RV Travel Newsletter for Saturday, January 25, 2025

Issue 1193
This is the abbreviated, free edition of this newsletter. Become a donor and receive the ad-free weekend editions.

The latest news for RVers

The federal hiring freeze implemented under President Donald Trump’s new administration sent ripples through various government agencies, including the National Park Service. For many park workers, this policy change raises significant concerns about the future of staffing, park operations, and the visitor experience. On Friday, The Washington Post reported that around 400 National Park job offers had been rescinded, while the National Parks Traveler suggested the number was closer to 1,400. Continue reading to learn more.

This year, Love’s Travel Stops will surpass 100 locations with RV hookups by adding 83 hookup sites to 17 locations. Love’s customers can use the Love’s Connect app to reserve a space, check in and turn on utilities. “We’re perfectly positioned to take care of this customer—an RV driver who needs a stop on the way to their final destination, something that’s safe and clean, and has the amenities that they need,” said Love’s president Shane Wharton. Learn more.

This year, daylight saving time starts on Sunday, March 9, 2025, and ends on Sunday, November 2, 2025. But while you may recognize the actual day this confounded time switch takes place, you may wonder if you’ll be in a state that pushes you out of the sack a seeming hour early. Just what states are kicking around the “no more time change” idea? Here’s the list of who’s thinking about it—and the status of a potential change.

Thinking about selling your travel trailer? Are you in the market to buy one? You may have eye-balled the internet RV sales giant RV Trader. Now the company has released a compilation of data on just what potential travel trailer buyers are looking at, as well as what brands, sizes, sleeping capacities, and more most interest them. Here are all the details.

Last Saturday, Los Angeles police on patrol in the Palisades Fire area spotted a fire truck in the closed zone. Something just didn’t seem right, so police made a radio call to have sheriff’s deputies make a closer check. The big red fire rig was emblazoned with the words, “Roaring River Fire Department,” purportedly from Oregon. Something seemed fishy, and sure enough, now two phony firefighters are in jail. Here’s the story.

As we reported earlier, California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) withdrew its request to move forward with regulations that could force a total ban on big diesel trucks in 2036. CARB had asked the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to grant it authority for the ban under its Advanced Clean Fleets program, which would’ve required truckers to buy zero-emissions trucks. Now the RV Industry Association has posted its official statement on the matter. The RVIA statement on CARB and its withdrawal follows.

Michigan campers will soon encounter higher costs, as the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) prepares to roll out its first significant price update since January 2020. The revised pricing for Michigan state parks will take effect on August 1, 2025. Here are the details.

Many residents living near Alaska’s Denali State Park are not too happy with the local planning commission. Earlier this week, the Mat-Su Borough Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a privately owned RV resort in the middle of the state park. RV park aside, locals are up in arms with an associated decision—one that will lead to as many as eight helicopter tours per day from the resort during the tourist season. But the call is made: Denali helicopter tours and RVs will be a reality.

KEEP SCROLLING DOWN FOR BIG, IMPORTANT RECALLS! Don’t miss them!

Campground crowding, comments & concerns
RVers share tricks to avoid crowded camping locations

This week, Nanci Dixon shares more of your positive thoughts on how to more easily handle RVing, and other, issues. An RVer is a happy camper because he balances boondocking and campgrounds, thus being able to choose “the best of multiple options.” And another RVer trades off between state/national parks and Harvest Hosts locations throughout the week. There are more great ideas for stress-free RVing, along with a rave review for a campground that went waaaaay above and beyond for an RVer in need in several major ways. Read more.

More RVing news

Seeing a business step up to the plate and help in a disaster is refreshing. In this case, a California RV dealer has reached into its corporate pocketbook and put its money where its mouth is. Enter Mike Thompson’s RV Superstores: “We Are Your Friend in The RV Business.” The company has proven itself to be a friend of those who’ve been hit by the devastating wildfires, and to those who are trying to help them get their lives back.

It seems the year has barely started, but already one of your eight federal “fee free” entry days has slipped away. Martin Luther King Jr. Day has come and gone. Now just seven more free days remain, according to the U.S. Department of Interior. With at least one Interior-managed site in every state and most metropolitan areas, there are many opportunities to get outdoors… for free! Here are the remaining fee-free days for the year.

Some would call it price gouging at the public’s expense. Others say it’s just a sharp business move. Whatever it is, it’s got at least one county councilman upset in football country. With as many as 200,000 folks heading into the Green Bay, Wisconsin, area in April for the NFL draft, you might find getting an RV site hard. Now a local RV dealer is going to make it harder—and make a profit along the way. Here’s the story.

It seems like nearly every month we report on yet another case of vandalism on America’s public lands. This time the story comes out of West Virginia, where thoughtless clowns vandalized the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The Friends of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (FNRGNPP) has joined Crime Stoppers of West Virginia to provide a cash reward for those who can provide any information to catch the vandals. Learn more.

