More Confuson over Motorhome Ban

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This week on the RV Podcast:

• There's more confusion over the so-called Motorhome Ban: The California Air Resources Board now denies there is a ban coming in 2025. The RV industry still insists there is.
• RVers are urgently needed in North Carolina…to help those displaced by the hurricane to learn about their temporary RV housing.
• In our RV Conversation of the Week: 7 Red flags about bad camping neighbors that may make you want to leave a campground.
• All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #524 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.

Before we get to the confusion over the so-called California Motorhome ban, I want to share this email requesting help from RVers to those still homeless from this fall’s flooding in North Carolina from Hurricane Helene:

“We are having safe housing problems for hundreds of families in the area of the Southern Appalachians after the historical damages from hurricane Helene. 

We are helping people find temporary housing and RVs that are being donated from all over the country. 

We are desperately in need of people who understand RVs and all of the different things someone needs to know when they first move into one. Especially winter living and propane safety and maintenance. 

Because these units are being donated we do not have people who always understand even the very basics about the campers they are picking up.

 My goal in sharing this with you today is asking if there would be a way that we could ask for volunteers within the RV Lifestyle Community who might be close enough to be of assistance to hundreds of families in this difficult situation.”

Thank You – Janet Hensley

If you are able to help, you can contact her directly at [email protected]

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Email from the California Air Resources Board

Now, let's get to the follow-up over the controversial issue of what is being called the California Motorhome Ban. 

We’ve been extensively reporting on this for the past several weeks, and this week, I want to share an email I received from the California Air Resources Board.

Basically, they say there is no “ban” that prohibits the sale of diesel RVs in California.

In fact, the spokesperson says “False claims asserting otherwise are outright lies.”

But it’s all semantics. The email reads like bureaucratic gobblegook and uses a lot of words and regulatory language to basically say manufacturers must meet all the requirements of the state’s Advanced Clean Trucks rule.

If they don’t meet those requirements, which involve meeting zero emission benchmarks for having zero emission vehicles, then they can’t sell.

That, at least according to RV dealers, suppliers, manufacturers and the RV Industry Association – indeed is, for all practical purposes… a ban.

The RV Industry Assessment

Here’s the industry assessment:

“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.”

Those same rules and regulations that California has will have the same effect in five other states – 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.

So… semantics aside, the situation has not changed from our previous reports.

As the RVIA bluntly states: “If nothing changes, motorhomes will not be able to be sold and registered in California beginning in 2025.”

I’m sure we have not heard the end of this.

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RV CONVERSATION OF THE WEEK – Red Flags about Campground Neighbors

You can pick out the best campsite in the best campground and plan to have the best vacation ever. Only to end up next to bad camping neighbors. 

It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen, especially since the surge of newbies that joined the RV community in recent years. Many of them dove into the lifestyle without learning about proper camping etiquette. 

We believe you should never judge a book by its cover, but a book cover does contain information about what to expect from within its pages. So, while you should never dismiss a camper immediately based on appearances, if you see the following 7 red flags… you may want to break camp and go elsewhere.

1. You Hear Them Before You See Them

One major red flag of a bad camping neighbor is when you can hear them before you see them. We're not talking about pleasant sounds of laughter or the crackle of a campfire, but constant noise that disrupts the peace and tranquility of the campground.

It's not a good sign if you pull up to your campsite and hear loud music, rowdy conversations, or even arguments.

However, give them a few minutes to adjust once they see you. They may tone things down when they realize they have a camp neighbor to consider. If they do, you should be fine. If they don't… well, we'll talk about that at the end.

2. Their Campsite Isn’t Clean

Another obvious sign of a bad camping neighbor is a messy campsite that looks like a tornado just passed through. We all know that camping involves getting a little dirty and embracing nature, but that doesn't mean you should leave your campsite in shambles.

f you come across a campsite with trash strewn about, gear left out, or a general lack of organization, it's a clear indication that your neighbors don't value cleanliness or respect for the campground.

While you may be able to ignore the mess, you're not going to be able to ignore the wildlife and bugs their dirty campsite will attract.

3. Their Campsite Looks Like a Frat House

Beer pong, anyone? While camping can be a fun and social experience, it shouldn't revolve solely around excessive drinking and partying.

If your neighbor's campsite resembles a frat house decorated with beer cans, they likely prioritize partying and their own fun over respecting others' enjoyment.

Sure, there's nothing wrong with enjoying a couple drinks while camping. But when it's the sole focus and leads to excessive noise and disruptive behavior, it can quickly ruin the camping experience for everyone nearby.

(By the way, some campgrounds cater to partiers. So, be sure to avoid or book those places based on your preferences.)

4. They Excuse Their Kids’ Bad Behavior

Watch out for neighbors who constantly excuse their kids' bad behavior, such as running through other campsites or making excessive noise. While kids will be kids, it's the parent's responsibility to teach them proper camping etiquette.

If your neighbors consistently brush off their children's misbehavior without taking any corrective action, it can lead to frustration.

When you first pull up to your campsite, pay attention to how the parents of nearby kids react. Are they watching their kids? Are they instructing them to stay back and stay safe? Or are they oblivious to where and what their kids are doing?

5. Lots of Electronics Outside

If your neighbors' campsite resembles a tech store with multiple electronic devices scattered around, it's a definite red flag. An excessive amount of screens, gaming consoles, or speakers indicates a lack of appreciation for the peaceful outdoor experience.

