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Saturday, May 25, 2024
Issue 1158
Free, abbreviated edition
Featured articles
Forest Service plans to cut down hundreds of trees from popular campground
Officials at the Tonto National Forest in Arizona plan to cut down hundreds of trees in a popular campground to return it back to the days when natural wildfires naturally thinned the area. For Arizonans who seek the shade of these trees in the hot summers, this is a very unpopular idea. The Forest Service says at least some of the trees are a hazard and need to go. It’s complicated. Russ and Tiña De Maris have the story.
Yes, it’s true: RV takes direct hit from lightning bolt!
This is the stuff of nightmares: your RV takes a direct hit from a bolt of lightning. That’s what happened to Lisa Hettrick’s trailer. Read more and see a photo of the RV (well, actually, the ashes).
Truck companies want driver-trainees to drive alone with no instructor
How’s this thought? You’re driving down an Interstate and you somehow learn that the big rig driver behind you and even ahead of you are truck-driver trainees—and they are driving alone, without an instructor? If that gives you the willies, read on—that’s a situation that some big trucking companies are asking the government for permission to do. Read more.
Ten tips about how find quiet RV parks
By Gail Marsh
Who wouldn’t want a little peace and quiet? From morning to night, daily noise hammers at our senses. Work, traffic, technology, conversation, and more audio assaults fill our ears in a never-ending cacophony. Wouldn’t a nice, quiet getaway be welcome? Yes! But how can you find a quiet RV park? Here are some suggestions.
RVing outside the U.S with a dog? Pay attention to new rules
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Are you planning on traveling out of the U.S. with your dog? Heads up! Come August 1, dogs coming back into the U.S. have new rules. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says the rules apply to dogs coming into the country, even those that have only traveled across a single international border, and set out stringent regulations. Learn more.
Ten things to know about visiting Yellowstone National Park
If you plan to travel to Yellowstone National Park this summer, plan ahead to protect yourself and this wild and awe-inspiring place. Click here for the details.
Frequent hurricanes predicted this season
RVers, other travelers as well as residents in areas normally affected by seasonal Atlantic hurricanes may face especially challenging activity in the months ahead. If you plan to spend time this season in such an area, be sure to constantly monitor the weather forecast and have an escape plan if trapped with nowhere to go. Read more, including the names of the first 21 storms (do any share your name?).
Police recruit jail inmate to start motorhome he stole
Nothing is too strange in the world of crime. In Washington state a man in jail for stealing a motorhome was later recruited by police to help start a motorhome they couldn’t get running. The weird part: the RV was the same one the thief stole that landed him in the slammer. Read all about it.
POP QUIZ: What percent of RVtravel.com readers are spending this weekend in their RV? Is it closer to 29 percent, 37 percent or 56 percent? See yesterday’s poll for the latest results (and go ahead and respond if you didn’t already).
Campground Crowding (and more!)
RV buyers change mind, will not buy RV — “No place to camp”
RV sales have slowed and fewer people are buying RVs. Has that changed campground crowding? This week Nanci Dixon shares some of your stories about RV parks owned by corporations which are not enforcing rules so the parks are getting run down. If someone complains, they are told they can move because there’s a waiting list to get in. (Wow!) Plus, folks have opposite views on long-termers in RV parks. And an RVer has learned not to give away their secret favorite RVing locations because they can quickly get crowded and trashed.
RV Walk-through (new name, same column!)
2024 Leisure Travel Vans Unity MBL Class C motorhome in big demand!
By Cheri Sicard
In [this video], we join Izzy and MJ from Endless RVing (one of the winners of our 2024 RV Video awards), for a walk-through tour of the 2024 Leisure Travel Vans Unity MBL, a unique, small Class C motorhome. That’s because the MBL stands for Murphy Bed Lounge, an unusual layout that gives this small motorhome a lot of versatile function.
More RVing News
- New RV Park opens in Ocala, Florida
- Gas prices up slightly for Memorial Day weekend
- Free admission Memorial Day to Veterans to California State Parks
- Wide swath of the Midwest under (ongoing) severe weather watch
- Don’t miss the annual donkey release coming soon to Colorado
- Mitsubishi’s Maximum Offroader van belongs on the moon
- You don’t have to be dumb for a park wildlife mishap
- How do your RV road trip plans compare to other RVers?
- A church pivotal in Harriet Tubman’s life opens to the public
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.
Saturday Giveaway!
Sorry, folks. No giveaway today. This contest will return next Saturday, June 1.
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.
