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Thor recalls thousands of rigs: Slide-outs could extend while driving

More than 4,000 Thor-built motorhomes are being recalled out of concern that their slide-out rooms could extend while the rig is heading down the road. Thor Motor Company (TMC) is recalling certain 2023-2026 Axis, Chateau, Four Winds, 2023-2025 Coleman, Echelon, Freedom Elite, Geneva, Outlaw, Quantum, Vegas, 2025 Eddie Bauer, Freedom Traveler, Pasadena, and 2024-2025 Magnitude motorhomes.

The slide-out room can be deployed without the parking brake engaged, allowing the room to extend while the vehicle is in motion. A slide-out room that extends unexpectedly increases the risk of a crash. This Thor slide-out issue affects 4,251 motorhomes.

Thor slide-out remedy

Dealers will replace the park brake harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 5, 2025. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC’s number for this recall is RC000325.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or go to nhtsa.gov.

What’s with the Thor slide-out system?

As early as February 2023, Thor installed wiring harnesses on the affected rigs. The wiring should prevent the slide-out from being actuated unless the parking brake is engaged. The harnesses were wired incorrectly, so slide-outs can be actuated with the brake off.

Here’s how to know if your rig is wired wrong: With the engine running, the transmission in park, and the parking brake disengaged, attempt to cycle the slide-out rooms. If the slide-out moves, then the wire harness is miswired. Do not push the slide-out button while the vehicle is in motion.

MORE THOR RECALLS

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To save our national parks, should we surcharge foreign visitors?

Are our national treasures in trouble? At the end of the last fiscal year, the National Park Service was looking at nearly $23 billion in deferred maintenance. Roads, buildings, utilities, campgrounds, and more. The gap between funding and expenses grows bigger each year. While funding from Congress grows contentious, one source of revenue the system can rely on comes from entry fees. But the numbers indicate it’s not enough. Should we add a surcharge on foreign park visitors?

Surcharge on foreign park visitors not unprecedented

Surcharge on foreign park visitors
Brian Yablonski. Photo credit: perc.org

The idea may seem outlandish to some, but it’s certainly not without precedent. In a recent article published in the Wall Street Journal, Brian Yablonski brings the idea that saving our national parks doesn’t have to mean a greater outlay of tax dollars. It could be as simple as surcharging foreign guests who visit America’s parks.

Yablonski is the chief executive officer of the Property and Environment Research Center (PERC). He regularly contributes commentary on conservation topics to a variety of news outlets of all sorts. They include The Hill, C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, Fox News, NPR’s Morning Edition, Mountain Journal, and National Review.

Yablonski’s thoughts in the Wall Street Journal on the matter of national park funding are deep in facts and detail. We’ll try to give you a smaller takeaway, but you can find the entire piece here.

Yablonski says many Americans would be surprised to learn that our national park gems charge people from all nations the same entry fee as paid by Americans. For example, Yellowstone National Park entry fees are $35 per carload, for a week’s access. He reasons that a family of four, making a long weekend trip, would essentially pay $3 a head, per day, for the amazing experience.

Americans—and others—pay more when they visit foreign parks

But what about U.S. citizens when visiting national parks outside of America? Torres del Paine National Park in Chile charges international visitors $65 per person, while Chilean nationals pay $14. A similar differential applies in other countries. Visit South Africa’s Kruger National Park, and international guests pay $29, while locals pay $7.

That’s quite a difference in price. But Brian Yablonski argues in the overall cost of international tourism, most people wouldn’t bat an eye at the difference. After all, how much do international visitors pay for their flights to and from? How much is shelled out to stay in a hotel, or to rent an RV? What about the expense of just putting food in the belly while appreciating the sights? A few more dollars at the gate of a national park are a drop in the bucket.

How would park revenues be affected?

So, how might national parks’ income be changed with a surcharge on foreign park visitors? The numbers break down this way. U.S. national parks see some 14 million international visitors each year. Tack on a $100 surcharge and see an add-on of more than $1.2 billion annually. Under present law, 80% of those dollars would stay right in the parks where the revenues are taken in.

How would this fit in under the current administration’s directives? In the Wall Street Journal piece, Yablonski writes, “The Trump administration’s focus on government efficiency provides the perfect chance to implement this idea. After a recent meeting on the topic of parks, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told me, ‘Setting National Park entrance fees for foreign visitors at market rates is a common-sense, billion-dollar-revenue idea to help fund much needed infrastructure and improvements that will benefit our precious parks for our children and our children’s children.’”

