Issue 1212
Ads have been removed in this newsletter
for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
Today’s thought
“If you’re trying to act your age, then you’re just acting, not living. Forget the date on your birth certificate. How old would you be if you had no idea how old you were?” —Satchel Paige
Touring the best Love’s RV stop. Is this the future of RVing?
By Cheri Sicard
Travelers searching for a comfortable and practical RV stop will struggle to beat the beautiful views and thoughtful setup of Love’s RV Stop in Walsenburg, Colorado. RVers Karri and Bob have tried other Love’s RV stops with mixed luck. Here, things were different from the start. Walk-ins are welcome; no reservation needed. Instead of a cold kiosk, guests meet a friendly staffer and breeze through the process in about ten minutes. The personal touch set the tone for a positive stay. This RV stop goes well beyond the basics.
Roadside Journal: Random observations from the road in 1988 America
This is from the Summer 1988 edition of Chuck Woodbury’s newspaper, “Out West: The Newspaper That Roams”—the only “on the road” newspaper. Join Chuck as he travels the back roads of America and takes a look at what a “small town” means to him, plus much, much more in this essay from an early issue of the publication. (You will love this!)
Why RVers should be using truckers’ road atlases
By Gail Marsh
Planning is the cornerstone of any successful RV adventure. Smartphone apps and GPS devices have become commonplace for navigation. However, they’re only as reliable as your signal strength. That’s where a trusted, up-to-date truckers’ atlas comes in. What makes a truckers’ atlas better than a regular road atlas? Gail explains all the benefits here.
Today’s RV review…
Brinkley Model I 235—Time to make our voices heard
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the new Brinkley RV Model I 235 travel trailer. But it’s more than just an RV—it’s an opportunity. This trailer’s floor plan is somewhat similar to a few others. This is a very popular floor plan. The opportunity here is for RV buyers to make a statement by voting with their wallets. What makes this RV worth so much more than those others in this category? Or is it worth more than those others in this category? Well, here are some things.
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
- KOA changes its cancellation policy
- RVer dies from brain-eating amoeba in campground water
- What the public doesn’t see in national park budget cuts
- Starlink demand surcharge doubles—now higher than the dish itself
- Nevada to require motorists to turn on headlights during the day
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
How frame flex and torsion can quietly destroy your RV
By Stefan Price
You take care of your tires. You torque your lug nuts. You check your suspension and know your weight limits. But here’s something even veteran RVers often overlook: Your RV’s frame might be bending and twisting more than it should, and it’s slowly tearing your rig apart from the inside out. It’s basic physics. And it’s happening to thousands of travel trailers, fifth wheels, and motorhomes right now. Learn more.
Keep covers from falling off the RV bed with this PVC footboard hack
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
There’s nothing quite as maddening as having the covers fall off the end of the bed. Sticks-and-bricks homes have room for elaborate footboards, but RV beds? Here’s an easy hack—a PVC footboard. Read on to learn more about this handy DIY mod.
The untold story of the hobos who traveled America for work
By Gail Marsh
Growing up in Iowa’s farm country, I often heard stories about hobos. My elderly relatives reminisced about handing out food to these traveling wanderers in exchange for a day’s work, and these stories sparked my interest in the history of hobos. Traveling from place to place was their way of life. These original road warriors intrigued me, so I decided to learn more. (This is fascinating!)
Letter to the Editor
Why are campground check-in times so late?
We received this letter from Laura G. last week, and we think many of you can relate. How many times have you arrived at a campground early, only to find that you can’t park until your check-in time? How many times have you “killed time” to get to that hour of the day when you can check in? Read on, and please leave a comment for Laura.
Reader poll
If you had a time machine, would you take a month-long trip 200 years into the past or future?
DID YOU KNOW? Exactly 50 percent of RVtravel.com readers don’t wear pajamas to bed. Does that mean they sleep in the… well, you know. Does it?
Sunday giveaway
How would you like to win this Stanley cold beverage stein?
If you have a Stanley tumbler, you know how well they work to insulate your cold drinks. This stein is what you need next! It can hold two full cans of the beverage of your choice.
How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today by 7 p.m. Pacific time. You can only enter once.
