This week on the RV Podcast:
- There’s extra confusion over the so-called Motorhome Ban: The California Air Sources Board now denies there’s a ban coming in 2025. The RV business nonetheless insists there’s.
- RVers are urgently wanted in North Carolina…to assist these displaced by the hurricane to find out about their momentary RV housing.
- In our RV Dialog of the Week: 7 Crimson flags about dangerous tenting neighbors which will make you wish to depart a campground.
- All this plus the RV Information of the Week and your questions developing in Episode #524 of the RV Podcast.
You may watch the video model from our RV Way of life YouTube Channel by clicking the participant under.
Should you choose an audio-only podcast, you may hear us by your favourite podcast app or hear now by the participant under.
Earlier than we get to the confusion over the so-called California Motorhome ban, I wish to share this electronic mail requesting assist from RVers to these nonetheless homeless from this fall’s flooding in North Carolina from Hurricane Helene:
“We’re having protected housing issues for lots of of households within the space of the Southern Appalachians after the historic damages from hurricane Helene.
We’re serving to individuals discover momentary housing and RVs which can be being donated from everywhere in the nation.
We’re desperately in want of people that perceive RVs and all the various things somebody must know after they first transfer into one. Particularly winter dwelling and propane security and upkeep.
As a result of these items are being donated we should not have individuals who all the time perceive even the very fundamentals in regards to the campers they’re choosing up.
My aim in sharing this with you in the present day is asking if there could be a manner that we might ask for volunteers inside the RV Way of life Neighborhood who is likely to be shut sufficient to be of help to lots of of households on this troublesome scenario.”
Thank You – Janet Hensley
If you’ll be able to assist, you may contact her immediately at themissjanet@gmail.com
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E mail from the California Air Sources Board
Now, let’s get to the follow-up over the controversial problem of what’s being referred to as the California Motorhome Ban.
We’ve been extensively reporting on this for the previous a number of weeks, and this week, I wish to share an electronic mail I obtained from the California Air Sources Board.
Mainly, they are saying there isn’t a “ban” that prohibits the sale of diesel RVs in California.
In actual fact, the spokesperson says “False claims asserting in any other case are outright lies.”
But it surely’s all semantics. The e-mail reads like bureaucratic gobblegook and makes use of lots of phrases and regulatory language to mainly say producers should meet all the necessities of the state’s Superior Clear Vans rule.
In the event that they don’t meet these necessities, which contain assembly zero emission benchmarks for having zero emission automobiles, then they will’t promote.
That, at the least in line with RV sellers, suppliers, producers and the RV Business Affiliation – certainly is, for all sensible functions… a ban.
The RV Business Evaluation
Right here’s the business evaluation:
“In 2025, California’s Superior Clear Vans (ACT) regulation, geared toward selling zero-emission automobiles (ZEVs), will create a near-total “ban” on motorhome gross sales within the state, in addition to in further states that comply with the California Air Useful resource Board (CARB) laws.”
Those self same guidelines and laws that California has can have the identical impact in 5 different states – Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey.
5 different states are additionally slated to enact the identical laws in 2026 and 2027 – Vermont, Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico, and Rhode Island.
So… semantics apart, the scenario has not modified from our earlier experiences.
Because the RVIA bluntly states: “If nothing adjustments, motorhomes will be unable to be offered and registered in California starting in 2025.”
I’m positive we’ve not heard the top of this.
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RV CONVERSATION OF THE WEEK – Crimson Flags about Campground Neighbors
You may pick one of the best campsite in one of the best campground and plan to have one of the best trip ever. Solely to finish up subsequent to dangerous tenting neighbors.
It doesn’t occur usually, nevertheless it does occur, particularly for the reason that surge of newbies that joined the RV group in recent times. Lots of them dove into the life-style with out studying about correct tenting etiquette.
We consider it is best to by no means decide a e-book by its cowl, however a e-book cowl does include details about what to anticipate from inside its pages. So, whilst you ought to by no means dismiss a camper instantly based mostly on appearances, if you happen to see the next 7 crimson flags… chances are you’ll wish to break camp and go elsewhere.
1. You Hear Them Earlier than You See Them
One main crimson flag of a nasty tenting neighbor is when you may hear them earlier than you see them. We’re not speaking about nice sounds of laughter or the crackle of a campfire, however fixed noise that disrupts the peace and tranquility of the campground.
It is not a great signal if you happen to pull as much as your campsite and listen to loud music, rowdy conversations, and even arguments.
