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Great RV Accessories Newsletter #89

Cheri Sicard
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Great RV Accessories Newsletter #89

Greetings, fellow RVers!

Today we turn our focus to shade, awnings, and other outdoor accessories that provide respite from the blazing sun. Of course, as always, we include other great stuff we are liking too. Read on!

Having it made in the shade!

RV awning replacement

How to replace your RV’s awning

It might seem like replacing an RV awning would be a daunting task, but the truth is, with a ladder and an extra set of hands, it’s easy to do yourself! Check out the easy awning replacement demo.

Awning

Awning tear? How to fix it yourself

If your awning has a tear, don’t despair! With a few simple tools and a little time, you can easily fix that problem yourself. Learn how to repair your awning.

How to clean an RV awning

Why bother to clean your RV’s awning? Because water is the enemy of awning longevity, and a clean awning repels water more effectively than a dirty one. Discover the best way to clean an RV awning.

solar awnings

The pros and cons of solar awnings

This technology is still emerging, but Jared Gillis of All About RVs wanted to check out some of the solar awnings currently on the market to see if they are worth it and examine the pros and cons of each. Jared also gives his overall thoughts on the topic and recommends who would best benefit from them. Learn more about solar awnings here.

Pop up bug tent: Under the Weather Mega Mesh Pod

Pop-up bug tent: Under the Weather MonsterMeshPod keeps the bugs away!

Like many RVers, I camp in many breathtakingly beautiful spots around the country. Besides bucolic scenery, these inspiring places have something else in common: pesky bugs, and lots of them. This ultra-large popup room by Under the Weather lets us enjoy time outside without the pests. Check out this useful outdoor accessory.

Our highest-trending products on Amazon this month (so far):

  1. This funny camping flag is our #1 trending product right now, and we know it’s because all RVers can relate.
  2. This “Happy Campers Live Here” mouse pad.
  3. This funny game is about internet search history. Yep. Play if you dare (but, apparently, it’s quite fun).
  4. These elastic, no-tie shoelaces so you never have to tie your shoes again.
  5. Tired of losing your glasses or sunglasses? Not anymore with this glasses visor clip. Handy!

Other stuff we’re liking:

Glass of water Pixabay imageWater gadgets your RV needs

If you’ll be camping in a park with “city water”—that is, water from a faucet—there are some good accessories to keep in your RV storage compartment. These can make your visit easier—even safer—for your rig. These RV water gadgets are inexpensive and you’ll be glad you have them when you need them. Check out this handy water gadget roundup.

cheapest hitch cargo carrier

The cheapest Harbor Freight hitch cargo carrier put to the test

Cheap gear usually comes with a catch. In this case, the surprise is that the cheapest hitch cargo carrier that Tristan of SUV Camping could find held up far better than expected. After two months, 3,000 miles, wet weather, and off-road use, this $60 Harbor Freight rack proved to be more than a throwaway buy. This post details where it works as well as where it falls short. Get the results of how this low-cost gadget held up to scrutiny.

RVs and Ikea 2026 Ikea RV gear

Essential Ikea RV gear for 2026

An RV is small, but it is still a house on wheels. That is why IKEA makes so much sense. Its products are built for tight spaces, and many of them cost less than so-called camping versions. Check out these IKEA RV-friendly finds.

Rvtravel 300x250 Promo 10bTake an extra 10% off a GhostBed luxury RV mattress!
The GhostBed RV mattress is 10” deep, crafted with gel memory foam for coolness, has 3 layers of luxurious comfort and is perfectly sized for your RV! Ahhhh… Wake up relaxed and rejuvenated. RVtravel.com readers now get an EXTRA 10% OFF a GhostBed Luxury RV Mattress! CLICK HERE and use code RVTRAVEL10. Watch RVtravel.com’s Tony Barthel’s RV mattress review here.

Gadget quick takes

wall mounted shoe organizers

Folding wall-mounted shoe organizers

Each foldable RV shoe rack holds one pair of shoes and is 10.8×10.4×6.29 inches when closed. It comes with two self-adhesive hooks for simple installation. Nice! 

PAK travel hairbrush and accessories

PAK travel hair brush and accessories

Transform your haircare routine and keep your tiny RV bathroom neat with the innovative PAK hair brush, designed with a unique storage slider that neatly tucks away 30 essential hair accessories.
3 in 1 bottle brush

3-in-1 bottle cleaning brush

Keep those water (and other) bottles clean! This versatile set includes a cup brush, a gap brush, and a corner brush with durable bristles, catering to all your cleaning needs. (Did you know your reusable water bottle is dirtier than a toilet seat? It’s true!)

Milk Street 365, cookbook by Christopher KimballThe book nook
Not JUST for RVers—Milk Street 365: The All-Purpose Cookbook for Every Day of the Year

By Cheri Sicard
I’m a self-confessed cookbook addict—or maybe a recovering one. I read cookbooks the way other people read novels, and for years I even reviewed them professionally. But when I downsized to move my home base from Los Angeles, CA, to Baja, Mexico in 2017—and later began spending most of the year traveling in my RV—those hundreds of cookbooks were the first things to go. I made myself a deal: I could keep just one cookbook in my RV.  For me, that book is Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street 365. Discover why in my full review.

