Issue 1213
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for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
Today’s thought
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” ―Ursula K. Le Guin
Where to RV for 70-degree weather every month of the year
By Emily Woodbury
Wouldn’t it be nice if every stop on your RV journey came with mild days, cool nights, and little need for the A/C or furnace? That’s the goal of chasing 70 degrees. Traveling this way helps you avoid wild weather swings, reduce energy use, and enjoy nature at its best. Here’s how to follow the 70-degree sweet spot around the U.S.
Comparing the top five best campervans for seniors
By Cheri Sicard
For many seniors, traditional motorhomes come with hassles: heavy lifting, tricky setups, and deep cleaning. Campervans turn those challenges into distant memories, replacing hard work with ease of use and real comfort. Smart layouts, tech upgrades, and thoughtful touches make life on the go feel just like home. Here, the team from Motorhome Luxury compiled their picks of the best five luxury campervans for seniors.
A truck stop makes the perfect stop, even overnight
By Gail Marsh
We’ve all been there—everyone’s hungry, cranky, and cramped after too many miles in one day. Do you grab food, hunt for an RV park, or pull over for a nap? Before things get worse, head to the nearest truck stop. Yes, really! Truck stops—like Love’s or Pilot Flying J—offer RV-friendly amenities that make them a perfect stop. Here’s everything you’ll find at truck stops.
Today’s RV review…
Winnebago Thrive 18FBS—new new or just warmed over?
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the new Winnebago Thrive 18FBS. Thrive is a new line of travel trailers from Winnebago that will ultimately encompass nine floor plans. The purpose of the brand is to freshen the image of Winnebago towables in a “half-ton towable” range of models. Ahem. So let’s get our BS-O-meter out and see what the company has nailed and what they’ve failed.
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
- THOR brands sue new competitor for alleged misconduct
- What do older RVers really want in a campground? Michigan says it knows
- First look: Incredible Airstream Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian Limited Edition Travel Trailer
- Canadians staying home—More campsites for you?
- Yellowstone staff says park did not disclose toxic lead in employee housing
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
Test ‘driving’ the new Lectric XP4 eBike—big improvements and upgrades
By Nanci Dixon
A couple of weeks ago, I visited the Lectric eBike Headquarters in Phoenix. I was suitably impressed, so when they offered me the new Lectric XP4 750 eBike to test drive, even before the shipping date, I jumped at the chance. I am a big fan of Lectric eBikes and have been ardently riding the Lectric XP2 for about four years. Here are my thoughts on its newest model.
How to quickly clean up an oil-on-concrete spill
By Russ & Tiña De Maris
A lot of RVers are DIYers, do-it-yourselfers. With the build quality and reliability of today’s RVs, you have to defend yourself somehow! Part of the DIY process may include an oil change for the motorhome or tow vehicle. But what happens when, yikes!, oil spills on your concrete driveway or garage floor? Here are some winning tips for oil-on-concrete cleanup.
Navigating road rage in an RV
By Gail Marsh
My husband and I recently faced a potential road rage entanglement. We were driving in the far right lane in preparation for our upcoming exit. One by one, other drivers sped around our RV and immediately cut in front of us. My husband was getting frustrated because he feared rear-ending a quick-cutting vehicle. I could tell his blood pressure was escalating, and so was mine! We needed some help…
Reader poll
Did you buy your present RV new or used?
MORE POPULAR POLLS:
- How long is your RV?
- What kind of roads do you dislike driving the most?
- How long does it really take you to back into a campsite?
- Where would you prefer to stay: in a scenic, primitive public campground or a nondescript but clean RV park with full hookups?
This is an RV.
No, we’re not kidding. To see how it’s possible (it is), click here.
Happy Father’s Day!
The father who turned his boy into a pickle
By Chuck Woodbury
ROADSIDE JOURNAL
I would like to tell you the tale of pickled Willie. I learned about Willie while passing through Raymond, Washington. Willie’s claim to fame is that back in the mid-1800s, he came west as a pickle. Yes, that’s right, a pickle.
The fascinating history of Father’s Day
By Gail Marsh
Pops, Daddy, Papa, Dad, Father… No matter what you call him, today is the day we celebrate our fathers and the important father figures in our lives. Dads deserve to be recognized, but did you ever wonder about how Father’s Day came to be? I’ll tell you.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: One of the very best things about traveling in a motorhome is that a restroom is always just a few steps away.
Sunday giveaway
How would you like to win this happy camper cutting board?
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 and after we notify you by email that you won, you have 24 hours to respond.
Click here to enter or see last week’s winner!