Nevertheless, give them a couple of minutes to regulate as soon as they see you. They could tone issues down after they notice they’ve a camp neighbor to think about. In the event that they do, you need to be high quality. If they do not… nicely, we’ll discuss that on the finish.
2. Their Campsite Isn’t Clear
One other apparent signal of a nasty tenting neighbor is a messy campsite that appears like a twister simply handed by. Everyone knows that tenting entails getting slightly soiled and embracing nature, however that does not imply it is best to depart your campsite in shambles.
f you come throughout a campsite with trash strewn about, gear omitted, or a common lack of group, it is a clear indication that your neighbors do not worth cleanliness or respect for the campground.
When you could possibly ignore the mess, you are not going to have the ability to ignore the wildlife and bugs their soiled campsite will appeal to.
3. Their Campsite Appears to be like Like a Frat Home
Beer pong, anybody? Whereas tenting is usually a enjoyable and social expertise, it should not revolve solely round extreme consuming and partying.
In case your neighbor’s campsite resembles a frat home adorned with beer cans, they possible prioritize partying and their very own enjoyable over respecting others’ enjoyment.
Certain, there’s nothing improper with having fun with a pair drinks whereas tenting. However when it is the only real focus and results in extreme noise and disruptive habits, it might rapidly smash the tenting expertise for everybody close by.
(By the way in which, some campgrounds cater to partiers. So, be sure you keep away from or e-book these locations based mostly in your preferences.)
4. They Excuse Their Children’ Unhealthy Conduct
Be careful for neighbors who consistently excuse their youngsters’ dangerous habits, equivalent to operating by different campsites or making extreme noise. Whereas youngsters might be youngsters, it is the dad or mum’s accountability to show them correct tenting etiquette.
In case your neighbors constantly brush off their youngsters’s misbehavior with out taking any corrective motion, it might result in frustration.
Once you first pull as much as your campsite, take note of how the dad and mom of close by youngsters react. Are they watching their youngsters? Are they instructing them to remain again and keep protected? Or are they oblivious to the place and what their youngsters are doing?
5. A lot of Electronics Exterior
In case your neighbors’ campsite resembles a tech retailer with a number of digital gadgets scattered round, it is a particular crimson flag. An extreme quantity of screens, gaming consoles, or audio system signifies an absence of appreciation for the peaceable out of doors expertise.
Some dangerous campers anticipate you to hearken to what they hearken to and watch what they watch on their out of doors TV. If all of them have headphones, no drawback! If they’ve a respectful outdoor theater setup, no drawback!
But when they do not care about their noise and lightweight air pollution, you are gonna have a tough time being their neighbor.
6. Not Staying in Their “Lane”
Rising up, each time a driver ventured over the road into our lane, my dad would say, “He’s taking his half of the center.” It was a well mannered manner of claiming the motive force was encroaching on our house.
Sadly, dangerous tenting neighbors do the identical factor. They take their “half of the center” by permitting their stuff, hoses, awnings, or slide-outs to encroach in your web site.
Certain, you wish to maximize your tenting space, however not on the expense of your neighbor. So, be careful for this crimson flag.
7. Don’t Take Pleasure in Their RV or Automobiles
It is a crimson flag in case your neighbors’ RV or automobiles are in disrepair or unkempt. Neglecting the looks and upkeep of their RV suggests an absence of accountability and care, which can lengthen to their habits as tenting neighbors.
A well-kept RV demonstrates satisfaction in a single’s belongings which generally means they will respect your belongings as nicely.
Simply make certain that you do not mistake “outdated” for “neglected.” An outdated RV will not be probably the most engaging however it might really be a great signal if it has been well-maintained for a few years.
Find out how to Cope with Unhealthy Tenting Neighbors
Should you see these crimson flags, your first thought is that they’re going to smash your enjoyment and spoil your enjoyable. Their music is just too loud. Their campsite is just too messy. Their canine is chained when it is not pooping in your campsite.
Do you simply need to suck it up and take it? Nicely, there’s a likelihood that, sure, you may need to place up with a few of it…. UNLESS. You simply pack it up and transfer on.
Make it a studying expertise. However the truth is, you may’t change the dangerous habits of others. Phrases will antagonize a few of them and solely make issues worse. Campground hosts could also be detached to your complaints.
SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ – Wendy Bowyer
Wendy Bowyer experiences on the recent points most talked about this previous week on social media and our RV Lifestyle Community group.
In our Lifestyle Community‘s Common Discussions Area, John simply obtained his Open Roads fuel discount card and requested for tips about the way to finest use it.
