Issue 1230
Ads have been removed in this newsletter
for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
Today’s thought
“If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others, you are going to run out of gas.” —Steve Maraboli
SPECIAL READER POLL
Is the government shutdown affecting your life?
The current federal government shutdown is expected to continue into next week. Have you, personally, been impacted? Or is everything normal? Please take a moment to respond to this special reader poll. Let’s see how the RVtravel.com crowd is faring through this challenging time. Answer the poll and see how others responded.
New 2026 RV rule could leave you without power at some campgrounds
Have you heard about the 2026 RV rule? It’s a National Electrical Code rule that will require all new 30-amp and 50-amp RVs to include a Grounding Monitor Interrupter (GMI), a device designed to prevent unsafe electrical shocks. This means better protection against “hot skin” hazards—but it could also leave your rig without power at some campgrounds until you fix the issue. Learn more.
How to legally access hard-to-reach public land
You can’t get there from here! Or so the saying goes. Infinite Outdoors has potentially changed that adage. They’ve added a new feature to their app that allows RVers to legally access public land that, up until now, has been unreachable. Learn more.
Is Walmart getting flooded with “homeless” RVers?
For more than a quarter century, Walmart has allowed RVers to spend a night in its stores’ parking lots. Have you noticed a change lately in the number of RVers who are staying? We ask this as we observe the increase in financially desperate people living in old RVs on city streets. We wonder if similar RV dwellers might overwhelm Walmart and other big box stores to the point where store management simply says “enough is enough” Read more and please comment.
Police mobile command vehicle is converted into a custom “tiny home”
The owner transformed the interior and exterior of a former police mobile command center, preserving some original features (like roof-mounted pole/camera systems) while adding residential comforts—kitchen, seating area, sleeping space, utilities and off-grid systems. Take a look.
The rise of off-road vehicles and golf carts in campgrounds: Safe? Legal? Or trouble?
If you’ve noticed more golf carts, UTVs, or ATVs zipping around campground roads lately, you’re not imagining it. Small vehicles are popular and gaining in popularity. They offer cheap, fun ways to get around neighborhoods and vacation spots. That popularity has sparked a lot of pushback from campground neighbors and officials who worry about safety and liability. Continue reading (and please leave your thoughts).
Which is better—and more affordable—for heating your RV: gas or electric?
When boondocking, there isn’t much choice as to what to heat with—LP is the only game out of town. But in an RV park where you can heat with electricity, is there a situation where shore power might be better? Gas or electricity for heating? Here’s the answer.
Today’s RV review…
Highland Ridge Open Range 3X 393TBR – three bedrooms!
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the 2026 Highland Ridge Open Range 3X 393TBR fifth wheel. You might know that I recently attended RV Open House, where the RV companies show off their newest, latest and greatest. … The Open Range 3X 393TBR is truly an unusual fifth wheel with the signature item being two bedrooms in the back along with two bathrooms and a very nice main living space. There’s also a baby jail, er, loft above one of the bedrooms. Continue reading.
OTHER RV REVIEWS
The 5 worst dual axle 2026 travel trailers with metal siding
Here’s one RV expert’s opinion, based on his 15 years’ experience inside dealerships, on the worst 2026 dual axle, aluminum-sided travel trailers, not fiberglass.
2026 Rockwood Ultra Lite 202RDT keeps things simple
Tony and Tina, of the YouTube channel TNT RVing, lead you on a tour of the 2026 Rockwood Ultra Lite 302RDT. The half-ton-towable trailer keeps things simple, solid, and easy to tow, and no slideouts
AS SEEN IN YESTERDAY’S NEWSLETTER: Does this new, huge fifth wheel make sense to you? Not to us.
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
- NBC News report: More Americans are living in RVs
- Could your motorhome have a hidden VIN problem?
- Buy a 255-site RV park in an auction with no minimum price bid
- RVers will be surprised by McDonald’s new Monopoly game prizes
- Reader vents: ‘I am sad’ about the state of camping these days
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: Do not throw away your favorite old shirt, even if your spouse orders you to. Instead, put it in the closet of your RV. It will be perfect for wearing around a campground or by the campfire. And you will be happy wearing it again. (Watch Chuck Woodbury’s short video on this subject.)
RVer’s new $90,000 toy hauler RV is a nightmare on wheels
From Liz Amazing
Frank planned that a new fifth wheel toy hauler would be his summer home on wheels. He pictured motorcycle trips with friends, long weekends, and quiet mornings on the patio. Instead, his brand-new RV broke almost every time he used it, leaving him with payments, stress, and a rig he could not trust. Read his story and watch a video.
The secret to feeling like a tourist when your RV view stays the same
By Sandi Sturm
Wayne always says that his goal is to be a full-time tourist. What I think he means is that he likes exploring new places, eating new foods, and doing all the touristy stuff like walking through T-shirt shops and eating fudge. But when we return to the motorhome each night, we become disconnected from that feeling of excitement. Here’s how we still feel like tourists when we RV.
Right turn on red: Common mistakes and risks
By Gail Marsh
Is it just me? Or do many drivers misunderstand (or outright disobey) the “Right on Red” rule? For most of the U.S., right on red is the baseline rule: You may turn right at a red light unless a sign at that intersection expressly forbids it or the signal uses a dedicated red arrow. But…
RV Service Centers & Repairs Report
Readers’ bad service center experiences. What’s yours?
By Nanci Dixon
This week, we have a lot of negative reviews about various RV service centers. Some of these have had positive reviews in the past, so take them with a grain of salt. Continue reading.
FREE IS GOOD! Explore the Official Colorado Travel Guide
Reader poll (and article)
Do you like your current RV’s interior color scheme?
