America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 1252
Ads have been removed in this newsletter
for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
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Today’s thought
“There really is a kind of insane beauty around us all the time. It’s just a question of learning to slow down, take a deep breath and meet the moment.” —Graham Nash
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Kansas Day!
On this day in history: 1919 – The American Legion is founded.
RVtravel.com publisher named “Original RV Influencer” by popular podcast
Although our founder and publisher Chuck Woodbury doesn’t like to admit it, the title of “First RV Influencer” may well be accurate. In this podcast directly below from Mike and Jennifer Wendland of RV Lifestyle, Chuck discusses his 50 years as an RVer, most of it as a roving reporter discovering and writing about the people and places of rural and small-town America.
RVers say these are the two biggest factors when choosing a campsite
When you pull into a campground, you want that site to feel right. Maybe it’s the view of a lake through the trees, a quiet corner away from the crowd, or simply a spot that doesn’t require stacking a mountain of leveling blocks. Yep… last week, we asked RVtravel.com readers: What are your top two main considerations when choosing a campsite? Is it privacy? Cost? Amenities? Scenery? Here’s the most important factor, according to nearly 1,500 of you.
Unwritten rules for RVers at truck stops
You might occasionally find yourself at a truck stop, whether it’s for fueling up or getting some rest. Truck stops can be super convenient, but it’s important to remember that these places are designed primarily for truckers who are on tight schedules and operating large rigs. By following a few unwritten rules of etiquette, you’ll ensure smooth stops for everyone—truckers and fellow RVers alike.
Today’s RV review…
Alliance Paradigm 388SP—They did this one right
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the 2026 Alliance Paradigm 388SP fifth wheel. This is a very large fifth wheel that I got to see a prototype of (now they’re in regular production) that is very polarizing—you’re either going to like it or not. But so many of the core structural and design features in this show what Alliance is up to, and I would suggest reading on, even if the floor plan doesn’t strike your fancy.
Tony’s tips
Why it’s important that you take photos of your RV’s serial number stickers
I used to work at a small, locally-owned RV dealership where I was able to do both sales and oversee some of the warranty claims. Something I learned early on is that the stickers with serial numbers on many RV components tend to fade and wear out quickly—sometimes even before the warranty expires. While you may know about the general warranty on your RV, did you know there may be many warranties that cover components in your RV? Continue reading.
Tanner Toons
with Tanner Woods
Sign up for our RV Daily Tips Newsletter so you don’t miss a single Tanner Toon.
DID YOU MISS YESTERDAY’S TANNER TOON? It’s here if you want to see it.
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
- California officials stall plan that would legalize RV living on private land
- Is RV travel really cheaper? The industry says yes; many RVers say it depends
- Gas prices continue to rise; up 35 cents from last week
- RV air conditioners have barely changed in decades—until now
- Buc-ee’s receives ‘F’ rating from Better Business Bureau
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
TAKE A GUESS: Which U.S. national park campground sits at the highest elevation?
A) North Rim Campground, Grand Canyon; B) Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite; C) Moraine Park, Rocky Mountain, D) Sunset Campground, Bryce Canyon. (Answer below)
RV humor: 9 signs you are in a bad RV park
There’s a moment at every campground when the weekend’s mood shows up early. The rig hasn’t even parked, and nobody’s checked in, but the brain starts doing math. While rolling past the entrance at about 5 mph, little details start to clash with those sunny online photos. At that point, turning around would mean admitting the booking was judged wrong, so most people keep going and learn the truth in real time. Continue reading.
How far do you travel in a day? One RVer’s perspective
By Gary Jefferson
I have three modes when it comes to traveling in our Sprinter. When we traveled in our SUV, I didn’t do it like I do today in the van. In our SUV, the location of a good motel usually determined how far we were going that day. In the Sprinter, we don’t think about motels anymore. We already have one with us. So, when we are in travel mode, I’m moseying down the highway… Continue reading.
How to turn on emergency response settings on your cell phone
By Gail Marsh
When you RV, learning tips that actually work can mean the difference between a smooth excursion and a devastating experience. Read on to discover the advice one RVer recently shared with me. He and his wife were involved in an accident while RVing. Learn how one simple tip, put into practice, made all the difference.
Reader poll
Has a sewer valve or hose ever broken or malfunctioned while you were dumping?
TAKE A GUESS: What would RVtravel.com readers fear stumbling upon most in the wild—a bear, rattlesnake, or alligator? Take a guess and see if you’re right.
Sunday giveaway
How would you like to win this electric griddle?
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. Click here to enter or see last week’s winner.
RVtravel.com readers reveal the special times in their lives
By Chuck Woodbury
Recently I asked you to write to me about special life moments or accomplishments of your lives which few if anyone else were aware. Here are some of many responses from our readers plus those from last week. Their accomplishments may not be the fodder of headlines, but they are special to those persons who lived them. And we are happy to share their stories with you.
Travel destinations
Small towns go big for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations
If you love a lively St. Patrick’s Day but don’t want the chaos of a huge city, the U.S. has several smaller places that pack big personality into one day or weekend event. Here are just a few small places throughout the U.S. that go big on St. Patrick’s Day. Why not break out your RV for a wee bit o’ Irish celebration?
