America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 1251
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Today’s thought
“To expect life to be tailored to our specifications is to invite frustration.” —Anon.
Need an excuse to celebrate? It’s National Flapjack Day!
On this day in history: 1876 – Alexander Graham Bell is granted a patent for an invention he calls the “telephone”.
Featured news
The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped nearly 27 cents since last week to $3.25. The conflict in the Middle East has sent crude oil prices to more than $91/barrel. The last time the national average made a similar weekly jump was back in March of 2022, during the start of the Russia/Ukraine conflict. Yikes. Here are the numbers, and here’s another story about how the threat of war raises fuel prices.
Big news for Oregon State Parks this week… First, the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission has approved new, higher fee ranges for campsites, yurts, and cabins as the agency tries to deal with rising costs and a severe budget shortfall, which could cost you $80 a night for RV hookup sites. Additionally, a new $10 fee for some RV dump stations will take effect March 30, 2026, marking a shift from the system’s long-standing practice where dumping was often included with camping.
An environmental advocacy group has launched a billboard campaign in northern Indiana targeting major RV manufacturers over the sourcing of tropical plywood used in RV construction. Mighty Earth has installed six billboards in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties and launched the campaign to pressure RV manufacturers to stop using meranti plywood, which it links to deforestation in Indonesia. In the trade, manufacturers often call it luan or lauan plywood. Here’s the story.
For today’s Don’t Do This At Home installment… A motorhome fire on a Yuma, AZ, roadway ended up in a place no one expected: a family’s backyard. Authorities say a Class A motorhome caught fire while traveling on an elevated roadway Monday evening, March 2, then veered off the pavement and rolled down an embankment before coming to rest just feet from a home below. Here’s the story.
If you’ve ever mapped out a big drive across the country and thought, “There has to be an easier way to plan this,” you’re not alone. The Dyrt just released seven road-trip camping guides that span the U.S., each built around a classic long-haul route. The promise: less time digging through forums and more time actually driving. Check ’em out.
Several indications suggest that Ford Motor Company will discontinue the Class A gas motorhome chassis known as the Ford F53 at the end of this model year. Ford has remained very tight-lipped regarding any long-term plans. Currently, the only Class A gas motorhome chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) above 14,500 pounds is the Ford F53. Here’s what Dave Solberg has to say about this.
It’s your last couple of days to save on Campspot’s Biggest Booking Week! From March 2-8, save up to 50% at participating parks across the U.S. and Canada. Check if your favorite campground is on sale, or book an extra trip while dates are open. Use code BIGGEST26 for 50% off—ends tomorrow! Click here to learn more.
Don’t forget: You’re losing an hour of sleep tonight! Daylight Saving Time starts on Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m. local time. Tonight, before you go to sleep, or tomorrow when you wake up, make sure you spring your clocks forward! (Yay, spring!)
Keep your Blackstone/griddle good-as-new
This simple griddle cleaning kit helps RVers keep their flat-top grills in great shape trip after trip. With scrapers, scouring pads, and a pumice grill stone, it quickly removes grease, burnt bits, and buildup without scratching the surface. Clean before and after cooking, and your griddle will last longer—and be ready for the next campsite breakfast. Learn more about cleaning your Blackstone in Gail’s article here, or buy this griddle kit here.
Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel:
RV sales fall flat, a new way to order RV parts, and what’s up with state park reservation systems?
RV sales numbers are in—and they’re not exactly thrilling. Tony explains why that might work in your favor if you’re buying. He also checks out a new way to track down RV parts, and shares his experience wrestling with state park reservation systems… including one booking attempt that ended with seven tabs open and still no campsite. Click here to read.
RV review
2026 Thor Omni Trail X32: A hit-and-miss Super C
By Gail Marsh
I toured the diesel-powered Thor Super C Omni Trail™ X32 and discovered both hits (great features) and a few misses (not-so-great features), too. The X32 is engineered on a heavy-duty Ford F-550 Super C chassis. It features the 6.7L Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel and a strong gross vehicle weight rating that’s typical for Super C rigs. I’m very familiar with Ford trucks, and this one did not disappoint. Join me in exploring this hit-or-miss Omni Trail X32.
More RV reviews from this week:
- First look at the Honda Base Station trailer prototype—It’s neat, but…
- New-for-2026 Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 26RES: Compact comfort
- 2026 Outdoors RV Back Country Titanium 21BD—a trailer that stands out
- 2026 Forest River Sunseeker 1950LE—a small Class C that’s more like a Class B
News briefs
Outdoor recreation generated $1.3 trillion in economic output in 2024, accounting for 2.4% of U.S. GDP and supporting 5.2 million jobs, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. While the industry continued to grow last year, expansion slowed to 2.7% as inflation and economic uncertainty affected consumer spending.
