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May 21, 2023
Members edition
Cover story
I have become too comfortable in my sticks-and-bricks home
By Nanci Dixon
I
am afraid that I have become too comfortable in my new house without wheels. As some of you may remember, my husband and I inherited my father’s house when he passed away. We were full-time RVers and my husband gladly leapt at the chance to have a sticks-and-bricks again. Me, not so much. I was an avid RVer, out there living my dream. It was a bitter fight and, on some days, still is.
But not today. I am afraid I have become too comfortable. I must admit, this house living is easier than RV living. We each have lots of room. I can write this from a variety of places— the dining table, kitchen table, office or the living room, where I am now. Not just the tiny, cramped table in the RV. I can have my morning coffee on the screened porch without being on the lookout for rattlesnakes or sneaky coyotes. Also, having constant, reliable Wi-Fi is a major perk!
There is no challenge here unless it is running to get the garbage out to the street when I hear the trucks approaching. The washer is huge! The fridge is huge, too! The 50-gallon water heater feels like a never-ending supply. Don’t need to flush out the black tank—all I need to do is flush. When something breaks, a repair person is here within the day and it is fixed. There are literally hundreds of repair shops to choose from, eager for our business.
I have a big bathtub and a king-size bed with room on each side. Yesterday, we rode our bikes to the store for bananas. Everything is convenient. I have become too comfortable.
There isn’t the contest of trying to beat others out for the few choice campsites in a national or state park. No spending hours and hours planning the best route. …
RV Service Centers and Repairs Report
RVers agree: Mobile techs are the way to go
In this column, we summarize some of your emails and comments regarding RV service centers and repairs. This week Nanci Dixon includes several comments from our readers indicating that their mobile techs are definitely the way to go. And two of our readers are asking for your help, please.
Has “greedflation” taken over RV campgrounds?
By Gail Marsh
Not many people would disagree that the United States is in an inflationary period. Prices are on the rise from the grocery store to the fuel pump and to campgrounds across the country. Are costs really rising or has “greedflation” taken over RV campgrounds? Continue reading, then please add your thoughts in the comments.
Choosing the right RV fire extinguisher
By Randall Brink
When it comes to safety and fire safety, in particular, preparedness is vital. This is doubly important in an RV, where space is limited, and escape routes are few. With their combination of living spaces, cooking facilities, and propane-powered appliances, RVs pose unique fire safety risks. One essential component of fire safety is having the proper fire extinguisher on hand. Learn about them here.
RVers, if you see purple paint on trees, stay away
By Gail Marsh
As we travel across the United States, I enjoy learning about local traditions, laws, and folklore. My husband and I were married and lived in Iowa for many years. … Iowa is certainly flat, at least in the areas where we lived. I was used to the flat, treeless plain. Then we moved to Missouri. The first thing I learned about Missouri is that the roads are not laid out in square mile sections like Iowa’s roads. The second thing I learned? Missouri has a lot of trees! And many of these trees sport a distinctive swipe of purple paint on their trunks. What’s that?! Find out here.
Is Massachusetts ripping off out-of-state visitors?
By Chuck Woodbury
I just returned from three weeks on the East Coast, most of the time in Massachusetts. As I almost always do when I’m in Massachusetts, I walked around Walden Pond. But this trip, I was horrified when I arrived at the pond, which is part of the Massachusetts state park system. The entry fee per car is $8 for state residents, but if you arrive with out-of-state license plates, like I did, it’s $30! That’s almost four times as much. I was horrified! Read more and please comment with your thoughts.
RV Fact or Fiction?
Propane gas has no odor
RV blogs, social media groups and You Tube videos have exploded over the past couple of years. Some provide great information, others questionable information and some downright bad information. Can you tell the difference? In this regular column we will post a question based on information we find online. You can then test your RV prowess by seeing how your answer compares with our experts.
So, is this fact or fiction? “Propane gas has no odor.”
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- Rust: How to prevent it from damaging your RV
- Save your RV’s refrigerator: Leveling tips for overnight stops
- Make your RV door(s) so much better
- Easy tip for draining fresh water tank: Add a hose end!
- Finding and eliminating RV “mystery smells”
Finding a physical activity you love while RVing is an important task
By Gail Marsh
My husband and I recently attended his high school reunion. Many of his old buddies looked just as he remembered them in high school. Others, not so much. Of course, everyone matures and changes as time passes. As we talked to various people and learned about their lives, one thing became more and more clear as the evening progressed. The folks who “moved” hadn’t lost their spunk. … Learn some ways to stay active and healthy here.
