Issue 1219
Ads have been removed in this newsletter
for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
Today’s thought
“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.” —Susan Heller
Frugal RVing tips from RVtravel.com readers who know how to save on the road
With Emily Woodbury
Life on the road can be filled with beautiful views, great people, and, if you’re not careful, surprising expenses. So last week, we asked our readers to share their best frugal living tips. The responses rolled in, and we have to say: this is one thrifty, creative, and experienced group! From fuel hacks to leftovers, here are your best tried-and-true ways to RV without breaking the bank.
Uneven cooling in your RV? Simple trick might help
With Josh Winters
Do you experience uneven cooling in your RV? Perhaps the bedroom is like an icebox and the living area like a sauna. (Okay, we exaggerate. But you get what we’re saying.) You might be considering buying a portable air conditioner unit to solve the problem. But before you do, here’s a simple technique that might help.
The do’s and don’ts of RVing with firearms
By Cheri Sicard
We know many of our readers travel with a firearm. In this article and video, MJ and Izzy of Endless RVing tackle the topic of RVing with firearms. The pair says a lot of RVers make some fundamental mistakes, and they created this video to help keep everyone safe. Some of the mistakes could seriously injure you or others, or worse. So if you carry a firearm in your RV,, check these out!
Today’s RV review…
Forest River Arctic Wolf 3250SUITE—Priced right?
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the 2026 Forest River Arctic Wolf 3250SUITE fifth wheel. I’ve written before that every fifth wheel maker makes this floor plan because it just makes sense to do so. So that also gives you an opportunity to use this as a basis for comparison. But first, a word of caution.
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
- Starlink speeds drop as user count rises
- National Park Service ranger training centers shut down without warning
- Nearly a fifth of Michigan state parks see closures this season
- Rocky Mountain National Park releases more summer campsite reservations
- Starlink slaps Pacific Northwest users with $1,000 fee and 6-week hardware wait
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: At this very moment, as you read this, thousands of people across North America are daydreaming about their next RV trip. Some are at work, others at home, others just walking down the street. Daydreaming about an RV trip is not as good as taking the actual trip, but it’s better than daydreaming about things like mowing a lawn or ironing clothes.
Take the weight off your RV water hose and power cord with this easy trick
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
If your RV is like most, your city water inlet is on the side of your rig. But when being used, the weight of the water-filled hose tends to pull down and put excessive pressure on both the hose fitting and the RV inlet port. Here’s an RV water hose weight support mod that takes the weight off hoses (and electrical cords).
How to safely charge your RV batteries with solar power
By Ken Arnold
We’ve recently written about portable power stations and solar panels. But the most flexible and expandable option is to install solar panels on your roof and install batteries and other electrical subsystems permanently in your RV. Here some devices you need to take energy from your solar panels, store it in house batteries, and make the best use of the solar energy stored in the batteries.
How to prevent birds from pooping at your campsite
By Gail Marsh
Are you tired of finding your camping chairs, RV, or picnic table speckled with unwelcome bird poop? You’re not alone! Many of us struggle to keep our gear clean while enjoying the great outdoors. Here are some effective, non-harmful ways to deter birds from making a mess (and pooping) at your campsite.
Reader poll
Where did you physically buy your most recent brand-new RV?
TAKE A GUESS: Do the majority of RVtravel.com readers ask or not ask permission when they stay the night in a Walmart parking lot? Guess, then find out here.
Sunday giveaway
How would you like to win this pair of walkie-talkies?
Wondering why an RVer might want walkie-talkies? This article will explain.
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.
RV gadgets and gizmos
Gadget offers relief for RVers who struggle with car or motion sickness
By Emily Woodbury
For anyone who gets queasy just thinking about winding mountain roads or reading in the passenger seat, you’re not alone. In one of our recent polls, 12% of readers said they often get carsick, and another 19% admitted it happens to them sometimes. That’s nearly a third of all respondents who battle motion sickness while riding in a vehicle. And based on your stories, the struggle is very, very real. Continue reading about a motion-sickness-saving gadget.
Just for fun!
WHICH PHOTO IS REAL?
Can you tell which of these three photos are real and not created using artificial intelligence? Find out here and see what readers think.
Travel destinations
Discover the ‘Cape Cod of the Midwest’ and camp at one of these parks
By Gail Marsh
Charming lighthouses and dramatic bluffs. Fish boils and cherry orchards. Cape Cod? No, this unforgettable location is in the heart of the Midwest. Welcome to Door County, Wisconsin. Nestled at the eastern edge of Wisconsin, Door County occupies the full length of the Door Peninsula. It separates Green Bay from the open waters of Lake Michigan. Continue reading about this wonderful place to RV.
