Members RV Travel Newsletter for Sunday, June 2, 2024

Welcome to the RVtravel.com newsletter. “Home of the RV Experts since 2001.”

June 2, 2024
Issue 1159
Members edition

Welcome to the 4,600 RVers who subscribed to one or more of our RVtravel.com newsletters in May!

Yesterday’s top news for RVers
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• Used RV price averages go up, but maybe not why you think
• Would you rather pay more for fuel tax or pay mileage fee?
• Devastating tornado slams KOA, launches RVs across the park
• New scam targets private RV sellers
• As grizzly bear mauls hiker, “miracle” occurs and bear flees

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

Today’s RV preview…
The Polydrops P21 is an unusual aerodynamic trailer

By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is actually another preview, this time of the Polydrops P21 travel trailer. What you have here is a travel trailer that is very light, at about 1,400 pounds, but also designed with aerodynamics in mind. Effectively, the way Polydrops is pulling off said minimalization is by designing a trailer that’s shaped so it cuts through the wind, as opposed to being barn-like, as most towables are. You won’t find air conditioners nor vent stacks or anything else cluttering up the roof of this trailer.

Click here to read

RV service centers and repairs report
Reader says, “Don’t buy an RV from a car salesman”

In this column, we summarize some of your emails and comments regarding RV service centers and repairs. This week, Nanci Dixon shares some more of your RV service nightmares, including an RVer whose motorhome was in the shop for several weeks and $8,000 worth of repair, but it was still not completely livable, as they had been assured. There’s a frustrating tale about the issues one person had when he went to trade in his RV at the dealership he had purchased it from. Unfortunately, it was under new ownership and the employees were not knowledgeable about RVs. However, there are some recommendations, and a tip about Les Schwab Tires.

Click here to read

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

How RV recalls happen and how you can force manufacturers to fix problems

You have heard about recalls or you may have had one on your RV. Here is why they matter, how they can happen, and what to do about it when your vehicle is recalled. Also, importantly, how can you help force a recall when the RV factory won’t? Continue reading this in-depth article by RV Lemon Law Lawyer, Ron Burdge, for some excellent information.

How to rodent-proof an RV—What really works and what doesn’t!

By Cheri Sicard
Since January, I had been watching various campground neighbors leave their hoods open at night and keep lights on under their RVs (kind of annoying) in an effort to avoid desert rodents. But I had been lucky. No critters in the RV besides myself and the occasional visiting friend or two. But after RVing in the New Mexico desert, it finally happened in mid-May. Mice in my RV. Here are all the methods that worked, and the ones that didn’t, in my attempt to get rid of the mice.

The most dangerous U.S. roads for RVs

By Nanci Dixon
Recently, a reader wrote in and requested an article listing some of the most dangerous roads for RVs. As you would imagine, there are many opinions on which roads should be on that list. But here are the most popular ones: the most dangerous roads in the U.S. for RVs!

Readers share their RV insurance experiences

By Cheri Sicard
Because we have been hearing some horror stories about insurance companies using ANY possible excuse to deny a claim, we asked you if you had experience with this. The answers and experiences you, our readers, had were varied but the very first one we got was from someone who carries no RV insurance at all! We highly suggest remedying this as, if you get in an accident, you could lose everything and you would find yourself 100% on the hook. Here are about a dozen reader experiences.

Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter

• An RVer’s guide to making, storing and cooking with spices
• Tips for RVers receiving packages from Amazon and others
• Unusual ways RVers can use old water hoses
• 22 uses for prescription medicine bottles in your RV
• Genius charging cord trick that makes RV life easier

Around the campfire
RVers share the RV “misconceptions” that frustrate them the most

By Gail Marsh
Our discussion around the campground firepit last night centered mostly on RV misconceptions. Do all big RVs have all the “bells and whistles”? Is RVing just for “old” and retired people? Are RVs a huge investment? Read about these misconceptions and more.

Click here to read

One of the best campsites where I have ever stayed—and it’s a KOA!

By Nanci Dixon
This is one of the nicest campsites we have ever stayed at—and it is a KOA! We were visiting family and I had made reservations at a local KOA. Driving in, I saw some sites with fireplaces, swings, a grill and tables. They just had to be the “super sites” I had declined when reserving. But wait… could I have one of those sites? Continue reading.

The ABCs of RV terminology: Every word and term you should know as an RVer

By Dave Solberg
It is beneficial to know the common terminology of the RV language and its components. Just like any other language, there are many words or descriptions that are either borrowed from other areas or are just plain “slang”. Knowing the nomenclature will make it easier to communicate with your fellow RVers and even technicians. Test yourself. Do you know all these words and terms?

Conquer your RV makeover fears: Overcoming the biggest roadblocks to DIY success

By Gail Marsh
I’ve seen them all. Well, almost all of the do-it-yourself videos, Pinterest posts, and online blogs about ways to modify your RV. Most tips look and seem like great ideas! The problem? Taking that first step. Getting started can be difficult, especially if these three common obstacles stand in your way.

