Members RV Travel Newsletter for Sunday, May 12, 2024

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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
Moms, no matter whether human or other creatures, are special! On this day we honor them all, but human Moms are our favorites! So Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms (and grand moms) in our audience. And to the moms we have lost, we honor you (and, for most of us, think about you all the time). If you live in the British Empire, present or past, then Happy Mum’s Day!

May 12, 2024
Issue 1156 
Members edition

Yesterday’s Top News for RVers
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• Sun blasting Earth this weekend with geomagnetic rays
• Real costs: Hybrid, electric, or gas vehicles. You may be surprised
• Huge hailstones pound Texas Hill Country
• Could your RV stove be making you sick?
• Campground Crowding: RVer complains RV parks “too loud from family vacations,” suggests retirees’ quiet area

Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.

Ex-RV salesman offers shopping tips for new rig

By Tony Barthel
How do you shop for a new RV? What are some of the most important things to consider when buying a new RV? As many of you know, I used to work at a dealership where I handled sales and managed the warranty department. I tried to help people make a good decision when buying a new RV. Here are things that will help you shop for an RV.

Use caution when a stranger offers help on the road

By Gail Marsh
A frightening thing happened this week. A young driver was returning home after work. It was dark. As she pulled into town on her way home, a man drove his car beside the girl’s car seeking her attention. She rolled down her window. “Hey, your taillights aren’t working,” the man said. “Pull over and I’ll help you.” This incident is a good reminder for RVers: Be cautious around “do-gooders.” Continue reading.

Do roof coatings really stop roof leaks? RV tech weighs in

By Andrew Herrick
Unpopular opinion: RV roof coatings don’t stop roof leaks. Okay, okay, I overstate my case. RV roof coatings can stop leaks—but that’s not why you should apply them… Let’s back up a minute and ask, “Why do RV roof coatings exist in the first place?” Learn all about RV roof coatings here.

A KOA that’s well worth its price

By Nanci Dixon
We have been dodging wind all through the East and KOAs have become a go-to stop for ease of pull-though and one-night reservations, even though they’re usually outrageously priced. The big-rig-friendly RV parks are not as plentiful here as we have found while driving through the West and Midwest. We needed to stop again for the 40-plus mph winds and found the Wytheville KOA Holiday in Wytheville, VA. Read about it here.

Today’s RV review…
2024 Ember RV Touring Edition 26MRB – What did they do to the bedroom?

By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the 2024 Ember RV Touring Edition 26MRB. I chose to write about this RV after looking at the Jayco Jay Feather 25MRB travel trailer last week. That was the first time I’ve seen an RV that I strongly recommended RV buyers to avoid.

After looking at the Jayco I looked at this floor plan, which is super-common. We had looked at the Keystone Cougar 26RBS in the past, which is a direct competitor. I also recently looked at the Flagstaff Super Lite 26RBWS, which is another variant of this same floor plan. Today’s model might be the most expensive version of this floor plan that I’m aware of, but I say it’s worth every penny.

Click here to read

RV Service Centers and Repairs Report
Largest RV manufacturer has “no one to talk to about customer service issues.” REALLY?

In this column, we summarize some of your emails and comments regarding RV service centers and repairs. This week, Nanci Dixon relates more of your stories regarding new RVs with issues sitting in service centers for a long time, not getting fixed correctly, and the owners needing to fix the problems themselves. Also, there’s an RVer disagreeing with a comment a couple of weeks ago about this column being “alarmist BS.” And what about the call to the “If you’re not happy, I’m not happy” line and they say they can’t help. What the heck? But, there’s high praise for a couple more service centers. Whew!

Click here to read 

UPDATED WEEKLY: A list of RV dealers, service centers, and mobile techs as recommended by our readers. Click here.

Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter

• Organization and storage tips for RVers: Using the “zone method”
• The top 10 things I’ve learned while RVing
• #1 tip on how to maximize the life of RV batteries
• Cleaning RV air vents: A simple, important task to breathe easy
• Don’t ever do these 6 things at the dump station!

How I quickly found a doctor while RVing

By Nanci Dixon
We just finished a bucket list tour of Washington, D.C. All of a sudden, three days before the mostly walking tour started, I could barely hobble. I knew it was plantar fasciitis acting up big time (again). But worse. I needed a doctor and probably a steroid shot, too, but we were 2,300 miles away from my doctor! So, now what? How did I find a doctor while RVing? Find out here.

