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February 4, 2024
Issue 1142
Members edition
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Cover story
No kidding! These teardrop trailers have a fireplace!
By Chuck Woodbury
FOUNDER, PUBLISHER AND ROVING OUTFIELDER
Until a few minutes ago I forgot that the first RV I ever owned was a Teardrop trailer. I was in my late 20s. It was an original Teardrop trailer, not like the one above which people call a “teardrop” but is really just a tiny version of a normal trailer. My trailer was in bad shape, real beat up. Somehow I towed it to my home, where I put it in the garage. Months passed, and I finally realized it would likely never leave there. I had forgotten when buying it that I had absolutely zero ability to build, fix or remodel anything. To illustrate: The only tools I have ever modestly mastered are the screwdriver and hammer.
I once wrote a story about the history of Teardrops. Very interesting is that some of them, in part, began their lives as World War II bombers.
The “teardrop” trailer shown above (and below) is made by inTech. It’s called a Luna Rover. True to the mantra of the Recreation Vehicle Industry [Cheerleader] Association, where RVing is about having “an experience with nature,” this RV has an air conditioner, big screen TV and… (click below for drum roll)…
… a fireplace! And check out the RVers — cozy in their bed on their phone, presumably experiencing the joy of nature. The fireplace, if you can’t tell, is fake. If it were real, it would catch the bed on fire and that would be very bad.
America is a wonderful place to live in part because we can build anything we want, and we can put a price tag on it and sell it (remember the Pet Rock?). This Luna Rover trailer, which has an MSRP of about $23,000, will likely attract some buyers. I mean, it looks very well-built. But a fireplace? Come on…
I apologize for seeming to make fun of the trailer, but speaking honestly (as I always do), that fireplace is ridiculous. Okay, it’s optional equipment, but I still think it’s dumb.
*****
Facebook moderator wanted
We need help moderating our many Facebooks groups. If you spend a lot of time on Facebook and have experience as a moderator or are willing to learn fast, this could be for you. Modest pay is involved to start but could grow for a highly motivated person who enjoys spending a lot of time online, perhaps someone who has mobility issues that prevent working away from home (or RV). This freelance work will occupy a lot of time, so do not apply if you don’t have it. Also, fast internet access 24/7 is critical. Contact editor@rvtravel.com for more information.
Publisher’s Roadside Journal
Has this RVer got himself into a big-time pickle?
By Chuck Woodbury
At first I thought this pickup truck towing a fifth wheel was headed down a dirt road where it did not belong, where the driver might be thinking (while experiencing significant panic) “What the heck kinda pickle have I got myself into?”
It looks like a very bad scene to me. When I closely examined the photo, which was sent to me by a reader, it appears the front levelers are down. Is this, in fact, simply a campsite?
Click here to see for yourself
Today’s RV review…
Alliance RV Delta 252RL is that close to greatness
Today’s RV review by Tony Barthel is of the new-for-2024 Alliance RV Delta 252RL travel trailer. What does he mean by “that close to greatness”? Read Tony’s thorough review of this prototype “flat fifth wheel” and what he does and doesn’t like about it. Also, learn all about how Alliance RV is differentiating itself from the competition.
Don’t miss this
Lemon law lawyer says, “You must be insane to buy an RV these days.”
Whatever you think about this advice from RV lemon law attorney Steve Lehto, what he tells you in this video (which went viral quickly) may save you a lot of money, frustration or even anger after your next RV purchase from an RV dealer (not all, of course). His words may, in fact, make your blood boil. Do not miss this important information.
RV Service Centers and Repairs Report
“Woke up to a sound best described as a handful of marbles in a hub cap”; plus a trick for “describing” RV problems
In this column, we summarize some of your emails and comments regarding RV service centers and repairs. This week, Nanci Dixon reports more good news than bad from our readers! Wow! Don’t believe it? It’s true.
For Lovers Only…
To: Mickeybean
From: Dimples
“Babe, it’s been the best 54 years of my life. I knew from day one that you were the girl for me. I love you so much!”
To: Lady Kat
From: Anonymous
“At 10 you were a skinny pest hanging out with us. At age 14 you were the prettiest girl in the ninth grade. At 76 you are the prettiest girl and still hanging out with me.”
Listen up, romantics. Valentine’s Day is coming up. If you have a special someone you’d like to surprise with a secret message right here on this website (could be your wife, husband, partner, child, neighbor, friend, etc.) submit it to us here. Don’t use their real names, use a special name that only they’ll recognize. Oh, how fun it will be when they read it! You’ll make their day! We’ll feature these in our upcoming newsletters, so check back often and see if yours has been featured.
