KZRV, L.P. (KZRV) is recalling certain 2021 Sportsmen Classic, Escape, and Sonic travel trailers. The microwave circuits were improperly connected to a 20 amp circuit breaker instead of a 15 amp circuit breaker.
Being connected to the wrong amperage circuit breaker may not provide adequate circuit protection, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy KZRV will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 20 amp circuit breaker with a 15 amp circuit breaker, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 16, 2021. Owners may contact KZRV customer service at 1-800-768-4016, extension 154 or 153. KZRV’s number for this recall is KZ-2021-01.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).
* * *
While you may not own one of these recreational vehicles, if you know someone who does be sure to tell them. RVtravel.com posts recall notices like this as they are issued so please check this website often.
Read all recent RV recalls by clicking here. We also publish a weekly recap of recalls in the free Sunday edition of our RVtravel.com newsletter. Sign up here.
By James Raia Sometimes it’s best not to mess with the best. But Toyota has taken its top-selling, mid-size Tacoma and made it more appealing.
The Tacoma debuted in the United States in 1995, and it’s among the most enduring pickup trucks available. For 2021, and joining six other Toyota cars, vans and trucks, the Tacoma is available in a Nightshade Edition.
It’s an edgy look that features a lot of black – alloy wheels, front lower grille, rear spoiler, outside mirrors, door handles, side rocker panels and shark-fin antenna. There’s a single exhaust with dual black diffusers, black emblem and black badges.
Available in two- and four-wheel drive variants including a spacious Double Cab body style, the new Tacoma features a 3.5-liter V6 with 278 horsepower. It has a towing capacity of 6,800 pounds and a payload limit of 1,685 pounds.
Gas mileage averages vary with Tacoma’s configuration. It ranges from 19 miles per gallon in city driving and 24 mpg on the highway in the two-wheel-drive automatic, to 17/20 mpg in the four-wheel-drive Double Cab with a manual transmission.
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma Nightshade Edition features a lot of black and will be available in only 5,000 trucks
Except for 2020 because of delayed production and lack of consumer interest during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tacoma sales have increased yearly since 2011. The Nightshade trim is limited to 5,000 trucks in 2021 models, as is the Tundra. The starting MSRP for the Tacoma Nightshade trim is $41,980.
The upscale edition’s keen styling extends throughout the truck, including the manufacturer’s Entune 3.0 touchscreen infotainment system. Highlights also include a power sunroof, heated front seats, an 8-inch touchscreen display with Dynamic Navigation and a JBL premium sound system. There’s also the Toyota Safety Sense™ P (TSS-P). It bundles adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning.
Toyota Tacoma: Daily driver, off-road rugged
As the country’s top-selling midsize truck for the past 15 years, the Tacoma’s popularity is easy to understand. As a daily use vehicle, it’s comfortable yet rugged. A year ago, the Tacoma was first equipped with a power-adjusted front seat with 10-way lumbar support beginning in TRD Sport trims.
For family use, the Double Cab is the best choice among 33 available configurations. Its roomy back bench seat has plenty of legroom and is comfortable for three passengers.
As a work vehicle, the TRD off-road model features a locking rear differential, hill start assist control, active traction control and crawl control. They’re all quality assist features, ideal for confident driving in off-road and rock-crawling driving situations.
The Tacoma hasn’t had a complete redesign since 2015. But upgrades in recent years have kept it at the forefront.
Besides its redesigned grille and a new taillight design last year, the Nightshade Edition is as fresh as any competitor. The TRD Sport has a few other keen accessories including a 120-volt power outlet in the bed and a Qi wireless charging system tucked in the top center of the console. Latches, tie-downs and the removable extra-duty bedliner all add to the truck’s appeal.
If there’s a downside, the Nightshade Edition’s exterior and interior contrast. The black accents and primary exterior paint combination attract plenty of attention. The interior leans toward functionality; it’s not an aggressive power statement.
It’s a minor squabble. The Tacoma is as versatile and appealing as any midsize truck. It’s a chameleon, adaptable to what’s presented on- or off-road. It drives with a swagger when needed. It’s equally worthy as a city dweller, albeit with a rough ride.
Without the Nightshade Edition, the Tacoma stands out among its peers. With its bold, limited-edition trim, Toyota has taken its stalwart truck and made it better.
James Raia, a syndicated columnist in Sacramento, California, publishes a free weekly automotive podcast and electronic newsletter. Sign-ups are available on his website, www.theweeklydriver.com. He can be reached via email: james@jamesraia.com.
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January 23, 2021 Non-Members (advertising supported) edition.
This free edition of the RVtravel.com newsletter is posted at 9 a.m. (Pacific) every Saturday (that’s noon in the East). The member edition is published seven hours earlier, at 2 a.m. (Pacific). Readers who make even a one-time financial contribution to this website and newsletter automatically receive a permanent subscription to the member edition, ready for reading first thing with their morning coffee (or other beverage).
Editor’s corner
With Chuck Woodbury
Ireceived my first COVID vaccination on Monday and feel great relief. Although it will be many months before most Americans are vaccinated, the process has begun. Several of my close friends have received their first shots. After a year of nervously anticipating when (or if) a vaccine would be available, it seems a miracle to me that it came so fast.
Many of us have been stuck at home for the past year, and I don’t know about you, but it has taken an emotional toll on me. Combined with an incredibly hostile political climate since the election, I am worn out. And I’m bored outta my ever-lovin’ mind. This is the first winter in six that Gail and I have not gone south with our motorhome — most often to Arizona. We were in Quartzsite a year ago for the giant RV show, and I don’t recall anyone talking much about the coronavirus.
Quartzsite boondockers
But in the following few weeks, concern mounted. Gail and I had originally planned to return to our home near Seattle in April. But the first deadly outbreak in the USA happened at a Kirkland nursing home about eight miles from where we live. We decided then it would be best to stay away, so we holed up in a Quartzsite RV park for a few months. When the daytime temps started hitting 90, we moved up to the old mining town of Kingman, along old Route 66, at 3,400 feet. We stayed there until June before heading home.
