- This topic has 0 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 6 months, 1 week ago by
.
-
Posts
-
-
Florida Woman Loses $26,900 in RV Scam After Facebook Ad Appeared Legitimate
A woman in Central Florida lost nearly $27,000 after responding to a Facebook advertisement for a 2019 Jayco Alante RV that appeared to come from a dealership called J&J Autoplex. The listing looked convincing, and the woman said she and her family reviewed the website and even called the phone numbers listed before wiring $26,900 for the purchase. The RV was supposed to arrive on January 18 but never showed up. Soon after the payment was sent, the phone numbers stopped working and the website disappeared.
Investigators later found several warning signs. Some images on the site contained Gemini AI watermarks, suggesting the photos were generated rather than taken by a real dealership. Authorities also learned that a legitimate business named J&J Autoplex exists in Louisiana, but in a different town, suggesting scammers copied the name to appear credible. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says at least six victims have filed complaints tied to the listings, with total reported losses around $71,000.
Thor Industries Warns Economic Uncertainty Could Slow RV Sales
Thor Industries reported quarterly results that came in ahead of Wall Street expectations, yet the company told investors that economic uncertainty could influence RV demand in the months ahead. The manufacturer cited several factors clouding the outlook, including tariff developments, renewed inflation concerns, and geopolitical tensions tied to conflict in the Middle East. These conditions can influence consumer confidence, which tends to affect large purchases such as recreational vehicles.
Despite the cautious tone, Thor maintained its full-year fiscal 2026 outlook with expected sales between $9 billion and $9.5 billion. Quarterly revenue reached $2.13 billion, and the company posted a profit of $17.8 million, or 34 cents per share, a significant improvement from the small loss reported during the same quarter last year. Motorized RV sales rose sharply while towable RV sales declined, and the company said dealers may continue managing inventory carefully until economic conditions become clearer.
Billboards in Indiana Challenge RV Industry Over Tropical Wood Sourcing
Drivers in northern Indiana are seeing billboards criticizing the RV industry for using tropical hardwood products linked by environmental groups to rainforest destruction in Southeast Asia. The campaign was launched by the advocacy organization Mighty Earth and includes six billboards placed across Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, a region known as the center of RV manufacturing in the United States.
The messaging focuses on meranti plywood, a lightweight material commonly used in RV walls, roofs, and floors. Environmental groups say some meranti sourced from Indonesia has been tied to logging operations connected to rainforest loss and habitat damage affecting species such as orangutans. The campaign names several major companies including Thor Industries, Forest River, Winnebago Industries, and Patrick Industries. At the time the billboards appeared, the companies had not confirmed the allegations, though Winnebago said it is evaluating responsible sourcing options and possible alternatives.
Gas Prices Jump More Than 30 Cents in a Week as Oil Markets React to Global Tensions
The national average price for regular gasoline climbed from about $2.98 per gallon to $3.32 within a week, marking one of the fastest increases in several years. Energy data shows the surge is largely tied to rising crude oil prices connected to tensions in the Middle East. When traders anticipate supply disruptions, oil prices can climb quickly, and gasoline prices at the pump often follow within days.
Seasonal factors are also playing a role. Refineries are beginning the annual transition from winter gasoline to summer-blend fuel, which costs more to produce and distribute. At the same time, travel demand typically rises as temperatures warm. Even with the recent increase, the national average remains far below the highs recorded in 2022 when prices exceeded $5 per gallon, though regional differences remain wide across the country.
Starlink Blocks $5 Standby Plan From Working While Vehicles Are Moving
SpaceX has quietly changed how one of its lowest-cost Starlink options works, and some RV travelers may notice the difference. The company recently disabled the ability to use its $5 per month Standby Mode plan while a vehicle is moving. Customers began seeing the change when the Starlink mobile app displayed a message stating that the system was disabled during motion.
Standby Mode was originally introduced as a way to pause a Starlink subscription while keeping minimal connectivity active. Some travelers realized the slower connection could still handle simple tasks such as email or messaging while driving, especially with the portable Starlink Mini dish. Starlink has now clarified in its support documentation that Standby Mode is not meant for in-motion use. Customers who want internet access while traveling down the road will need to switch to one of the company’s Roam plans, which start around $50 per month.
Upcoming RV Shows
-
Sioux Empire Sportsmen’s Show
March 12–15, 2026
Sioux Falls Arena & Convention Center
Sioux Falls, South Dakota -
Fredericksburg RV Show
March 13–15, 2026
Fredericksburg Convention Center
Fredericksburg, Virginia -
Sportsmen’s Boat & RV Show
March 13–15, 2026
Kern County Fairgrounds
Bakersfield, California -
Hampton Roads RV Super Sale
March 13–15, 2026
Hampton Roads Convention Center
Hampton, Virginia -
30th Port Huron RV and Camping Show
March 13–15, 2026
Blue Water Convention Center
Port Huron, Michigan -
Las Vegas RV Show
March 13–15, 2026
The Expo at World Market Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
-
Sioux Empire Sportsmen’s Show
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.