Issue 1214
Ads have been removed in this newsletter
for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
Today’s thought
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There’s no point in being a damn fool about it” —W. C. Fields
Camp at some of America’s most unusual campgrounds
By Cheri Sicard
Ready for some campsite eye candy? This 5-minute video from the Campsite Photos YouTube channel races through 13 of the most unusual (and downright stunning) campsites across the U.S.—from geyser-hearing spots in Yellowstone to cliffside perches on the Big Sur coast, desert ghost towns, redwood groves, and even a former internment camp. Whether you’re planning your next trip or just daydreaming, you’ll want to add these campgrounds to your travel list.
Traveling isn’t a vacation when it’s your life
By Charlie Ketchum
As a full-time traveler, it’s been a challenge to define what our purpose is. Are we just wandering? Do we want to see all 50 states? All the beaches? All the national parks? Museums? Are we living to write a blog or writing the blog about what we’re living? Is a few days too short of a stay? Is a few months too long? If we stop for six months does that mean we aren’t travelers anymore? If we only stay a night, does that mean we’re missing seeing something important? Continue reading (you might relate).
True or false? Popular vehicle myths explained
True or false: You should always warm your car up before driving on a cold day. The answer is false. Although the majority of the driving population may consider this to be true, it can actually cause damage to vehicles if done continuously. There are a number of automotive beliefs that drivers encounter on a daily basis that may or may not be accurate.
Today’s RV review…
Ember RV E-Series Spark 18RBE—a big surprise
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the new Ember RV E-Series Spark 18RBE travel trailer. I know what’s going to happen here. There are going to be a good number of readers here who poo poo this trailer without learning more. We’ll get into why that is. But first, there’s a little reward for anyone who keeps reading, as there is a big surprise in this little trailer.
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
- RVers report saving 30 to 70 cents per gallon using this fleet fuel card
- RV buyers could deduct up to $10,000 in loan interest with new tax bill
- RV industry shake-up as REV Group plans to sell Lance Camper brand
- RV industry says hands off public lands
- Fraudsters are sending fake traffic ticket texts to scare drivers into paying
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: Do a Google map/satellite search of an RV park where you plan to spend a night. You will get a good idea of its terrain, surrounding lands, nearby roads and interesting places. Close by railroad tracks (too often the case) can mean a noisy, sleepless night.
Why the smartest RVers don’t always take the scenic route
By Emily Woodbury
We all love a good scenic drive, right? Discovering an ideal RV scenic route can make for an unforgettable experience. For some of us, scenic drives might be our favorite part of RVing. Twisty coastal roads, winding mountain passes, red rock canyons—the views can be hard to beat. But seasoned RVers know something many newbies don’t: The most beautiful RV scenic route isn’t always the best one. Here’s why.
Is it OK to drive with one flat dually tire? Nope
By Gail Marsh
You’re driving down the road, happy to be headed to your campground destination, when suddenly your tire pressure gauge indicates a problem. Now what? That was the question we recently faced. Is it okay to drive with one flat dually tire? Experts say… well, read on.
Out of our comfort zone… again… because we bought a house!
By Nanci Dixon
A few months ago, I wrote about taking a huge step out of our comfort zone and buying a property on five acres in northern Arizona. We backed out when we learned a few things about the property. Now, we are late on leaving this Arizona hotbed—115 degrees forecast for today—because we are trying yet again! And this time, we bought a house!
RV Electricity
Don’t pay for more solar than you need
By Ken Arnold, The Electron Plumber
You’ve probably seen this happen to others if it hasn’t happened to you: A slick salesperson convinces a homeowner to buy or lease a solar system and then, after it’s installed, the homeowner finds that the system is not what they want or need. Solar installers make more money by selling more and bigger systems, not necessarily what meets their customers’ needs. Unless you don’t care how much it costs, you’ll want to aim for “good enough,” not the biggest.
Reader poll
Have you ever stayed overnight at a Love’s RV Stop?
Polls from the past week:
- How many miles will you put on your RV this summer compared to last?
