Subscribers RV Travel Newsletter for Sunday, September 22, 2024

Issue 1175

It’s the first day of fall, y’all!

Survey ranks new RVs by number of defects

By Steve Blume
National Indoor RV Centers (NIRVC) just shared their in-house Defects Per Unit (DPU) report by manufacturer for Class A, B, C, and Super C on their website. Ouch, the curtain has been raised. Not everyone is happy, especially the lower-scoring manufacturers. Here’s what this means for you.

Truck and RV catalytic converter theft prevention

By Cheri Sicard
Catalytic converter theft has been a major problem for trucks and motorhomes over the last several years. In this video (and article), the folks from Endless RVing show you how to prevent this expensive and hassle-filled road problem. The video is made by a police officer who has seen the effects of catalytic converter theft firsthand. Continue reading and watch the video.

Our 5 most popular tips for RVers in 2024 (so far)

These articles and videos have appeared in our RV Daily Tips newsletter. They are the top 5 most popular tips so far this year. Maybe you’ll learn something new here—thousands of other RVers did! Click here to read.

Today’s RV review…
r-pod RP-150 is small but feels big

By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the new-for-2025 Forest River r-pod RP-150. This is a new floor plan for the r-pod family that is smaller, lighter, and much simpler. It could fit the lifestyles of a lot of people very well. Continue reading.

RV service centers and repairs report
A place to order all Winnebago parts; plus, “Find a shop that won’t let you do anything stupid!”

This week we broke a record. Yep. Nanci Dixon shares our readers’ RV service experiences including six recommendations for service centers and two tips regarding RV parts and service. Don’t believe us? Read them here.

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

• Manufacturer tactics could raise RV parts prices
• Man dies after falling into campground fire
• Marcus Lemonis dumps thousands of Camping World shares
• Forest Service drops bombshell: No temp jobs for 2025 season
• Catastrophic fire in Texas storage facility devoured dozens of RVs

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

RV engineer spills the dirty truth about RV cargo capacity

By Andrew Herrick, The RV Engineer
In the alphabet soup of RV towing capacities, Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) is usually overshadowed by Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) … All right, I’ll stop! But you should really know more about your RV cargo capacity, because … Well, here’s why.

Maximize your RV’s outdoor space: Ways to repurpose unused areas

By Gail Marsh
Not every RVer uses the outdoor kitchen or TV space that often comes with RVs. When was the last time you used your RV’s outdoor space? Is your outdoor TV gathering dust? It might be time to rethink how you can repurpose that space to better fit your needs. After all, RV living is all about customization, and you should make every square foot count! Check out these creative ways to repurpose that space.

RVtravel.com readers are at a higher risk for this incurable disease

By Dave Helgeson
Many of you may have noticed I have not been contributing to the newsletter as often as I have in the past. While working at a show on the Gulf Coast, I started experiencing unexplained aches in my extremities, mainly around my knees. Upon returning home the aches spread and intensified… Here’s why this could happen to you, and why RVtravel.com readers are the perfect target.

RV Electricity
Do coiled extension cords heat up from inductive heating?

By Mike Sokol
Dear Mike,
Our all-electric coach has a 36-foot-long 50-amp cable wound up on a motorized cable reel. Is it necessary to completely unwind it before plugging it into a power outlet? I’ve heard that practice recommended to prevent overheating from electromagnetic induction, but wasn’t sure if, say, 20 feet of cable left on a reel would cause much electromagnetic induction heating. Thanks for any insight. —Bruce  Click to read Mike’s answer.

NEW! Make sure you scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter for our new weather feature.

Around the Campfire
RV parks are no place for political banners… are they?

By Gail Marsh
The election is quickly approaching. By now, most voters have made up their minds about who they’ll vote for and why. With all of that in mind, it was kind of a surprise to see so many political flags and signs in our most recent RV park. We talked about it around the campfire: Should political banners and signs be in RV parks? Continue reading and leave your thoughts.

Reader poll
How experienced are you as an RVer?

Respond here.

BONUS POLL: What percentage of RVtravel.com readers own a cowboy hat? 19 percent, 30 percent or 48 percent? Find out here and cast your vote, too.

