Welcome to the RVtravel.com newsletter. “Home of the RVing Experts since 2001.”
July 28, 2024
Issue 1167
Subscribers edition
LATEST REPORTS ON WILDFIRES IN THE USA AND CANADA
UPDATED CONSTANTLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Better Starlink for RVers – No need for residential subscription
- Motorhome auction prices spike, but still could be good time to buy new RV
- Most popular states and cities for new RV sales
- JD Powers says RV values saw two good months, but still behind
- Man arrested for arson, igniting California’s largest wildfire of the year
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
Today’s RV review…
Brinkley Model Z AIR 310—Ooh la la
Today’s RV review is of the prototype Brinkley Model Z AIR 310 travel trailer. What you have here is a Brinkley Model Z 3100 fifth wheel that’s been flattened down into a travel trailer configuration. But why?
RV service centers and repairs report
Repair shop cleans all personal items out of RV – thought it was a trade-in. Yikes!
This week in our column on our readers’ experiences with RV service centers, Nanci Dixon relates some of your stories including no service from Camping World after waiting four months, ongoing issues with a brand-new Forest River travel trailer, and a new RV in for repairs that got cleaned out for sale instead(!). Plus, a high recommendation for a mobile tech in Kentucky.
UPDATED WEEKLY: A list of RV dealers, service centers, and mobile techs as recommended by our readers. Click here.
“No-show” campers make camp hosts look like tyrants
Our recent article by Nanci Dixon about how some RVers are abusing the system by reserving campsites then not showing up drew more than 400,000 readers. These ill-mannered, selfish campers abuse the system so that when the time comes for their camping trip, they can pick and choose one campground from their multiple reservations. Continue reading.
Owner destroys brand-new Jeep while flat towing it. You won’t believe the damage!
By Nanci Dixon
A 2021 Jeep Rubicon with less than 10,000 miles was taken in for service to a dealer in Florida after being flat towed behind an RV. What the owner found out should scare everyone with a tow vehicle. Read carefully and check out the video! Oh, my!
This electric trike built for two is so much fun for RVers
By Nanci Dixon
An electric trike built for two whizzed by my husband and me. Wow! We had never seen anything like it before and we just had to stop the couple and ask about it. Check this out!
Around the campfire
Fifth wheel trailer suddenly drops onto truck bed. What happened?
By Gail Marsh
This week, as a fellow camper pulled his fifth wheel RV out to leave the campground, his RV dropped right on top of his truck bed. We’d never seen this happen and the results were not pretty. Read what happened to the truck and what you can do to prevent it from happening to you.
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- 22 tips and gadgets to make the most of a small RV kitchen
- No mess, no hassle RV sewer hose storage tips
- Easy ways to make your RV’s entry steps safer
- Steep grade—Getting your rig safely to the bottom
- The glowing gadget with many uses that you’ll want for your RV
38 years as a solo female nomad: Living large in a 4X4 pop-up
By Cheri Sicard
This story brings joy to an experience that too much of the mainstream media paints negatively: Living as a solo female nomad. If you are a single woman (or man, for that matter) who thinks they might enjoy RVing but are intimidated to go it alone, this video will have you rethinking those notions.
How billboards shaped the American road trip
By Gail Marsh
Billboards are a common scene along American highways. Have you ever wondered how these towering advertisements originated? Me too! Here’s a brief history of the beginnings and evolution of billboards.
Three RV “catastrophes”: Winnebago engine failures; sidewall delamination
Dave Solberg reports on three more big-time RV industry failures he has seen in his decades in the RV business, including Winnebago engine failures as well as sidewall delamination with Mende Board. Read about them here.
Reader poll
What did you pay for your current RV?
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: Which of these fast-food chain restaurants is your favorite? See the top pick among more than 1,400 RVers.
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:
- Update on RV slide room refrigerator vent – Teaching an old dog new tricks!
- Some like it hot – But not your RV roof air conditioner!
- Can I keep trailer parked at home plugged into 120-volt source?
- RV city water fill valve needs replacing. Are they generic?
- Can we test RV roof air conditioner with a 110-volt outlet?
Click here to see more questions for Dave.
Travel destinations
10 lakeside campgrounds to beat the summer heat
By Dave Helgeson
Across the country, there are lakes that offer a variety of experiences to help RVers beat the summer heat, plus offer a place for lakeside camping. These 10 lakes not only feature plenty of amenities to satisfy everyone but also provide scenic backdrops. Did your favorite lake make the list? Click to continue and find out.
Discover secrets of the Mob at Las Vegas’ Mob Museum, real speakeasy and all
By Gail Marsh
Interested in the underworld of organized crime? Then have I got a museum for you! The Mob Museum is ready to entertain and enlighten you about the history and inside scoop that is organized crime. Read more.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Why sealing your RV roof side seams is critical
By Dustin Simpson
Discover why sealing your RV roof side seams is absolutely critical in this eye-opening video.
RV gadgets and gizmos (for self-care)
By Cheri Sicard
Perfect hair and no water needed with Not Your Mother’s dry shampoo
I would have a hard time boondocking without this product. … If you’re a boondocker, just want to preserve water, or just not wash your hair as much, I highly recommend you give Not Your Mother’s dry shampoo a try.
Testing out ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Sunscreen 50SPF, non-toxic, natural
The sunscreens we typically use contain tons of toxic and questionable ingredients. This one is free of toxic ingredients and has many good qualities, including being moisturizing.
