, abbreviated edition

 Featured articles 

RV market update: Mixed wholesale prices signal uncertainty. Expert offers crucial repair advice

By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Amidst the whirlwind of market shifts, the latest RV analysis paints a picture of uncertainty. With motorhome values on the rise and towables on shaky ground, expert Eric Lawrence cautions against overlooking the underlying currents. As dealers wrestle with surplus inventory and the specter of spring looms large, Lawrence’s guidance resonates: cultivate strong dealer relationships. Here’s the whole story with good advice to follow. 

NASA unveils moon version of RV

By Dave Helgeson
Have you ever dreamed of traveling across the surface of the moon in a fully self-contained, pressurized RV all while weighing six times less than you do on Earth? This dream is soon to be a reality for astronauts. President Biden recently unveiled a groundbreaking collaboration with Japan, announcing an unprecedented agreement to develop a cutting-edge pressurized moon rover dubbed the “mobile habitat.” This is out-of-this-world cool!

Changes to traffic camera laws. Be careful where you’re headed

By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Speed cameras are already operating in more than 220 communities across the U.S. Their purpose is to snag drivers who disobey traffic rules, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Nearly 340 municipalities use red-light cameras to nail light-runners. Here’s the breakdown of states that could be changing, or have changed, traffic ticket camera laws.

Campground Crowding (and more!)

RVer says, “Campgrounds have forgotten their mission as campgrounds… the RVIA has failed campers as a whole”

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 more of your tips for avoiding crowded campgrounds and the importance of pre-trip planning, plus several complaints about high campground prices, snowbirds, and the 10-year rule. Do you agree with one RVer’s observation that “campgrounds have forgotten their mission as campgrounds”?

Click here to read

RV Tours

Tour the MASSIVE 2024 HOST Campers Everest truck camper

By Cheri Sicard
In [this video], we join The RV Guy for a tour of the 2024 HOST Campers Everest truck camper, an unusual camper with a side entry and three slide outs. Inside, the HOST Everest feels more like a small travel trailer than a truck camper. One thing I noticed at the HOST website is that this camper has a LOT of options, so you can configure it with exactly what you need to make your perfect BIG truck camper.

Click here to read more and take the tour

More RVing News

It looks like a scene from a B-grade horror flick. Call it, “Semitruck ‘can opener’ slices open a Class A which sideswiped it.” We don’t know when the accident occurred, but the video was published earlier this month. It’s just a short video, but it demonstrates why you don’t want to get too close to the side of an 18-wheeler. Just one voiceover: “If you ever want to see what the inside of your motorhome looks like…” Watch, weep, and learn!

For RV boondockers, the area around Placitas, New Mexico, is a treasure. A large number of boondocking sites offer memorable views, and great places to disperse camp for free. Now, 4,200 acres of Placitas lands are under protection. Does this change the status of boondockers?

Ford calls it “a truck offensive.” Industry watchers suggest it’s more “spin.” In any event, Ford dealers are being hit with 144,000 new F-150s. In a press release, Ford says it is “now shipping the all-new Ranger and Ranger Raptor, new F-150, F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid, F-150 Raptor, and F-150 Lightning, and assembled 144,000 of the new trucks in the first quarter.” Why Ford’s truck offensive—why ship just now? The details are buried deep.

When Lorraine Finazzo, from South Carolina, learned about the tragic fate of a wolf in Daniel, Wyoming, she felt compelled to take action. The distressing images of the tortured wolf have sparked widespread outrage and horror over the torture and killing and have stirred a broader call for reform in wildlife management policies. Here’s the full story.

Have you ever visited the world’s most boring tourist attraction? The website Solitaired analyzed 66.7 million Google reviews of 3,290 tourist attractions across 384 cities in 71 countries. They focused on 11 keywords suggesting dullness and boredom, ranking attractions based on the frequency of these words in reviews. The survey found a Missouri attraction to be the most boring in the entire world.

RV through any big city and it looks like 90% of the billboards advertise injury lawyers. Here’s a switch: Injury lawyer ads taunt you for distracted driving. Well, that’s a little bit of a stretch, but a new ad campaign mimics injury lawyers to bring home a point. Keep your mind on your driving! Instead of telling drivers to call a personal injury lawyer, the ad mimics the style of such promotions.

Oregon wants a new reservation system—and no fee breaks for you! The present reservation system operates through reservation giant ReserveAmerica.com. While non-Oregon residents get to pay a premium to stay, everyone gets an “ouch” when making a reservation—the $8 reservation fee. Now Oregon wants a new reservation system. Will that nasty $8 fee get reduced? Nah!

In more Pacific Northwest camping news… Is camping in a Washington State Park on your list? Get ready to pay more. Washington State Parks camping and boat mooring fees could go up in 2025, if park officials get approval for their plans. The proposed increases will help the agency catch up with inflation over the last few years. Prices for camping were last updated in 2020 and for mooring in 2015. Here’s more info.

Would you like to walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs? Swing by Ouray, Colorado, and you can. The U.S. Forest Service has bought up 27 acres of land on which lays “the largest continuous dinosaur trackway in the world.” The new public land site contains 134 consecutive fossilized footprints. The big prehistoric beast left a track of more than 106 yards, and loops in a 270-degree turn… all from 150 million years ago! Learn more and plan your visit.

