It’s hard to say if a gas or diesel engine is better or worse than the other. They both have pros and cons, and some people prefer one or the other.
Diesels have more power, and usually better mileage. However, they are heavier and cost more to repair. Gas engines cost a whole lot less than diesels, but they do have a shorter lifespan.
Is your RV or tow vehicle engine powered by gas or diesel? Please vote in the poll below, and leave a comment too if you’d like. We always appreciate comments. Thanks!
UPDATE AT 9 AM (Pacific time) SATURDAY, Oct. 17, 2020. WE HAVE CLOSED COMMENTS and removed some of the most hateful. We’d rather just ask readers to be respectful with their comments than close them down, but that would not work. So comments closed (Sad)!
By Nanci Dixon
My husband and I are full-time RVers. We are also an interracial couple with Black kids and Black grandkids and have noticed that the other Black campers are few and far between. Where are they? Why aren’t more Black families camping? Where are all the Black RVers?
While thinking about this, speaking with my husband, and talking with other Black RVers, I’ve come up with a few reasons (and debunked a few myths) as to why we see so few Black families at the campground with us.
Danger in the woods
A dark reason can be found in the historically horrific things that happened to Black folks in the woods. My husband grew up in Mississippi when lynchings were rampant and going into the woods at night was strictly forbidden. “The boogie man will get you” was code for “The KKK will get you.”
For a lot of people, the outdoors are a refreshing, meditative place to recharge and relax. For many Black people, though, it can be a place to be on guard and watch out. In other words, do anything but relax. A Black couple who recently camped near us said that while they really enjoy camping, they just don’t walk around the campground at night.
“The industry has not been welcoming”
Outdoor adventures have been in what are traditionally considered white spaces. National Parks, State Parks, County Parks, particularly in the Southeast, have restricted access or been blatantly not welcoming to Blacks. Even our beloved father of the National Park system, John Muir, called Blacks “lazy sambos” and native people “dirty, suspicious and dangerous.” Within the Sierra Club, founded by Muir, was a call-out for white supremacy and eugenics by its first leaders.
Even without taking the dubious history of the National Parks into account, the programs and interpretive exhibits of today are generally slanted toward white history and bias. It is a subtle form of “This is about us and not about you.”
In her article “Why Black People Don’t Go Camping,” Nikki Brueggeman writes: “Black people do not have a natural aversion to camping or the great outdoors; we have a natural aversion to racism and abuse. We don’t go camping because we hate mosquitoes, need heated rooms, or hate campfires, we don’t go camping because the industry has not been welcoming.”
Addressing inclusion
Earl B. Hunter Jr. founded a marketing and consulting company to address the business opportunity to help equip Blacks with camping equipment, provide information on how to camp and places to go. It’s called Black Folks Camp Too.
The National Parks in particular are taking a strong stand to be inclusive, examine its history, hire more Blacks in leadership roles, revamp educational programs and address the low percentage of use (7%) by African Americans. They are sponsoring things like “Black in National Parks Week,” Find Your Park and highlighting Soul Trak Outdoors, a nonprofit seeking to connect people of color to the outdoors, The Trail Posse, and the Facebook page African American Nature and Parks Experience.
Our story
Camping for 30 years with our family and now being full-time RVers, we havetraveled all over the United States and seldom see other Black campers. We have encountered overt racism that was bad enough that we packed up and left a campground in the middle of the night. Another time an RVer called the campground office demanding that they get rid of the n@#*%*s in their campground. To the campground’s credit, they did not.
We are careful where we camp, particularly down South. One RVer I talked to said that as they were leaving the campground in their RV this year, a white man held up his finger to “shoot” her husband. This is not the first time I have heard that.
More often than not we encounter other campers that are friendly. Sometimes, however, there are hard stares, refusal to even respond “Hi” when spoken to and the underlying silent question of “Why are you here?” We are here because we are full-time RVers and we live all over this nation. We love this lifestyle and we hope to see more and more Black and brown people making s’mores around a campfire and enjoying camping too.
By Nanci Dixon
It is fall, and the trees are ablaze with color here in Minnesota. But changing color isn’t the only thing the leaves are up to. They’re falling. They’re falling straight on top of my slide outs. So are some twigs, a few bird feathers, and a small branch. I went up to check the solar panels and glanced at the awnings. I have read about sweeping off the slides before closing, but admit I obviously never had. This is the outcome. The debris, particularly the branch, was actually pushing the awning cover away from the fabric awning. That’s not good.