Once home, we were able to get away locally for a few weeks during the summer, and that was really nice. But my daughter, Emily, and Gail’s grandchildren could not join us for an overnight visit, which was frustrating.
While we were in Arizona, one of my neighbors and best friends, Gary Bunzer, died of COVID. Gary was known in the RV industry as the RV Doctor. Coming home without meeting up with my good buddy at his “office” (an Edmonds coffee shop) was no longer possible. Many of you heard Gary speak through the years at RV shows and rallies. He was truly one of the “great guys” of the RVing world. I knew him for 20 years, and never heard him utter a bad word about anybody!
In Arizona, we were able to socialize with others, mostly our neighbors in the RV park, but always at a distance. There was no shaking of hands, no hugging, and always an underlying fear we could get the virus. We stopped dining out, which is one of my favorite activities “on the road.” I have not been to an indoor restaurant since. I hope that will change by summer!
So now, Gail and I will wait until mid-February for our second and final vaccination shot. We should have immunity within 30 days. Life will not be normal, but I suspect it will be normal enough for us to head out with our motorhome to points afar. I am looking forward to a day in about seven weeks when I can give my daughter a big ol’ “Dad hug” for the first time in more than a year.
I hope all is going well with you. Please keep wearing your mask. And do not be afraid to get the shot. It is not, as the conspiracy theorists say, the government’s attempt to inject us with a mind-altering drug. Who could ever believe such a thing? No, what that shot is, among other things, is a ticket to our freedom!
RV Reviews: Have you noticed? For months now we have reviewed a new model RV every day of the week – on the weekends in our RV Travel weekend newsletters, and every Monday through Friday in our RV Daily Tips Newsletters. Click here to read the dozens of reviews.
Stories in tomorrow’s newsletter
• Florida to begin requiring “proof of residency” for vaccinations
• Ford to recall 3 million vehicles due to airbag danger
• Tony Barthel looks at the Scamp Travel Trailer PLUS: Campground updates • Latest fuel prices • Latest RV recalls • Free and bargain camping locations • Reader survey • and much more …
We depend on you to help us write about what matters! RVtravel.com, and the hundreds of newsletters about RVing we publish every year, would not be possible without the financial support of our voluntary contributors. Their support helps us avoid relying on advertising – which comes with “strings” – and keeps our resource-rich work unbiased and free for all RVers to enjoy. Every contribution makes a difference. A donation of $20 a year comes out to 4 cents for each issue we publish. That’s all! And when you contribute, you receive a special member-only ad-free version of this newsletter as one way for us to say thank you. Learn more or donate.
Last week’s Tip of the Day in RV Daily Tips Newsletters
Today, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2021 Rockwood 2883WS Fifth Wheel. He writes, “I would never say that Rockwood or any RV company is perfect…” – but he does find this new fifth wheel pretty darn close. Read more here.
Stranded on the side of the road, should you trust a stranger’s help?
By Nanci Dixon
One of our first RV trips in our renovated, newly rebuilt, Class C RV was to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Long story short, the motorhome quit on a long, desolate, two-lane highway literally in the middle of nowhere. No cars, no towns, pre-cell phone… we were stuck. After a long while, a pickup truck whizzed by before we could hop out to stop it. Thankfully, he turned around to offer his help. My husband explained which part had burned up and, amazingly, the man had just picked up that part at the junkyard. Too good to be true? I wondered… Read this incredible story.
Rust: How to prevent it from damaging your RV
Left unchecked, rust can quickly ruin more than just your RV’s look. Rust has the potential to make your rig unsafe as well. Gail Marsh lists the causes of rust and its potential damage, how to prevent it, and how to get rid of it, here.
Last year at this time, these were the most popular articles
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:
Do you have a hobby? Can you guess the most popular hobby? Find out here and see how more than 3,000 other RVers answered.
Dump your holding tanks from inside your RV
What modification have you made to your RV that has had the most positive impact on your RV lifestyle? For RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury it’s a device that allows him to dump his RV’s holding tanks without ever stepping outside his RV. All he needs to do is flip a switch in his bathroom. That’s it. Read about how this works for him and could for you, too! Learn more.
Campground Crowding: Do new RVers need some lessons in good manners?
More people than ever are taking up RVing. In this weekly blog, RV Travel readers discuss their experiences. Last weekend’s poll asked, “How do you feel about the influx of new RVers” – and Wow – there are a lot of comments! … A common thread among readers whether they were happy or not about new RVers was the overwhelming complaints about lack of campground etiquette. Some new RVers just don’t seem to get it. But there are lots of good comments this week, too. Read them here.
Quit struggling with hose and cable hookups at the campsite
Are you tired of struggling to hook up your coax cables, water hoses and other connections when you arrive at your campsite? It’s a snap with Cable and Hose Grips from J Wright Concepts. Save time and frustration! Life is too short to hassle with the little stuff! Learn more or order.
Are you a hotdogger? Oscar Mayer needs you!
By Russ and Tiña De Maris Frankly speaking, in a dog-eat-dog world, we need more wieners. Are you a hotdogger? If you are, you’ll feel right at home with this job offer: Work for a year driving an iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Learn all about this job in this article written as only Russ De Maris can.
This little device rids RVs of smells – Say goodbye to odor!
By Kate Doherty
Like most of us who enjoy the open road, we give little thought to the quality of the air we breathe inside our traveling homes. Every geographic area we pass through gifts us with pollen, dust, allergens and pollutants that wreak havoc with our sinuses. Don’t forget mold and mildew as they are culprits as well, especially if your RV has been dormant. I’m not fond of sneezing and I also don’t like lingering cooking odor, so I had been researching a solution to alleviate my morning tissue ritual. Hence, a means to cleaner air, especially since the unforeseen viral confluence has kept many of us confined. Continue reading.
Run your RV air conditioner with only a small portable generator. Yes, it’s true!
