America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 1241
Ads have been removed in this newsletter
for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
Today’s thought
“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” —Charles Dickens
An RVtravel.com year in review…
Full tank, headlights gleaming: Here we come, 2026!
By Emily Woodbury
To our cherished readers at the close of another memorable year—
As we prepare to wave goodbye to 2025, I want to pause and say thank you. Your readership, engagement, and steady support are what keep us moving forward. You’ve helped shape RVtravel.com into a welcoming place for RVers from all walks of life, and we’re truly grateful for that.
In today’s newsletter, we’re taking one last look back at the year that was—revisiting your favorite stories, the most talked-about RV reviews, standout gadgets, and our most-watched videos. It’s a chance to reflect on the content that sparked conversation, solved problems, and brought this community together throughout the year.
But this issue isn’t only about looking back. It’s also about what’s ahead. We’re already gearing up for 2026, and we can’t wait to bring you more compelling stories, timely news, honest RV reviews, and clear-eyed coverage of the changes and innovations shaping the RV world.
We have some exciting things in store for you for 2026.
As always, your feedback guides what we do next. Whether it’s a comment, an email, or a suggestion sparked by something you read, we’re listening and we appreciate every note you take the time to send.
And none of this would be possible without the incredible team behind the scenes. Our writers and contributors work hard to deliver information you can trust, along with the perspective, clarity, and occasional humor that make the journey more enjoyable. We’re thankful every day for their dedication and talent.
So here’s to you for making 2025 such a meaningful chapter. May 2026 bring new roads, fresh discoveries, and plenty of reasons to keep exploring.
Here’s wishing you a safe, healthy, and happy year ahead—and thank you for being part of our community.
Your friends,
Emily, Chuck, Diane, Kim, and the rest of our amazing team
Our most popular articles of 2025:
1. Why are some traffic lights blue?
Red means stop. Yellow means caution. Green means go. Blue means… Blue?! Yep, now there are blue lights at traffic signals. Why have blue lights joined the more familiar red, yellow, and green? Read on to find out.
2. Motorhome attempts to pass under low bridge. Not pretty
For Pete’s sake… Here’s a great reminder to be sure you know the height of your RV. It’s also a reminder to pay attention to warning signs about obstacles on the road ahead. It’s also a reminder to avoid being stupid. Look at this and what can happen if you ignore both warning signs and common sense.
3. Campground marijuana dispute raises questions about smoking in parks
By Gail Marsh
Yesterday, a woman approached me as I was folding laundry in the campground laundromat. Here’s what she said: “Am I missing something? I know that marijuana is legal here in Missouri. We’ve stayed in this park three previous times and no one said anything about smoking it. My husband only smokes after kids should be in bed (10 p.m.) and I don’t feel his smoking should be an issue.” Continue reading.
4. Visit the gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
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 in Cloquet, Minnesota, on your “to see” list.
5. Where to RV for 70-degree weather every month of the year
Wouldn’t it be nice if every stop on your RV journey came with mild days, cool nights, and little need for the A/C or furnace? That’s the goal of chasing 70 degrees—a seasonal travel strategy to stay in the comfort zone year-round. Traveling this way helps you avoid wild weather swings, reduce energy use, and enjoy nature at its best. Here’s how to follow the 70-degree sweet spot around the U.S.
Other popular articles:
- The disappointing truth: It’s easier to stay at hotels than in our RV
- Is it right we have to pay a banker every time we visit a popular national park?
- Right turn on red: Common mistakes and risks
- Is Cracker Barrel banning ‘overnight camping’?
- Brand-new 2025 RV sends owners to emergency room
The most-read news stories of 2025:
1. National Park Service ordered to erase “negative history”
This article was issued as a press release from the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association. In accordance with President Trump’s executive order to “Restore Truth and Sanity,” and a related directive by Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the administration is forcing National Park Service staff to inventory its signage and interpretation to meet standards that are not based on historical scholarship or science.
2. Court confirms Camping World unlawful practices. RV buyers to get big refunds
If you’ve purchased a new RV from Camping World since 2017, there could be a refund waiting for you. A recent court ruling in Oregon has uncovered unlawful practices, potentially putting thousands—or even tens of thousands—of dollars back in the pockets of individual RV owners and not just those in Oregon. This development is a major win for consumers and could spark refunds nationwide. Learn more.
3. RV disaster at Burning Man shows risks of renting out your RV
Burning Man has a reputation for being tough on RVs. The desert’s heat, dust, and silt already take a toll on vehicles, and this year’s festival piled on thunderstorms, flooding, and even tornado-like winds. It’s no surprise some RV owners and insurers draw a hard line against sending rigs out there. But when one renter lied about not attending Burning Man, it all went south (literally). Here’s the story.