Some bad campers expect you to listen to what they listen to and watch what they watch on their outdoor TV. If they all have headphones, no problem! If they have a respectful outdoor theater setup, no problem!

But if they don't care about their noise and light pollution, you're gonna have a hard time being their neighbor.

6. Not Staying in Their “Lane”

Growing up, whenever a driver ventured over the line into our lane, my dad would say, “He’s taking his half of the middle.” It was a polite way of saying the driver was encroaching on our space.

Unfortunately, bad camping neighbors do the same thing. They take their “half of the middle” by allowing their stuff, hoses, awnings, or slide-outs to encroach on your site.

Sure, you want to maximize your camping area, but not at the expense of your neighbor. So, watch out for this red flag.

7. Don’t Take Pride in Their RV or Vehicles

It's a red flag if your neighbors' RV or vehicles are in disrepair or unkempt. Neglecting the appearance and maintenance of their RV suggests a lack of responsibility and care, which may extend to their behavior as camping neighbors.

A well-kept RV demonstrates pride in one's belongings which typically means they'll respect your belongings as well.

Just be sure that you don't mistake “old” for “uncared for.” An old RV may not be the most attractive but it can actually be a good sign if it has been well-maintained for many years.

How to Deal with Bad Camping Neighbors

If you see these red flags, your first thought is they’re going to ruin your enjoyment and spoil your fun. Their music is too loud. Their campsite is too messy. Their dog is chained when it's not pooping on your campsite.

Do you just have to suck it up and take it? Well, there is a chance that, yes, you might have to put up with some of it…. UNLESS. You just pack it up and move on.

Make it a learning experience. But the fact is, you can’t change the bad behavior of others. Words will antagonize some of them and only make things worse. Campground hosts may be indifferent to your complaints. 

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 Lifestyle Community‘s General Discussions Space, John just received his Open Roads fuel discount card and asked for tips on how to best use it.

For those who don't know, Open Roads is a discount card for diesel fuel. Truckers use it, but RVers can use it too and many Rvers say it brings significant savings. 

Scott suggested that John keep the instructions in an easy-to-find place the first few times he uses them because there are some steps you need to know and remember that the pin is the last four digits of his Social Security Number.

Burt suggested John compare pump prices at the various stations that come up on the Open Roads map because prices can vary significantly, especially near state lines.

And Randall discovered you have to use it at least once over 6 months or it is deactivated, but it is easy to reactivate right away.

Also in our Community, in the Troubleshooting & Maintenance Space, we asked: If you could give one piece of advice about maintaining an RV to a first time owner, what would it be?

Alan said to check the tire pressure before every trip and add a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) if you don't have one. Julie suggested checking the roof seals often – at least once a month – and moving quickly at the slightest sign of wear.

Many people suggested creating lists. Chris recommended having a checklist for preparing for a trip.  Start at the driver's door and make your way around the outside of the RV, then the inside, writing down all the things to do and check before you go.  And Woody and Inca added to make a checklist for maintenance from the owner's manual – what to do monthly, quarterly, annually, adding to the list as you learn.

So many good tips in this post. Julio summed it up well when he said: Preventive maintenance is cheaper than repairs. Not to say you will never have a repair but the frequency is greatly diminished if you invest in preventative maintenance.

Then in our RVLifestyle Facebook Group, one of the posts that caught my eye was from Krissy who wrote: 

If there was one piece of advice you wish someone would have given you when you first started your RV adventure, what would it be?

Krissy and her husband are selling their home, and going full time and more than 750 people shared advice, covering everything imaginable.

Kevin urged her to do her research and draft a budget before buying because the RV Lifestyle Is more expensive than you think.

Dale said to expect to repair or replace everything, even when buying new because things definitely break. Others urged her to learn how to do simple repairs herself – get out there and enjoy!

Other advice was to slow down, enjoy the journey. Rent before you buy. Study your manual. You need less stuff than you think you do …. and maybe my favorite message was get out there and enjoy, because most of us can always find a way to earn a little more money, but we can not find a way to earn more time.

So if RVing is on your heart, go do it!

RV News 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 locations are Surprise 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 because the rear wheels can lock up. The recall includes certain Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups from the 2020 through 2022 model 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 during peak times in 2025. For Arches, it will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting April 1- July 7, and again Aug. 27 – Oct. 31. And Rocky Mountain will continue the same policy it started in 2024 running May 24 – mid-October.

RV QUESTION OF THE WEEK

QUESTION: I’ve seen advertisements to form an LLC in Montana to avoid paying sales tax on an RV purchase.  Is this legal? – Anne

ANSWER: It's legal in Montana, but many other states have gotten wise to this and have aggressively pursued residents who try to avoid paying sales tax or licensing fees through this scheme, prosecuting them as tax scofflaws. We write an extensive article about this on our RVLifestyle.com blog – https://rvlifestyle-ider.wp1.sh/montana-llc-titling-rv/ . 

Yes, you will find many RVers doing this. But we have heard some states have actually set up tip-lines with rewards for people who spot RVs with Montana plates parked in driveways for long periods of time. And some critics of the practice claim inspectors cruise RV storage facilities and actively look for vehicles with Montana plates. 

Personally, we are legal residents of Michigan – one of the very high tax states. I really resent those taxes. But the law is the law and as long as we live in Michigan, we obey it. So on both a legal level and a moral level, we just can’t endorse the Montana LLC scheme. We don’t see it as a loophole to be exploited. We see it for what it is… tax evasion.

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