Subscribers RV Travel Newsletter for Sunday, August 31, 2025

Issue 1224
Ads have been removed in this newsletter
for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.

Today’s thought 

“Never put off till tomorrow what may be done day after tomorrow just as well.” ―Mark Twain

The pros and cons of being a campground host

By Cheri Sicard
In Nanci’s most recent “Campground Crowding” installment, she shared her positive experience being a work camper, but another RVer shared a negative side to the job. I thought Vince of the Solo Man With Dog and A Van could answer a lot of questions if you’re interested in what it’s like being a work camper. If you’re considering being a work camper, this will be helpful.

RV slideouts rated: Which are best? Worst? Find out

By Chuck Woodbury
A few of our staff members watched this video from our friend Josh the RV Nerd of Bish’s RV. We all learned a lot! I sure did, and I’ve been traveling by RV for a few decades, so that’s saying something. If you have an RV with a slideout or two (or three or more), you really should read and/or watch this. Some slides are known for durability, but others are not, and you may conclude to steer clear of the latter.

Why storing your RV outside can be a bad idea

By Dave Solberg
Every year, hundreds of thousands of RV owners across the country need to store their RVs. Whether it is due to harsh winter conditions or because work and school activities limit the time they can “recreate,” RVers must find the best method to put their unit into hibernation. Trying to find a nice, heated, indoor facility can be difficult and very expensive. So most of them are forced to store their RVs outside, which is not always a good idea and can create some very expensive issues.

Today’s RV review…
The Prime Time RV Crusader BONUS38 fifth wheel—designed by RV influencers

By Tony Barthel
Another RV company has been working behind the scenes with RV influencers, and the Prime Time RV Crusader BONUS38 was announced as the result of this collaboration. This is a very large fifth wheel measuring 43’4” in length with four slide rooms. 😳 So, as you might expect, there is a lot of room in here. Since this was designed by actual RVers, you’ll find many nice features.

Chuck’s Roadside Journal
Do I have the power of a modern day god?

Chuck says: “I created something the other day that is, in one way, amazing. Yet in another way it is frightening. I do not fully understand how I feel. At once, I am impressed, yet I am scared and sad. Some readers may find my thoughts silly; other may think I am wise. But they are real, and they are driving me crazy.” Here’s the story.

When we asked our readers if they could turn back time, would they want to go through high school again, how many said yes? About a third, about half, or two-thirds? The answer is near the bottom of this issue.

Yesterday’s top news for RVers

• General RV employee accused of embezzling more than $2 million
• Ford issues massive recall of 2025-2026 trucks for instrument panel failure
• Cracker Barrel reverses logo update after backlash
• Calling all RVers: You’re invited to compete for Guinness world fame
• South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison reopens for full scenic drive

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

RANDOM RV THOUGHT: There is no such thing as the perfect RV. There is always something you wish was a little different. Maybe it’s a bigger bathroom, or a softer chair, or more cupboards. Maybe you’d prefer a different color on the exterior or of the carpet. Maybe it’s a motorhome that needs a bigger engine. Maybe the bed is positioned so it’s hard to make. About the best you can hope for in an RV is about 90 percent of what you would consider the perfect rig. If you do better than that, you are very fortunate.

How RVing may reduce your risk of cognitive decline and dementia

By J.R. Montigel
A new study from UC Davis suggests that finding a strong sense of purpose in life may help protect against cognitive decline and dementia. For many older adults, owning and traveling with an RV might play an important role in achieving just that. Surveys through the years of RVtravel.com readers (most aged 55+) have revealed their lives are more engaging and stimulating than those of their less-adventurous peers. Continue reading. What do you think?

How to remove hard water film on RV shower glass

By Gail Marsh
Limescale (also called hard-water scale) is the chalky white film that builds up when water rich in calcium and magnesium evaporates and leaves those minerals behind. Limescale forms most quickly where water is frequently left to dry, like your RV’s shower glass, faucets, and shower heads. The thicker the buildup of limescale, the harder it is to remove. Continue reading Gail’s tips to get your glass back to looking like new.

The family road trip that drove straight into presidential history

Last weekend, we asked you to tell us about your most memorable RV trip. We have loved reading all your submissions—thank you! While we’ll share some of those next week, we thought we’d start by sharing Dave Solberg’s most memorable RV trip, where he drove straight into presidential history. Here’s how it went.

Reader poll
Do you eat too much of a food you should not be eating?

Respond here.

IS RVING MORE ABOUT “GETTING THERE” OR “BEING THERE”? Here’s what RVers think.

From the archives…
Duck pond mistaken for hot spring; hilarity ensues

By Nanci Dixon
Gail Marsh wrote an article on Midwest hot springs and it brought to mind our own rather dubious, sketchy hot springs adventure in Tonopah, Arizona. I love quirky RV spots and had never actually been in a hot spring before, so after reading a number of reviews for El Dorado Hot Springs that ranged from “kitschy” to “rustic,” we decided to try it. But it didn’t quite go as planned… (Get ready to laugh!)

Sunday giveaway 

How would you like to win this small, folding camping table?

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 (gas station edition)

Visit the gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

By Gail Marsh
Talk about a one-of-a-kind road stop, this is it! Yes, famed architect and visionary Frank Lloyd Wright designed a gas station. What’s more, the station is still in business today! Love quirky roadside stops, architecture detours, and photo ops that beat the usual rest-area selfie? Put the Frank Lloyd Wright–designed gas station on your “to see” list.

