Issue 1176
Grand Design downplaying importance of frame failures
We assume when we buy an RV it will work as advertised. And we assume that if something is wrong, it will be fixed. But what happens when that’s not true? In this 10-minute documentary you will hear the stories of Grand Design Fifth Wheel owners who are living the nightmare of frame failure, or “frame flex”. It has a lot of owners feeling helpless, frustrated, angry and financially desperate. Hear, in their own words, their heartbreaking stories.
6 months of using Starlink on the road. Here’s what I think of it
By Nanci Dixon
We have been traveling for the last six months, sometimes moving daily and sometimes stationary for a few weeks at a time. I really need Wi-Fi to write these articles and columns for RVtravel.com, so having Starlink has been a game-changer for us. After six months of use, here’s my review of it.
“Stupid” RV buying mistake leaves owner desperate
By Chuck Woodbury
I discovered this posting on a social media site. It hit one of my hot buttons—how incredibly easy it is to convince someone to make a bad decision about buying an RV. Oh, not intentionally, just the opposite—a dumb mistake expertly promoted by an RV salesman. Here’s the comment. And after you read the story, please leave a comment about what you’d do in this situation.
The truth about RV crash testing
By Dave Solberg
For more than 30 years I’ve fielded questions about RV crash testing. My experience with Winnebago involved extensive debates on this issue. At the time, only motorized vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10,000 pounds or less were required to undergo crash testing. Trailers were exempt because they were not intended to have occupants; crash tests focused on reducing occupant injuries and fatalities. So what about now? Here’s the scoop on RV crash testing.
Today’s RV review…
Wildwood FSX 233RBLE – new old stock
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is for the new-for-2025 Wildwood FSX 233RBLE travel trailer. In the way it’s built and designed, this almost feels like a vintage trailer. Not that it’s old-fashioned, but this has no slides yet still feels roomy. Let’s cut to the chase here. This is absolutely a trailer designed for price. Not that it’s cheap or poorly built, but some of the more advanced features out there aren’t here. Continue reading.
RV service centers and repairs report
RVer’s long list of problems would scare anyone away from RV ownership!
This week, Nanci Dixon shares another recommendation for an RV service center, along with that RVer’s lonnng list of grievances about another RV dealer and service shop. Yikes! Plus, there are a couple of readers complaining about complainers in this column. [Is that an oxymoron?] Read them here.
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- How “forever chemicals” are shaking up the RV industry. Are you at risk?
- New data suggests motorhome shipments are in trouble
- Thor to launch world’s first hybrid engine Class A motorhome
- RV industry seeks harmful law revisions. Thor wants weaker warranties
- Some national parks remove reservation requirements
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
The case for owning a king-sized RV
By Mike Sherman
A debate on RV size is almost a waste of time. It’s a question that’s been debated for years. Everyone has an opinion. Go BIG? Go small? Have you ever wondered when you’re parked next to a huge RV that you may never see the occupants unless they have a dog to walk? For many, that large RV is all they’ve got. Here’s my case for king-sized RVs.
RV awning disasters: Readers tell us their most memorable mishaps
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
In August we reported how Dometic, Camping World, and an RV owner were hit with a $27 million lawsuit. The case was filed by an Oregon man who lost his leg when a passing motorhome’s awning opened up and mangled his leg so badly it had to be amputated. It got us wondering, just how many RVers have had RV awning disasters. We asked—and we’ve been told.
The joys of snowbirding in Baja California, Mexico
By Cheri Sicard
As miles of nearly deserted pristine sand beach stretch before me, accessed from directly outside my RV’s door, I can’t help but wonder at the appeal of setting up RV camp in a dusty desert town in Arizona for the winter, as so many snowbirding RVers do. Give me Baja California, Mexico, any day. It’s cheap, it’s beautiful, there is a lot to see and do, the food is amazing, and so is the laidback lifestyle. And despite what you may have heard, it’s safe. More on snowbirding in beautiful Baja here.
RV Electricity
Important 30-amp outlet voltage reminder
By Mike Sokol
Dear Readers,
It seems like the number of emails I get about licensed electricians accidentally wiring 30-amp RV outlets for 2-pole 240 volts instead of 1-pole 120 volts is rapidly accelerating. Some of this is likely because RV owners want to use their RV trailer at home for an “outside” office or visitor’s bedroom. In any event, installing a dedicated 30- or 50-amp pedestal outlet on your house is a great idea. Just make sure your electrician wires it correctly.
NEW! Make sure you scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter for our new daily weather report, plus a resource of highways with low bridges.
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- Best RV lengths for national park campgrounds
- Decluttering your RV should be a top priority
- Tips for overcoming RVing obstacles as we age
- The best way to back up a trailer
- Tips for reusing paper grocery bags while RVing
Reader poll
How would you describe the quality of workmanship on your RV?
We recently polled our readers and asked which international destination they’d most like to RV around. Do you think most readers selected Canada? Iceland? New Zealand? Mexico? Or France? Find out in this poll and cast your vote.