Travel destinations
Explore America’s new 308-mile National Water Trail
By Gail Marsh
This week, the Ohio River Way was recognized as a National Water Trail. This designation marks it as one of the country’s premier paddling routes for 2025. Spanning 308 miles, the Ohio River Way includes the states of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Learn more and plan a trip (or a paddle!).
A visit to the Cloud Museum—a private collection of vintage machinery
By Gail Marsh
It’s not what you think. When I first read about the Cloud Museum, my mind immediately harkened back to my third-grade science class of “cloudy” variations. But that’s not what this museum is about. In fact, it’s far from it. So, if the Cloud Museum isn’t about clouds, what is it? Read on!
Brain teaser
A girl has as many brothers as sisters, but each brother has only half as many brothers as sisters. How many brothers and sisters are there in the family?
(Answer below.)
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- What you’ve been told about your RV’s anode rod is wrong
- The process of selling your RV, from start to finish
- Trailer users – Here’s a front/rear leveling tip
- 13 tips to keep your RV’s refrigerator cool all summer
- Sagging, loose cables are a silent threat to your RV’s slide-outs
NOT SIGNED UP FOR OUR RV DAILY TIPS NEWSLETTER? You’re missing out! It’s the best, and we mean the very best, newsletter of all time! No, we’re not exaggerating! Sign up and see for yourself!
In the RV shop with Dustin
Using a flush valve prop makes cleaning your tanks easy
The Camco Toilet Flush Valve Prop easily installs around the body of your RV waste tank rinser and props open the toilet waste valve while you clean. Using a Flush Valve Prop makes it easier to clean the waste tank without having to hold down on a foot pedal, and also helps prevent damage to the waste valve. Continue reading to learn more.
RV tire safety
If I upsize my RV’s tires, can I lower their inflation?
By Roger Marble
I recently received this question from an RVtravel.com reader regarding using larger tires with lower inflation to get a more comfortable ride while maintaining safety and not overheating the tires. Continue reading for Jeff’s question and Roger’s answer.
Ask Dave
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
- How can I make RV’s central A/C work better when it’s 115 out?
- Are 2 rain leaks in RV related? How do I find hidden damage?
- How do I replace my RV’s cracked and faded decals?
- Should I put a coating on the roof of my brand-new 5th wheel?
- Why does one RV air conditioner blow warm air while driving?
RV gadgets and gizmos
Essential road atlas for Baja California travel
By Cheri Sicard
When I first moved to Baja, Mexico, part-time a number of years back (see this book for more details), I was searching for a good Baja California Road Atlas. I found that a popular choice had gone out of print when I discovered the Baja California Road & Recreation Atlas, and I am glad I did!
BUMPER SNICKER: “The more people I meet, the more I love my dog.”
Article & video
12 clever RV shoe storage tips
By Cheri Sicard
For anyone living or traveling in an RV, clutter from shoes can quickly get out of hand. Almost every RVer faces the same headache: shoes and laundry always end up in piles near the door or scattered in every corner. Leanne from Making My Abode On The Road has tested dozens of approaches over the years with her family of four. She shares them in this article and video.
Readers’ pet of the day
“We’re full-time RVers. Here’s Dobby (Blue Heeler, age 3) enjoying life.” —Athena Bonfa
• 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.
Trivia
Want your kids or grandkids to do a better job at their chores? Put ’em in a Batman costume! A study from the University of Minnesota shows that kids aged 4-6 performed better during boring tasks and chores when dressed as Batman.
Sunday funny
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
Brain teaser answer:
Four sisters and three brothers
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 to tickle your funny bone
The Streak!
Do you remember “streaking” — running bare-naked in public places (including a few big-time sporting events)? Well, here’s the song that helped fuel the fad, sung by the one and only Ray Stevens. Enjoy the song — and the laughs!
RVtravel.com All Star Team
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Under the 5 best camper vans….surprised that Roadtrek was not mentioned. We have a Roadtrek Chase. Made in Canada and has everything. Solar, twin beds, BIG refrigerator, bathroom/shower, induction cooking, covection/microwave. I could go on but you get the picture. I am 72 and it is perfect. We travel all over the USA. Our cost was $110,000.
Site shows $174,100 USD now.
In my college days I participated in that “fad”. My current wife says she and I would never have been together back then. Does that mean she has changed or did I?
Dobby definitely living an awesome life!
thanks for sharing.
I want to give a “shout out” to Leasure Travel Vans, also out of Canada. We bought their Unity Twin Bed model in 2018. Looked at Winnebago and others, but LTV, at that time, just offered better quality workmanship and design. Drove it from the west to east coast, Minnesota to Tucson, AZ and everything in between for 5 years.
How many seniors could afford any of those over priced monstrosities? That and the fact of their closet sizes. I think most of us older RVers need a better supported bed than those have.