Used the “business” hook end of our awning pole to grab and slide the stuff out. Judging by the stage of decomposition this was not the first year they had settled in for the winter.
Lesson learned: Sweep off the awnings before pulling slides in, particularly in the fall.
Chris Dougherty, Certified RV Technician, posted this tip while he was serving as RVtravel.com’s technical editor.
Some people prefer not to use the plumbing system during the winter for fear of doing something wrong and risking a freeze-up, and subsequent damage. Others prefer to just use the toilet, and depend on campgrounds for their other needs. It’s possible to use your RV toilet for brief periods in freezing weather.
Purchasing a four-season RV or modifying one to handle sub-freezing weather is one possibility. I have done this previously with good success. This requires a coach with completely enclosed and heated holding tanks.
I prefer to add individual tank heaters and a separate heater for the utility compartment. I have also added digital freeze alarms to those areas to make sure that the temperature doesn’t dip too low in vulnerable areas. Work off the holding tanks only, and dump when necessary. Don’t stay connected to outside utilities.
But what if your RV isn’t winter-capable? Here’s the no-water option: It may be possible to use the RV toilet without the use of water, but extreme care must be taken to prevent freezing and damage. The process involves using potable RV antifreeze instead of water to flush the toilet. Starting with a completely empty black water tank, add at least 3-4 gallons of RV antifreeze to the black tank, and continue to use the RV antifreeze to flush the toilet as necessary. When you’re done using the system, dump as usual, then there should be no freezing problem.
For you snowbirds out there, using the coach’s water system from the cold temperatures to the warm and vice-versa is an option, but I wouldn’t recommend doing so unless you’re certain that your enclosed tanks are protected well enough for the climate. An option is to use the system as pointed out above, keeping the heat in the coach on, using minimal water, and making sure there’s adequate antifreeze in the holding tanks. Many folks will start using the system in the Mid-Atlantic region, for instance, headed south, and will re-winterize there on the way back.
Whichever you decide to do, make certain that the toilet is well winterized when you are done. Small amounts of water can remain in the flush valve on some toilet models, which can freeze and crack the valve if not completely removed or replaced with antifreeze.
By Russ and Tiña De Maris We’ve all experienced it: From “backing in on the blind,” to the dump station from hell – we’ve probably mumbled (or yelled), “Who on earth designed this? Did they ever RV?” It seems like RV campground design is a crapshoot: Sometimes you win; then again, far too often you lose.
But the National Park Service wants your input with design, not just for RV campgrounds, but all aspects of campgrounds they might develop in the future.
Input wanted from John Q. RVer
Available for review, the service’s “Campground Design Guide” is a 150-plus page document outlining everything from disability accessibility issues, to trails, signs, wastewater treatment, and whatever else goes into making a campground. There are many pages of information specific to RVs and RVers included. The Service has already consulted with other federal land organizations, and included state park authority input. Now they’d like to hear from John Q. Public. For us, that means John Q. RVer.
Chewing through 150 pages of government documentation sounds daunting. Happily, the whole affair is well laid out, and it shouldn’t take too much time to analyze the information specific to RV campground design. If your interests are broader, and you have the time, you can pick other areas of your experience and interest and tackle those as well.
What the Service asks boils down to this: Did they miss something? Did they get something wrong? They ask those commenting to be as specific as possible, and include a page number with their thoughts.
Don’t dally – time is limited
The comment period is open until December 4th. Download the “Campground Design Guide” here, and click on the link at the bottom of the page, “Document Content.” After you’ve digested and come up with your views, you can submit your comments on the same page by clicking the button “Comment Now.”
This looks like a great opportunity for experienced RVers and others to be able to make a difference. Perhaps your gripes and growls about how things have been done in the past can be turned into workable solutions for the future. You, too, can have real input on future RV campground design.
Reader Dianne Belk submitted this poem to us and we, for obvious reasons, smiled the whole way through. We had to share it with all of you. Dianne, thank you for writing!
By Dianne Belk
My husband and I started RVing as soon as I could retire,
This RV life would let us “see it all” before we would expire.
So we hit the road armed with gadgets all sizes and shapes,
With maps and manuals and GPS to limit our mistakes.
We packed tee shirts and doormats and matching folding chairs,
All with cute little camping slogans (as if anyone really cares)!
We started out confident thinking we probably knew it all,
But each passing mile proved our RV knowledge was very small.
