Assumed RV profile today: Profile B (Fifth wheel 30–42 ft / ¾-ton or dually)
Good morning! Welcome to February 13, 2026’s RV Travel Intelligence Briefing for the United States.
Today we’re covering a major tow-safety recall affecting trailer lights/brakes, route and weather risks, campground access changes, and the maintenance actions that prevent trip-killing breakdowns. Let’s get to it.
Data timestamp: 5:38 AM ET (information gathered and cross-checked as of this time).
TODAY’S DECISION SUMMARY (do these first)
- Check if your Ram/Jeep or Mopar tow module is recalled → Trailer brake lights and trailer brakes may fail → Verify VIN + recall status on NHTSA, and confirm bulletin details via major outlet coverage (cbsnews.com)
- If you’re towing with a potentially affected setup, delay mountain/urban towing until verified → Loss of brake lights/braking increases crash risk in traffic and descents → Verify by dealer confirmation and a physical trailer-light/brake test before moving (cbsnews.com)
- Avoid long, exposed crosswind corridors in Texas during storms (delay or reroute) → Thunderstorms/heavy rain increase blow-over and hydroplaning risk for high-profile rigs → Verify by checking local NWS forecast for your county before departure (mysanantonio.com)
- Plan Sierra/Coastal California moves before the next storm cycle (or hold tight) → Multi-day storms bring wind/surf impacts and snow-level drops that can close passes/slow travel → Verify using WPC hazards + CA DOT/511 chain controls before committing (sfchronicle.com)
- Fuel today, not Sunday night, if you’re about to enter high-price states → National average is low but state spreads are wide (CA notably high) → Verify AAA state averages and top off near cheaper metros (gasprices.aaa.com)
- Do a 10-minute brake/lighting function check at your next stop → Prevents ticket/crash exposure and helps detect wiring/module failures early → Verify: 4-ways, brake lights, turn signals, and trailer brake engagement test (cbsnews.com)
- Check AirNow Fire & Smoke Map if you smell smoke or see haze → Conditions can change quickly and affect breathing/sleep → Verify on AirNow Fire & Smoke Map before choosing a boondock/campground night (airnow.gov)
1. TOP STORY OF THE DAY — Tow safety recall: trailer lights + trailer brakes may fail
A large Chrysler/Stellantis recall affects certain 2024–2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025–2026 Ram 1500/2500/3500 pickups, Ram cab chassis models, and the 2026 Jeep Cherokee, tied to an improperly designed trailer tow module. Reported risk: trailer lights may not work and trailer brakes may fail. Owner notification letters are expected to start March 24, 2026. (cbsnews.com)
Rig sensitivity: High risk for fifth-wheels/Class A (heavier trailer mass + longer stopping distances makes any brake/lighting failure more consequential).
Low risk for vans/Class C: still safety-critical if towing anything.
Actions (do in this order)
Action: Run a recall check before you tow today (especially if you tow with a Ram HD/1500 or use Mopar trailer tow modules).
Why: The failure modes described include no trailer brake lights and trailer brake failure, which can cause rear-end crashes and loss of control—particularly on descents and in wet weather. (cbsnews.com)
Verification: Search your VIN on NHTSA and confirm with a dealer appointment for the remedy (“replace trailer tow module for free” is the reported fix). (cbsnews.com)
Action: If you cannot verify recall status due to poor signal, treat it as “unknown risk” and drive defensively or delay.
Why: Unknown lighting/brake reliability is not compatible with steep grades, dense traffic, or storm travel with a heavy rig.
Verification: Perform a physical trailer test: have a spotter confirm brake lights/turn signals/4-ways, then do a low-speed manual trailer brake engagement test in a safe area.
