Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2025 Salem and Wildwood travel trailers. The side entry gate latch may become unlocked, allowing the strut to open the gate during transit. As many as 1,367 RVs may be affected by the recall, which was issued June 2.
An open gate can strike other road users and increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will install a warning label and tethered pin and remove the strut, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 12, 2025. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River’s number for this recall is 51-1935.
DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is inviting resident and nonresident anglers of all ages to participate in Free Fishing Weekend. On June 7-8, 2025, anyone can fish for free. Fishing license and Habitat Stamp requirements will be waived.
Colorado offers a diverse range of fish species to catch, including more than 35 species (both warm- and cold-water fish) in some of the most scenic bodies of water. Fish anywhere in 6,000 miles of streams and over 1,300 lakes and reservoirs. To find fishing locations, stocking reports and resources, visit cpw.state.co.us/fishing.
Colorado now offers a new category of fishable waters (in addition to Gold Medal Waters): Colorado Quality Waters. CPW’s talented team of fish management biologists has identified and nominated the waters based on fish sampling records, creel surveys and professional biological assessments.
“Fishing is a great activity to share with family and friends, and the perfect chance to get outside and enjoy Colorado’s natural resources,” said CPW Angler Education Coordinator Andre Egli. “If you are new to fishing, a variety of beginner classes are offered around the state. Classes are available for new anglers, families or seasoned anglers that want to learn a new technique like fly fishing.”
Join Colorado’s vibrant fishing community by participating in upcoming CPW fishing classes, events and tournaments listed on the CPW Event Calendar.
When a major RV manufacturer rolls out a press release touting a “rebranding,” we often yawn. How much time, money, and effort did the company put into coming up with this new idea? How much time, money, and effort might they have put into improving build quality and customer satisfaction, and just forget the rebrand? The latest? A Keystone rebrand.
Keystone rebrand comes with an imaginary trumpet blast
There’s not much we can add to the news release itself. If it were a video, no doubt the music would swell, the brass and drum sections leading off. Here goes: “Keystone RV, one of America’s leading manufacturers of towable recreational vehicles, has announced a major brand refresh, unveiling a bold new look, voice, and direction under the banner: ‘Proven in the Wild™.’”
Proven in the wild? How about proven in the campground, as in, you don’t need to worry about having an emergency exit window in the main living area—unlike a number of Cougar travel trailers that the company forgot to build into them? Proven in the wild? As in, you don’t have to worry about the footpad having fallen off the levelers when you bounced down that washboard road? Yeah, those were problems for a couple of models of Keystone fifth wheels. Those are just two recent Keystone recalls—there are more.
“Not just a rebrand—a reveal!”
“This isn’t just a rebrand—it’s a reveal,” said Jeff Runels, President and CEO of Keystone RV. “We’re doubling down on who we’ve always been. ‘Proven in the Wild™’ speaks to our customers, our team, and our way of doing business for the last 30 years—bold, practical, and ready for anything.”
So just what sort of consumer-friendly stuff went into this not “just a rebrand, it’s a reveal”? Here’s more corporate-speak, playing to stockholders, “At the heart of the refresh is a redesigned logo inspired by the architectural keystone—the wedge-shaped stone that locks an arch into place. Representing strength, stability, and support in any terrain, the keystone becomes a literal and symbolic foundation of the company’s renewed identity.”
This “first major design overhaul in Keystone’s history” translates to a “new visual system draw[ing] inspiration from nature, movement, and modern utility—delivering a clean, energetic look across digital platforms, products, and dealer showrooms.” Yep, essentially all that’s happened here is a new shape on the front cap or the side of new Keystone rigs.
“Expertise isn’t claimed—it’s earned,” said Nick Johnson, Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “At Keystone, we’ve built what matters to real campers for decades. In an age of overhype, Keystone will give our camping customers the proven and practical RVs they ask for.”
RV buyers might find little amusement in Keystone rebrand
We’d add a bit of commentary from Keystone customers. One summed it up succinctly when he wrote of his new Keystone Cougar: “The design is excellent but the execution is completely flawed.” What lead him to that conclusion? After pulling away from the dealer with his new rig and running home four hours, he found these issues:
The city water connection was leaking.