Micellar water is a hydrating, rinse-free skin cleanser ideal for RVers
I am in love with Garnier’s Skin Active Micellar Water, especially when boondocking. Why? Many reasons, including no water from tank needed.
Vintage RVs
The “Shastah Disastah”: A gorgeous vintage trailer transformation
By Paul Lacitinola
Tim and Margie Suddard restored and updated a 1961 Shasta 16SC vintage trailer. It blends nostalgia with modern comforts for a unique camping experience.
Video of the day
Watch, see and listen as RV gets destroyed by freak hailstorm
By Cheri Sicard
RVs and hail are definitely NOT a match made in heaven. In the video below from Robin Barrett of Creativity RV (one of the winners of our 2024 RV video awards), we see what can happen when an RV gets caught in a freak hailstorm.
RV tire safety
Does using retread tires make sense for RVers?
By Roger Marble
Occasionally I will get a question about using “retread” tires on an RV. My quick answer is, “No, I would not recommend that an RV owner switch to retread tires.” But some still think the slightly lower cost might be a good idea.
RVing with dogs
How about an inflatable dog fence for the campsite?
By Gail Marsh
Since the idea of an inflatable fence is a new concept for me, I thought I’d write an addendum to my previous article about ways to contain your dog while RVing.
PET OWNERS: Would you ever consider cloning your pet? Take our poll.
Recipe of the day
Zucchini Fritters With Asiago
by Teresa G. from Here, KY
Whether you serve these zucchini fritters as a side or an appetizer, you can’t go wrong. They’re easy to prepare and taste amazing. The inside is soft with hints of garlic and cheese flavor, while the outside is crispy with a nice crunch from the herb-flavored Panko. A delicious way to prepare zucchini when it’s abundant in the garden.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Manny is an easy traveler, comes with his own camper shell, and never barks at the neighbors!” —Sheila Langrock
• 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
Three playing cards in a row. Can you name them with these clues? There is a two to the right of a king. A diamond will be found to the left of a spade. An ace is to the left of a heart. A heart is to the left of a spade. Now, identify all three cards.
(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
Historians estimate that about 300 of the original 2,000 miles of the Oregon Trail remain untouched. The rest has been lost to time or development. In many places, roads and highways were built directly over the popular pioneer route. However, many of the original wagon ruts remain intact. In most places you can walk or hike along them (but be respectful). Here’s a good guide to traveling today’s Oregon Trail.
Sunday funny
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
Brain teaser answer:
Ace of Diamonds, King of Hearts, Two of Spades.
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Many years ago when retread tires were more common #1 rule was always use tubes in the tire. Tread separation was mostly caused by air getting thru the casings
Wow, I totally forgot about the “old days” of tubes. They were great fun when swimming though.
Retread tires may make sense to some but I would like to see them banned. Driving around this country reveals treads everywhere. The roads are littered with them creating a dangerous condition for all drivers. Road crews are not removing them from roadways which adds to the condition. I personally have damaged my vehicles due to hitting tire treads that could not be avoided left on our highways. They are a blessing to some but a costly repair can result when littered about our highways.
If you run over a “gator”, then you are following much too close and not giving yourself time to react to miss it. Simple logic.
Not necessarily true. Recently a car darted in front of us and ran over a gator that I was going to avoid and threw it into our vehicle. You can’t always avoid gators.
Stay safe, Joe
You got that right, Joe. Been there done that and not following anything.
If you think only retreads are lying on the highways, think again. I’ve left 3 carcasses on Texas highways
Fairly new LT truck tires and not overloaded. Texas heat I’d say
When I see good size retreads from truck tires on the road (not the shoulder), I call 911 and tell them the retreads are a safety hazard in the road, especially at night. The 911 operators always say they will notify highway patrol. Well maybe!!! I’m assuming at some point highway patrol has driven past the retreads and did nothing. Not always the case but probably!
If you look closely at the tire debris you see on the roads you will see that almost all of the time there is steel cord in them. That means they are NOT retreads but the steel belts from the tire casings themselves, since retreads don’t have steel in them. Most all of the time the failure is the result of under inflation.
So why do manufacturers have retreadable on the side of the tires. I think I will continue to replace instead of retread. The $4,000.00 for the 6 tires we just replaced on the 40′ DP is a cheap “insurance policy” versus replacing the MH. And despite what my wife “the Boss” says
I am ” un-replaceable”.
Inciweb is a US. Gov site and doesn’t show Canadian fires that I can find.
with android open Google maps. Bring up map details. Select wild fires. Zoom out to include Canada. Click on a fire you are interested in.
When I was a poor college student in the late 70’s I ran retreads on my car because they were so cheap. The tread would come off was the only failure I ever had. When this happened, the tire would always stay inflated. This was always in the hot summer of Atlanta. So heat is the thing. I imagine they would be fine in a cooler climate.
Why nothing from Chuck in this issue?
I like the Pet of the Day – no shedding. As to Sunday Funny, I totally agree. The front legs don’t have any meat on them at all.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 I like Manny, Sheila! As you say, no problems with neighbors complaining about the noise he makes! 🙂 Ha! DW and I both got the brain teaser! 🙂 Lumosity has a similar logic game, played with vegetables and positions in a garden. Thanks again, have a great week, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