America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 1264
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Today’s thought
“We have created characters and animated them in the dimension of depth, revealing through them to our perturbed world that the things we have in common far outnumber and outweigh those that divide us.” —Walt Disney
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Trails Day! It’s also National Black Bear Day, but try not to run into a black bear on a trail, okay??
On this day in history: 1944 – World War II: Commencement of Operation Overlord: The Allied invasion of Normandy begins with the execution of Operation Neptune—commonly referred to as D-Day—the largest seaborne invasion in history. Nearly 160,000 Allied troops cross the English Channel. By the end of the day, the Allies have landed on five invasion beaches and are pushing inland.
Featured news
YouTuber Will Prowse sued by Battle Born Battery/Dragonfly Energy
We reported on December 18, 2025, that YouTuber Will Prowse shared a video entitled “Battleborn 12V Battery: Major Safety Issue,” with a featured image of the word “Dangerous” in large letters on the hero (top) image. In that video, Prowse cuts open a battery. Well, it turns out the story runs deeper, as Battle Born® parent company Dragonfly® Energy posted that they have filed a trade libel lawsuit against Will Prowse. Here’s why.
What causes most RV fires? Here’s what firefighters say
A fire that destroyed an RV being used as a residence recently drew firefighters to the scene and left investigators working to determine what caused the blaze. Officials have not identified the source of that fire, but the incident raises a question many RVers ask when they pass a burned rig on the shoulder of the highway: What causes most RV fires?
Persian Gulf oil disruptions could keep fuel prices high
A major shipping route that carries much of the world’s oil may never return to normal, a development that could affect fuel prices after the current Middle East conflict ends. Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz may recover only partially even if hostilities ease. Before the conflict, roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil moved through the strait. Today, tanker traffic remains far below normal levels. Learn more.
Why RVs can be road-rage targets on busy highways
A new study from ConsumerAffairs ranking the states with the worst road rage may put numbers to the problem. The study ranked states using factors such as aggressive-driving fatalities, speeding violations and gun-related traffic incidents. For RVers, however, the more interesting question is not which state ranks highest. It’s why RVs seem to attract so much impatience in the first place.
The Forest Service’s new app is helpful. So, why do RVers still need Recreation.gov?
The U.S. Forest Service has launched a new mobile app designed to make recreation planning easier. After spending some time with it, we found plenty to like. But we wouldn’t call it a one-stop solution. After downloading the new app, many RVers will still find themselves opening Recreation.gov whenever it’s time to reserve a campsite. Here’s why.
Prime Day RV deals: Here’s the RV gear worth watching now
Amazon Prime Day RV deals are still a few weeks away, but RVers who wait until the sale starts may already be behind. If you’ve been thinking about a new power station, tire pressure monitor, Starlink accessory or some other RV gadget, now is the time to start watching prices.
Campground vandalism is costing RVers more than they may realize
Most RVers have seen it. A campground restroom closed for repairs. A picnic table covered in graffiti. A sign peppered with bullet holes. A fire ring damaged beyond use. It’s easy to assume those things happen because public land agencies don’t have enough money to keep up with maintenance. Sometimes that’s true. But a recent vandalism case at a Wyoming campground highlights another reason some campground improvements never happen.
Diesel prices just posted a big drop
Diesel RV owners haven’t had much reason to smile at the pump lately. After months of rising fuel costs, however, some welcome news finally arrived this week. The national average price of diesel fell 17.3 cents per gallon during the week ending June 1. That marks the third consecutive weekly decline and one of the largest week-to-week drops seen in months.
What kills most people in national parks? Often the mistakes RVers see every summer
Ask someone what the biggest danger in a national park is and they’ll probably mention bears, mountain lions or some other wilderness threat. But the numbers tell a different story. A recent analysis highlighted by Outside looked at fatalities across America’s national parks and recreation areas. It found… Continue reading.
Safety for roadside workers and stranded motorists in spotlight this month
A deadly Interstate 95 bus crash in Virginia has renewed attention on a hazard RVers face every day: reacting safely to changing traffic conditions at highway speeds. With larger vehicles and longer stopping distances, RVers can be especially vulnerable. The tragedy serves as an important reminder about a simple driving habit that could save lives.
SUMMER NECESSITIES? Say no more! As usual, Amazon has a whole category for that, and soooo many items are on sale.
Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel
Lippert retires, RVers’ economic impact, deaths in NPS
Jason Lippert, the longtime CEO of Lippert Components, is stepping down after 32 years with the company, marking the end of an era for one of the RV industry’s most influential leaders. In this week’s roundup, Tony also looks at surprising RV fire statistics, a new report showing the RV industry’s massive $159 billion economic impact, and a study revealing where national park visitors are most likely to get into trouble. Read on for the stories making headlines across the RV world.
RV review
2026 Keystone Sprout 13RKS—the Class B of travel trailers
The 2026 Keystone Sprout 13RKS packs a lot into a small footprint. Keystone calls the Sprout the “Class B of travel trailers,” and the reason starts outside. This is the smallest Sprout, with a 13′ box, 17’4″ overall length, and 2,950-pound dry weight. Many SUVs should be able to handle it. Inside, the 7′-wide body uses space well. Check it out.
News briefs
Keep an eye out for nasty flesh-eating screwworms. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials are warning travelers along the U.S.-Mexico border to keep an eye out for the New World Screwworm, an invasive pest that can infect livestock, wildlife, pets and, in rare cases, humans. The flesh-eating pest has been detected within 55 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, prompting increased efforts to prevent it from spreading into the United States. Learn more, including the update on June 5.
Memorial Day weekend marked the unofficial start of summer travel, and leaders from Nevada and Arizona came together at Hoover Dam to help launch the Road to America250. The patriotic display features dramatic red, white, and blue illumination and a massive American flag suspended across the dam. The display (weather permitting) will be activated every evening through July 4.
AAA reports the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is down 18 cents since last week, to $4.24, the second straight week of decline. But uncertainty lingers over when the Strait of Hormuz will fully reopen and resume traffic. That unknown means oil prices will likely not decrease dramatically as summertime gasoline demand starts.
The Trump administration is redirecting at least $90 million in national park entry-fee revenue to projects in Washington, D.C., including a $1.6 million Fourth of July fireworks show and $76 million in fountain repairs. The move comes as the capital prepares for celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary.
For three summers, RVers heading to Lake Tahoe had to cross D.L. Bliss State Park off their camping wish list. Now the campground is finally open again. But good luck getting a reservation…
Speaking of reopenings… For the first time since last year’s Dragon Bravo Fire, RVers are once again able to camp on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. The North Rim Campground reopened June 1, giving visitors their first opportunity to spend the night inside the park since the fire destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and damaged large portions of the North Rim. Details here.
The Summer 2026 edition of RV RoadSigns, the quarterly forecast prepared for the RV Industry Association, shows wholesale shipments in 2026 of between 300,00 to 328,100 units. The median forecast of 314,000 units would be down from 342,200 last year.
An Illinois family says a routine walk at a state park turned into a tick nightmare when dozens of ticks crawled onto them, their dog, and even made it into their home. Park officials warn tick activity is expected to be especially high this season. Make sure you are using tick repellent out there (and for your dogs, too)!
One of the year’s best stargazing events returns to Bryce Canyon National Park on June 11 to 13, when the annual Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival transforms the park into a giant outdoor classroom focused on the wonders of the night sky. Here are the details.
Beginning June 22, Lipan Point and Lipan Point Road on Desert View Drive (Highway 64) in Grand Canyon National Park will close until about December 23 for rehabilitation and maintenance work of the overlook.
Tulsa, Oklahoma, set a new Guinness World Record last Saturday after 3,596 classic vehicles participated in the Route 66 Capital Cruise. The previous record for the largest parade of classic vehicles was set in Puerto Rico in 2017 with 2,491 vehicles.
A hiker suffered a broken arm after a surprise encounter with a grizzly bear on Glacier National Park’s Grinnell Glacier Trail. Park officials said the bear charged after the two unexpectedly crossed paths near loud rushing water. The trail has been temporarily closed.
Speaking of animal attacks… An 8-year-old boy was hospitalized after a beaver attacked him last month while he was fishing at a lake in Mahwah, New Jersey. Authorities said the beaver charged from the water and bit the boy on the thigh before a bystander drove it away. The animal reportedly approached or attacked other visitors earlier. Animal control officers later captured the animal, which had rabies. Beaver attacks on people are rare.
A Michigan man’s road-trip tradition turned into a life-changing surprise when a scratch-off lottery ticket he bought before hitting the road won him $2 million. The 27-year-old says he always buys a ticket to scratch during long drives, and this time, he discovered he’d uncovered the winning combination. At first he thought he’d won $10,000, but after finding one more word, he realized the prize was actually $2 million. “I cried like a baby,” he told lottery officials.