Enjoy camping ambiance with creative camp lighting
By Randall Brink
RV travel and staying in campgrounds does not have to mean exposure to harsh party lights. At least not at your campsite. You may miss soft natural lighting and a cozy ambiance as night falls. By harkening back to the natural light sources of old, you can create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Here are some excellent ideas.
Staying safe in an active shooter event
By Nanci Dixon
As RVers, we travel to a number of unknown places and go to a lot of stores in a lot of neighborhoods we aren’t familiar with. After what happened to me this morning, I am reviewing how to stay safe in an active shooter event. Read this important information … just in case.
How a pig nearly changed U.S. history
By Chuck Woodbury
One of the America’s most unusual wars involved only one casualty—a pig—and yet it could have changed the course of history. The bizarre conflict took place on what is now Washington state’s San Juan Island and involved American and British troops, and even warships. Even if you’re not into history, this is fascinating.
Reader Poll
Do you consider yourself financially well-off?
Please let us know. After you click your response, you’ll see how others have responded. Feel free to leave a comment.
POPULAR POLL FROM THIS PAST WEEK
We asked: Do you routinely salt your food when eating? See how nearly 1,800 other RVers answered.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook”.
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
- Gray water tank is full, valve is stuck. Now what?
- Do my RV’s slide outs need support if RV is permanently parked?
- My RV’s water pump is noisy. What can I do?
- How do I keep mice out of my RV?
- Why does my RV’s electric awning retract only intermittently?
Click here to see more questions for Dave.
Have a question for Dave? Click any Ask Dave article and scroll down to fill out the form. He’ll get back to you!
In the RV shop with Dustin
Add a pet door to your RV. It’s easy!
If you travel with furry friends, especially dogs, I’m sure you all dread having to let them in and out a hundred times a day. Here are a few ways you can add a pet door or a pet screen to your RV. This will free up some time for you to do other things!
RV Gadgets and Gizmos
Water gadgets you need for your RV
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
If you’ll be camping in a park with “city water” — that is, water from a faucet — there are some good accessories to pack along in your RV storage compartment. These can make your visit easier — even safer — for your rig. They’re inexpensive and you’ll be glad you have them when you need them.
Video of the day
All about RV inverter generators: Are they better than solar?
By Cheri Sicard
“Better” is a subjective word. So when it comes down to deciding between RV inverter generators and solar power it will depend on which makes more sense for your rig and the way that you like to RV. And who says you need to choose just one or the other?
RV Tire Safety
Does tire pressure change with elevation?
By Roger Marble
What is the science of tire change relating to elevation? Some recent comments about the effect of taking your RV up in the mountains revealed some misconceptions about the effect on tire inflation. Some even seemed to confuse the loss in power of carbureted engines with a loss in load capacity for the RV.
Ask Roger anything about RV tires on his RV Tires Forum.
Did you miss yesterday’s Latest News for RVers?
If so, stories you missed:
• Nomad Internet customers confess how they got “taken”
• Florida residents given priority in state park reservations
• Readers’ personal Nomad Internet stories are revealing, spell big trouble
• FCC rejects Dish Network 5G plan that would interfere with Starlink broadband
• iPhone SOS feature saves trapped hikers
• New RV aims to save you from doomsday
• Yes, dear reader, ‘crowded’ campgrounds ARE different from ‘fully booked’ campgrounds
… and much more
Recipe of the Day
Vodka Sauce for Pasta
by Martha Ray Deen from Charlotte, NC
A super easy vodka sauce that’s full of flavor. It’s thick, robust, and has a slight kick. There’s a hint of cayenne, but the heat is not at all overwhelming. Once prep work is done, the pasta sauce comes together very quickly. We served this vodka sauce over pasta alongside chicken cutlets for a hearty meal. It could easily be served over rigatoni pasta with a bit of freshly grated Parmesan on top for a special meal.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Ahhhh, Gina relaxing in the warm sun in Mammoth Lakes, CA, in her Fleetwood Southwind. What a life!” —Brian Hunter
Brain Teaser
What single digit appears most frequently between and including the numbers 1 and 1,000? Hint: Look for a pattern!
(Answer below.)
Do you have a brain teaser you think we should use? Send it to us here.
