America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 1237
Free edition
Today’s thought
“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” —Freya Stark
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Small Business Saturday—go support a small, local business today. They need you!
On this day in history: 1982 – Michael Jackson releases “Thriller,” the best-selling music album of all time.
National Parks update fees, hike those for nonresidents
On November 25, the Department of the Interior announced major changes to policies and fees at all U.S. national parks, which will roll out January 1. The changes will favor Americans and will likely help with crowding issues, but foreign visitors will pay far more. Additionally, all America the Beautiful passes will be offered in a fully digital format. Here’s more on the big changes ahead.
Major RV electrical requirement pushed to 2027 amid equipment shortage
Regulators have pushed back the Grounding Monitor Interrupter (GMI) RV requirement, giving manufacturers extra time to prepare. Originally scheduled for January 2026, the safety rule requires all new 30-amp and 50-amp RVs to install a GMI, a device that ensures proper grounding and protects against electrical shocks. A shortage of GMIs suitable for RV production has prompted the delay. Here’s more info.
Flood of alarmist YouTube videos spew lies about demise of the RV industry
YouTube is being flooded with alarmist A.I.-created videos about the total collapse of the RV industry. One RVing website that appears legitimate (but is absolutely not) posted 81 videos in 30 days, all fabricated to scare viewers with made-up information and outrageous claims, fooling a lot of people. Here, Jason Epperson of RV Miles unpacks what is really going on. DO NOT MISS THIS.
Five smart ways to keep your RV from being stolen
RV theft happens more often than most people realize, and it can occur at campgrounds, storage lots, driveways, or even dealership service centers. While you can’t prevent every determined criminal from stealing your rig, you can make your RV dramatically harder to steal. Here are some precautions to take that will significantly lower your risk.
More featured news
Many seasonal employees at national parks have not yet received some of the back pay owed to them after the recent government shutdown. These workers, including rangers and maintenance staff, handle tasks RVers and other visitors rely on. Those include keeping campgrounds open, clearing trails, and maintaining facilities. Continue reading.
Real humans! Wow! Forest River announced a new effort to improve its customer experience by expanding its Forest River Customer Call Center in the first quarter of 2026. It will provide Forest River owners with faster response times, broader coverage and live support regardless of the make or model of their RV, ensuring access to an actual human. Here’s more info.
BIG CAMP STOVE RECALL: Walmart has recalled 201,000 Ozark Trail Tabletop 1-Burner Butane Camping Stoves with the warning: Stop using immediately. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says the stoves can explode or catch fire. Learn more.
A hiker’s lit toilet paper sparked a wildfire in California’s Joshua Tree National Park that destroyed more than 1,000 of the park’s iconic trees. The Black Rock Fire, which began south of Black Rock Campground during the government shutdown, hit one of the park’s densest Joshua tree woodlands. Please don’t be like this person! Please!
Changing driving habits could be an early indicator of dementia, suggests new research. People with a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease start getting behind the wheel less—especially at night—and stick to familiar routes, according to the study. GPS trackers spotted brain health issues better than age or memory tests alone, say scientists. And there’s more. Continue reading.
For Daryl Hill, a heart attack wasn’t the only emergency this fall. While he was in the hospital, someone stole the 22-foot motorhome he calls home, leaving him grappling with stolen motorhome insurance issues he cannot afford. Here’s his story (updated 11/28).
The Petaluma KOA Campground has earned KOA’s top honor for 2026, recognized for decades of family ownership, thoughtful upgrades, and a mix of amenities that appeal to RVers and visiting families alike. Here’s why it won the award.
The best socket set for RVs—ALWAYS carry one in truck or trailer!
Tackle nearly any RV, truck, or trailer job with the NEIKO 02282B 1/2-Inch-Drive Impact Socket Set. JD from Big Truck Big RV calls it one of his most-used tools. The thin-walled, impact-rated sockets fit tight spaces that others can’t, making tire changes, stabilizer jack adjustments and other RV tasks fast and easy. Watch JD’s video or learn more and order.
RV review
2026 Alliance Valor 35A14 5th wheel toy hauler with big garage and loft
By Cheri Sicard
Anyone who wants a toy hauler with real garage space, a true residential feel, and an overall length under 40 feet will want to look at the 2026 Alliance Valor 35A14. This fifth wheel packs a 14-foot garage, a bath-and-a-half, a loft, and a king bed into a smart, easy-to-tow footprint. Check it out.
