Issue 1195
This is the abbreviated, free edition of this newsletter. Help support RVtravel.com with a voluntary membership donation and receive the ad-free weekend editions.
Video news: Seasonal jobs cut as public lands and RV industry face big changes
Jason Epperson from RV Miles shares news updates on key topics affecting RVers, including a hiring freeze on seasonal employees in national parks, the renaming of Denali to Mount McKinley, potential tariffs on the RV industry, and a 2024 industry wrap-up. Additional news covers Starlink service changes, Michigan campsite fee adjustments, a casting call for RV owners in Washington, and Love’s Travel Stops’ expansion. Watch this quick, info-packed video to stay up-to-date on the latest RVing news.
The latest news for RVers
The RV industry is just beginning to emerge from the nightmare of years of declining sales. As we reported earlier, the RV Industry Association (RVIA) reported that sales in 2024 finally hit a positive mark—sales up 6% compared to those in 2023. But now the industry has a major fright: A large chunk of U.S.-made RVs are exported to Canada. With the apparent trade war shaping up due to import tariffs, U.S. RV manufacturers are facing the potential for profit losses and layoffs.
Garmin has debuted what it calls “the ultimate control panel” for travelers who want a smart RV experience with a sleek, modern touchscreen display. Serving as command central for the RV, drivers and passengers can easily control onboard entertainment, monitor security camera feeds, change the temperature settings and adjust other systems throughout the cabin — all from a single screen. Learn more about it here.
Ford CEO Jim Farley announced earlier this week that the company will not be producing heavy-duty electric pickups, focusing instead on mid-size and smaller electrified trucks. This decision came during Ford’s fourth-quarter 2024 earnings call, as the company stated that larger electric trucks are not currently feasible.
If you’re sitting in the RV park and a rig pulls into the space next to yours, don’t be surprised if the RVer has a young face. RV industry promotion group Go RVing says there’s “a dynamic shift in the RV ownership landscape.” First-time RVers are younger and wealthier. Among the findings of the study, changes among first-time owners and families with children under 18 stand out. The median age of RV owners has declined from 53 in 2021 to 49 in 2025, with 46% of owners now falling within the 35-54 age range. Find the rest of the interesting stats here.
If a serious crime happens while you’re in one of America’s national parks, the response may not be so quick. In 2024, some 1,200 rangers kept watch over the park system. But back in 2010, nearly double that number was on hand. Park ranger numbers are in decline—and seriously threatened. The National Park system has landholdings half the size of Texas—85 million acres. That breaks down to 71,000 acres per ranger. Continue reading.
And speaking of National Park jobs… As the Trump administration cuts spending and eliminating federal jobs, National Park employees find themselves directly in the crosshairs, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times. Last week, the seasonal workers who staff 433 national parks and historical sites, including Yosemite, Death Valley and Joshua Tree, began receiving emails saying their job offers for the 2025 season had been “rescinded,” with little further explanation.
A fire in California’s Riverside County that was initially reported as “non-injury” has now turned out to be murder. An alleged arsonist has been arrested, and also charged with the murder of an RVer caught in the flames. The RV arson-murder case took only a day to unravel. Read the story here.
When state police got a call that a campground staffer had been threatened with a gun, little did they expect a “magic” experience. But before police were able to clear the scene, the gun threat also revealed a “secret garden” of so-called magic mushrooms in an RV—and a fugitive under the bed. What a story!
Amid the threat of tariffs, the national average for a gallon of gas ticked up two cents from last week to $3.13. That’s 7 cents more than a month ago and one cent less than a year ago. The national average per kilowatt hour of electricity at a public EV charging station stayed the same, at 34 cents. More info here.
Speaking of gas prices… Planning to RV in Colorado? Don’t be surprised if pump prices are higher than in neighboring states. Potential Colorado fuel price tariffs based on Canadian imports get the blame. It seems the only oil refinery in Colorado is in Commerce City. The Suncor Energy plant sees its home base in Alberta, Canada, and the refinery distills about 40% of the fuel sold in Colorado… Continue reading.
Campground crowding, comments & concerns
RVers talk “hanging up the keys.” Plus, are the homeless taking over campgrounds?
