Subscribers RV Travel Newsletter for Sunday, January 5, 2025

Issue 1190 • Ads have been removed in this newsletter for our cherished volunteer paid subscribers.

RV park provides assisted living for aging RVers in their own RVs

By Nanci Dixon
Aging RVers often face tough choices when their travel days wind down. Where do you turn when you need help but still want to live in your beloved RV? One inspiring solution is coming out of an RV park in Livingston, Texas, which offers independent living services tailored to RVers—at a fraction of traditional facility costs. From meals and medical transport to a vibrant community of fellow RV enthusiasts, this program allows aging RVers to stay in their rigs while enjoying essential support. Click here to learn more.

Did your RV insurance rates skyrocket? Here’s what to do

By Nanci Dixon
I was aghast when I opened the renewal policy for our RV. Our RV insurance had gone up from a little over $3,000 a year to $4,932! And it was set to auto-pay on January 9th! Well, Progressive, Happy New Year to you, too! Our car and truck insurance was pending payment at a higher premium, also. Here’s what happened, and what to do about it.

There’s a switch hiding in your furnace that could cost you $200 to push!

By Andrew Herrick
In my career as an RV-engineer-turned-RV-technician, I have discovered the existence of a hitherto unknown $200 switch. It looks like a simple $5 rocker switch, but beware! If you pay someone to push it, it could cost you two Franklins. Here’s why.

Today’s RV review…
Let’s party in the 2025 Coachmen Apex Ultra-Lite 242BARV

By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the Coachmen 2025 Apex Ultra-Lite 242BARV. This is likely not the RV you were thinking of when you considered needing a new travel trailer, and it’s possibly the most unusual thing I saw at the RV Open House in September. But it may also be the absolute perfect fit for some travelers. What am I going on about? This!

RV service centers and repairs report
More roadside assistance woes: “All of them are the same: worthless!”

This week Nanci Dixon reports on more of our readers’ complaints regarding roadside assistance plans. There is an excellent suggestion to inform local law enforcement if your RV is going to be stuck on the side of the road for any length of time. There are also a couple of recommendations for good RV service centers. Read more.

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

• New year, new fuel tax rates: What’s changing at the pump in 2025?
• States crack down on license plate flippers
• New, updated driving laws going into effect in 2025
• Motorhome sales ‘ban’ could be delayed as trucking industry fights for regulation reprieve
• How will RV fuel prices impact your travel plans in 2025?

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

7 things to ask yourself before planning an RV remodel

By Cheri Sicard
Embarking on an RV remodel can be an exciting, fun, and rewarding undertaking and the finished results can be dramatic! However, biting off more than they could chew and/or unforeseen circumstances have turned many RV remodelers’ dreams into nightmares. Before you embark on any RV rehab project, take a little time and do the #1 most important thing a lot of folks neglect, and also ask yourself these important questions.

Double-sided truck turns heads everywhere it goes

What happens when you combine two truck cabs and a passion for unique vehicles? You get Eric Wright’s double-sided truck, a head-turning creation cruising around Tyngsborough, Massachusetts. This one-of-a-kind pickup captures attention, sparks curiosity, and leaves people smiling. Check this out (including the license plate) and you’ll smile, too!

Will you be celebrating “Quitter’s Day” next week?

By Gail Marsh
It’s early January, and gyms are packed, smoothies are blending, and calendars are bursting with ambitious plans. But then comes Quitter’s Day, the second Friday of January, also known as the day most people collectively decide, “Eh, maybe next year.” Read on and see if you’ll be celebrating or not.

Travel destinations

Wyoming’s Sinks Canyon State Park: Glacier National Park’s little sister

By Gail Marsh
Nestled near Lander, Wyoming, Sinks Canyon State Park is a breathtaking destination for RVers. The park is named for its unique geological feature, where the Popo Agie River mysteriously disappears. It vanishes into a limestone cavern called the “Sinks” and reemerges downstream at the “Rise,” a trout-filled pool. This natural marvel sets the tone for a park rich in beauty, wildlife, and recreational opportunities. Learn more.

A whimsical winter adventure: The Gnome Roam in Illinois

By Gail Marsh
If you’re seeking a delightful winter escapade, look no further than the Gnome Roam at Giant City State Park in Makanda, Illinois. This annual event, running through the end of January, invites visitors to explore seven distinct trails in search of charming gnome sculptures, each holding a unique winter hiking item. Learn more and get to exploring!

Reader poll
How many days last year did you boondock on free BLM lands?

Respond here.

POPULAR POLL FROM THIS PAST WEEK
What percentage of RVtravel.com readers made a New Year’s resolution? 9 percent, 15 percent, 37 percent, or 52 percent? Find out here (and cast your own vote).

