America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 1254
Ads have been removed in this newsletter
for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
Today’s thought
“Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value.” —Albert Einstein
Today is important: Today is National Vietnam War Veterans Day. We honor all those who served. “Welcome home.” Also, today is National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, so go out and support a small, local business.
On this day in history: 1806 – Construction is authorized of the Great National Pike, better known as the Cumberland Road, becoming the first United States federal highway.
BORED?? Well, there is no excuse! Read back issues of our RV Daily Tips Newsletters! More than 2,000 to choose from!
Are Love’s RV Stops worth it? My honest experience on the road
By Tony Barthel
If you’ve been on the road lately, you may have noticed that more and more Love’s Travel Stops are adding accommodations for RVers including overnight accommodations with hookups at some of the company’s 670 locations in 42 states. I have stayed at several Love’s locations and documented my findings, which you can read about here.
A remote desert highway crash showed us a hard truth: Help isn’t always quick to arrive
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
If you travel the kinds of remote desert highways RVers know well, a desert highway crash isn’t something you expect—but it’s something you should be ready for. We were still thinking about getting home when we drove into the dust. It hung across the highway like a curtain—thick, tan, and sudden. Visibility dropped to almost nothing as we climbed into a sweeping grade. Then came the jolt. We hit something in the road… Continue reading this important story and reminder.
Are RVers really “camping” or are we really “glamping”?
By Gail Marsh
In the RV world, this argument never seems to go away: Is RVing really camping? We recently were unintentionally drawn into the discussion: Are you really “camping” if you have TV, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a private toilet and shower, and all the comforts of home? When asked directly, I demurred. (I’ve witnessed this discussion before and know the potential intensity of the opinions on both sides.) Continue reading.
Today’s RV review…
2026 Lost Pines Sequoia—Tiny home or destination trailer?
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the 2026 Lost Pines Sequoia trailer. I hesitate to qualify this only as a destination trailer, although that’s the most likely use case scenario. But this is something we saw at the RV dealer open house, and we were really taken aback by it. You could easily also call this a tiny house, but it is much nicer than many examples in the tiny house genre. Essentially, this is a very large travel trailer that is also a destination trailer or tiny house. Check it out.
Tanner Toons
with Tanner Woods
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
- Gasoline price jumps one dollar in last month
- Two huge Texas RV parks may create ‘RV City’
- Amazon is ramping up its Starlink rival—but RVers may be waiting a while
- Data centers are creeping closer to RV parks, campgrounds—and bringing noise with them
- Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel: Campers are changing their ways as RV industry tensions rise
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
HERE, KITTY, KITTY… Yesterday, we shared a story about a cougar under an RV—and coincidentally received this from reader Larry R.: After buying his first motorhome and taking it out for a test run, he woke up to find fellow campers urgently waving him over to warn him that a 7-foot alligator was sleeping directly beneath his RV. “I now always look under my RV for visitors!”
Letter to the editor: Solo travel is booming, but many RVers aren’t ready to go alone
We recently received this message from reader Susan L. Coincidentally, around the same time, we came across new research showing that solo travel is on the rise. Read Susan’s letter and our article, then please consider leaving a comment to share your thoughts with her—we know she’ll appreciate it. Susan starts, “I lost my husband not long ago, and with him went my favorite travel partner….” Continue reading.
How useful are fifth wheel king pin stabilizers?
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
One fifth wheel owner we know refuses to set foot in her fiver unless the front end is “supported” with a king pin stabilizer. She knows it’s nuts, but she’s afraid the trailer will topple forward if she puts her weight up there without the support. Not everyone is quite so paranoid, but plenty of fifth wheel folks put a stabilizer under their king pin. Is it worth it?
Does your RV or tow vehicle have a wackeldackel on its dash?
Think back. Did your car, truck, or motorhome ever feature a wackeldackel? The wackeldackel is linked to a much older idea. The German word, wackeldackel, translates to… well, read on to find out, then tell us: Do you have a wackeldackel?
Tony’s tips
RVing Route 66 for its 100th anniversary— So many options!
Usually, I like to use this space to share tips and tricks or insights into the RV world. However, this week I thought I’d share some tips for those of you planning to venture onto Route 66 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road. Gail Marsh did a great job of detailing the 100-year anniversary celebrations happening along Route 66 in this article. What I thought I’d share are some of the highlights specifically for RVers. (This is an excellent guide!)
Reader poll
When RVing, how often do you cook over a campfire?
TAKE A GUESS: Do most RVtravel.com readers brush their teeth once or twice a day? Find out here.
Sunday giveaway
How would you like to win this vintage National Parks 1,000-piece puzzle?
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.
RV gadgets and gizmos
Helpful RV gadgets for those with arthritis or weak hands
By Gail Marsh
My mother-in-law could tear a large Las Vegas phone book in half. Really! I wish I had her amazing hand strength! Maybe you, too, struggle a bit while RVing because of poor grip strength or arthritis. If so, you should know that many devices and gadgets can help! I’ve put together an excellent list of these gadgets. Read on, and you’ll see!
