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Ouch! Reader charged more than $400 on Virginia Express Lanes

Emily Woodbury
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Ouch! Reader charged more than $400 on Virginia Express Lanes

Reader Nicole Jones recently learned an expensive lesson the hard way. After taking Virginia’s Express Lanes during rush hour, she was stunned to receive a toll bill for $402.85.

We received this photo and note from Nicole:

“My goodness, someone needs to know that they should NOT pull their RV on the Express Lanes in VIRGINIA during rush hour. Apparently they charge 5x the rate depending on the size, length, height, and axles. Ouch!!!”

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Virginia’s Express Lanes

As it turns out, Virginia’s Express Lanes can be especially costly for RVers. The lanes use dynamic pricing, meaning tolls rise as traffic gets heavier. What many RV owners don’t realize is that larger vehicles pay significantly more. Vehicles taller than 7 feet or longer than 23 feet are charged three times the posted toll, and vehicles that are both taller than 7 feet and longer than 23 feet pay five times the posted toll. During peak rush-hour congestion, those multipliers can turn an already-high toll into a jaw-dropping bill.

More expensive toll roads in the U.S.

Virginia isn’t the only place where RVers need to watch their wallets. The Pennsylvania Turnpike remains one of the most expensive toll roads in America and is frequently ranked as the nation’s costliest major toll highway. Tolls increase with vehicle size and axle count, meaning large motorhomes and truck-trailer combinations can pay far more than passenger vehicles. Pennsylvania also raised toll rates again in 2026.

Other toll hotspots for RVers include the New York Thruway, New Jersey Turnpike, Port Authority bridges and tunnels around New York City, and several toll roads in Florida. In many cases, the difference between a two-axle car and a multi-axle RV combination can be dramatic.

Avoid expensive tolls

How can you avoid a surprise like Nicole’s? Before traveling, check your route for toll roads and express lanes. Most GPS apps allow you to avoid tolls altogether. If you do use toll roads, carry an E-ZPass® or compatible transponder whenever possible, since toll-by-plate rates are often much higher. And if you’re driving a large motorhome or towing a trailer, think twice before entering dynamically priced express lanes during rush hour—those “fast lanes” can become very expensive in a hurry.

What about you?

What’s the most expensive toll you’ve ever paid? Please leave a comment and share the price and your experiences.

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Would you pay $70 for a familiar RV site—or try a $27 alternative?

Nanci Dixon
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58
Would you pay $70 for a familiar RV site—or try a $27 alternative?

We are on the road again! Settling down after day one of travel, with the RV parked, hooked up, and just relaxing. No ongoing fixer-upper house chores to do—just figure out the route and where to stay.

It did take three full days of getting the RV ready and hauling way too much stuff out to it, though. There was a moment I wished for two suitcases, a small cooler, and a hotel instead of cleaning and packing up the RV.

It has been about nine months since we have traveled, and I was in for my second rude awakening when calling a KOA Journey RV park to check availability. The first rude awakening was filling our motorhome with diesel at more than $5.79 a gallon.

We have stayed at this particular KOA several times before, so I knew what to expect. They determined that they had a pull-through site for one night and it was “only” $70! $70 for a cramped, tight, dusty gravel site in the middle of the desert next to the interstate and train tracks!

I thought I had heard wrong and had to ask, “Did you say seven zero?” “Yup”, she said. I replied, “Thank you. I am going to call around a little more.” She said she understood.

Muuuuuch better!

Next call was to an RV park about 20-some miles up the road. Plenty of room, full-hookups, pull-through, and when I asked the price? $27. No name brand, no guarantees on what $27 would actually be like, but mostly okay reviews and $43 less. And they sold beef jerky. Dozens of signs mentioned that on the way.

They said to stop at the store when we arrived, and they’d have one of their 34 pull-through, FHU sites for us. Granted, no big yellow signs or yellow A-frame office, but a gas station, a little store, and lots of empty pull-through sites. It is miserably hot in Arizona right now, so that explains the open sites.

Not only did Dwayne’s Mountain View RV Park sell beef jerky, but they also had alligator, camel, shark, and buffalo jerky! Bowie, AZ, is located in pecan and pistachio country, so there was a multitude of different pistachio flavors to choose from and taste. Lots of raw, shelled, and in-the-shell pecans, too. And, yes, my purchases did raise the daily rate a bit.

