- Big Fee Increase to Senior Pass
- Public-private Groups to Improve National Park Facilities
- New RV Education Blog
- Current Manufacturer Recalls
Senior National Park Pass
Big Fee Increase 2017
On August 28th, the price of the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass increases from $10 to $80.
Before the deadline, purchase the pass for $10 at a national park or other Federal recreation area that charges an entrance or day use fee. For $20 (includes the processing fee), order it by mail or online.
The senior pass can be used at sites managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Funds from passes are spent to “enhance the visitor experience and support priority projects and programs.”
The senior pass covers all entrance fees and day use fees and may provide senior discounts for things such as tours or campsites. The pass also waives the entrance fee for traveling companions. At per-vehicle fee sites, the pass admits the pass holder and all passengers in a noncommercial vehicle. At a per-person fee site, the pass admits the pass holder and three other adults. Children under 16 are always admitted free.
The legislation also introduces a new annual senior pass that can be purchased for $20. Seniors who purchase annual senior passes for four years can trade them in for a lifetime senior pass at no additional charge.
For more information and to buy a pass, click HERE.
Improving National Park Facilities
On July 18, outdoor recreation industry leaders met and agreed on ways to leverage public-private partnerships. The goal is to improve visitor experiences in public campgrounds, while helping to reduce the Department of Interior’s maintenance backlog within the National Park Service (NPS). Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke plus members of the House and Senate RV Caucuses also attended this meeting.
The RV Industry Association (RVIA) has been working with Secretary Zinke for months on ways to modernize the National Park System. “Now we have an opportunity with our conservation friends, outdoor recreation friends, and RV industry friends to partner together to make sure we modernize our parks,” commented House RV Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Dennis A. Ross.
New RV Education Blog
RV Education 101 has announced a new RV 101 Blog site to help assist and educate RV owners and potential owners on how to safely and properly use and maintain RVs.
Mark Polk, co-owner stated, “We are happy to announce the launch of our new RV blog site, titled RV 101 with Mark Polk. Our goal with this blog is to make available qualified RV information to help RV owners learn about using and maintaining their RVs.”
Polk added, “I see things in some RV blogs and RV-related videos that make me nervous. All too often folks buy an RV, spend six months on the road and start a blog or produce videos with erroneous and inaccurate information.”
For more information about Mark’s new blog , click HERE.
Current Recalls
There are lots of recalls this issue. It appears that the manufacturer’s quality control is out of control. To check for recalls on your rig, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Have ready the year, make and model of your RV or the VIN number.
NEWMAR
Newmar Corp. is recalling 1,289 2014-2018 Dutch Star and 2015-2017 Ventana motorhomes. In the affected motorhomes, the driver side and passenger side powered night shades can be lowered by using the remote when the ignition is in the “on” position. This could result in an accidental lowering of the shades when traveling down the road.
FOREST RIVER (2)
1. Forest River is recalling 557 Glaval Commute 2017; 2017-2018 Crossfit; 2016-2017 Starcraft Candidate II and Prodigy Bus and 2015-2017 Starlite recreational transit buses built on Ford Transit chassis. In the affected vehicles, the flexible coupling connecting the transmission to the driveshaft may prematurely fail.
Forest River will notify owners, and as an interim repair, Ford dealers will replace the flexible coupling on any vehicle with more than 30,000 miles.
A final remedy repair of a redesigned flexible coupling or a revised driveshaft equipped with a universal joint is being developed and is expected in early 2018. These repairs will be made free of charge.
The recall is expected to begin on Sept. 1. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1.800.392.3673 or Forest River customer service at 1.800.348.7440. Forest River’s number for this recall is 5.35.225-0461.
2. Forest River is recalling certain 2017 Rockwood travel trailers, models RLF8301WS and RLF8301WS-W. The affected vehicles have a Federal Placard with an incorrect ninth place check digit printed on the VIN label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, “Certification.” Forest River will notify owners, and will provide a corrected Federal Placard, free of charge.
The recall is expected to begin Sept. 11. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1.574.642.5164. Forest River’s number for this recall is 10C-07142017-0480.
KEYSTONE (2)
1. Keystone RV Company is recalling certain 2016-2018 Avalanche recreational trailers, model 370RD. The affected vehicles have an adjustment bolt for the kitchen slide-out that could contact the front tire. Keystone has notified owners, and dealers will replace the adjustment bolt with a shorter one, free of charge.
The recall began on July 27. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1.866.425.4369. Keystone’s number for this recall is 17-293.
2. Keystone RV Company is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback travel trailers, models 220URB, 240URS, 250URS, 255UBH, and 293UBH. The affected vehicles were built with an incorrect drawbar installed to tow the travel trailer. Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will bolt on a reinforcement channel over the existing drawbar attachment of the frame, free of charge.
The recall is expected to begin in July. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1.866.425.4369. Keystone’s number for this recall is 17-290.
JAYCO (2)
1. Entegra Coach is recalling certain 2018 Cornerstone motorhomes equipped with Cummins ISX 15L engines. These engines have a fuel pump whose drive gear could possibly slip on its drive shaft, causing a fuel pump function loss, resulting in an engine stall. Entegra has notified owners, and qualified Spartan Service Center/Cummins Distributors will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge.
The recall began on July 21. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1.855.589.9836 or Entegra customer service at 1-800-517-9137.
2. Jayco is recalling certain 2017 Jay Flight SLX travel trailers equipped with the Rocky Mountain Package option. The Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) labels on the affected vehicles did not include the weight of the water tank and water when calculating the CCC, therefore, the CCC is overstated beyond the 1% variance allowed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, “Tire Selection and Rims.”
Jayco has notified owners and will provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on July 20. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1.800.283.8267. Jayco’s number for this recall is 9901358.
For more information about the RV Lifestyle:
Conquer the Road: RV Maintenance for Travelers
Moving On With Margo 