Reader Poll
Do you decorate your campsite?

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: How important to you is socializing with other RVers at campgrounds or RV parks? See how more than 1,700 other RVers responded.

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:

• RV slide room rollers gouging underside. Normal?
• RV black water tank always reads full. What to do?
• What RV batteries do you recommend for 1992 Vogue coach?
• Replaced RV’s batteries but converter won’t charge them. Now what?
• How can I make RV’s central A/C work better when it’s 115 out?

Click here to see more questions for Dave.

Travel destinations
The Mansion on O Street—A world-class historic venue full of secrets and treasures

By Nanci Dixon
Among the monuments in Washington, D.C., there is another historic site to visit—The Mansion on O Street™. It is rated as one of the top five historic venues in the world by the Smithsonian Magazine, and for good reason! This hotel, residence, wedding venue, mansion, museum, and store is like nothing you’ve ever seen!

Click here to learn more

In the RV shop with Dustin
Cool Tools: the DeWalt Grease Gun, our “ultimate companion”

Join me as I share what we like to call “Cool RV Tools.” These are tools and gadgets that we actually use in the RV industry and in my repair shop. I believe they will be helpful to you when you need to make repairs while out on the road.

Today, I’m introducing you to the DeWalt 20-Volt Max Cordless Grease Gun. It’s our ultimate companion for daily tasks in our shop!

Click to read

RV gadgets and gizmos
RIO Hammock camping rocking chair, perfect for the campsite

By Cheri Sicard
My favorite new summer RVing accessory, the RIO Hammock Camping chair provides comfort to outdoor camp seating. It’s not that my old camp chair was uncomfortable, but my RIO Hammock camping chair is more so. Plus, it’s a rocking chair and I have always loved rocking chairs. When I saw that, I was sold! … It’s my favorite camp chair to this point in my life!

Check it out

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Video of the day
Unusual motorhome renovation is a true RV man cave on wheels!

By Cheri Sicard
In today’s video from Tiny House Giant Journey, we get a tour of DiNeil’s unusual, renovated RV, which he lives in full-time on the road. It is literally an RV man cave on wheels—the inside is filled with masculine touches and room for his massive shoe collection (46 pairs and counting). He even managed to fit a home gym inside of a tiny home space!

Click here to watch

RVing with dogs
Did you know? National Park Service has dog “ranger” program

By Gail Marsh
Exploring the outdoors with your dog adds an extra dimension of joy and excitement. Recognizing the bond between campers and pets, the U.S. National Park Service crafted an innovative initiative known as the B.A.R.K. Ranger Program. This is fun!

Learn more

RV tire safety
RV tire types—Part 2: Changing from ST- to LT-type tires

By Roger Marble
In Part 1, ST-type versus LT-type tires: Which are “best” for RVs?, we left off with having to do some calculations. I will assume you have confirmed the actual individual tire loading and have moved some heavy items around to end up with a reasonable balance of loads. I will also assume you still want to change from ST-type to LT-type tires. That means you must increase the Load Range and/or increase the tire size to get a load capacity in the LT to match or exceed the capacity of the original equipment (OE) ST-type tires.

Continue reading

Recipe of the day
Italian Chicken Packages

by Lynn Zak from Pittsburgh, PA

These Italian Chicken Packages are an easy one-pan summer dinner. Inside a foil package, olive oil adds a richness to the juicy and tender chicken breast. The zucchini and tomatoes are cooked in the foil and infuse their flavor into the chicken. Basil adds a fresh, slightly sweet taste to the meal. Mozzarella cheese becomes nice and melted over the chicken and the vegetables to make this dish even better! Terrific flavor and a wonderful presentation.

Get the recipe here

Readers’ pet of the day

“Georgia Moonpie (Golden Retriever) has two favorites… dock diving and RVing. She is the 8-year-old love of our lives and has traveled the country with us. She is all ready to roll!” —Don Reynolds

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

Want to see your pet featured? 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!

DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERS

• 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.
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Brain teaser

If a brown house is made of brown bricks, and a blue house is made of blue bricks, what is a green house made of?

(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

Insights from Consumer Digest’s report “Snacking Trends May 2024” revealed that more than a quarter of shoppers (27%) claimed to snack multiple times per day. The types of snacks remained mostly consistent from past polls. Cheeses (70%) came in No. 1, followed by fruits (68%), potato chips (67%), crackers (63%), and chocolate (58%). Rounding out the top ten were tortilla chips (57%), popcorn (57%), nuts (54%) and yogurt (51%).

Sunday funny

Did you miss last week’s RV Travel?

Read it here | Back issues

Brain teaser answer:

Glass.

Answer to our question in today’s email alert for this issue. The answer is B, the woman is 100% fake. To create it we asked Bing’s free image creator for a “realistic image of a beautiful blonde woman holding up a newspaper titled RV Travel toward the camera with a Class A motorhome in the forested background.” Within 30 seconds, the image above appeared.

RVtravel.com All Star Team

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