Greetings, fellow RVers!
Today, among other great stuff we are liking, we focus on two elements—air and water, both essential to RV life. Well… to any life, for that matter. Read on!
Cool air, water, and ice, essential for summer RV living
Continuing on last issue’s theme (hey, it’s STILL hot out there), here are more gadget picks to keep you cool, hydrated, and comfortable in summer.
Budget-friendly portable air conditioner
By Cheri Sicard
Summer is here, and that means RV life gets a bit toasty out on the road. Looking for a truly portable solution to beat the summer heat in a tent, camper, or van? BougeRV steps into the spotlight in 2025 with their BougeRV BUDGET 3500 BTU Ultra Portable Air Conditioner, a compact, simple air conditioner that has one mission—cool the air on a tight budget. Check out the detailed review.
Are Yeti insulated products worth the price? You might be surprised!
By Cheri Sicard
I used to roll my eyes at Yeti products. To me, they seemed like overpriced status symbols for the van life crowd. Sure, they worked—but were they really that much better than the cheaper alternatives? I couldn’t see how the steep price tags could be justified… until I saw one in action. Check out the experience that changed Cheri’s mind.
It’s time to change your RV water filter. Yes, now!
By Nanci Dixon
We have only had our three water filters in the motorhome for three months while traveling but decided after some dubious water it would be a good idea to change them. I am so glad we did! Discover more about RV water filters and why yours probably needs changing.
Is your RV ice maker growing mold?
By Dale Wade
Ah, summer! We pulled the RV out of storage for this year’s maiden voyage. As I went through the spring checklist, I came across “Check the ice maker.” I pulled it out of the box, opened it up, and found black mold around the inside edges. Whoa. Learn more here.
New and improved Dump Buddy is a must-have gadget for RV dumping
Don’t miss Tony Barthel’s updated review of the new and improved Dump Buddy. What’s a Dump Buddy? It’s essentially a plastic collar that goes around a sewer pipe in the ground and then another one that goes around your sewer hose elbow. You simply use the knob to tighten the collar around the sewer pipe and then flip up the second collar and tighten that around the sewer hose. Read Tony’s review here or order on Amazon.
Other stuff we’re liking
Gadget offers relief for RVers with motion sickness
By Emily Woodbury
For anyone who gets queasy just thinking about winding mountain roads or reading in the passenger seat, you’re not alone. In one of our recent polls, 12% of readers said they often get carsick, and another 19% admitted it happens to them sometimes. That’s nearly a third of all respondents who battle motion sickness while riding in a vehicle. And based on your stories, the struggle is very, very real. Continue reading about a motion-sickness-saving gadget.
New water flow meter is perfect for flushing tanks
By Nanci Dixon
I’ll admit it, I am rather compulsive about dumping and flushing the black and gray water holding tanks and I have gone through a number of water flow meters. A water flow meter measures how many gallons of water go from a faucet to a water hose. Inevitably, in time they leak, so I am back on Amazon looking for a different brand. Learn why Nanci loves this gadget.
12 places to use motion-sensor lights around your RV
By Gail Marsh
Look around your RV. Peek in cabinets and closets. Check stairs, laundry area, and other dark nooks and corners. I’ll bet you’ll quickly identify several dark places for motion-sensing lights in the RV! Here are the 12 places I find these to be helpful.
The book nook
This laugh-out-loud Would You Rather? book is the perfect companion for all your favorite summer activities, whether you’re at home, at camp, in a tent in the woods, at the pool, or on the road with family and friends. Thought-provoking scenarios entertain and challenge kids ages 8-12 to think creatively and speak persuasively. Includes 160+ “Would You Rather?” questions about campfires, whitewater rafting, pool parties, rock-climbing, bottle rockets, capture the flag, and so much more. Order from Amazon.
More recent gadget articles you might like:
- What are the three best RV air conditioners? A tech magazine answers
- A simple fix to stop fighting with your fifth wheel front storage door
- Glowing gadget with many uses you’ll want for your RV
- Every way to haul bikes with an RV: For trailers, 5th wheels, and motorhomes
- Take the weight off your RV water hose and power cord with this easy trick
Cordless camping fan clips or hangs on; works great!
Cheri Sicard loves her new USB-rechargeable clip-on or hanging camping fan. She says it’s the best one she’s ever tried, and it works perfectly for keeping her cool at night. The fan has three speeds and can run up to 65 hours on a single charge. It can clip on or hang from just about any surface and produces a strong wind for such a small fan. The fan also includes an LED lantern, and it has a USB-A port for charging cell phones, flashlights, and laptops. Impressive! Read more about it here.
Gadget quick takes
JISULIFE Hand-held mini-fan
Featuring a fan, flashlight, and backup power bank, the JISULIFE pocket bear fan is your summer go-to essential for staying cool on hot days while offering versatile functionality to meet your diverse needs. With up to 19 hours of cooling time on a single charge, this mini handheld fan ensures you stay refreshed during travel, concerts, and outdoor adventures. Conveniently rechargeable via USB.
Hoyle Clear Waterproof Playing Cards
Elevate your game night with these Hoyle Waterproof Playing Cards. These waterproof cards are designed to keep the fun rolling, regardless of the weather or location. Prepare to game-on in style, come rain or shine, or accidental spill. Features an opaque design, printed on premium plastic card stock, ensuring high visibility and a luxurious feel without the worry of anyone seeing your cards. Cards remain flexible, even when wet, for seamless shuffling.
ATHMILE quick-dry water shoes
Water shoes for men and women are for both water use and dry land. The special anti-slip sole not only protects your feet from sharp things like rocks, shells, and gravel, but also prevents burns from hot sand at the beach or water park. Available in a huge array of patterns and a rainbow of colors!
MAKE SURE YOU READ today’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter before leaving. Lots of good stuff inside for RVers! Click here to read.
Gadget giggles
Amazing inflatable motorhome is too cool to fathom!
By Chuck Woodbury
What can you say with words about this inflatable RV-boat that do it justice? This is just about the coolest RV you could ever imagine. Uninflated, you can pack it away in your land-based RV’s storage compartment until you get to your campsite along the lakeshore. And then—Magic! Inflate this beauty, drop it in the water and watch a long line of other campers froth at the mouth for a chance to climb aboard. One rule: No pocket knives allowed. Fishing hooks, either. Check out the coolest “motorhome” ever.
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The Restmo water flow meter is handy to have, but if you need accuracy, you will want to check the tolerance the manufacturer states on the box. I have one, and while it appears to be a good value for the price, remember that one gets what one pays for.
Thank you for the compilation, Cheri! Have a great day and safe travels!