Don’t write off Baby Boomers

MEMBERS’ EDITION EXCLUSIVE
New KOA statistics show that Baby Boomers are still a huge force to be reckoned with in the camping industry. In 2023, they showed up in force in KOA campgrounds, and a surprisingly large number of them were first-time RVers. “We have to shift some attention back to this important segment,” said Toby O’Rourke, president and CEO of KOA. Learn more and other details about camper trends.

1953 Airstream Cruiser: A dream come true!

By Paul Lacitinola
Jim and Melinda Pritchard were invited by friends to their first vintage camper rally in 2016 at Pomona State Park in Kansas. They were hooked on camping and owned their first vintage trailer within a few weeks. Read how they found their dream RV, and check out this beauty!

The best RV parks/campgrounds to see beautiful wildflowers

By Dave Helgeson
In honor of National Wildflower Week, which falls on the first full week of May (May 5–11, 2024), Recreation.gov has curated a collection of stunning wildflower images submitted by participants of the Share the Experience photo contest. These vibrant photographs showcase a spectrum of nature’s beauty, from vivid reds and oranges to regal purples, found in forests, parks, and monuments throughout the country. Learn more and admire some gorgeous pictures here.

A letter about my mother, Ruthie, on Mother’s Day

By Chuck Woodbury
WRITTEN YEARS AGO BUT UPDATED HERE
I lost my mother 16 years ago. It seems like yesterday. I think of her nearly every day. I miss her terribly. She was a happy, happy person. That was her nature. My father was more serious. When she was around him, she was quieter. But without him, she was full of it: She reminded me of a college girl — so youthful in spirit. Continue reading.

Why Mother’s Day founder later regretted doing it

By Gail Marsh
It’s a day dedicated to moms everywhere. Cards. Flowers. Candy. Family time. What’s not to like? Why did Anna Jarvis, the founder of modern-day Mother’s Day, grow to despise the holiday that she helped create? It certainly didn’t start out that way.

If your mother is still around, give her a big hug and send her some flowers. 

Reader Poll
Did you hire an RV technician or inspector to check your RV before you bought it?

Please let us know. After you click your response, you’ll see how others have responded. Feel free to leave a comment.

Tell us here

POPULAR POLL FROM THIS PAST WEEK
We asked: Have you stayed for free in a casino parking lot in the last year? Find out.

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:

• Can I install two 250-watt solar panels on my 1964 Ideal travel trailer?
• When driving, the RV’s roof and sidewalls bulge out. How can I fix it?
• Why does RV fridge stop working after awhile even when plugged in?
• Water leaks under kitchen sink when using water heater on LP. Dealer can’t fix it!
• Floor is rotted under slideout of 2023 Grand Design. Why?

Click here to see more questions for Dave.

Travel Destinations
RVers’ day touring the incredible Avenue of the Giants

By Nanci Dixon
The Avenue of the Giants is a 32-mile scenic drive winding around the enormous redwood trees. It stretches from Scotia, California, in the north, to Garberville, California, to the south, paralleling Hwy. 101, the Redwood Coast Highway. Our first five miles on the Avenue of the Giants were in our 40’ motorhome towing a car. Not for the faint of heart, but the Avenue of the Giants Campground owner had assured me that was the best way to get to the campground. And what a nicely laid-out and kept-up campground it was!

Click here to read

In the RV Shop with Dustin
In every RV tech’s toolbox: The most popular RV roof and body tool

By Dustin Simpson
In this video, I show you a tool that is in every RV technician’s toolbox: a plastic scraper! It’s used for so many repairs: decal removal, RV roof sealant removal, RV body silicone removal, to pop an RV molding, to install and remove RV insert moldings, and more. I’ll share my tips and tricks on how I grind down scrapers to make repair and maintenance easier with this handy tool.

Click here to learn more

DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERS AND RSS FEEDS!