Action timeline
- Today–this weekend (0–72h): Verify recall status and do physical light/brake checks before any long tow day. (cbsnews.com)
- By March 24, 2026: Watch for owner notification letters (per reporting) and schedule the remedy if you’re affected. (cbsnews.com)
Failure cost if ignored: Most likely: traffic stop + forced downtime (out-of-service risk if lights/brakes are clearly inoperative), or crash exposure from invisible braking and reduced stopping power—especially in rain and on grades. (cbsnews.com)
2. ROUTE & WEATHER OPS (next 0–72 hours)
A) Texas cold front: storms + heavy rain potential
A cold front is expected to bring storms/heavy rain across Texas starting Friday, Feb 13, 2026, with higher rain chances into Friday night/Saturday in parts of North Texas; stronger storms are possible depending on timing/strength trends. (mysanantonio.com)
Rig-sensitivity rating:
– Low risk for vans/Class C: Moderate (visibility + slick roads).
– Moderate risk for trailers: High (sway + longer stopping distance in wet).
– High risk for fifth-wheels/Class A: High (crosswind gusts + hydroplaning risk + braking distance).
Action: Delay departure into the heaviest storm window, or reroute around the highest-impact band.
Why: Wet roads + gusty convective winds are when big-rig incidents cluster: sway events, jackknifes, and blowovers.
Verification: Check your exact county NWS forecast and your state’s 511 for crashes/closures before rolling (especially if you must cross metro areas at night). (mysanantonio.com)
Safety-driven reroute/avoidance recommendation (required):
– Avoid committing a heavy tow day through North/Central Texas during peak storm timing → Storms/heavy rain increase crash and delay risk → Verify with local NWS + 511 before you move, and be ready to hold at a safe truck stop/RV park. (mysanantonio.com)
B) California: incoming multi-day storms (wind, surf, and potential low snow levels)
California is bracing for a series of storms starting Sunday and continuing into Presidents Day week, with strong winds, heavy surf, and snow levels potentially falling (including low-elevation snow potential in some areas per reporting). (sfchronicle.com)
Nationally, WPC is flagging ongoing winter-weather hazards through the weekend period on its hazards table. (wpc.ncep.noaa.gov)
Rig-sensitivity rating:
– Low risk for vans/Class C: Moderate (slick roads, visibility).
– Moderate risk for trailers: High (winds + chain controls + pass closures).
– High risk for fifth-wheels/Class A: High (crosswinds + traction limits + closure/chain compliance problems).
Action: If you must cross the Sierra/passes, move earlier (today/Sat) or hold until chain-control risk drops.
Why: Chains/closures + heavy winds can turn a 6-hour crossing into an overnight recovery and missed reservations.
Verification: Use WPC hazards for the big picture, then CA DOT/quickmap + 511 for chain controls and pass status before you commit. (wpc.ncep.noaa.gov)
3. CAMPGROUNDS, BOONDOCKING & ACCESS
Big Bend NP (TX): Chisos Basin water service restored, but not everything is fully normal
Reporting indicates water service has been restored in the Chisos Basin area after a pump failure (shutdown began Dec 23, 2025), and the Chisos Mountains Lodge is reopening at full capacity on Friday; some facilities (like the basin restaurant and some restrooms) may remain closed. (chron.com)
Action: If you’re routing Big Bend this weekend, confirm which facilities are open before relying on them for water/restrooms.
Why: Facility closures can force off-route water runs, create dump/gray-water bottlenecks, and disrupt check-in timing.
Verification: Confirm current conditions directly with NPS park alerts/phone before arrival. (If not posted: Not reported.) (chron.com)
Backup option (required):
– Backup park: Commercial RV parks in Study Butte/Terlingua area (call ahead; availability Unavailable without direct checks).
– Backup public land: BLM/USFS options: Details unavailable (verify locally; do not assume open access).
– Fallback: Truck stop overnight (paid) outside the park if you arrive late and can’t confirm services.
4. MAINTENANCE & BREAKDOWN PREVENTION
A) Trailer electrical + brake function test (critical today because of recall risk environment)
Action: Perform a full trailer light + brake test at your next safe stop (10 minutes).