Best of all, according to my husband, was that they had Penny’s homemade pecan pie. I am a pecan pie critic and had never tasted any to rival mine. I will have to admit, though, I think Penny’s may have been even a little better

Sometimes stepping out of the tried, true, and comfortable can be a really good thing.

Contact info

Dwayne’s Mountain View RV Park. 1120 West Business Loop 10, Bowie, AZ 85605—Mountain Time Zone. RV park website and beef jerky website.

What about you?

What would you have done? Would you have paid a little more to stay in a familiar place where you knew what to expect? Or would you wander a little farther down the road to a more affordable option, trusting that the online reviews were recent and accurate?

Please leave a comment below and tell us.

WHILE YOU’RE IN ARIZONA…

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RV mods: Nitrogen for your tires? Good or bad?

RV Travel
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RV mods: Nitrogen for your tires? Good or bad?

By Russ and Tiña De Maris
If you remember high school chemistry, you may remember our friend nitrogen, the gas that makes up about 78 percent of Earth’s atmosphere. While ordinary compressed air has been used for decades to inflate tires, the trend in recent years has been to use nitrogen in applications where tires experience high stress—think race cars, commercial trucks, aircraft, and even some RVs.

Why nitrogen? While the size difference between nitrogen and oxygen molecules is actually quite small, nitrogen does tend to migrate through tire rubber more slowly than the mix of gases found in regular air. Nitrogen-filled tires also contain very little moisture, which can help maintain more consistent tire pressures as temperatures fluctuate. In theory, that means tires may lose pressure more slowly and run slightly cooler over time.

Sounds like nitrogen inflation is a no-brainer? Maybe not. One concern is that RV owners might develop a false sense of security and become less diligent about checking tire pressures and inspecting their tires. Regardless of what fills the tire, regular pressure checks and visual inspections remain among the most important tire maintenance tasks.

Causes of tire pressure loss

Tire permeation isn’t the only cause of pressure loss. Tire maker Michelin notes that leaks can also occur at the tire-to-wheel interface, valve stem, valve core, or wheel itself. As Michelin explains, these other potential leak points prevent any guarantee of significantly better pressure retention simply by switching to nitrogen. For that reason, Michelin does not specifically recommend nitrogen inflation for most consumer vehicles, although it acknowledges benefits in specialized applications where minimizing heat buildup is critical.

Advantages of nitrogen are modest

For RVers, the real-world advantages of nitrogen are often modest. If you’re already checking your tire pressures before travel days and monitoring them with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), you’ll likely see little practical difference compared to properly inflated air-filled tires. Proper inflation, avoiding overloading, and replacing aging tires on schedule have a far greater impact on tire safety and longevity than the choice between nitrogen and air.

Economics also come into play. A nitrogen tire fill can cost anywhere from a few dollars to more than $10 per tire, depending on the provider. If you’re traveling and find yourself with a low tire where nitrogen isn’t available, don’t hesitate to add ordinary compressed air. Most tire manufacturers agree that maintaining proper inflation is far more important than preserving a pure nitrogen fill. In fact, many RV tire experts recommend simply topping off as needed and continuing to monitor tire pressures normally.

The air we breathe is almost 80 percent nitrogen

One final point worth remembering: The air we breathe is already nearly 80 percent nitrogen. So even tires filled with ordinary compressed air contain mostly nitrogen to begin with. Whether you choose nitrogen or regular air, keeping your RV tires properly inflated and regularly inspected remains the key to safe travels.

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5 cringe-worthy things you never want to experience in your RV

Sandi Sturm
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5 cringe-worthy things you never want to experience in your RV

While I was looking for images of Wacky RVs, I saw these RV accidents, and they made me cringe! These are just five things of many that you never want to happen to your RV. They are listed in order of how loud I said “Oh, no!” when I saw the images.

My heart goes out to anyone who has experienced these or other RV accidents while traveling or parking.

And, no, these images are not AI!

Backing-up boo-boo

tree vs RV

While I have not witnessed something like this, we did have a close call one time in North Carolina. We were assigned a camp spot that was just impossible to back into with the trailer, so we moved. That night, a tree fell right where our heads would have been. And it hit a fence that was three feet from the heads of people sleeping in a tent. That still haunts me after all these years. Someone was watching out for us all!