4. Tired of waiting, RVer sets up office inside Camping World service center
After weeks of waiting for Camping World RV repairs, Greenville, North Carolina, RVer Nick Naoum decided he’d had enough of sitting by the phone. Instead, he packed up his work setup—a folding table, laptop, and personal Wi-Fi—and brought it straight to Camping World. Day after day, he set up inside the dealership’s service area, determined not to be ignored. Did it work? Find out here.
5. 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. The GMI inspects the campground pedestal to ensure proper grounding before sending electricity into your rig. It immediately cuts power if it finds a problem. Continue reading.
HOLY SMOKES!
We published 3,591 articles and newsletters this year. We’re talking brand-new articles and newsletters, too. No reruns, no linking around… brand-new, never-before-published stuff! Wow! Go us!
Our best-selling Amazon products this year:
- Thetford RV Drain Valve Lubricant, as recommended by Dustin here.
- Disposable shower drain cover.
- Mr. Grip screw hole repair kit, as recommended by Nanci here.
- Frienda RV underbelly repair tape, as recommended by Dustin here.
- WORKPRO 12″ adjustable oil filter pliers
Our top 5 RV reviews:
1. This ultra-spacious 2026 trailer has two bedrooms, two baths, two lofts
May we suggest that most owners of this king-size trailer (just shy of 43 feet) do not use it for weekend camping trips to their favorite Forest Service campground! Nope, this whale of a home on wheels, the 2026 Puma 421LFT, is meant for living, plain and simple. It can be hauled from place to place, of course. But the Forest River product is really designed to be plopped down in one location and remain there for a while, even permanently. Check it out.
2. Creative floor plan of 21-foot Ibex travel trailer is strikingly different
3. World debut RV review: 2026 Forest River Sunseeker 2030RP—a first-class B+
4. First look: Gulf Stream Ameri-Lite 16RD—Small in size, huge on space
5. The new 2026 nüCamp Cirrus 920—not your grandpa’s truck camper
This week’s top news for RVers
- Oldest park ranger dies
- Forget plugging in your electric RV. The road will charge it as you drive!
- RV shipments dip in November
- Ford issues major recall on EVs and hybrids; park mode may fail
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
Did you enjoy RVtravel.com this year?
If you learned something new this year from us, if you found us entertaining, if you found yourself looking forward to reading our newsletters every day… say “Thank you!” (if you haven’t recently and want to again). RVtravel.com would not be possible without the financial support of you, our voluntary contributors. Your support helps us avoid relying on advertising and keeps our resource-rich work unbiased and free for all RVers to enjoy. Every contribution makes a difference. When you contribute, as you know, you receive a special member-only ad-free version of our weekend newsletters as one way for us to say thank you. (Plus, you receive the weekend newsletters 6 hours earlier.) Learn more or donate again, if you would like to. No obligation to do so again, of course.
Our most popular maintenance, repair and DIY articles:
1. RV electricity: How to install a 30-amp RV outlet at home
By Mike Sokol
Dear Readers,
I received this inquiry from Cory. He’s wondering about installing a 30-amp RV outlet on a residential 150-amp service panel. Here’s his question, and how I responded.
2. 7 dumb RV ideas from manufacturers and how to fix them
3. Why RV stabilizer extension matters more than you think
4. The importance of regularly inspecting and replacing your shackle links and bushings
5. Three easy DIY RV tips from smart RVers
Nanci’s most popular Campground Crowding columns:
- ‘Too expensive to camp, owe too much to sell; RV sits in storage’—an RVer’s tough reality
- RVers share tricks to avoid crowded camping locations
- ‘Camping industry is about to go bust’
- ‘I gave up on camping because there are too many inconsiderate people’
- RVers ‘hanging up the keys.’ Plus, are the homeless taking over campgrounds?
Our best-selling Amazon products this year… continued!
6. Otstar jar opener, bottle opener and can opener
7. Southwire Company LLC neutral-ground bonding plug, as recommended by Mike Sokol here.
8. Natural gas leak detector with audible & visual alarm, as recommended by Nanci here.
9. Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas 2026: United States, Canada, Mexico, as recommended by Gail here.
10. Thetford Tank Blaster and level sensor cleaner, as recommended by Nanci here.
The top 5 most popular videos of 2025:
1. Tour a custom-built 1950s Starkraft double-decker travel trailer
Wow! It’s not just rare, it’s a rolling tribute to 1950s style, thanks to the creativity of the people involved and the inspiration taken from the original Lighthouse DuPlex two-story trailers. This unique camper dazzles with its retro lines, clever features, and handcrafted flair that make it stand out at any rally. You’ll love this!