WANT MORE GADGETS? Make sure you read Thursday’s brand-new issue of our Great RV Accessories newsletter. What fun!
Travel destinations
Spring RV guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is Kentucky’s official distillery tourism network. Built around member stops of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, the trail is designed so travelers can explore bourbon country by region instead of trying to drive the entire trail. This would be so much fun!
Free museums across the U.S., and where to camp nearby
One of the best parts of RV travel is stumbling into places that feel like a win before you even walk through the door. Free museums definitely fall into that category. USA TODAY readers recently ranked the best free museums in the country. One thing that stands out is how spread out they are. You can enjoy a top-notch museum almost anywhere you travel. For free! Check these out, and see the best campgrounds/RV parks nearby.
Brain teaser
What’s one thing that’s always found on the ground but never gets dirty?
(Answer below.)
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- Snowbirds, it’s time to change your RV’s water filters
- Block window glare with movable sunshades
- Tips for dealing with unresponsive RV shops
- Use your smartphone’s camera these 14 ways to make life easier while RVing
- The best magnetic gadgets for your RV
In the RV shop with Dustin
Cool RV Tools: Meet the Spider Tool Holster BitGripper
These “cool tools” are tools and gadgets that we actually use in the RV industry! We also believe they will be helpful to you. Today, we’re looking at the Spider Tool Holster BitGripper. This is a great RV gadget for your drill gun or impact gun. Learn more here.
RV tire safety
More information on tire cold inflation pressure
Tire expert Roger Marble explains more about tire cold inflation pressure in response to an RVtravel.com reader’s question, which begins as follows: “I have read a lot of your posts and that makes me think my manufacturer has my cold inflation pressure (CIP) wrong or used too much tire on my unit (maybe not a bad thing).” Continue reading.
READERS’ SAY… “In the article titled ‘Lug nuts on trailer seize up. Lubricate them or use anti-seize?‘ the question is asked, ‘What is the best jack to raise a trailer?’ I bought the Tall Boy that was featured some time ago on RV Travel in this article. It is the best jack I have ever used; no additional blocks are required to increase the height of the jack. Well worth the money!” —Lee A.
Ask Dave
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
RV residential fridge drains batteries in one day. Would 12-volt compressor model last longer? • California RV Show is back in Pomona with a bang! • Time to reseal your RV roof seams? Here are caulking tips • The local U-Haul says my LP tank needs to be recertified? What you need to know • Lug nuts on trailer seize up. Lubricate them or use anti-seize?
**Last day: If you’re near Las Vegas, NV, be sure to see Dave at his always educational and entertaining seminars at the Las Vegas RV Show today, March 29.
Bumper snicker
Video of the day
U.S. national parks designations explained
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia is known for hiking, climbing, paddling, and even base jumping. Until recently, it was called New River Gorge National River, which raises a question: Why do some places become national parks while others become national rivers, monuments, or something else? Well, find out here!
Live cam
Dublin, Ireland
Readers’ pet of the day
“We first met Rocky (Not-so-miniature Dachshund) in a Florida campground as a 4-week-old pup, then picked him up in Tennessee when he was 6 weeks. Since we’re full-time, he has been traveling his whole life (he’s now 10 months old). He’s pretty sure he’s the king of the RV.” —Roger Becht
• 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
Movie theater popcorn costs more per ounce than filet mignon in the U.S.
Sunday funny
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
Brain teaser answer:
A shadow.
FREE IS GOOD! Do you have a Love’s app? On Monday, March 30, get a free 20-oz. Cherry Coke Float. Open the app, show the barcode in the app at checkout, and get your free Coke Float. Yum!
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.
My thought on the brain teaser was a neutral wire.
Rocky – you got a lot of traveling in front of you! Enjoy the ride and make great memories with your people! Don
I laugh every time I see a 5er with one of those tripods on the front end. I’m sure the seller of them laughs harder than I do though.
At this moment, the POLL shows 52% of RVers have never cooked over a campfire. That would mean that they may have gone RVing, but they definitely did NOT GO CAMPING.
Well, it’s all a matter of preference. We have been RVing for about 7 years, for months at a time. We have probably had 2 or 3 campfires total. A small portable grill gets used almost daily. BTW … have only unrolled our awning twice. Just don’t care about those things.
Rocky you are such a sweet and precious little Queen 🥰🐶
Rocky is such a cute Dackel (German name for the breed). I hope he doesn’t get up on the dash to become a live wackeldackel.
Fishing in a giant pothole, I love it. As for Hwy 66, how many other highways go from the Atlantic to the Pacific ? Or, from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico ?
66 doesn’t go from Atlantic to the Pacific. Starts in Santa Monica CA and ends in Chicago. Highway 20 goes from Newport OR to Boston MA. I-5 goes from San Diego CA to Blaine WA. I’m sure there are others…
I thought the Brain teaser might be sunshine, but DW said a shadow. She got me this time.
Regarding the sheep wagon that inspired Airstream:
I snapped photos of an old sheepherder’s wagon on display in the Washakie Museum in Worland, Wyoming, because it was so reminiscent of an RV cabin. Should have known it was the inspiration for early RVs.