The low point drain cap was leaking.
The bathroom faucet was so bad, we replaced it with a new Moen.
One of the shades was falling off.
The separators for the tri-fold shower door fell off at both ends.
The tank-less water heater only gives about one minute of hot water. (Worst RV invention yet. Whoever sold this bill of goods should be drawn and quartered.)
This Keystone customer isn’t alone. Keystone, like most RV manufacturers today, fails to deliver reliable quality control. If the gangs in Indiana spent a bit more time and effort in building a quality product, they probably wouldn’t need to worry about “rebranding.”
“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” —Thomas Watson, president of IBM, 1943
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Cheese Day!
On this day in history:1896 – Henry Ford completes the Ford Quadricycle, his first gasoline-powered automobile, and gives it a successful test run.
Tip of the day Fairgrounds camping: Don’t overlook these affordable, sometimes free, ‘campgrounds’
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Traveling the back country of Idaho, we were bereft of where to stay. We had no great desire to spend big bucks for an RV park where we’d use hardly any of the amenities. The distaff side wasn’t inclined to hitting the boonies. Where to go? At a fuel station in Bonner’s Ferry we inquired about the whereabouts of a county fairgrounds. “Just up the road in downtown.” A classic case of double-taking, but OK, down the road to downtown we went.
Despite a prevaricating GPS unit, we eventually found the county fairgrounds. And sure enough, fairgrounds camping was allowed—and, to top it off, allowed for free. Continue reading.
Ask Dave Why won’t RV’s converter charge the battery unless reset button is pushed?
Dear Dave,
My RV’s converter is not sending voltage to the battery. I put in a new battery, but it didn’t fix the problem. When I push the reset button on the circuit board, the battery starts charging. After a while it stops charging until I push the reset button again. I have noticed that the fan is not coming on. Do I need a new fan, or a new converter? The converter is a 2019 Progressive Dynamics. —Joe, 2021 Prime Time Crusader 26RD Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin Are the most common RV issues covered under warranty?
Join me in a video as I delve into some of the most common RV issues plaguing the industry today. In an interview with Wholesale Warranties, I chatted with Staci and discussed these top issues and whether they are covered claims under warranty. Click here to watch.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: If you feed a wild animal, you might as well shoot it afterward because by feeding it you might be killing it, too. When you feed a wild animal, it could become dependent on human food instead of looking for food as nature intended. When winter comes and the tourists are gone, the critter could starve to death.
RVers urged to speak out as industry leaders meet in D.C.
Did you know that the “RVs Move America Week” has kicked off in Washington, D.C.? This weeklong event is organized by the RV Industry Association (RVIA). Industry representatives come together to shape a long-term strategy for guiding the continued growth of the $140 billion RV sector. On Advocacy Day (today!) RVIA participants head to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers and advocate for key priorities affecting the RV industry. Learn more and make your voice heard.
Article and video Minibus RV conversion: A Craftsman cottage on wheels
By Cheri Sicard
In today’s video, we meet Kevin, who transformed a mini school bus into a stunning living space he affectionately calls “Bev the Bus.” Viewers get to explore every nook and cranny of this minibus RV, from the tiled shower to the beautiful wood accents and dog-friendly features. Check it out—you might want one!
Featured article How squatters could move into your RV or onto your land
By Gail Marsh
Dive into the potential risks of leaving your RV unattended as law enforcement struggles to combat this emerging issue. Explore the vulnerabilities of RV locks and the unexpected challenges faced by property owners like Tommy Kramer, embroiled in a months-long battle to reclaim their land from determined RV squatters. Could squatters live in your RV? Could they stay on your land? Find out here.
Reader poll Do one or more of your pets sleep in bed with you at night?
Quick tip Stop slideout plumbing leaks before they start
Responding to a story we posted regarding water damage to RVs, longtime reader Dave Telenko pointed out an area of concern that some RVers might miss. “Another spot to check is the kitchen slide—not only the pressurized water, but the drain line that flexes back and forth every time the slide goes in and out. On our 2017 Forest River 34Q, there was such a leak. The problem is the mating of a soft flexible hose (bilge hose) into standard ABS (house plumbing) pipes with a compression-type fitting. It didn’t work and leaked, and would never work. I put a piece of metal on the inside of the soft hose and then tightened up the fitting. It was tight. I tried to pull it out and no way could I do it.” Thanks, Dave!