Brain teaser

I’m sometimes referred to as number one
Change my first, and I may pose questions under the gun
Change my first, and I’m not serious, but fun
Change my first, and I’m earned when the work is done

What are we?

(Answer below.)

Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter

• Know your plugs: 50A vs. 30A RV hookups—When 50–30 doesn’t equal 20!
• A quick, easy trick to keep your sewer hose clean
• Amazing Google Earth feature allows you to accurately measure campsites, parking spaces, more
• It’s time to plan 2025 RV group trips now—Don’t wait!
• Water pressure regulators keep geysers out of your RV

Whoa there, Cowboy! You said you’re NOT signed up for our RV Daily Tips Newsletter? Well, that’s a problem, see, because it’s our readers’ favorite newsletter and we darn well know you’ll love it, too. Read a few issues here. If you like what you see, consider signing up for it, partner.

In the RV shop with Dustin
Keep your RV slide-outs moving smoothly with Camco’s Slide-Out Lubricant

By Dustin Simpson
Is your RV’s slide-out making strange noises or not operating as smoothly as it should? In this article and video, we’ll introduce you to Camco Slide-Out Lubricant, a must-have product to keep your slide-outs working flawlessly. Learn how to use this lubricant to reduce noise, prevent wear and tear, and ensure your slide-out operates as smoothly as the day you bought your RV.

RV gadgets and gizmos

If this is your favorite section of this newsletter, you’re in luck! Another brand-new Great RV Accessories newsletter was just published and it’s got your name on it! Read it here. 

Video of the day
The most common griddle cooking mistakes

By Cheri Sicard
We know that many of our readers cannot live without griddle cooking at camp, especially the ones with a Blackstone griddle. If you are among this griddle-loving group, the video below by griddle cooking expert Johnny Brunet can help you up your griddle cooking game as it exposes ten common griddle cooking mistakes. Are you doing any of these things?

RV tire safety
What to do after an RV tire fails; how to make tires last longer

By Roger Marble
It seems that there are a couple normal “go-to” responses when an RV owner has a tire problem:
• Post on the internet about just how “bad” the tires are that are made by (fill in the name of a tire company).
• Post on the internet about just how “bad” the tires are that are “Made in China.”
• Declare that they will be buying “12 Ply” or “16 Ply” or “25 Ply” tires that are “strong enough to never fail.”

One thing I have never seen is a declaration that: “I am taking the failed tire to a dealer for XYZ tire company and requesting an inspection and an ‘adjustment’,” if no evidence of road hazard is found. Continue reading. 

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:

• Looking to buy a 24′ motorhome. What do you advise?
• Seminar presenters from RVtravel.com featured at expanded spring RV shows
• My Schwintek slide-out doesn’t have rollers. Is that a problem?
• Plugged RV’s 30-amp shoreline cord into 50-amp outlet; now it won’t run
• What does the “Four Season” label on my truck camper include?

RVing with dogs
5 hazards RVers with dogs need to watch out for

By Gail Marsh
When traveling with your furry companion, it’s important to stay alert to dangers that might not be immediately obvious. Here are some hazards that I think every RVer traveling with dogs needs to know. RVers with dogs, be forewarned!

Recipes of the day
Keep your carb intake in check with these six Keto recipes

Trying to eat healthier in the new year? If that involves limiting your carb intake, check out these healthy but yummy Keto recipes (low-carb). You’ll hardly notice you’re not eating carbs with these! 

Readers’ pet of the day

“Roxie is an almost-5-year-old Rough Collie that we adopted at 7 months. She loves nothing better than a good hike!” —Donna Loenker

• 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

By Gail Marsh
Ever wonder why we “ring” in the new year?

Celebrating the passing of the old year into the new may mean many different sounds. You may hear the sound of fireworks, raucous cheers, or clinking champagne toasts. But ringing? Not so much. After a bit of research, I discovered that “ringing in the New Year” is deeply embedded in our cultural celebrations. This expression originates from the age-old practice of ringing church bells to mark significant events. Continue reading to learn more.

Sunday funny

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

Read it here | Back issues

Brain teaser answer:

Best, test, jest, and rest

DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERS

• Weekly News Highlights. Every Saturday. 
• RV Daily Tips. RVing tips, advice, maintenance and repair guidance, RV reviews, gadgets, and more. Monday-Friday. 
• Great RV Accessories. The best gadgets for RVers. Every other Thursday. 
• Daily RVing news. Get the latest news about RVing every weekday afternoon straight to your inbox.
• RV Maintenance & Repair tips. Don’t ever miss a maintenance or repair article. Every Tuesday. 
• New! RV Reviews. We write one RV review every day! They’ll be delivered to your inbox every other Friday. 
• New! RV Recalls. Never miss an important RV or RV-related recall. Every other Wednesday.

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