Hungry on the road? These gas station meals are worth a stop

By Gail Marsh
You have to fuel up the RV anyway, so why not grab a bite to eat? These six fuel station brands are scattered throughout the U.S. I’m almost certain you’ve stopped at a few locations for fuel and food. Yes, food! Because these fuel stops also feature some of the best trip tastes today, along with great prices! See if you agree.

GOOD TIMES IN NEW MEXICO: The New Mexico State Fair starts Thursday and runs through the 14th. It’s where New Mexicans celebrate local food, competition, culture, creativity and the state’s rich agricultural heritage. Located five miles east of downtown Albuquerque at EXPO NM, it’s the biggest annual show in New Mexico, attracting more than half a million attendees.

Brain teaser

Rearrange the letters, O O U S W T D N E J R, to spell just one word. Can you do it?

(Answer below.)

Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter

• Duct tape: The incredible universal fixer and 16 ways to use it
• Safe towing speed—How fast is too fast for towing?
• RV tech shares quick, helpful tips for RVers
• How to use a multimeter for RVers
• Improve your RV’s shower with these tips and gadgets

NOT SIGNED UP FOR OUR RV DAILY TIPS NEWSLETTER? Are you loco en la cabeza (crazy in the head)?! This is one newsletter you don’t want to miss out on. If you do, other RVers will be smarter than you! Learn more and sign up here.

In the RV shop with Dustin
Gadget prevents RV catalytic converter thefts

By Dustin Simpson
Catalytic converter theft is a major problem on trucks and motorhomes. We want to introduce you to a product we sell and install called the CatStrap™. It just might prevent your vehicle’s catalytic converter from being stolen on your tow car, truck, SUV or RV. Learn more about it here.

RV tire safety
I don’t calculate my tires’ PSI daily. Why do you?

By Roger Marble
I have previously posted about tire pressure changing by about 2% for every change in ambient temperature of 10°F. For some reason, there are a few who want to consult pages of tables or recalculate using °Rankine. No calculation in degrees Rankine, or Kelvin, or Celsius, or even Fahrenheit is required. … In fact, I don’t know why someone would need to do any calculation other than to understand why they are getting a different PSI reading from their TPMS from one morning to the next. Even I don’t recalculate my tire pressure. Read more.

Ask Dave

This past week’s questions that Dave answered:

• My travel trailer has “hot skin.” Can I just replace the shoreline cord?
• Can an RV tire blow out because of its size?
• No anode rod in RV water heater. OK to install one?
• Is trailer’s wrinkled front cap due to delamination from heat?
• Some fun facts I learned about electricity this week

RV gadgets and gizmos
Simple but essential gadget protects your RV electrical system

By Cheri Sicard
RV owners often spend tens of thousands on their rigs, yet some still skip one key accessory that can prevent disastrous electrical issues. Investing in a surge guard for an RV isn’t just smart, it’s almost common sense. In fact, Josh the RV Nerd at Bish’s RV says you would be “dumb” not to have one! It’s one of those gadgets that quietly shields the entire electrical system and can save a trip, a wallet, and a lot of frustration. Learn more.

BUMPER SNICKER: “Free range humans and a couple of dogs.”

Video of the day
Boondocking parking: Why you should park facing east

By Cheri Sicard
If you boondock in wide open spaces, you have a whole lot of choices when it comes to where and how you park your RV. Here, the RVgeeks make a good case for why, whenever possible, you should face east when boondocking. You will want to adjust this advice depending on the type of RV you have, but the RVgeeks thought that sharing the reasons why they do this might help other boondockers discover what will work best for them.

Readers’ pets of the day

“Both Gracie and Rileu (Papillon and Mini Aussiedoodle) love hiking and camping. They are true troopers.” —Chris Romine

• 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

After 12 years, Costco is switching from Pepsi to Coca-Cola on its $1.50 hot dog combo meal. While Costco has recently raised prices on some of its other food court offerings, the hot dog combo has remained at $1.50 since 1985.

Sunday funny

Two guys walking their dogs come upon a pub. One guy says, “Let’s get a beer.” Second guy says, “They won’t let us in with our dogs.” First guy: “Sure they will, just watch.” He opens the door. “I can’t let you in here with the dog,” the doorman says. The man replies, “Oh, I’m blind. This is my seeing-eye dog.” The doorman says OK. The doorman says the same thing to the second guy. The man replies, “I’m blind and this is my seeing-eye dog.” The doorman responds, “You have a Chihuahua for a seeing-eye dog?” The second guy pauses for a second, then exclaims, “They gave me a Chihuahua?!”

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

Read it here | Back issues

Brain teaser answer:

Q: Rearrange the letters, O O U S W T D N E J R, to spell just one word. Can you do it?

A: Just one word. 😉

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.

Search Google for the latest RV news from RVtravel.com.

And finally… A song from the past

Here’s one of the original country music superstars, Patsy Montana, in a performance in 1991 of her 1935 hit “I Want to be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart.” With this song, Patsy became the first female country performer to have a million-selling single. She is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Patsy and our publisher, Chuck Woodbury, became friends when he was publishing his on-the-road newspaper Out West.

HIGH SCHOOL POLL ANSWER:
Of the more than 3,600 responses, one-third of readers said, yes, they would like to go through high school again. About two thirds did not. The survey is here if you’d like to read the comments.

RVtravel.com All Star Team

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

Our policy on using artificial intelligence.