A surcharge on foreign park visitors? What do you think? Vote in the poll, and then please leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

RELATED

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RV Daily Tips. Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Issue 2608


Today’s thought

“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.” ―Eleanor Roosevelt


Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Manatee Appreciation Day!

On this day in history: 1915 – The Vancouver Millionaires win the 1915 Stanley Cup Finals, the first championship played between the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and the National Hockey Association.


Kitchen gadgets in a kitchen with a sinkTip of the day
Extremely clever ways to use kitchen gadgets in other ways around your RV

By Gail Marsh
Like every other RVer, I look for easier and/or quicker ways to do things in the kitchen. After all, who wants to spend time inside when there are trails to explore and amazing sights to see? Not me! I hope these tips and hacks for kitchen gadgets will help you get outside more often (and more quickly) too!

The longer we RV, the more I realize the importance of judicious packing. Even the smallest item weighs something, right? So, when I discover that a kitchen tool can serve more than one purpose, I’m delighted! Here are some ideas for you to consider.


Ask Dave
Help! My RV air conditioner sounds like a “dying cow”

Dear Dave, 
My RV’s side air conditioner (I think) makes a noise in the wind like a dying cow. I can’t find where it comes in so I can block it. How can I make it stop, please? —Terry, 2015 Riverside Retro 177  Read Dave’s answer.


In the RV shop with Dustin
FlexArmor roofs—RV expert’s concerns

While we don’t install FlexArmor on RVs at our repair shop, we do see them from time to time. Check out the video below for an inspection of a FlexArmor roof in the shop.
There are certainly some benefits to this upgrade, but as an RV repair shop owner and former technician, I do have some concerns regarding the application.


Video of the day
1959 Scotsman travel trailer beautifully restored for new life

By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, Rob the Rebuilder shares his latest masterpiece, a beautifully restored 1959 Scotsman travel trailer. And it happens to be for sale, should you fall in love with it. Check it out.


Featured article
Cassette tapes, Burma-Shave signs, CB radios and more: Take a trip down memory lane

By Gail Marsh
Ah, the good ol’ days. If you traveled America’s highways during the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, you probably witnessed several things that younger RVers today may never see or might not even recognize. Sit back and relax for a trip down memory lane.


Reader poll
How would you describe your mental health?

Respond here.


RANDOM RV THOUGHT: Card games are cheap entertainment. In the campground, a deck or two can provide hours of fun without the use of extra power. And when not being used, they take up virtually no storage space. (This card game, and especially this version, happens to be our favorite!)


Quick tip
DIY awning track hangers

Got an awning track and want to hang a tarp or light? You can DIY hangers with “Instructor Bill’s” method. Cut 10″ of paracord, melt the ends, and pull it through a piece of 1/4″ aluminum tubing. Tie a knot at the ends.

For tarps, add a 10 mm washer over the tubing with the cord alongside it. Slide the hanger into the awning track, pinch the cord through the tarp grommet, and the washer will keep the knot secure. Adjust the cord length for other items. More info and detailed instructions from popupportal.com. Paracord is available on Amazon.


On this day last year…


Website of the day

Etymological Map of America
Spend a few minutes on this article and the maps it includes. Read about the meaning behind every state name, as well as many city names. This is fascinating! You’ll surely learn something new here.


? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Sometimes we wish we were the inventor of some of these products. This is one of them. It’s brilliant and a wonderful way to spark creativity! Do one of these every day and you’ll get your creative juices flowing.


Trivia

If you’re experiencing somnambulism, what are you experiencing? Sleepwalking! Yup, that’s the medical term for it. Did you know that sleepwalking is thought to be genetic? If both parents are sleepwalkers, there’s about a 60 percent chance their children will experience it too.


Reader’s pet of the day

“Pyper’s (Corgi) favorite place to lie in the RV. Back of the couch. She loves to look out the window.” —Carla McCord

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

My shrink said: “Sir, you’re nutty as a fruitcake.” I replied: “I want a second opinion.” He said: “You’re ugly, too.” —Henny Youngman


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.

Our policy on using artificial intelligence.