Ghost towns
Visiting Deadwood Mine and its mysterious vault. Was Geraldo Rivera here?
By Dave Helgeson
During my ghost town travels, I have found plenty of safes strewn about the rubble of old businesses, Wells Fargo express offices, and the like. The doors are typically missing and the contents are long gone. However, the Deadwood Mine was never more than a remote mining camp. It wasn’t even close to being a full-blown town that would have contained banks, businesses, stage stops and the like, where cash and bullion would need safekeeping. But the office contained a very ornate walk-in vault. The town is an incredible place to visit—Wow!
DID YOU KNOW? Our nation’s wildfire response is coordinated in Boise, Idaho. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) is home to nine federal and state agencies working together to manage wildfires across the United States. From high-level strategy to boots on the ground, it’s a collaborative effort to protect lives, property and land.
Brain teaser
When you have me you immediately feel like sharing me. But if you do share me you do not have me. What am I?
(Answer below.)
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- Don’t run appliances that use water when away from your RV
- 22 tips and gadgets for a small RV kitchen
- No mess, no hassle RV sewer hose storage tips
- Easy ways to make your RV’s entry steps safer
- Your ice maker could be growing mold. Make sure you clean it!
In the RV shop with Dustin
What does ‘TPO’ stand for and why is it so common for RV roofs?
In the RV industry, TPO stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin. It is a type of synthetic roofing material commonly used on RV roofs. Here are some key features of TPO roofs and what makes it such a common RV roofing material.
RV tire safety
RV tire inflation hose extender: What’s best and how to use it
By Roger Marble
I recently received this question from RVtravel.com reader Michael V.: “What is the easiest way (tools, parts, technique, education, practices) to add air to the inside dually of the 1996 Holiday Rambler Navigator 40 pusher and daily work truck 2007 GMC 3500 Sierra. I have large hands and have trouble with this simple task.” Read Roger’s answer.
Ask Dave
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
- Should RV solar panels be covered during storage?
- Do I need to protect the underbelly of my trailer from moisture?
- Just bought “mint condition” 1989 Winnebago. Should we install 12-volt fridge and A/C?
- What’s the best way to repair soft spot in RV’s floor?
- RV’s water heater pressure relief valve drips. Should I replace it?
BUMPER SNICKER: Most popular bumper sticker of all time on motorhomes: “Don’t Tailgate or I’ll flush.”
Video of the day
Tour a 1987 vintage, classic Cadet fiberglass travel trailer
By Cheri Sicard
It’s not every day you come across a camper with as much character and charm as Dorene’s 1987 Cadet fiberglass travel trailer. For fans of unique RVs and compact living, this tiny fiberglass camper has become a favorite on the Camping Therapy channel, the producers of the video. This is so darn cute!
Readers’ pet of the day
“Everything you have ever heard about Jack Russell Terriers is Micky (age 5). He is very active, a tenacious and unrelenting hunter, so very loyal, and has to be a part of everything going on. Not sure if he wants to hunt the raccoon in the picture.” —Sandy Rakauskas
• 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
Think you’ve been to a desert before? Think again! You’ve never seen a desert like the Atacama Desert along the northern coast of Chile. The Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the world. How dry? Some weather stations in the desert have never (we repeat: never) recorded a drop of rainfall. Geologic evidence suggests that certain regions across the desert may not have had rainfall from 1570 to 1971. The desert is bone dry. NASA has used the region to test equipment for Mars missions.
Sunday funny
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
Brain teaser answer:
A secret
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
Fuzzy Wuzzy: You might remember this catchy tune from 1945 by Al Trace and his Silly Symphonists. Be warned: Do not listen to it more than a few times or the tune might get stuck in your head.
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
We trial our Jack Russell Terriers and all the suggested antics are true. In fact all of the different venues at a trial are based on their traits. A trial is organized insanity- terriers and exhibitors both. You have to be a “terrier person” to do what we do.
first picture in traveling with fire arms is wrong ! never put your Trigger finger on Trigger until you are ready to shoot.
I have been to the Atacama desert. Had a driver, otherwise ‘we would still be there.’ It was amazing and I will never forget the experience.
Just wondering if non US readers are eligible to win the weekly give away?
Hi, Laurie. I’m not sure, so I’m checking with Emily, who runs the contest. I think on the contest page it used to say that we couldn’t send prizes to Canada, so I don’t know what the status is now. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I love the bumper snicker.
Micky looks like a great rraveling companion, Sandy! May you have many wonderful trips together! Thank you, Emily and Diane! Ha! I backed into the brain teaser answer. 😉 Have a great week and safe travels!