America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 1240
Free edition
Today’s thought
“We must learn to live together as brothers, or perish together as fools.” —Dalai Lama
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Go Caroling Day! And if you’re too scared, maybe first try celebrating National Sangria Day instead. 😉
On this day in history: 1946 – “It’s a Wonderful Life” premieres at the Globe Theatre in New York to mixed reviews.
RVers at risk: Expert warns Battle Born lithium batteries are dangerous and unsafe
A popular YouTuber is sounding the alarm about a potential safety issue with Battle Born lithium RV batteries—and the details are unsettling. Extreme heat, a disputed design choice, and questions about fire risk have many RVers paying close attention. If you use Battle Born lithium batteries in your RV, this is one story you can’t miss.
National park pass lawsuit targets Trump image on 2026 pass
A national park pass lawsuit is taking aim at the Trump administration’s plan to put President Donald Trump’s image on the 2026 “America the Beautiful” annual pass, with an environmental group asking a federal judge to block the redesign. Here’s the story.
Featured news
Camping World recently rolled out a new option for Camping World RV financing through a partnership with Octane Lending. The program, branded “Good Sam Powered by Octane,” is designed to make approvals faster, paperwork digital, and financing accessible to more buyers. On paper, it sounds convenient, but in reality, RVers should look closely before signing anything.
A new scam is making the rounds that is ripping off holiday shoppers. Victims buy a product online using their credit card, then get a notice the product is out of stock and they will get a refund. But the refund never arrives.
If you’ve spent winters RVing in places like Florida, Arizona, or Texas, you may already sense it—this winter doesn’t quite feel like past seasons. Campgrounds are still busy, but something has shifted. New research from KOA sheds light on changing winter RV camping trends, especially when it comes to Canadian snowbirds and a new mix of winter travelers.
On Tuesday, Ford announced a next-generation version of its F-150 Lightning electric pickup, featuring extended-range electric vehicle technology designed to increase driving range and towing capability. This model will pair an electric drivetrain with a gas-powered generator that can recharge the battery on the move, pushing total driving range beyond 700 miles. Learn more about it here.
Last July, heavy rains and flooding caught the Texas Hill Country off-guard. Along the Guadalupe River, home to campgrounds and RV resorts, things turned ugly. In Kerr County alone, more than 100 people died in the flooding. At least five lawsuits have been filed in connection with related deaths, many of them raising questions about RV park evacuation responsibility during fast-moving flood events. Who calls the shots when it comes to campground evacuations? Find out here.
An RVer made a decision that likely saved more than a schedule. As the I-15 Idaho windstorm unfolded on December 17, they saw what was ahead—overturned rigs, stopped traffic, and worsening conditions—and chose not to push forward. Instead of bulling into the mess, they exited the interstate and waited it out. A few miles up the road, that patience stood in sharp contrast to what unfolded next.
RV sales slipped in October following September’s rebound, with new unit sales down 7.38% year-over-year, according to Statistical Surveys Inc. Just a month earlier, the picture looked brighter. Trailer sales were up, used RVs were moving, and shopper interest was keeping pace with listings. October didn’t undo that progress, but it did show that the recovery is uneven.
Have a hard time opening water bottle lids?
These will help! Simply push one of these “lids” onto the water bottle lid and, voila, it’ll be much easier to twist off. These are designed with seniors and those with arthritis in mind, and they really help! Here’s an affordable pack of three.
RV review
Tour the 2026 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40 IP, the king of diesel pushers
The 2026 Tiffin Allegro Bus 40 IP comes in with a big reputation and an even bigger presence. Matt, of Matt’s RV Reviews, calls it the king of diesel pushers. This best-selling 40 IP floor plan blends high-end luxury, smart engineering, and a true bus-style look that turns heads on any lot or campground. Tiffin owners are usually loyal, and this coach shows why.
News briefs
Beginning next month, the National Park Service will begin a multi-year project on the Gatlinburg Spur, the scenic road connecting Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The project is designed to improve safety and traffic flow for the millions of visitors and locals who travel the route.
Several popular Oregon state parks are currently closed after severe storm damage shut down highways and knocked out power for thousands across western Oregon. With additional storms in the forecast, more closures or disruptions are possible. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is sharing ongoing updates at stateparks.oregon.gov.
If you’re planning on driving to or through Washington state in the next several months, note that Hwy. 2, one of three highways connecting Western and Eastern Washington over the Cascade Mountains, is closed indefinitely due to washouts and mudslides caused by three atmospheric rivers which hammered the state recently. Hwy. 2 is closed for 49 miles, between milepost 50 and 99 (Skykomish to Leavenworth).
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking for volunteer campground hosts for state parks and rustic forest campgrounds next year. In exchange for about 30 hours a week, campsite fees are waived, with duties ranging from answering questions to light maintenance. Positions run from April through October. Current positions are listed here.
In the second quarter of 2025, Canadian residents visited the United States 5.6 million times, down 21.6% from 2024.
The U.S. isn’t the only place where it’s getting more expensive to be a tourist. In Rome, beginning Feb. 1, tourists will need to pay two euros (about $2.35) to get a close look at Trevi Fountain. The measure is expected to raise 6.5 million euros ($7.6 million) a year.