Fix roof leaks and extend your RV roof another 18-20 years with the ONLY liquid butyl rubber in the world
RV Roof Magic’s unique solvent-based drying process allows for a chemical bond not found in other RV sealants. That is why it never needs a primer and only one coat. We offer a 10-year warranty. Apply RV Roof Magic to all roofs except silicone and PVC. Over 30 years of history of success. Visit our site for our monthly special!

More recent gadget articles and reviews:

Gadget giggles

beach body teesInstantly achieve the summer body you’ve always dreamed of

Skip the crunches and pass the s’mores. These hilarious “instant summer body” T-shirts give you beach-ready abs or bikini curves the second you put them on. Printed with perfectly sculpted torsos, they’re the ultimate no-diet, no-exercise solution for looking summer-fit while RVing, lounging, or strolling the campground. Lightweight, cheeky, and guaranteed to get laughs, they prove once and for all that the easiest way to achieve a perfect summer body… is to just wear one. Check ’em out here.

AmazonfindsrvtOur all-time favorite products at Amazon
Welcome to the wonderful world of RVtravel.com’s favorite Amazon finds! This is the first time EVER that we’re sharing this list with you. Yep, that’s right, this is our personal list that we use every day to recommend products to YOU. These are the products we actually use, talk about, recommend, and keep in our own rigs. And no, none of them are sponsored or paid for or anything like that. We’ve been compiling this list for years! Not to toot our own horn, but this is impressive!

FINISHED READING THIS ISSUE? Great! Now you can move on over to today’s brand-new RV Daily Tips newsletter.

RVtravel.com All-Star Staff

Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.

RV Daily Tips. Thursday, May 7, 2026

Newsletter Editor
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RV Daily Tips. Thursday, May 7, 2026

America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2899 • New issue every weekday
This free edition is made possible by 6% of our readers who support RV Travel with a voluntary subscription. Advertising helps, but that alone is not sufficient.

Today’s thought

“Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.” —Mark Twain

Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Tourism Day! Being a tourist is what we specialize in, right?

On this day in history: 1952 – The concept of the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, is first published by Geoffrey Dummer.

Tip of the day
The top 10 things I’ve learned while RVing

By Gail Marsh
One of my favorite books is Robert Fulghum’s “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” I was given this book upon retirement after 40 wonderful years of teaching Kindergarten students. I recently found my treasured book and reread Fulghum’s musings. It got me thinking about my life as it is now. As it turns out, much of what Fulghum says in his famous book can be applied to the RVing life.

Article and video
Composting toilet vs. dry flush toilet—an honest off-grid test

Composting toilets vs. dry flush toilets—which is best? After almost a year with a Trelino composting toilet, KimAnn Chessa tried the Modiwell dry-flush toilet for one full week. One toilet was staying, and one was going. Here, she shares her results.

Randatlas2027Just-published books you might love:

Featured article
RV cargo weight NOT to exceed 1,550 lbs.? WHAT? Are they kidding?!

By Cheri Sicard
Joshua from Gander Flight discovered something absolutely unacceptable and something that anyone considering this particular rig needs to be aware of. And you should definitely check out any rig for this…

Ask Dave
My refrigerator has excess frost. Someone suggested using a roll of toilet paper?

Read Dave’s advice.

THURSDAY TRUTH: Somewhere across America right now, an RVer is saying, “We should get an early start tomorrow,” while absolutely not being packed.

Reader poll
Do you feel “old”?

Respond here.

BE COOL IN YOUR RV THIS SUMMER: Now, run your RV’s air conditioner when you otherwise could not! Learn why our publisher Chuck Woodbury raves about this.

Quick tip
The best wallboard anchors

“At some point, we all are going to have to secure something on the inside of our campers. I have found these self-drilling drywall anchors to be the absolute best in the RV wallboard.” Thanks for the tip, Jim B.!

? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Having thoughts about what comes next? Scary thoughts? Anxious thoughts? Well, this will help. This could be a wonderful resource for you or someone you care about.

Website of the day

40 of the Most Underrated Summer Destinations in the United States
Still deciding where to travel to this summer? This list from Good Housekeeping is a great place to find some inspiration.

RVing Route 66 group on Facebook. Check it out!

And the survey says…

We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 5,000 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:

• 20 percent have needed emergency medical care while RVing at least once.
• 13 percent have plans to sell their RV within the next year.
• 17 percent have visited a public library within the last month.

Recent poll: Would you trust AI to help diagnose or fix an RV problem before calling a professional?

Trivia

Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Geyser expels an average of about 7,370 gallons of water per eruption. Based on a 2026 study, individual eruptions vary significantly from roughly 3,223 to 11,703 gallons. Water from an average eruption would fill about 140 standard household bathtubs.

Readers’ pet of the day

Img 3194 4b5fcb69bc680795ac2ed2add51b39fd“Lucy (Collie mix, age 6) moved into our hearts two weeks after our Suzy crossed the rainbow bridge. This was taken on the first day of her first camping trip with us. We look forward to making new memories with our Lucy.” —Emily Hulsey

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!

• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.

FUNNY MUG OF THE DAY: Ever wish someone would just… stop talking? Well, so does this mug! 

FREE IS GOOD! The state of Kentucky will send you a free travel guide. Just ask here.