JUST FOR FUN: Uber’s latest Lost & Found Index revealed that passengers left behind some truly strange items over the past year, including dentures with only two teeth, a live fish, a mannequin, an ankle monitor, a package of live butterflies, and even a mini fridge. Despite the odd discoveries, the most commonly forgotten items were much more familiar: phones, wallets, luggage, keys, headphones, clothing, passports, glasses, jewelry, and laptops.
RVing essentials for NOW!
- Sunscreen for RVers
- Bug spray/repellent for RVers
- Tick twister (remover). Important!
- Wearable neck fan
- Rechargeable clip-on fan
- Collapsible water bottles
Extreme weather
- 🔥 Hottest this weekend: The Arizona desert will be America’s furnace this weekend, with Phoenix, Yuma, and Lake Havasu City baking in temperatures around 102–106°F as an early-season heat wave grips the Southwest. If you’re RVing there, expect blazing afternoons, warm nights, and plenty of demand for air conditioning.
- 🥶 Coldest this weekend: While much of the country warms up, the higher elevations of the northern Rockies are expected to be among the coldest places in the Lower 48. Areas around West Yellowstone, Montana, and the mountains of Wyoming and Idaho could see overnight temperatures dip into the 20s and 30s.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Okay, well, we never, ever, EVER thought we’d be calling one of these things cute but… it’s so cute! Cleaning the RV would make you smile. Yes, really!
Stupid tourist question
Asked to rangers at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
“Where do you keep the animals at night?”
This is one of the most frequently repeated questions of Yellowstone rangers. Visitors assumed wildlife was put away after hours.
Tanner Toons
With Tanner Woods
FREE OVERNIGHT PARKING: Many Cabela’s locations offer free overnight RV parking, though it is not a corporate policy. Because parking rules are often dictated by city ordinances or individual store managers, you must call ahead to the specific location to confirm. Have you ever stayed overnight at a Cabela’s?
RV and RV-related recalls
- Forest River is recalling certain 2024-2025 Wildwood and Salem travel trailers. The fireplace outlet may have incorrect wiring. The wire may not make adequate contact into the self-contained receptacle, increasing the risk of a high amperage draw over loose connections, resulting in the increased risk of a fire. Learn more.
- Jayco is recalling certain 2026 Entegra Qwest SE, Condor, Jayco Granite Ridge, and Melbourne RVs. The taillight warning light may incorrectly illuminate on the instrument panel display when the taillights are functioning correctly. Recall number: 9903657. Info: (800) 283-8267.
- Ember RV is recalling certain 2026-2027 Touring Edition travel trailers equipped with certain CURT Touring Coil Suspension systems. The shock bolts may have been incorrectly tightened. Info: (844) 732-4204.
- Grand Design is recalling certain 2025-2026 Reflection fifth wheel trailers equipped with certain CURT Touring Coil Suspension systems. The shock bolts may have been incorrectly tightened. Recall number: 910062. Info: (574) 825-9679.
Reader poll
Have you ever encountered a bear while hiking or camping?
Upcoming RV shows & seminars. Click here.
Trivia
Word has it that MGM Resorts will close its remaining three casino buffets in Las Vegas by the second quarter of 2027. That leaves only four casino buffets left in town: Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace, Circus Buffet at Circus Circus, Signature Seafood Buffet at Resorts World, and The Buffet at Wynn.
Laugh of the week
Top scams RVers should watch for right now
Summer travel is in full swing, and scammers are targeting people who are booking trips, driving long distances, and spending time outdoors. Here are three scams to watch for this week:
- Fake toll-payment texts: These continue to spread nationwide. The text claims you owe a small unpaid toll fee and includes a link to pay immediately. The goal is to steal your credit card and personal information.
- Campground booking imposters: Scammers are responding to campground inquiries on social media and posing as campground staff. They offer to “help” complete your reservation and collect deposits through payment apps.
- National park and attraction ticket scams: With peak travel season underway, scammers are advertising discounted passes and tickets online. Some are counterfeit, while others simply don’t exist, leaving travelers turned away at the gate.
Miss The Perfect Scam? Listen to the most recent episode here.
Tank Blaster to the rescue—It really works!
Nanci Dixon writes, “Our gray water tank sensors had started reading 67% or 100% almost constantly, even after dumping. Not wanting to risk a backflow of gray water into our shower, we had started pulling the handle to dump the gray water way too often. Thetford’s Tank Blaster to the rescue!” Continue reading her review. (Hint: she loves it!)
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.
Learn current road conditions in every state. This is a very handy resource.
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RVtravel.com All Star Staff
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