Subscribers RV Travel Newsletter for Sunday, December 15, 2024

Issue 1187

Is it time to quit RVing? Our readers respond

By Gail Marsh
About a month ago, we asked readers to respond to the poll question: Do you see yourself still RVing in five years? The majority of voters said yes, but a good number were unsure or thought their RVing time was coming to an end. Read their comments here and see if you can relate.

RV covers – Are they a good thing?

By Chris Dougherty
To cover or not to cover? That is the question. I’m often asked if it’s a good idea to cover an RV during the winter. There are a number of commercially available RV covers. Some are better than others, as the better ones allow for evaporation of moisture and are tear-resistant. Some even have zippered doors which allow entry to the coach while covered. There are pros and cons to covering an RV during the winter…

RV manufacturers tricking RV buyers with gimmicks

By Gail Marsh
Just like most folks at the gigantic regional RV show, we had stars in our eyes. Those stars blocked our view, I guess. Or at least they caused our common sense to blur a bit. How is it that when spending tens of thousands of dollars on an RV, our main concern is the bell-and-whistle items that honestly don’t add all that much to the actual RVing experience? Here’s what I’m talking about.

Today’s RV review…
Lance Squire SQ605 pickup camper—sized right, or kinda tight

By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is something many of you have requested more of—truck camper reviews. This review is of the Lance Squire SQ605 pickup camper. Lance has long been a brand associated with very well-crafted RVs. They have been known for pickup campers forever, it seems, and the company really does things better than many RV companies. Continue reading.

RV service centers and repairs report
Reader gets Forest River settlement after reading RVtravel.com

This week Nanci Dixon reports on more slow RV warranty service and lack of communication from a dealer. There’s a tip regarding how to get better RV service than from the dealer once the warranty runs out. And there’s a happy camper who, with the help of our friend Attorney Ron Burdge, received a settlement from Forest River. It helped give them some satisfaction for the amount of time they owned the trailer versus the amount of time they could use it, plus having to cancel many campground reservations in the meantime. Read the details here.

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

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

• Lightship RV’s quarter-million all-electric RV offers innovation but lacks important features
• RV park manager’s dark secret exposed: Sentenced to prison for massive embezzlement
• Thieves steal ID to snag RV from a national RV dealer
• Motorhome engulfed in flames after Little Buddy heater starts fire
• California bills take aim at CARB’s gas price-boosting regulation

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

Letter to the editor: Children’s chalk art is ruining the campground!

We received this email from reader JXS and thought we’d share it with you. Read it, then please let us know your thoughts. “Every once in a while you just scratch your head and say to yourself ‘WHY?’ Such was the case when we stayed at a very nice RV park with concrete pads and recently re-paved driveways. This was indeed a 10-star RV park. Enter two out-of-state RVers from hell…” Continue reading.

A guide to staying safe on the road for older drivers

By Gail Marsh
RVers spend hours on the road as we travel from place to place. It’s always important to keep road safety in mind—especially as we get older. As the U.S. population ages, this topic becomes increasingly relevant. Between 2013 and 2022, the number of Americans aged 65 and older grew by 30%. However, growing older doesn’t automatically mean giving up the keys—it’s about knowing how to stay safe behind the wheel.

Would becoming a full-time RVer save you money?

By Bill Tuttle, National Interstate Insurance
Whether you live in an apartment, a house or an RV, the greatest impacts on your ability to save money are the choices you make every day in your chosen lifestyle. So should you be a full-time RVer to save money? Well, there are many things to consider…

Travel destinations

Visit the best vintage car and trailer museums in the U.S.

Join Paul Lacitinola as he shares with you some of his favorite places across the U.S. to see vintage trailers. These places also feature vintage cars and tons of automotive history. You’ll have fun visiting these.

California’s smallest state park tells a big story

By Gail Marsh
Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, the Watts Towers of Simon Rodia State Historic Park is tiny by most state park standards. It covers only 0.11 acre. It’s California’s smallest state park and one of the most unique parks in the entire country—at least in my opinion. Here’s why.

RVing and autopsy tables

By Chuck Woodbury
Why would RVtravel.com want to bid to supply a company with autopsy tables? Well, we’re not sure, but apparently a Mr. Edward Akoto knows. Here’s why.