For many who do not know, Open Roads is a reduction card for diesel gas. Truckers use it, however RVers can use it too and plenty of Rvers say it brings important financial savings.
Scott advised that John maintain the directions in an easy-to-find place the primary few occasions he makes use of them as a result of there are some steps you have to know and keep in mind that the pin is the final 4 digits of his Social Safety Quantity.
Burt advised John evaluate pump costs on the varied stations that come up on the Open Roads map as a result of costs can range considerably, particularly close to state strains.
And Randall found you must use it at the least as soon as over 6 months or it’s deactivated, however it’s straightforward to reactivate instantly.
Additionally in our Neighborhood, within the Troubleshooting & Upkeep Area, we requested: Should you might give one piece of advice about maintaining an RV to a primary time proprietor, what wouldn’t it be?
Alan mentioned to verify the tire strain earlier than each journey and add a tire strain monitoring system (TPMS) if you do not have one. Julie advised checking the roof seals usually – at the least as soon as a month – and shifting rapidly on the slightest signal of damage.
Many individuals advised creating lists. Chris beneficial having a guidelines for making ready for a visit. Begin on the driver’s door and make your manner across the outdoors of the RV, then the within, writing down all of the issues to do and verify earlier than you go. And Woody and Inca added to make a guidelines for upkeep from the proprietor’s handbook – what to do month-to-month, quarterly, yearly, including to the checklist as you study.
So many good suggestions on this submit. Julio summed it up nicely when he mentioned: Preventive upkeep is cheaper than repairs. To not say you’ll by no means have a restore however the frequency is significantly diminished if you happen to spend money on preventative upkeep.
Then in our RVLifestyle Facebook Group, one of many posts that caught my eye was from Krissy who wrote:
If there was one piece of advice you wish someone would have given you while you first began your RV journey, what wouldn’t it be?
Krissy and her husband are promoting their residence, and going full time and greater than 750 individuals shared recommendation, protecting all the pieces possible.
Kevin urged her to do her analysis and draft a finances earlier than shopping for as a result of the RV Way of life Is dearer than you suppose.
Dale mentioned to anticipate to restore or change all the pieces, even when shopping for new as a result of issues undoubtedly break. Others urged her to learn to do easy repairs herself – get on the market and revel in!
Different recommendation was to decelerate, benefit from the journey. Hire before you purchase. Examine your handbook. You want much less stuff than you suppose you do …. and possibly my favourite message was get on the market and revel in, as a result of most of us can all the time discover a strategy to earn slightly extra money, however we can’t discover a strategy to earn extra time.
So if RVing is in your coronary heart, go do it!
RV Information of the Week
Camping World Holdings, Inc. has entered an agreement to buy assets and dealership at 7 Lazy Days locations in an estimated $10-20 million deal. The areas are Shock AZ, Murfreesboro, TN, Sturtevant, WI, Council Bluffs, IA, Elkhart, IN, Portland, OR, and Woodland, WA.
General Motors is recalling nearly 462,000 pickup trucks and big SUVs with diesel engines as a result of the rear wheels can lock up. The recall contains sure Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups from the 2020 by 2022 mannequin years and the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.
Two more national parks have joined Glacier (which we told you about last week) in announcing their timed entry reservations requirement throughout peak occasions in 2025. For Arches, it is going to be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning April 1- July 7, and once more Aug. 27 – Oct. 31. And Rocky Mountain will proceed the identical coverage it began in 2024 operating Could 24 – mid-October.
RV QUESTION OF THE WEEK
QUESTION: I’ve seen commercials to kind an LLC in Montana to keep away from paying gross sales tax on an RV buy. Is that this authorized? – Anne
ANSWER: It is authorized in Montana, however many different states have gotten smart to this and have aggressively pursued residents who attempt to keep away from paying gross sales tax or licensing charges by this scheme, prosecuting them as tax scofflaws. We write an in depth article about this on our RVLifestyle.com weblog – https://rvlifestyle.com/montana-llc-titling-rv/ .
Sure, you’ll discover many RVers doing this. However we’ve heard some states have really arrange tip-lines with rewards for individuals who spot RVs with Montana plates parked in driveways for lengthy durations of time. And a few critics of the apply declare inspectors cruise RV storage services and actively search for automobiles with Montana plates.
Personally, we’re authorized residents of Michigan – one of many very excessive tax states. I actually resent these taxes. However the regulation is the regulation and so long as we stay in Michigan, we obey it. So on each a authorized degree and an ethical degree, we simply can’t endorse the Montana LLC scheme. We don’t see it as a loophole to be exploited. We see it for what it’s… tax evasion.
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