BUMPER SNICKER: “I’m not over the hill, I just have a great view of the valley.”
The 20 Best State Fairs Around the U.S.
Get your Ferris-wheel-ridin’, corn-dog-eatin’ self ready to have some fun! This list ranks the top 20 state fairs around the country.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ? We use one of these and we gotta say, we love it! You’ll use it much more than you think. Trust us.
Trivia
Think there’s just one type of grass? Wrong! There are about 1,400 species of grass just in the U.S. alone. Grasses also make up about 25% of all plant life on Earth.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Fleura (age 19) loves the RV so she can look out of her bedroom window. She knows right where she is when we approach the coach. She was a feral California kitten adopted at an event. A wonderful little pal who is loved every day.” —Suzanne Bell
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. No blurry photos and please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!
Leave here with a laugh
Today’s weather forecast across the nation THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
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Dear Dave,
My RV’s converter is not sending voltage to the battery. I put in a new battery, but it didn’t fix the problem. When I push the reset button on the circuit board, the battery starts charging. After a while it stops charging until I push the reset button again. I have noticed that the fan is not coming on. Do I need a new fan, or a new converter? The converter is a 2019 Progressive Dynamics. —Joe, 2021 Prime Time Crusader 26RD
Dear Joe,
Whenever I get a question regarding a Progressive Dynamics product, I contact my trusted tech source, Dennis, at Progressive Dynamics. I have always gotten a very detailed response quickly, but this time the request for guidance sat unanswered for a couple of weeks. Then, this morning, I received an email from Progressive Dynamics stating that Dennis had retired and Dave was taking over his emails.
Dennis has been a wealth of information and even joined us on a podcast or two. He was always my “GOAT” (greatest of all time) for all things 12-volt and charging profiles. He is an avid reader of RVtravel.com, so I am sure he is reading this. I hope you will all join me in congratulating him on retirement. I hope you have a huge bucket list of activities, Dennis.
Here is the email I got back from David in Tech Support:
Dennis is retired now and I will be getting his emails.
This sounds like the fuse or breaker is opening in the positive lead near the battery.
This applies to lead acid or lithium.
Progressive Dynamics wiring diagram (click to enlarge)
The fan may not come on if it is not charging long enough to heat up the converter.
Back to Ask Dave
I have a few questions. First, what model is your converter? Is it an all-in-one, like this one, or a stand-alone model?
Distribution center
The all-in-one model has the converter built in, for which you can see the vent to the right side. This unit does a simple two-stage charge profile of 13.6 volts until the battery bank registers 12.6 volts. It then drops to a maintenance charge of 13.2 volts.
What type of battery?
Next question is, what type of battery or batteries did you install? Most 5th wheel rigs do not come from the factory with batteries; rather, the dealer puts in the type they sell—usually cheap ones. Was the battery you put in flooded lead acid (FLA), absorbed glass mat (AGM), or lithium? And was it just one battery?
And, finally, where was the reset button you described? Was it located on the converter or a circuit breaker on the distribution panel? You state when the reset button is pushed, the battery starts to charge. How did you verify that and what was the voltage?
Typically a circuit board is located inside the case of the converter and is only accessible by removing the entire casing or cover.
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Traveling the back country of Idaho, we were bereft of where to stay. We had no great desire to spend big bucks for an RV park where we’d use hardly any of the amenities. The distaff side wasn’t inclined to hitting the boonies. Where to go?
At a fuel station in Bonner’s Ferry we inquired about the whereabouts of a county fairgrounds. “Just up the road in downtown.” A classic case of double-taking, but OK, down the road to downtown we went.
Despite a prevaricating GPS unit, we eventually found the county fairgrounds. And sure enough, fairgrounds camping was allowed—and, to top it off, allowed for free. We figured there may have been a bit of divine guidance in all this. Had we arrived a couple of hours earlier we would have tried rolling the trailer into a lot crowded with Gatlin Brothers fans.
