Issue 1176
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How “forever chemicals” are shaking up the RV industry. Are you at risk?
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Have you heard of PFAS? Maybe not, but you probably have heard of forever chemicals. They are human-made chemicals that are extremely difficult to break down in the environment. Not only do these chemicals last a long time, but they can also cause serious health problems. And now, the RV industry is finding itself in the heart of the forever chemical situation. Does your RV contain forever chemicals? Yep… Read the story here.
Today is National Public Lands Day! That means it’s a free entry day to all National Park sites around the country. Here are the details.
The latest news for RVers
The new data is in, and it suggests motorhome shipments are in trouble. While towable units saw a bit of an increase over August of 2023, motorhomes are doing a “drive of shame.” Are motorhomes failing? We can’t say, but their sales certainly have run out of gas. Learn more.
Get ready… it’s coming. Thor is launching the first hybrid engine Class A motorhome. It’s beyond the engineering paperwork stage—some RV dealers can already jump behind the wheel and test drive the prototype. Built on an electric vehicle platform developed by EV manufacturer Harbinger, the collaboration is a first. The new RV can deliver an estimated 500 miles of range. That’s big news for RVers. Check it out.
And speaking of Thor… RV companies in California are trying to weaken state protections for RV owners, with changes expected by September 30. If passed, California could shift from a top state to one of the worst for RV buyers. Nationally, Thor’s 2025 warranties cut buyer protections, while RV quality declines, marked by a spike in recalls on September 23. The industry is also moving to block legal routes that allow buyers to make manufacturers repurchase faulty RVs. What a mess!
National parks are being loved to death. As crowds line up at the gates, traffic jams inside change park visiting from a joy to torture. Several national parks have responded by creating a system where reservations are required just to get in the gate. Others require reservations for certain routes, once inside the park. But things are changing. The reservation system is closing, at least for a time, in several popular parks across the country. Here are the details.
Mystery stowaway on board! A California woman got a major shock days after visiting Yosemite National Park. A Yosemite critter hopped in her car days earlier and finally made its escape. Her dogs kept nosing around the engine compartment of her car. When she popped the hood, out jumped a big, furry… Well, you’ll see!
Internet giant Starlink and big cell service provider T-Mobile have promised cell phone users could reach out from just about anywhere. If out of network range, you can bounce your call through an earth-orbiting satellite. And to start the whole game, the companies promised you could start texting this fall. But the Starlink/T-Mobile plan for space-texting appears to have hit a snag.
One of RVers’ favorite snacks may soon disappear from shelves. Bananas were a staple of comedy sketches—peels on the floor leading to hard rump-landings. But there’s no comedy here if you like EATING the big yellow fruit. A fruit shortage of sorts could be building up that could see some store shelves empty and prices on those few bananas left skyrocket. Here’s what’s going on (you might want to stock up on bananas…).
If you’re looking to buy a new tow vehicle, listen up. Earlier this week Ford told customers just what they can expect to pay for one of their popular pickups. The F-250 Super Duty price will go up a little—or a whole lot—depending on which one you plunk down your money for. Continue reading.
Truma Combi G moves RVs one step closer to all-electric models. Truma Combi G will complement its existing propane-powered Truma Combi, which serves as both a furnace and water heater. “Many RV manufacturers we work with are shifting toward fully electric models. Eliminating propane is a step in that direction,” said Nick Dunning, head of business development at Truma North America. Learn more.
The national average for a gallon of gasoline shifted slightly by a few cents before ending up where it started a week ago at $3.22. Pump prices have been sliding recently, but the rapid intensification of Hurricane Helene appears to have had an effect.
Campground crowding (and more!)
Paid-off RV still costs more than $1,000 a month; plus “shocking” car, hotel costs
This week Nanci Dixon shares more of your stories about the cost of campground fees going up but without much, if any, increase in amenities; another couple’s plans to give up RVing due to higher costs; and some tips for finding good campsites at affordable rates. All those and more here.
RV review
Embassy RV Cape Cod—an RV I’d be proud to have built
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the Embassy RV Cape Cod, a Class B+ RV that comes from a company that makes a lot of commercial vehicles and also some pretty nifty RVs. I have to admit, I really like the thinking that goes into the products Embassy RV makes. In many ways, if I were an RV company, this is how I would build RVs—no wood, no slides, lots of innovative ways of just solving problems in a usable package. Continue reading.
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More RVing news
Hear that buzzing in your ear? Don’t just slap at that mosquito, keep it away from you! That’s the news from New York state as officials react to the first death of a person from eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) there since 2015. The state considers the problem so serious, it’s giving away mosquito repellent to visitors to all Empire State parks. This is serious business—Stay away from mosquitoes!
Conditions from Hurricane Helene vary at Florida National Parks. Following the passing of Hurricane Helene, visitors to the South Florida National Parks and Preserves should continue to exercise caution with the potential for unidentified hazards on land and in park waters. More details on each park are here.
