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December 26, 2020

If you would like to read this week’s issue with the ads included, click here.

Have you seen this RV used in the Nashville bombing?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation wants to hear from anyone who may have information regarding this Class C motorhome. They say it was used in the massive explosion in Nashville, Tennessee, Friday morning. We’ll have more on this in tomorrow’s issue. For now, read our developing story.

Editor’s corner

With Chuck Woodbury

Merry (belated) Christmas! I hope you had a wonderful day! Our staff took a little time off this week for our own celebrations. It’s been a long year and I know I speak for all of my staff saying we are very happy to see it end. Let’s hope that with the vaccine our lives can return to normal again in 2021. Oh, wouldn’t that be wonderful!

Thanks for being a part of our extended RVing family. We look forward to serving you with great news and information in the year ahead … and beyond.

Be safe. Wear your mask. We’re headed to the pandemic finish line. Be patient. We’ll arrive there soon.

Stories in tomorrow’s newsletter

• More on the Breaking News story of the “intentional” RV explosion Christmas Day in Nashville
• RV shipments sizzling, best November in history!
• Thor Industries buys Tiffin Motorhomes for $300 million
• Big recall on GM, Chevy pickup trucks for seat belt failure issue
• What’s up in Quartzsite?
• Tiffin sold out – Will reliability crash under Thor ownership?
PLUS: Campground updates • Latest fuel prices • Latest RV recalls • Free and bargain camping locations • Reader survey • and much more …

Last week’s Tip of the Day in RV Daily Tips Newsletters

• Cables in a tangle? Try this!
• Dumping your tanks without moving your rig
• Use wireless thermometers to track important areas of your RV
• Caution: RV ladders and roofs are slippery when wet (and a bonus tip: Lube, Lube, Lube!)

Today’s RV review…

Today, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the Winnebago Inspire 34AE Motorhome. This wheelchair-accessible RV has many well-thought-out features. Tony says, “Winnebago is to be commended for creating a coach that brings the joy of RV living to a group of people who might be overcoming challenges.” Read about it here.

Last week’s reviews
2021 Coachmen Freedom Express Ultra Lite 252RBS Travel Trailer • 2021 Aliner Ascape Plus Travel Trailer • 2021 Flagstaff E-Pro 20FBS Travel Trailer • Santa’s Sleigh (Yes, you read that right…)

Last year at this time, these were the most popular articles

• Truck camper “recipe for disaster” folds down on the street
• Another super long RV. Don’t take this around a tight curve
• We do not want to own this RV. Nope.
• Reader letter: Days of RVing without reservations are gone

Brain Teaser

What day would yesterday be if Thursday was four days before the day after tomorrow?

(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday newsletter)

Campground Crowding: ReserveAmerica – Love it or hate it?

More people than ever are taking up RVing. The result is campground crowding like never before. This week our readers shared some thoughts on the following topics: How about more businesses opening up part of their parking lots for overnight stays? What about public campgrounds allowing same-day reservations? How do you feel about ReserveAmerica? Find out what others said, and then let us know what you think about it. All that and more, here.

Jeep Reviews: Which is best to flat tow?

By Nanci Dixon
“Last week I reviewed a few cars for flat towing and it was wonderful to read such helpful comments from so many of you. If you read the article, you know I’m in the market for a new car, so your comments helped me find a few more options to look at.” Read Nanci’s reviews of several Jeeps for flat towing here.

Reader Poll

Did you accomplish the New Year’s resolution you made at the beginning of 2020?

Please let us know. After you click your response, you’ll see how others have responded. Feel free to leave a comment. CLICK HERE.

The most popular poll in this past week’s RV Daily Tips newsletters:
Have you made a campground reservation for this summer? See how nearly 1,900 other RVers responded.

Is this your RV?

If it’s yours and you can prove it to us (send a photo for comparison), tell us here by 9 p.m. Pacific Standard time today, Dec. 26, 2020. If it’s yours you’ll win a $25 Amazon gift certificate.

If this isn’t your RV, send us a photo of your RV (if you haven’t already) for a chance to win in future issues.