Why: Today’s recall environment increases the odds you’re towing with a latent fault (module/wiring). Catching it in daylight prevents night driving with invisible braking. (cbsnews.com)
Verification:
- Lights: running, brake, left/right turn, hazards
- Brakes: low-speed roll + manual lever engagement (if equipped), verify “tug” feel
- If you have a brake controller: confirm it shows connected trailer and no fault code
Failure symptom (required): intermittent/no trailer brake lights; brake controller “disconnected” alerts; weak/no trailer braking; dash warnings (vehicle-dependent). (cbsnews.com)
Stop-travel threshold (required): Do not tow if brake lights don’t function or you cannot confirm trailer brake engagement.
B) Durable RV Practice (not new): wet-weather brake margin reset
Action: Increase following distance and reduce speed earlier than you think you need in rain.
Why (ties to today): Texas storms/heavy rain and CA storm cycle increase slick-road braking distance. (mysanantonio.com)
Verification: If you feel ABS triggering often or see spray reducing visibility, you’re already too fast for conditions.
5. SAFETY, LEGAL & RESTRICTIONS
Trailer lights/brakes enforcement posture (general)
Specific enforcement posture varies by state and agency and is not reported in the sources reviewed.
Action: Assume trailer lighting/brake defects are strictly enforced where inspected (commercial-style corridors, metro areas, and during safety blitzes).
Why: Non-functioning trailer lights/brakes are visible and high-risk.
Verification: If you pass a state inspection point or see enforcement activity, stop and re-check your lights before entering that segment.
(If you want this section state-by-state, provide your corridor—e.g., “I-10 TX→NM” or “I-5 OR→CA”—and I’ll build a targeted enforcement/chain-control verification checklist.)
6. BUDGET & LOGISTICS
Fuel: low national average, big state spread
AAA shows today’s national average regular gas at $2.940 (price as of 2/13/26), with wide variation by state; California is much higher (AAA table shows CA regular at $4.562). (gasprices.aaa.com)
Action: Fuel before entering high-price states/metros (not after).
Why: A 30–40 gallon fill difference matters immediately for tow rigs.
Verification: Check AAA state averages the morning you travel and again before your last cheap exit. (gasprices.aaa.com)
Cost avoidance strategy: Re-time fills to cheaper states and avoid topping off in high-tax/high-blend areas when you can. (gasprices.aaa.com)
Risk tradeoff (required): Do not stretch fuel beyond a safe reserve to “save money”—you are not compromising safety by timing fills; you are compromising safety if you run low in storm/closure conditions.
7. ITINERARY ASSISTS (small moves that prevent big failures)
A) Storm-staging strategy (TX today / CA Sunday onward)
Action: Stage within 30–60 minutes of your next decision point (major metro, pass, or weather boundary) rather than pushing deep into uncertain conditions.
Why: Lets you hold safely without burning reservation penalties or getting trapped by closures.
Verification: Check WPC hazards for macro risk, then local NWS + 511 right before you cross the boundary. (wpc.ncep.noaa.gov)
Rig compatibility note: Works best for Profile B/C (bigger rigs need more daylight + more space to maneuver in storms).
Signal/fuel/water consideration: Choose staging areas with reliable cell signal and easy pull-through fuel to avoid backing in rain.
B) Air quality “sleep protection” check (if smoke/haze appears)
Action: Before choosing a boondock spot in a basin/valley, check AirNow Fire & Smoke Map.
Why: Smoke can pool overnight; poor air ruins sleep and can trigger respiratory issues.
Verification: Use AirNow Fire & Smoke Map and refresh frequently because smoke changes fast. (airnow.gov)
Rig compatibility note: All rigs.
Signal/fuel/water consideration: Save offline screenshots if you’re heading out of coverage.
CLOSING — Daily Trip Win (≤15 minutes, no special tools)
Daily Trip Win: Do a “walkaround + brake light confirmation” before you leave your campsite or fuel island.
- Why it prevents failure: Catches the most trip-killing issues early (dragging steps, low tires, unplugged umbilical, dead trailer lights) before you commit to highway speeds—especially relevant given today’s tow-module recall risk. (cbsnews.com)
- How: Walk the rig once, then confirm brake lights/turn signals with a spotter or reflective surface.