Help! My RV air conditioner sounds like a ‘dying cow’

Dear Dave, 
My RV’s side air conditioner (I think) makes a noise in the wind like a dying cow. I can’t find where it comes in so I can block it. How can I make it stop, please? —Terry, 2015 Riverside Retro 177

Trailer

Dear Terry,
From the photo you sent, it looks like you are referring to an in-the-wall-type air conditioner, which would be similar to a window air in a residential setting. I have had some experience with these; however, it’s been about 40 or more years since I had a rental house with one or more of these units.

I also assume you are getting the “dying cow” noise while parked and the wind hits the side of the unit while you are inside; otherwise, you would not hear it. So the wind could be coming from any direction hitting something and making the noise.

The first thing I would do is identify all the components on the side of the rig that could be rattling in the wind such as the awning, door, windows, and the air conditioner.

When does the sound happen?

A few questions first. Does the sound happen when the air conditioner is not running? If yes, this eliminates the operation of the air conditioner and means that it is a wind leak. If it is only when the air conditioner is running, then it is something in the air conditioner that is rattling or a leak in the air chamber.

You should also be able to isolate the component using a mechanic’s stethoscope like this one available on Amazon.

Stethoscope
Stethoscope

Noise while air conditioner is running

If it is coming from the air conditioner while it is running, it could be the compressor is loose and vibrating. Or, it could be weak and running under load or high amp draw and making a throaty sound. You should be able to identify this with the stethoscope. That would typically mean a new unit is needed, unless your air conditioner can be recharged.

Noise when air conditioner is not running

If it is coming through the air conditioner when it is not running, then it must be wind getting through the condenser coil on the outside or around the perimeter. You should be able to isolate that by taping a sheet of plastic over the entire opening on the sidewall to see if it stops. Do not run the air conditioner in this test; you’re just looking for wind leaks.

If it is coming from another source, you will need to isolate the source at either the windows, door, or even the awning which is protruding out and can catch a good wind. The slightest gap in sealant or even a window pane could allow air to penetrate and create the sound.

Isolating the actual spot of the noise will help determine what sealing procedure will work.


 You might also enjoy this from Dave 

My RV’s roof air conditioner drips inside when running. How can I fix it?

Dear Dave,
When running my air conditioner on hot days, it begins freezing up and drips water or “snow”. What is the cure for this little issue? Thank you. —Jeff, 2024 Coleman Lantern 274BH

Read Dave’s answer.

MORE FROM DAVE ON RV AIR CONDITIONERS


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

Read more from Dave here

HAVE A QUESTION FOR DAVE?

Send your inquiries to him using the form below.

Name
Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload

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Extremely clever ways to use kitchen gadgets in other ways around your RV

6

By Gail Marsh
Like every other RVer, I look for easier and/or quicker ways to do things in the kitchen. After all, who wants to spend time inside when there are trails to explore and amazing sights to see? Not me! I hope these tips and hacks for kitchen gadgets will help you get outside more often (and more quickly) too!

One kitchen gadget, many uses

The longer we RV, the more I realize the importance of judicious packing. Even the smallest item weighs something, right? So, when I discover that a kitchen tool can serve more than one purpose, I’m delighted! Here are some ideas for you to consider.

Vegetable peeler

Butter toast. In addition to peeling veggies, I use our peeler for breakfast toast. We keep butter in our RV’s refrigerator so it’s always hard. I scrape the peeler over the top of the hardened stick of butter. That sliver of butter immediately goes on top of toast that’s hot from the toaster. I immediately slice another strip of butter and place it next to the first. The butter melts immediately and breakfast is on!

Hull strawberries. Use the pointed end of the veggie peeler to remove the hull from strawberries.

Peel an onion. Use the grater to remove the outside layers of an onion. And if you place the onion inside the RV freezer for ten minutes or so, you can chop or dice without any tears!

Seed a chili. Cut the top off a jalapeño chili pepper. Then insert the vegetable peeler inside the pepper and work it around the inside. It will loosen the seeds for easy removal.

Celery strings. Our grandchildren do not like eating celery—all because the “strings” get stuck in between their teeth. I use the veggie peeler to quickly remove the “strings” on the outside curve of celery stalks and the kids gobble them up.

Slice cheese. We use the vegetable peeler to slice hard cheeses. Slices are uniform and perfect for snacks and sandwiches.