As it was, the Gatlin Brothers followers had cleared the lot and we had the place pretty much to ourselves. Parked right next to the baseball diamond, we had the scent of fresh-cut grass drifting in the window. The parking was fairly level, and down the parking lot a fair piece was a free dump station.
Here we are at the fairgrounds
County fairgrounds make an excellent camping backup plan
This is not the first time we’ve been “rescued” by county fairgrounds. Traveling through the Southern states a few years back, we couldn’t find a suitable place to stay. We telephoned the visitor center in the county seat, made an inquiry and, lo and behold, the red carpet treatment was ours. Yes, we could stay at the fairgrounds which, although closed at the time, were miraculously opened to us.
During the stay of a few days, the local police contingent rolled past our site to discreetly make sure all was well with us.
Many county fairgrounds are set up to accommodate RVers; after all, folks tending livestock during the fair like to stay near Miss Piggy, or whoever.
Some outfits have elaborate sites with partial- to full-utility hookups. Others are a bit more on the primitive side, like our experience there in Bonner’s Ferry. Some are free, some charge a very fair price for what you receive.
Plug “fairgrounds” in your GPS unit and you may find a surprising place to put up overnight—or for a few days.
By Cheri Sicard
In today’s video, we meet Kevin, who transformed a mini school bus into a stunning living space he affectionately calls “Bev the Bus.” Viewers get to explore every nook and cranny of this minibus RV, from the tiled shower to the beautiful wood accents and dog-friendly features.
Kevin’s journey into mobile living began back in 2017. Inspired by a friend he met at a climbing gym who lived in a van, Kevin started considering the possibilities. He soon realized that owning a ProMaster van could be more sensible than renting an apartment in San Diego. But after some time, Kevin’s passion for music led him to settle back in San Diego, where he bought a house and built a studio.
After a couple of years, Kevin still felt the pull of the open road, leading him to transform a minibus RV into his new home. He found one on Craigslist and realized it was an affordable way to get back into the nomadic lifestyle while still maintaining his music community in San Diego.
Bev isn’t just a personal travel vehicle—Kevin also rents it out, giving others a chance to experience van life in a minibus RV. This provides him with supplemental income and the flexibility to take trips when he wants.
Everything he needs in his minibus RV
Kevin wanted to create a space that had everything he needed in his minibus RV. His previous van lacked a shower, toilet, and a comfortable couch area. So, he made these features a priority in Bev’s design.
The build took around nine months, though Kevin wasn’t working on it every day.
The bus itself cost $15,000. After factoring in labor and materials at $130,000, the total investment came to $145,000.
One of the most striking features is the custom-fabricated roof rack, measuring 20 feet by 8 feet. Finding someone to build it was a challenge because of the bus’s arched roof. The rack, ladder, and powder coating cost $6,500.
What Bev the Bus is
Bev is a 2011 Chevy Express with five windows. It measures 22.5 feet long (with the ladder), 8 feet wide, and 10.5 feet tall. Kevin wanted something that could withstand the rigors of the road, so he opted for a Rhino liner-style paint job. He had the work done in Mexico.
Bev runs on a 6L Chevy gas engine. Initially, Kevin thought all buses used diesel, but he learned that the 6L gas engine is one of the best out there. The bus had 100,000 miles when Kevin purchased it, so he planned to do preventive maintenance to ensure it would last. As for gas mileage, Kevin reports getting around 9 to 10 miles per gallon.
The bus’s ground clearance is its weakest point for off-roading. Kevin mentioned he might add a leveling kit in the future to raise the front of the bus. For now, he relies on all-terrain tires and his experience as an off-road driver to navigate various terrains.
Kevin chose a RecPro automatic awning for convenience. It was important to him to have an awning that was easy to set up and could withstand strong winds. The arms attach securely to the bus, ensuring stability even in challenging conditions.
Bev is equipped with a robust electrical system to handle Kevin’s power needs on the road.
Electrical system highlights:
600 amp hours of AGM battery
700 watts of solar panels
3000-watt inverter
12V fuse block
Alternator hookup for charging while driving
For cooking and hot water, Kevin uses a 5-gallon propane tank. A diesel heater keeps the interior warm. Bev has an on-demand water heater and a 25-gallon gray water tank. The 41-gallon freshwater tank typically lasts a few days, allowing for several showers and dishwashing sessions.
