Issue 1235
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Today’s thought
“The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.” ―
If you wrote to an RV manufacturer, what would you say?
By Gail Marsh
After reading a recent letter, I asked folks around the campfire, “If you wrote to an RV manufacturer, what would you say?” Les answered first: “I wouldn’t bother. They wouldn’t listen.” So I tried again: “Okay, hypothetically—if you did want today’s RV makers to know what you really think, what would you tell them?” Read Les’ response and those from other RVers, then share your own. What would you say?
Need a sewer hookup? Get a poop grinder!
By Nanci Dixon
As some of you know, we bought a fixer-upper house in southern Arizona. Thankfully, we can live on the land in our RV. We’re grateful for that, and for the electrician who installed a 50/30/20 box so we have power. We’ve got water. Now we just need sewer hookups… The septic clean-out is buried deep and requires serious digging just to reach it. Cue a secret weapon: an RV poop grinder. Well… sort of.
How to legally live in an RV on your own land
By Cheri Sicard
Thinking about living on your land in an RV? With the right setup, it can feel like a small home, not camping. This guide from Homesteading Barndo walks through the exact utilities, layout choices, and comfort upgrades that made day-to-day life steady, safe, and budget-friendly. Here’s what to do.
Today’s RV review…
2026 Modern Buggy Big Buggy BB16—worth seeking out?
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the 2026 Modern Buggy Big Buggy BB16. You’ve got questions, I’ve got answers. Likely, the first question is: Who in the wide, wide world of sports is Modern Buggy? This is a company located in southern Michigan, close to Indiana, where so many RVs are made. These little RVs are built differently than many and pass the “start from the road up” test that I apply to all RVs with flying colors. Check it out.
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
- RV refrigerator maker Norcold files for bankruptcy
- Lazydays to delist its stock; prepares to shut down
- American Heartland theme and RV park collapses amid fraud lawsuit
- Purchased a Grand Design or planning to? You may be eligible for a rebate
- Terrifying crash in NM good reminder for RVers
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
YOU’LL QUACK UP: What do you get if you put a duck in a cement mixer? Quacks in the pavement!
Everything to know before becoming a Florida RV snowbird
By Scott and Vanessa Russell
It’s that time of year again! RVers begin packing up and making the yearly migration south in search of the perfect weather to spend the winter season. Florida remains the most popular winter snowbird location. While it may sound dreamy to ditch shoveling snow this year, there are a few important things to know if you will be RVing in Florida this winter.
Heading north for winter camping—Something to consider?
By Gail Marsh
Some are tired of the hassle of trying to find open RV sites. Others have snowmobiles they love to ride. Still other folks love to ski, while many folks simply love winter. Who are these people? They are the cold-loving, hardy outdoor souls in love with snow and cold temperatures. Instead of heading south like thousands of other RVers, they head north for winter camping during the cold months. Here are the advantages of winter camping.
How to make your RV warm and welcoming to guests for the holidays
By Gail Marsh
Soon, out-of-town relatives and friends will descend on your home for the holidays. It’s expensive to put them up in nearby hotels, but if you don’t really have space for them inside your sticks-and-bricks home, it’s time to put that RV to an alternative use! You can take it to a nearby campground or park it in your driveway. Your guests will have a place to “escape,” and they’ll love it! Here’s how to prepare it.
Remember this?
Updated for 2025: 20 camping games and puzzles that make perfect gifts
It’s back! Your favorite guide to our favorite camping games and puzzles is back, and we’ve updated it with new games and even more puzzles. Not only do these make perfect gifts, but they’re perfect boredom-busters for chilly, cozy winter nights. You’ll find something you love here, we know it!
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: ‘Tis the season to view beautiful fall foliage and the season to be annoyed by leaf blowers.
RV gadgets and gizmos
An electric mousetrap that works
By Cheri Sicard
I bought an OWLTRA® electric mouse trap for extra insurance after I had rid my travel trailer of mice. That was about a year-and-a-half ago, and after doing all the things I talked about in this post, my RV has remained rodent-free. So, I never actually had to use the trap, and the Owltra electronic mouse trap remained new in its box… until last week. Here’s my review.
Reader poll and article
The life of a Costco addict: Do you shop there?
By Sandi Sturm
My name is Sandi, and I am addicted to Costco. Wayne and I live and work in our motorhome, moving every two weeks. For the last three months, we have not been within two hours of a Costco, and it was rough. Costco is my happy place! Is it yours? Do you shop at Costco? Continue reading and cast your vote.