RV Gadgets and Gizmos
With Tony Barthel
Nite Ize Gear Ties – essential for your RV toolbox
Your RV’s toolbox should have some string, some duct tape, a set of bit drivers, a hammer and some WD-40. Let me suggest one more thing you should always have – a set of Nite Ize Gear Ties. The Nite Ize Gear Ties are reusable rubber twist ties that have a soft, grippy rubber coating and some sort of metal inside that allows you to bend and flex them over and over into whatever shape you need. Continue reading.
Boondocking? This power system makes things easy
I have a sticks and bricks home, but I also spend a lot of time on the road. As most homeowners, I have an arsenal of yard management tools like a mower, blower, chain saw, cultivator, weed whacker and more. However, I might be unusual in that mine are all electric and happen to be the Ego brand. What does this have to do with RVing? Find out here and learn about this great boondocking gadget.
Wow! Prevent costly mistakes with these RVminders
Check out these RVminders and easily prevent costly mistakes! These bands wrap around your steering wheel and remind you to check things before you drive away. Never leave the steps or ladder down again. Antenna or satellite down? Slide locks in place? Doors, vents and windows closed? Compartment locks locked? Hookups disconnected? These are so easy to use they should be in every RV! Check ’em out.
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, Jan. 23, 2021. 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.
Last week three readers claimed their $25 gift card: Dale D. of Omro, Wisconsin, Kimberly R. of Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, and Larry B. of Oswego, New York.
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.
Sometimes when you travel the old two-lane highways and back roads you come across a strange mailbox!
Penetrating oil can save the day!
It can be a bad day on the road if you break down and need to loosen a screw or bolt and it won’t budge. Here’s help: This rust eater, deep penetrating oil will penetrate rust, scale and corrosion to free parts and assemblies instantly. It will free up rusted machine screws, bolts, nuts, clamps for mufflers and tail pipes, locks and more. You need this! Learn more.
This would be so handy on warm summer days when mosquitoes, yellowjackets and other biting insects are out in force. Read more about this.
How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (January 23, 2021) 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.
Within a short drive, a cup of coffee can sure vary in price. At South Dakota’s Wall Drug, you’ll pay a nickel a cup, while a short drive away at the Badlands National Park cafe you’ll pay a whopping 50 times more — $2.50!
A road atlas for kids! Give this National Geographic Atlas to your kids or grandkids before they hit the road. It features simplified yet real road maps of all 50 states, and interesting information on each place and route. There are even themed maps on nature, population, energy, climate, and more, that delve deeper into key issues. It makes a great gift!Learn more or order.
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.
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.
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.
Remember to maintain those slide seals!
If you’ve heard a cracking or popping sound when extending your slide outs, it means your seals are sticking and/or drying out! Using a seal conditioner about every 8-12 weeks is recommended to avoid drying and cracking. Once they begin to wear and show damage, they are no longer working to their fullest capacity. We recommend using Thetford Premium RV Slide Out Rubber Seal Conditioner– it works like a charm.
RVelectricity
Livestream event on Lithium battery charging announced
Dear Readers,
You (the people) have spoken. Last week I published a guest essay by Dennis Wieske from Progressive Dynamics, one of the leading manufacturers of RV battery chargers and power centers. I posted a poll asking if you would like to attend a YouTube Livestream event with Dennis and me, allowing you to text us questions about Lithium battery charging in real-time. Two-thirds responding said they would watch the event, which is now tentatively scheduled for February 2. Read why this information is important for more and more RVers here. (Mike has added the sign-up link for the livestream event to that article.)
This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session
Feel the heat – Staying warm in your RV
Dear Mike,
I’m trying to boondock without a generator running at night, and am constantly running out of enough battery power overnight to run my RV furnace. I’ve been thinking about getting an electric blanket to keep warm, but how does that compare to running an electric space heater from battery power? Is any of this practical without adding a bunch of batteries? —Sue in Sioux City
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?????? This is the perfect thing for anyone who loves having a campfire and the sweet treats that go along with it. 😉 We bet someone would want to kiss you after applying this…
RV Tire Safety
Do similar tires sold in the U.S. have to meet the same requirements?
Roger Marble recently received a question on tire requirements involving “quality” and load capacity: “I have been under the impression that a certifying agency, American Tire and Rim(?), sets the standards in the U.S., and then all tires sold in the U.S. must be designed to those standards. So a cheap, unknown brand, load range D tire from Walmart would have the same load and inflation specifications as a Firestone tire from a Firestone dealer?” Read Roger’s reply.
Have a tire question? Sign up for Roger Marble’s new Facebook Group: RV tire news, information and discussion, hosted by RVtravel.com and moderated by Roger. He’ll be happy to help you.
RV Short Stop
Historical places to visit during February, Black History Month
During February, Black History Month, the National Park Service helps celebrate more than 400 years of African American history. Events highlight the achievements, contributions and historical journeys of African Americans through American history. The National Park’s Foundation encourages explorations into our nation’s history and culture by visiting significant or little-known historical places. Julianne G. Crane lists some interesting and educational places to visit here.
RV Fire Safety
An emergency fire plan that can save your life – Part 8 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.
Your motor coach fire escape plan should incorporate the needs of all the occupants, including the young, elderly, and disabled. Remove any barriers that might hinder a disabled person and install extra handles on window escape hatches. Also arrange for a family member to assist those who may need help, and have disabled or elderly people sleep close to a safe exit.
Courtesy: Mac “The Fire Guy” McCoy
Now is a good time to clean out your water heater! Have you ever seen the sediment that collects in your water heater? You probably don’t want to. Camco’s water tank rinser is an easy-to-use gadget that is a must-have for any RVer. The tank rinser will get out all the yucky sediment that’s been sitting at the bottom of your water heater and, most importantly, will extend the life of it too. Read the many positive reviews, and get one for yourself here.