Leave here with a laugh

Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY

Visit Current National Radar Weather Map

Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the Latest News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.

If you shop at Amazon.com we’d appreciate you using this link. We get an itty bitty commission if you buy something, but they add up and help us pay our bills (most importantly our hard-working writers!). 

RVtravel.com All-Star Team

Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.

WHY WE ASK FOR DONATIONS INSTEAD OF SELLING SUBSCRIPTIONS.

Our policy on using artificial intelligence.

My refrigerator has excess frost. Someone suggested using a roll of toilet paper?

Dave Solberg
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My refrigerator has excess frost. Someone suggested using a roll of toilet paper?

Dear Dave,
My absorption refrigerator is always frosting up, requiring me to spend hours letting it defrost. What is the best method or product to reduce the moisture? Someone suggested using toilet paper! —Warren, 2016 Winnebago Vista

Dear Warren,
Your 2016 Class A Vista has a Norcold absorption refrigerator that will run on either 120-volt power or liquid propane (LP). Unfortunately, it is not a “frost-free” design, as there would need to be a very high-amp-draw heating element designed into the evaporator and condenser fins. So, defrosting has to be done the old-fashioned way.

What causes the moisture

Typically moisture or condensation inside a refrigerator is caused by warm, moist air entering and making contact with the metal fins of the evaporator or condenser coils. This can happen when the door is opened repeatedly, or the seal/gasket is not making contact. Most RVers place heavy bottles of water and other items in the door shelves for easy access. The constant banging down the road makes the door settle and not seal tight against the gasket.

I recommend periodically testing the seal by placing a dollar bill between the door and the gasket, shutting the door, and pulling on the dollar bill. There should be some resistance with a properly sealed door. If it slips out, warm, moist air can penetrate the inside and you will see much more condensation than normal. If you have a diesel pusher or larger 5th wheel, you will need to use a $100 bill, as maintenance on those units is much more expensive!😉

Ref Door Test
Refrigerator door test

Another issue could be an abundance of metal containers/cans placed in the fridge while still warm, that can cause a similar reaction. That, combined with poor air circulation, can cause excess condensation. Reduce the number of metal containers, don’t overfill the shelves, and do not cover the shelves with plastic or other material which blocks airflow.

How to reduce condensation and frost

As stated earlier, limit the number of warm items placed inside a cold refrigerator, and don’t block the airflow. Installing a circulating fan not only helps reduce condensation but makes the refrigerator run more efficiently. One of the best I have found is an evaporator fin model that can be purchased here.

Frost Guard
Frost Guard RV refrigerator evaporator fan

To help defrost faster

There are times when you will not be able to get rid of all the moisture and will get frost, especially in the freezer. A simple trick to help defrost faster is to place flexible plastic cutting boards on the bottom of the freezer shelf. When the frost develops, simply pry the corner of the plastic up with a table knife and the whole frozen sheet comes up easily.

Plastic Cutting Board
Plastic cutting board

Many RVers that I know use a moisture trap such as Damp Rid. However a new trick that is getting much play on social media is to place a roll of toilet paper inside the refrigerator and freezer. Toilet paper is not only very absorbent for moisture but also absorbs nasty smells from last night’s fish dinner leftovers. Trust me, it has gone viral. However, I would rather use baking soda!

Refrigerator TP

Imagine my confusion when I open the door for my late night snack and forget what trip I was making!

 You might also enjoy these posts from Dave 

DAVE HAS ANSWERED MORE THAN 1,000 readers’ maintenance and repair questions. Read a directory here. There is so much to learn!

Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and the author of the “RV Handbook.”

HAVE A QUESTION FOR DAVE?

Send your inquiries to him using the form below.

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RVDT2899

The top 10 things I’ve learned while RVing

RV Travel
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The top 10 things I’ve learned while RVing

By Gail Marsh
One of my favorite books is Robert Fulghum’s “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” I was given this book upon retirement after 40 wonderful years of teaching Kindergarten students. I recently found my treasured book and reread Fulghum’s musings. It got me thinking about my life as it is now. But first, a look back.

Retirement

My husband retired a year or so ahead of me. He was eager to go on the road with our RV, but I was hesitant. I’d been a teacher for so long, I wondered how I would manage my time. How would my days be ordered if not in 20-minute teaching segments, rambunctious recesses, and lunches spent opening fruit cups and milk cartons?

Follow Fulghum’s advice

As it turns out, much of what Fulghum says in his famous book can be applied to the RVing life. With apologies to the author, I’ve added my own RVing comments (in italics) next to a few selections from Fulghum’s original text.

1. Share everything. Especially RV knowledge with newbies who ask.

2. Play fair. Do not make multiple RV reservations for the same day just to ensure a spot.

3. Don’t hit people. Don’t hit the power pole, picnic table, or any other object as you back into your assigned campsite, either.

4. Put things back where you found them. Otherwise, your RV’s interior will get cluttered in a hurry!

5. Clean up your own mess. Or your dog’s mess. If she poops, you scoop!

6. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. If an RV neighbor loans you a tool, give it back when you’re done with it.

7. Wash your hands before you eat. Especially after dumping the RV tanks!

8. Flush. Well, yes, particularly if using the campground’s facilities.

9. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. So are snacks and drinks at beer-thirty.

10. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Get to know other RVers you meet, be open to learning new things, and see as much of this beautiful country as possible.

Try choosing one of Fulghum’s ten rules and add your own RVing correlation in the comments below.

RELATED

RVDT2899

Composting toilet vs. dry flush toilet—an honest off-grid test

Video Editor
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Composting toilet vs. dry flush toilet—an honest off-grid test

By Cheri Sicard
Composting toilets vs. dry flush toilets—which is best? After almost a year with a Trelino® composting toilet, KimAnn Chessa tried the Modiwell dry-flush toilet for one full week. One toilet was staying, and one was going. She shares her results in the video at the end of this post.

Why the composting toilet started to wear on KimAnn

KimAnn liked the Trelino. She called it her best off-grid toilet solution up to that point, and she also had a good experience with the company. Still, three issues kept coming up.

First, separation was difficult. As a woman, keeping liquids and solids apart was not always easy, and when urine got into the compost side, the whole setup started to smell. Then she had to dump the bag, replace the medium, and start over.

Second, storage was messy. Full compost bags sometimes had to sit for up to two weeks before she could reach a trash can. Heat made that worse.

Third, dry-flush toilets had looked too expensive before, especially compared with full-time use.

Why the Modiwell dry flush toilet looked like a better fit

The big draw was the separate 2-liter pee container. That meant the flush bags were mostly for solid waste, usually once or twice a day, which dropped the supply cost a lot.

It also runs on a rechargeable battery with up to 100 flushes, so there was no need to wire it into the camper bathroom. The bags are compostable, too.

Composting toilet vs. dry flush toilet, one week later

KimAnn judged both toilets on four things: ease of use, monthly cost, upfront price, and smell. Smell mattered most because she lives in a small camper with two dogs.

The Modiwell won on odor. The sealed bags did not smell in the bathroom trash, and they also stayed odor-free when stored outside in a Pet Genie. By contrast, the Trelino only smelled when the solids side got wet.

Ease of use was split. The Modiwell made solid waste much easier because there was no separation, and toilet paper and wipes could go in the same bag. But the 2-liter urine container filled fast, sometimes twice a day. The Trelino handled urine better because its jugs lasted about three days.

Here is how her costs compared:

  • Trelino composting toilet: Had an upfront cost of $475.00, and KimAnn spends about $25.50 a month for composting medium and bags.
  • Modiwell dry flush toilet: Had an upfront cost of $730.00, and KimAnn spends about $20.39 a month for composting medium and bags.

She preferred the Modiwell black bags over the cheaper blue ones because they were not see-through. One downside remained: Modiwell refill bags have to be ordered from the company or through Modiwell on Amazon, while Trelino composting toilets use materials that can be found in more places.

Final thoughts

KimAnn kept the Modiwell, which she jokingly called her robot toilet. The reason was simple: no separation, no smell, and a cleaner daily routine. The Trelino still ranked second and stayed a solid option for people who have their composting setup dialed in. For KimAnn’s off-grid life, however, the dry-flush toilet fit better.

RELATED

RVDT2899

Do you feel ‘old’?

RV Travel
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Do you feel ‘old’?

Age is but a number, or a mindset… But do you feel “old”?

Nanci’s wonderful essay got us thinking about age and old age. What does it mean to “feel old”? Do you feel old mentally, or physically, too? Just physically but not mentally? Or do you still feel pretty young, ready for your next RV adventure?

Sometimes it’s a stiff knee or a forgotten name that makes us pause and wonder—is this what aging feels like? Other times, it’s the joy of a quiet morning coffee with no rush to be anywhere that reminds us we’ve earned this phase of life. Age might bring limitations, but it also brings freedom, perspective, and a lot of good stories.

Some days, you might feel like a kid again—laughing around a campfire or watching the stars from a quiet campsite. Other days, a sore back or a new wrinkle reminds you that time is moving on. Maybe the trick is learning to appreciate both.

We’ve met RVers in their 30s who feel “old” from stress and burnout—and travelers in their 80s who are hiking, kayaking, and living their best lives. So, maybe feeling old isn’t about the calendar, but about how engaged, curious, and connected we are with the world around us.

How do you define feeling old? After you vote, please leave a comment and share the reasoning behind your answer (if you’re comfortable doing so, of course). Thanks!

MORE POLLS YOU MIGHT LIKE:

RVDT2899

This is my favorite cookbook and the only one I bring RVing

Cheri Sicard
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This is my favorite cookbook and the only one I bring RVing

I’m a self-confessed cookbook addict—or maybe a recovering one. I read cookbooks the way other people read novels, and for years I even reviewed them professionally. But when I downsized to move my home base from Los Angeles, CA, to Baja, Mexico in 2017—and later began spending most of the year traveling in my RV—those hundreds of cookbooks were the first things to go.

I made myself a deal: I could keep just one cookbook in my RV. For me, that book is Christopher Kimball’s Milk Street 365.

These days, you can find decent recipes for just about anything online. But finding truly great recipes often means digging through pages of mediocre ones—many of which are nearly identical. Having one reliable cookbook on board your RV saves you from that hunt—and sometimes from needing to go online at all.