The rooftop deck spans the entire length and width of the bus. The roof deck provides extra space for hosting friends and enjoying the outdoors. Kevin also envisions using it to carry extra gas cans and toolboxes for longer trips.
Interior tour
Stepping inside, the transformation is remarkable.
Kevin replaced the original bifold doors with an RV door for better insulation. He used pressure-treated wood to fill in the extra space. A cockpit seat offers a comfortable spot for a passenger. It folds down and has a seatbelt. Nearby, there’s convenient shoe storage and a place to keep keys and other essentials.
The 30×26-inch shower has a composting toilet with a urine diverter. Cutting into the subfloor provided extra headroom. Kevin uses a low-flow shower head and a compactable shower door. In hindsight, he said he would have moved the shower head up higher or considered a roof raise.
The dinette’s design was inspired by restaurant booths. Kevin even measured the angles and foot space in various restaurants to create a comfortable seating area. Butcher block is used for the table and counter space. A raised platform under the dinette provides storage for tools. Kevin opted against overhead storage to avoid bumping heads.
The size of the couch was determined by the dimensions of the dinette. There’s extra storage underneath, and a small step helps the dogs get up.
Kevin is excited about the kitchen, which is a big improvement over his previous van. He prefers a regular fridge over a cooler-style fridge and chose a Dometic 110 model.
More kitchen features:
Oven
Deep sink
Recessed spice rack
Magnetic knife strip
Details make a difference
Wooden planks were added to the windows to block out some light, and custom curtains with straps provide privacy, crucial in a minibus RV. A secret compartment hides a laptop and important documents while keeping the dogs off the counter. Kevin plans to add a laundry bag solution with a false floor in the garage area.
The custom wood plank ceiling is a standout feature. Kevin selected different types of wood and stained them various colors. A friend helped him arrange the layout.
The bed area includes a Sirocco 360 fan, which is adjustable and has three speeds. Kevin chose a full-size bed to maximize space. The skylight is a favorite feature, providing views of the stars and extra airflow. It also has a screen and shade for managing bugs and sunlight.
Kevin’s minibus conversion is a testament to what’s possible with a vision and a bit of hard work. Every detail was carefully considered, resulting in a beautiful minibus RV that functions as a tiny home on wheels.
What do you think? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments below.
If the surveys are true, then one Ohio RV park is playing the numbers in the right direction. A Renogy survey says almost 70% of RV owners travel with their pets, with 92% of them bringing dogs.
If your pup travels with you and loves the water, look out for suspicious credit card charges. The first-ever full-scale RV dog water park is up and running. Internet-savvy pooches may not think twice about putting in a reservation.
RV dog water park more than a splash pad
The new dog-friendly zone isn’t just a shallow splash pad. Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Uniontown, Ohio, is not just barking up any old tree. It’s packed with fun features tailored to canine campers: water-spraying fire hydrants, fountains that shoot out of giant tennis balls and dog bowls, plus an agility course and open space to run and play.
“We’ve never had anything like this before,” said Trent Hershenson, marketing VP for Camp Jellystone, which runs more than 75 Jellystone Parks across the U.S. and Canada.
The idea came from the park’s popular annual dog swim. It’s one day each season when the pool closes to people and goes to the dogs. “It kept getting bigger every year,” said activities director Maddie Hillyard. “Guests kept telling us it was their favorite event, so we thought—why not make something permanent for the dogs?”
While other Jellystone Parks offer pet-themed weekends and dog-friendly lodging, Uniontown’s new dog water zone is the first of its kind. It’s one more way Jellystone Parks are expanding what it means to camp with the whole family—furry friends included.
But what about the other RV pet travel group?
By the way, that same Renogy survey tells another “tail,” if you will. RVers also seem to have a feline commitment. Of RVers who travel with pets, 14% take a cat along for the ride. An RV dog water park probably has little interest to Fluffy. Don’t be surprised to see a petition circulating for RV parks with catnip filled bounce-houses.
