America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 1255
Ads have been removed in this newsletter
for our much-appreciated volunteer paid subscribers.
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Easter, of course! It’s also National Read A Road Map Day… Do you still use one of those paper things?
On this day in history: 1621 – The Mayflower sets sail from Plymouth, Massachusetts, on a return trip to England.
Today’s thought
“Every day is a renewal, every morning the daily miracle. This joy you feel is life.” — Gertrude Stein
22 of our best spring cleaning articles, tips and projects for RVers
It’s officially spring (we made it!) and you know what that means… spring cleaning! Spring cleaning is more than just a quick dust-off before your first trip. It also involves smaller things like maybe changing a headlight or buying a new RV fire extinguisher. Here are 22 of our best articles about quick and easy cleaning projects. Well, get to work!
Living on a $1,250 Social Security check—This RVer says it’s her happiest life yet
Is RVing on Social Security possible? Yes! Here, we meet Mona, who, at 62, is living through the happiest period of her life, in a van, on the road. Mona gives us a tour of the rig and shares her thoughts on her mobile lifestyle. As a single mom, she spent her life covering bills, raising her son, and getting by without savings. But one van trip changed everything. At 62, she now lives debt-free in a custom van on $1,250 a month from Social Security. Here’s her inspiring story.
Why Tractor Supply Company is an RVer’s best friend
If you spend any time traveling by RV, you quickly learn that not all stores are created equal. Some are great for groceries, others for gear, and a select few become go-to stops for just about everything. Tractor Supply Company falls firmly into that last category. Whether you’re parked at a campground or boondocking off a back road, this retailer is one you’ll want on your radar.
Today’s RV review…
2026 Winnebago Micro Minnie 2000-Series—Nice changes
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the 2026 Winnebago Micro Minnie 2000-Series travel trailers. This is a narrow-body, no-slide, twin axle trailer. It represents one of two lines from Winnebago that show that the company has taken a serious look at its towable offerings and made some nice changes. There are three main variants in Winnebago’s 2000-Series lineup, with the primary differences centered around the bed configuration. Continue reading.
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
- Trump’s budget proposal targets National Parks with massive funding cuts
- Gas prices surge past $4 per gallon nationwide for first time in four years
- You trusted a dealer to sell your RV—then it disappeared
- EPA removes some DEF sensor requirements for diesel equipment
- Costco to build its first massive standalone gas station
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
EASTER FUNNY: What do you call a mischievous egg? A practical yolker.
BORED?? Well, there is no excuse! Read back issues of our RV Daily Tips Newsletters! More than 2,000 to choose from!
Should I unhappily downsize or hang up the keys for good?
By Nanci Dixon (Yes, Nanci is back!)
Not to bring the entire world, or at least RV Travel’s world, into an ongoing, unpleasant discussion between my husband and me, but here you are. I was going to call this “forced downsizing,” but “unhappily downsizing” says about the same. It’s exhausting driving our 40’ motorhome towing an additional 16 feet of car long distances. Should we downsize, or should we hang up the keys for good? I’m not so sure… Continue reading.
Best 2026 couple’s trailers according to Josh the RV Nerd
Josh the RV Nerd of Bish’s RV has put together a list of his favorite 2026 couple’s travel trailers along with video highlights of each. We’ve summed up Josh’s comments in this article and provided a link to his full-length video review of each model. The video at the bottom of this article contains clips from each video along with Josh’s comments. That may be enough to give you an idea of what interests you. See what you think.
Stop comparing yourself to other RVers
By Gail Marsh
There’s nothing like rolling into a new campground, unfurling the awning, and feeling the whole world slow down. But… then you scroll your social media feed or walk past a neighbor’s larger, newer rig and suddenly feel deflated. Comparing yourself to other RVers is normal, I suppose. However, when it becomes habitual, it can steal the simple joys that made you hit the road in the first place. Continue reading and tell us: Do you do this?
Tanner Toons
with Tanner Woods
EASTER FUNNY: What do you call a line of rabbits hopping backward? A receding hare-line.
Reader poll
RV tire covers: Pros and cons—Do you use them?
POLLS FROM THIS PAST WEEK
- Was the first RV you purchased motorized or a towable?
- For couples: Do you go to bed at the same time as your partner?
- What do you do most nights after dinner?
- Do you like to dance?
- How many pets travel with you in your RV?
Sunday giveaway
How would you like to win this “this is my road trip shirt” T-shirt?
Yes, you will be able to choose the gender, size and color.
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
Your RV is a rolling earthquake—These gadgets protect what’s inside
Every time you pull your RV onto the road, you’re putting everything inside through a rolling earthquake for hours at a time. Protecting cookware in an RV isn’t just about stopping rattles, it’s about preventing the steady wear that ruins pans, chips dishes, and loosens what you carry. Constant rattling can increase wear that shortens the life of what you carry. Here are some gadgets and tips that help with the rattle.
The sweet history of Easter’s favorite candy. Do you like Peeps?
By Gail Marsh
It’s time to celebrate Easter! To me, Easter means church, family gatherings and, of course, Peeps! These iconic marshmallow treats have been an Easter staple for my entire life. Have you ever wondered how Peeps came to be? Me, too! After reading the history of Easter’s favorite candy, vote in our poll and tell us whether or not you like Peeps.
Travel destinations
Five iconic movie locations for RVers to explore, and where to camp nearby
By Gail Marsh
I love movies! I love visiting actual movie locations, too! Here are five great movie sites to visit. You’ll also discover nearby activities and attractions that will make your RV “movie trip” well worth your time. Ready? Action!
