Subscribers RV Travel Newsletter for Sunday, August 18, 2024

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August 18, 2024
Issue 1170

Compassion or concern for the homeless in “our” campground

By Nanci Dixon
As some of you are aware, we are camp hosts in a large regional park in Minnesota. Last week, a homeless couple approached us wanting to stay at a campsite. They did not have enough money for the site—they were $10 short, so my husband and I decided to chip in the $10 ourselves. Continue reading.

RVer opens basement storage, finds sewer hose cut in half. What happened?

By Russ and Tiña De Maris
It’s a case for RV detectives. After a day’s travel, this Class A owner stopped to set up camp. Opening a basement storage door, he found his sewer hose cut in half. He’d put the hose away earlier that day, and it was fine then. What happened?

Video: Motorhome ripped to pieces trying to pass under low bridge

It gets old showing you videos of RVs that have had devastating encounters with low bridges. But we will keep showing them to help remind you to pay close attention to bridges and tunnels along your route that will rip a rig apart should it try to pass through. Ouch!

New series: Readers reflect on their paths to retirement

By Chuck Woodbury
Last issue I wrote about my struggle with successfully retiring. I asked readers to write me about their paths to a successful retirement. Several dozen responded, most with very interesting tales to tell. Here is the first in a series. 

Today’s RV preview…
2025 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25FKB—fancy front kitchen

By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV preview is of the 2025 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25FKB. This is a front kitchen model with a bathroom that splits the trailer in the middle. Something else Flagstaff has done here is pretty significant. This is based on customer feedback and is a complete rethink of the plumbing in these rigs. Continue reading.

RV service centers and repairs report
Finding replacement RV furniture is a daunting and costly experience

This week Nanci Dixon shares a reader’s report on the time-consuming and very frustrating experience trying to get replacement furniture for an RV. Plus, there are several rave reviews for RV service centers across the U.S. Read them here.

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

Letter to the Editor
Reader turned away from Walmarts across the country. “The homelessness is staggering”

We received this letter from Sandy, who details her experience trying to stay overnight at Walmarts across the U.S. Please read her letter, then leave your thoughts and your own experiences in the comments. Continue reading.

Do RVtravel.com readers think drivers with RVs 40 feet or longer need a special driver’s license? Yes or no? Scroll down to find out. 

Living in an RV to save money: Full-time RV budget advice

By Cheri Sicard
If you are considering living in an RV to save money, you are definitely going to want to subscribe to Robin Barrett of Creativity RV’s 10-video series on “How to be happy and save money by living in an RV.” This video is the first in that series. Read more and watch the video.

Why you need a second shower rod in your RV’s shower

By Gail Marsh
Small spaces like an RV bathroom can always use more storage. That’s why you need a second shower rod in your RV shower. (If your RV doesn’t have a “first” shower rod, you still need one!) Find out why here.

Watch out for glowing rocks in Michigan!

By Gail Marsh
If you’ve ever wandered along a rocky beach at twilight and noticed a glow emanating from the stones beneath your feet, you might have just stumbled upon a special type of rock. These glowing rocks have become a sensation for rockhounds and nature lovers alike, especially in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Have you seen these?

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

• Woman dies at Disney World; hubby can’t sue because they had tried Disney+ TV
• Groups fight 91,000-pound heavy trucks on freeways
• Motorhome demolished, 1 killed in Teton Pass crash
• Scenic stretch of U.S. 395 in California to shut down for two weeks
• Utah’s famous Double Arch collapses after 190 million years

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

BONUS TIP: Forget spending tons of money to clean your deck, driveway or RV! If you attach a hose to a broom using Velcro ties, you have your own “power washer”! Thanks to DIY Home Sweet Home for this tip.

Reader poll
When RVing, do you use diesel or gasoline fuel?

Respond here.

POPULAR POLL FROM THIS PAST WEEK
We asked if our readers how many TVs they have in their RV. Do many people have three TVs? Four? Five?! Find out here.

Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter

• How to find RV dump stations while traveling
• Tips for RVing with a portable ice maker
• RVers will benefit from these unusual uses for koozies around their RV
• Creative ways to use a bike storage tent when RVing
• Insect screens keep wasps and bees from your RV

Don’t miss it!
“Big Boy,” the world’s largest steam locomotive, embarks on USA tour

By Gail Marsh
If you’re a fan of American history, railroads, or just massive machines, you’ll be thrilled to know that Union Pacific recently announced its Heartland of America Tour. If you want to catch a glimpse of Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 as it chugs through the heartland of America on its 2024 tour, you’re in luck. Learn more.