Egg slicer

Slice fruit. Your egg slicer will make uniform slices of soft fruits like bananas, strawberries, and peeled kiwi. The resulting fruit slices are perfect as a topping for breakfast cereal, waffles, or just snacking.

Mushroom. Use your egg slicer to make mushroom slices for fresh salads and pizza.

Butter. Cut pats of cold butter with your egg slicer.

Avocado. Cut the avocado in half. Remove the pit and use the egg slicer to make quick slices.

Kitchen tongs

Citrus juicer. Cut the fruit in half. Then use the end of the tongs to squeeze juice from oranges, lemons, and limes.

Dry kitchen gloves. Place the tongs upside down in your dish drainer. Put one kitchen glove on each end of the tongs to dry.

Grease the grill. Use your tongs to hold a heavily greased paper towel. Rub the treated towel over the grill grates until well coated.

Open bottles. Use the inside edge of metal tongs to hold and pop off bottle caps.

Extend your reach. I store lightweight items on our highest RV kitchen cupboard shelves. The tongs help me retrieve these items easily.

Hold meat. Ditch that fork! When cutting meat, hold it with your kitchen tongs. That way, you won’t pierce the meat and release those yummy juices.

Soup ladle

Perfect pancakes. Use a soup ladle to measure and pour pancake batter. This trick ensures you get the same amount of batter each time, making pancakes with a consistent size and cooking time.

Taco bowls. These are great! Grab your ladle and follow this recipe for perfect (and edible) taco bowls.

Skim fat. Use your soup ladle to remove excess grease from soups. Put ice cubes into the ladle. Then run the ladle over the top of your soup. The grease will adhere to the outside of the cold ladle, removing it from the soup.

There you have it! Tips and hacks for using kitchen gadgets while RVing. Do you have additional tips? Please share them with me in the comments below.

RELATED

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1959 Scotsman travel trailer beautifully restored for new life

By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, Rob the Rebuilder shares his latest masterpiece, a beautifully restored 1959 Scotsman travel trailer. And it happens to be for sale, should you fall in love with it.

Revamping the Scotsman travel trailer interior

The trailer looks in decent shape at the video’s start, but Rob says small updates can make a big difference in comfort and style and make it even better.

Sometimes, a happy camper means a happy wife! The main reason for adding curtains was that Rob’s wife wanted them. He salvaged the curtain rods from other trailers to save some money. The curtains really change the look and feel of the camper and add privacy and a touch of coziness.

No camper is perfect, especially a vintage one. A little paint can go a long way. He painted the trim pieces black to create a more cohesive look.

Appreciating the Scotsman’s Charm

This vintage camper has so much character. The exterior aesthetics are classic, and there’s a feeling of pride in the camper’s design.

Overall, Rob was happy with how everything turned out.  With the curtains installed and the trim looking sharp, this vintage camper is ready for camping season.

What do you think of the vintage trailer’s new look? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:

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RV manufacturers’ sales to dealers: Towables edge up, motorhomes continue skid

Is it “déjà vu all over again”? It’s a few days too early to tell, but the most recent report on RV manufacturers’ sales to dealers indicates things are looking up. That’s a repeat of the last report, that one for January 2025 wholesale shipments. But not everyone has read the fine print in the contract. While wholesale shipments were up in January, on the dealer lots sales in January were off.

RV manufacturers’ sales to dealers up, but brass says, “remain cautiously optimistic”

Results for the RV Industry Association’s February 2025 survey of manufacturers found that total RV shipments ended the month with 32,871 units, an increase of 6.0% compared to the 31,024 units shipped in February 2024. To date, RV shipments are up 12.7% with 60,500 units through February.

“As pleasant spring temperatures debut across the country, RVers are eager to get outdoors and make lasting memories with family and friends—especially the 28 million Americans planning RV trips this spring,” said RV Industry Association President and CEO Craig Kirby. “While the industry has seen modest shipment growth this year, it’s essential to remain cautiously optimistic. The market is showing signs of recovery, but we must stay mindful of potential economic headwinds and the need for sustained consumer confidence.”

Cautiously optimistic, indeed. While RV dealers may be fattening up their lots, it remains to be seen if RV buyers will be willing to cut loose with their cash to purchase new units. Time will tell, as the “retail registration” figures for February should be out soon. As to the wholesale movement of new rigs, here are the brass tacks.

Looking at the details

RV manufacturers' sales
(Click to enlarge.)