4 unique U.S. waterfalls RVers should visit
By Gail Marsh
The U.S. has many, many waterfalls—too many to count! However, there are a few unique waterfalls that deserve a spot on your RV itinerary. If you think you know just about everything about waterfalls, you may be surprised. Read on to see what I mean.
EASTER FUNNY: Why don’t rabbits ever get hot in summer? They have hare-conditioning.
Brain teaser
If a hen and a half lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, how many eggs will half a dozen hens lay in half a dozen days?
(Answer below.)
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- Smart ways to use suction cups around your RV
- An easy fix to stop towed vehicle rattle
- How safe is the RV park water you are using? You sure it’s safe?
- Some of our most popular DIY articles for the DIY RVer
- Need a new place to walk? Try this trail-finding trick with Google Maps
If you’re not subscribed to our RV Daily Tips newsletter, boy, are you missing out! It’s informational, educational, and very entertaining. Our readers love it! Learn more or sign up here.
In the RV shop with Dustin
The 2-in-1 RV tank cleaner for all RV water tanks
Join me in the video below as we say goodbye to stubborn tank deposits and hello to hassle-free cleaning with the revolutionary Thetford 2-in-1 tank cleaner! Specially formulated for black, gray, and portable tanks, this cleaner offers a comprehensive solution to keep your tanks in top condition. Check it out.
Vintage RVs
Trailer from 1938 is gorgeous and not so different from those of today
This 1938 travel trailer is older than all but a few RVtravel.com readers, and probably in better condition. It’s a real beauty that will likely attract a lot of attention wherever it appears. It’s so well preserved that you might think it was parked in a garage through the years—some travel stickers in a front window suggest otherwise. You will love this!
RV tire safety
When changing tire size, don’t forget this critical information
By Roger Marble
I saw a question about tire size on one of the RV forums I monitor. About a dozen people replied. ALL of them ignored the importance of including both the… Continue reading.
Ask Dave
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
What is the best way to check the level of my RV? • What are the white flakes in my RV’s tap water? Are they dangerous? • Do RV dealers “exercise” the slides and maintain the roofs on lot inventory? • How can I get rid of foul smell coming from my RV’s sink? • Why do new RV batteries show yellow bars at 12.4 volts with everything off?
EASTER FUNNY: What do you call an egg that tells jokes? A comedi-hen.
Video of the day
The reality of visiting Yosemite National Park with a dog
Yosemite can feel huge, busy, and a little intimidating with a dog. Jess, of Exploring Gems, expected the usual national park limits, campgrounds, parking lots, and not much else that would allow her dog, Gem, but was surprised by how much of the park Gem could enjoy with her. If you’re planning a Yosemite visit with your dog, read and watch this.
Live cam
NASA’s Artemis II Live Views from Orion
As bandwidth allows, this stream will feature live views from the Orion spacecraft, without commentary, as it makes its journey around the Moon. Viewers will see a blue screen if there is a loss of signal, or if the bandwidth is needed for mission activities. Viewers may see what appears to be a black screen when the vehicle is in darkness.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Zoe had been in the shelter for one of her two years when we adopted her 13 yrs ago. She enjoyed the same fulltime RV life we did for 11 of them, then we sold the MH. She’s with us in Indy now, an apartment cat. Gets out her own stuffed mice to play with, and watches the visiting bunnies through the patio door. She enjoys reading and walking on a leash in the grass.” —Tim Slack
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.
Bumper snicker
Trivia
For the most part, the color of a chicken’s earlobe determines the color of the egg it lays. A red earlobed chicken lays brown eggs and a white earlobed chicken lays white eggs. Eggs are laid at 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sunday funny
FACTOID: Most Americans bite the ears off a chocolate bunny first (apparently, we’re all the same).
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
Brain teaser answer:
Two dozen. If you increase both the number of hens and the amount of time available four-fold, the number of eggs increases 16 times. 16 x 1.5 = 24
FREE IS GOOD! Get an official Massachusetts Travel Guide. It has some must-sees for each region in the state, a highway map, and some really pretty photos. Online or by mail.
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.
Glad you said for “the most part”. I had white chickens with white ear lobes lay brown eggs. When I use to raise poultry.
My daughter has 6 chickens of different breeds. She gets blue, pink, white and brown. Most of the color difference has to do with the breed and what they are fed.
She feeds them a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables mixed with the normal chicken feed. They love banana peels, but you have to be careful. She normally buys organic ones since they don’t have all the chemicals used to keep the fresh looking.
no such thing as half a chicken….hate to tell ya
Never been to KFC?
They don’t lay many eggs though.
We don’t use it very much but we do carry a Road Atlas with us.
I would suggest to Nanci getting a travel trailer under 30 feet and a pickup truck and lose the mobile home. Much less stress and will fit into more sites and she could maybe even be able to drive some!
Nanci
Maybe it’s time for that change up. 2500 pickup with a nice 28′ fifth wheel and keep on traveling.
I do read our trucker’s Atlas when getting ready to plan a trip to make sure there are no low bridges or other things in the way. I like looking at a road map to get an overall idea of where we will be traveling for the day.
Does anyone else now find it creepy that Fred Astaire is 22 year older than Judy Garland and it shows.
In that movie era, it was not unusual for the male stars to be a couple of decades older than their female partners. I often wondered if it was because they cast men who had proven themselves or that women around the same age were considered not as attractive.
Reading is a good hobby for a retired cat
I enjoyed the Easter jokes. Thanks for sprinkling them throughout this home page of the newsletter.
I like the new Amazing America drawings. Well done and fascinating information.
Zoe has lead a good life. May she enjoy her retirement from RVing for many years.