Brain teaser

This is a mysterious place where yesterday follows tomorrow, departure follows arrival, front follows back, start follows end, past follows future and even life follows death.

Where is this mysterious place?

(Answer below.)

Do you have a brain teaser you think we should use? Send it to us here.

In the RV shop with Dustin
The significance of RV insert moldings

By Dustin Simpson
Join me in the informative video below as we explore the significance of RV insert moldings. Discover how these essential components contribute to the structural integrity, weather resistance, and overall aesthetics of your RV. Read more and watch the video.

RV gadgets and gizmos
10+ tips for using carabiners while camping. These are nifty!

By Gail Marsh
If you think only mountain climbers use carabiners, think again. Turns out these unique clips come in handy when camping and RVing, too. Read on to see what I mean.

WANT MORE GADGETS? Read the latest issue of our Great RV Accessories newsletter!

Ask Dave
RVtravel.com’s Dave Solberg teams with Ford on trailer towing class

By Dave Solberg
Join me at the North Carolina RV Dealers Raleigh Show August 23-25. The three-day event not only includes the popular RV Buyer’s Seminar and 10 others I present, but will feature a new Ford Towing Bootcamp developed by the Ford Motor Company with a 1-hour in-class towing seminar and a 2-hour outdoor hands-on truck and trailer towing class. RVtravel.com readers receive a very special discount. Learn more.

Vintage RVs
The tale of a one-of-a-kind trailer boat

Paul Lacitinola shares an interesting story (with several pictures) about this unique Masonite-sided trailer boat, first registered in 1948. It originally came complete with oars, an era-appropriate boat motor, a propane tank, stove, and icebox. It was recently lovingly restored by Chuck and Toni Miltenberger. Read about it here.

RVing with pets
Protect your pets from deadly birds of prey while camping

By Gail Marsh
Camping with your furry friends can be a delightful experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges and risks. One of the lesser-known dangers is the threat posed by large birds of prey, such as eagles, hawks, and owls. Here’s how you can ensure your pets stay safe and secure during your outdoor adventures.

Video of the day
You won’t believe this tiny Geo Tracker micro truck camper!

By Cheri Sicard
In this video, Larry of Work Less Enjoy Life More gives us a tour of his unique, tiny Geo Tracker camper. Larry built this camper himself as an inexpensive way to get away from it all! Wow! What do you think of this?

RV tire safety
Adjusting tire pressure because it’s cold outside

Tire expert Roger Marble recently ran across a series of posts on an RV forum on the need to adjust tire pressure because of changes in ambient temperature. In this post he discusses ambient temperature and why it is important to adjust tire pressure to compensate for changes in that temperature. Read more.

Yes, RVtravel.com readers think drivers with RVs 40 feet or longer need a special driver’s license. Click here for the poll results (including almost 50 comments). 

Recipe of the day
Sweet Corn Chowder

By Brendan Zugibe from Finger Lakes, NY

Sweet fresh corn, smoky bacon, and spicy red pepper flakes make this corn chowder extremely flavorful. It’s also filled with chunks of potatoes, onions, and bell pepper. We served it with a toasted baguette that soaked up the creamy broth. When fresh corn is available, it’s a must-make comfort food. Click here for the recipe.

Readers’ pet of the day

“Okie (Mini Aussie Shepherd) is a golf cart riding enthusiast! He is a ball-fetching, frisbee-catching nut! He loves the camping life (we are seasonal at a great campground in northeast Indiana). We have miles of wooded trails to hike or ride our cart, and he loves both. The picture is from our 4th of July golf cart parade.” —Becky Traxler

Want to see your pet in this newsletter? Please send us a photo of your pet with a short description. No blurry photos and please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!

Trivia

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway holds the title of the world’s largest rotating tramcar! As you ride up the tram, the car slowly rotates, providing 360-degree views of the stunning desert landscape below and the rugged mountain terrain above. The tram passes through 12 climate zones while ascending 2.5 miles vertically to reach the 8,516-foot Mountain Station at the top.

Sunday funny

Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?

Read it here | Back issues

Brain teaser answer:

The dictionary.

RVtravel.com All Star Team

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