Subscribers RV Travel Newsletter for Sunday, September 1, 2024

September 1, 2024 • Issue 1172

Why this campground owner defends the controversial 10-year rule

By Gail Marsh
I recently spoke with Mike, a campground owner, about the controversial 10-year rule for RVs. He emphasized that it’s not just about aesthetics but it’s also about safety and maintaining the campground’s reputation. Our conversation gave me a new perspective on why some owners support this rule.

Are RV ‘vacations’ just for the well-off, or the most affordable way to travel?

By Dave Helgeson. 
Is RVing now a luxury only the wealthy can afford, or is it still one of the most affordable ways to travel? While RVtravel.com recently asked if RVing is just for the wealthy, an RVIA study claims it’s the most affordable form of travel. This prompted me to compare my recent RV vacation costs with the study’s findings.

I am so mad about this. What if this RV was in your neighborhood?

By Chuck Woodbury
Watch the video below—it might make your blood boil like it did mine! I live in a well-kept, middle-class neighborhood, so I’d be furious if someone left a junker motorhome on the curb in front of my house. Here, an abandoned RV sat for six months before it was finally towed, but only after a crime was committed against it. Shouldn’t this be the responsibility of local law enforcement? Why should residents have to deal with this? Continue reading.

Today’s RV review…

2025 Forest River Surveyor Legend 260BHLE—upgraded

By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the 2025 Forest River Surveyor Legend 260BHLE. While I’ve noticed a lot of RV companies doing some really unusual things, many of those that I really like, this is about as standard a floor plan as they come. It’s a mid-sized bunkhouse travel trailer. But there are reasons that this might be worth a look.

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

• Man loses leg in freak RV awning mishap, sues Dometic, Camping World for $27M
• Plans for upscale developments at Florida state parks draw protests
• North America’s highest paved road to close until 2026
• Judge throws out most of case against RVer after NPS rangers act like Keystone Cops
• Bowlus’ newest travel trailer starts at a quarter-million+

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

Why it’s so important to take photos of your RV components and systems

By Gail Marsh
Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a beautiful RV adventure, only to have your trusty RV throw a tantrum? It’s like they have a knack for choosing the most inconvenient times to break down. Whether you’re a seasoned RVer or a newbie hitting the road for the first time, here’s a handy tip that can save you a ton of headaches: take photos of your RV components and systems! Here’s why.

Grand Design (finally) fixes defective RV, but Lippert deflects blame

Consumer advocate Liz Amazing reports a happy outcome for one couple after a battle with Grand Design over frame failure on their fifth wheel trailer. But she also discusses the frame’s builder, Lippert, which deflects blame on the problem. Read more and watch her video.

Retirement Stories: Part 3. Three heartwarming tales

Today three RVtravel.com readers explain their paths to retirement. For some people who do not replace their work with something they love, retirement is just a pit stop on their journey to their final frontier. These three readers found meaning in their retirements.

One very easy fix to keep mice and other freeloaders out of your RV

By Kate Doherty
As full-timers, we constantly work to keep mice, bugs, scorpions and other creepy crawly creatures from entering our house on wheels. So how can you prevent them from hitchhiking? After hearing many suggestions from twisting towels to steel wool around the pipe, what worked best for us was this.

You can thank the military for the drive-thru window

By Gail Marsh
I’m always curious (and in awe) about inventors. You know, the folks who see a problem and come up with a creative and workable solution. What amazing minds! Sometimes the most common daily convenience was born out of a real need. Take for instance the fast-food restaurant drive-thru window. Here’s how it came to be (and thanks, Military!).

Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter

• Did you know that wheel chocks expire? They do!
• Why Moose and Elks lodges are the way to go for RVers
• How to use a multimeter for RVers
• Improve your RV’s shower with these tips and gadgets
• Don’t throw out your Pringles can! Use it these 11 ways in your RV

Reader poll
Does your RV have a permanent ladder to the roof?

Respond here.

POPULAR POLL FROM THIS PAST WEEK
We asked: How likely are you to buy an electric bicycle (e-bike) in the next couple of years?

RV gadgets and gizmos

I’m a happy camper for Happy Campers black tank treatment!