Click here to enter or see last week’s winner.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: Pay close attention to how many other cars you might be holding up behind you on a two-lane road. Pull over and let them by when convenient. Even though most of the motorists are too rude these days to even raise their hands to thank you, you will have done the right thing.
Travel destinations
Visit the Cody Firearms Museum in the heart of Buffalo Bill Country
By Gail Marsh
Nestled in the heart of Cody, Wyoming, the Cody Firearms Museum welcomes visitors with an unparalleled collection of firearms and related artifacts. Whether you’re a firearms enthusiast or simply curious about the role guns have played in shaping our past, this museum is well worth a visit.
Word search
Can you find all the boondocking words in today’s word search? Try and see how well you do. Print or complete the interactive word search here.
Brain teaser
Three men are lined up behind each other. The tallest man is in the back and can see the heads of the two in front of him; the middle man can see the one man in front of him; the man in front can’t see anyone. They are blindfolded and hats are placed on their heads, picked from three black hats and two white hats. The extra two hats are hidden and the blindfolds removed. The tallest man is asked if he knows what color hat he’s wearing; he doesn’t. The middle man is asked if he knows; he doesn’t. But the man in front, who can’t see anyone, says he knows. How does he know, and what color hat is he wearing?
(Answer below.)
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- A gadget that easily fixes stripped screw holes
- 22 uses for prescription medicine bottles in your RV
- Fairgrounds camping: Don’t overlook these affordable, sometimes free, ‘campgrounds’
- RV tanks dumping tips and helpful accessories
- Hot weather RV tips: How to reduce heat and stay comfortable
In the RV shop with Dustin
Cool Tools: The Magnetizer Demagnetizer
In the past, Dave Solberg and I met for a livestream called Talkin’ RV Tech. We not only answered technical questions, but we also shared what we like to call “cool tools.” These are tools and gadgets that we actually use! We believe they will be helpful to you. Here’s a clip of one of those videos where we discuss the Magnetizer Demagnetizer for Screwdriver Tips.
RV tire safety
Do you think tires ‘magically’ fail? Here are some facts
By Roger Marble
As I monitor a number of RV Forums, I continue to see where someone posts about a tire failure. What then follows are dozens of people adding their thoughts on why the tire failed. Many are basically: “That tire failed because it was a (fill in a tire brand name) and you should be using (fill in a tire brand name).”
I would like to think that the readers of RVtravel.com are a bit smarter than those who simply follow the ramblings of “internet influencers” who have no actual tire design or failure analysis experience. Ya, this stuff does “set me off.” Continue reading to find out what “set off” Roger this week.
Ask Dave
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
- Can I add an inverter to run my RV refrigerator on 120-volt while driving?
- Staples are coming up through my RV’s vinyl floor. Should I be concerned?
- Why won’t RV’s converter charge the battery unless reset button is pushed?
- Follow-up to post on RV converter not charging battery
- Is there new technology to reduce maintenance on RV exteriors?
RV gadgets and gizmos
10 books for RVers and their kids or grandkids
By Gail Marsh
If you’re an RVer who wants to inspire an adventuring spirit in your kids or grandkids, this article and these RV, camping and travel books are for you! If you enjoy RVing with your grandkids or simply want to give them a glimpse into your RV lifestyle, check out these books you all will love.
BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! Want more gadget reviews? Make sure you read Thursday’s brand-new Great RV Accessories Newsletter!
Video of the day
5 weird and wacky U.S. museums to visit
By Cheri Sicard
Are you tired of the same old boring museums? Do you crave something a little more… unusual? Then buckle up, because we’re hitting the road with the team from Scripps News Life to explore five of the strangest, most unique and wacky U.S. museums. These are fun!
Readers’ pet of the day
“Lily Mae (Shih Tzu, age 6) in Montgomery, Texas, in a field of bluebonnets.” —Linda Rogers
• 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.
BUMPER SNICKER: “IF YOU CAN READ THIS MY TRAILER FELL OFF”
Trivia
The most searched video tutorial on YouTube is “How to kiss.” [Dang! What did we all do before YouTube?!😉]
Sunday funny
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
Brain teaser answer:
Black. The man in front knew he and the middle man aren’t both wearing white hats or the man in the back would have known he had a black hat (since there are only two white hats). The man in front also knows the middle man didn’t see him with a white hat because if he did, based on the tallest man’s answer, the middle man would have known he himself was wearing a black hat. So, the man in front knows his hat must be black.