TOO CUTE! A therapy horse living in Germany has been dubbed the shortest living horse by Guinness World Records, standing at a diminutive 21.1 inches tall. Carola Weidemann said she adopted Pumuckel in 2020 when he was only 5 months old and about 18 inches tall.
News briefs
Results for the RV Industry Association’s October 2025 survey of manufacturers found that 30,243 RVs were shipped in October, a 1.2% decrease from the 30,595 units shipped last October. Year-to-date RV shipments are up 3.6% with 297,477 units.
After more than six years of closures, RVers heading to Theodore Roosevelt National Park scenic loop can finally drive the full circuit again. A major section of the 21-mile South Unit road reopened Tuesday, Nov. 25, restoring access to some of the park’s best wildlife viewing and panoramic North Dakota Badlands scenery. Learn more.
If you are anywhere near Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park on December 7, you are in luck. One of the most memorable public holiday events you’ll ever experience awaits. Even if you have to drive a ways to get there, you will likely be glad you did.
WATCH OUT for eagles… A driver near Bryson City, North Carolina, escaped injury after a bald eagle dropped a cat onto her windshield, shattering the glass. In a 911 call, she said, “You may not believe me, but I just had a bald eagle drop a cat through my windshield.” Authorities say it’s unclear whether the bird lost its grip or discarded the carcass mid-flight.
San Francisco has launched a pilot program funded by private donations to help people living in RVs on the street transition into permanent housing. The city will pay landlords one month’s rent if they agree to hold a vacant unit for an eligible RV resident. The city is also now towing RVs without permits parked on streets more than two hours in the same spot.
The Bureau of Land Management will develop the Beas Lewis Flat Campground, located just east of Torrey, Utah. The project aims to accommodate growing visitation from unmanaged dispersed camping, including sanitation concerns, resource degradation, and visitor safety. The Beas Lewis Flat Campground will include up to 45 campsites in its initial phase.
What’s an “Idaho stop” and what does it have to do with New Mexico? If you travel through or winter in New Mexico, you may notice more cyclists rolling through intersections, and you should know that it’s perfectly legal! Why? Because of the “Idaho Stop”! Learn more about this new law here.
TravelCenters of America (TA) has opened a location at 3400 South US Highway 287 in Decatur, Texas. Besides providing services for truckers, it offers RV spaces with water and electric hookups.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released early estimates for motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the first half of 2025, projecting a 8.2% decline in roadway deaths. An estimated 17,140 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes from January through June 2025, down from 18,680 fatalities during the same period in 2024.
Texas’ Caprock Canyons State Park has earned International Dark Sky Park certification for its leadership in protecting natural darkness and reducing light pollution. The park now offers some of the darkest skies in Texas.
This week, the U.S. Transportation Department unveiled design details for the first-of-its-kind female crash test dummy. The new dummy will address a trend of higher injury rates for women than men in certain types of car crashes.
RVing AROUND THE WORLD: Singaporeans can now rent an RV to explore neighboring Malaysia. In 2026, the Malaysian government will finally permit rented RVs for tourism. The Asian country has only allowed RVs owned by Singaporeans to enter the country, not rentals.
Last, but dogs are never least… Soleil, a Belgian Sheepdog, has won Best in Show at the 2025 National Dog Show, beating out more than 1,900 dogs in this year’s competition.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
OMG! We didn’t know they actually made this into a real product (we’ve always just seen the videos where they use a lid)! It’s brilliant, and we’re buying one right now!
Reader poll
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Trivia
In 1939, Utah company Loftus Novelty began producing rubber chickens en masse. Today, it’s still the only American manufacturer of rubber chickens. Now ready to laugh? Watch the video below.
FREE IS GOOD! Heading to Denver? These free tours take you behind the scenes at several unique Denver attractions. So much to see and do—for free!
BLACK FRIDAY SALES ARE STILL ON BUT NOT FOR LONG…
Find the best deals here.
Laugh of the week
The perfect scam
No new podcast this week, but here are a few scams we’ve told you about recently that you should be aware of.
Today in history
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Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.
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RVtravel.com All Star Team
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I saw a picture here of the 2025 National Dog Show (which comes on right after the Macy’s Parade) . It shows a beautiful Belgian Shepherd being crowned. However I watched a Put ge crowned best in show…… Personally I would have preferred a sporting breed like a Labrador or Golden. But they never seem to win.
Though rare I have heard of bald and other large predatory birds dropping prey onto unsuspecting persons. It is scary to think about. As for the national park intel? You can thank me later.