Planning a Pacific Coast RV trip? These beach campgrounds belong on the list
Dreaming about camping where you can hear the surf from your RV? A recent article from the travel site Islands rounded up several West Coast beach camping spots. Nice list—but a few places RVers swear by didn’t make the cut. See if your favorite places did, and if so, start planning before they fill up!
Brain teaser
What is round at both ends and high in the middle?
(Answer below.)
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- Where to save money on RV parts and supplies
- Upgrade your RV living space with modular furniture
- Don’t like guns? Alternatives for self-protection
- How to stop and prevent annoying spam phone calls
- 5 ways to improve RV resale value
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In the RV shop with Dustin
Your RV warranty is about to run out: What to do next?
If your RV is experiencing issues and your warranty is about to expire, it’s crucial to act quickly to ensure your RV is covered for any necessary repairs. Here’s a guide to help you navigate this critical period and take advantage of any remaining warranty coverage.
RV tire safety
The DOT requires info be posted on your RV. Do you know what it says?
By Roger Marble
It is a FACT that, by federal law, all new RVs sold must have a “Certification Label”. The law specifies the information that must be on the label. … Another fact is that almost every week, I read a post or receive a question asking whether a certain size, type, or load range tire can be used on a specific RV. The above suggests that RV owners were never told about the important SAFETY information on the Certificate, or that they chose to ignore this information. Here is a poll to see how many readers of RVtravel.com know or have ever even read this safety information.
Ask Dave
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
Why are there so many different-sized beds in RVs? Aren’t there any standards? • What caused crack in RV’s fiberglass sidewall? How to fix it? • Cold water has rotten egg smell in one RV sink. Why? • How can I test my RV’s “emergency start switch”? • Is Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. getting into the Class A gas motorhome market?
THE MORE YOU KNOW… Which contains more Vitamin C: orange juice or a fresh orange? Yep, a fresh orange. A whole naval orange contains about 82.7 milligrams of Vitamin C, while a glass of OJ contains about 71.2 milligrams. This is because of the way the OJ is processed, pasteurized, and stored.
RV gadgets and gizmos
These collapsible water bottles are an awesome camping accessory
By Cheri Sicard
I was recently gifted a set of these collapsible water bottles, and after using them for the last month, I am sorry I had not discovered them sooner. Water bottles can take up a lot of prime real estate in small RV or camper cabinets (or small homes, for that matter). Yet if you do any kind of hiking or even sightseeing away from your RV, you need them.
LIKE GADGETS? Want to learn about more gadgets for RVers? Great! Click here.
Video of the day
78-year-old builds incredible minivan camper
Meet Barry, a 78-year-old DIYer with a penchant for creating RV van conversions like this minivan camper he created in a Toyota Sienna XLE van. According to Carol, our host from Glorious Life on Wheels, Barry’s DIY minivan camper has everything he needs. This is impressive!
Live cam
Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport
ANSWER: Tuolumne Meadows Campground, Yosemite National Park, about 8,600 feet.
Readers’ pet of the day
“We brought our boy, Colt (Miniature Golden Doodle), home at 8 weeks and had him on the road two weeks later. He is a great traveler and adapted to our RV quickly. He’s a fun travel companion!” —Jim & Bonnie Northrup
Want to see your pet in this newsletter? Please send us a photo with a short description. No blurry photos and please only submit your photo once.
Trivia
What animal has the best sense of taste? Is it a dog, human or maybe a cat? Well, if you guessed cat you’d be half correct. Surprisingly, the animal with the best sense of taste is a catfish. Not only do catfish have taste receptors in their mouth, but their entire body is covered in them. A typical catfish has upwards of 100,000 taste receptors on its body. For reference, we humans only have about 9,000. Maybe this is why catfish taste so good… mmmmm…
Sunday funny
Mildred, a full-time RVer, was lonely after losing her husband a couple of years and many miles ago, so she posted an ad on a popular website. The ad said: “Husband wanted.” She was surprised the next morning to find she had more than a hundred replies in her inbox. Unfortunately, they all said the same thing: “You can have mine.”
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
Brain teaser answer:
Ohio.
FREE IS GOOD! If you’re 60 or over, get a free drink with a special senior meal between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. daily at Big Boy®.
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.
And finally… A song from the past
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
The sun can also be an answer to the brain teaser
Actually, the reason those naval oranges have so much more vitamin C than orange juice is because they were genetically engineered for seafarers who otherwise might get scurvy. This fun fact is the result of excessive navel-gazing. . . .
Colt is adorable. I would love to scoop him up and cuddle him. May you and Colt have many happy travels together.
What is round at both ends and high in the middle? I remember that from 51 years ago, my first date with my wife, from Ohio.
What is a Buckeye? A worthless nut. This was also on our first date.
Huh, and she married you anyway! LOL
I think Sugar, Sugar is hands down the best “bubblegum” song ever made. It still sounds as good today as it did in 1969, and the video was pretty funny too. Thanks!
Regarding today’s “Take a guess” question… if you include national monuments as well as national parks, the campground at Cedar Breaks National Monument sits at over 10,000 ft elevation.
Colt is a great looking dog and a born traveler Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing the YouTube video with the Chuck interview. I enjoyed the RV history lesson and his experiences with RV life and writing about it.
Fifty years makes you an early ‘influencer’, but my early influencer was John Steinbeck and his book Travels With Charley (1962). His tales weren’t always non-fiction but he certainly impacted my early days traveling in a truck camper.