Subscribers RV Travel Newsletter for Sunday, January 19, 2025

Issue 1192 • Ads have been removed in this newsletter for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.

DID YOU MISS YESTERDAY’S EDITION of this newsletter? It was awesome! But good news, you can read it here — it’s your lucky day!

The 7 red flags of potential bad RV neighbors

By Cheri Sicard
Mike and Jennifer Wendland, the team behind the RV Lifestyle YouTube channel, have a lot of experience at campgrounds. Here, they talk about how you can often choose your perfect campsite, in the perfect park or location, only to have your trip ruined by bad RV neighbors. Ugggh. We have certainly all been there. So Mike and Jennifer set out to figure out how to spot rude RV neighbors BEFORE you park next to them and set up camp. Here’s what they discovered.

Marriage advice from a hand-signalin’, RV backer-upper

By Nanci Dixon
I will admit it, watching folks back RVs into campsites, particularly tight ones, has become a rather guilty source of entertainment. I am not alone. Every head seems to turn to the new camper as they begin their backing up journey. I have seen walkie-talkies, cell phones and, the most fun of all, the hand signals used to help avoid sign posts, electric pedestals, sewer covers, trees and bushes (some work more successfully than others). Continue reading.

Epic dump station design failure—Gross!

By Dave Helgeson
A while back I wrote about the venerable sewer hose and how one day it may become obsolete and relegated to the past. Well, some engineer at the Nevada Department of Transportation made an attempt to obsolete the sewer hose. They did this by creating a dump station where the use of a sewer hose is not an option! See it for yourself (and cringe!).

Today’s RV review…
2025 Grand Design RV Lineage Series F 31ZW Super C—Wow!

By Tony Barthel
Grand Design RV revealed the second in their collection of motorized RVs with the introduction of the new Lineage Series F 31ZW Super C. This truly does represent some better thinking. It is one of the best Super C designs I’ve come across. Check it out.

Other RV reviews this week:

• Glacier Ice House 18RD—Something fishy going on
• Excellent trailer for half-ton towing: 2025 Jayco Jay Flight 225MLS
• 2025 Wildwood FSX 165VIEW—It’s polarizing…

RV service centers and repairs report
Tow operator explains flaws in emergency road service programs

This week Nanci Dixon shares more interesting reports from our readers about RV service centers as well as roadside service. One story regards a brand-new RV with many defects, but no dealers would cover the warranty due to lack of the manufacturer’s support—the warranty period ran out in the process. There are both good and bad roadside service stories, including an explanation from a tow service operator as to why most road clubs are useless. And a former car salesman relates a story that makes us wonder if there’s a lesson here for someone buying an RV. 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

• California may back off plan to ban motorhome sales in state
• How RV-related companies stack up in the “most trusted” rankings
• Former FMCA CEO to now lead Escapees RV club
• Fire victims can live in RV on their property for 3 years, LA mayor says
• Gas prices climbing as oil prices surge

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

Around the campfire
RVers share their “RV envy.” Is bigger more desirable?

By Gail Marsh
What a discussion around the campfire! A gal with a small RV admitted she sometimes experiences “RV envy.” From there, the discussion exploded. We talked about big RVs, small RVs, “just right” RVs and more. Some RVers think bigger is better, others find their small RVs perfectly adequate. Continue reading, and leave your thoughts.

Engine heater failure: What we learned when the temps dropped

By Gail Marsh
We were trying to outrun the weather. Bitterly cold weather was giving chase to our RV as we tried to escape the winter cold of Missouri. We’d made plans ahead of time but hadn’t counted on the cold weather coming quite so quickly. Hubby dutifully plugged in the engine heater, and we hunkered down for the night. The next morning, the truck would not start… Continue reading.

18 brilliant uses for tension rods in your RV

By Gail Marsh
Storage is always an issue for RVers. At least it is for me. That’s why I use tension rods. Yep, those little beauties come in handy in almost every room of our RV. They come in various lengths and strengths (light to heavy-duty) and can dramatically maximize space in an instant. These handy rods are inexpensive, adjustable, and versatile too! Here are some ways that I use tension rods in our RV.

Good luck trying to figure out these road signs!

By Nanci Dixon
There are a wide variety of road signs we have seen across the country while RVing warning us not to hit things like animals, pedestrians, children, or trains. We all know the standard warning signs, but there are a lot more signs across the world that can befuddle or cause uncontrollable laughter! These are just a few of my favorites.