- Do you experience altitude sickness at high elevations?
- Which of these campsite utility hookups is normally the most important to you?
Sunday giveaway
How would you like to win this Smokehouse BBQ sauce sampler pack with 14 different BBQ sauces?
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!
HMMM: “If we’re not meant to have midnight snacks, why is there a light in the fridge?”
Travel destinations
Find 12,000-year-old pictographs at this Texas campground
By Nanci Dixon
Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site is a magical destination just east of El Paso, Texas. It’s named for the rock depressions, the tanks, that have held life-sustaining rainwater in the high desert for thousands of years. The tanks created an oasis for wildlife, vegetation and native peoples. Learn more about this amazing place to camp.
Brain teaser
A man is stranded on a riverbank with a wolf, a sheep and a cabbage. He has a tiny raft to cross the river, but it can fit only himself and one other, either the wolf, the sheep, or the cabbage. If he leaves the wolf with the sheep, the wolf will eat the sheep. If he leaves the sheep with the cabbage, the sheep will eat the cabbage. How can the man cross the river with the wolf, the sheep, and the cabbage and get all to the other side safely?
(Answer below.)
Roadside Journal
RVtravel.com founder and publisher Chuck Woodbury muses about whatever is on his mind, as he has for nearly 4 decades. Look for Chuck’s Roadside Journal here every Sunday. Read today’s installment.
Blast from the past
Pack-Away, Get-Away camper was big news in 1939
This lightweight trailer (caravan) sleeps four. When returned home after a camping trip, the RV could be easily disassembled for easy storage. We don’t think this would be a big hit today.
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- Simple strap hack makes propane cylinder transport easy
- How to navigate around highway closures
- 18 ways to use “single-use” items more than once
- Moochdocking 101: How to score free camping and get invited back
- Hot sleeper? These tips are for you
In the RV shop with Dustin
A step-by-step guide on how to replace your RV entry door hold back
Join me in our RV shop as I explain how the entry door hold back on your RV plays a crucial role in keeping your door securely in place. Over time, these components can wear out, leading to difficulties in keeping the door open. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to replace your RV entry door hold back, ensuring smooth functionality and added convenience.
RV tire safety
The importance of knowing your RV’s “4-corner weights”
By Roger Marble
If you have been paying attention to information on tires in RV application, you probably have heard the phrase “4-corner weights.” Let’s dig into the basic concept of vehicle weight and why this is so important. Continue reading.
RV gadgets and gizmos
The amazing disappearing sewer hose. Don’t let it happen to you!
By Tony Barthel
We’ve all seen an RV driving down the road with half the stinky slinky flailing about as it snakes its way out of the bumper and onto the side of the road. This is one of the more universal challenges we RVers face—the vanishing sewer hose. But, thankfully, this gadget prevents that from ever happening to you.
The Solo Stove cast iron griddle is perfect for RVers
By Cheri Sicard
One of the things I like most about my Solo Stove Ranger smokeless fire pit is its versatility. Far beyond a convenient way to enjoy a campfire, the available accessories turn this device into a kitchen. In the past, we have reviewed its cast iron grill and its Pi Fire pizza oven, but today we look at the cast iron griddle, something all campers can put to good use.
Ask Dave
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
- My RV’s roof air conditioner smells like mildew. What should I look for?
- Essential LP cylinder safety tips
- Gutted our 1982 Class C; need help reinstalling furnace ductwork
- Hitch ball on trailer’s anti-sway device is scarring. Should I be worried?
- Where can I get wiring and plumbing diagrams for my older RV?
BUMPER SNICKER: “Honk if you like sudden loud noises.”
Video of the day
How fast can a bear run? Very fast!
By Cheri Sicard
The video below from RVingWithJoe is only 30 seconds long, but it bears watching (pun definitely intended). Why? Because it answers the question, “How fast can a bear run?” Turns out bears can run pretty darn fast when they want to.