U-turn… more like U-don’t-turn!

beach front parking

Someone needs to get a tide table! Can you hear the screaming? Don’t know the back story, but it doesn’t look like they were camped there, just turning around. Tough lesson to learn. We don’t even like to park near the beach because of salt damage to the vehicles.

A very dangerous lane hog!

slider open

I always wondered what you would do if the slider would not go in. But both of them? “It’s okay, Honey. We only live two hours away. We can make it!”

It’s a hot day – take a dip?

rv in the pool

Nothing quite like taking a dip! This one must have really given the neighbors something to talk about…

An eight-foot ouch

low clearance RV

Saved the biggest “Oh, no!” for last. The driver here was okay, but the fifth wheel is history. Looks like this section of road needs a drawbridge, or at least a bigger sign. I’ve never seen a bridge that low, but we have driven through some passages that were just a little wider than our rig.

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Americans share what it’s like RVing to Gibraltar (with five dogs!)

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Americans share what it’s like RVing to Gibraltar (with five dogs!)

By Cheri Sicard
Jack and Darlene of Jack and Darlene Living an Amazing Life are American friends of mine currently on an extended European RV trip with their five (count them) dogs. Yes, the entire clan, human and canine, flew to Europe for this grand adventure. Be sure to subscribe to their channel to follow along on their travels. To give you a taste, the video at the end of this post describes a day visiting Gibraltar and staying overnight in sight of the famous rock!

Walking from Spain to Gibraltar

Crossing a border on foot is one thing. Doing it after parking an RV beside a marina, with the Rock of Gibraltar ahead, feels even better.

Jack and Darlene left Benalmadena, drove south to La Linea de la Concepcion, and turned one day into two distinct travel moods. On one side, they found Spanish markets and marina cafes. On the other, they stepped into Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory with fish and chips waiting at the end of a long walk.

Their base was Parking Continental Cadiz Alcaidesa Marina in La Linea de la Concepcion. The park-up (campground) cost about 15 euros for 24 hours and had what most RV travelers need: water fill, gray-water dump, and black-water dump. They stayed for 48 hours and felt safe the whole time.

The setting made the stop memorable. Yachts lined the marina, mountains sat in the background, and the Rock of Gibraltar dominated the view. They also noticed colorful houseboats with little rooftop terraces, which gave the waterfront a fun, lived-in feel.

Markets, cafe stops, and leaving the dogs behind

Before crossing the border, they spent time on the Spanish side. The town felt lively, with fish stalls, food stands, outdoor tapas spots, and plenty of street noise. More than anything, the place felt friendly. People smiled, chatted, and made the walk feel easy.

The couple paused at a cafe near the marina for a tinto de verano (“red wine of summer”) and a small beer while the dogs cooled off with water. Later, they made a smart call and left their five dogs in the RV before entering Gibraltar. That avoided the hassle of pet paperwork and made the crossing simpler.

The long walk into Gibraltar

After the checkpoint, the walk to the center took longer than expected. They followed the route past beach views and along the side of the massive rock, with old fortifications visible above them.

The strangest part was the tunnel under the airport runway. It turned a basic border walk into something far more unusual. They also hoped to see the Moorish Castle, but it was closed that day, so they kept moving toward the center instead.

Fish and chips on the British side

Once they reached town, the mood changed fast. Gibraltar felt more British, but also more touristy, with Starbucks, Burger King, Taco Bell, and other familiar names in the mix.

Even so, they went with the classic choice, fish and chips. Their meal came with cod, chips, and white wine, and after all that walking, it was a perfect stop. Later, they wandered the center a bit more before heading back to their mini motorhome.

Ending the day back at the marina

By 9:00 p.m., the sun was still bright enough for an evening walk with the dogs. Back at the marina, their small RV sat among oversized yachts, with calm water on one side and the Rock on the other.

That was the best part of this stop. In a single day, Jack and Darlene moved between Spanish market streets and British-style lunch, then returned to a peaceful park-up that felt like home.

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RVing still wins when it comes to travel—My Amtrak adventure to Indiana

Tony Barthel
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17
RVing still wins when it comes to travel—My Amtrak adventure to Indiana

Traveling stinks. Well, sort of. I had honestly forgotten how lousy traveling can be when you’re not traveling in your RV. What am I talking about? How good we have it as RVers. 

