Subscribers RV Travel Newsletter for Sunday, July 20, 2025

Issue 1218
Ads have been removed in this newsletter
for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.

Today’s thought 

“Do not grow old, no matter how long you live. Never cease to stand like curious children before the Great Mystery into which we were born.” —Albert Einstein

Do roof coatings actually stop roof leaks? RV tech weighs in

By Andrew Herrick, The RV Engineer
Unpopular opinion: RV roof coatings don’t stop roof leaks. Okay, okay, I overstate my case. RV roof coatings can stop leaks—but that’s not why you should apply them… Let’s back up a minute and ask, “Why do RV roof coatings exist in the first place?” Continue reading.

An important guide to getting medical help while on the road

By Gail Marsh
One thing many RVers don’t plan for is getting sick while traveling and/or needing medical help on the road. So, what happens if you or a travel buddy need medical care while on the road? How can you find a good doctor or get the quality medical help you need? Well, for starters, read this.

Stop immediately if you hear this sound in your RV

By Cheri Sicard
There are all kinds of RV noises. Some are common and nothing to be concerned about.  Others can signal problems or potential problems. But in this video, Sean from Long Long Honeymoon shares an experience that recently happened to them, in the hopes that it will never happen to you. If you ever hear this particular noise, and you will have to watch the video to hear it, you should immediately stop.

Today’s RV review…
Wingamm Oasi 540.1 has finally arrived in the U.S.

By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the Wingamm Oasi 540.1 Class B motorhome—an Italian-made rig that’s been on our radar for a while. We’ve even written about it before; however, various challenges delayed its arrival. Now, it seems they’ve finally made it happen. What has arrived is a very small motorhome based on the Ram Promaster chassis, which, oddly enough, is based on the Fiat Ducato front-wheel-drive van chassis. Continue reading.

Yesterday’s top news for RVers

• Grand Canyon North Rim closed for season. Wildfire destroys lodge
• Visitors may not see the strain, but national parks are operating with thinner teams
• RV trip planning? 10 states with highest and lowest gas prices
• Amazon’s internet satellites just got a lift… from Starlink?
• Ford recalls 850,000+ rigs for bad fuel pumps – F-series trucks included
• Good news! Iconic Roy Rogers Restaurants are back!

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

RANDOM RV THOUGHT: It’s a good idea to check inside your RV’s microwave oven before hitting the road. A cup of coffee that got heated but then forgotten will certainly spill, making a mess.

We have a question…
Are you a ‘frugal’ RVer? What’s your best tip?

Calling all frugal RVers—We want your best money-saving tips! Do you have a clever way to stretch a dollar on the road? Maybe it’s a habit you follow daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly that helps you cut costs while still enjoying the RV lifestyle. Whether it’s how you save on fuel, camp for less, cook more affordably, or maintain your rig without breaking the bank, we want to hear about it! Click here to share your frugal RVing tips (please!). 

Absolutely DO NOT try to squeeze a 40-foot motorhome into a tent site!

By Nanci Dixon
Do not do this! Absolutely do not squeeze a 40-foot motorhome into a tent site. In all fairness (to me), the website didn’t say that Site 74 was a tent site or that b-i-g RVs were not allowed. It was the last 40-foot site at a state park with two days available. It did mention low branches, but how low could they be? Well, they were LOW and very close together. Don’t be like Nanci… (even though it wasn’t her fault).

How many solar panels you need for your RV

By Ken Arnold
How many solar panels do you need for your RV? It depends on your rig, how and where you travel, and how much power you use. Panel types, space, budget, and placement all play a role. Just remember: solar panel ratings are based on ideal conditions that rarely match real life. Here’s a very helpful guide.

Letter to the Editor
Having to plan ahead for everything is not the RV life I signed up for!

We received this letter from Meg L. a few weeks ago, and know many of you (all of us included) share the same frustrations regarding RV planning. We’ve covered the subject before, but have never opened the conversation up to you. Read Meg’s letter below, then please leave a comment and share your thoughts. Do you feel the same as Meg? 

Reader poll
Does your present life meet, exceed, or fall short of your younger self’s expectations?

Respond here. (And read a very brief “autobiography” from RVtravel.com Founder/Publisher Chuck Woodbury.)

TAKE A GUESS: If a clean restroom is nearby, will an RVer choose to use the clean, public restroom or the toilet in their RV? Take a guess and see if you’re right.

Sunday giveaway 

How would you like to win this unique suction darts game?

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!

TIME TO CELEBRATE… Today is National Ice Cream Day!

