Members RV Travel Newsletter for Sunday, May 19, 2024

Welcome to the RVtravel.com newsletter. Be sure to check out all our other RV-related newsletters.

For the best reading experience, read this on a computer if you have one handy.

May 19, 2024
Issue 1157
Members edition 

 Cover story 

Editor is on vacation at Dracula’s castle

By Chuck Woodbury

My daughter, Emily, the editor and future publisher of this newsletter (as I morph into a geezer of considerable age), is taking a long-overdue vacation. So I will fill in.

She’s roaming around Romania for another week with her mom (my former wife, who is Romanian) and family friends. Today (that’s yesterday when you read this on Sunday), they are in Transylvania, where they explored Dracula’s castle. The Dracula most of us know is Hollywood’s version, who nowhere near resembles the real man, who was about as evil as a human can be. Vlad “the Impaler” was a 15th century warlord who got his name from his preferred way to get rid of his enemies.

In total, Vlad is estimated to have killed about 80,000 people through various means, including 20,000 who were impaled and put on display outside the city of Targoviste. Maybe Emily will write about this after she returns.

I will sign off for now. If you are heading out this week for the Memorial Day weekend, have a great time, and be sure to drive carefully (no speeding or tailgating); and if you drink while driving, make it root beer.

P.S. I did write something this weekend in my Roadside Journal for our members edition, which I am also including below in this edition for everyone. In the future, my writing will appear mostly in the members edition, whose contributors increasingly support the RVtravel.com website and its newsletters.

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

• Look out! BLM plans fee increases in multiple states
• Campsite fee up 300% – but no extra services
• Driver loses eye to steering wheel decal. You’ve been warned.
• Hail the size of softballs pounds Texas Hill Country
• Midwest RVers: It’s time to catch the avian migration
• Fire totals motorhome. Why did firefighters dig through the ashes?
• First quarter report: Lazydays took a financial beating

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

Questionable RVing features: What were they thinking?

By Dave Helgeson
Have you ever wondered, “What were they thinking?” when you encountered a feature “designed” to enhance your RVing experience? My college years were spent earning a degree in architecture. My professors taught me and other students how form follows function. … This concept must be rather ingrained in me for when I encounter a poorly “designed” feature intended to support RVers in their travels I wonder, “What were they thinking?” or, more concisely, “What was the designer thinking?” … You won’t believe some of these RVing features Dave has encountered in his lifetime of RVing.

Solo RVing as a male versus female. Do stereotypes dictate social interaction on the road?

By Gail Marsh
Ever since RVtravel.com ran this article offering tips for making friends while traveling solo, a reader’s comment has given me pause. Do RVers have a double standard? Is it fair? Ron N. commented, “Being a 77-year-old divorced man, I travel with my 90 lb. yellow Lab, Charlie. I’m a member of a couple of fiberglass trailer groups and attend their gatherings from year to year. I’m very aware of the couples’ picnic table gatherings. Husband and wife couples typically don’t invite single men to join them for dinner or conversation at their site. Single women are more likely to be invited to join a married couple. You are more likely to see two couples enjoying each other’s company. Talk about feeling left out!” Read more, then let us know what you think about this.

Woman thankful she had a new RV inspected before delivery

You’d think that a $260,000 motorhome would be delivered with everything working. Or you’d “like to think.” Well, watch this short video about a woman who hired an RV inspector the day she was supposed to take delivery of her luxury rig! Wow, did she dodge a bullet by doing so. The inspection revealed at least 40 problems including one huge defect that alone was worth his fee. Most buyers would never find this defect until their first trip, a terrible surprise. Watch the video.

Today’s RV review…
Ember RV E-Series 25RUD travel trailer—Affordable but not “cheap”

By Tony Barthel
Today’s review is of the Ember RV E-Series 25RUD travel trailer. It was just a week ago that we looked at another Ember—the Touring Edition 26MRB. I was pretty impressed with the lengths to which Ember RV goes to make that a quality product, despite the fact that a lot of the differences are under the skin of that rig—where some customers and probably most RV salespeople will never notice.

I can see the conversation at the dealership: “It’s expensive.” To which the salesperson replies, “Yeah, but it’s an Ember.” They really don’t know what they’re talking about. Of course, that’s what makes these RV reviews so very popular. I’ll tell you things the RV salespeople don’t know. Or won’t tell you.