Museum of the Week
Photo by @scarlett.elantra, Instagram
“Big Daddy” Don Garlits Museum Of Drag Racing
Ocala, FL
If you’ve never seen a drag race car up close, you’ll want to visit this museum (yes, even if you don’t care about cars…). Owner Don Garlits has been dubbed the “King of the Dragsters” and for good reason – he’s won 144 national events. The museum is spread across several huge rooms, where a couple hundred cars are on display. You’ve got to see some of these cars (er, should we call them rockets) yourself. Check out the official website here to plan your visit.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Come on, guys. Time to wash the windshield!” —Don & Rae Sandretto
Pets featured in this past week’s RV Daily Tips: • Monday: S**thead (yes, really) • Tuesday:Hobbes• Wednesday: Spot & Sam• Thursday:Kiki• Friday:Harley
If you want to have a wonderful day, send $10, $50 or $100 to a local food bank. There are millions of our fellow citizens, including little kids, who are going hungry because their parents lost their jobs through no fault of their own. You will feel so good if you contribute — helping people less fortunate than you go to bed without the pain of an empty stomach. Here’s where to donate.
A wonderful alternative to RV parks
Stay at farms, wineries and other scenic and peaceful locations for free. Save 15% on membership. Learn more.
Trivia
Merchandise returns totaled approximately 10.6% of total U.S. retail sales in 2020. The report by the National Retail Federation and Appriss Retail found that consumers returned an estimated $428 billion in merchandise to retailers. Roughly 5.9 percent were fraudulent.
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, Kate Doherty, Gail Marsh, J.M. Montigel, Clint Norrell, Randall Brink 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.
RVtravel.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
You (the people) have spoken. Last week I published a guest essay by Dennis Wieske from Progressive Dynamics, one of the leading manufacturers of RV battery chargers and power centers. To read that article, please take a look HERE.
The big question (no, the answer is not 42)….
After his informative article, I posted a poll asking if you would like to attend a YouTube livestream event in a few weeks with both Dennis and me, allowing you to text us questions about Lithium battery charging in real-time. Here’s how you responded to the poll (you can’t vote on this screenshot):
By the numbers…
As you can see from the numbers (and the numbers don’t lie), 2/3 of those responding (66%) said you would definitely watch this event (either live or a recording), with an additional 18% thinking about it. I would call that a definitive positive response. So we now have a tentative YouTube livestream date and time of Tuesday, February 2 (Groundhog Day) starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time, which is 5 p.m. Pacific time. But don’t worry if you can’t attend the livestream event in real-time as it will be recorded and archived on YouTube forever.
Why is this important?
Since so many campgrounds are overcrowded, and reservations may already be completely booked through 2021 for many of them, many RVers are looking at boondocking as a way to go camping. However, if you’re on your own there’s no pedestal to plug in for AC power. So Lithium batteries, solar panels and quiet inverter generators are important technologies that can help keep you happy and safe when providing your own power during boondocking.
Isn’t it as easy as Plug ‘n Play?
Some resellers of Lithium batteries imply you can just drop a new Lithium battery into any RV without considering the rest of your electrical system. Seems too good to be true, doesn’t it? That may be true in many cases with a modern converter/charger rated to work with Lithium batteries, but never assume anything.That’s because as great as they can be, Lithium batteries require that your converter/charging system is capable of providing the correct voltage and current for best battery performance.
And it’s true that if you do everything correctly, Lithium batteries are good for 3,000 to 5,000 charge/discharge cycles. And yes, you can indeed discharge them down to 0% SOC (State of Charge) without any damage, essentially doubling the usable amp-hr capacity of your current lead-acid battery which you shouldn’t discharge below 50% SOC.
However, if you simply drop a Lithium battery into your RV as an upgrade without checking your RV’s battery charger compatibility, you can create problems ranging from the inability to fully charge your battery to 100% SOC, all the way to destroying your expensive new Lithium batteries rather quickly from desulfation pulses designed for flooded-cell lead-acid batteries.
What to do?
Well, Dennis is the expert on Lithium-rated charging systems for your RVs, and has already fielded hundreds of questions from the field, so I’m excited to learn even more about this important topic. Please add any more of your questions below so we can prepare for our YouTube livestream event on Tuesday, February 2nd, 8 p.m. Eastern Time. And we’ll also be able to take live text questions from those of you watching in real-time.
Future Shock
If this goes as planned, I’ll try to find other experts in a variety of RV products and technologies who I can interview. So please pass this link on to everyone you know. This coming week I’ll include a link to this YouTube stream here so it will send you a reminder of when to log into the show. So check back soon and ask your questions below.
Sign up on YouTube for this live streaming event by clicking HERE.
Let’s play safe out there….
Mike Sokol is an electrical and professional sound expert with 50+ years in the industry. His excellent bookRV Electrical Safety is available at Amazon.com. For more info on Mike’s qualifications as an electrical expert, click here.
For information on how to support RVelectricity and No~Shock~Zone articles, seminars and videos, please click the I Like Mike Campaign.
By Tony Barthel Social media and radio host Alan Warren and I share a bias – we both are big, big fans of Rockwood products. To be fair, Rockwood is a sponsor of Alan’s The RV Show USA, but I like Rockwood products because I bought one with my own money and started a Facebook fan club which has grown to almost 7,000 members.
Recently, Alan shared a video with me where he talks to Anthony Yoder of Rockwood, who does a walk-through of the 2883WS fifth wheel. I believe I’ve also written that Rockwood and Flagstaff are essentially the same product with some minor differences in decals and such. So if you can’t find a Rockwood dealer you enjoy working with, you can get the Flagstaff version of this in the 528IKRL. Rockwood is part of the Forest River family.
The view from here…
When Alan shared the video, his words were: “Check out the windows on this fifth wheel!” He wasn’t kidding! The large windows in this model really do open up the fifth wheel. This was a pleasant surprise since I’ve seen an increasing number of models recently with very, very few windows. Not here.
In fact, the windows on Rockwood products were a reason I bought mine: I like the frameless windows that hinge at the top quite a bit. While some complain that they don’t let in enough air, Rockwood products always have a high-performance ceiling vent fan. I can create quite the breeze in my trailer with a few windows cracked and that fan running.
If you choose, you can also have thermopane windows in a Rockwood fifth wheel.