The right cookbook also does more than provide recipes. It offers inspiration and guidance, helping you create delicious meals with whatever ingredients you have on hand or can find along the road. It can even turn a simple trip to a local market into a culinary adventure.

For years, my go-to was The Joy of Cooking. Not because the recipes were extraordinary, but because of the sheer variety and volume of them. The fact that they were thoroughly tested also meant they worked.

What I like about Milk Street 365

Recently, however, I switched to Milk Street 365, as its flavors and approach better match the way I like to cook and eat today. I have made MANY of the recipes (and still counting). Every one of them was outstanding, winning rave reviews from friends and family.

The recipes are adventurous yet approachable, and most are easy enough for beginner cooks—even in a small RV kitchen. I especially appreciate the abundance of one-pot and one-pan meals. Entire sections are devoted to sheet pan dinners and stir-fries, both perfect for life on the road.

With more than 600 recipes, the variety is impressive. The book spans classic American, Mediterranean, Asian, Latin, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and African cuisines. There’s plenty here for vegetarians and vegans, as well as meat lovers, with recipes covering everything from soups and salads to main dishes, pizzas and flatbreads, grains, seafood, chicken, pork, and beef.

One thing it notably lacks: desserts. There aren’t any. But honestly, I can get into enough trouble with sweets on my own, so I don’t mind.

Christopher Kimball, founder of Cook’s Illustrated, brings his signature blend of culinary insight and practicality to every page. His techniques are simple but often game-changing, and they’ll likely challenge—and improve—the way you cook, whether you’re making these recipes or your own favorites.

What really sets this book apart is its focus on foundational recipes paired with countless variations. That flexibility makes it ideal for RV life, allowing you to cook with what you have and avoid unnecessary trips to the store. Helpful sidebars and charts also offer guidance on tools, ingredients, and techniques, making it as much a learning resource as a cookbook.

One final note: While this is the only cookbook I carry in my RV, I find myself reaching for it just as often when I’m at home.

Learn more, or order Milk Street 365: The All-Purpose Cookbook for Every Day of the Year at Amazon.

To see more recipes RVtravel.com loves, click here. 

Satellite internet could hit 100 million users—RVers may not like what comes next

Russ and Tiña De Maris
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Satellite internet could hit 100 million users—RVers may not like what comes next

If you rely on satellite internet to stay connected on the road, a new industry forecast may give you pause. According to PCMag.com, STMicroelectronics, which supplies chips to Starlink, reports that global satellite internet users could climb toward 100 million within the next couple of years. That would be a massive jump from where things stand today—and it could reshape the experience RVers have come to depend on.

At first glance, it sounds like a win. More users usually means more investment, better hardware, and broader coverage. But for RVers, there’s a flip side that’s easy to miss until you’ve lived it.

A forecast that leaps ahead of reality

Right now, the biggest player—SpaceX’s Starlink—has roughly 10 million users worldwide. Even optimistic internal targets suggest growth into the tens of millions, not 100 million, at least not in the near term. That makes this forecast less a statement of what’s happening and more a glimpse of where the industry hopes to go.

And if it gets anywhere close, RVers may feel the effects sooner than most.

More users could mean more pressure on the system

Satellite internet doesn’t behave like cable or fiber. It depends on a network of satellites moving overhead, each one sharing capacity across wide swaths of space. As more people sign on, especially in popular areas, that capacity gets stretched.

RVers have already seen hints of what that looks like in the real world. Connections can slow down in crowded regions. Service tiers may prioritize some users over others. Pricing doesn’t fluctuate in real time, but it can shift as demand rises—especially when starting or restarting service in busy areas.

Those aren’t bugs in the system. They’re signs of a system under pressure.

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Why RVers could lose their remote advantage

One of the biggest draws of Starlink has been its ability to work where nothing else does. For many RVers, that created a kind of advantage. Head out to a remote patch of desert or a quiet BLM site, and you could often count on a solid connection while the rest of the world struggled.

But that advantage may not last if satellite internet goes fully mainstream.

As more users come online—especially outside the traditional rural base—the competition for bandwidth grows. The definition of a “high-demand” area can expand. And the idea that you can simply drive away from congestion to get better service starts to erode.

Competition may help, but it is not here yet

To reach anything close to 100 million users, Starlink won’t be alone. Amazon is building out its own satellite network, Project Kuiper, and other players are moving into the space.

In theory, that competition should help. More satellites and more providers could mean better performance and more options for RVers. But those benefits depend on timing, and, for now, they remain more promise than reality.

Growth could bring changes RVers will notice

There’s no question satellite internet is expanding. The technology works, demand is strong, and the industry is investing heavily. But growth on this scale rarely comes without friction.

A surge in users brings growing pains. For RVers, those pains are likely to show up as slower speeds in familiar places, tighter rules around usage, and pricing models that continue to evolve.

None of that means satellite internet is about to stop working. Far from it.

It does mean that the experience many RVers enjoy today—reliable connectivity in wide-open places—may not look quite the same if the industry hits the kind of growth numbers now being discussed.

And that’s the part worth paying attention to, long before 100 million users becomes more than just a forecast.