The truth about online RV product and business reviews: Can you trust them?
By Randall Brink
You need service or repair for your RV. Or you may be contemplating the purchase of an expensive item you want for your rig. Do you check online reviews before ordering? Are online reviews accurate? Are they trustworthy? Are they even real? … Learn how to spot fake testimonials here. Includes an interesting A.I.-generated review.
The results are in! Announcing the winners of the RV Travel 2024 RV Video Awards
By Cheri Sicard
The results are in and you certainly gave us a lot of feedback about your favorite RV YouTube channels, including some extremely robust write-in campaigns. So, in addition to the excellent RV YouTube channels in our category nominations, we also have some Readers’ Choice Awards. To come up with these results for the 2024 RV Travel RV Video Awards you, our readers, submitted more than 14,690 votes! So, without further ado, let’s get to congratulating the winners of RVtravel.com’s Best RV YouTube channels for 2024!
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- Why RV mattresses are an odd size, plus mattress tips
- How to have a successful winter camping trip, even in negative temps
- Top 10 tips to reduce RV stress
- Beware of flood damage when buying a used vehicle
- Yikes! There’s a freeze warning. Tips to keep the water flowing
NOT RECEIVING OUR DAILY TIPS NEWSLETTER YET? You’ll love it! It’s filled with RV tips and tricks, RV maintenance advice, cool gadgets, trivia, a poll question, a joke, websites we love, recipes, and much more. Read the latest issues here then sign up here. Easy unsubscribe if you don’t like it (but we know that won’t happen).
What are “hoax highways” and why and how are they used?
By Randall Brink
If you are driving through the scenic landscapes of Utah, you might encounter some roads that look like they belong to the public but are subject to private federal mining claims. These roads are called “hoax highways,” resulting from a controversial practice allowing individuals and corporations to claim public lands for mining purposes. This is eye-opening.
Easy “cheater” homemade chicken noodle soup recipe perfect for RVing
By Nanci Dixon
Yesterday we had collard greens and chicken, so with the leftover rotisserie chicken I made my RV “cheater” chicken noodle soup. Everyone loves it and I have never divulged the simple recipe, until now. Yum!
Our top 10 best-selling products for RVers in January
Last month, we looked back at 2023 and saw what products we sold the most of (through our Amazon affiliate program). Here’s our best-selling product list, and here’s our best-selling book list for the entire year. These books and products are RVers’ favorites for a reason! Now, let’s see what products were popular in January after the hustle and bustle of the holidays has settled down and RVers start up their travel planning and maintenance projects for the year… Check these out.
Readers’ RVing Mistakes
“Don’t need no stinking gloves…” said the man covered with you-know-what!
In this column we’re sharing some of the not-so-brilliant things we, the RVtravel.com staff, and you, our readers, have done while RVing. This week’s installment from Nanci Dixon includes a newbie RVer who learned from another’s mistake when the RVer in front of him turned on the black tank valve to dump and the hose was more like a sieve, spewing its contents all over. Another reader explains why it’s not enough to rely on a spotter alone when parking the rig. (Ouch!) There’s another cautionary tale of using/trusting GPS. And the RVer who was dressed all in white … until the front half of him turned brown. (Gross!)
Reader Poll
How much of your camping is in national forest campgrounds?
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: How often do you gamble at a casino? See how more than 1,700 other RVers responded.
NEW! Outstanding but affordable RV parks
In this new column, we’ll share information taken from our Facebook group, Outstanding but Affordable RV Parks. Also, from time to time, we’ll include our staff’s favorite affordable campgrounds, too. We hope to provide real options for folks looking to RV in reasonably priced, well-kept RV parks all across the country.
Click here to see this week’s picks for outstanding but affordable RV parks.
Mark your calendar: Colorado’s Mike the Headless Chicken Festival!
Mark your calendars for May 31 – June 1 for the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival in Fruita, Colo. Mike was a chicken who lived for 18 months in the mid-1940s after getting his head chopped off in preparation for his owner’s dinner. But a little bit of brain stem remained. With regular feeding with an eyedropper, Mike refused to die and, in fact, thrived and even went on tour. His owner, Lloyd Olson, described him as “a fine specimen of a chicken except for not having a head.” Festival info is here.