Keeping things suspenseful…
Another reason I chose my own Rockwood trailer is that it uses a Dexter Torflex® suspension, which is essentially an independent suspension system instead of leaf springs. I can attest to how well my trailer tows with this and, let’s just say, I am writing this from a boondocking campsite where people were surprised to see a goofball with a travel trailer.
“Wow! We haven’t seen anyone bring a trailer in here before. How did it handle on the road coming in?”
My wife is a geologist and this isn’t the first time I’ve taken my trailer on roads that are not well-suited for trailers – if you can even call them roads. But we found the greatest hot springs so it was worth it.
Another thing I like on the Rockwood line, but which I don’t have on mine, is the one-key feature. Instead of having multiple keys or the same key as every other camper in the park, this gives you one key that operates everything and is unique to this trailer.
There are a lot of quality features on Rockwood products. For example, they vacuum laminate their walls in-house, including the slide room walls and even the ceiling/roof. The cabinets are all hidden hinge designs that are pocket screwed. I’m always impressed that my cabinets are still up based on where my trailer has been. Especially because I’ve had mine now for four years and dragged it over 15,000 miles.
I may sound like I’m shilling for Rockwood, but I chose my trailer after a lot of research.
Interesting layout
What’s interesting to me about this fifth wheel is that the center island doesn’t have the sink. Instead, that fixture is on the forward wall of the living space. The center island is simply more prep space. There’s a lip on the camp side of the island and two bar stools so you can use that to serve up drinks or breakfast or whatever you choose.
There’s also a proper table and chairs in here – so you have options.
This floor plan features a jackknife couch at the rear of the trailer and then theater seats opposite the TV and fireplace. Next to that is a pantry and then a three-burner stove with a 22” oven. You see, it does exist – and that’s another reason I like Rockwood products.
There is a choice of a residential 20-cubic-foot refrigerator or a gas-electric RV refrigerator at 18-cubic-feet.
Upstairs is the bathroom, of course, and I like the little stainless steel sink in the bathroom (as opposed to plastic). The countertops all around are of the solid-surface variety.
Inside the shower is what’s called a Showermiser valve. If boondocking is your thing, this is a brilliant idea. Essentially you turn on the hot faucet and wait for the water to get hot. Normally you’d be wasting all this “waiting” water – but, in this case, it’s going back into the fresh water tank. There’s a sheath on the faucet that starts blue, but when the water’s hot it turns white and you’re ready to take a shower.I don’t know how many gallons you’d be saving with this but it’s certainly great for boondockers.
I have had more than a few members of my Facebook Group complain about not fully understanding this. A full video explanation might be helpful… as would more clear labels. Or any label, for that matter. It’s still a great feature but is so unusual (in a good way) that not all owners understand it.
The bedroom is where you’ll find the third slide on this model, and where you’ll find the wardrobe which extends into the bathroom.
In the bedroom is a proper residential-sized queen bed. Anthony Yoder described the mattress as a gel foam queen mattress. Very specifically, he said that “You shouldn’t have to go buy a mattress to replace the one that came with your RV.” Amen, brother. Amen.
It can be done
One more thing. These fifth wheels have a series of buttons right inside the door that let you control many of the functions of the trailer. But you can also do so with the One Control app – so you could stand outside the trailer and open slide rooms and such.
Again, I know I annoy some of you with some of the nits I pick about things like buttons and apps for controlling things and 22” ovens – but this is why. I know it can be done. And I’ve put my money where my keyboard is.
I would never say that Rockwood or any RV company is perfect. For example, they should label that Showermiser… but at least it’s a neat feature. I also know that Alan’s show is sponsored by Rockwood – but I am totally free and encouraged to share with you my opinions, good or bad, based on my experience in the industry. I do that.
This is a nice rig, and I have had excellent experiences with Rockwood’s build quality and genuinely usable features.
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. We receive no money or other financial benefits from these reviews. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
By Tony Barthel Your RV’s toolbox should have some string, some duct tape, a set of bit drivers, a hammer and some WD-40. Let me suggest one more thing you should always have – a set of Nite Ize Gear Ties.
What are these, you ask? You know those bendy bread ties that keep the plastic on the loaf of bread? Well, think of these as the industrial versions of that.
The Nite Ize Gear Ties are reusable rubber twist ties that have a soft, grippy rubber coating and some sort of metal inside that allows you to bend and flex them over and over into whatever shape you need. The company makes them from 3” – 64” inches in length.
I use these all the time in our RV and in our home. I use them to tie up hoses and cables, to temporarily hold things that have broken, to hold lanterns to trees or stands, to keep things from flying around inside the RV or inside the pickup on the road. They are terrific. In fact, I’d call them essential.
Temporarily fixing a broken tank strap with the Nite Ize straps.
Recently I found that the strap that holds the holding tank valves to the trailer had broken on a pretty horrible road, and I used one of these ties to hold the tank valves in place for hundreds of miles until I could effect a permanent repair.
What surprises me about these is that I have yet to be able to bend them until they break. My nephew, seeing this as a challenge, spent an entire afternoon repeatedly bending one to see if he could break it – and he couldn’t. This is much better than the Gumby I had a child, where the metal inside the green man finally snapped and you couldn’t bend him into horrible inappropriate poses any longer.
These are pretty simple tools to have – but I do really like them and the quality is good. Bonus: They’re made in the USA, so some creative person came up with a great idea and employed their neighbors to bring it to you.
We wish Dr. Seuss would write a book about RVs. We can only imagine how hilarious it would be to read out loud “…Some are big, some are small, some go fast while others fall! Some you drive, some you tow, some ride high and some ride low!” Oh, the places you’ll drive…
RVs come in all shapes and sizes. Some want mansions on wheels, others want beach shacks on wheels. It all depends on the person and how you want to use your RV. How long is the RV you currently own? Do you wish it was longer? Shorter? Taller? Smaller?
Please vote in the poll below. If you’d like to leave a comment, we always enjoy reading them.