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RVT1260b

Quartzsite’s $180 winter camping secret just got a national spotlight

Russ and Tiña De Maris
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5
Quartzsite’s $180 winter camping secret just got a national spotlight

Quartzsite has never exactly been a secret among RVers. But when a major international outlet shines a light on the desert town’s $180 winter camping option, it can change who shows up next season—and how many.

A new feature from The Guardian casts Quartzsite, AZ, as more than a seasonal gathering spot. It presents it as one of the last places in America where a person can legally live for months at a time for less than the cost of a single night in many hotels. That idea carries weight, especially for readers who have never set foot on Bureau of Land Management land and may not realize this option even exists.

Why the $180 number is getting attention

For RVers, the basics are familiar. Quartzsite winter camping has long centered on the BLM’s long-term visitor areas (LTVAs), where a seasonal permit—currently $180—covers camping from mid-September through mid-April. What feels different now is not the program, but the framing. Instead of a lifestyle choice or seasonal migration, the story leans into something more urgent: affordability. Rising housing costs and limited rental options are pushing more people to look for alternatives, and public lands are becoming part of that solution.

Growth in Quartzsite is no longer quiet

That shift helps explain why Quartzsite’s growth is no longer quiet. According to Bureau of Land Management data cited in the report, long-term visitor area permits have more than doubled in recent years, rising from about 4,300 in 2019 to more than 10,000 in 2025. Even in a place as wide open as the desert, that kind of increase changes the feel on the ground.

A changing mix of campers is reshaping the desert

BLM planning documents suggest the mix of visitors is changing, too. More people are arriving in vans, buses, and smaller conversions instead of traditional motorhomes. More are using those vehicles as primary housing rather than seasonal escapes. Shared living setups are becoming more common. And more visitors are relying on low-cost or free services to get through the season. At the same time, the system itself is under strain, with growing pressure on water, dump stations, trash collection, and enforcement.

What longtime RVers may start noticing

For longtime RVers, those changes tend to show up in practical ways first. Camps sit a little closer together. Informal neighborhoods form earlier. Lines at dump stations stretch longer. Enforcement can feel uneven, especially when some campers pay and others don’t. None of that happens overnight, but over time it adds up.

What a national spotlight could change next

What makes the Guardian story worth watching is what could come next. Exposure matters. When a large audience learns it’s possible to stay legally on public land for months at a relatively low cost, with a built-in community already in place, it lowers the barrier to entry in a very real way.

Quartzsite has always been accessible. Now it’s being introduced to people who may never have considered it before.

That doesn’t guarantee a surge next winter. But it does make one more likely. And with growth already trending upward, even a modest bump could be noticeable across the LTVAs and surrounding desert.

There’s also a broader shift underway. Quartzsite has long been a mix of traditional snowbirds and independent boondockers. Increasingly, it’s also becoming a place where people land because it’s one of the few workable options they can afford. Those groups often overlap, but not always, and that can subtly change the character of the community.

The bigger question behind Quartzsite’s future

Behind all of this is a bigger question the BLM has already started to wrestle with. As usage increases, so does pressure on infrastructure and staffing. At least on paper, that has led to discussions about raising long-term permit fees—potentially as high as $600—to help cover costs. Nothing has been finalized. But the idea reflects a simple reality: The more people rely on the system, the harder it becomes to maintain it at the same price and scale.

From low-cost camping to quirky art, Quartzsite has the appeal of “something different.” Photo: R & T De Maris.

Quartzsite has always made room for people looking for something different, whether that’s sunshine, savings, or a fresh start. But with more attention now focused on that $180 winter option, the desert may be entering another phase—one where space itself becomes the thing everyone is competing for.

RELATED

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RV Daily Tips. Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Newsletter Editor
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RV Daily Tips. Wednesday, May 6, 2026

America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2898 • New issue every weekday

This free edition is made possible by 6% of our readers who support RV Travel with a voluntary subscription. Advertising helps, but that alone is not sufficient. 

Today’s thought

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” —Jackie Robinson

Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is International No Diet Day. So go ahead, order a double cheeseburger, fries, and a milkshake.

On this day in history: 1915 – Babe Ruth, then a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, hits his first major league home run.

Tip of the day
How do I tell my partner that RVing isn’t for me?

By Gail Marsh
Jodi came to the campfire alone. Her husband was watching baseball back in their RV, but Jodi needed to vent. She also wanted advice. Here’s what she told those of us gathered around the fire:

“I like having my own bed, shower, and my own things no matter where we go. But I can’t figure out if RVing is really my thing. My husband is content to sit around for days at a time just looking at the woods or the water. We could have done that at home! Well, before we sold it, that is. We’re new to RVing and have been on the road for six months. I’m tired of cooking in the Barbie-size kitchen and digging to find shoes in our overstuffed closet. I’ve given full-time RVing a good try, but I’m not sure I like this lifestyle!” Continue reading.

one of the line of 2025 Scamp fiberglass travel trailersRV review
2025 Scamp fiberglass travel trailers—tow-friendly comfort

Small campers often ask for a compromise, but Scamp’s 2025 lineup doesn’t feel that way. At the Northwest Sports Show in Minneapolis, Dayton from Scamp Trailers walked through the company’s small fiberglass campers and explained why they still have such a loyal following. The big draw is because of their low weight, lots of layout choices, and a design that has barely needed changing because it still works. Learn all about them here.