Grand Canyon National Park reopened hotels on the park’s South Rim on Wednesday after crews completed repairs to the Transcanyon Waterline. Dry camping is still permitted at Mather and Desert View campgrounds; water spigots are still turned off. Water is available at the dump station adjacent to the Mather Campground kiosk.
Ford is using technology to improve the security of the F-150 pickup with a “Start Inhibit” feature that prevents the engine from starting even if a key fob is present. It allows owners to disable the engine via a smartphone app and coordinates with police to recover a stolen vehicle quickly.
Rudolph, is that you? Animal services officers came to the rescue of two reindeer that escaped from a transport trailer and went running loose on the I-5 Freeway in Los Angeles County. LA Animal Services said the two animals, named Cookie and Noel, escaped from their trailer Saturday. Santa, get your reindeer!
San Francisco RV dwellers report that a man posing as a city outreach worker has been going door-to-door selling fake temporary parking permits for up to $500 in cash, falsely claiming they’ll allow RVs to stay parked during an upcoming citywide ban. The city’s Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing is investigating.
Texas’ newest state park is set to open sometime in 2026, and the public is invited to get a sneak peek on New Year’s Day. While an official opening date for Palo Pinto Mountains State Park has not yet been announced, guests can reserve day passes for guided hikes during the Jan. 1 limited event. The park is about 75 miles west of Fort Worth.
Opening July 4, 2026, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library will bring the legacy of America’s 26th president to life in Medora, North Dakota. Visitors can immerse themselves in educational exhibits in this unique destination that blends history, nature, and innovation.
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Colorado has completed what officials say is North America’s largest wildlife crossing, a massive overpass over Interstate 25 designed to reconnect migration routes and cut wildlife-vehicle crashes by an estimated 90%. The $15 million, federally funded project spans six lanes between Denver and Colorado Springs and is being hailed by state leaders as a major win for both driver safety and wildlife protection.
Toyota Motor Corporation aims to begin introducing three models produced in the United States―the Camry sedan, Highlander SUV, and Tundra pickup truck―to the Japanese market in 2026.
Visit The USA, an association that offers U.K. travelers information from U.S. travel experts, has launched a petition that opposes the new U.S. national park fees for international visitors. The new fees will force nonresidents to pay $200 for an annual pass (up from $80). Nonresidents without an annual pass will pay $100 per person to enter 11 of the most visited parks, plus the standard entrance fee.
If you like to fish and you’ll be in Wisconsin January 17 and 18, you’re in luck: It’s Winter Free Fishing Weekend! Have fun.
GOOD HEALTH NEWS: For years, the assumption has been that coffee is risky if you have atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common heart rhythm disorder. But a new randomized clinical trial offers surprisingly good news for coffee lovers. Researchers followed 200 adults with persistent AFib for six months and discovered that drinking just one cup of caffeinated coffee a day reduced the risk of AFib recurrence by 39%.
Confuse-Us Say: Wife who serve husband beans for dinner in tiny RV learn true marital harmony require ventilation.
Something wrong with your RV? To diagnose, first test the airflow
Dave Solberg writes, “To troubleshoot properly, you need to know how a component should operate and get accurate readings for temperature, voltage, airflow, and more. This airflow meter—an anemometer—measures airflow per minute and temperature.” It’s one of Dave’s top-recommended tools. Read his article or order one here.
Reader poll
Do you keep your awning out most of the time or only when you’re sitting outside?
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Trivia
The first artificial Christmas tree was made from dyed goose feathers. Yes, you read that right—dyed goose feathers. According to The Fact File, the oldest artificial Christmas tree dates back to the early 1800s in Germany and was made from dyed goose feathers attached to wires.
FREE IS GOOD! The website The Freebie Guy posts dozens of freebie offers and discount coupons every day. Best to check early every morning for that day’s deals.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
We bet your husband needs this. Your boyfriend needs this, your son needs this, your grandson needs this… Why is it just a boy thing? You’ll laugh when you see what we’re talking about.
Laugh of the week
Today in history
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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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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RVtravel.com All Star Team
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Curious to hear if anyone actually uses an F150 Lightning as a true “tow” vehicle. Personally, I wouldn’t. I’ve read too many stories, I guess. My 2013 F150 Platinum does just fine pulling my 33 ft travel trailer.
Canadian tourist trips to your beautiful country are not down solely due to expense. I am spending almost three times as much this winter on trips to South America, Europe and other provinces in Canada instead of wintering in a great RV resort in Palm Springs.
No complaints, but facts are important!
Please keep us updated on the San Fran Dept of Homelessness & Supportive Housing’s investigation. I always felt that fraud was police work.
I’m a retired firefighter and don’t want lithium anything! They are a fire hazard.
They cut the funding for national parks and then raise the prices to where those who can’t afford it won’t go but to state parks where it is far more inexpensive. So glad I have the husbands veteran pass. At least something is free there. And with international tourists having to pay more to visit definitely will keep the parks empty. Hate to say it but the government blew it big time this time. American National Parks use to be nice but won’t be once they find they can’t afford to upkeep the parks and as for rescues and keeping it clean? With lack of funding we shall see what happens next summer.