In this week’s column, Nanci Dixon shares more of your concerns about increased costs of RVing and crowded campgrounds, and to the point of more RVers considering hanging up the keys. But, as usual, other RVers relate that they don’t have issues with crowded campgrounds and tell us how they handle some of RVing’s challenges. We ask for your input on one reader’s comment that rates should be cheaper in the winter, and also what you think about a comment regarding the homeless taking over campgrounds. Read it here.
RV and RV-related recalls
Brinkley RV recalls nearly 2,000 5th wheels for fire danger
Brinkley RV is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model G fifth wheel trailers. The solar charge controller may fail and overheat. An overheated controller increases the risk of fire. Learn more.
Jayco trailers recalled for cooktop gas leak
Jayco is recalling certain 2025 Jayco Jay Feather Micro trailers equipped with InVision Three Burner Cooktops. The aluminum burner tube may crack and cause a gas leak. A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire. Read more.
Highland Ridge RV recalls fifth wheels because of tire misinformation
Highland Ridge RV is recalling certain 2025 Highland Ridge Open Range 3X fifth-wheel travel trailers. The tire size listed on the vehicle certification label is incorrect. The incorrect tire information may result in the wrong tires being installed on the RV, increasing the risk of a crash and injury. Learn more.
More RVing news
There will be no adjustment in oil production plans. That’s the word from OPEC+ made during a review meeting on February 3, despite President Donald Trump urging the group to lower crude prices. OPEC production will remain the same. A panel led by Saudi Arabia and Russia confirmed plans to maintain current output levels for the rest of the quarter. It does plan gradual increases starting in April. Continue reading.
This U.S. state is considering extreme measures to slow down speeders. Too many folks are “putting the pedal to the metal,” says one state legislator. With one-in-three fatal crashes involving speeding, the lawmaker says enough already. If they won’t slow themselves down, a proposed law would do it. The law would require speed limiters in the vehicles of repeat speed limit breakers. Here’s where and when this could happen.
And on a similar note… “Camp out” in the fast lane in Arizona, you could get hit with a $500 fine. That’s the aim of a bill currently working its way through the Arizona legislature. Some have dubbed it the Slow Poke Bill. It has already passed out of committee and will head to the floor of the House. Drive the speed limit or move over, Arizona!
If you’re an RVer, you’ve likely seen or own one of those U.S. decal maps—adding a new sticker for every state you visit. For Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis, his version of the map looks a little different. Instead of tracking road trips, it marks each new state where the company has established a presence. Now, Delaware gets its sticker. Camping World has officially expanded into the state, making it the 44th to join the retailer’s growing nationwide footprint.
We reported last year that Yosemite National Park would require reservations to enter the park during peak hours. Some weren’t surprised by the news. According to Yosemite National Park’s website, the Yosemite entrance reservation system for 2025 will be announced soon. Learn more here.
And speaking of entry reservations… Glacier National Park is reminding future visitors that 120-day advance timed entry vehicle reservations become available on Recreation.gov starting February 13, 2025, at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. A timed entry vehicle reservation is required from June 13 to September 28, 2025, for the West Side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork. Reservations can only be purchased on Recreation.gov. More details here.
In yet another case of vandalism in public lands, law enforcement needs your help. A pictograph panel at Utah’s Buckhorn Wash Pictograph Panel, believed to be around 3,000 years old, has been vandalized with “Silvia P.” scrawled across four petroglyphs of bighorn sheep. Take a look, and please, please, please help identify the vandals!
President Donald Trump has announced plans to establish the “National Garden of American Heroes,” a sculpture garden featuring 250 sculptures, one for each year of U.S. history. This project aims to celebrate the nation’s heritage and is scheduled for completion by July 2026, if Congress agrees to fund it.
Months after a devastating flood, Missouri’s Montauk State Park will reopen to day-use guests Feb. 24, and overnight guests will be welcomed back into the campground starting Feb. 25. The monumental flood on Nov. 4, 2024, left the entire park with substantial damage. Here’s more info.
On the “bad day” scale of 1 to 10, we’d have to rate this one as an 11. A Pocatello, Idaho, man was driving his motorhome down an area street when his “brakes failed,” and the wayward rig crashed through a guardrail and into a river. The motorhome in the river incident sent two to the hospital. Here’s how it unfolded.