RANDOM RV THOUGHT: The phrase “quick stop” means something very different when you’re traveling with an RV.

Don’t forget a Mother’s Day card! We love this one!
This Mother’s Day card might be our favorite. It says, “Here’s to the moms who follow their dreams and inspire us to do the same.” We love that! And it’s camping-themed—even better! Find it here.

In the RV shop with Dustin
Upgrade your entry door window with Lippert’s Thin Shade

Let’s face it, RV entry door windows can be a point of contention when you’re on the road. Too much sun, not enough privacy, and unreliable snap-on panels can put a damper on anybody’s day at the campsite. Not with the Lippert Thin Shade!

Article and video
Avoiding common RV show mistakes that will cost you money

An RV show can feel like the fastest way to find the right rig. Buyers can walk through dozens of models in a single day, compare layouts side by side, and hear plenty of sales talk. That mix of choice, noise, and pressure leads many people into expensive RV show mistakes. RV shows are great for learning, but they are not always the best place to buy.

Featured article
Why you should not tailgate. Oh, dear!

Have you noticed that a lot of drivers tailgate the vehicle ahead of them these days? You might wonder how they can be even remotely comfortable traveling right on the tail of the motorist ahead of them. Well, here’s a good reminder of what can happen when you are so close to the driver ahead that if he or she suddenly stops, you’re in a heap of trouble—there is simply no time to hit your own brakes to avoid slamming into the stopped car. Watch this dramatic video.

Abcs Of RVing Ad

Ask Dave
Update on Audi with bad fuel; additive recommendation from RVtravel.com reader

Click here to read.

Idratherberving
Without a doubt, these are the best socks for RVers. Order a pair here.

Reader poll
Generally, would you rather camp by the ocean or in the mountains?

Respond here.

REMEMBER: You don’t need to receive an email alert from us to read our newsletters. Just click any time of day directly to our homepage, www.RVtravel.com, where you’ll see the latest newsletters and all recently published articles.

Quick tip
The 11 most common causes of RV accidents

According to the website Fifth Wheel Street, the 11 most common causes of RV accidents are:

  1. Inexperienced drivers
  2. Speeding
  3. High winds
  4. Overtired drivers
  5. Overloading the RV with too much weight
  6. Runaway trailers
  7. Rollover caused by the higher center of gravity
  8. Poorly calculated turns
  9. Miscalculated stopping distances (heavy vehicles require longer stopping distances)
  10. Poorly balanced loads
  11. Failing to see another vehicle in the lane beside the RV due to a blind spot

On this day last year…

Website of the day

The Most Iconic Food in All 50 States
There you have it! This list from the Food Network is pretty spot on (in our opinion). Visiting a new state? See what you just have to try!

? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
What if you could chew your favorite drink? Well, now you can! Nope, not lying. We’re serious!

Trivia

Dalton, Georgia, with more than 150 carpet manufacturing plants, is often referred to as the “Carpet Capital of the World”. More than 90% of the functional carpet produced in the world today is made within 65 miles of the city.

Readers’ pet of the day

20201027 1557052 2119e689bc7a5bce4865e8c463cb9784“We rescued Willow (she rescued us), a short-haired Border Collie, age 7. She is the love of our lives. Very loyal and sweet. She is a very smart little girl and knows it.” —Donna and Michael W.

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

Visit Current National Radar Weather Map

Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the Latest News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.

RVtravel.com All-Star Staff

Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.

WHY WE ASK FOR DONATIONS INSTEAD OF SELLING SUBSCRIPTIONS.

Our policy on using artificial intelligence.

Update on Audi with bad fuel; additive recommendation from RVtravel.com reader

Dave Solberg
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Update on Audi with bad fuel; additive recommendation from RVtravel.com reader

A few weeks ago I posted an article about the “warning light” that came on for a second time in an Audi, and the OBII indicated contaminated fuel. The owner (my wife) only buys fuel at the local Kwik Star that has Top Tier fuel, which is the only one within a 120-mile radius.

We called the Audi dealer that is also 120 miles away. After getting bounced to several different people, we got one technician that indicated it was a known software glitch and to bring it in and they would reset it. Or we could run it to almost empty and try another attempt at Top Tier.

We decided to run it low, as the 240 miles with $6 gas wasn’t very exciting. So we watched the mileage indicator and once it got to 10 miles before empty, which is easy to do in a small town with a Top Tier station 5 miles away, we filled it up at a whopping $89!

Initially, the warning came on again as well as the triangle signal with the exclamation point (!), which was disappointing. After 5 starts, the warning did not come on, and another 3-4 starts and the signal was gone, as well.

Recommendation from RVtravel.com reader

Was it bad gas? Could we have used an additive such as Seafoam or other fuel booster? The dealership indicated it would not help. Then I got a comment from Norris, one of our RVtravel.com readers who has done extensive research on this subject. Here is what he has found:

Dear Dave,
Have you tried using Techron? It’s the chemical used in top tier gas and you can by it at an auto supply like O’REILLY. My wife’s car had “bad fuel” once and our tech said add a bottle of Techron to see if it clears it up. It did and her mpg went up about 1.7 MPG. We add a bottle every 3,000 miles and had no issues since. And the engine is a lot smoother running.