Reader poll
Will high fuel prices affect your RV travels this summer?
RV and RV-Related Recalls
Forest River recalls RVs with dangerous, sagging LP lines
You can spot this problem. Forest River is recalling RVs with drooping LP lines. Left uncorrected, the problem could lead to a fire. RVs included in the recall include certain 2024 Solera, 2024-2025 Forester and Sunseeker motorhomes. Forest River has issued a Stop Sale Notice until the defect is remedied. If the Liquid Propane (LP) line is not properly secured, it can become damaged and leak. Learn more.
Forest River recalls trailers; water tanks could detach
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Coachmen Independence Trail, 2020-2024 Viking, and 2021-2024 Clipper travel trailers. The freshwater tank could detach from the vehicle when full or overfilled. A detached tank can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash, injury or worse. As many as 2,204 travel trailers may be included in the recall. Continue reading.
HAVE YOU SEEN THIS STOLEN RV?
This 2017 Jayco Flight was stolen from 125 E 34th Street, Tucson, Arizona. The license plate is NSA4SN and the VIN is 1UJBJ0BN7H77V0240. A $2,000 reward is offered for information leading to an arrest of the thief and recovery of the trailer. Call or text 520-837-9794 if you have information. You may remain anonymous.
Did someone rip off your ride? Let us post information on your stolen RV. Email Russ (at) rvtravel.com.
Latest fuel prices
Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of May 20, 2024:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.58
Change from week before: Down 2 cents; Change from year before: Up 5 cents.
Diesel: $3.79
Change from week before: Down 6 cents; Change from year before: Down 9 cents.
For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Something that you love can take away all your stress and you didn’t even know it! You’re going to be surprised you never knew this, but click here to see what it is.
Upcoming RV shows
Click here for a directory of upcoming shows.
Recipe of the Day
Spinach Artichoke Lasagna Rolls
by Melody Perkins from Altus, OK
This can be made as a traditional lasagna, but rolling the noodles up is a fun way to serve these spinach artichoke lasagna rolls. The cheese mixture includes a combination of Mozzarella, Provolone, Romano, Asiago, and Parmesan. Once combined and baked, they are nice and gooey. Then, there are the layers of spinach, artichokes, and browned Italian sausage. If there’s extra filling, fill a few more noodles and bake them in another pan. We think these lasagna rolls will be a big hit around your dinner table.
Trivia
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, but do you know how he wanted us to answer his beloved invention? If Bell had gotten it his way, we’d all be answering our phones, “Ahoy-Hoy!” Thomas Edison thought that was silly, and suggested a simple “Hello” instead. Edison might have won, but until his death, Bell answered his phone, “Ahoy-Hoy!” If you’re a fan of The Simpsons, you’ll note how Mr. Burns always answers his phone with “Ahoy-Hoy!” as a nod to Bell.
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.
The Perfect Scam
Jody and her husband love to travel, and they love to save up credit card reward points to make their family vacations more affordable. When they start getting notifications that some of their points have been redeemed without their permission, they are led on a monthslong ordeal to secure their accounts from criminals who are turning those hard-earned points into cash.
Laugh of the Week
Today in History
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Reading the article on international traveling with dogs and the new rules effective 1 August. What’s the big deal? These should be common sense.
Even when just on a weekend trip close to home we carry a small binder with copies of rabies certificate, all vaccinations, microchip information, copy of the current veterinarian health and wellness examination, and annual photos of each dog. Front, left, right, and overhead. Things we’ve been doing for the past 50+ years.
Carrying information and having to complete multiple online forms from two different government agencies are two different things. Couldn’t the USDA and CDC have gotten together and made ONE simple application form that was sent to BOTH bureaucracies? Apparantly not!
And just how big of a problem has the U.S. had with rabies infected pets coming back from Canada? I know I haven’t been reading or seeing news stories about masses of rabid dogs. Sounds more like a government cure looking for a disease.
Nearly 90,000 new regulations were implemented 1995-2016. The U.S. has more laws & regs on it’s citizens than any other country in the world.
I really appreciate the information on crossing the border with my dog, Bobby. We travel to Canada a couple of times a year, and this article is very informative. Bobby wasn’t too fond of it. His micro chip is not ISO compatible, so he has to get another micro chip…
Our Canadian crossing was do you have the rabies papers. I handed them a stack of stapled 3 packs on our 3 dogs. She took one look at us and said move along have a nice trip. All we did was cross Canada to Maine. Yes I was prepared for anything these border crossers can throw at me. Been there done that.