On February 2, 2025, during the annual Groundhog Day event, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow and saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. Sigh.
Saturday giveaway
How would you like to win a copy of 100 Drives, 5,000 Ideas?
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
How often do you stay with your RV in a scenic location?
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
What’s one part of your body that you can exercise without leaving the couch? Think reallllllly hard… If you’re thinking you’re using this body part right now! Your brain! Yep, here’s how to exercise it.
Latest fuel prices
The latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of February 3, 2025:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.08
Change from week before: Down 2 cents; Change from year before: Down 5 cents.
Diesel: $3.66
Change from week before: Down <1 cent; Change from year before: Down 24 cents.
For fuel prices for specific regions, states, and cities, go to U.S. Energy Information Administration. Here’s the link for propane prices around the U.S.
Upcoming RV shows & seminars
- Jacksonville RV MegaShow, February 6-9, Jacksonville, FL
- La Crosse Sport Show (with RVs), February 6-9, La Crosse, WI
- Knoxville RV Show, February 7-9, Knoxville, TN
**Seminars by RVtravel.com’s Dave and Cheri Helgeson - Houston RV Show, February 12-16, Houston, TX
- Chicago Camping & RV Show, February 13-16, Rosemont, IL
- Austin RV Expo, February 13-16, Austin, TX
- For more upcoming RV shows and seminars, click here.
Recipes of the day
Superbowl Sunday recipes
Get ready for tomorrow’s big game! If you’re still in need of something delicious to make, we know you can find a few options here:
- Get ready for game day with these dip recipes
- The best chicken wing recipes for Super Bowl Sunday
- From appetizers to subs and sliders: 5 meatball recipes everyone will love
- Delicious deviled egg recipes for game days, holidays, and more
- 6 crowd-pleasing dips perfect for any occasion
- Forget KFC and make these delicious fried chicken recipes at home
Trivia
The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910, but its origins trace back to an unexpected act of kindness. In 1909, an American businessman named William D. Boyce got lost in the fog while visiting London. A young boy helped guide him, but when Boyce offered a tip, the boy refused, saying he was just doing his duty as a Scout. Inspired by this, Boyce brought the Scouting movement to the U.S., leading to the creation of the Boy Scouts of America! (P.S. Today is National Boy Scout Day! And, as of today, Feb. 8, the Boy Scouts of America’s 115th birthday, the name is officially changed to Scouting America.)
The perfect scam
Job Seekers Targeted by a Work-From-Home Reshipping Scam
When Cathy’s disabled husband loses his Medicaid coverage, she must look for a job to help pay the rent. The retired Army Reserve veteran has impressive work experience, so when she puts her resume online, she almost immediately gets an offer. The job is for a shipping company, receiving, inspecting, and forwarding packages, and it allows her to work from home while caring for her husband. It seems like the perfect job for a while, but when they offer her a promotion to purchasing agent, it could end up putting their home in jeopardy.
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.
Not a fan of news clips, especially at 6am. I prefer to read. Any way to put the transcript in the newsletter?
I’m not sure exactly what you’re talking about, Brian. Most of the links in the newsletter go to posts, which you can read. If you’re referring to Jason Epperson’s video of the RVing news, I don’t see that he has a transcript for the video, per se, but you can turn on the subtitles/closed captioning, and read along on the screen. If that wasn’t what you were referring to, please let me know and I’ll try again. Sorry I can’t help more. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Garmin still exists? I remember my mother using that years ago. Found it among her stuff after she died. Hate to say it I kept it. Wonder if it is worth anything.
“The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910” and it did not include girls.
It is so sad that the “Cancel Culture” has caused so many of these name changes including sports teams on every level having to remove any hint of a native American mascot. I know a lot of Eagle Scouts that have been affected by the change through no fault of there own.
The “National Garden of American Heroes,” is probably going to be nothing more than a tribute to rich people over the years.
Maybe he should take that money and rehire the NPS people getting laid off.
Lol, perhaps in your universe it would be made up of homeless people and illegal aliens, because they have made such great contributions to American Society and Heritage,
Are the “Girl Scouts” changing their name as well? Just ridiculous! Can’t we just leave things alone?
Hi, Gary. Not yet, but just give ’em time.🙄 Have a good night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com