If your RV adventures take you down Nevada’s scenic two-lane highways, expect to see new roadside reminders to flip on your headlights—no matter the time of day. The Nevada Department of Transportation is installing “Daytime Headlights Required” signs well ahead of a 2028 mandate. They aim to boost visibility and reduce head-on crashes on the rural routes favored by truckers, ranchers, and RVers alike. Nevada’s daytime headlights law may be down the road, but the signs are going up now.
July 1, 2028, marks full implementation of Nevada’s daytime headlights law
Nevada’s current law typically only requires drivers to have headlights on from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. An exception says they need to be lit up during rainstorms, and when visibility is limited.
But that all changes on July 1, 2028. The law then will require full-time headlights on rural two-lane highways. Those areas, says the state, are where head-on crashes are the most common roadway accident.
Nevada DOT
Getting a jump on the new law, highway workers are already posting the new signs. An announcement from Nevada’s Department of Transportation (NDOT) says, “Each 108-by-36-inch sign reads ‘Turn on Headlights’ and includes the distance to the next major city where daytime headlight use is not required. The larger size is designed to increase visibility.”
Daytime headlights won’t be required if there is more than one lane in each direction in rural areas, nor will they be mandated on urban area streets and highways.
The state began installing “Daytime Headlights Required” signs in December 2024. The first installations were along U.S. 95 near the U.S. 95 Alternate junction in Schurz. Since then, NDOT has continued placing these signs along other rural two-lane highways, including U.S. 6 in central Nevada near Tonopah.
Did you know that the “RVs Move America Week” has kicked off in Washington, D.C.? This weeklong event is organized by the RV Industry Association (RVIA).
Industry representatives have come together to shape a long-term strategy for guiding the continued growth of the $140 billion RV sector.
On Advocacy Day (Wednesday, June 4) RVIA participants head to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers and advocate for key priorities affecting the RV industry.
Speak up!
Are you frustrated with the RV industry? Are you tired of hearing the horror stories about slipshod RV builds? Dangerous workmanship? Or the industry’s failure to stand behind their products?
Now is the time to speak up! Email your congresspeople and representatives. Tell them about the problems within the RV industry. Insist that consumer protection laws and strict building requirements are written, discussed, and passed for all of our recreational vehicles.
I did!
I just emailed my Missouri representative, Jason Smith. As the chair of the Ways and Means Committee, he is scheduled to meet with the RVIA people for a discussion later this week.
Rather than complain to one another, RVers need to do all they can to bring reform and improvement to the RV industry. Make your voice heard!
Right now—email your congressional rep and urge them to take a stand for safety and protection for consumers.
After all, RVers drive thousands of miles on the highways we share with non-RVers. Doesn’t everyone deserve to be safe as they go from here to there?
“Half the lies they tell about me aren’t true.” —Yogi Berra
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Egg Day! (Love eggs? This article is for you.)
On this day in history: 1889 – The first long-distance electric power transmission line in the United States is completed, running 14 miles (23 km) between a generator at Willamette Falls and downtown Portland, Oregon.
Tip of the day 22 uses for prescription medicine bottles in your RV
By Gail Marsh
Every 30 days. That’s how often I end up with an empty medicine bottle. Over time, all of these translucent, amber bottles pile up. If you have excess medicine bottles, you might check with your local recycling outlets to see if they accept the bottles. Our local recycling company does not recycle them. Neither will our pharmacy. So… what do I do with all of these bottles? I upcycle them! Check out these nifty uses for medicine bottles.
Ask Dave Staples are coming up through my RV’s vinyl floor. Should I be concerned?
Hello, Dave,
I’m inquiring about my 2020 Artic Fox 5th wheel trailer’s flooring. I noticed that there are staples coming up through the linoleum in the floor. There are two spots where this is happening, and it looks like a factory issue. Has anyone else had any issues? Thanks. —Dane, 2020 Arctic Fox 5th wheelRead Dave’s answer.
Article and video How to camp in cities without drawing attention
By Cheri Sicard
Thinking about urban camping? A lot of people believe that to camp in a city, you need a “stealth camper” to avoid unwanted attention. But is that really the case? It might not be. In today’s video, the team from We’re the Russos explores why you might not need a stealth camper for urban stealth camping adventures.