Towable RVs, led by conventional travel trailers, ended the month up 9.9% from last February with 29,642 shipments. Motorhomes finished the month down (-20.1%) compared to the same month last year with 3,229 units.

Park Model RVs finished February up 16.7% compared to the same month last year, with 350 wholesale shipments.

We’ll update you so you can compare RV manufacturers’ sales to dealers to just what dealers have sold to customers as soon as the figures are available.

RELATED

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Camping World CEO’s defiance leads to legal battle: Civil suit filed

It looks like the game is going into overtime. The football analogy is playing out in Greenville, North Carolina. As we’ve reported, Camping World has hoisted an American flag over its North Carolina dealership. Not uncommon, but in this case, unlawful, as the flag far exceeds what local ordinances allow. The back-and-forth between the city’s council and Camping World has become uglier. Now it’s city sues Camping World.

Company defiant, so city sues Camping World

city sues Camping World
Greenville, North Carolina city hall.

After repeated attempts to get Camping World to comply with the city’s code regarding both flag size and flag pole height limitations, the city council took a more forward step. On Monday the council voted 4–2 to authorize the City to file suit against Camping World. This after Camping World’s CEO adamantly insists the flag will never come down.

The city first warned Camping World that the flag was a violation back in October of 2024. Camping World didn’t appeal. The city started fining the big company for each day the flag stayed up. So far, the city has received a fraction of the fines due. The council feels the suit is its last resort to get Marcus Lemonis and Camping World to comply. It earlier considered—and rejected—a Camping World request to change the city’s code to allow the flag to stand.

“No placating a known bully”

When the vote was taken to either allow or deny Camping World’s request for a code change, at least one city council member was obviously dead-opposed. Councilwoman Portia Willis made the motion for denial. She flew her own feelings like a flag when she told the council, “Instead of placating a known bully and allowing them to exploit our city for profit and national media attention, it is my conviction that we should be standing firm and united and that we are smarter than those tactics that divide us.

“The issue has never been about the American flag,” Willis went on. “If it were, I believe Camping World would abide by the flag code and its standards.”

When the city sues Camping World, will the court docket read, “City Council versus Known Bully”?

RELATED

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National park cold case cracked: Homicide victim identified after 42 years

It was 1983 and investigators at Utah’s Arches National Park were stumped. On a cold winter’s day, park rangers found a body in the Three Gossips area, close to the park’s south entrance. Just who the body belonged to was a mystery, and remained that way until now. The mystery of the identity of the Arches National Park victim has been solved, thanks to DNA.

Arches National Park victim found in 1983

Arches National Park victim
Robby Lynn Peay. Provo, Utah police

The Provo, Utah, Police Department say the victim of what appears to be a murder is Robby Lynn Peay. Robby went missing several months before the Arches rangers found his body. He was 17 at the time. Robby had run away from a Salt Lake City youth center in October 1982. At the time, a Missing Persons report was filed, and it was given national attention.

When rangers found the then-unidentified body, it showed some of Robby Peay’s physical characteristics. But making a positive identification was nearly impossible. The body was significantly decayed, and a bullet wound to the head made a sure ID impossible. Robby’s truck was found, months later, 300 miles from Arches at Lake Powell in Arizona.

Slow progress over the years, still no provable results

Nothing more significant happened for seven years. In 1990 Robby’s family asked a court to declare him legally dead. They buried the Arches remains in a Provo, Utah, cemetery. More years passed.

In 2007 the National Missing and Unidentified Person System (NamUs) was established. It was a data center for cross-referencing unidentified person cases. The Arches body information went into the system. Ironically, dental information was put into the system incorrectly. In 2018, a forensic dentist spotted the error, and when the problem was corrected, a “high percentage match” would seem to indicate that the Arches body was that of Robby Peay’s. But the Utah medical examiner would not declare the connection without a DNA match.

Getting a DNA match a slow slog

Arches National Park victimProvo police detectives undertook a cold case review, also in 2018. They then found out that Robby had been adopted. To compare DNA, a direct relative would be needed. But since the adoption records were sealed, Provo’s police had to start the lengthy process of getting those records unsealed to track down his biological family. When the information was available, police found Robby’s direct family were all deceased. A maternal uncle turned up—and police had half of their DNA information. But for the other half, they’d need to exhume Robby’s body, yet another lengthy process.