My 2020 F250 7.3L gasser also gets a bottle every 3,000 miles. No black tailpipe, and smoother running. Also we get fuel at Shell, Costco and several other stations that sell top tier. Shell is about 5 cents per gallon more, but the top tier has Techron, keeping our fuel systems clean.

Your local top tier dealer is ripping us off and may be price gouging. Might be worth a call to your state Attorney General.

And yes, Audi, Porsche and most luxury cars due require premium top tier gas. You get what you pay for.

Do a search for top tier gas on the web. You can find a list of top tier dealers who sell top tier gas.

Back to Dave:
Techron can be found at your local O’Reilly Auto Parts store, and I also see it on the NAPA website. Amazon apparently only has a six-pack available.

 You might also enjoy these posts from Dave 

DAVE HAS ANSWERED MORE THAN 1,000 readers’ maintenance and repair questions. Read a directory here. There is so much to learn!

Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and the author of the “RV Handbook.”

HAVE A QUESTION FOR DAVE?

Send your inquiries to him using the form below.

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How do I tell my partner that RVing isn’t for me?

RV Travel
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How do I tell my partner that RVing isn’t for me?

By Gail Marsh
Jodi came to the campfire alone. Her husband was watching baseball back in their RV, but Jodi needed to vent. She also wanted advice. Here’s what she told those of us gathered around the fire:

“I like having my own bed, shower, and my own things no matter where we go. But I can’t figure out if RVing is really my thing. My husband is content to sit around for days at a time just looking at the woods or the water. We could have done that at home! Well, before we sold it, that is. We’re new to RVing and have been on the road for six months. I’m tired of cooking in the Barbie-size kitchen and digging to find shoes in our overstuffed closet. I’ve given full-time RVing a good try, but I’m not sure I like this lifestyle!”

Communicate!

My first thought after listening to Jodi was, “Have you talked to your husband, Roy, about this?” The most important part of full-time RVing (or any RVing) is clear communication. For all we know, Roy may feel the same way as Jodi. Either way, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that the two talk openly about their feelings so that they can come up with viable solutions together.

Unique lifestyle

RVing full-time is definitely a lifestyle change. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you feel like Jodi. RVing isn’t for everyone because we all have different personalities, needs, and goals.

On the other hand, it’s important to give RVing a fair chance—especially if you’ve purchased an RV. Such a big investment deserves your best shot. Give yourself time to adjust. Jodi feels six months is enough.

All in

Jodi’s situation is a bit more complicated than most. She and her husband sold their stix-n-brix home, so they are “all in” with the RVing lifestyle—at least for now.

Boredom

From what Jodi already confessed, it sounds as if she’s bored. Fellow RVers offered some solutions. I’ve condensed their boredom-buster ideas here:

• Join him. Jodi might simply join her husband—pull up her own camp chair and enjoy the view with him. She can use binoculars to spot birds, plants, and other parts of nature to use as conversation starters with Roy. Or take photos with her cell phone to enhance her own appreciation for our world.

• Hobbies. If you love to sew, fish, read, or whatever, buy some supplies and get to work. You may need to adjust, downsize, or make room for your hobby. For example, sew smaller projects; join the local library rather than purchase books; find storage for fishing poles. While this may involve a little work and perhaps expense, if it helps relieve boredom, it’s well worth it! Perhaps you’ll discover a brand-new hobby!

Loneliness

• Consider your RV partner. Jodi already knows that her husband loves being in nature. She might talk to him about things they can do together outside of the RV. Hiking or walking requires no extra gear. Exercise is beneficial for most everyone, too. Maybe this is something that this couple can do together.

• Other campers. Several RVers urged Jodi to get to know other RVers. Join some of the campground’s organized activities like pickleball, book club, local sightseeing group, or Bingo. Getting to know others and spending time with new friends can banish loneliness in a flash. Even taking a daily walk with a fellow camper might make Jodi’s outlook brighter.

• Friends back home. We all encouraged Jodi to stay in touch with family and friends back home. Just because you’re RVing doesn’t mean you cut ties with those you love. A phone call, text, FaceTime or email can help you feel less alone.

Specifics

If you have second thoughts about RVing, like Jodi, try to get specific. Pinpoint the individual things you do not like about RVing. Then brainstorm solutions or search for solutions online. RV blogs, social media sites, and Google searches will often suggest good ideas to try.

• Kitchen space. Jodi complained about her “Barbie-size” kitchen. There are several ways to maximize an RV kitchen. A stovetop cover can add extra prep space. A slow cooker or Instant Pot can help cook yummy meals. Grilling outside the RV is also a great option. One important thing to remember is that most RVs were not designed for elaborate meal prep. Give yourself a break when meal planning. Simple is often best.

• Closet issues. Jodi also mentioned her “overstuffed closet.” Maybe it’s time to pare down the amount of clothing. Store off-season items in bins in the RV basement or under the bed. Get rid of clothing and shoes that no longer fit or simply are not needed. Too much “stuff” is the potential bane of every RVer. Donate or recycle the “stuff” you no longer use.

On the road again

Jodi looked happier the day we left the RV park. (If you’re reading this, Jodi, let us know how it’s going by now.)

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