Love cows? Don’t moooove along then. This is your opportunity to get in on a Cow Cuddling Internship program, available for the right RVers. This internship offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for passionate individuals to immerse themselves in the therapeutic practice of cuddling with cows (and mini cows) while contributing to their well-being. Check out this udderly amazing opportunity here.

Today starts National Park Week, “a nine-day celebration of everything ‘parks.’” The special “week” starts off with free admission at any of the 400+ parks. National Park Week is happening April 20 to April 28. Entrance fees are waived today, April 20, to kick off the celebration and to encourage everyone to enjoy their national parks in person. National Park Service parks, programs, and partners will host events and activities all week.

Speaking of national parks… We reported earlier on 2023 National Park visitation stats, up 4% from 2022. We won’t hit you with “the Big Five,” but put this to you: What five national parks set new visitation records in 2023? The answer may surprise you—and give you more places to visit for your Bucket List.

Two major road improvement projects are set for Yellowstone National Park in 2024. The Lewis River Bridge and Yellowstone River Bridge projects will cause traffic delays. It’s important that visitors plan accordingly for these delays, located along the park’s southern and northern road corridors.

Drink Zero Sugar Ginger Ale? Listen up. Soft drink giant PepsiCo says put down that ginger ale! A company investigation reveals Schweppes Zero Sugar Ginger Ale may actually be loaded with sugar. The scoop comes from details posted online by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Here’s the recall information and what else you should know.

Never lose your glasses or sunglasses again—always keep them nearby
This glasses holder clips to your car or RV’s visor so they’re always easily accessible to you. The glasses clip is closed with a magnet, holding it strong enough so that it won’t ever fall out, but is still easy enough to open with one hand. If you find yourself losing your glasses often, or have a hard time keeping them organized, this is for you. We love this! Learn more or order.

 NEW!
What’s new at campgrounds and RV parks

Stay up to date on news about campgrounds and RV parks across North America. Every week, learn about new parks, expansions, or special events coming up at campgrounds throughout North America. Read this week’s latest news here. 

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Saturday Giveaway!

How would you like to win The Original Makin Bacon Microwave Bacon Dish?

It makes crispy bacon in minutes right in your microwave!

How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (April 20, 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

If the price was excellent, would you buy a house if it were built using RV construction materials and techniques?

Tell us here

RV and RV-Related Recalls

Tiffin motorhomes recalled due to potential cooktop fire

Tiffin is recalling certain 2022-2024 Allegro Open Road, Allegro RED 360, 2024 Byway, and 2022 Phaeton motorhomes. The LED backlight circuit board in the cooktop range may fail, causing the board to overheat. A circuit board that overheats increases the risk of a fire. More info here.

?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
As RVers, this comes in handy. Trust us. We have this and use it often. But this special edition is even more special than the one we have, and there’s something else that’s special about it that you’ll love (and appreciate!).

Latest fuel prices

Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of April 15, 2024:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.63
Change from week before: Up 4 cents; Change from year before: Down 4 cents.
Diesel: $4.02
Change from week before: Down 5 cents; Change from year before: Down 10 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

Ham & Cheese Potato Salad

by Amy H. from Detroit, MI

Potato salad is a must on a cookout menu and we really liked this twist. The addition of peas gives the side dish a slight sweetness. Ham and cheese make this a hearty potato salad. This could be a side or even a meal.

Click here for the recipe

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS STOLEN RV?This standard model 2018 Scamp trailer was stolen in Birmingham, Alabama, just before 5 a.m. on Monday, March 25. Options include A/C, a rear hitch and vinyl flooring. The only modifications inside are a few cupboard doors the owner replaced. It had a Thule bike rack when it was stolen. The VIN# is 1S7R13109J1822196 and the Alabama tag 1A0B8HX. The rear stabilizer feet are probably damaged since it appeared the thieves did not pull them up when they drove off, as indicated by deep gouges in the gravel where it was parked. If you have any information, email info@fiberglass-rv-4sale.com and ask that the owner be notified.

Trivia

Think Idaho grows the most potatoes? Think again! China is the world’s #1 potato producer, followed by India, then Ukraine, then finally the good ol’ U.S.

The Perfect Scam

The Perfect Scam is a weekly podcast profiling America’s biggest scams. Listen to experts tell stories from fraud victims and their families.

Criminals Deceive Search Engines With Fake Results
You’ve heard the advice: When you receive an unexpected phone call from a company, hang up and call its verified phone number. But can you trust an internet search to find a valid number? Criminals have figured out how to deceive search engines including Google and put fake phone numbers in search results that look like the real thing. This malvertising, or malicious advertising, can lead to disaster for consumers like Marcia, whose search for Amazon’s customer service number goes very wrong.

Groove gap cleaning tool keeps bugs, dirt and grime out of windows and doors 
This small, handheld groove gap cleaner cleans windows, sliding doors, shower door tracks, oven and sink gaps and more. This two-part gadget has a scraper, for scraping up debris and dirt, and a brush, for brushing it away! The elevated handle has finger grips for an easy hold. If it gets dirty, wash it with soap and water and it’s just like new. Learn more or order.

Laugh of the Week

Speaking of potatoes… What do you call a potato with gas?
A tater toot!

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, J.R. Montigel, Randall Brink, Dustin Simpson, Dale Wade, Tony Barthel, and Janet Groene. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen. Social Media staff: Gary Pratt. 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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