Ask Dave
My first two RV shows are in the books. Here’s a recap of what I learned and who I met
By Dave Solberg
I’m heading to Huntsville, AL, for my next round of seminars at RV shows. The weather this year has been unbelievable—both good and not so good. Two weeks ago I flew to Nashville and they got 2” of snow and then it stayed below freezing. The city of Nashville is not prepared for that and the people there do not like it. … Continue reading Dave’s recap of the RV shows, including a couple of pictures of our wonderful readers, and some observances from the RV industry about the future of RV sales.
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
- Can I plug RV’s 30-amp shoreline cord into 50-amp receptacle at my home for storage?
- Water gets in an RV storage compartment but I can’t find the source. Any tips?
- Why does the RV’s slide room “thunk” every 3 to 4 seconds when it’s in motion?
- To change flooring in my RV, how do I get under the slide—overextend it?
- Black water tank handle hard to pull open. How can I fix it?
Click here to see more questions for Dave.
DON’T MISS ANY RV REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE ARTICLES! Every Tuesday we issue a free weekly email digest of all our articles from the past week on the subject. Sign up here for RV Repair and Maintenance Tips (and check out all our other reports and newsletters).
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Enhancing stability and safety with RV OX BLOX Trailer Jack Blocks
By Dustin Simpson
RV OX BLOX Trailer Jack Blocks are a new product our store is carrying. They are an American-made product crafted from recycled materials and are heavy-duty. … These specialized blocks are designed to provide an extra layer of stability to RV trailers, ensuring a secure and level foundation for a more enjoyable and safer camping experience.
RV Gadgets and Gizmos
Updated review after months of use: LiTime lithium batteries and accessories are a great value
By Cheri Sicard
I did my first article about doing a lithium battery upgrade on my travel trailer last November. If you read my original article, Lithium Battery Upgrades for Beginners, you know I opted to try out LiTime 12V 100Ah TM LiFePO4 lithium batteries. This particular battery was recommended to me by LiTime because it continues to function well in lower temperatures. Read Cheri’s very thorough updated review.
Reader praises Battle Born Batteries
This was posted in RVtravel.com’s RV Electricity Facebook group by moderator and group expert Mike Zimmerman. He asked if we would post it to RVtravel.com and we said “Sure.”
He wrote:
I normally do not do product reviews here in the group; however, Chuck Woodbury has asked me to share my story regarding Battle Born Batteries (BB). Continue reading…
Why every RVer needs to have a bug out bag
By Gail Marsh
When I first heard the term “bug out bag” I thought perhaps it was a new insect elimination product. I quickly dismissed the idea that I needed it. Years later, when suddenly facing a health emergency, I genuinely wished I had one! Now I understand why every RVer needs a bug out bag. Learn all about this essential item here.
WANT MORE GADGETS? Read Thursday’s brand-new Great RV Accessories Newsletter. Want it delivered straight to your inbox every other week? Sign up here.
Travel Destinations
Veterans and all lovers of liberty, you gotta’ see The Freedom Rock
By Gail Marsh
Can you name the person who visited all of the 99 counties in the great state of Iowa and left his mark on each and every one? It’s not a presidential candidate. It’s Bubba. Well, that’s the name he answers to, but the name given at his birth was Ray Sorensen II. Bubba is an artist. Each year, he paints a new Memorial Day tribute to veterans. Bubba’s “canvas” is a 65-ton, granite boulder located on Highway 25, north of Greenfield, Iowa. Veterans and all lovers of liberty, you gotta’ see The Freedom Rock! Inspiring.
Click here to read about it and others like it
Video of the day
Utility truck RV conversion features amazing craftsmanship
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below from Glorious Life on Wheels, Carol introduces us to Shannon and we get to tour her amazing utility truck RV conversion. Shannon’s father, a master craftsman, planned and built the unusual RV conversion for his military veteran daughter. From the outside, this RV conversion resembles a blue blimp. The inside will blow you away! [Yep.]
RVing With Dogs
Reactive dogs make this couple want to quit RVing. What to do?
By Gail Marsh
Folks we know are planning to give up RVing. They are both in great health, have the means to travel, and remain interested in seeing new sights. So why are they stepping away from the RV life? Their dogs won’t stop barking. Many RVers have experienced the frustration of barking dogs. Listening to another RVer’s yappy pet is bad enough, but it’s even worse when your own dogs won’t stop barking.
Read these great tips if you have a reactive dog
RV Tire Safety
When should you replace your tires?