Travel destinations

With Gail Marsh

Visiting the other Badlands, far from South Dakota

You won’t find these Badlands in South Dakota. Nope! You’ll need to travel more than 750 miles southwest of South Dakota’s Badlands to find this hidden treasure. Bisti Badlands, also known as the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area, is an otherworldly expanse of vibrant rock formations, ancient fossils, petrified wood, and hoodoos shaped by the relentless forces of time, wind, and water. Learn more and see what campgrounds are nearby.

The Museum of the Weird, one of America’s last “dime museums”

The Museum of the Weird is a “dime museum” located in Austin, Texas. Dime museums have a fascinating history as precursors to today’s modern entertainment and curiosity exhibits. Today, they’re nearly extinct, but their spirit survives in places like Austin, Texas, at the Museum of the Weird. Founded by artist Steve Busti, this museum preserves the dime museum tradition with its eclectic collection of strange artifacts. Learn more.

Reader poll
Have you ever been asked your RV’s age when making a reservation?

Respond here.

The most popular hobby among our readers falls into what category?
A) Arts & crafts, B) Music, C) Reading/Writing, or D) Sports/Outdoors. Find out here.

Brain teaser

I have a big mouth and I am quite loud! I am not a gossip but I do get involved with everyone’s dirty business. What am I?

(Answer below.)

Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter

• Where to find RV parts and supplies for less
• Cheers to repurposing six-pack containers
• Pinterest may be your gateway to building, redesigning, or fixing your own RV
• Getting sick, or worse, while RVing: Precautions to take
• How to start your vehicle when your key fob battery dies

In the RV shop with Dustin
Save thousands on RV slide-out maintenance with this

By Dustin Simpson
Did you know that proper slide-out maintenance can save you thousands of dollars in costly repairs? In this article and video, we’ll explain how this seal conditioner protects your RV slide-outs and keeps them in top working condition. Regular maintenance of these seals prevents damage and extends the lifespan of your slide-out mechanism.

RV gadgets and gizmos

No new gadget reviews today, but make sure you read Thursday’s brand-new Great RV Accessories newsletter. Lots of gadget reviews here!

Video of the day
Ohio Turnpike RV parking with electricity for $20

By Cheri Sicard
Do you know about Ohio Turnpike RV parking? It’s a heck of a deal. In the video below, Izzy and MJ from Endless RVing take us along to the Portage Rest Stop, one of many on the Ohio Turnpike that offer overnight RV parking with electric hookups for just $20! Check it out.

RV tire safety
Can’t balance your RV tires? Says who?

By Roger Marble
I can’t remember the number of times I have seen someone post about the “bad ride” they had in their motorhome. They say they took the vehicle to their RV dealer but was told they could not “balance” the tires, or that they were balanced and the ride “is what it is.” Roger disagrees.

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:

• Why did RV’s AGM battery die so soon?
• What to use to power RV roof air conditioner when dry camping
• How to keep RV battery watering system from freezing
• Why does converter take 5-10 minutes to begin to provide charge? How to test it
• When lubing an RV’s slide out, should the gear rack be lubed?

Recipes of the day
5 must-try sausage recipes for your RV kitchen

These comforting sausage recipes are perfect for a winter’s day. We’ve listed some good ones here, both for breakfast and dinner. A few casseroles, a soup, some biscuits and gravy, a kielbasa pasta, a sandwich, and more. You’ll get hungry here!

Readers’ pet of the day

“Freddie is a retired AKC conformation champion as well as being a Barn Hunt Champion, Excellent (the first Scottie to combine the titles!). While on our East Coast loop, he also competed in Fast CAT, in effect, a 100-yard dash for dogs! He completed his title!” —Janet Noble

HELP! WE’RE RUNNING LOW ON PET PHOTOS! 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.

Trivia

Mammoth Cave in Kentucky has more than 420 miles of explored passages and counting, making it the longest known cave system on Earth. Scientists believe there are still hundreds of miles yet to be discovered. Have you ever visited Mammoth Cave?

Sunday funny

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

Read it here | Back issues

Brain teaser answer:

A vacuum.

DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERS

• Weekly News Highlights. Every Saturday. 
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• 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. 
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