Issue 1180
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The latest news for RVers
Amazon Prime’s new fuel savings promise falls short in practice (we know because we tried it). The new Amazon promo says, “Prime members can now save $0.10 per gallon at approximately 7,000 BP, Amoco, and AM/PM gas stations across the U.S. Based on average U.S. driver statistics when purchasing at qualifying locations, this means nearly $70 of savings per year.” But here’s how it really works.
Don’t try staying with your RV at this RV park! With complaints of “crowded campgrounds” continuing to register in some areas, you’d think that a planned 100-site RV resort would come as good news. It depends on how you look at it. City of Napa, California, officials are leaning toward approving a new park on 12.5 acres there. If approved, would the new “glamping resort” mean less RV park crowding in the areas? Not here—this RV park shuts out traveling RVers. Wait, what?
RVers who want to get off the beaten path and into the forest beware. A mean-spirited someone has been spiking Forest Service roads in southern Oregon. The caltrop-like boobytraps are designed to puncture vehicle tires. The road spiking boobytraps are simply boards with nails or screws run through them. They’re laid down on the roadway, and in some instances they “have been covered with leaves, so it may be difficult to see them,” according to the Forest Service post. Here’s more info.
These are not good times for Winnebago stockholders. The company released its fourth-quarter and year-end financial report, and in the words of one market watcher, “Investors were set to have their worst day in two years.” The market set up a profit bullseye, and the miss was huge. As Winnie’s CEO put it, “The RV industry continues to face various headwinds,” and those headwinds caused Winnebago to take a beating.
And, in other not-good-times news… September RV shipments are down slightly, but motorhome shipments are down a whopping 30 percent. These stats are from the RV Industry Association’s September 2024 survey of manufacturers, which shows shipments down 4 percent in total from September 2023. Here are the rest of the numbers.
Grizzly bear 399, the oldest-known in the Yellowstone area at age 28 and a renowned ambassador of her species, was killed by a car earlier this week on Highway 26/89 in Snake River Canyon, Wyoming. She was well-known for having cubs late in life and drawing countless visitors to the region. Her cub remains missing. Here’s more info.
And speaking of Yellowstone… The last day for visitors to drive most of Yellowstone National Park’s roads will be Thursday, October 31. The West, South and East entrances and nearly all roads will be closed to regular vehicle traffic as of November 1. Every year the park closes roads at this time of year to prepare them for the winter season. Snowmobile and snowcoach travel will begin December 15. Continue reading.
It’s officially winter at Rocky Mountain National Park, too. Trail Ridge Road (U.S. Highway 34) inside the park officially closed for the season on Friday to through travel. With 11 miles of road located at elevations above 11,500 feet, few guard rails and no shoulders, Trail Ridge Road is not designed to be an all-season road. Learn more.
As autumn marches in, the National Park Service says to be on the lookout for the plant that looks like it’s looking at you. This “eyeball” plant, as some call it, is also known as the white baneberry, or doll’s eyes. While the baneberry does have a somewhat unusual appearance, don’t you dare touch it! Here’s why.
It’s another one for the dumb crooks file, this one courtesy of the Land Down Under. Police in Victoria State say a couple of yo-yos tried to light a motorhome on fire. In the end, one arsonist lit himself on fire. Watch the video.
Arches National Park officials are seeking public comment on its Visitor Access and Experience Plan, which identifies long-term strategies needed to provide day use visitor access in a way that protects the Utah park’s resources, promotes safety, and creates opportunities for high-quality visitor experiences. The public is invited to comment on the plan through November 23, 2024.
Campground Comments and Concerns
(formerly Campground crowding)
Mom-and-pop campground owner’s side of the story: “Inflation affects everyone, not just campers”
This week Nanci Dixon shares a complaint from Richard, similar to others we’ve received, stating that this column about campground crowding has run its course. Nanci agrees, and that’s why the column is being changed to Campground Comments and Concerns. She is asking for your positive news and tips regarding campgrounds and RVing, as well as any negative reports you might have. A couple readers do have positive things to say about their experiences with campgrounds. And a mom-and-pop campground owner explains why they are forced to raise their rates just to survive. (Very enlightening.) Read them here.
RV and RV-related recalls
Critical recall: Forest River RVs at risk of air conditioner fires
Forest River RV owners beware. The company joins other RV manufacturers in having to recall rigs because of a potential risk of air conditioner fires. 2,783 rigs are being recalled for a faulty soft start device. Learn more.