2. Simple, no-build minivan camper with shower, toilet, and kitchen
3. How to prepare land for full RV hook-ups
4. RV expert names top 10 travel trailers for 2025
5. How to legally live in an RV on your own land
Reader poll
Will you spend more or less time in your RV in 2026 than you did in 2025?
Our most popular polls of 2025:
- Do you buy plastic water bottles by the case?
- Do you start each day with a cup of coffee?
- Do you own a cowboy hat?
- What tip percentage do you typically leave at a restaurant?
- Have you ever been transported by ambulance for a medical emergency?
Sunday giveaway
How would you like to win this 2026 vintage camper calendar?
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!
Our most-loved gadget, gizmo and RV features:
1. 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 at Bish’s RV. We all learned a lot! I sure did, and I’ve been traveling by RV and writing about it for a few decades, so that’s saying something. While the video focuses on towable slideouts, there’s plenty to learn for those of us with motorhomes.
2. German RV makers unveil incredible sliding bathrooms in Class B vans
3. The top 5 RV accessories from the 2025 Florida RV SuperShow
4. 15 must-have outdoor RV gear accessories
5. What’s better? Electric blankets vs. heated mattress pads
Brain teaser
Two mothers and two daughters went out to eat. Everyone ate one burger, yet only three burgers were eaten in all. How is this possible?
(Answer below.)
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- 7 common RV winterization mistakes you should avoid
- How to cope with noisy neighbors in the campground
- 10 clever ways to reuse holiday gift wrap
- Handy tricks for using plastic wrap while RVing
BUMPER SNICKER: “Less stress, more snacks.”
Readers’ pet of the day
“Lucy (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, age 5) is a rescue from a ‘breeder’ that ‘didn’t need her’ because she wouldn’t get pregnant. She loves to be an outdoor camping dog. No more beauty shows for her. We had to teach her how to play and run, as she had been kept indoors and in a kennel. She is very hard of hearing, but she is learning hand signals and is our perfect companion. She is dressed up for a campground walk after the release of the Superman movie.” —Lori Courtney
HELP! We’re running low on pet photos! Want to see your pet in this newsletter? Please send us a photo of your pet with a short description. No blurry photos and do not submit your photo more than once.
Trivia
Statista reports that the most popular New Year’s resolution among Americans is losing weight, followed by saving more money and eating healthier.
Sunday funny
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
Brain teaser answer:
They were a grandmother, mother, and daughter.
FREE IS GOOD! Enter to get a digital coupon for one (1) 20 oz Coca‑Cola® Original Taste.
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
Here’s an oldie but goodie (and appropriate for the season) — The Cascades singing Rhythm of the Rain. There are many memories attached to this one for some of our older readers. Enjoy.
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
To the RV Travel crew: Thank you for a wonderful 2025 of camping information, stories, inspiration and locations. Your newsletter is the first thing I read when I open my email.
Thank you for your kind words and your financial support, Cookie. We appreciate them, and we appreciate YOU! Have a great day and a terrific 2026! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I’ve been a paid subscriber for years, but I will say “thank you” in print as well. I only wish I had found you when we first started out F/Timing! I sure could have used all your wisdom and information then! (and maybe I could have even passed along some of our experiences to you). Even though we have slowed our travels down to a trickle, I love getting your newsletter – it helps me still feel “connected” to my favorite “world”. May 2026 bring blessings to one and all.
Thank you very much, Marie. We appreciate your very kind words and your longtime financial support. Most importantly, we appreciate YOU! Have a great day, and a healthy and terrific 2026. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Hats off to everyone at RVTravel.com. Bought our 1st Motorhome in 2006 and have followed your newsletter ever since. Thanks for a great 20 years of advice, hints, tips and stories about RVing.
Thanks, Jerry. Every time I see your comments I remember when we did quite a bit of communicating via email about 10 years ago.😄 Have a great day, and a terrific and healthy 2026. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Rhythm of the Rain was one of my favorite songs from my high school years. Released a long time ago but I still remember the lyrics and sang along with the video. Thanks for including it in the newsletter.
Lucy is a very lucky dog. So glad you found her. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for rescuing Lucy, Lori! Very sad that she had to be taught to, essentially, be a dog once you got her. 🙁 Thank you for making the effort it must have taken. 🙂 Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great week, grand 2026, and safe travels!