Featured article Embracing the childlike joy of RVing and rediscovering life’s simple wonders
By Nanci Dixon More people than ever are looking at ways to rediscover that childlike wonder and awe they once had. We as RVers have the upper hand in getting there. We get to be in nature and discover, travel to, and uncover amazing places all the time. Do you remember the first time you thought about RVing? Continue reading.
Reader poll How many miles are on your motorhome or tow vehicle?
Window or door screens damaged or torn? This helps!
If you have damaged window or door screens in your home or RV, this screen-repair tape will help. No tools or special skills required. Simply cut, peel, and stick for a fast, permanent, and hassle-free solution that anyone can complete in just minutes. You won’t be able to tell there was ever a hole or tear! Don’t let any bugs in your RV this summer! Learn more or order.
Quick tip Use caution when using bleach
From longtime reader Doug W.: “Caution—never disconnect a hose full of bleach without releasing the pressure first! I tried to sanitize my tank, but the bleach wouldn’t go through the filter. When I removed the hose, it sprayed all over me—face, eyes, arms! Bleach stings way worse than shampoo. Quick trip to the eye wash, ruined clothes, and a big lesson learned: Always disconnect at the faucet end—slowly!” Thanks for the important tip, Doug!
SunsetWx
Gail Marsh mentioned this website a while back and we gotta say, it’s pretty cool! If you want to see how intense the sunset or sunrise will be in your location, or at what time it will occur, this is the website.
And the survey says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers close to 5,000 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 37 percent say they enjoy photography very much and find themselves taking photos often.
• If they could make one room in their RV bigger, most would choose to make the bathroom bigger, followed by the bedroom (or bed area), the “living room,” and, lastly, the kitchen.
• 81 percent always carry binoculars with them in their RV.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ? Get yourself an *almost* free vacation to Hawaii with this! Grab a chair, a towel, some sunscreen, a book, and you’ll be all set…
Trivia
A single blink of a Formula One racer’s eyes may be closed for 65 feet in competition, which is probably why drivers do it selectively. Unlike normal humans who blink randomly, these racers, researchers say, close their eyelids during the same parts of each lap. Data from eye trackers on helmets showed that racers avoid blinking while changing speed or rounding corners; they save blinking for straight stretches.
Readers’ pet of the day
“We lost our sweet Pittie, Mae, last month (at age 11). She was a great traveler and hiker. She loved our little trailer, especially because we couldn’t tell her to ‘get out of the kitchen.'” —Nancy Leist
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Sunday RV Travel newsletter. No blurry photos, please! Please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!
Leave here with a laugh
Today’s weather forecast across the nation THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
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Hello, Dave,
I’m inquiring about my 2020 Arctic Fox 5th wheel trailer’s flooring. I noticed that there are staples coming up through the linoleum in the floor. There are two spots where this is happening, and it looks like a factory issue. Has anyone else had any issues? Thanks. —Dane, 2020 Arctic Fox 5th wheel
Hi, Dane,
One of the challenges in troubleshooting construction issues in the RV industry is the lack of documentation and running line changes during production. The RV industry is not regulated like the auto and truck industry, so manufacturers can make a change in materials or design any time.
Typical flooring in Northwood products
The reason I point this out is, according to online brochures and Northwood documentation, the floors in its units are 5/8th-inch tongue-and-groove plywood and not chipboard. This flooring would be secured to the under-carriage framework with either a secure screw or a “huck bolt”. There would be no staples used on the upper plywood flooring that I am aware of.
However, your unit would fall into the “COVID build” category. That could mean they used almost anything and no documentation. So, they might have used chipboard plywood and stapes.
Options regarding the flooring
If you can visually see the staples, then you can either pound them back down, or remove them. If you can’t actually see the staple, I would cut a line in the vinyl at the bump and pull it slightly back to see what is happening.
It might be worth trying to pull the vinyl back in that main area and see what other staples or foreign objects there are. You can cut a large square starting under a cabinet or close to the wall and pull it back. Typically, with vinyl you can glue it down to the substructure when you reinstall it.
Unfortunately, a unit that is almost 6 years old would not be covered by warranty even though it seems to be a factory defect. However, I don’t think it is much of a structural issue—it’s just annoying and requires some vinyl repair.
I’m interested to find out if anyone else has had staple issues in their rigs.
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