Letter to the Editor (sort of)
Having a hard time balancing RV life with family obligations back home
We saw this post from Tom Milton on an RVing Facebook group and thought we’d share it with you. Do you share a similar struggle? Have you had to miss family events or rely on a sibling for a family emergency? Do you try to make it back in time for every family event and holiday? Please read Tom’s note and then leave your thoughts and comments.
Sunday giveaway
How would you like to win this set (2-pack) of motion-activated RV step lights?
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!
BUMPER SNICKER: “I’m sick and tired of getting jerked around.” (On a small car being towed by a motorhome.)
Travel destinations
20 things we wish we knew before RVing to Alaska
By Cheri Sicard
This video from the Happily Ever Hanks is an important one to watch for anyone considering RVing to Alaska. In it, the Hanks share 20 things they wish they had known before undertaking this massive RV trip. If you don’t feel like watching the video, I answer the questions in my article, too.
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, the good, the bad… and the ugly
By Tony Barthel
One of the experiences many RVers hope to enjoy is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Held every October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this event brings together many hundreds of balloonists for a 10-day gathering involving daily takeoffs and many exhibitions. It’s a huge event. In fact, this is the third time I’ve done it, and I have a great tip if you want to get in—but also a heads-up.
Brain teaser
Three playing cards in a row. Can you name them with these clues? There is a two to the right of a king. A diamond will be found to the left of a spade. An ace is to the left of a heart. A heart is to the left of a spade. Now, identify all three cards.
(Answer below.)
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- Fiberglass RV polish and restoration 101
- Dollar store RV organizing tips and hacks for your RV
- How to keep your kitchen cabinets looking brand-new
- Practical tips to keep your RV bug-free
- Quick tips and RV hacks from fellow RVers
YES, IT’S TRUE! WE HAVE OTHER NEWSLETTERS!
If you’re not subscribed to our RV Daily Tips newsletter, you’re missing out! And if you’re not subscribed to any of our other newsletters either, you’re extra missing out! Learn more or sign up here.
In the RV shop with Dustin
RV frame issues: Let’s identify faulty RV frame welds
Join me “In The RV Shop” as I take you on a journey to understand how a visual inspection is a crucial step in identifying faulty welds in your towable frames. By closely examining the welds, you can look for various signs of defects or issues that may indicate the weld is faulty.
RV tire safety
Tire terminology: Basic tire construction, Part 2
By Roger Marble
Last week I covered basic tire construction as you would find in most passenger car tires and lower cost, lightweight RV trailer tires. As we move on to larger, heavier trailers, pickups and Class A, B and C motorhomes, what I would expect to see is… Continue reading.
Ask Dave
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
When buying a used RV, it is critical to check for roof leaks • What is the best black tank treatment? • How to get a wiring schematic for your RV • How to fix RV’s leaky black tank dump valve • What is the best house battery for my RV?
Video of the day
RV repair tech reveals the truth about RV plumbing codes
Here, RV tech Jacob Rigor of Rigor RV Repair talks about RV plumbing codes. RVers have been complaining about leaks in their brand-new RVs! Manufacturers answer by saying that what they are building meets “codes.” But in the video, Jacob talks about those codes, what they do and don’t mean, and the convoluted way the codes contradict each other.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Same old story where you think you’re saving a pup, when in actual fact he’s saving you. Cody (Husky mix) was 7 months old when he adopted me at the Maricopa County Shelter. He’s been a dedicated camper since then, spending months in Quartzsite, Yuma, and around Flagstaff, where this picture was taken in July when he was 18 months. There are many more travels in store for us.” —George Ostan
• 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
Sweden has the most islands of any country. The country has 221,800 islands, but only 1,000 are inhabited.
Sunday funny
A motorhome broke down on a busy highway, so the driver pulled to the shoulder. He jumped out his driver’s side door, walked around his rig and opened the door to the coach. Out popped two men in trench coats who then stood behind the RV and opened their coats, exposing themselves to the traffic, causing several fender benders. Later, when questioned by an angry state trooper why he pulled such a stunt, the RVer replied, “I was broken down, so I just used my emergency flashers!” Groan!
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
Brain teaser answer:
Ace of Diamonds, King of Hearts, Two of Spades.
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
In honor of October, here’s an Octoberfest drinking song for you: “A Beer and a Sandwich and You By My Side” from 1951-52 by Bernie Roberts and His Orchestra.
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
The give away sounds great, However, no where is their description does it say the are water proof or even water resistant.
Never mind. It does say not suitable for wet locations. These are mounted outside on the steps. It rains!
Not ON the steps, but UNDER the steps. They light the tread below. I have 4 of these same lights magnetically mounted under each step. They are outside, but not sitting in standing water and are mostly sheltered from rain. Wet is not the problem, battery life is a problem. I even tried the non-rechargeable lithium cells – they didn’t last any longer than alkaline. So that’s what I use now.
My spouse suffers from night blindness. Buying batteries is a lot cheaper than an ER visit.
If you read under Features and Specs it does say “Waterproof’.
Exactly…. they are mounted “under” the steps. I actually have one of these (or very similar) in each of my overhead cabinets. Open a cabinet door and the light come on. Very handy.
In the description, it says “Not recommended for wet locations”.
What one are you going to believe?
Translated Chinese documentation!
So great Cody rescued you George!
happy travels
I agree. Cody looks so regal. Enjoy your travels together.
Cody is so handsome. Rescue pets are the best buddies ❤️
I feel terrible for Frank and his Toy Hauler!
We had more than our share of problems with our Motorhome, but his issues are off the charts!
I hope Frank gets a refund!!
Probably will never happen. and after the warranty period, he will be responsible for the repairs.
I was!