A new White House order imposing an across-the-board freeze on federal hiring has created concern among firefighters. The executive order, signed Monday and effective immediately, stopped all agencies and departments from filling vacant positions. It called on them to “seek efficient use of existing personnel and funds to improve public services and the delivery of these services.” How will wildfire fighter hires be affected? 

Speaking of fires… A DIY LP cylinder refill exploded in a motorhome, taking the life of the family pet. It seems one of the RVers was attempting to fill a small propane cylinder from a 20-pound cylinder. Fire officials report they “inadvertently released propane” in the process. Adding to the apparent stupidity of the situation, the pair had a candle burning near their fuel transfer operation. Don’t do this at home, kids.

Ever dreamed of being a star? Well, if you’re like some of us, it might be better if your RV was the star. And here’s your RV’s chance. Imagine your RV turning up in a “dark suspense/thriller” movie. Your RV in a movie. It could happen—if you’re fast and in the right place. Paramount Pictures is currently scouting/prepping a movie… and they need your RV!

When Oregon State Parks got a huge cash infusion for upgrading its parks, it looked like a great thing. Campground improvements are always welcome, and RVers benefit with upgraded sites and new hookups. But it’s a double-edged sword—to do them, the campgrounds are often closed. But Oregon’s popular Cape Lookout campground is opening for summer after all, with the previously scheduled work being postponed until fall, and reservations will be released this week.

RV and RV-related recalls

Federal investigation targets 900,000 GMC pickups and SUVs over engine issues

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reports of 39 rigs—Chevy or GM pickup, or full-size SUV—equipped with the GM 6.2L “L87” engines, that have experienced sudden engine seizures (i.e., no warning!). It’s led to NHTSA opening its GMC engine failure investigation, and it can use your help. The target group in the investigation includes more than 877,000 units manufactured between 2019 and 2024. Is your vehicle included?

63,000 Jeep Cherokees recalled for power loss or risk of rolling away

Chrysler is recalling certain 2017-2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit may become damaged and disengage the transmission and differential, resulting in a loss of drive power and/or loss of park function. 63,082 units may be affected by this recall. The remedy is under development. Learn more.

Saturday giveaway

How would you like to win this National Park Yahtzee?

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 consider people who live in RVs on the street by necessity to be “RVers”?

Respond here.

?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Did you know you can bathe yourself with a potato? They really get you clean. No, we’re not kidding! Potatoes can make you squeaky clean! Here’s how.

Latest fuel prices

The latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of January 20, 2025:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.11
Change from week before: Up 7 cents; Change from year before: Up 5 cents.
Diesel: $3.72
Change from week before: Up 11 cents; Change from year before: Down 12 cents.

For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Upcoming RV shows & seminars

• Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show, January 18-26, Quartzsite, AZ
• Louisville RV, Boat & Sport Show, January 22-26, Louisville, KY
• Atlanta Camping and RV Show, January 23-26, Atlanta, GA
• Fort Myers RV Show, January 23-26, Ft. Myers, FL
• Tacoma RV Show, January 23-26, Tacoma, WA
• Kansas City RV Show, January 24-26, Kansas City, KS
• NCRVDA Charlotte RV Show & Sale, January 24-26, Charlotte, NC

For more upcoming RV shows and seminars, click here.

Recipes of the day
Campfire cooking isn’t just for summer. Try one of these recipes now

Nope, campfire cooking isn’t just for summer evenings. We love huddling around the campfire in the winter, too. Try one of these yummy campfire cooking recipes and see for yourself. Bring a taste of summer to your winter table. Here are a few recipes to get you started.

Trivia

The longest stretch of a single Interstate with no motorist services is on I-70 in Utah, spanning 110 miles! This remote section crosses stunning desert landscapes, but it’s a good idea to fuel up before driving it—since there are no services for more than 100 miles.

The perfect scam
Minnesota Man Caught in Blind Mule Drug Trafficking Scam

Rodney Baldus, a retired truck driver from Minnesota, believes he is the recipient of a large inheritance belonging to his late wife. The inheritance is in Italy, but he is told he must first fly to Africa to sign papers before going on to Italy. Since his travel expenses are all paid for, Rodney is not suspicious of criminal activity. Unfortunately, Rodney is now sitting in a crowded jail cell in Mozambique with little hope of ever getting out, and his daughter, Nicole, fears for her diabetic father’s life. Rodney is what is sometimes called a blind mule, a victim who was persuaded to transport money or contraband for a criminal gang, an unwitting participant in a serious crime. Journalist Mariana van Zeller, host of National Geographic Television’s Trafficked, tells his story.

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.

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