Vintage postcard of the week
Postcards owned by Colleen and Ed Weum, Pacific Northwest Postcard Club. Read more about their 90,000 postcard collection here.
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Current fire and smoke map from AirNow
Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.
And finally… A song from the past
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
About five minutes into the “Wizard Of Oz,” Dorothy (Judy Garland) sings this classic song after failing to get Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and the farmhands to listen to her story of an unpleasant incident involving her dog, Toto, and the town spinster. Aunt Em tells her to “find yourself a place where you won’t get into any trouble.” This prompts Dorothy to walk off, musing to Toto, “Do you suppose there is such a place, Toto? There must be. It’s not a place you can get to by a boat, or a train. It’s far, far away. Behind the moon, beyond the rain…”, and then she begins singing. Later, Garland recorded the song with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra as a promise to World War II soldiers of better days to come.
RVtravel.com All Star Team
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Why am I seeing advertisements when I click on the videos?
Why not? Why do you think you wouldn’t? Advertisements provide support.
Hi, Joe. The videos we link to in our posts/newsletters are from outside sources. We have no control over any ads in them. Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Regarding the thought of the day, it only takes a mirror to see the light, bro
Concerning pulling over and letting people by on a two lane road, you are doing yourself a favor and possibly avoiding an accident since there are a lot of impatient drivers who quite often try to pass at the worst time. Better safe than sorry.
We have stayed in many Loves RV parks and they have been wonderful. Yes, I realize there are a few duds but overall we have been really happy!
Answering the editor’s follow-up question to the PJ poll. Sure some sleep in the buff, but I suspect just as many sleep in T-shirts and underpants, which technically are not PJs
Lily Mae is a beautiful girl! We have 2 ‘beautiful girls’ too! Shih Tzus have the very best personalities and make the very best furever babies!
I’m for not holding up vehicles behind me as well. But, and as DW says there’s always a but. If the guy behind spent another $10.00 for a few more horsepower he could have passed me miles back. If I’m doing the speed limit, to each their own. As well, pulling over often means driving on the shoulder. In many places that is illegal AND a lot of debris can be found on the shoulder that will do tire damage.
How does $10 get you a few more horsepower?
Also, the statement included “when convenient”, which means when there is a suitable area to pull into, not just off the shoulder.
Many states have laws on the books that require a vehicle that has more than a few vehicles behind, must pull over when safe.
The biggest problem I’ve seen lately, along the 2 lane roadways, is that there’s not a long enough pull out area to safely pull over even when there’s plenty of notice of the approaching area to begin with.
The correct time to pull over is “When it’s safe” as Tom said!
Usually we travel the two lane roads. And lately , last few years, there is less traffic than on the big roads. That statement however does not apply to New England roads. If you want a reasonable time trip stay on the multi lane roads and usually pay through the nose. Central Maine and north and east of there are good two lane roads as they are the truck delivery routes.
We like the two lane roads, something to see, small towns which makes you guess ‘Is this town surviving?’ Interstates are boring and with heavy traffic getting more dangerous.
Great Sunday News Letter with a variety of captivating articles, as always.
Getting back to the KOA cancelation policy of $20.00 admin fee, regardless of whether you cancel 3 days, 30 days or 30 weeks ahead is craziness. This will probably hurt KOA because making trip plans months in advance can change by a day or 2. For a 1 night travel stop, call and change from a 9/26 check in to a 9/27 check in, 3 months in advance is considered a cancelation and new booking with a $20 admin fee. I just did it 20 minutes ago and received no grace. They got my $20 for the cancelation but not the new booking for the next day… we will stay somewhere else. Keep the $20 KOA. You must need it more than I do.
great issue. nice reading
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Missed the brain teaser. Did not recall enough of The Wizard of Oz to know any of the background for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Between that and Cheri’s list of museums, I learned much from today’s newsletter. Have a great week and safe travels!
Lily Mae ♥️
thanks for sharing
The museum in Cody WY is much more than a weapons museum. It has halls of displays about the Native Americans that lived in the area and even more about Wild Bill’s wild West Shows. Did anyone know he took the whole show, bison and all to Europe? They sell a two day ticket because your going to need it.