Fire hazard notice: Forest River’s bad wiring sparks fifth wheel recalls
An erroneous wiring job has led to a Forest River solar panel fire danger. The improperly wired systems could melt, risking a fire. Continue reading.
Brinkley fifth wheels recalled: Solar wiring linked to fire risks
Brinkley RV is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model G fifth wheel trailers. The solar panels may have been incorrectly wired, which can overload the circuits and cause the wiring to overheat—with the potential of a fire. Learn more.
Safety recall: Forest River RVs linked to sewer gas vent issues
The company thought what was a “one-off” problem turned out to be nearly 300 RVs with a missing anti-siphon vent. Now Forest River is calling the rigs back because of a smelly problem. Sewer gas could creep into these travel trailers. Read more.
Have you seen this stolen RV?
“On October 9, 2024, we discovered our 2021 Dutchmen Kodiak (CA plate 1NL7981) stolen from Extra Space Storage in Cathedral City, CA. It was taken on July 29 at 8:55 PM by a couple in their 40s using a U-Haul truck. We were never notified by the facility. This theft has devastated us, especially since my husband needs two surgeries soon, and the RV was vital for his recovery. We planned to keep it for years, and it held many sentimental items. It has a distinctive tire cover with a grizzly bear and a 4-bike rack.” Contact the Cathedral City police with any info.
Saturday giveaway
How would you like to win a copy of this BLM camping guidebook?
How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today by 7 p.m. Pacific time. You can only enter once and after we notify you by email that you won, you have 24 hours to respond.
Click here to enter or see last week’s winner.
Reader poll
Which of these social media platforms do you use at least 2 hours a week?
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
There’s just something special about Grandma’s cooking. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could taste everyone’s grandma’s food? Well, now you can. And we think this is the best kind, anyway.
Latest fuel prices
The latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of October 21, 2024:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.14
Change from week before: Down 3 cents; Change from year before: Down 39 cents.
Diesel: $3.55
Change from week before: Down 8 cents; Change from year before: Down 99 cents.
For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Recipes of the day
5 finger-lickin’-good fried chicken recipes
Can’t you just smell the fried chicken? Smells good! These five fried chicken recipes have a little bit of everything. We’ve got traditional fried chicken, healthier oven-fried chicken, an air fryer fried chicken, tempura fried chicken and everyone’s favorite, chicken and waffles. Make everyone else in the campground jealous! Click here.
Trivia
Amazon has opened a new five-story, 3-million-plus-square-foot facility (equivalent to 55 football fields) in Shreveport, Louisiana, that will eventually employ 2,500 workers. The facility includes Sequoia, a multilevel containerized inventory system that can hold more than 30 million items. —SOURCE: Chain Store Age
The perfect scam
Suicide After a Scam: One Family’s Story
Dennis, an 82-year-old proud father and grandfather, makes a connection with a woman he meets on Facebook named Jessie. Jessie claims to have made a lot of money through crypto investments and offers to teach Dennis how she did it. Having developed a trusting relationship with Jessie and hoping to build an inheritance for his family, Dennis decides to invest his savings. When it is revealed that the investments are a scam and Jessie is a fraud, a devastated Dennis takes his own life. Now his son and daughter share his story in hopes of reaching even just one person who might be going through a similar situation.
Laugh of the week
Today in history
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Scam are among us. Be careful. With money, no one is your friend.
Sometimes seeing the latest fuel prices almost makes me smile. Paid $2.419 a couple of days ago right here in the center of America. I can afford to mow my lawn now.
I follow the current wholesale price of gas and oil. Gas has gone down consistently over the past 4-5 weeks. But at the pump not so. Yesterday, the wholesale price went up about 2%. The price at the pump jumped 20 cents. Wholesale price goes down, price stays the same for weeks. Goes up slightly and next day takes a major hike.
Where is the “Brain Teaser”?
Hi, Stinger. the Brain Teaser is in the Subscribers’ edition, where it’s been for quite awhile. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Always told my grandson when he was little. Put your money in your pocket and don’t talk about it. He’s 18 and remembers grandpa’s advice. People will do anything to try and steal your money.
lots of recalls from Forest River, think they’d get a clue that something needs a bit more looking over in each area, there’s always a root cause, however will they dig deeper to find it?