By Roger Marble
When should you replace your tires? There is no single answer that is correct for all tires in all applications. The life experiences of a tire on a car, light truck (LT), RV trailer, RV motorhome or commercial truck are all different, so each type of usage will get a different answer. A recent RV forum had a discussion trying to come up with a single age that was correct for every application. The answers ranged from 2 years to 10 years, so clearly there is some confusion.
Roger clears up some of the confusion here
Did you miss yesterday’s Latest News for RVers?
If so, stories you missed:
• RV Self-Park breaks ground on second automated RV park
• California bill would auto-limit vehicle speed to 10 mph over speed limit
• Move-over laws ignored; 4x more roadside assistance providers killed in crashes than official stats say
• Automotive industry seeks to ditch AM radio
• New study predicts more than 1.1 million Americans joining RV lifestyle, including EV owners, surpassing pandemic boom
• RV expenses rising faster than inflation rates; housing crisis vs. RVers is “a nationwide, silent, untold story”
• Church’s housing of homeless people in RVs could go to court
… and much more
Recipe of the Day
Greek Turkey Burgers
By Debbie Lopez from Northern CA
Think you don’t like turkey burgers? These Greek turkey burgers will change your mind. Seasoned perfectly, the oregano is noticeable but not overbearing. Feta cheese added to the meat helps to give these turkey burgers a Greek flair while adding pops of flavor. What brings all the flavors together is the Tzatziki sauce. Slightly tart and salty, the sauce has a wonderful fresh flavor from dill and cucumber. Toast the bun, and add tomato, fresh spinach, a little extra feta, and Tzatziki sauce for a delicious meal.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Our 3-year-old Maggie (Beagle) goes absolutely bonkers when I bring the motorhome to the sticks & bricks to get it ready for a trip. She loves the ride, and sits up on the sofa during the ride, only to visit us up front if she hears a snack bag opening! A joy to travel with. Everyone loves her heart ‘tattoo,’ as we call it!” —DJ Napora
• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.
Brain Teaser
What can you hold in your right hand but never in your left hand?
(Answer below.)
Do you have a brain teaser you think we should use? Send it to us here.
Don’t kill yourself or loved ones out of ignorance
• If you ever feel a shock when touching your RV, take action. Otherwise, you could kill yourself or loved ones.
• If you blow a front tire, do this. The result could be a disaster if you follow your instincts.
Trivia
Dogs have a sense of time and can develop a routine. They often show excitement or anticipation when they sense that it’s time for activities like walks, meals, or play. This ability is linked to their internal body clock and keen observation of regular daily patterns. Dogs may wait by the door or get their favorite toy when they sense it’s close to the time for a certain activity, showcasing their awareness of routine and time passage.
Sunday funny
Did you miss last week’s RV Travel?
Brain teaser answer:
Your left hand!
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 and Cheri Sicard. Contributors: Roger Marble, Dave Helgeson, Janet Groene, J.R. Montigel, Randall Brink, Dustin Simpson, Dale Wade, Jan Steele and Tony Barthel. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen. Artificial Intelligence (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 many affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates 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 the potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
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Chuck; you might want to re-think your opinion of the fireplace heater. I had a similar opinion of them, but we recently ordered a new triple slide truck camper & I got the fireplace option. It takes up very little space, puts out a nice, quiet form of heat, & the visual effect is very pleasing. We use the heater whenever we are plugged in at a campground. When boondocking, we use a catalytic heater. These fireplace heaters have several options, including the visual effect without heat, as well as two levels of temperature controlled heat & even a dimmer on the visual effect that creates a low, romantic fireside look, or a roaring fire effect.
Yes, it’s the heat, not so much “fireplace” that’s nice to have.
Agree
I agree with you, Fred. 🙂 One floorplan offered for our RV included the electric fireplace option. But, it isn’t the floorplan that suited DW. 🙁 I really coveted that fireplace, but it was not to be. 🙁
Brain teaser – left elbow.
This is the answer
Thank you, Emily, and Diane! Well, DW and I got the published answer to the brain teaser, but not answer 1B, left elbow. 😉 Yes, Chuck that is quite a teardrop trailer. 🤔 Don’t know that it will stray too far from campgrounds, given the electricity necessary to run the large television, the electric fireplace, and air conditioner. Could the roof possibly hold enough solar panels to keep sufficient lithium batteries charged to operate all this at approximately the same time? Thanks for alerting me to this, Chuck, and safe travels! 🙂
Although recently there has been some very serious press on aircraft safety, we all need to be thankful the airline industry doesn’t embrace the same quality control standards currently deemed acceptable by the RV industry.