Welcome to the RVtravel.com newsletter. “Home of the RV Experts since 2001.”
June 23, 2024
Issue 1162
Subscribers edition
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Winnebago’s latest financials mixed bag. Motorhome production way down
- If rain spoils your trip, you can get a campground refund
- RVing opportunity awaits: Travel USA in free RV with free camping, gas and food
- Largest campground in Rocky Mountain National Park closes
- Virus confirmed as cause of illness outbreak at Grand Canyon
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
Today’s RV (p)review…
RV trends for 2025: Things I’m seeing with my crystal ball
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is something different. I had the opportunity to spend a week in Indiana looking at a ton of new RVs of all sorts. I got to preview some RVs and RV features that are on the horizon and some that are even debuting now. … Read all about what’s going on in the RV industry and what’s coming up for RVs.
RV service centers and repairs report
Dealers take advantage of customer demographics: “I’m a single woman with a large motorhome, but I am no fool!”
In this column, we summarize some of your emails and comments regarding RV service centers and repairs. This week, Nanci Dixon shares your reports, good and bad, as well as tips for finding good locations for warranty work, how to possibly get the work done quicker, and how not to get taken advantage of on pricing for parts. Also, there are more recommendations for good service centers and mobile techs.👍
UPDATED WEEKLY: A list of RV dealers, service centers, and mobile techs as recommended by our readers. Click here.
RVers not as social as the RV industry suggests
By Chuck Woodbury
RVers are not as social as what you might glean from seeing Go RVing ads from the RV industry or on local TV commercials. If you believe the hype, then it might seem like RV parks are pretty much like Club Meds for RV enthusiasts, with everybody walking the grounds on the make for new chums. We’re talking about older RVers here based on a recent poll. Continue reading what we learned.
Genius golf ball trick solves low airflow issue in RV’s A/C
If you feel like your RV’s A/C is struggling with low airflow issues, listen up. Gail Marsh and her husband found a simple, genius way to fix their low airflow issues. An easy trick with a golf ball (yes!) had their RV feeling as cool and enjoyable as ever again. Read about their trick here—it could help you!
Understanding everything about 12-volt house batteries
By Dave Solberg
This is Part 4 of Dave Solberg’s “Everything you need to know about RVing” series. Today, Dave looks at 12-volt house batteries and tells you just about everything you need to know. … Learn all about them here. [This is important information—whether it’s your first or your 101st RV trip.]
Publisher’s Corner
Easily cut your RVing expenses in half
Chuck Woodbury, high atop his cyber soapbox, suggests a very simple way to cut the cost of RVing by half, even more. Some readers will not be interested, for reasons he explains because he is probably like them. For others, what he suggests may make perfect sense. Why don’t more RVers do this? Here’s what our founder and publisher Chuck thinks.
ONLY IN TODAY’S SUBSCRIBERS EDITION:
Highway Patrol rescues Bugs Bunny
When you think of the California Highway Patrol, you think of a bunch of tough, no-nonsense cops who keep speeders in check along the Golden State’s highways. But in this particular case, the only speeder the CHP was chasing was a big, gray, long-eared rodent named Bugs. Hop on over here for the story.
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- Park ranger’s 12 tips for the best national park adventure
- Moochdocking 101: How to score free camping and get invited back
- 18 ways to use “single-use” items more than once
- Viral fast-food sauce trick will help RVers with take-out
- Why storing your RV outside can be a bad idea
NOT SIGNED UP FOR OUR RV DAILY TIPS NEWSLETTER?
You should be! You’ll learn a great deal about RVing. Plus, it’s fun! Subscribe here (easy unsubscribe if you don’t like it).
Stinky freshwater hose? Here’s the solution
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
We recently traveled out of the Arizona desert country looking for cool air. We found it in the Nevada high country. What a relief! A couple of hours after setting up camp, we thought we had a gray water problem. The sink drains smelled terrible! But some logic set us straight. P-traps would prevent gray tank odors from coming into the coach. The outside tap water smelled fine. It hit us—we had “RV stink hose”! That’s RV scientific shorthand for bad odors emanating from the freshwater hose. Learn how to fix it here.
Creative dad builds the world’s cutest camper
Is this the cutest kids’ camper you’ve ever seen? We think so! In a viral YouTube short, a dedicated dad has crafted an incredibly cute camper for his kids, making it the most adorable thing we’ve seen on wheels. This mini RV, complete with a cozy sleeping area and real-life-like features, is a perfect blend of creativity and love. Check this out—you’re going to love it!
Modern RV transforms into vintage masterpiece
By Paul Lacitinola
When faced with the ordinary, some see limitations, while others, like Bob and Doreen, see boundless possibilities. Ignoring the status quo of modern recreational vehicles, this couple set out on a bold mission: to transform a 2014 Class C Mercedes chassis Sprinter van and Forest River Solera RV into their dream 1950 Spartanette RV. This ambitious endeavor defied norms and challenged their skills, proving that any vision can become a stunning reality with grit and determination. Check out this one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Reader poll
Do you feel safe when staying overnight in a Walmart parking lot?