RVing with dogs
How to do emergency canine CPR and save your dog
By Cheri Sicard
This short video tutorial, demonstrated by Dr. Erica W. Tinson, BSc, BVSc (Hons), MVSc, could possibly save your dog during an emergency by teaching you when and how to properly perform canine CPR. Please watch this!
Readers’ pet of the day
“Esther (Long Hair Chihuahua) started her RV travels just three weeks after we got her at the age of two months (she’s now 10 months old). She was a natural! She loves meeting new people while she is out for walks. This season, we are adding a bike trailer to her adventures so she can explore more places.” —Carol Seithel
• 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
During WWII, mail delivery services in the U.S. were overloaded with mail and needed a new system to increase organization and productivity. They started using postal zones (for example, Minneapolis was zone 16). In the summer of 1963, the Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP codes!) was introduced to the public.
Sunday funny
My friend composes songs about sewing machines. She’s a Singer songwriter or sew it seams.
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
Brain teaser answer:
The man crosses first with the sheep, leaving the wolf with the cabbage. He then returns alone, then crosses with the wolf, leaving the cabbage behind. He leaves the wolf alone and returns with the sheep. The man leaves the sheep and crosses with the cabbage. He leaves the cabbage with the wolf and crosses one last time, returning with the sheep. Finally, all four are safe on the other side of the river.
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
Wow! They don’t make songs like this anymore. Or bands. Or singers. Here, from 1942, is a young Peggy Lee with the legendary Benny Goodman and his orchestra performing “Why Don’t You Do Right.” Ya gotta love it!
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Although I am a subscriber and receive the ad free version, admittedly I have complained about the ads in the articles. But I do understand removing ads is difficult. However, recently the ads have taken a vertical orientation. I read RV Travel on my phone, not a computer. The rectangular vertical ads being inserted in the articles are blocking two or three lines of the article’s text above and below them, making it impossible to read the article in its entirety. Whoever is in charge of the ads should be mindful of this. RV Travel is fast becoming not my “favorite RV Newsletter because I cannot read it in its entirety.
We have had the same problem this past week.
I have had the same experience several times.
Carl, oh dear! I wish we didn’t even need to publish ads. But that’s where we earn most of our income. Only about 6 readers out of 100 readers contribute with a voluntary subscription/donation and we can’t survive on that alone. We have some control over where advertising is placed, but we rely for the most part on a company that sells the advertising and then places it in areas which it determines is best. I wish I had an easy answer for you, but to fully explain how this works would be too complicated. So I will just conclude that we are doing our best to serve ads in places where they least interfere with articles. We’ll continue to strive to do better.
In other words, if you are not contributing to this daily wealth of information, please seriously consider doing so.
I too have experienced this issue. While a nuisance, it is resolved by rotating your phone to a horizontal position. By doing this, you can view the entire article. BTW, I am using an iPhone 13 with safari.
Good luck!
Esther looks like she’s a lot of fun to have as a traveling companion.
Two thoughts popped into my mind while watching the 1939 Get-Away Camper. 1) Dinette designs haven’t changed in almost 9 decades. 2) Water damage during a storm is almost a given. We’ve advanced in some areas but not others. Still it was cool to see the design and functionality of a 1939 camper.
What happened to the Word Search Puzzle?
Hi, Vicki. Those weren’t meant to be a weekly thing, so are just in the newsletters intermittently. Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVravel.com
Esther rocks! What a happy fun girl! Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely loved the get away caravan video from 1939.
As much as I love modern technological advances – the take apart trailer is a real winner – now a current tech student can figure out how to add hinges and motors and fold it all up for ease of storage…….well……..
I’d like to give 5 stars to Charlie Ketchum for his great article. I agree totally.
We have stayed at several Love’s Travel Stops and have been satisfied with all of them. Our last experience was in Brigham City, Utah and I would give it a 5 out of 5. Huge pull through spot, all hook-ups worked well and were located conveniently, it was quiet, and had a pass coded gate for security. I could not have asked for anything more.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Ha! I got the brain teaser right! 🙂 Have a great day and safe travels!