You see, I get to go back to Indiana so I can check out 2027 model RVs for two whole weeks. Yup, I’ll be seeing the latest and greatest from a number of RV companies over the next two weeks, beginning on Tuesday and spending 14 days just looking at various RVs. 

The way this usually works is that I hop in my trusty ol’ Ram and yank my trailer from New Mexico to Elkhart, where I know which campgrounds I like, the restaurants I like, and even the stops along the way.

I can tell you about the Corvair Museum, Uranus Fudge Factory, Atlanta, Illinois, where the Muffler Man Museum is, The Big Texan Steak House, and plenty of other fun tourist traps. I love them all. And now they’re landmarks on my way to a known destination. 

My favorite way to navigate any journey is simply to hop in the ol’ truck and just go. While it might be great to have stops planned, I’d rather not. And that’s why the whole roof of my travel trailer is filled with solar panels; I have a larger lithium battery in our pass-through and can charge the trailer with the alternator on my truck. 

But that’s not what I’m going to do this time around. 

Travel makes me appreciate RVing

Headed on board Amtrak

The 1,400-or-so mile journey from New Mexico to Indiana takes me about five days to complete and, I’ve found, those long travel days are starting to take me ever longer to recover from. Must be all the exciting scenery, right? That’s what’s causing it. Sure. 

So I thought, instead, I’d get on board the Southwestern Chief, an Amtrak train, and go from Albuquerque to Chicago, then rent a car to finish the journey. Not bad, and Amtrak claims it’s a 24-hour train ride, plus I got one of those sleeperettes, so I should be just fine in there. 

I also know that Amtrak tends to be extraordinarily optimistic in their travel times. 

That part of the journey should be a lot of fun and something I like about the train, over flying, is that you can bring your luggage without fighting a bunch of lines. Plus, you don’t have to go through the third degree just because you’re going somewhere. 

I absolutely abhor the joke that is airport security and their invasive delays. But it has the illusion of safety, so we tolerate it. Well, I don’t. I’m riding the train. 

Then you get into a flying germ tube where you have to coordinate your breathing if you are anyone other than a tween because just an inch less leg room—nobody will notice. Sure. 

So I am looking forward to the train portion of the adventure. 

Rental car and hotel

But then comes the rental car and the hotel. 

The hotel was also not very complicated. I have stayed at the place I’m staying before partially because it offers kitchenettes so I can be more diligent about what I eat rather than enjoy dining out. 

Of course, if I had my trailer I’d have a full and proper kitchen. 

But the rental car—holy mother of pearl! Who suddenly changed the rules such that you almost have to buy the darned car? And, knowing how Amtrak is always late, the likelihood that I’ll arrive in Chicago after the rental agencies are closed is almost a surety. 

Coordinating details of arriving, renting the car, making sure I get to the hotel, wrangling luggage and all the other annoyances of just going somewhere makes me truly appreciate my RV, which is the whole point of this. 

Figuring out the timing of arriving, getting to the car rental, shuttling myself to Indiana, getting to a hotel, juggling baggage and all of that on someone else’s time is bothersome. And maybe it’s the “someone else’s time” factor that has me most aggravated. 

With the RV I could bring whatever I want (okay, I would have to leave my service rhino behind but he’s used to that) and not have to make any real reservations. 

Originally, I thought this would be a cheaper way to go than buying the gasoline for my pickup. But looking at that, I’d be in for about $1,500 round trip in fuel alone, and that’s about what the Amtrak ticket cost. Almost. 

Then there’s buying the rental car, the hotel and all of that. Frankly, I should have taken the RV. But, for anyone who’s known me for a while, you know that this is spurring another nutty idea. 

Buy a van?

I’m considering buying a van. Not just any van, mind you. 

My idea is that I have a van that can adequately tow my 6,000-pound travel trailer with about a 1,000-pound tongue weight. So that means most of the modern vans are out of the question. 

But the Chevrolet Express or GMC Savana are available with up to 10,000 pounds of pulling capacity and well over a ton of cargo-carrying capacity, if you get the big momma with the V8. 

Further, I have so much camping gear that I’ve reviewed for here and other places I could outfit a van with everything I need, and I do mean everything. Cooler, toilet, cooktop, cots, portable power station, all sorts of camping gear. Oh, and I could bring my bicycle, too. 

