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Issue 1183
The latest news for RVers
New pollution rule will disrupt RV industry, increase prices of RVs: The new California Air Resources Board (CARB) tailpipe emissions rule that becomes effective in 2025 will cause a major disruption in the RV industry and increased price tags for buyers. Originally aimed at the tailpipe pollution levels of fossil fuel emission engines — gas and diesel — of big rig trucks, the new emissions level mandate will hit the RV industry hard, too, with an industry-wide and nationwide impact. Read more.
A recent incident at Yellowstone National Park involved a Colorado Springs resident, Joseph Aita, who was issued significant legal consequences and a five-year ban from the park. Now Aita is offering his side of the story after he received a sentence of seven days in jail, five years of probation (which includes a prohibition from entering Yellowstone), and a $3,000 fine. Read about what “really” happened here.
The RV Dealer Association (RVDA) has awarded yet another “Quality Circle Award” to an RV manufacturer. The Quality Circle award is a measure of RV dealer satisfaction with a manufacturer. This time the award has gone to East to West, a division of Forest River. Forest River pleases dealers, but its record number of RV recalls might leave buyers fuming as they wait for their rigs to get fixed. Winning big awards while having the most recalls? Hmmm… Continue reading.
In better news, Airstream also won a few “Quality Circle” awards for its 11th year in a row. Learn more.
Patients at a Houston cancer center are finding an unconventional way to save on housing costs. As healthcare costs rise, so does the need for more accessible and flexible housing solutions for patients seeking life-saving treatment at leading hospitals and other medical institutions. A solution is emerging at Blue Water RV Resorts, which is providing affordable and supportive housing near medical facilities. Check this out.
Ford is in deep trouble. Ford will pay up to $165 million in penalties for failing to promptly recall more than 620,000 U.S. vehicles, including the popular F-Series pickups, due to faulty rearview cameras. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) called the fine the second-largest in its history, after Takata’s airbag recall penalty. This is not good!
And speaking of Ford… Say you’re driving your Ford Super Duty pickup down the highway, typically faster than 50 miles per hour. You hit a bump, and the Death Wobble sets in. It’s a violent shaking that drivers describe as terrifying. The only way out, once it starts, is to quickly slow down—and hope you don’t get rear-ended. Now a judge says owners of some death wobble Fords can proceed with a class action lawsuit. Here’s what to know.
Unless you’re an RV full-timer with no real home address, you could be hoodwinked by a scary scam. Your phone rings, and the caller identifies themself as a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent. It seems the agency has intercepted a package of drugs with your name and address on it. The real U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency says there’s recently been a huge surge across the country with this scam. How does the scam work, and how can you protect yourself from this federal agent phone scam? Find out here.
A 19-year-old San Bernardino, California, man watched his savings and hard work go to waste when an out-of-control RV crashed into his family’s parked cars last week. Watch the news segment from KTLA near the bottom of the article (it contains a commercial before the actual news report). Surveillance footage shows the RV ramming Daniel Gallardo’s car, then smashing into at least two others. When the driver backed up, he hit three more vehicles, according to the sheriff’s department. Watch and weep!
Some may remember the days when some things were free. More and more, free camping is vanishing, and the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) office in Butte, Montana, has several presently free campgrounds to add to the list of those that will soon charge money. No more free camping. In a notice published in the Federal Register, the BLM announced it is establishing new recreation fees to support expanded amenities at eight developed recreation sites. These campgrounds are…
Late Friday, November 8, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted to update its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). At last tally, California was the second-highest state in the nation in terms of pump prices. And CARB’s chairman admits the new update will indeed increase the cost of fuel at the pump. How much will California gas prices rise? What’s behind the LCFS tweak? And, hold on to your hats—and wallets. The California change may affect those outside of the Golden State. Here’s the story.
And speaking of gas… The national average for a gallon of gas is now less than a dime away from dipping below $3 for the first time since May of 2021. But the possible formation of a new hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico could delay or even temporarily reverse the decline in pump prices. Since last week, the national average dropped two cents to $3.08. Come on, Mother Nature! Continue reading.
Tired of high gas prices? What about high RV park prices, too? Jellystone says RVers are fed up with high prices. (Ya think?) If you’re finding the rates at RV parks are too much to stomach, you’re not alone. “Inflation” has hit nearly every corner of the American economy, including prices demanded for staying in your RV. When will the rate increases stop? Evidently, RV park franchise chain Jellystone is recognizing that “enough” may be too much already. Here’s the story.
Campground comments and concerns
Full-time RVers “regret RV life” and “have never wanted to live in a house so desperately”
This week, Nanci Dixon shares more comments on crowded campgrounds and rising RVing costs. One RVer has turned to exclusive boondocking, while another, traveling from Delaware to Florida, hasn’t faced issues with reservations or prices but noted a campground changing ownership multiple times. An RVer laments that camping today isn’t what it was in the ’70s, meaning his kids may never experience its true nature. Plus, hear why one full-time RVer is ready to swap RV life for a house. Read more.