Where was this photo taken? A) Japan; B) Germany; C) South Korea; or D) Morocco.
Find the answer below. 

Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter

• How to find and clean the dirtiest places in your RV
• Are slide awnings a necessity or a waste of money?
• Do-it-yourself inverter repair
• How to make more space in your RV bedroom
• Best places to sell your RV, and why

Travel destinations
Monahans Sandhills State Park is a must-stop camping gem

By Nanci Dixon
We were traveling along I-20 through Texas and needed a campsite for the next night. Among the sometimes run-down highway-side RV parks appeared Monahans Sandhills State Park with 26 sites. Best of all, there was a site right in the sand dunes available with electric and water. And it wasn’t right on the highway! It was clear as we drove in that Monahans State Park was an unexpected gem. Read about it here.

Check it out!

Reader Timothy Stitzel sent in this photo. He wrote, “This camper was found in Shawnee State Park campground in Schellsburg, PA, over Labor Day weekend.” Anyone know anything about it?

In the RV shop with Dustin
Best toilet brush for RV bathrooms

By Dustin Simpson
I see a lot of RVs in our shop with bulky toilet brushes in their bathrooms. And not only that, but if the toilet brush isn’t mounted, it can easily fall over and make a mess during travel. You don’t want those germs getting everywhere! That’s why this compact RV toilet brush and wall holder set is a must-have for your RV.

RV gadgets and gizmos
3 RV accessories you just may love

By Gail Marsh
RVers are all about gadgets, right? We often get excited by the simplest ideas because they are so helpful! Check out these three items that I’ve recently come to love. I’m sure you’ll love them as much as I do!

Vintage RVs
The stewardship of a rare 1937 Pierce-Arrow Travelodge

By Paul Lacitinola
Stewardship is a term often associated with religious contexts, signifying the responsibility of caring for what has been entrusted. However, this concept also perfectly describes the meticulous work involved in restoring and preserving vintage campers. It’s not just about fixing an old trailer; it’s about honoring and maintaining a piece of history for future generations. And that’s exactly what happened here. [“Gorgeous interior” is an understatement.]

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 trips GFCI circuit breaker in storage facility. Why?
• Is it safe to drive with propane on in RV?
• Do’s and don’ts when replacing RV batteries
• RV is plugged in, but A/C and 12-volt system don’t work
• RV’s low water flow problem solved

Video of the day
Ahoy! Take a look at a tiny DIY floating RV

By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, Steve Wallis of Camping with Steve (more than 1.5M subscribers and 265M views!) takes us on a Canadian voyage in his floating RV. We spend the night on the lake. During the video, Steve shares the gear and gadgets he takes along and the safety precautions he took. What do you think?

RV tire safety
Is your RV tire temperature or pressure too high?

By Roger Marble
While I have answered versions of this question many times, people continue to ask this basic but very important question. Therefore, I will summarize the key information you need to consider in a series of posts. They will necessarily be longer than usual, and you may need to consult them more than once to ensure a proper understanding. Continue reading.

Recipes of the day
5 sweet and savory fall recipes to kick off the cozy season

Fall cooking is the best. We love summer foods, but fall is when things start to get cozy again in the kitchen. Apples, pumpkins, cranberries, squashes, soups, breads, pastas… These 5 recipes, both sweet and savory, will make you happy the weather is finally turning.

The photo was taken in South Korea. 

Readers’ pets of the day

“Annie, Duncan, and Maggie (Dachshund x2 and Yorkie) travel in our RV wherever we go and never fail to meet visitors with a bark. Or three. Or twenty.” —Robert Lambert

• 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

What is round at both ends and high in the middle?

(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

Facial sideburns derive their name from American Civil War general Ambrose Burnside. The general’s giant patches of hair on each cheek linked together by his mustache put the style into fashion in America in the 1870s. Eventually, men started shaving their mustaches and leaving their upper lip and chin bare, leaving just the sideburns to be shown off. The name “burnsides” got morphed into “sideburns” and the name stuck.

Sunday funny

Brain teaser answer:

Ohio

Today’s weather forecast across the nation

Visit Current National Radar Weather Map

Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.

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