Issue 1206
This is the abbreviated, free edition of this newsletter.
Our supporters receive the ad-free edition.
Today’s thought
“The measure of a man is what he does with power.” —Plato
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Independent Bookstore Day!
Featured news
Camping World closes dealership after flag dispute
In a local talk-radio news show on Tuesday, April 22, Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis let his feelings vent toward the city of Greenville, North Carolina. Or, more accurately, toward the city council thereof—that he holds the council responsible for Camping World closing his dealership. Here’s what he had to say.
Mass layoffs at Thor leave RV workers without jobs
A storm is hitting THOR Industries—and it’s not just metaphorical. Nearly 500 workers across three major RV brands are facing sudden layoffs, with just weeks to prepare. For an industry already riding a bumpy road, this wave of job cuts is rattling entire communities. If you thought RVs were built for the open road, this story reveals just how shaky things are behind the scenes.
Heartland RV plant to shut down, all employees lose jobs
A Heartland Recreational Vehicle manufacturing plant in Sturgis, Michigan, is set to shut down in June, leading to the loss of 121 jobs. The plant opened a little more than a year ago in late 2023. The company specializes in towable RVs and travel trailers. Read more.
RV solar shock: Panel prices could soar as some tariffs may hit 3,500%
Planning on installing solar panels on your RV? You may want to do it now—and not put it off. The U.S. Commerce Department says it will soon be tacking huge tariffs on solar panel imports from several Southeast Asian countries. While the highest tariff rate could be more than 3,500%, other producers will still see big hits in the form of solar panel tariffs. More info here.
BEST CLUB FOR RVers: Hands down, the Escapees is the very best club for RVers. Join now and get a 10% discount.
Campground crowding, comments & concerns
No column this weekend, sorry! Nanci will be back next weekend!
News briefs
The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will open for the 2025 season on Thursday, May 15. Make reservations for the North Rim Campground online or at 877-444-6777. Plus, which Rim is better, the North Rim or the South? Find out here and learn more about the opening.
RV shipments ended March with 37,348 units, an increase of 15.8% over 32,243 units in March 2024. To date in 2025, RV shipments are up 13.9% with 97,848 units. Towable RVs, led by conventional travel trailers, ended the month up 17.1% from last March with 33,982 shipments. Motorhomes finished the month up 4.4% from the same month last year with 3,366 units.
A Lippert Components plant in two locations in Chesaning, Michigan, is estimated to permanently close on or around July 1. None of the 159 employees to be laid off are represented by a union.
RVers in Washington state will have fewer places to camp this summer. Federal cutbacks are continuing to chew into recreational use and, this time, it’s the Army Corps of Engineers in the Walla Walla District that are announcing the hits. The Army Corps closures will hit multiple sites.
GET A JOB! Oregon’s Umatilla National Forest is looking for volunteers to spend the summer as campground hosts at Olive Lake and Penland Lake campgrounds. Learn more.
Death Valley National Park has reopened Emigrant Canyon Road, a key high-elevation route popular for cooler summer recreation. The road suffered heavy damage following a severe flash flood in August 2023. The road leads to Wildrose Campground (no water available). Located at 4,000 feet, it is typically around 15 degrees cooler in summer than those at the Furnace Creek oasis.
Virginia’s Colonial National Historical Park is inviting the public to experience a seven-mile stretch of the Colonial Parkway on Saturday, May 3. The historic section of the roadway will be open for running, walking and biking from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m. More info.
Insurance provider Roamly is expanding into Florida with the opening of a new regional headquarters in Fort Lauderdale. The move strengthens the company’s presence in its RV, marine and motorcycle lines. More than 825,000 RVs are registered in the state.
Officials are warning of “urgent invasive species threat” in Northern California: Last October, an invasive species never before seen in North America was discovered in the deep waters off the Port of Stockton. No larger than a paperclip, the caramel-colored shells of golden mussels have subsequently been found at O’Neill Forebay in the San Luis Reservoir near Los Banos. If you have a boat, be aware of what critters are tagging along on it.
The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is slightly higher than a week ago and 5 cents higher than a month ago. An increase in demand—as the weather gets nicer and more people get out and about—is pushing prices up slightly. Still, according to AAA, the national average remains well below what drivers were paying this time last year.
Buy your new RV and camping gear now, because prices are about to go way up. Outdoor gear like bikes, backpacks, and tents may soon carry a higher price tag—a consequence of America’s growing trade war, according to a report from Outside magazine.