By Kate Doherty
Like many of us who enjoy the open road, we give little thought to the quality of the air we breathe inside our traveling homes. Every geographic area we pass through gifts us with pollen, dust, allergens and pollutants that wreak havoc with our sinuses. Don’t forget mold and mildew as they are culprits as well, especially if your RV has been dormant.
I’m not fond of sneezing and I also don’t like lingering cooking odor, so I had been researching a solution to alleviate my morning tissue ritual. Hence, a means to cleaner air, especially since the unforeseen viral confluence has kept many of us confined.
I admit to learning the hard way. Not feeling like sandwiches for lunch, we ventured out and brought back General Tso’s Chicken and Szechuan Beef. Yummy… and smelly. After chuckling over the fortune cookies’ prognostications, we placed both Styrofoam boxes in the refrigerator and left for the afternoon. By this time, all but our bedroom smelled of Chinese takeout.
When we returned, our coach smelled spicy. The odor intensified when I opened the refrigerator and the buffet palace aroma wafted into the RV. I groused at myself and threw the leftovers in the garbage, turned the exhaust fan on high, and sprayed an aerosol odor eliminator. It only masked the miasma, so I removed the garbage from our coach. I went on the hunt and shortly thereafter we acquired two MiniAer ion generating air purifiers.
Why ion generating air purifiers?
My spouse’s first patent was on ion generation/electrostatic precipitation, which is principally used for purification and sterilization, so we knew the best way to clean the air was through ion generation, creating ozone to purify the air. HEPA filters are terrific for dust, but if you wish to rid the air of bacteria, viruses, fungus, etc., ozone accomplishes that. Ozone (trioxygen) is well known as an oxidizing agent to sterilize air and water and for killing germs. It has been an effective wound-healing therapy since before WWII.
Coming from the medical industry, we were cautious of marketing hyperbole and chose the MiniAer over several other online options because its main feature is a 30-minute auto-timed refresh. Others only offered manual full-on or off, and that was a nonstarter. The manufacturer’s specification reads one unit covers up to 250 square feet. We acquired two and plugged one unit above the range and the second in the bathroom.
According to the manufacturer, if you desire a deep cleaning, use the continuous low or high function, or simply use the 30-minute auto-timed refresh daily or as needed. We did a deep penetrating clean for a few hours the first day. Thereafter, we use the refresh each morning and prior to bed. We remain pleased with how effective the refresh works to eliminate the greasy smell of a hearty breakfast, when Mother Nature calls or when voiding the black tank. The unit keeps the bathroom smelling clean.
Stinky foods, bathroom smells and kitty litter… goodbye!
Four months ago we adopted a 4-month-old kitten and placed her litter box next to my desk. When I’m writing and she visits her litter box, I plug the kitchen unit in over the box, press the refresh button and in less than a minute that distinct smell vanishes.
I’m not one to overly praise, but now that the air in our traveling home is significantly cleaner and my tissue ritual is nil, I would rate this unit a 10 as a remedy for odor elimination (especially for pet owners) and improving the air quality inside. It is compact, plugs into any standard electrical outlet, and emits a low-decibel noise with UV light to aid in getting rid of bacteria, mildew, fungus, etc.
I asked on Facebook if others had good experiences with the MiniAer and received a few responses. User Sarah H. from Perry, Georgia, was nice enough to share pictures of where she placed her MiniAer in her coach and reported positive feedback. She stated: “We noticed a fresher smell within the first hour and after three days of using the 30-minute refresh twice daily, we awoke to no sticky eyes, attributing that to reducing the allergens in the air. I fully recommend this to any RV owner.”
Another user, Cheryl M. of Mesa, Arizona, writes, “When we were in Durango, I slow-cooked chicken one day. After a couple of hours, our coach smelled, but not in a good way. I moved the unit from the bedroom to the kitchen and turned on the refresh and by the time it stopped, the foul smell was completely gone. We also like the refresh for bathroom use.”
You can find the MiniAer on Amazon. The unit retails for $149.00. You can also access FAQs on the manufacturer’s website and read about its attributes and larger models for medical offices and home use. Happier breathing!
By Nanci Dixon
One of our first RV trips in our renovated, newly rebuilt, Class C RV was to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Long story short, the motorhome quit on a long, desolate, two-lane highway literally in the middle of nowhere. No cars, no towns, pre-cell phone… we were stuck.
After a long while, a pickup truck whizzed by before we could hop out to stop it. Thankfully, he turned around to offer his help. My husband explained which part had burned up and, amazingly, the man had just picked up that part at the junkyard. Too good to be true? I wondered…
He offered to tow us all the way back to his house and help install the part. As we were towed deeper and deeper into the thick backwoods of Michigan, I began to get nervous. We were absolutely nowhere to start with, and now we were deeper into nowhere with no idea where. And with an absolute stranger who claimed he “just happened” to have the part we needed. And to top it off, we had our two young children with us and none of our family knew where we were headed.
What were we thinking? He could be a serial killer, an axe murderer! Who “just happens” to pick up a part they didn’t need? Actually, what was my husband thinking accepting his offer? A whole lot of “what ifs” ran through my mind, none of them good.
After interminable miles, we arrived in a clearing with a little house on a hill and a huge, industrial garage. Soon a pack of kids surrounded us. As their kids and ours began playing together I started to relax. I could hear my husband laughing and talking as they installed the part. The mom and I sat on wicker porch rockers, drank coffee and chatted.
Photo Credit Jessica Hardy
As we were leaving she gave me a little plant in a Styrofoam cup. It’s already 27 years later, and the plant has made many babies. One of them is at my now-grown son’s house. It is such a wonderful reminder that there really is kindness and goodness in strangers, particularly from this stranger on a lonely road that “just happened” to bless us with just what we needed.
What modification have you made to your RV that has had the most positive impact on your RV lifestyle? That thought came to me in the shower this morning. Here’s why.
As I enjoyed the initial pleasure of the warm water, I noticed the drain was backing up — a full gray water tank! I routinely keep the gray water tank closed until it’s full or almost full, as we all should do.