And, lately, the amount of stuff I have to bring to make even a short journey has been annoying me with the trailer. While I’d have to load and unload actually more stuff in the van, somehow the idea of all these portable gadgets appeals to me. 

The sheer simplicity of a gadget that, if it fails, I simply toss out and replace has a lot of stress-relieving factors. 

No plumbing or leveling or other issues to worry about

No thinking about plumbing concerns or leveling or slide room operation or leaks or any of the things that have never happened to me in an RV but still are things I think about constantly. 

In fact, a while back Peggy and I went tent camping, and it was super relaxing for just this reason. If something went awry, it would be no concern of mine. I wouldn’t have to fix it. And it wouldn’t really alter my course. 

Also, with the van I could travel farther and faster than I do when I’m towing a trailer. While I wouldn’t give up the trailer, it’s great for a lot of things. Having a camper that’s fast and nimble (as much as a three-ton van is fast and nimble) really, really has a lot of appeal to me. 

Having an adventure vehicle sounds appealing

So, my point in all this is that as traveling by “common carrier” has become ever-more annoying, to me, and there are also more details that have to be handled when I’m traveling in the RV, the simplicity of having an adventure vehicle is really starting to appeal to me. 

Perhaps I’ve been to one too many Overland Expo events or something. Or, perhaps I’m just crazy. 

In fact, my wife might be coaxed into signing an affidavit to that effect. 

But having an RV really makes travel a lot easier and more fun. I know my dear wifey loves to have reservations and make plans, but I like to sit around looking at Roadside America and then travel to see the next goofy destination. 

But taking all the comforts of home with you and seeing the incredible adventures as the road unfolds, plus knowing that you can choose your type of destination and form of travel—from elaborate to off-grid—really makes me appreciate what we all have as RVers. This truly is the best way to get around and see this wonderful country. 

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How RV dealers make money

Cheri Sicard
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How RV dealers make money

We all know that an RV dealership has to make a profit, but do we really know how? Todd Nuttall, president of Bish’s RV, laid out the process in plain language in the video at the end of this post from our friend, Josh the RV Nerd at Bish’s RV. Once we understand the moving parts, RV buying gets much easier to judge.

The first profit center is the RV itself

The most direct profit is the gap between the sale price and the dealer’s cost. That cost is not only the invoice. It can also include holding costs, marketing, employee pay, and service-related overhead tied to the unit.

So, when a buyer sees a sale price, that number sits on top of more than a factory bill. The final margin is whatever remains after those costs are covered.

Trade-ins can change the deal more than buyers expect

A trade-in has two numbers. The first is the trade allowance, which shows up on the worksheet or purchase agreement. The second is ACV, or actual cash value, which is what the dealer believes the unit is worth in a cash purchase.

That gap matters. If a dealer shows a higher allowance than the ACV, the buyer may feel better about the trade, but the dealer may simply be moving money from the sale price to the trade line. A $20,000 RV with a $15,000 trade allowance can be the same deal as a $15,000 RV with a $10,000 trade allowance.

A buyer can get ahead of this by checking NADA Guides, RV Trader, and Facebook Marketplace, then calling dealers to ask what they would pay outright for the RV. That “know before you go” step gives a rough cash benchmark before negotiations start.

Financing is not only about the monthly payment

Nuttall says that about 70 percent of new RVs registered in the United States last year had a lien on them. That means financing is normal, and lenders often pay dealerships a commission for sending business their way.

Still, a commission alone does not make the offer bad. The smart comparison is the loan term, interest rate, and any prepayment penalty. RV loans often run much longer than auto loans, with common terms around 144 months (12 Years) and some larger fifth wheels or motorhomes stretching to 240 months (20 years). A low monthly payment can simply mean a long loan.

Because of that, buyers should compare the dealership offer with a local bank or credit union and pick the terms that fit best.

Add-on products and upgrades are two more profit centers

After the sale terms are set, a finance manager may offer optional products such as an extended service contract, gap waiver protection, tire and wheel coverage, roof protection, or battery replacement coverage. These products can have value, but they also carry markup.

The easiest way to misread them is by focusing only on payment. If a product adds $7 a month on an 180-month loan, that is $1,260 total. If a package adds $32 a month, that becomes $5,760 over the full term.