Click here to read

RV Service Centers and Repairs Report
You won’t believe how Camping World took this tiny $36,000 trailer and turned it into a $56,000 disaster!

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 RV service horror stories, including complaints of extensive issues on an RV but trying to contact Camping World about them “was like talking to crickets.” In another case, it took a shop 13 months to complete repairs to this RVer’s Thor Hurricane, so she decided the next time it needed repairs to stay with the rig while the work was being done to speed up the process. Yeah, right! And another RVer relates that by the time all is said and done, a $36,000 trailer will have cost them $56,000—and it has had “so many things go wrong.”

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

• You can be TOO nice of a campsite neighbor. Don’t do these four things
• The best tips to make your RV cabinets shine again
• How to be an RVer and still pursue your hobby
• Save your RV’s refrigerator: Leveling tips for overnight stops
• Rust: How to prevent it from damaging your RV

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.)

Swiss family’s grand U.S. RV adventure and its challenges

By Nanci Dixon
We recently met a couple from Switzerland who are RVing in the U.S. for four months with their two children. They have RVed for years in Switzerland in a 22-foot RV and knew that they wanted to do the same in the U.S. Michael said that their 22-foot RV is considered large in Switzerland. As Manuela and Michael researched options, they realized that renting an RV for four months was extremely costly. It was cheaper to buy an RV than rent! Read about this adventuresome family.

It’s grilling season! Learn how to grill like a pro

By Gail Marsh
Grilling season is here and Memorial Day is just around the corner! Just in time, RVers: Here are tips (and videos) to help you grill like a pro.

Perfectly planned RV trip foiled by weather, mechanical failures

By Nanci Dixon
Robert Burns once wrote, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” The poem was written to a mouse whose house was plowed over. Dictionary.com explains the line as: “No matter how carefully a project is planned, something may still go wrong with it.” A few weeks ago I wrote an article about the over-the-top extensive planning we did for our trip from Arizona to Washington, D.C. I was actually pretty proud of the extent of organizing, researching, and booking I did of the string of campsites along the way. … What could go wrong, right?🙄

Warning: Avoid these two dangers while hiking

This warning comes from California’s Pinnacles National Park. Hikers in California outdoors this time of year know to look out for two things in particular that, if encountered, can spoil their day: rattlesnakes and poison oak. Rattlesnakes are found in almost every part of the continental United States, but they’re especially common in the Southwest. Continue reading.

Roadside oddities: Watch out for flying weapons

Ok, we have two somewhat menacing road signs for you. One is at White Sands Missile Range, just north of White Sands National Park in New Mexico, where they close the road during missile tests. The other is on Oklahoma Highway 115 north of the small town of Cache, where you also have to watch out for weapons flying overhead. Check these out.

Reader Poll
When relaxing outside your RV in an RV park, do you like it when others stop to talk?

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: When staying in a luxury RV in a full hookup RV resort, are you camping? See how more than 1,000 readers responded.

CHUCK WOODBURY’S ROADSIDE JOURNAL
Growing trend? Fly your pet in comfort in a private jet

By Chuck Woodbury, Publisher
I remember way back, maybe a million years ago, when I was in college, I learned an important lesson in one of my business classes, Advertising 101. It was something like this: When you have exhausted your efforts to sell products or services to humans, then sell to pets — dogs and cats mostly. … Editor’s note: Chuck received a story pitch in an email recently that reminded him of that lesson. What were they pitching? You won’t believe this!

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:

• What is the best way to protect and insulate the underbelly of an RV?
• Buying an RV: What is the markup on an RV, and what should I offer the dealer?
• Important follow-up to Grand Design quality and frame flex issues story
• What sealants do you recommend for an RV, and what areas need to be sealed?
• My RV’s roof air conditioner smells like mildew. What should I look for?

Click here to see more questions for Dave.

Travel Destinations

Swansea Ghost Town: A rough road to faded desert dreams

By Bob Mims
Having set up camp alongside the Colorado River near Parker, Arizona, my adventurous wife, Barbara, decided to take our trusty “toad” compact car to see a real ghost town. … We chose the remote La Paz County ghost town mining community of Swansea, AZ, our surrender to serendipity becoming a bumpy, dusty, and rough 65-mile round trip odyssey. … Read about their adventure and check out some of the sights here.

