Issue 1233
Ads have been removed in this newsletter
for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
Today’s thought
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” ―Fred Rogers
New to RVing?
RVtravel.com is bringing back its NewRVer.com website and newsletter. If you are about to buy your first RV or are new to RVing, you should check in there for helpful information and sign up for its newsletter.
How to automate RV campsite bookings for 2026 to get hard-to-book spots
By Emily Woodbury
Last week, we looked at the best time to book campsites for 2026 travel. In that article, I explained that you could consider using easy automated booking scripts to help you reserve hard-to-get campsites. Here’s what that means and how it works.
Everything you need to know about camping in Quartzsite
By Cheri Sicard
Quartzsite, Arizona, is like no other place on earth, especially for RVers. In the winter months, thanks to RVers, its population swells to more than a million! This will be my third year of making an annual pilgrimage to Quartzsite, and I have learned some things along the way. Use this as your ultimate Quartzsite guide.
My RV is my home, but does the public think I’m “homeless”?
By Sandi Sturm
We are categorized as being “remote workers,” but I prefer to say I work from home. This motorhome is my home. But a recent encounter left me wondering… Does the general public see us as homeless? Continue reading.
Today’s RV review…
Ember RV Touring Edition 2300MLL—Party in the campground
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the new-for-2026 Ember RV Touring Edition 2300MLL. While the “Touring Edition” name might be something you recognize from the past, Ember has completely rethought the Touring Edition series to make it more affordable (not in a bad way) and to offer some unique new features, as well. Check it out.
DON’T FORGET! Today is the first day of standard time. You gained an extra hour of sleep last night!
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
- Canadian Snowbirds Association offers guidance after border fingerprint incident
- Dream job or free labor? Yosemite’s 40-hour volunteer posting sparks backlash
- Tired of waiting, RVer sets up office inside Camping World service center
- SpaceX issues urgent Starlink update warning for users
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
Packing your RV’s medicine cabinet the smart way
By Gail Marsh
I remember the first time I looked into our RV’s medicine cabinet. “Tiny” didn’t begin to define the space—or, rather, lack of space. My first thought was, “How will all of our stuff fit into this small space?” Over the years as we’ve RVed, I’ve discovered valuable tips for packing the RV’s medicine cabinet.
Don’t overthink it: The real steps for winterizing RV tires
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Winterizing RV tires doesn’t have to be complicated—or expensive. Forget the myths about jacking up your rig for months on end. With a few smart steps, your tires will be ready to roll when spring arrives.
Warm up your RV with a window insulation kit
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Part of the chill factor is that old problem of “single-glazed” RV windows. Some manufacturers include “storm windows” on their rigs, but a lot of us just have that single sheet of clear stuff between us and the outside world. What can you do if you have too much cold coming through the glass? Easily add your own RV window insulation.
The truth about quicksand and where you might encounter it in the U.S.
By Gail Marsh
Quicksand has been a movie-ready menace since the early movie and television days, but is it a real threat for RVers today? Let’s take a closer look. The most recent reports of quicksand mishaps include the following…
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: It could be successfully argued that one of the most exhilarating parts of an RV trip is the week leading up to when it begins. The anticipation is intoxicating.
RV Service Centers & Repairs Report
“Thor should be ashamed!” RVers speak out after years of repair problems
This week, Nanci Dixon shares more of RVtravel.com’s readers’ complaints about the poor quality of some RVs and slow service for repairs, sometimes due to lack of parts. But there are several more rave reviews for service centers and mobile RV technicians. Read about them here.
Reader poll
When RVing, which device do you MOST OFTEN use to access the internet?
CAN YOU HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS? If you’re able, please consider donating to your local food bank this winter season. Whether you are able to donate money, food, or your time, everything helps. And if you are in need of food assistance, here is a list of food banks near you.
Ever wonder…
Do you know why road signs are all different shapes?
By Gail Marsh
One of the simplest, most powerful tools built into road design is the shape of the sign itself. Ever wonder why road signs differ in shape? Stop signs are octagons, deer crossing signs are diamond-shaped, and speed limits are depicted on rectangles! Why? It would seem more efficient and cost-effective to make road signs all the same shape. So why do different shapes matter?
Sunday giveaway
How would you like to win this 12-volt portable electric blanket for your car or RV?
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.
TODAY IS… National Deviled Egg Day! Love deviled eggs? We do too! Here are a few of our favorite deviled egg recipes.
Publisher’s Roadside Journal
The day it rained whale blubber
By Chuck Woodbury
There was a big problem 55 years ago this month on an Oregon beach near Florence, when a long-dead, stinky, 45-foot, 8-ton gray whale washed up on shore. But how to get rid of it? The way they did it made for one of the most comical and “explosive” scenes in the history of whales (and blubber). Continue reading and watch a video.
PLUS: Why do some people age better than others?
Very interesting.
Travel destinations
Plan your trip to Olympic National Park: What to see and where to camp
By Gail Marsh
Washington’s Olympic National Park is one of the most varied national parks in the U.S. Where else can you see alpine ridgelines, old-growth temperate rainforest, and a rugged Pacific coastline? Here are the top sights and places to camp for RVers.