More RVing news
We love to love Love’s! Love’s Travel Stops continues to work at offering a lower-cost alternative to RV parks for RVers needing an overnight spot. Now five more “RV hookups” are coming in Southwest Missouri. The Missouri Love’s hookups join an already large network of the outfit’s offerings. Here’s more info.
In September we wrote that the U.S. Forest Service is essentially killing off temporary jobs in 2025. With the exception of firefighters, the Service won’t fill positions for things like campground maintenance workers. But temporary workers aren’t the only things RVers will see less of. These Forest Service budget cuts could get much more personal. Like, who will clean the outhouses?
These are dark days for RV dealers. The latest report on sales, these for September 2024, show only one segment of new “RV” sales going up: park models. Here’s the latest RV sales breakdown in an industry suffering a breakdown of its own.
Many RVers are set to begin their journey to “snowbird” locations. If you are one of them, you should know that wildfires threaten several routes to the south. As historic drought conditions grip the Northeast, devastating wildfires have spread from New Jersey into New York. Tragically, Dariel Vasquez, an 18-year-old New York State Parks employee, lost his life last week while assisting in fire containment efforts when a tree fell on him.
Grand Canyon National Park is seeking the public’s input on a proposed increase in campground fees for standard tent and RV sites at Mather, Desert View and North Rim campgrounds. The increase would begin next April 1. The park collects campground fees from visitors for overnight stays, but the new fees would rise dramatically. The current camping fees have not changed for the last 20 years. Learn more, and give your input.
Get ready, reservations open on Monday (November 18) for Yosemite’s famous Firefall. Each February, photographers, nature enthusiasts, RVers, and awe-seekers flock to Yosemite National Park. They come to witness the mesmerizing phenomenon known as the “Firefall” at Horsetail Fall. This natural spectacle occurs when the setting sun aligns perfectly to illuminate the waterfall. It turns the falls into a river of blazing orange light—a stunning display that seems almost unreal. Make your plans to see it in person.
In another “have to charge fees comparable to private industry” situation, camping fees at Mojave National Preserve are headed up. National preserves are managed by the National Park Service as part of the National Park System. At the turn of the year, fees at the preserve’s two developed campgrounds will shoot up—in one case double the present charge. Continue reading.
RV and RV-related recalls
Forest River RV recalls some fifth wheels for improper wiring
Forest River is recalling certain 2021-2025 Impression fifth wheel travel trailers. The solar charge line, front LED hitch light, and the pass-thru light may have been wired to the incorrect mini breaker. As a result, wires connected to the incorrect mini breaker could melt and short, increasing the risk of a fire. Learn more.
Winnebago recalls trailers; solar panels could vibrate and detach
Winnebago Towable is recalling certain 2022 Micro Minnie FLX and Hike travel trailers. The mounting hardware may come loose, allowing the solar panel to detach. A detached solar panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. Learn more.
Forest River to recall RVs with defective solar wiring
Forest River is recalling some travel trailers because a botched factory wiring job could lead to a fire. If you have one of these 12 different models, you may notice your solar system doesn’t work. It’s a clue to watch out for in the instance of Forest River solar shorts. Here are the affected units.
Saturday giveaway
How would you like to win this trailer dog toy for your pup(s)?
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
Do you see yourself still RVing in five years?
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
It’s been raining. And raining. And even if it’s not raining where you are, it’s bound to be soon. Rain means it’s the time of year for these. And we love doing these!
Latest fuel prices
The latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of November 11, 2024:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.05
Change from week before: Down 2 cents; Change from year before: Down 30 cents.
Diesel: $3.52
Change from week before: Down 2 cents; Change from year before: Down 77 cents.
For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Recipes of the day
Light and healthy meals to make before the heavy holiday eating begins
It’s almost Thanksgiving, which kicks off the holiday eating season. While we love stuffing ourselves like a turkey the next couple of months, we also want to feel good (or at least better) about it. Make these light and healthy meals now so you feel better about eating more later. Plus, these meals are still just as delicious!
Trivia
The average car has more than 30,000 parts! From the engine to the smallest screws, cars are incredibly complex machines with thousands of components working together to keep everything running smoothly.
The perfect scam
Trusted Caregiver Steals Oklahoma Woman’s Savings
Alice hires a local handyman, Joey, as a live-in caregiver after her shoulder surgery. She recovers, but soon COVID-19 hits, and Joey, who is down on his luck, stays on to help around the house. Alice has known Joey for years and trusts him completely. But one morning when she opens her monthly bank statement, everything about her relationship with Joey changes.
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
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30,000 parts in a car. Can you imagine what it would cost to build one from scratch?