We googled terms like “full hook up”, “boondock”, “50 amp” and “toad.”
Our poor guardian angels worked overtime just to keep us on the road.
We learned to use the “Jake brake” while on a 10% Wyoming grade,
And found that RV AC has limits in Tucson with no shade.
RV basics were not very basic; we were overwhelmed to say the least.
We longed for sticks and bricks; we called our RV “The Beast”.
Some RV friends kindly told us about a newsletter we might need
Called RV TRAVEL by Chuck Woodbury – we signed up and started to read.
We found the newsletter to be helpful, insightful yet funny and wise,
Our RV skills started improving which came as a surprise.
Gary Bunzer, RV Doctor, seemed to answer questions we hadn’t asked.
We still miss his column; I cried like a baby on the day he passed.
We enjoy the polls, brain teasers, true stories and all the RV news.
RV TRAVEL has made us winners in a field with much to lose.
We have purchased road flares and fire extinguishers we hope to never use…
…but Chuck recommends them so it’s a wise purchase to choose.
RV TRAVEL has made a difference in our RV use and care,
We take trips confidently now and with much less despair.
Boondocking, water filters, coax cables, and Daily RV tips,
Whatever subject covered seems pertinent to our trips.
So thank you RV TRAVEL for being our shining star,
Teaching us RV skills so we can travel near and far!
Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling more than 4,000 model year 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinters, some of which are used in motorhomes and van campers. The fuel line clamps may loosen and result in a fuel leak.
A fuel leak can increase the risk of a fire which could lead to injury or death.
Remedy DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will check the fuel hose clamp connections and tighten or replace the components as needed, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 28, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA’s number for this recall is VS3SCHELLLE.
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 RVs, if you know someone who does be sure to tell them. RVtravel.com posts recall notices like this as they are issued. Read all recent ones by clicking here.
Models involved are below:
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Dear editor,
We were advised by a dealer RV technician to winterize our water lines while driving in cold weather. The claim is that windchill would freeze the water lines while driving. When I review a windchill chart driving at 50 mph in 40 degrees F the windchill is 26 F. It sounds like every time we travel we will need to winterize water lines. —Tim Connors
Dear Tim,
What I recall from my research, the ambient temperature is the ambient temperature and cannot be changed by the effects of windchill.
For example, if the ambient temperature is 40 degrees with a windchill of 30 degrees, and there was warm water (70 degrees) sitting in the water lines of the RV, the water in the plumbing system would cool down to 40 degrees faster because of the windchill, but it would not go below the ambient temperature.
But, if the possibility exists that temperatures could drop and stay below freezing at some point while getting to your destination, it will freeze.
This newsletter is for intelligent, open-minded RVers. If you comment on an article, do it with respect for others. If not, you will be denied posting privileges.
Issue 1450
Welcome to another edition of RV Travel’s Daily Tips newsletter. Here you’ll find helpful RV-related and living tips from the pros, travel advice, a handy website of the day, tips on our favorite RVing-related products and, of course, a good laugh. Thanks for joining us. We appreciate you. Please tell your friends about us.
“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” ―Alice Walker
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Cheese Curd Day!
On this day in history: 1878 – The Edison Electric Light Company begins operation.
Tip of the Day
King pin stabilizer jack image courtesy BAL R.V. Products Group
How useful are fifth wheel king pin stabilizers?
By Russ and Tiña De Maris One fifth wheel owner we know refuses to set foot in her fiver unless the front end is “supported” with a king pin stabilizer. She knows it’s nuts, but she’s afraid the trailer will topple forward if she puts her weight up there without the support. Not everyone is quite so paranoid, but plenty of fifth wheel folks put a stabilizer under their king pin. Is it worth it? Find out the pros and cons here.
If you own an RV built on a Sprinter platform, we bet you don’t know that it would have cost you less if it weren’t for chickens! Learn the story of how a cheap chicken in the 1960s changed international trade and how your Sprinter van is currently built (and why you pay more to buy it). Read all about it.
Stay free at more than 1,600 wineries and farms! The campgrounds are booked! Find places to stay! Stay overnight for free at more than 1,600 wineries, farms, breweries, etc.! Harvest Hosts is an alternative to traditional campgrounds, where members can taste great wines and micro-brews, eat fresh produce and stay in peaceful settings. Save 15 percent on a membership by using code HHFRIENDS15 at checkout. Learn more
Lloyd Pilant passed along this great tip: “The rungs on our ladder in our Winnebago View hurt our feet when climbing up to the over-cab sleeping area. My wife suggested we try putting some foam pipe insulation on the rungs to see if that helps. We did, and it does. I used some Gaffer tape to help hold the insulation on the rungs.” Thanks, Lloyd!