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 eat more or less red meat than 5 years ago? See how more than 1,300 other RVers responded.
DID YOU KNOW that a group of porcupines is called a “prickle”?
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 my truck tow my trailer based on this weight data?
- Should there be sealant between RV shower pan and side panel?
- Everything you need to know about charging RV batteries
- Can I plug into 50-amp pedestal with “Y” adapter to run 30-amp TT and outside heater?
- Should I use dielectric grease on my RV? If so, where?
Click here to see more questions for Dave.
IS IT REAL?
This trailer is 42″ long, but is it real? Is it AI? Find out here.
Travel destinations
All aboard for a ride on Santa Fe’s historic Sky Railway
By Cheri Sicard
Railroad buffs visiting the Santa Fe, NM, area are in for a treat. The Sky Railway offers a variety of experiences on their historic SkyTrain, from scenic sunset and star gazing rides to special events such as burlesque nights, flamenco nights, wine tasting, and beer tasting rides, history rides, Native American dance rides, and more.
In the RV shop with Dustin
How to use Loctite for securing your RV against vibrations; keep fasteners secured
By Dustin Simpson
Traveling in an RV often means dealing with constant vibrations and movements that can cause parts to loosen over time, much like experiencing a mini-earthquake on the road. To ensure everything stays secure, here are some tips and recommendations for using Loctite products and other strategies for keeping things together.
RV gadgets and gizmos
The best 4th of July gear, gadgets and accessories for RVers
RVers, it’s almost time to celebrate our beloved United States of America on our favorite summer holiday, July 4. What better way to show your patriotism than with the best gear, gadgets and accessories? Check these out. You’ll love ’em!
3 of my most perfect RV products
By Gail Marsh
Few products are perfect. Even fewer are perfect for an RV’s limited interior space, but I recently bought three products that are absolutely perfect for my RV. Perhaps they’ll be perfect (or nearly perfect) for yours, as well. Here they are.
WANT MORE GADGETS?
Make sure you read Thursday’s brand-new Great RV Accessories Newsletter here. And if you’re not subscribed, sign up here.
Video of the day
Who knew box truck RV conversions could be so elegant?
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below we meet Eric and Ashley of Create Our Own Roadshow as they give us a tour of their amazing box truck RV conversion aka “Boxanne”. Who knew something as utilitarian as a box truck could turn into an elegant tiny home on wheels? Best of all, this off-grid box truck RV conversion looks normal from the outside, so the couple is able to stealth camp nearly anywhere!
Click here to read more and watch
Road trip playlists
While this column is from last year, we know you’ll enjoy these thoughtfully curated road trip playlists from Cheri Sicard. Enjoy these tunes as you set out on your summer road trips.
- 10 road songs for lovers
- 10 great American road trip/roadside America songs
- 9 terrific “born to roam” songs
- 8 awesome “life on the road” songs
- 7 joyful road trip songs to start your journey
- 8 great Texas songs!
RVing with dogs
How to react to off-leash dogs
By Gail Marsh
We rarely see off-leash dogs roaming the RV campgrounds where we camp. That may be changing, according to recent reports posted on the RVtravel.com RVing with Dogs Facebook group. Several folks talked about encounters with off-leash dogs. … Read some of their comments and recommendations from a veterinarian to protect you and your pet.
RV tire safety
It’s tire inflation pressure, not the sidewall, that supports the load
By Roger Marble
Every few weeks I run across someone on an RV forum that makes the claim that it is the stiff tire sidewall that supports the load. As “proof” of their belief, many times they present a demonstration of pushing on a couple of unmounted tires. One is identified as a “cheap China bomb,” while the other is usually a light truck tire that was made in the USA. In their “test” they show how the “China bomb” tire can be collapsed with minimal effort while the light truck tire does not collapse. … Continue reading about this misinformation and what you really need to know.
Recipe of the day
Frito Corn Salad
by Pamela Floyd from Ada, OK
Bring an ordinary corn salad to a whole new level of yumminess with chili cheese Fritos. The corn salad alone is tasty and on the sweet side from the dressing. After mixing in the chili-spiced corn chips, it not only adds texture to the salad but a punch of flavor. A fantastic summertime salad for any barbecue, picnic, or family meal.
Readers’ pet of the day
“While on a cross-country trip following the Lewis & Clark trail, Cookie (Miniature Poodle) checks out the Oregon coast.” —Mike Miller
• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.
Want to see your pet in this newsletter? 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
You are standing in front of a room with three light switches. In another room, there are three light bulbs, each corresponding to one of the switches. You can’t see into the other room, and you can only go there once. How can you determine which switch controls which light bulb?
(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
The Hocking Hills (Ohio) Regional Welcome Center includes the Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum. Reverend Paul Johnson began the collection more than 20 years ago. It grew to include more than 3,400 pencil sharpeners and is reputed to be the largest collection in America.
Sunday funny
Humorous public safety video laughs at “tourons”
With Gail Marsh
We’ve all read articles or seen photos of overly eager tourists. They descend on our National Parks with wildly unrealistic expectations. At times, these “tourons” (tourist + moron = tourons) take dangerous risks in the hope that they’ll get to pet or take a close-up photo of themselves with one of the park’s many wild animals. This video from Two Bear Air Rescue is a hilarious public safety announcement on the topic.