The same basic math applies to installed upgrades. Solar, generators, lithium batteries, parts, accessories, and labor all include markup, and that is another way a dealership earns income.

The clearest RV deal is the one a buyer can explain back

Dealer profit is not the problem. Hidden math is the problem. When buyers understand margin, trade value, financing, and add-ons, they can judge a deal with a lot more confidence.

Make sure you watch the video to learn more.

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What’s the biggest ‘sticker shock’ in RVing today?

RV Travel
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What’s the biggest ‘sticker shock’ in RVing today?

Not too many years ago, one of the biggest selling points of RV travel was affordability. Sure, there were fuel costs and campground fees, but many RVers felt they could travel comfortably without breaking the bank. These days, however, it seems like nearly everything associated with RVing costs more than it used to. And it is certainly not the cheapest way to travel anymore!

This week’s newsletter included two stories that got us thinking. One reader was stunned to receive a $402.85 bill after using Virginia’s Express Lanes during rush hour. Meanwhile, Nanci Dixon shared her surprise at being quoted $70 for a single night at a familiar RV campground—a site she described as cramped, dusty, and far from luxurious.

Of course, tolls and campground fees aren’t the only expenses causing sticker shock. Fuel prices continue to fluctuate. RV repairs can quickly climb into the thousands. Insurance premiums have risen for many owners. Even routine maintenance items like tires, batteries, and roof repairs seem to cost more every year.

Yet, despite the rising costs, most RVers keep rolling down the road. For many, the freedom, flexibility, and memories created while traveling are still worth the expense.

The question is: Which cost makes you shake your head the most when you see the bill?

So, we’re curious. In today’s RV world, what causes the biggest sticker shock for you? Is it campground fees? Fuel prices? Tolls? RV repairs? Or perhaps something else entirely?

Vote in our poll below. And if your answer isn’t listed, leave a comment and tell us what’s hitting your wallet the hardest these days. Thank you!

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Save thousands on RV slide-out maintenance with this

RV Travel
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Save thousands on RV slide-out maintenance with this

Did you know that proper slide-out maintenance can save you thousands of dollars in costly repairs? In this article and video, we’ll explain how the Camco RV rubber seal conditioner protects your RV slide-outs and keeps them in top working condition.

Regular maintenance of these seals prevents damage and extends the lifespan of your slide-out mechanism.

Why RV slide-out seals are important

The rubber bulb seals around your RV slide-out are essential components that help prevent water, dirt, and air from entering your RV. They create a seal when the slide-out is retracted, protecting your RV from environmental elements. Over time, these seals can become brittle, cracked, or damaged, which can lead to leaks, drafts, or even mold inside the RV.

How Camco RV rubber seal conditioner helps

Camco RV rubber seal conditioner is designed to protect and maintain the rubber seals around your RV slide-out. Here’s how it can help:

Prevents cracking and dry rot

Exposure to UV rays, weather, and temperature changes can cause the rubber seals to dry out and crack, leading to compromised sealing performance. The Camco treatment restores moisture to the rubber, keeping it flexible and preventing cracks.

Extends seal lifespan

Regular use of this treatment extends the lifespan of your slide-out seals. By keeping them conditioned and in good condition, you’ll delay the need for expensive seal replacement.

Reduces friction and wear

The treatment provides a slippery coating that reduces friction when the slide-out moves. This can help prevent unnecessary wear and tear on both the seals and the slide-out mechanism.

Improves water resistance

Applying the seal treatment helps to enhance the waterproofing properties of the rubber seals, ensuring they effectively protect your RV from leaks and moisture.

Enhances overall slide-out performance

A well-maintained seal ensures your slide-out functions smoothly and efficiently. The treatment helps maintain a good seal, reducing air and water infiltration that can lead to mold, mildew, and other costly damage.

How to use Camco RV rubber seal conditioner

Clean the slide-out seals

Before applying the treatment, it’s essential to clean the rubber seals thoroughly. Use a mild soap or RV-safe cleaner to remove dirt, grime, and any old residue. Let the seals dry completely.

Apply the treatment

Shake the Camco treatment bottle well before use. Apply a generous amount to the rubber seals using a clean cloth or sponge. Ensure the entire seal is covered, paying special attention to areas that may show signs of wear.