This past week two people claimed their $25 gift card: Richard G. of Ventura, CA, and Jane F. of Fort Meyers, FL.

We’ll have another photo in tomorrow’s newsletter (sign up to receive an email alert so you don’t miss the issue or those that follow). Some of these photos are submitted by readers while others were taken by our editors and writers on their travels around the USA.

What kind of toilet paper is best for your RV?

Do you really need to use “RV” toilet paper? Perhaps those that have first tried “non-RV paper” are tossing and turning on their beds, visions of seven-headed wild beast-like clogs churning under their bed. Well, we have some news for them … and others. It’s here.

Did someone say comfort food? This chicken veggie curry does the trick!

By Nanci Dixon
My new favorite flavor is curry and this Indian-inspired curry chicken and veggies prepared quickly in an Instant Pot™ is a great way to spice up a cool fall or winter day. You can serve it over rice or slurp it up as a soup. Get the recipe.

Michigan’s latest craze? Mobile bowling in a semi-truck

Terence Jackson Jr. has endured the COVID-19 pandemic with innovation – the world’s first mobile bowling alley and lounge. It’s built inside a 53-foot semi-truck trailer. Jackson, 34, spent two years working on the project and despite further delays because of the virus launched Luxury Strike Bowling on June 15. Read more, then book your (safe) bowling party here.

Popular articles from last week

• New RVs sitting in manufacturers’ fields. No parts to finish them!
• Three RV parks where you can fish without a state license
• Directory of RV Reviews (too many popular posts to list individually).
• What are the best cars to flat tow? We review some options
• New RVer turns his fifth wheel into an RVer’s technology dream
• Campground Chatter with Janet Groene, December 19, 2020
• Get an electric truck – or RV – from Camping World?
• Campground Crowding: Should some reservations be reserved for state residents?
• This bizarre accommodation on wheels welcome RVers, others
• Can you back up a trailer at 50 mph? This guy can!
• Pickup truck weighs 30,000 pounds. See what it’s made of!
• These RVs are merry AND bright! Check out our readers’ decorated RVs
• Good News: Things to smile about this week, December 20, 2020

Saturday Giveaway!

The Prize: Byakov 1080p Dash Cam

How to win

We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (December 26, 2020) by 7:00 p.m. Pacific time. Remember, you can only enter once and after we notify you by email via RVcontests@gmail.com that you won, you have 24 hours to respond or we’ll give the prize to someone else.

Click here to enter and see last week’s winner!

Resources

Stolen RVs — Help us recover these stolen RVs. The more eyes we have searching for them, the better chance of getting them back to their rightful owners, and maybe putting the crooks who stole them in the slammer! See the stolen RVs.

NEW: Check out all our favorite websites of the day! We compiled a list of (almost) all the websites we’ve ever posted, and we’ll continue to update it.

Where to complain about bad RVs, dealers, service, RV parks. This is an ever-expanding list of resources where you can report, share or discuss your problems with RV manufacturers or dealers.

Best Club for RVers: Escapees. Click here to learn more or join. Endorsed by RVtravel.com.

Directory of RV parks with storm shelters
In case you’re on the road with your RV and the weather report is showing a tornado headed your way, have this list handy.

RV Clubs
Check out our Directory of RV Clubs and Organizations.

What does financing an RV for 20 years REALLY mean?
In case you missed this article the first time around, here it is again. Important! Click here.

Stuck with a lemon RV? Contact Ron Burdge, America’s premier RV lemon law attorney.

RV Electricity

Are there 150-amp pedestals?

Hi Mike,
Love your newsletters and thank you so much for your hard work! My wife and I have been full-timing in our 5th wheel since retiring a couple of years ago. We have a “home base” in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Our neighbor was telling me that a 50-amp service barely powers his 45-ft. Essex motorhome. He told me about this new park here in Florida that provides 100- and 150-amp service. …

Read the rest of the question and Mike’s response.

This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session

Drop-in Lithium battery update

Dear Readers,
Just a quick update on last week’s JAM Session about the problems associated with dropping in a Lithium battery without checking if your battery charger (be it part of your converter or inverter) can provide the higher charging voltage needed, and higher charging current possible, by Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries. Continue reading.