• Weekly News Highlights. Every Saturday. 
• RV Daily Tips. RVing tips, advice, maintenance and repair guidance, RV reviews, gadgets, and more. Monday-Friday. 
• Great RV Accessories. The best gadgets for RVers. Every other Thursday. 
• Daily RVing news. Get the latest news about RVing every weekday afternoon straight to your inbox.
• RV Maintenance & Repair tips. Don’t ever miss a maintenance or repair article. Every Tuesday. 
• New! RV Reviews. We write one RV review every day! They’ll be delivered to your inbox every other Friday. 
• New! RV Recalls. Never miss an important RV or RV-related recall. Every other Wednesday.

Learn more or sign up for any of these great newsletters here.
(No spam. Easy unsubscribe if you don’t like it.)

Roadside History 
The day a mob lynched Jesse Washington

By Chuck Woodbury
The history of McLennan County, Texas, like the rest of the state and the nation, is marred by institutional racism sometimes manifested in violence. From 1860 through 1922, 43 lynchings were documented in this county. Here’s more, including where to find the roadside monument that marks one historic but very sad incident. Learn about it here.

RV Gadgets and Gizmos

Etekcity Infrared Thermometer for grill, RV and home use

By Cheri Sicard
This versatile point-and-click infrared thermometer has uses inside the RV (or home) and out, especially now that grilling and barbecue season is upon us.

Certain grilling techniques require temperature monitoring, especially low-and-slow smoking, or high-temperature pizza making, in addition to a host of other outdoor and indoor cooking tasks.

Click here to read

Make sure you read the brand-new issue of our Great RV Accessories newsletter! Lots of great gadgets and gizmos inside! And if you’re not subscribed, you should be!

Video of the day
Wow! You won’t believe this 1983 Chevy van conversion!

By Cheri Sicard
I have not featured a video from my absolute FAVORITE RV builder/restorer, DualEx, in a while, but you are in for a treat with this one. If you have not seen one of his videos before, prepare to be amazed because this man has skills like no other—carpentry, welding, electrical, plumbing, and much more—he does it all and does it artistically.

Check this out! 

RVing with Pets
Taking a pet first aid class is well worth your time

By Gail Marsh
Wait, what? There are pet first aid classes? Yes! And if you travel with a pet as you RV, you just may want to consider taking a class. First, note that a competent veterinarian is the best person to care for your furry friends. However, if you’re traveling in unfamiliar territory, boondocking, or RVing in an area where you have no cell service, it’s a good idea to know what to do in a pet emergency. …

This info could save your pet’s life

RV Tire Safety

All about tire load capacity considerations when buying RV tires

In this very thorough report from tire expert Roger Marble, he explains everything you need to take into consideration when buying tires for your RV, including tire load capacity, understanding tire type and size nomenclature, the tire load capacity for dual position tires, confirming side-to-side load balance, and much more.

Read more

Recipe of the Day

Green Chile Chicken

by Alma Tate from Alamo, TX

Spice up your chicken dinner with this green chile chicken recipe. It’s a super-easy weeknight meal with a Mexican flair. Boneless chicken breasts are topped with green chiles, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Once baked, the meal tastes like chicken enchiladas without the carbs (tortillas). The recipe can be easily scaled based on the size of your family.

Get the recipe here

Readers’ Pet of the Day

“Tink (Morkie: Maltese/Yorkie) is a seasoned traveler who loves camping and has been on the road with us for 15 years. She claimed this table on a trip to Lake City, CO, so she could keep an eye on the entire campground, and has been using it ever since!” —Debbie Hudson

• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.

Please send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Sunday RV Travel newsletter. No blurry photos, please! Please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!

Brain Teaser

I’m answered but never ask a question. What am I?

(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

In the early days of radio broadcasting, producers discovered that background noise, or the sounds of a crowd, was recreated if they had their actors repeat the phrase “walla walla” over and over again. What’s interesting, though, is that this phrase is different depending on countries. Americans say “walla walla,” but the British actors say “rhubarb rhubarb.” German actors repeat “rhabarber rhabarber,” and Japanese actors say “gaya gaya.” Hear “walla walla” in action.

Sunday funny

Did you miss last week’s RV Travel?

Read it here | Back issues

Brain teaser answer:

A doorbell.

KNOWLEDGE QUIZ ANSWER
From the email reminder subscribers received about this issue. 

The RCA Victor television, model 621, debuted 1946, the first post-WWII TV set. It had the rare channel 1 (one). Here’s an article from a man who restored an identical model as we showed in the email alert.

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