Wipe off excess

After applying, use a dry cloth to wipe off any excess product. Be sure the seals are evenly coated but not overly saturated, as excess product can attract dirt.

Inspect the seals

While applying the treatment, take the time to inspect the seals for any damage, cracks, or signs of deterioration. If the seals are compromised, it might be time to replace them.

Allow to dry and set

Allow the treatment to fully dry and set before operating the slide-out. This ensures that the seal is in optimal condition for protection.

Prevent costly damage with regular maintenance

Inspect seals

Regularly check the condition of your slide-out seals for signs of wear, cracking, or dry rot. Make it a part of your routine RV maintenance to ensure your seals are always in top condition.

Apply treatment seasonally

For maximum protection, apply the Camco treatment at the start of each season. This will keep the seals conditioned and ready to withstand the elements throughout the year.

Clean seals after use

After traveling or extended use, clean the seals to remove any dirt, dust, or debris that could wear them down. Keeping them clean helps maintain their sealing power.

Conclusion

Taking care of your RV slide-out seals is a simple and cost-effective way to protect your investment and prevent major repairs. With Camco RV rubber seal conditioner, you can keep your seals in excellent condition, preventing water damage, air leaks, and costly repairs. Regular maintenance will help your RV slide-out function smoothly and ensure your RV stays in top shape.

For more expert RV maintenance tips and to keep your RV in perfect condition, don’t forget to subscribe to our channel. With the right care, your RV will stay protected and ready for your next adventure!

The Camco RV rubber seal conditioner is available here on Amazon.

Learn more about Dustin at his company’s website, California RV Specialists.

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Use self-fusing silicone tape for weatherproof connections

RV Travel
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Use self-fusing silicone tape for weatherproof connections

By Greg Illes
Standard vinyl electrical tape has been around for a long time—too long, some would say. The problem with this commonly used product is its adhesive. It doesn’t really stick very well and after awhile it starts to peel loose, leaving a gooey mess behind. But now there’s a self-fusing silicone rubber tape for weatherproof connections which works great.

A better alternative

Some years ago, a worthy alternative to standard vinyl electrical tape appeared—a silicone rubber tape that was self-fusing. It bonded to itself with enthusiasm and had no adhesive to age or create a mess. Furthermore, it was impervious to many chemicals, ozone and UV, which age and deteriorate lesser products.

This self-vulcanizing tape has seen a surge in popularity. It’s now sold in many colors and widths, all at affordable prices (although much more expensive than its cheaper brother). Sold by everyone from Ace Hardware to Amazon, a roll will run you anywhere from about $10-$30.

How do you use self-fusing silicone rubber tape?

You apply the tape by peeling off its backing (being careful not to let it touch itself because it bonds instantly). Wrap the tape around the object to be covered and make the first wrap go over itself. Then stretch the tape in the direction you want and continue wrapping.

It’s easiest to cut off a piece in advance rather than applying it from the roll. A little experience will show you how much to use, and it takes very little: Two to three inches will weatherproof most electrical joints.

Notice that the tape doesn’t actually stick to anything but itself. This means that it’s easy to remove, but it also means that it can’t be used for any application that requires a sticky seal. The best way to think of this “tool” is as a rubber-molding process. Once the tape is applied and wrapped around the object, it is literally as if the object were cast inside a mold. In fact, I’ve cut open 5-year-old wrappings, and they still looked as if they were just one solid piece of rubber.

What can you use it for?

Due to its stretchy nature, the tape is fabulously conforming. It will create a solid rubber sleeve around the most odd-shaped joints and other objects. In addition to electrical uses, the tape can be used for any purpose where a rubber coating is desired. For example, my flagpole gave up its rattle after I rubber-taped the base. Your imagination is your only limit.

Here are all types, styles, colors, and prices on Amazon.

Greg Illes is a retired systems engineer who loves thinking up RV upgrades and modifications. When he’s not working on his motorhome, he’s traveling in it. 

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New musical roads added to Route 66: Hear the Mother Road sing

Gail Marsh
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New musical roads added to Route 66: Hear the Mother Road sing

Route 66 is pulling out all the stops to celebrate its centennial. RVers won’t want to miss the Mother Road’s new musical roads!

What is a musical or singing road?