Website of the day
Caves to explore in the U.S.
How many of these caves have you been to? This list of 15 incredible caves in the U.S. will surely bring out your inner explorer. Plus, who doesn’t love going into a cold cave especially during a hot summer?
It’s getting dark early. Time to clean your headlights! When was the last time you gave those headlights a good scrub? It’s been a while, huh? Get yourself this 4-piece headlight restorer kit from Turtle Wax for about $7, and have your headlights looking as good as new in less than 5 minutes. It can be used on all lenses, plexiglass and plastic surfaces, and will restore all dull, yellowed headlights. Learn more or order here.
And the Survey Says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 1,500 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 57 percent would drive an extra 10 miles out of their way to save $15 on a campsite
• 21 percent have bought new tires for their RV within the last year
• 11 percent bought their RV for more than $125,000
SECRET PHRASE: There are 182 places in the U.S. that have the word “Christmas” in their names.
Trivia
Tired of saying the word “tornado”? In the 18th century, tornadoes were called “twirlwinds” or “twirlblasts,” not tornadoes. Those two are more fun to say anyway, so let’s bring them back!
*Did you know the Twitter bird has a name? We told you what it is yesterday.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Our Shih Tzu, Brandy. RV traveling companion.” —Merl Bell
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Saturday RV Travel newsletter.
That’s connected to … what? The Klein ET310 transmitter/receiver figures out what electrical outlet is connected to which circuit breaker. Plug the transmitter end into the outlet in question, then scan the circuit breaker panel with the receiver “wand” and voila – you know which breaker is powering that outlet without resorting to flipping random breakers on and off. The transmitter also doubles as a 3-light outlet tester letting you know if there’s a Hot/Neutral polarity reversal, open ground, etc., and it also checks GFCI operation. Learn more or order.
This newsletter is brought to you Monday through Friday by RVtravel.com and is funded primarily through voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you! IF YOU APPRECIATE THIS NEWSLETTER and others from RVtravel.com, will you please consider pledging your support? Learn more or contribute.
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Senior editor: Diane McGovern. Social media and special projects director: Jessica Sarvis. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
This website utilizes some advertising services. 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.
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.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
We’ve asked this question in the past, and many of you commented that your RV beds were so uncomfortable that you ended up buying a new mattress to replace the one it came with. We’re curious to know how many of you did that, and where your mattress comfort stands now…
So, how comfortable is the bed in your RV? If it’s uncomfortable, do you have any plans to replace it? If you answer that it is comfortable, is that just because you already replaced it with a new mattress or the one that came with your RV is comfortable?
Please leave a comment and answer any of the above questions. Perhaps you’ll have some advice that will help others with their uncomfortable mattress woes!
This newsletter is for intelligent, open-minded RVers. If you comment on an article, do it with respect for others. If not, you will be denied posting privileges.
Issue 1449
Welcome to another edition of RV Travel’s Daily Tips newsletter. Here you’ll find helpful RV-related and living tips from the pros, travel advice, a handy website of the day, tips on our favorite RVing-related products and, of course, a good laugh. Thanks for joining us. We appreciate you. Please tell your friends about us.
Whoops! We made a mistake yesterday! Your email alert went to an old issue. In case you missed yesterday’s issue, read it here.
Today’s thought
“Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.”―Voltaire
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Fossil Day! [Diane raises hand. 😆 ]
On this day in history: 1582 – Because of the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, this day (October 14) does not exist in this year in Austria, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain.
If you are a member of an RV club or are affiliated with an RV-related event would you please let us know if its gatherings, meetings, etc., are cancelled or postponed because of the coronavirus? We’ll pass along the info to our readers. We appreciate any news related to RVing that’s being affected by the virus. Please submit it here. Thank you!
When you store your RV outside for extended periods of time it begins to show signs of wear, caused by the constant exposure to the elements. Eventually the paint starts to fade and products like rubber and vinyl dry out, crack and start to deteriorate.