By Nanci Dixon
We have battled black tank odor off and on for the last 8 years in our RV. We’ve tried just about everything—flush, flush, flush! We’ve hosed water down the vent on top of the RV to make sure the vent was actually connected to the black tank. Not to mention I can’t even count the number of different brands of black tank deodorant and tissue digester we tried. Nothing seemed to work! Until now…

REMEMBER: “The quality of life is in proportion, always, to the capacity for delight. The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention.” —May Sarton

Travel destinations

Railroad enthusiasts will love this new campground

By Gail Marsh
If you’ve ever dreamed of spending a night under the stars after a day of chugging along on a historic steam train, you’re in luck! This state park has long been a go-to destination for those who love a mix of history, natural beauty, locomotive-adventure and, now, it’s getting a campground!

Colorado expecting earlier, brilliant fall colors

By Gail Marsh
As summer’s warmth gives way to the crispness of fall, Colorado prepares for one of its most breathtaking natural displays: the changing of the leaves. If you’re planning to witness this spectacular transformation, it’s time to start thinking about where and when to go. This year, the fall colors are expected to arrive earlier than last year, so get ready now for your perfect autumn RV trip.

SEE THAT YARD WASTE TRUCK ABOVE? Surprise! It’s not a yard waste truck! It’s an RV. No, we’re not kidding. Click here to see what we’re talking about.

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:

• How to get rid of mold in and around RV toilet
• Found cause of RV fresh water tank leak after 4 years; out of warranty
• No 12-volt power to RV thermostat or vent fans. Can’t find cause
• How often should I lubricate my RV’s slide mechanism?
• Why is there no industry-wide RV quality control?

In the RV shop with Dustin

Why RV roofs are coming loose during travel

By Dustin Simpson
I’m raising this concern because we’ve been seeing a disturbing number of RVs coming into the shop with damaged roof membranes, which have come loose during travel. I’ve also noticed quite a few posts on Facebook from other owners experiencing the same issue. It seems like the problem stems from the roof glue failing to adhere properly, which causes the TPO roof material to come loose. Here’s how to prevent this from happening.

Video of the day

7 weird road trip landmarks in Arizona

By Cheri Sicard
Fans of roadside Americana visiting the Southwest, take note. This video from ABC 15 TV in Arizona highlights seven strange road trip landmarks you can spot while traveling through the Grand Canyon state. Some are well-known and others more obscure, but you’re sure to find all of them entertaining, amusing and/or intriguing. Check these out.

RV tire safety
A tire “blowout” is actually something else

By Roger Marble
A tire “blowout” is actually from a puncture, run-low situation or cutting impact. Sometimes people report, “I had a blowout. I always check my air, so I know the tire was ‘defective’.” I sometimes ask what the “defect” was, but have yet to have an RV owner point out the physical evidence of the claimed “defect”. Here is the result of my examination of a tire that was presented as just a “sudden blowout” with a claim that the tire “must have been defective.” Check out the pictures and Roger’s analysis.

Recipes of the day

Yummy recipes perfect for Labor Day, for just you or for a gathering

These recipes are perfect for Labor Day, but they’re also perfect year-round for any occasion! Yummy stuffed baked potatoes, a delicious twist on a classic burger, and a pasta salad you’ll want as a side and as the main course! Click here for the recipes.

Readers’ pets of the day

“Rhône, Cyfer, Arlo and Pinckus (Bernese Mountain Dogs). These dogs loved to frolic in the snow, as shown here in Colorado.” —Gary Johnson

• 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. No blurry photos and please do not submit your photo more than once.

Brain teaser

Two cars were involved in an accident in the center of town. The man who was driving a little green car had overtaken a big black car. The driver had misjudged the distance between him and the on-coming traffic and had to swerve back in, causing the black car to swerve and crash into a shop window. When the occupants of the cars were examined everyone in the green car was okay, but in the black car was one dead man. However, the driver of the green car was not charged with manslaughter. Why was this so?

(Answer below.)

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

Only one McDonald’s in the world has turquoise arches. Government officials in Sedona, Arizona, thought the yellow would look bad with the natural red rock of the city.

Have you seen it?

Sunday funny

There was a man who entered a local paper’s pun contest. He sent in ten different puns, in the hope that at least one of the puns would win. Unfortunately, no pun in ten did.

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

Read it here | Back issues

Brain teaser answer:

The black car was a hearse!

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