Reader poll (and article)
Do you hate your RV oven? Do you even use it?

By Gail Marsh
In a recent conversation around the campfire, folks began talking about their RV ovens. Surprising as it may seem, the oven conversation took up most of our s’mores time together. It seems that when it comes to RV ovens, people either love ‘em or hate ‘em. Continue reading and vote in today’s poll.

HMMMM… Were most of our readers born in the 1940s, ’50s, or ’60s? Find out here (and vote, too!).

Christmas traditions that have disappeared over the years; remember these?

By Gail Marsh
As Christmas edges ever closer, we cherish our timeless traditions. However, there are some traditions that have all but disappeared over time. Do you remember any of these lost Christmas traditions? Let’s explore some of these bygone traditions.

Brain teaser

What word has 10 letters and starts with gas?

(Answer below.)

Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter

• Tackling the never-ending RV maintenance checklist
• Tips for using five-gallon buckets for the RV and campsite
• Tips from a pro: How to digitize your family photo albums
• How to use your RV toilet even in winter
• Tips for hanging items on RV walls

In the RV shop with Dustin
Keep your RV furnace running smoothly: Expert maintenance tips

By Dustin Simpson
If you’re an RV owner, you know how crucial it is to keep your furnace in good working order, ensuring your RV stays comfortable all year round. In this article and video, we’ll teach you the importance of RV furnace maintenance so you can keep your RV furnace running smoothly. Click here.

RV gadgets and gizmos
This gadget makes draining the fresh water tank quick and easy

By Nanci Dixon
We always carry some fresh water in our tank as it is always needed when boondocking. it has also been needed more than once when the water was shut off at a campground or the fill station was closed. But when that fresh water is not-so-fresh after a while and needs draining and sanitizing, where do you drain 40-90 gallons of not-so-fresh water? Well, this helps…

Recognize this car? It’s the Ford Tropiclassic, one funky vehicle. Read more about it here.

Video of the day
Cheap and cheerful RV Christmas makeover

By Cheri Sicard
Decorating an RV for the holidays can be challenging, especially for full-timers. Space is limited, and then there’s the dilemma of where to put it all later. However, the Theory of Simple YouTube channel has some cheap and cheerful RV makeover ideas in this video that will change your thoughts on RV holiday decorating.

RV tire safety
What you need to know about RV’s ‘4 corner weights’

By Roger Marble
Last week I got a reply to my post on “Is the tire pressure too high?” A reader said: “‘Confirm the max load on each tire will never exceed the load capability for your cold psi per the published tables.’ I’ll bet very few readers have any way to weigh individual tires to check this. I sure don’t.” Read my response and suggestions here.

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:

• I winterized the RV and it still froze. Why?
• Will WFCO Auto Detect charge RV’s lithium batteries? —Part 2
• Heard a loud ‘pop,’ then RV interior outlets had 240 volts!
• What is the best backup camera when towing a travel trailer?
• 240 volts at RV’s interior outlets, Part 2: Issue solved

RVing with dogs
Looking for a new dog? Don’t fall for a puppy scam!

By Gail Marsh
A heartbroken RVer recently told me that her black Lab, Lucy, crossed the rainbow bridge. After Lucy’s death, the grieving RVer unfortunately fell prey to a puppy scam. “I should have known better,” she said. “I felt so lost without my Lucy that I ignored warning signs. Please tell other RVers so they won’t be scammed like me.”

Recipes of the day
Discover tasty, healthy and creative oatmeal recipes

These aren’t your average oatmeal recipes. We’ve got a baked oatmeal recipe here (ever had baked oatmeal? It’s good!), a make-ahead recipe, healthy oatmeal cookies, oatmeal bread and even a recipe for oatmeal cake. These are all great! Check ’em out.

Readers’ pet of the day

“Arlo is a 181-pound, 100% European Great Dane who stands 32 inches (6’4″ when standing on hind legs). He has his own full-size bed, complete with all his toys, in our Entegra coach. He loves walks and just hanging out in the coach.” —Dr. Michael Mazzotta

• 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.

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

The share of U.S. veterans with service-connected disabilities increased from 15% in 2008 to about 30% in 2022, according to a new report released November 2024 by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sunday funny

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

Read it here | Back issues

Brain teaser answer:

Automobile.

DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERS

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