The best storage scenario is to store your RV indoors or under a covered area, but that is not always possible. If the RV is stored outside, avoid parking it under trees or in tall grass and weeds. The best investment you can make for an RV stored outside is a quality RV cover. The cover should be made of a breathable and water-resistant material to help promote air circulation and prevent mold and mildew.
Buying an RV in a business’s name could void warranty
If you’ve considered buying your dream RV in your business’s name or plan to use it for business you might want to give it a second thought. Learn from this person’s expensive mistake.
Take the batteries out of the rig and store them in the garage over winter? It’s an old-wives’ tale, provided you make sure the battery is kept charged. Use a battery maintainer to ensure the charge. It’s when a battery falls below full charge that you’d need to worry about it freezing.
Add an outdoor water faucet to your RV! This lead-free outdoor faucet is really handy. If you don’t have one, here’s a super inexpensive way to add one. No tools required and it installs in a minute (just screw it on). Brass T included with the plastic faucet, just as it’s shown in the product photo. Learn more or order here.
Website of the day
Luxury RV resorts
Ah, resort life: the wind in your hair, martini in hand, your husband’s snores coming from the couch inside … some things don’t change no matter where you are. Whether you’re looking for a place to stay, or just window shopping, check out these beautiful resorts.
SWELL CONTEST OF THE DAY
How would you like to win this Fire-resistant document bag? Well, this might be your lucky day! In one of this past week’s Beginner’s Guide to RVing newsletters, we published a secret phrase. Simply email the phrase to us at RVcontests@gmail.com . We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (October 14, 2020) by 11 a.m. Pacific time. Remember, you can only enter once and after we notify you by email that you won, you have 24 hours to respond or we’ll give the prize to someone else.
Psst: It’s still Amazon Prime Day! Thousands of items are on sale! Last day to save! Need something for your RV? Need to update an electronic device? Stock up now while things are on sale! Get holiday shopping done early with these amazing sales!
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
Did you know the Twitter bird, its widely recognized icon, has a name? Yup. It’s Larry!
*Which U.S. state borders just one other state? Think about it. If you can’t figure it out, yesterday’s trivia told you the answer.
Easily check the tire pressure on your inner dual tires! Do you have trouble reading the tire pressure on your RV’s inner duals? This dual head tire pressure gauge with an extension steel shaft will reach where a standard gauge won’t. Be sure you know the pressure of all your tires, or risk a potentially dangerous blowout. No batteries required. Learn more or order at a discount.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Maddie, a Jack Russell-beagle-Basenji mix, and Reggie, a Border Terrier-pug mix, are inseparable buddies – even when they’re resting after a long hike.” —Julie Custer
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Saturday RV Travel newsletter.
Leave here with a laugh
*You gotta read this one out loud!*
What do you call a Frenchman wearing sandals?
Phillipe Phillop
This newsletter is brought to you Monday through Friday by RVtravel.com and is funded primarily through voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you! IF YOU APPRECIATE THIS NEWSLETTER and others from RVtravel.com, will you please consider pledging your support? Learn more or contribute.
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Senior editor: Diane McGovern. Social media and special projects director: Jessica Sarvis. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
This website utilizes some advertising services. 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.
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.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
The RV you currently own, how would you describe the condition of it? Some of you probably love everything about your RV – the design, the quality, etc. But others of you might be wishing you bought an entirely different RV right down to the make and model. We hope not, but sadly, we’re sure that’s the truth.
How would you describe the condition of your RV? Would you say it’s excellent? Very good? Poor? Disastrous? We’d like to know. Please tell us in the poll too. And if you’re willing, we’d appreciate it if you left a comment telling us why you answered the way you did. Perhaps your comment will help a prospective buyer!
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Some people prefer not to use the plumbing system during the winter for fear of doing something wrong and risking a freeze-up, and subsequent damage. Others prefer to just use the toilet, and depend on campgrounds for their other needs. It’s possible to use your RV toilet for brief periods in freezing weather.
The campgrounds are booked! Find places to stay! Stay overnight for free at more than 1,600 wineries, farms, breweries, etc.! Harvest Hosts is an alternative to traditional campgrounds, where members can taste great wines and micro-brews, eat fresh produce and stay in peaceful settings. Save 15 percent on a membership by using code HHFRIENDS15 at checkout. 
Do you have trouble reading the tire pressure on your RV’s inner duals? This dual head tire pressure gauge with an extension steel shaft will reach where a standard gauge won’t. Be sure you know the pressure of all your tires, or risk a potentially dangerous blowout. No batteries required. 