Sign up for Mike’s popular and informative RV Electricity group on Facebook.

RV Tire Safety

How are tires “designed”?

By Roger Marble
First off, let’s be clear on the word “design.” For this post I am not talking just about the exterior “look” of the tread or sidewall but about the complete structure. … Read more on how tires are designed and why there is always a compromise.

RV Short Stop

State parks’ First Day Hikes = healthy, fun family outings

Say good riddance to 2020 and a healthy hello to 2021 by heading outdoors for one of the “First Day Hikes” across America. This national initiative is coordinated by America’s State Parks to get people and their families out into fresh air and connecting with nature on New Year’s Day. Learn more here, and let us know in the comments if you’ll be participating.

RV Fire Safety

An emergency fire plan that can save your life – Part 6 of 13

Having a solid fire escape plan may help you replace panic with logical, life-saving actions if a fire occurs. Knowing exactly what to do and doing it quickly can make a big difference in an emergency situation.

To begin your fire drill, start with everyone seated with seat belts on. From this position, discuss the different ways you could exit the coach without using the main entrance door. Next, have everyone get into their sleeping quarters. Sound the “alarm” using the test button on a detector, a safety whistle or a shout.

Courtesy: Mac “The Fire Guy” McCoy

Museum of the Week

A Christmas Story House & Museum

Cleveland, OH

If you’ve ever watched the 1983 Christmas classic, “A Christmas Story,” you’re going to want to visit this museum! The Christmas Story Museum features original props from the movie, as well as costumes, memorabilia and behind-the-scenes photos. And, if you’re tired of sleeping in your RV, you can stay in the actual house, which is located directly across the street from the museum! How fun is that? Visit the museum website here to plan your visit… or stay!

Readers’ Pet of the Day

“Recently lost a loving member of our family. Our pug, Hank, doesn’t do well by himself when we leave him in the RV alone. So we took a trip to Temple, TX, and picked him up a new sister, Poppy.” —Gary Kaiser

Pets featured in this past week’s RV Daily Tips:
• Monday: Moxie • Tuesday: Krystal • Wednesday: Ruby • Thursday: Bernadette, “Bernie”

Trivia

If you’re planning a surgery, try avoiding it on the surgeon’s birthday. According to research published this month in the British Medical Journal, there’s a noticeable increase in patient deaths after surgeons perform an operation on their birthday. The scientists tracked how many Medicare beneficiaries died within 30 days of an emergency surgery. When the surgery was performed on a surgeon’s birthday, 6.9 percent of the patients died. On any other day, only 5.6 percent died.

Joke of the Week

My friend Joe recently went on the Dolly Parton diet…
It really made Joe lean, Joe lean, Joe lean, Joe leannnnn….

Leave with a song from [Christmas] past

Here’s another Christmas song for you, recorded in 1949 by Yogi Yorgesson and the Johnny Duffy Trio. Enjoy their big hit (well, maybe not THAT big)…

I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas

Did you miss last week’s RV Travel?

Read it here | Back issues

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RV Travel staff

Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Managing editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editors: Russ and Tiña De Maris. Senior writers: Nanci Dixon, Tony Barthel. Contributors: Mike Sokol, Roger Marble, Dave Helgeson, Janet Groene, Julianne Crane, Chris Guld, Machelle James, James Raia, Barry and Monique Zander, J.M. Montigel, Clint Norrell, and Andrew Robinson. Social media and special projects director: Jessica Sarvis. Moderators: Gary Gilmore, Linda Brady. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.

FOREVER IN OUR MEMORIES — OUR STAFF MEMBER IN HEAVEN, Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor, who was taken from us by the coronavirus.

Honorary Correspondents: Loyal readers who regularly email us leads about news stories and other information and resources that aid our own news-gathering efforts.
• Mike Sherman • George Bliss • Tom and Lois Speirs • Steve Barnes • Tom Hart + others who we will add later.

REGIONAL AND LOCAL ADVERTISING: We can now run banners on RVtravel.com in your town or in a designated area near you, for example to readers within 100, 200, etc., miles of your business. For information contact advertising@rvtravel.com .

Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.

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