For most RVers in my situation, dumping the tank would mean drying off, dressing and going outside to pull the cable valve — or convincing your partner to do the same. In bad weather this chore is no fun (you know that, don’t you?).
But, for me, I simply stepped out of the shower, took a step and flipped a switch on the wall. The tank began to empty as I returned to my shower. So easy! I bet you can’t do that!
To dump my tanks, I push the switches on the wall, one for the gray tank, the other for the black tank. There is no need to go outside to perform the chore.
A company called Drain Master, of Hollister, Calif., installed the electronic valve system three years ago (it’s a fairly easy do-it-yourself project, too). I have never had to step outside to dump my tanks since then, although I could if I wished to (there’s another switch in the sewer control bay). I will never own another RV without this system. And I mean never!
It includes a super-sturdy, permanently-affixed Waste Master hose, which has a cam-loc fitting instead of the typical bayonet fitting used by the RV industry (other industries do not use this cheap, unreliable system). The nozzle at the end of the hose can be shut off at the sewer inlet to further ensure no messy spills. I imagine the hose will last as long as most RVers own their RV (and probably long after).
The system’s inventor, Doug Swarts of Drain Master, has installed the same system as mine in hundreds of other RVs. But despite it being one of the most useful accessories any RVer could ever have, it has not gained wide popularity.
The Waste Master hose, itself, without the electronic dumping feature that I have, is more widely used but dwarfed in sales by cheap hoses that break or spring leaks every year or two. High-end RV manufacturers Foretravel and Newell include the hose and “push button” dump feature as standard equipment in their coaches. But other coach makers, for whatever reasons, do not.
The sturdy Waste Master hose
Once you own the system, you will wonder why any avid RVer would not pay a little extra for this incredibly useful tool. I mean, how many times in the pounding rain or freezing cold have you cursed that a holding tank was full and you needed to go outside to dump? I never need to do that!
If you want to learn more about the hoses or the system like mine, you’ll find several videos here or you can call 877-787-8833 or visit Drainmaster.com. I’m sure Doug would be happy to answer your questions.
This article originally appeared as the opening essay in issue 933 of the RVtravel.com newsletter.
By Tony Barthel I have a sticks and bricks home, but I also spend a lot of time on the road. As most homeowners, I have an arsenal of yard management tools like a mower, blower, chain saw, cultivator, weed whacker and more. However, I might be unusual in that mine are all electric and happen to be the Ego brand.
What does this have to do with RVing?
I like boondocking and while I’m not advocating that you bring your yard tools along on the trip and help the BLM with their land management function, the Ego tools have afforded me a nifty boondocking gadget.
Ego lawn tools use a 56-volt lithium battery that packs a great deal of power. The company offers everything from a 2 amp-hour 120 watt-hour battery up to a 7.5 amp-hour 420 watt-hour battery to make their lawn tools work. But they also offer a device called a Nexus PowerPlus Escape 150 watt inverter. That’s what I take camping.
Using the same batteries as my chain saw or leaf blower or mower, the Nexus PowerPlus Escape 150 allows me to have 120vac power on the road for smaller items and, with my 5 amp-hour 280 watt-hour batteries that I use at home, it can charge my laptop multiple times or run an audio recording studio (I also host an RV podcast) for several days.
The power is clean and the device is completely silent – no fans or other annoying sounds.
In addition to the single 120vac outlet on the device, there are also two USB ports for charging as well. The device itself is relatively small and lightweight – but then you also have to add whatever battery you’re using, and the 5.0aH battery is not that small. The whole thing is about the size of a shoebox, of sorts, but there is a carry handle to make things easier.
I used this last year at Quartzsite to power my Rodecaster recording studio for two days. The battery has a fuel level indicator on it that is in increments of four “lights” with “fully charged” being four lights, completely depleted is zero lights, and the indicator goes from green to orange.
After two days of running the Rodecaster plus charging a MacBook Pro, the battery still showed about 50% power remaining.
Keep in mind that I can mow half an acre of grass and then put the same battery I used in the mower onto the weed whacker and finish all my trimming and still have one light left on the battery. These are pretty powerful.
Another thing to keep in mind is that this is only for a fairly low power draw – 150 watts. Don’t expect to run your portable heater with it – but you could run a small air compressor for tires (although I have a better recommendation for that) or run a TV and Blu-ray player or things like that.
There are also much better choices if you have this kind of use case frequently for doing things like running a CPAP overnight or other higher-draw items.
But if you happen to have a bunch of Ego lawn equipment and need a smaller inverter, this thing’s pretty slick. I’ve had mine now for about a year and have been very happy with it. We live in Northern California, where our power company’s solution for not burning communities down is to just shut off our power for a week at a time – and I’ve used this to run lamps and such in the house, as well.
Not a bad gadget if you already have the batteries. If not, it doesn’t make much sense.
More people than ever are taking up RVing. These newbies have determined that RVing is the safest way to travel in our pandemic times. The result is campground crowding like never before. In this weekly blog, RV Travel readers discuss their experiences. Maybe we can make some sense of this and find ways to work around the problem.
Here are a few observations from our readers.
Last weekend’s poll asked, “How do you feel about the influx of new RVers” – and Wow – there are a lot of comments! The poll results? 36 percent are not too happy about it and think that’s why it’s harder to find places to stay, 18% percent see it as a good thing and are happy to see others taking up the lifestyle, and 47 percent don’t care.
A common thread among readers whether they were happy or not about new RVers was the overwhelming complaints about lack of campground etiquette. Some new RVers just don’t seem to get it.
Commenter Goldie had this suggestion: “I’m not happy about it because of the lack of basic campground etiquette shown by many of those newcomers. I don’t know how that basic education should occur but it should be mandatory for new campers.”
Linda S. sees the changes the influx of new RVers seems to have made: “Besides crowding in campgrounds, even more bothersome is that I am finding that there is a lack of etiquette and respect for the land, campground and other campers that just seemed to be automatically there in the past. Never did I worry about my things being stolen, and kindness and friendliness were the norm. For the most part, folks didn’t trash their space. It feels completely different now; a different type of camper seems to be prevalent. It’s sad to me; something has been lost which I really miss.”