A musical road is the kind of roadside surprise that turns an ordinary drive into a delightful memory. (I previously wrote an article about singing roads, which you can read here.)

The engineering for a musical road is complex, and the planning is time-consuming. However, the “singing road” idea itself is actually quite simple. It’s based on sounds (vibrations) we hear in everyday life. When a vibration occurs at a certain rate per second, it produces a distinct sound. The vibration or note comes from the spacing of the grooves, which is why speed matters so much. If you go too fast or too slow, the melody changes.

In simple terms, a musical road is a stretch of pavement with carefully spaced grooves or rumble strips. The strips make your tires vibrate in a way that produces a tune—as long as you travel at the right speed.

Route 66

To mark Route 66’s centennial, new musical roads have been added along the historic route. Each stretch will play music inspired by the local culture and surroundings. Watch a fascinating 3-minute video from National Geographic of a singing roadway installation below.

When drivers keep to the posted speed, the road plays a melody, creating a fun, shareable way to celebrate Route 66 while encouraging safe, attentive driving. (I doubt you can drive over one and not smile!)

The two men leading Route 66’s musical road effort are Chris Hill and Pete Thompson. They are the co-founders of Route 66 Musical Roads LLC. The company says local crews have been hired in each state to do the actual installation work.

Locate a Route 66 singing road

Missouri

The best place to start is Springfield, Missouri. You’ll find this Musical Road on St. Louis Street near Queen’s Gate 66. This Route 66 attraction is designed as a drive-through experience with no tickets or lines. By holding a steady 30 mph, you’ll hear the road play “America the Beautiful.” Listen to it here.

This singing road is part of Springfield’s effort to deepen its Route 66 identity. It’s an easy drive to combine with other Springfield Mother Road sights. See a map and discover additional sights and Springfield area experiences here.

Oklahoma

Tulsa, Oklahoma, also has a Route 66 musical road. The city says the route runs on the Southwest Boulevard Bridge, parallel to the Cyrus Avery Memorial Bridge. It sits near several other Route 66 landmarks, including Cyrus Avery Centennial Plaza, the East Meets West sculpture, and the Route 66 skybridge. Travelers can expect to hear Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” when cruising at about 35 mph. Learn about additional area attractions here.

Arizona

Winslow, Arizona, is singing too. This musical road attraction is at the east end of Third Street near the 9/11 Memorial. It plays the melody from the Eagles’ “Take It Easy” when drivers travel over it at about 35 mph. That makes it a very natural RV stop for anyone who wants to pair Route 66 music with a quick visit to Standin’ on the Corner Park. Look here for other area sights in the area.

New Mexico

Santa Rosa, New Mexico, is the one to watch next. It’s expected to be completed by June 15, 2026. Here, the city is planning two sets of musical rumble strips on the west side of Historic Route 66. The eastbound traffic is set to hear “Get Your Kicks on Route 66.” Westbound traffic will hear the Santa Rosa Lions fight song. Find more to see and do in the Santa Rosa area here.

Also check out Tijeras, New Mexico. It’s where the original classic Route 66 musical road installation helped make the idea famous. Originally installed just east of Albuquerque as a traffic-calming project, it was built in 2014. To hear it play “America the Beautiful,” drivers should maintain a 45 mph speed. To find it, travelers typically leave I-40 at Exit 170 to take NM 333. Look eastbound between mile markers 4 and 5. Discover other amazing things to see and do while in the area here. (Note that this singing highway has faded with age and weathering.)

Celebrate!

musical road speed sign image: screen shot of you tube video

The Route 66 centennial is a good excuse to visit a musical road on the Mother Road. The official Route 66 Centennial website is promoting kick-off events, caravans, exhibits, monuments, and other celebration projects across the corridor. Springfield and Tulsa are already pairing their musical roads with nearby Route 66 landmarks and public art stops. That means RVers can treat each musical road as much more than a quick detour. Instead, take time to enjoy museums, sculptures, festivals, and local history along the way.

You should go!

So, if you are road-tripping the Mother Road in 2026, pick the musical road nearest you and roll over it at the right speed. Each singing roadway gives RVers a different kind of “get your kicks” moment. Every location is a fun reason to listen, then stop, and celebrate the centennial one mile at a time.

Have you ever driven over a musical road? Tell us using the comments below.

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