More Bad News! 2025 California Motorhome Ban even includes Class Bs

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This week on the RV Podcast:

• There’s more bad news about the 2025 California Motorhome Ban, which even includes Class Bs, as well as some Heavy Duty Trucks
• A whole bunch of new RV Recalls was just announced
• And what to do during the RV Off-Season
• All this plus the RV News of the Week, Social Media Buzz, and your questions coming up in Episode # 523 of the RV Podcast

You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below. Click the CC logo on the right side of the player, and you can follow along in a word-for-word transcript of the podcast as it plays.

2025 California Motorhome Ban includes Class Bs, even some Heavy Duty Trucks

There has been massive fallout over the very controversial regulations that will, in effect, prohibit the sale of new 2025 motorhomes weighing over 8,500 pounds in California and five other states starting Jan 1.

Those other states are Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey.

Five other states are also slated to enact the same regulations in 2026 and 2027 – Vermont, Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico, and Rhode Island. 

We reported extensively on this last week, and if all this is news to you I urge you to go back and listen to Episode 422, where we go into great detail about it.

There’s just too many new developments to rehash it right now.

Outrage and Dire Warnings…

As news of this decision by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and its Advanced Clean Truck Regulation has spread over the past week, so has outrage and dire warnings.

The RV Industry Association, the RVIA, which represents RV manufacturers and suppliers, issued a detailed report on this situation, which has reached a crisis stage for the industry.

“In 2025, California's Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation, aimed at promoting zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), will create a near-total “ban” on motorhome sales in the state, as well as in additional states that follow the California Air Resource Board (CARB) regulations. While the regulation does not specifically ban motorhome sales, the ACT regulation mandates manufacturers of medium and heavy-duty vehicles to sell an increasing percentage of ZEVs each year. This has led chassis manufacturers to halt sales of traditional internal combustion engine chassis for motorhomes in California, stemming from the lack of ZEV chassis suitable for motorhomes.”

In explaining the situation, the RVIA addressed one misconception, that it only applied to supersized Class A diesel motorhomes. This ban affects just about all motorhomes.

It says:

“While the majority of the attention thus far has focused on Class A and Class C diesel motorhomes, the regulation, with a few exceptions, applies to all medium-duty or heavy-duty vehicles with combustion engines. Any non-exempted on-road vehicle over 8,500 GVWR is included is covered by the regulation, including Class B motorhomes most of which have a GVWR over that amount.

“Vehicles exempted from the ACT regulation include emergency vehicles, military tactical vehicles, transit vehicles subject to the Innovative Clean Transit regulation, school buses purchased by K-12 school districts and other entities, and light-duty vehicles dispatched but not owned by transportation network companies.”

The RVIA and its dealers, manufacturers and suppliers vowed to continue to work towards getting an exemption for RVs.

But in California, there seems to be no such movement.

“The regulation takes effect with the 2025 model year. In response to a question at the hearing about non-compliant vehicles coming in from out of state, the California Clean Air Board said that a used vehicle, defined as one with more than 7,500 miles on the odometer, could be brought in and registered. Any motorhome with less than 7,500 miles would be considered a new vehicle and would have to be compliant in order to be registered.”

So, for RVers, here's the situation right now, and this, according to the RVIA. I quote:

“If nothing changes, motorhomes will not be able to be sold and registered in California beginning in 2025.”

Since we reported on the motorhome ban last week, I have heard from numerous dealers, suppliers and manufacturers. They are beyond frustrated by this. With the industry already in a downturn because of weak sales from high interest rates and consumer uncertainty over inflation, they see this as a devastating hit.

The comments we have received on the blog and on YouTube from RVers have been equally outraged. 

There’s been one more development we need to report.

Ford Motor Company last week announced that some 2025 Ford Super Duty chassis cab models will not be sold or delivered to California due to the increasing emissions standards. These units are above 19,500 gross vehicle weight rating – so super large ones like F-600 will not be sold or delivered to California. 

The California Clean Air Resources Board met last week and did not address the RV and truck industry issues at all. Instead, it passed new emission control rules that will significantly raise fuel prices in 2025… by as much as 65 cents a gallon.

Californians already have the highest gas prices in the country and pay, on average, $1.47 a gallon more than any other state. These fuel hikes will be on top of this.

We will stay on top of this issue and update this story as it continues to unfold.

RV CONVERSATION OF THE WEEK: What to do during the RV Off-Season

Don't let your RV sit unused until spring! Here are some ideas on what to do during the off-season!