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
Brain teaser answer:
Turn on Switch 1 and leave it on for a few minutes, then turn it off. Turn on Switch 2 and leave it on. Leave Switch 3 off.
Afterward: The bulb that is on corresponds to Switch 2. The warm bulb (if any) corresponds to Switch 1. The cool, off bulb, corresponds to Switch 3.
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Under your gears & gadgets article, you showed some moron displaying a black & red trump flag. That is a sacrilege and shows poor taste. This newsletter is supposed to be non-partisan. One more article like that and we’re done.
Sorry, Walt. I don’t see that picture, so I don’t know where it came from. It is not anything we would have placed in our newsletters. A lot of the ads are placed automatically by the ad company we use. If we can get the URL for questionable ads, we can block them. But if we don’t know what they are, we can’t do anything about it, unfortunately. But I am confused. You’re commenting under our ad-free Subscribers edition, so you shouldn’t be seeing ANY ads in the newsletter. Is that where you saw it? Please let us know in case we need to look into this further. Thank you. Have a good day. 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I haven’t seen any such picture
Thanks, James.👍 Wherever he saw it, it was inserted automatically and not by us. And, like I mentioned in another comment, specific ads are frequently based on what the reader has read or clicked on before. (Danged Big Brother!😠) But thanks for your input. I’m very glad to hear that. Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane
I couldn’t find a Trump related ad or flag either Diane. No flag, no banner, nadda.
Thanks, Cancel. Good! Too bad he’s blaming us for something we have no (or not much) control over, especially when we don’t see a lot of those ads that others do based on what they’ve viewed before.🤔 Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane
I didn’t see any trump flag either – thankfully. I did, however, see a lot of ‘flag’ type gear that is pretty specifically proscribed under appropriate flag use guidelines: picnic table covers? propane bag? an apron?
Thanks, Tim. I was wondering about that when I proofed the post, also. Having been a Girl Scout for 10 years, those “decorative” items didn’t seem very (i.e., not at all) respectful to me. I’ll research it a bit and bring it up to the powers that be (i.e., not me😉). Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Hi, Tim. I just looked up flag etiquette. This is from the American Legion, an authority on the subject: “Question: Is it permissible to wear an item of clothing that looks like the United States flag? Answer: Unless an article of clothing is made from an actual United States flag, there is NO breach of flag etiquette whatsoever. People are simply expressing their patriotism and love of country by wearing an article of clothing that happens to be red, white, and blue with stars and stripes. There is nothing illegal about the wearing or use of these items.” I’m assuming that would pertain to the other items using that design, as long as they are not using an actual U.S. flag. Have a good afternoon. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
The article does not have a ‘black & red trump flag’.
Thanks, UPRIG. If Walt saw a picture like that in the article, those ads are automatically placed by our ad server (or whatever it’s called), and they’re frequently based on the person’s viewing history. (I misunderstood and thought he saw it in the newsletter itself.) Some folks don’t understand that we don’t have much control over ads that are auto-inserted. However, if people who see ads like that can send us the URL that the ad came from, then we can probably get it blocked. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
I did not see either. Must have confused it with the red, white and blue popsicle.
Yep, that would explain it. Thanks, Kelly.👍 Have a good night. 😀 –Diane
It’s gadgets and gizmos, Walt.
What happens when the lights are LED’s and create little or NO heat?
Leave the first light on longer, then run to the rooms.
There’s always that one person……………🙄
What happens if the person who did the wiring didn’t know what they were doing and NONE of the lights work?? Sounds like some new RVs I’ve heard about…
Thank you, Emily, Diane, and Kim! 🙂 Rats! Missed the brain teaser. 🙁 Maybe next time. 🤔 Question: What is with Keith (?) and him restarting the RV Travel YouTube channel? He was there and about as quickly was not there. Is he okay, or was his “vision” for the channel not quite the hoped-for vision? I still watch Chuck’s video on peeling a banana. 🙂 Thanks again, have a great week, and SAFE travels! 🙂
Hi, Neal. Keith is fine. He has moved on to other interests of his, and we wish him well. Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane
Thank you, Diane! 🙂 Well, I hope that the YouTube channel eventually returns. Seems a potential revenue stream of some consequence. Thanks again, have a great week, and SAFE travels! 🙂
Thanks, Neal. I’m not sure what Chuck and Emily are planning for our YouTube channel, but I agree with you, and I’m sure they do also. I hope you have a good night and a great week, as well. 😀 –Diane
You’re very welcome, Diane! 🙂 Thank you! 🙂
I would flip the light switch on and have DW walk into the other room and tell me which light was on…
Thanks to all for today’s enjoyable edition, great job everyone at RV Travel !!
You’re welcome, Bill. At least there were more upbeat posts than yesterday’s newsletter, eh? Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane
Yes there were !!😊 Enjoy your’s as well!!
Will do.👍 Thanks, Bill.🤗 –Diane