RV Podcast 303: What RV travel looks like for the rest of the year

With travel restrictions looming again, here's our best take on what RV travel looks like for the rest of the year. As COVID-19 raises its ugly head again with more infections and hospitalizations, things that once were opening are closing again. This week on the RV Podcast Episode 303, we offer straight talk about what the rest of the year may look like for RVers. Plus we have an interview about an interesting place where RVers can go to get their RVs renovated called RV Renovation Camp. We also have lots of RV News, tips, an off the beaten path report from the Burketts, and much more all coming up in Episode 303 of the RV Podcast. Show Notes for Episode #303 July 15, 2020 of The RV Podcast: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK We’re still in Michigan and will likely stay here through fall. And while we think there will be lots of opportunities for short trips in and around the Great Lakes Region, long-distance, cross-country travel for us has been put on hold as the nation tries to figure out what to do as COVID-19 infection rates have shot upwards again. What had been an encouraging downwards trend in early summer, has now been reversed to where we are now seeing record infection rates in many places, more hospitalizations, and rising deaths. In other words, just when you thought it was okay to start traveling again, we’re seeing the virus rapidly spreading and many states contemplating shutdowns again. So let's talk about what RV travel looks like for the rest of the year: In our opinion, it’s not good. Just today, Elkhart Open House, the mega event put on every fall by the RV manufacturers to jumpstart business for dealers and suppliers, was canceled for this year. That event has probably become the most important venue for the RV industry and canceling it shows just how serious the industry sees the new spike in invections. We don’t have a crystal ball. We’re not privy to any inside information. But since the end of February, the newsman in me has kept careful track of what is happening with this horrible illness and I think there are several things happening that will adversely affect the RV Lifestyle. Hopefully, what’s unfolding and developing now will not result in total nationwide shutdowns like most of us experienced in March and April. But I don’t think there is any doubt that it's getting worse rather than better. Will you still be able to travel in your RV? Yes, I think so, certainly more than you were able to this past spring but, sadly, I fear, not as much as you perhaps would like to. Here are seven things that I think will shape what RV travel looks like for the rest of the year There will be more campgrounds, state parks, and national parks either closing to out of state campers, shutting down entirely, or limiting the number of visitors. We have some examples of that happening even now coming up in the News of the week segment but expect more quarantines and in some places, like California, parts of Texas and other states, to be more severely impacted by COVID and actively tell visitors that they are not welcome the rest of the summer and ell into the fall. What campgrounds that remain open will be more crowded. That’s a given. With all the new RVers out there, camping space is already at a premium in many places. If campgrounds now open start closing again, those that are still open will be putting out the “no vacancy” signs a lot sooner than normal. RV manufacturers will once again have to wrestle with the decision to shut down their assembly lines to stop the spread of the virus. Same with RV parts manufacturers. If shutdowns happen the ripple effect will immediately be felt through all segments of the industry. It may be booming now because so many people bought new RVs for much-needed vacations once the economy started to reopen in May and June. But if the COVID rates keep rising – as most health experts predict – the industry is going to be hit with a double whammy. If you have a new RV on order, don’t be surprised by more delays. The US/Canadian border will remain closed to nonessential travel. That’s what RV travel is – nonessential. Technically the closure is scheduled to end July 21. But officials on both sides have conferred and are expected to extend that at least another month, until at least Aug. 21, There have been some reports that Canada, alarmed by the huge spike of new cases in the US, may even push to extend it to the end of the year. This will really put the huge hit on the travel plans of an estimated 4 million Canadian snowbirds who come to winter in the US (about 3.5 million to Florida, which is currently the number one hard-hit COVID state.) All RV shows have or will be canceled until 2021. The big ones, the Hershey RV show, Elkhart Open House and the California RV show have already canceled. So have virtually all local and regional RV shows, missing - for the first time ever - the annual new model introductions normally made in the fall each year. Service and repairs may be harder to get for your RV. Dealerships will likely have trouble getting parts if those manufacturer shutdowns happen. Fewer parts mean fewer repairs and that means more broken RVs. Anger and bitterness will increase. Just look at the strong feelings and bitterness over wearing masks. The so-called “Stay Home and Stay Safe Movement” will grow. Resentment and even open hostility of traveling RVers is a distinct possibility given the rancor and divisiveness. Okay. That’s my thoughts on what RV travel looks like for the rest of the year. As I said early on, we will still be able to travel. But I think it best to urge you to consider staying close to home. And when you do, it goes without saying, wear masks when in close proximity to others whether indoors or outdoors, practice social distancing use the facilities in your own RV as much as possible, avoiding public restrooms on the road and even in campgrounds. Be safe, stay informed about local conditions, and be patient. These are unprecedented times. If we are going to get through this, we need to get along. Does that make sense? RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Long lines causing new challenges as all Glacier National Park visitors must use one entrance If you're planning to head this summer to Glacier National Park, be ready for long lines to enter the park's lone open entrance which may soon begin a timed entry system. The park's east entrance is part of the Blackfeet Nation but the Blackfeet closed the entrance last month in an attempt to limit the tribe's exposure to COVID-19. About one-third of all COVID deaths in Montana were to Native Americans, who make up just 7 percent of the population. This means all visitors must come through a single western entrance, causing long backups. Glacier is one of our favorite national parks and we certainly understand the desire to see it (see previous articles here). We also understand the Blackfeet Nation's desire to protect its members. If you do decide to head out, we urge you to thoroughly investigate entrances and polices first. Man who was boondocking shoots and kills bear that was chasing his dog before turning on him A man who was boondocking near Nederland in Colorado told officials he shot and killed a bear after the bear was chasing after his dog, then turned and came after him. The man said he heard his dog barking, looked, and saw the bear chasing it. He said he shot the bear when it came toward him. The bear did not survive. It is illegal in Colorado to shoot bears when they attack your pets. But, because the bear then turned on the man, he was also in danger, and shooting a bear in self-defense is allowed. Park officials urged the public to make sure they carry bear spray in the backwoods. Bear spray is also what we recommend. To learn about camping in bear country, click here. Animals nesting in engine while RV in storage blamed for fire An Oregon husband and wife who hadn't used their 30-foot Winnebago Sightseer for a while brought it in for an oil change when, shortly after parking, it burst into flames. Investigators said the fire was likely caused by animals nesting in the engine compartment during the years it had been in storage. A lot of dry, organic material was discovered during the investigation and officials believe this material caught fire from the heat of the engine and quickly spread. No one was hurt in the blaze. Siberian Husky pup dies after swimming in Zion National Park river containing toxic algae A five-month-old dog who died shortly after swimming in a river at Zion National Park, died from a toxins in the water, officials announced. The dog, a Siberian Husky, had been playing in the Virgin River, snapping at algae on the rocks. But, within an hour of swimming the dog was in pain, could not walk, had seizures, and died. Park officials said the cause of death was from the toxic algae. Warnings have now been issued telling people not to swim in the river and not allow their pets to swim or drink the water. In this summer of pandemic camping, remember to check ahead If you want to enter a New Mexico state park, you will have to prove you are a resident with a state driver's license or plate, under a new rule that bars out of state residents from state parks. National parks in New Mexico can still be visited but only after out-of-towners quarantine for 14 days. Most state-operated campgrounds are now open, and many (but not all) national park campgrounds are open, too. In general, many campgrounds on Native American reservations are closed. And some states that opened are now discussing closing various activities as COVID-19 numbers rise. Each state is setting its own rules and procedures. As always, before heading out, check ahead by clicking here. 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