VANDAL ON THE LOOSE! Rockport, Massachusetts, is under siege from an apparently territorial pileated woodpecker being blamed for damaging more than 25 vehicles in the area. “We have a vandal in the neighborhood,” resident Janelle Favaloro wrote on social media. “He was described as 18 to 24 inches tall, wearing black and white with a red hat.”
RV and RV-related recalls
• Forest River recalls trailers for wiring protection danger
• Thousands of Forest River rigs recalled for unsafe entry steps
LEGENDARY FAST FOOD: Reader Brenda O writes, “Roy’s Big Burger has been an institution in the little community of Lakeside, located on the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia, since 1961. Thousands of locals have flocked to the burger stand—still the original building—for those many years. It has seen the community change from blue-collar baby boomers raising families to a more urban environment with coffee shops, boutiques, and young millennials. It still thrives, sitting in the midst of history.”
Reader poll
How would you define an “affordable” campsite for a 1-night stay?
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Buy this, then take it with you on your trips. Late in the afternoon when campers are out and about, bring this outside with you and turn it on. Three things might happen: 1. People will laugh. 2. People will be so scared they’ll pee their pants. 3. People will have heart attacks. So maybe keep this out of sight.
In case you were wondering…
The most expensive RV on the market is the 2025 Foretravel Realm Presidential LV2, which has an M.S.R.P. of $1,676,240. WOW!
Latest fuel prices
The latest U.S. average prices per gallon of fuel as of April 21, 2025:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.14. Down 3 cents from last week; down 53 cents from last year.
Diesel: $3.53. Down 5 cents from last week; down 46 cents from last year.
Upcoming RV shows & seminars. Click here.
BUMPER SNICKER: I’m retired. I was tired yesterday, and I’m tired again today.
Trivia
Blistering summer heat is becoming the new normal. In the largest U.S. cities, the number of heat waves has increased from around three per year in the 1980s to six per year in the 2020s. Those heat waves are also getting longer and reaching higher peak temperatures. On a hot summer afternoon, treeless urban neighborhoods get 8 to 11 degrees hotter than the greenest parts of the same city. Closing gaps in tree cover could prevent several hundred heat deaths per year.
HARVEST HOSTS: Unlimited overnight RV stays at 9,529+ locations. Save 15%.
Meet your RVtravel.com writer…
The perfect scam
“Thelma” Director Shares Grandmother’s Experience with Scam
In this bonus episode, Bob sits down with Josh Margolin, writer and director of the action and comedy film “Thelma,” to discuss Josh’s real-life inspiration—his 104-year-old grandmother, Thelma, and her frightening experience as a scam victim. Josh took the experience to heart, especially because the criminal pretended to be him. “Thelma” is the winner of the 2025 AARP Movies for Grownups Award for the Best Intergenerational Movie.
Today in history
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
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.
“The most expensive RV on the market is the 2025 Foretravel Realm Presidential LV2, which has an M.S.R.P. of $1,676,240.”
Many 2025 Newmar King Aire have MSRP exceeding $1.8M! A quick search of RVTrader, RVT, and other sites will show you those.
I have no sympathy for Mr. Lemonis or Camping World in their fight to place themselves above local law. To me that is pure arrogance on his part. Unfortunately, he comes out a winner in a way. One less dealership to maintain in a falling RV market.
The Newmar King Aire is MSRP $1,820,596 at https://www.demartinirv.com/vehicles/detail/5146
Today’s Thought has significant meaning today.
I agree, more so today than ever before!
Regarding the Lippert Components layoffs, not sure what difference a union would have made (or why you even mentioned it) and they probably would have closed sooner if a union was there. Economics beats socialism again.
News Briefs: The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is slightly higher than a week ago
Latest Fuel Prices: Regular unleaded gasoline: $3.14. Down 3 cents from last week;
Hmmm, which is it?
Hi, Peg. Those numbers must have been recorded on different days of the week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration number showing it was down about 3 cents from the week before was as of April 21. I’m not sure when the AAA number was from (I didn’t put that into the newsletter). Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
It’s pretty worthless, the price varies widely over such large area
Mr Lemonis is the perfect example of those with money thinking they are above the law. It’s appalling that he openly states he will not follow the law even if he loses in court.
I like to find $35/night camping