A federal court in Indiana awarded Forest River, Inc. $5.56 million in damages after finding that inTech Trailers, Inc. willfully infringed Forest River’s trademarks. The original $2 million jury award was deemed insufficient to deter inTech’s actions, leading the court to increase the damages to ensure inTech did not profit from its infringement. Continue reading.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced plans late last week to tow oversized vehicles on city streets including RVs parked overnight if occupants refuse housing offers. The measure aims to address complaints from residents and businesses about occupied vehicles used as housing, particularly between midnight and 6 a.m. Learn more.
FMCA’s president Gary Milner has resigned to battle cancer. The following statement was issued to members of the FMCA by President Gary Milner: “It is with a heavy heart that I submit my letter of resignation from my position as the FMCA President. I have recently been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer that is not curable, and that will require my full attention and devotion for the next several years….” Continue reading.
Rayne Beau the cat, from Salinas, California, went missing during a camping trip in Yellowstone National Park. After days of searching for the family pet, owners Benny and Susanne Anguiano finally gave up. Then, 60 days later, 2-year-old Rayne Beau miraculously reappeared on the streets near Sacramento, more than 800 miles away.
RV and RV-related recalls
Winnebago recalls trailers after siding blows off in transit
After receiving reports of siding blowing off some of its RVs, Winnebago is recalling certain 2024-2025 Winnebago Access travel trailers. The metal siding may have been improperly attached and can come loose, becoming a major road hazard. Learn more.
Reader poll
How would you feel about being in the campsite next to a lit-up RV?
Saturday giveaway
No giveaway this week, folks. We’ll be back with a new prize on October 12th.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Since today is National Hunting and Fishing Day, we figured you’ll probably need this in the near future. And we’ll let you in on a little secret: You’ll love this even if you’re not a hunter and a fisher! How’s that for great? Sounds good to us! No, really, sounds good!
Latest fuel prices
The latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of September 23, 2024:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.19
Change from week before: Up <1 cent; Change from year before: Down 65 cents.
Diesel: $3.54
Change from week before: Up 1 cent; Change from year before: Down $1.05.
For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Recipes of the day
5 yummy shrimp recipes for a delicious weekend meal
These shrimp recipes have us altering our dinner plans tonight (no, we’re not kidding!). These all look sooooo good. There’s something for everyone here, too—shrimp tacos, Greek pasta salad, shrimp and grits, bang bang shrimp (Never had it? You’re missing out!) and a classic shrimp scampi over pasta. Yum, yum, and yum! Here are the recipes. Enjoy!
Trivia
Montana has more cattle than people! With a population of just over 1 million people and around 2.16 million cattle, it’s a state where cows outnumber humans by about 2 to 1. This makes Montana one of the top beef-producing states in the U.S., and its vast open landscapes are perfect for cattle ranching.
The perfect scam
U.S. Army financial advisor defrauds soldier’s grieving family
Kim is grieving the tragic death of her son, who was serving in the Army, when she learns that she is the sole beneficiary of his military death benefit. To help with financial decisions at such a vulnerable time, an adviser named Caz Craffy is offered by the military. Kim plans to use the money to buy a home, but Craffy insists that she make investments in stocks of specific interest to him. One day Kim is contacted by the FBI and learns that Craffy is under investigation for redirecting military benefits to investments that pay him high commissions.
Laugh of the week
Today in history
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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RVtravel.com All Star Team
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I think that although we have great “ night shades in our rv, I don’t like someone with a huge light show right next to me all night. It also bothers my beagle, Maggie!
Campgrounds should add this to their list of rules as it wastes electricity…
thanks.
grumpy old Denny.
Excellent point!
Many of us enjoy the great views of the stars in the sky when we are camping so anything that adds to the ambient light nearby makes it more difficult to see & enjoy looking for things like identifying the planets & satellites as they pass by. I know a guy with a new 5th wheel who turns on his bright exterior lights then goes in for the night. He thinks these lights are “cool” as he told me. The wife & I had been sitting outside watching a lunar eclipse when he turned on his “nose lights” directly facing us across the avenue. I tried explaining that his lights being on made no sense & how they interfered with our viewing of the eclipse but he was not the least bit concerned.
Prayers for Gary Milner as he fights his cancer diagnosis!
Bananas are not a fruit! Technically they are classified as Berries! Surprise!!!!
Also Strawberries are not berries!
And tomatoes are a fruit not a vegetable. Believe it or not.
If you really want to see a clown show go visit Acadia NP. They have buses but yet the tourists still insist on driving their cars up to the Sand Beach area to park. It is a nightmare getting buses in and out of there. Watching them park is a fun rodeo. I drove two years for them before opting out for a non driving position but nothing. I drove 16 years school bus but it is nothing like you see here. Did not drive last summer miss the job but not the headaches. So if you go? Take the bus. You will see what I mean. Acadia really needs to limit this.