Foss State Park is a hidden gem campground (and it’s empty!)

By Nanci Dixon
A hidden gem campground is found at Foss State Park in Foss, Oklahoma. After driving six hours in miserable and unforgiving 37 mph wind gusts, we never thought we would find such a gem of a state park within seven miles of I-40. Not only did we have a premium site with 50-amp electric service and water in an almost empty campground, but it is also on the lake! Continue reading about this hidden gem.

In the RV Shop with Dustin

Add a pet door to your RV. It’s easy!

By Dustin Simpson
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!

Adding a pet screen door in your RV can let your dogs and cats go in or out freely enough without asking for your help to open the RV screen door or cause damage to it. You can also upgrade the screen to aluminum or thicker fiberglass mesh for additional durability.

Continue reading

RV Gadgets and Gizmos
Keep mice out of your RV while in storage with the BoxKat

By Tony Barthel
How do you keep mice out of your RV? Aside from a slew of house cats, we learned of another option when we had the chance to speak with Tom Sharp, inventor of a device called the BoxKat. The BoxKat is, very simply, a corrugated plastic barrier that you assemble around your RV. The barrier is 14” tall, and there are interconnecting accordion-style panels that allow the individual pieces to adjust to uneven surfaces. It’s one of those simple but brilliant solutions that could help you eliminate the mouse problem from your RV.

Click here to learn more

Video of the day
Stress-free RV black water tank cleaning and maintenance

By Cheri Sicard
They are every RVers’ most dreaded chores: emptying the RV’s black water tank and cleaning the black water tank. In other words, properly maintaining your RV’s sewage systems. These necessities of RV life may seem distasteful on the surface but, in reality, emptying your RV’s black water tank need not cause stress or dread. It’s actually pretty simple.

Click here to read more and watch the video

RVing with Dogs
Quick tips to keep your pup safe

By Gail Marsh
Taking your furry friend along on your RVing adventures can enrich your journey. A pet also adds one more level of responsibility for RVers. That’s why these five quick tips for RVing with dogs can help!

Click here to read

RV Tire Safety
Tire ply rating and load range. What are they?

By Roger Marble
“What’s the difference in tire ply rating and load range? I just want the best ply.”

I found a discussion on “ply rating” aka load range in a forum where the question “How strong of a tire do I need?” was being discussed. … I felt that a better understanding of the “strength” of the steel ply in the subject tires might help people understand the concept of different tire constructions.

Learn more

Recipe of the Day

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Pineapple

by Kitchen Crew from Nashville, TN

Grilling bacon-wrapped pineapple is a delicious marriage of sweet, smoky, and salty flavors. We’ve amped the flavor even more with a brush of spiced brown sugar maple glaze in this recipe. The bacon is slightly precooked before wrapping the pineapple chunks. This, and finishing to cook the bacon on a layer of foil, helps the bacon become crisp and prevents flame flare-ups from excess grease. The final result is crispy, sugared bacon wrapped around the juicy, tart and sweet pineapple. Yum! If you’re looking for an easy and flavorful appetizer for your next BBQ, give these a try.

Get the recipe here

What’s wrong with this A.I.-generated image that we asked you about in today’s email reminder notice for this issue? We’ve spotted a few things, one of which would lead to disaster. For the answer, click our story about Memorial Day Weekend traffic, where you will find the answer in the photo’s caption.

Readers’ Pet of the Day

“Stelly (Goldendoodle) just turned one and is currently in training to be a therapy dog. We love visiting nursing homes, fundraising events, and going to see the staff at TJ Maxx Oviedo.” —Dyan Ochoa

• 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

A man was driving an all-black Class B camper van. His headlights were off. The moon was not out. A girl crossed the street suddenly. How did the man see her?

(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

While it’s not a required rule, almost all pilots and co-pilots eat different meals during flight. That’s so just in case one gets food poisoning, the other one won’t, too!

Sunday funny

Did you miss last week’s RV Travel?

Read it here | Back issues

Brain teaser answer:

It was a bright, sunny day!

RVtravel.com All Star Team

Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.