LIKE TAKING POLLS? So do we! Did you know we’ve run more than 5,000 polls on our website over the years? Check ’em out! Have fun!
Sunday giveaway
How would you like to win our favorite camping puzzle?
This is one of the puzzles featured in our above camping games and puzzle gift guide.
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
Worth a stop: The beautiful painted churches of Texas
By Gail Marsh
If your winter route takes you through Texas this year, pencil in a detour to central Texas’s painted churches. Or schedule this trip for spring 2026. These are a cluster of small, rural churches whose plain exteriors hide jewel-box interiors. Inside, you’ll see hand-painted frescoes, faux marbling, gilded altars, and trompe-l’oeil architecture. These are AMAZING!
Ocoee River State Park: Tennessee’s newest riverfront playground
By Gail Marsh
The newly designated Ocoee River State Park is Tennessee’s newest state park. Officially separated from the old Hiwassee/Ocoee management this year, the park gives paddlers, anglers, hikers, and RVers wonderful access to the Ocoee corridor. Learn more.
Brain teaser
Turn me on my side and I am everything. Cut me in half and I am nothing. What am I?
(Answer below.)
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- Medicare coverage tips for RVers
- 10 smart ways RVers use lint rollers
- Don’t trip the breaker. Colored sticker dots save the day
- How to replace your RV skylight
- Different ways to get rid of all that “stuff” to downsize
Yes, we have other newsletters! Learn more about them, including our very popular RV Daily Tips Newsletter, here.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Dealing with water intrusion and damage behind RV decals
Water intrusion is a common concern for RV owners, and one of the areas where it can sneak in unnoticed is behind decals. These decorative stickers not only add personality to your RV but can also become a potential entry point for water. Here’s what to know.
RV tire safety
Can Ai adequately provide advice on RV tires?
By Roger Marble
A good friend forwarded this info to me for my opinion after he asked ChatGPT to “Write a short article about how the information on this [linked] website could be useful to all motorists, especially RVers.” Read what ChatGPT said and Roger’s opinion of the response.
ARE YOU 70 OR OLDER? You might want to check out the RVtravel.com Facebook group RVing Over 70, where we discuss getting older on the RV road. Join more than 23,000 current members.
Ask Dave
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
How do I winterize my RV’s Aqua-Hot heating system? • My RV’s new house battery will only charge when driving. Why? • Can I use my RV slideout in below-freezing temperatures? • I have several questions about storing my motorhome in Florida • My RV refrigerator will not run on LP. Should I put in bigger batteries?
FACTOID: A record 4.18 million Americans are expected to turn 65 in 2025. The Nielsen study reports that nearly two-thirds are managing chronic health conditions, while 76% are taking prescription medications.
Video of the day
3-wheel RV trike: Odd and innovative tiny camper
By Cheri Sicard
This video from George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces shows one of the most unique RVs you’ll ever see—a 3-wheel RV. While the RV trike might look like it came from the factory this way, the reality is its creator fashioned it by joining two separate vehicles. He did a great job, as the aesthetics make the transitions seamless. Amazing!
Readers’ pet of the day
“Kyah (Sheltie, age 1.5) loves to go camping. She is all dressed up and ready to play.” —Terri Lewis
• 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
Common gray squirrels play the most significant role in the seeding of North American forests. It’s true! The cute little gray squirrels we know and love spend almost half of their adult lives hunting for and burying their food. Unlike other squirrel species, they don’t just hoard their collection in one place, but instead, bury it in hundreds of locations. Later, they forget where they hid all those nuts and seeds, which results in millions of new saplings each year. They contribute to more forest growth than any other animal!
FREE IS GOOD! Free SilverSneakers® Senior Fitness Classes at 24 Hour Fitness, if you qualify through your health care provider. Get a free 3-day pass to try it out.
Sunday funny
This video made us cry with laughter! You have to click here to view it, but it will make your day! Get ready to belly laugh! Once the young man in the orange sweatshirt started we couldn’t last any longer! The challenge? Sing opera without laughing.
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
Brain teaser answer:
The number 8. (Lying on its side, it is the infinity symbol ∞, representing something limitless or endless. Cut in half, horizontally through the middle, it’s a zero, i.e., nothing.)
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 song from the past
Who can forget this? Whether you’re 74 or 34, you’ve likely heard this many times. From 1957, here’s Buddy Holly and the Crickets singing “Peggy Sue.”
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RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Kyah is a beautiful princess!
So, of course, I had to click on the down arrow! 🙂
😄I did too, Pat. That’s why I added the note.😉 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com