Little Greenbrier: The Smokies’ quiet “ghost town” destination
By Gail Marsh
Little Greenbrier, TN, is one of those tucked-away Smokies gems you should add to your fall route. Or, if you’ve already winterized your rig, put this destination on next year’s travel list. A short hike brings you to this hidden and worthwhile historic site. Learn more.
Brain teaser
Without it, I am dead. If I am not it, then I am behind. What am I?
(Answer below.)
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- A week’s worth of easy 1-day RV upgrades
- How high elevation affects your RV and what you can do about it
- The easy way to keep your RV floors clean this fall
- Checklist for deep-cleaning your RV before storing it
- Making the most of your Swiffer while RVing
YOU CAN’T CALL YOURSELF A REAL FAN of RVtravel.com if you’re not signed up for our RV Daily Tips Newsletter! It’s one of the best newsletters in the entire galaxy! Read a few issues here, and if you like what you see, become a real fan and sign up!
In the RV shop with Dustin
Don’t forget to check your RV refrigerator vent cover
When was the last time you inspected your RV’s refrigerator vent cover? If you had to pause and think about it, you’re not alone. While most RV owners stay on top of tire pressure, battery levels, and sealant checks, the fridge vent cover often gets overlooked. But ignoring this small component can lead to big, expensive problems.
RV tire safety
Is this a tire “defect” or driver’s fault?
This week, tire expert Roger Marble diagnoses damage to a tire as most likely caused by “curbing,” not as a tire defect. He explains how “curbing” happens and how to avoid it happening to your tires. Click here.
Ask Dave
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
How to store RV’s memory foam mattress over winter • The truth about RV crash testing • What is your opinion of RV Roof Magic? Does it work? • Why does new travel trailer have so many electrical issues? • Lippert ‘jacks down’ light is on with RV jacks retracted. Lippert’s ‘fix’ didn’t work. Now what?
RV gadgets and gizmos
The surprising shoe for all RVing women
By Cheri Sicard
It may sound strange to recommend dance shoes to RVers, but hear me out, ladies, there are lots of reasons that classic dance (aka character) shoes, the kind that showgirls wear, should be in your traveling wardrobe. No, really. Hear me out!
FREE IS GOOD! RV Travel & Camping Guide to Texas—Online or by mail.
Video of the day
The top three cassette toilet objections—myths busted!
By Cheri Sicard
Cassette toilets get a bad rap. Many shoppers say they love a certain RV, then bail at the word “cassette.” The Fit RV’s James used to feel the same way, then nearly five years with a Winnebago EKKO changed his mind. James lays out the basics and tackles the biggest worries in this article and video so that RV buyers can judge the system on real use, not fear.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Caper (Doberman, age 9) competes in agility most weekends, and we recently bought her a ‘house on wheels’ so she can ride in style, and we no longer have to stay in hotels. So far she loves it!” —Janice Morton
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.
• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.
Trivia
The largest working musical instrument in the world is located in Philadelphia. Until recently, the performances of the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ were a star attraction at the now-closed Macy’s department store. The instrument has 28,700 pipes and is so big it reaches multiple floors of the building. Free concerts are currently suspended while the Macy’s store space is redeveloped.
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Sunday funny
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
Brain teaser answer:
Ahead!
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
And finally… A video with vintage songs you’ll love
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Good morning from Pahrump Nevada!
Good morning.
Good morning from Black Forest, Colorado!
Good morning to all from Trout Creek, Montana
Nice! Our daughter lives in Libby so we drive thru your little town when we visit from Harlowton. Gorgeous area!
We have a cassette toilet – he doesn’t talk about rinsing it out after dumping. In European campgrounds, they have automated cassette cleaners, for $5 you put the whole cassette into the machine, it empties and rinses, and adds chemicals!
I don’t have a cassette toilet, but if I did, I would pay $5 to have it rinsed and chemicals added. When I rinse my stinky slinky, I never know if I’ve rinsed it enough.
Well, Sandi, to investigate why the questions bother you, is really smart. Perhaps concepts of wealth and success are tied to stuff accumulated, the bigger the better. You wouldn’t be alone. And, why does a comment from someone you dont even know have an impact? It’s really none of their business!
As to a suggestion, consider this. “Well, we are originally from (fill in the blank). We had the house and the lawn and the 2 cars, and were happy, but we always wanted to travel and meet talented, lovely people like you! So we sold everything and took off on our RV journey, and now you are part of our adventure! Please, tell me about your art ( fill in the blank).”
Caper looks like she is having a blast. One of my guilty pleasures is watching dog agility videos on YouTube.
Citron made a 4 wheel drive 2CV for use in the deserts of Africa. They simply installed a 2nd drive train in the rear. Driver could select which end had power, or both at the same time.
Quicksand has not turned out to be the problem I thought it would be as a child! 🙂
Don’t understand the brain teaser.
Hi, Dennis. Yeah, it’s kind of a stretch. “Without it, I am dead. If I am not it, then I am behind. What am I?” Answer: “Ahead.” So, without a head, they’re dead. And if they’re not ahead, they’re behind. Does that help?🤔 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I know we got an extra hour last night, but my Apple Iwatch did not give me credit for an extra hour of sleep. Started me in DST 12:12am and stop me at 7:30 Standard time.
As a young child our parents took us into “Wanamakers” at Christmas to hear the music and see the “Big City”- Philly as we Locals call it.