Major Maintenance – The things a dealer needs to handle are slide issues, engine issues on motorhomes, roof leaks, and leveler problems. The things where they need to keep your RV overnight or longer.

Minor Maintenance and cleaning – Take care of all of those annoying DIY things that bugged you and you didn't have time to do. Wash and wax the RV, lube the steps, squeaky doors, leaky toilet seals

Make a Calendar – Leisurely plan your 2025 travels. Research campgrounds, and boondocking sites, read reviews, draw up your routes, ask people on RVCommunity.com what to do in the areas you’d like to visit.

Make Camping Reservations early – For the places you will use as major destinations, get reservations as soon as you can.  

Reach out to RVers you met last year – Do a catch-up visit, plan a camping trip together, arrange a visit. Connect with other friends on the RVCommunity.com. Plan a meetup in person.

Remember Your Adventures – Review your photos. Think of making them into a photo book. Some RVers make one for every year of travel.

Make a new RV Bucket List – Things change. New ideas come up. Make your Bucket List for the new year… and beyond. Short term, long term.

Order the supplies you need for 2025 – Water filters (at least two), new drinking hose, black tank treatment products. Get them now, while they’re in stock, so you have them when the RV rolls out in the spring. We’ll link to all the RV products we use on our Amazon Storefront at https://www.amazon.com/shop/rvlifestyle 

Get some new apps – We’re always looking for new apps that can be helpful to RVers. Where to fill fresh water tanks…where to find dump stations…health apps for emergencies on the road…apps to find cheap gas…We’ll link to a whole bunch of them at https://rvlifestyle-ider.wp1.sh/apps  The idea is to add some new ones to your smartphones and tablets and, in the off-season, learn how they work.

Along these same lines, we asked members of our RV Community how they spent the off-season. Lots of snowbirds – RVers who winter in South Texas, Arizona, and Florida – told us that for them, there is no off-season.

But here are some of the replies from those whose RVs are in places where they are winterized and unused till spring.

From Ari: We're on the road about 3/4 of the year, returning to our sticks ‘n bricks for the holiday season. So our “off-season” from mid-October through late December is a good time for maintenance on our RV, catching up on doctor and dentist appointments, and tackling projects on the house to make sure it's ready for winter. And, of course, we spent the coldest days indoors plotting travel adventures! 

From Suzanne:  Hang out at home. May do a few days over the end of December/early January in a modern cabin in a state park to do the First Day Hike which are fun.

From Peter: Planning trips for next two years.

From Kristin: We spend time “camping” on the ice, fishing all winter.

From Jeff: Make a list of all the “to do before spring” chores on the RV. Then work hard all winter so that we can take time to play next season

From Rebecca: We hike and go to grandson’s basketball games (why we are staying home this winter and last winter). We have hiking boots with spikes for the ice and snow. Works pretty well

From Randall: Staying home and other methods of traveling by land, air and sea.  Just cannot sit still for long.

SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ – Wendy Bowyer

Wendy Bowyer reports on the hot issues most talked about this past week on social media and our RV Lifestyle Community group.

In our RV Community‘s Travel, Trips & Tours Space, we had a great question about length. Cindi and her husband are newbies, and they are planning a trip out West next year and wondered: When an RV park asks for the length, does that include the toad and connections or just the RV?

In general, most of the time the campground is asking only about the unit. But there could be exceptions.

Mark said the campground might want the length with the toad if you are getting a pull through site –  especially if it is a one night stop and you don't want to unhook.

And Ari added they've discovered some parks need to know the total length not because of the campsite size but because of maneuverability. Tight campground roads might be impossible if you are too long.

Also in our Community, in our RVing Retirees Space, we asked: Is there a particular day of the week you prefer to start out on long RV Trips and why?

Lots of participation on this one, and lots of variety of days. In fact, I saw every day BUT Wednesday and Thursday. But the most popular day was definitely Sunday. The reasons?  

Jim said there is generally much lighter traffic on Sundays and Julio mentioned Sunday is the last day of the weekend, and most people have to head home then or are heading home the next day. Rita and Jeff said Sunday is the way to beat the crowds.

Then at our RVLifestyle Facebook Group, we had a post from Brannon saying he experiences extreme anxiety every time he has to pull through a gas station to fill up on the road. He has a 32-foot rig, travels by himself, and asked for tips.

And many of the 250-plus who responded had great tips that helped them overcome.