Travel destinations
RVers, plan a trip to see the world’s longest art gallery
By Gail Marsh
Imagine strolling through an open-air gallery that stretches for 46 miles. Welcome to Utah’s Nine Mile Canyon, a breathtaking wonder often described as “the world’s longest art gallery.” Whether you’re an adventurer seeking thrilling trails, or a history buff fascinated by ancient cultures, Nine Mile Canyon offers something for everyone. Check it out.
Midwest RVers, see giant sequoias close to home
By Gail Marsh
So, Midwest RVers, you thought giant sequoias could only be found in California? Think again! You can view these enormous trees much closer to home. In Michigan! It all started in 1948. Gertrude and Edward Gray brought six giant sequoia seedlings from California to Michigan… Continue reading.
RV gadgets and gizmos
17 useful ways to use Velcro inside and outside your RV
By Gail Marsh
It all began with a walk in the park. Well, sort of… Back in the 1940s, a Swiss engineer named George de Mestral was hunting in Switzerland’s Jura Mountains. It didn’t take long for George to notice that both he and his dog were covered with cockle-burrs. Continue reading George’s Velcro-invention story, and then see all you can use it for around your RV.
WANT MORE GADGET REVIEWS? Make sure you read Thursday’s brand-new Great RV Accessories newsletter. Click here.
In the RV shop with Dustin
RV warranty inspection and consumer rights
By Dustin Simpson
Is your RV broken and your RV warranty about to run out? Now what? Who will do your RV warranty work for you? Are you tired of dealerships telling you they will not do your warranty work because you didn’t buy your RV from them? Here’s my advice.
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 store RV’s memory foam mattress over winter
- RVs: Do lights deter pests; does Poli Glow work; a slide mechanism fix
- More ways to kill mold in RV
- Should RV be stored on jack stands to help preserve tires?
- What is the best RV fire extinguisher?
Video of the day
How to improve national park trips
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below from RV Miles, one of the winners of our 2024 RV video awards, Jason Epperson covers ways to improve your next national parks trip, along with ways RVers might be self-sabotaging their national parks experiences. One of the ways is by not going at all. Continue reading and watch the video.
Vintage RVs
Fidelis Dale Wasinger and the amazing Great Dale House Car
By Gail Marsh
You probably haven’t heard of Fidelis Dale Wasinger. Chances are you’ve never seen The Great Dale House Car either. But if you love RVing, you need to know Wasinger’s story. Read it here and see his creation(s).
RV tire safety
RV tire air pressure – Part 2: The air pressure supports the load
Tire expert Roger Marble explains why it’s the air pressure that supports the RV’s load, not the tire structure. This post addresses the question of why you need air pressure to support your RV and basically says the more you weigh, the more tire pressure and volume of air is needed. This is substantiated by information from Cushing Hamlen, PhD, Engineering. (Put on your thinking caps.) Learn about it here.
Recipes of the day
5 coffee and coffee-related recipes to celebrate National Coffee Day
It’s National Coffee Day today and that’s why we put together these five recipes to help you celebrate. Sure, there are a couple of coffee recipes in here (Irish coffee, anyone?). But there are also a few unique recipes that use coffee in their ingredients. Yum! Check these out.
Readers’ pets of the day
“Rusty and Rocky (Dalmatians). We were at Tiger Run RV Resort in Breckinridge, CO, last month enjoying the cooler weather. We took them to the Keystone resort and rode the gondola to the top of Keystone Mountain to look at the views and get pictures. That’s Lake Dillon in the background.” —Patty Perkins
• 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
Can you find the sun hidden among the fall leaves?
(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
Coffee was discovered by goats! According to legend, an Ethiopian goat herder named Kaldi noticed his goats became unusually energetic after eating berries from a certain tree. Curious, he tried them himself and experienced a similar burst of energy. Those berries were coffee beans, and this is how coffee was first discovered. Now you know!
Sunday funny
A man asks a farmer, “Sorry sir, would you mind if I crossed your field instead of going around it? You see, I have to catch the 4:23 train.” The farmer says, “Sure, go right ahead. If my bull sees you, you’ll catch the 4:11 one.”
Brain teaser answer:
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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RVtravel.com All Star Team
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Your weather map is unusually accurate.
That’s cuz it’s from brother NOAA. 😉
I grew up in So Cal and knew of many instances of crime and theft in Baja Calif. Even the police will shake you down for bribes. Our sons went to San Diego State and the University was constantly warning students not to go down there.
USC on the other hand warns it’s students against walking very far any direction off campus.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 Nice pack, Patty! May you enjoy many more trips together! 🙂 Have a great week and safe travels! 🙂
I recommend that the RV quality survey have a category for “fair.” I would have answered “fair”, but I DEFINITELY would not call it good.
Consequently, I think “good” got overstated.
Every owner of an RV with a structural failure should report the problem to NHTSA.