Chuck’s Roadside Journal
Do today. Don’t put off until tomorrow. It may not come

I met a woman the other day, early 70s, who told me that she and her husband had planned to be traveling these days. They worked hard their whole lives, saved money, and dreamed of when they would be free. Then, about the time they were counting down to their freedom, her husband developed a rare disease that took away his eyesight. End of dream. Continue reading. (Essay exclusively for you, our faithful members.)

Travel destinations
Plan a visit to one of these amazing 2025 air shows

By Gail Marsh
Okay, RVers, ready for some high‑octane thrills? An air show just may be your answer. You’re not too late! There are plenty of air shows scheduled for the last half of 2025. Check out a few of them here and then plan an RV trip around an air show soon. Plus, did you know that some air shows allow RVers to park on-site? It’s true, and you’ll get a front row seat for all of the action, too! Check these out.

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

• The worst tip ever for preventing RV theft!
• How to waterproof fabric: Turn old sheets into waterproof tarps
• Tips for staying safe when RVing alone
• How to remove dark streaks from your RV
• Does your RV refrigerator have a baffle? No baffle = poor cooling

WAIT, WAIT, WAIT… You’re telling us you’re NOT subscribed to our RV Daily Tips Newsletter? Well, that’s just embarrassing! You must be the only RVer in the entire world to not be subscribed to it! You’re missing out! Read a few issues here, and if you like what you see, sign up! 

In the RV shop with Dustin
Warning: Cracked I-beams significantly affect RV safety

Are you aware of the hidden dangers of cracked I-beams in your RV? This serious issue could lead to major structural damage and costly repairs if not addressed quickly. In this video, we dive into the causes of I-beam cracks, how to inspect for them, and why it’s essential to stay in touch with your RV manufacturer. Many manufacturers are now stepping up to help RV owners correct these issues—don’t miss out on potential assistance! Learn more.

RV tire safety
What does tire “cold Inflation” mean?

By Roger Marble
OK, I know I have covered this before, but I still get some folks who either missed my posts or think what they remember from high school is good enough. This became obvious again last week when I was informed that I was trying to “remove chemical principles.” I had said that cold inflation pressure meant when the tire had not been in direct sunlight or driven on in the previous 2 to 3 hours. However, the reader knew that ”Pressures are always and only set off Standard Pressure and Temperature. Which is 20C and something like 800 mm/hg.” Continue reading.

BUMPER SNICKER: World peace begins with using your turn signals.

Ask Dave

This past week’s questions that Dave answered:

• RV furnace smells like rodent urine. Is there a filter to change?
• Fifth wheel’s LP leak detector beeps only when being towed. Truck exhaust?
• Why is RV ‘leveling jacks down’ light on with jacks retracted when driving?
• What sealants do you recommend for an RV, and what areas need to be sealed?
• What are metal shavings under RV’s furnace after traveling?

RV gadgets and gizmos
Camping fan clips or hangs on; works great!

By Cheri Sicard
When I first saw the BLBS USB rechargeable camping fan on Amazon, I was skeptical. That’s because I had tried a number of small fans in the past, none of which were worth it. When I came across this one, the stars were aligned for me to try again, as it had been a few years since I bought a small fan. It was on sale on Amazon, and it had decent reviews. Here’s my honest review. (Hint: I love it!)

Video of the day
Exploding rocks! Why you should never put wet rocks in a campfire

By Cheri Sicard
Holy exploding rocks, Batman! This video could literally save a life or, at a minimum, a whole lot of pain. TheBackyardScientist (6.18M subscribers, 1,034,725,003[!] views) shows you why. The video has two parts. He tests the theory that molten aluminum in concrete can make it explode. OK, interesting enough. But more importantly for us campers and RVers is the danger that can happen when you have rocks, and more specifically wet rocks, in a campfire. That is also put to the test.

Readers’ pet of the day

“Tonkinese cats are known for their friendliness, inquisitive behavior, playfulness, and taking over their surroundings. Chloe was always there to assist with checking maps, keeping the log, or working on the laptop. She liked to walk the campgrounds on a leash and was the hit of all who saw her.” —Sally Weigand

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

If you’re planning a surgery, avoid having it done on the surgeon’s birthday. According to the British Medical Journal, there’s an increase in patient deaths after surgeons perform an operation on their birthday. Scientists tracked how many Medicare beneficiaries died within 30 days of an emergency surgery. When the surgery was performed on a surgeon’s birthday, 6.9 percent of the patients died. On other days, it was 5.6 percent.

Sunday funny

Remember when plastic surgery was a taboo subject?
Now you mention Botox and nobody raises an eyebrow.

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

Read it here | Back issues

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

Here it is, that blockbuster from 1945: Why Buy A Cow When Milk Is Cheap? (There’s good reason this never made it to the top of the charts.)

RVtravel.com All Star Team

Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.

Our policy on using artificial intelligence.