Trivia
A pangram, also known as a holoalphabetic sentence, is a sentence that includes all the letters of the alphabet at least once. One of the most well-known pangrams is likely the sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog,” which consists of thirty-five letters. Since the late 1800s, this sentence has been widely employed to evaluate typing equipment.
Sunday funny
From John Jurena on Facebook: “Taken from the highways of Boston!”
Resources
RV Show Directory: See if a show is coming soon to your area.
Best Club for RVers: Escapees. Click here to learn more or join. Endorsed by RVtravel.com.
What does financing an RV for 20 years REALLY mean?
In case you missed this article the first time around, here it is again. Important! Click here.
Stuck with a lemon RV? Contact Ron Burdge, America’s premier RV lemon law attorney.
The Best RV Trip Planner Apps and Tools. Everything you need to help plan your trip is here.
Dustin Simpson RV Repair and Maintenance Articles: Incredibly helpful!
Did you miss last week’s RV Travel?
Brain teaser answer:
The most common digit is 1. Every number 1-9 appears exactly the same number of times in every ten numbers, but because we included the number 1,000, there’s an extra occurrence of the number 1. In total, the number 1 appears 301 times, and every other number appears 300 times.
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Associate editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editors: Russ and Tiña De Maris. Senior writers: Nanci Dixon, Gail Marsh, Dave Solberg. Contributors: Roger Marble, Dave Helgeson, Janet Groene, J.R. Montigel, Randall Brink, Karel Carnohan DVM, Cheri Sicard, Dustin and Ashley Simpson, Dale Wade, Paul Lacitinola and Jeff Clemishaw. Moderators: Gary Gilmore. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen. Artificial (AI) contributors: Johnny Robot and Milly MacWilly. Canine Mascots: Archie and Astor “the Disaster”
Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
RVtravel.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
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This newsletter is copyright 2023 by RV Travel LLC.
Again, great Sunday reading….😃
Thanks, Bill! We try. Everything we do is for our readers, so it’s good to get compliments like yours (and from some other readers, of course) to let us know our efforts are (usually) worthwhile.👍🤗 Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Enjoyed the Pet of the Day as a great example of perspective, angle and camera lens focal length to make cat’s legs extra long while its body essentially disappears. Something out of Alice’s Wonderland: Cheshire cat who disappeared leaving only his smile!
Brain Bender: According to New World Encyclopedia, zero is considered a digit. Wouldn’t the three extra zeros in “1,000” trump the one one?
One excess 1 and 2 excess 0’s so 0 wins.
There’s a problem with this problem. It appears the author does not include the digit “0” (Yes, I googled it to make sure – zero is a number / digit) in the range of digits. This is clear in the answer when the range is stated between 1 – 9. Based on the problem given, and the answer that each number appears 300 times, one would think that the zeros would win the day (not by three, but by two as the “count” starts at 1 not 0). But as it turns out 0 only appears 192 times between 1 and 1000!!!
Wow
Is the box with writer info after each article new, or just something I missed? I like to know something about your writers, including Chuck. Keep up the good work. I especially liked the article about the pig war, and the info about the writer.
Hi, Tom. We just recently added the box with the author info after the articles. Glad you like it.👍 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I finally made up a ‘kit’ for using my “water thief”. I have a normal screw-on automotive hose clamp permanently affixed to the middle of the “thief” to prevent the bulge that occurs. I have two hose clamps with thumb screws to connect it to the offending faucet. Luckily I’ve only had to use this device a few times, the first of which was a total disaster and taught me how to make it work in subsequent events. Simply holding it in your fist is useless!
Thanks for the tips Tommy! I’ve had this problem one time and it was frustrating. It is so infrequent that I use it I guess I never really tho’t much about a fix.
No comment box on water gadgets article, but I can assure you, the Camco Water Bandit is fairly useless unless you hold it in place. Being silicone, it’s also easily torn.
The comment box has been updated, Joe. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.👍 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Also buy with the water bandit a hose clamp with thumb screw. A water bandit is not rated to be in continuous use under static pressure. It is meant to be used only for filling an internal fresh water tank. Even there, it will often blow off a spigot unless held in place by hand. Using a stainless steel worm gear hose band clamp with a thumb screw will hold the bandit in place while you are monitoring filling your fresh water tank.
I don’t often have to use this tool, but when I do it has been invaluable.
Great Sunday Funny