Several suggested Brannon only choose gas station pumps where he can pull in straight. Others suggested using end pumps and swing wide because the gas pump hoses can reach further than you think.

Some suggested Brannon take an RV driving course – a couple of people said the courses are well worth the money and really help build skills and confidence. 

Others suggested investing in a 360-camera.

But by far the most common tip was to use truck stops for refueling – many have both gas and diesel pumps – and to plan fuel stops the day ahead. Figure out what towns you'll be near when you need to fill up, then look at those stations using Google Maps, satellite views, and street views to make sure you can fit. 

With that little bit of extra effort and planning, you can make sure you only use gas stations you can easily fit and feel comfortable, removing lots of stress.

RV NEWS OF THE WEEK

RV Recalls Announced 

Each month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists current recalls, and while most are minor, there are a couple this week that affect a significant number of RVers.

Winnebago has a whole bunch of RVs on the list.

Winnebago is recalling 5,313 of its 2020-2024 Winnebago View and Navion motorhomes equipped with certain Lippert Metallarte door assemblies. The door assembly may have been manufactured with incorrect window adhesion, causing the window to loosen or become detached. The remedy is under development at this time. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 30, 2024. 

Also, Winnebago is recalling 11,982 2014-2018 Sightseer, Itasca Sunova, 2016-2025 Forza, Vista, and Itasca/Winnebago Sunstar, 2015-2025 Adventurer, 2015-2024 Commercial Vehicle, 2015-2028 Itasca Suncruiser, and 2016-2017 Itasca Solei recreational vehicles. The hood bracket adhesive may have been incorrectly applied which can allow the bracket to detach. The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 30, 2024

The other large RV recall we want to mention involves Forest River, which is recalling 288 2025 Vibe and Cedar Creek travel trailer vehicles. The stove may detach from the cabinet. The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 11, 2024.  

Virginia RVer hit with massive toll charge for driving just 45 miles on state toll road near Washington DC

Here’s a warning for those of you in an RV who take a toll road. It can be very expensive. The Landry family from Falls Church, VA took a little weekend camping trip. Husband and Dad Jeff took I-66’s express lanes during peak rush hours. 

Jeff knew there would be a toll, and he figured the RV might add a little extra cost (he was thinking maybe $20 or $30 each way). He saw it as a “fair” price for saving time.

Imagine his shock when he saw the charges roll in days later: his EZ-Pass bill totaled $569.50 for the quick roundtrip.

His three-axle RV was charged according to its size. Still, each way was only about 22 miles. The total felt like price gouging to Jeff. Unfortunately, though, he just didn’t realize the dynamic pricing would reach such heights for a larger vehicle.

The express lanes on I-66 use what’s known as dynamic pricing. This means rates adjust based on traffic demand, charging drivers who want to skip congestion at peak times.

Larger vehicles, like Jeff’s 1997 Holiday Rambler RV, incur steeper tolls because they occupy more space and wear down the road faster. By the way, it only saved him 20 minutes if he stayed off the toll road.

Nobody likes dynamic pricing except the hotels, airlines and – yes – campgrounds that make big bucks with it. 

Don’t want to have that happen to you?

Set your GPS to stay off toll roads. But if you must travel them, avoid rush hours and Fridays and Sundays when people are going and returning from weekend trips.

Glacier National Park will test a timed entry system 

Glacier National Park is joining other popular western national parks in adopting a ti,ed reservation-based entry policy. 

This new system affects the west entrance of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork Road between June 13 and Sept. 28, 2025. 

Those wanting to visit between 7 am and 3 pm during those months will need a reservation – but those arriving before or after those hours will not. The reason for the change is to reduce congestion.

This is quickly becoming the norm for National Parks. So as you plan your summer travels, you’ll want to make your reservations as far in advance as possible.

RV QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK

QUESTION: What a mess! We went to hook up the stinky slinky hose to drain the black tank today and then my husband took off the cap on the pipe that comes out of the RV, a bunch of really yucky liquid came out. I thought I saw you in a video a while back talk about something that will prevent that. – Denise

ANSWER: What you want is called a gate valve. The one we have is from Camco, and it's officially called the Camco 39050 Ready-to-Use Gate Valve with Built-in Clear Adapter. It attaches to the drain from the RV. You keep the gate valve shut until you have your hose hooked up and secure with the other end in the dump receptacle. Then you open the gate valve as you drain your tanks. No muss, no fuss. Our Amazon affiliate link is https://amzn.to/3Z0vQkR 

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