RoverPass has introduced a new Advanced Dynamic Pricing feature that automatically adjusts nightly campsite rates based on real-time occupancy at campgrounds and RV parks using its reservation platform. The system allows operators to set rules that raise or lower prices as bookings change, replacing traditional flat-rate pricing.
Sandy Pines Campground, an upscale glamping resort in Kennebunkport, Maine, was scheduled for foreclosure auction Thursday, March 5, following financial difficulties and a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by its operating company. The 46-acre property includes 268 sites. Learn more.
The RV industry expects 2026 RV shipments to range between 328,800 and 367,000 units, with a median of 349,000 units, which is right about the same as 2025 shipments of 342,200.
A New York investment firm is facing pushback after purchasing several Big Sur campgrounds and proposing a redevelopment plan that would reduce RV sites from 130 to 107 while adding tent sites, workforce housing, and new amenities. The redesign—prompted by the need for a new septic system—would modernize infrastructure and potentially reduce traffic. However, advocacy group Keep Big Sur Wild, argues the project could drive up costs and shift campgrounds toward high-end resort-style accommodations.
The National Park Service is warning travelers heading to public lands in the Southwest about a potential hazard they may not expect: quicksand. Officials at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which spans the Utah–Arizona border, say quicksand has recently been found near shorelines and in drainage areas throughout the park. Be careful!
Hoot, hoot, cute, cute!! Antique shoppers in East Durham, New York, got quite a surprise when a “very lifelike” item on a store shelf turned out to be a sleeping eastern screech owl nestled beside a chicken-shaped cookie jar. Customers alerted staff, and wildlife officers gently removed the snoozing owl and released it into nearby woods, where it promptly flew to a tree—apparently concluding its brief career as store décor.
Turn your RV toaster into a mini grill
These reusable toaster bags make quick RV meals easier and a lot less messy. Grill sandwiches, reheat pizza, warm leftovers, or toast snacks without drips falling into the toaster. Nonstick, easy to clean, and safe for toaster, oven, or microwave use, they’re a simple galley upgrade for RVers who want fast meals without extra cleanup. Gail Marsh recommends them here.
Tanner Toons
with Tanner Woods
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RANDOM RV THOUGHT: Run your generator as little as possible in public campgrounds, and only when absolutely necessary. If you must run it, do so only after 10 a.m. and before 7 p.m., and only for very short times. Our world is too noisy: Help keep our public lands peaceful and quiet.
Reader poll
What’s your preferred length of stay at a typical campsite?
Upcoming RV shows & seminars. Click here.
Trivia
One in three fatal traffic crashes in Florida involves an impaired driver. Alcohol is the leading factor in impaired‑driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities. Over the last five years, alcohol alone accounted for:
- 84.4% of impaired‑driving crashes
- 35.7% of impaired‑driving fatalities
- 80.7% of impaired‑driving injuries
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
We typed “holy cow” into the Amazon search bar, and this is what came up. Why would we search that? Because we’re weird! But anyway, holy cow, this sounds good! Really good! And the reviews solidify that this is good! Really good!
Laugh of the week
MORE FUNNY: Make the handyman or woman in your family laugh with this. Hah!
Saturday Sillies
The perfect scam
SIM Swap Scam Leads to $125,000 Theft
Patricia is enjoying a quiet night babysitting when she discovers that her phone has no service. When she switches to Wi-Fi, a sudden barrage of notifications shows that someone is moving money out of her accounts. This sets Patricia off on a race against time to save her assets from criminals who are even cashing out her stocks. Bob talks with Rachel Tobac, CEO of SocialProof Security, about practical steps we can all take to protect ourselves from SIM swapping scams.
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.
I’ve traveled to 46 states, Oregon not being one of them, and it looks like Oregon won’t be in my plans in the future.
Just like Massachusetts where I grew up. No way will I pay $85 for a night and limited utilities.
In 2024 we stayed right on the Oregon coast for <$40 a night in a county park. Harbor Vista County Park in Florence. It’s not really big rig friendly, but we stayed in our 43′ coach successfully. It sits on a cliff overlooking the Pacific where the Siuslaw River dumps in. Beautiful area with many things to do.
Lots of CGs in Oregon are expensive, but if you shop around, you can find a decent value.
Unfortunately, there are not many people qualified to wear that t-shirt.
Most public campgrounds will have posted generator hours, which may end at 10:00. Yes, noise should be minimized but the posted hours should be honored.
The SIM Swap Fraud audio took about 45 minutes to hear the solution but was well worth it. We have T-Mobile and I was able to lock our SIM cards on our PC, but then going on the T-Life phone app, it subsequently showed that they were NOT locked, so I locked them again!!! Hopefully, it will stay locked. The verification codes between Google Authenticator (which has many 1* reviews) and T-Mobile never worked on either device after multiple re-installs and T-Mobile support was not able to help with that. I must question whether our phones and numbers are really secure.