Donn feels the same and writes: “Newbies need to learn what oldies have been practicing for a long time….manners.
Due to the influx of so many newbies, it would seem that our social history is changing somewhat. Last summer, for example, we met an outside around the campfire bass player and he could be heard everywhere around the camping area.
He had a simple setup….bass and small amp (150 watts) hooked up to the side of his camper, a popup, using a long wire. I’d offer up he was probably 30 years old and with his girlfriend, no apparent kids. Fortunately, he did observe the 10 p.m. quiet time. And, he did that until noon the next day, when he started up once again. The campground host at about 4 p.m. spoke with him. Disgruntled, he up and pulled out around 6 p.m.”
Anita H. is upset with the misuse of BLM land and leaves a reminder of why it is so important to leave space between rigs. “It’s all the entitled people camping on BLM land I have a problem with. They leave their trash, don’t dispose of human waste properly. Behold, who do they think is going to clean it up? No respect at all. And if you’re at a one rig spot they think they can just pull in beside you. We have a 35’ fifth wheel and need room to move when leaving.”
Cindy W. says she doesn’t mind new campers if they would just follow common courtesy. “I don’t mind the new campers if they would not be obnoxious in campgrounds (trashy sites, dogs barking, radios blaring, kids running uncontrolled), and clean up after themselves when boondocking. The vandalism and trash seen this last year is horrible.”
Should RVers have to take a course in campground etiquette?
BEST WAY TO TRAVEL IN A PANDEMIC
On a more positive note, Einar had this reflection on the rash of new RVers: “With what is going on right now with COVID-19, what choice do some of these folks have? It’s the best way to travel, I feel. You won’t see me sitting on a plane any time soon! And I see it as a time for families to spend more real time together, as long as they stop staring at their tablets and phones. It’s a good time to teach kids more about this country and to see it. And, hey, just remember we were all newbies ourselves at one time, and we probably had people watching and complaining about us too! And besides, sometimes they’re fun to watch!”
IT WON’T LAST FOREVER
To put some perspective on the long-term effects of campground crowding, new RVers and general outlook for the future, several RVers had this to say:
Reader volnavy007 sees it as a passing fad: “As with any ‘fad’ (e.g., hula hoops, pet rocks), the thrill wears off and the general population’s attraction wanes. Once many of the new owners get a taste of the lifestyle (and work involved) they will drop out. Others will be bitten by the bug and be hooked for a lifetime.”
Vanessa agrees: “I don’t think a lot of them will be around in 2 or 3 years. I mean, look at all the RVs already parked and never moving.”
Skip feels the same: “I don’t think about it. Once the pandemic is over, 95% of things will return back to where they were. They will be back to cruises, visiting islands and such. There will be a glut of RVs for sale by individuals, dealers or finance companies with repos. Because they won’t have to dump black and gray tanks, keep maintenance up, pay storage, clean, haul trash – the list goes on. So just be patient. It’s the weekend warrior that drives me nuts.”
Matt C. knows at least four units that he believes will hit the used market soon. “I know of several that only bought an RV because of the plague. Both asked me for opinions and neither listened. Both traveled this season and may next, but from discussions with them, they are not all for this. Without realizing the full benefit of RV travel (general, not specific), there is just no way to justify the effort and expense. Right now, I am willing to bet that I know of four units that will be on the market in two years or less.”
THE HAPPY UPSIDE
Kasey has this thought-provoking comment: “I’m happy about it in that it is expanding people’s stereotypes about RVers. We’re not all retirees heading to Florida every winter. We’re a diverse group of ages and interests who enjoy traveling with our own rolling accommodations – be it to escape winter as a retiree or to get out mountain biking as 20-somethings…and a vast array anywhere in-between! I do hope that there are a certain percentage that fall in love with the lifestyle and keep on RVing, though. It is good for the industry to have some growth and new faces!”
SOME ENCOURAGING WORDS FROM THE “NEWBIES”
It is worth remembering the first joys of RVing and that we were all “newbies” at one point.
Leonard has provided just that perspective. “Hi, I am one of the ‘newbies.’ Retired and bought a 35’ 5th wheel. Just to let you know I AM NOT one of the disrespectful campers you encounter. I have met great people willing to assist me with any and everything. A big thanks to them all! I have already started ‘paying it forward’ as well.
I did not learn to respect my neighbors, campgrounds, staff or anything else from a manual or RV dealer. I learned it over a lifetime. Yes, I wish there were more campground options for us all, but please don’t blame the newbies for this. At some point in time, you were all new to RVing as well. Thanks, and stay safe everyone!”
Another newbie, Jennifer W., is grateful to be learning about RVing from websites like RV Travel. “I’m a Newbie RVer! I read and read and read some more before we purchased our Class C Coachmen Leprechaun from RV Country. It was a former rental (so they said), was a year old, had 19k on it, and was immaculate. Despite all my research, we knew NOTHING. But the rig has turned out to be an excellent motorhome, with only minor issues. Just dumb luck. We are polite people by nature but it was very nice to read websites like this one for the proper etiquette rules of RV parks and campgrounds. We always make reservations, just like we did when we traveled pre-motorhome. Campgrounds have been crowded for sure! It’s January and literally ALL the state parks are completely booked every single weekend until October. So we’re adjusting and going mid-week, which we are lucky to be able to do. People are not always polite, for sure. Generally speaking, we have experienced private RV ‘resorts’ to be quieter and have more people following ‘the rules.’”
Now, some questions for you:
• Are you finding more and more campgrounds booked up? Or are you having no problem finding places to stay?
• If campgrounds continue to be crowded and RVing continues to become more popular, will it affect how or when you RV?
• Do you have any tips or secrets you’d like to share about finding campgrounds that aren’t as crowded?
Please use the form below to answer one or more of these questions, or tell us what you’ve experienced with campground crowding in general.
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• Florida to begin requiring “proof of residency” for vaccinations
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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! 