Amazingly, it turned out another agency had taken DNA samples when the Arches body was found. When police were able to put two-and-two together, the proof was found. Robby Peay was indeed the person found in Arches four decades earlier. The Arches National Park victim was finally identified.

“Robby Peay had been missing for over 40 years when the breakthrough finally came through dental records and DNA testing,” Provo Police Department Detective Sgt. Nick Patterson said in the agency’s statement. “With this crucial evidence, we were able to identify an unknown individual, bringing long-awaited answers to a family that had spent decades in uncertainty.”

RELATED

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BLM will pay you to camp host at these Montana spots

Fond of the Big Sky Country? You could have a spot in a scenic Montana campground and get paid to stay there. The Bureau of Land Management wants campground hosts for this summer at several of its recreation areas. Not only do you get a free site, the BLM will pay for your propane—and give you a check. Montana camp host positions are open now.

BLM needs Montana camp hosts

The Bureau of Land Management Butte Field Office is looking for friendly, customer-service focused campground hosts for its beautiful recreation sites! It is recruiting for locations like Divide Bridge Campground, Clark’s Bay Day Use Area, Devil’s Elbow Campground, White Sandy Campground, Log Gulch Campground, Holter Dam Campground, and Holter Lake Campground.

The details for Montana camp hosts

  • Commitment: May through Labor Day (preferably until end of September)
  • Schedule: 4-5 days a week, ~4 hours a day (evenings, weekends, and holidays)
  • Compensation: $30/day for volunteering + reimbursement for propane and travel
  • Requirements: Pass a Federal Background Investigation

To learn more, click here for the volunteer.gov site. Once there, enter “host” in the Search Volunteer Opportunities box, and enter. Then use the filter system to “narrow choices” by choosing Montana as “state,” and BLM as “agency.”

RELATED

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RV Daily Tips. Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Issue 2607


Today’s thought

“The past is never where you think you left it.” ―Katherine Anne Porter


Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Tolkien Reading Day! Sit down with The Hobbit, heat up your coffee, and have a great day!

On this day in history: 1948 – The first successful tornado forecast predicts that a tornado will strike Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.


An iphone takes a photo at the beach. Which cell phone provider is best for RVers?Tip of the day
Use your cell phone’s camera these 14 ways to make life easier while RVing

By Gail Marsh
Winter weather is winding down and spring has finally arrived. Are you planning to go RVing soon? Your cell phone camera can help so much! And not just for sending travel pictures to family and friends back home. Protect your personal information, make your RV life easier… Curious? Then, by all means, read on!


Ask Dave
How safe is it to store lithium batteries in an RV?

By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
My question is about safe storage of lithium batteries, in what I have started to call the Lithium Craze. Many owners are buying and installing multiple lithium batteries inside the coach—under beds is a big one. I just recently saw them under the dinette seats. I see it as a dangerous installation. Does the industry have a stance on this? Is it as dangerous as I think? —Rudy, 2015 Crusader  Read Dave’s answer.


Video of the day
Farm and ranch store RV gear—Finding essentials in unexpected places

By Cheri Sicard
Sometimes you can find great RV gear in unexpected places on the road. Case in point, this week, we go shopping with the Grateful Glamper to check out some farm and ranch store RV gear. You might be surprised by the hidden gems you can find.


RANDOM RV THOUGHT: Whenever you are backing up your car or RV, only back as far as you absolutely need to. When you feel you have backed just far enough, stop and go forward. There is a whole lot more chance of bumping into something when going backward than forward. Send your Random RV Thought to editor@rvtravel.com.


Featured article
Are cross-country RV trips becoming a thing of the past?

By Dave Helgeson
I have long dreamed of the day my wife and I could depart on a cross-country RV trip. Now that we are retired and able to travel more, I question if cross-country RV trips are still viable, or will remain just a dream. Continue reading.


Reader poll
How many times a day do you brush your teeth?

Respond here.


Quick tip
Buy a good folding chair

You’ll be using them a ton around the campfire so get ones that are comfortable. Always get an extra chair or two. This serves two purposes. Makes a great backup if one gets broken and also, you can set out an extra chair to encourage new campground neighbors to stop and sit for a bit. —From RV Living Full Time: 100+ Amazing Tips, Secrets, Hacks & Resources to Motorhome Living. Available on Amazon. [P.S. Your pet will appreciate the comfy chair, also.]


On this day last year…


Website of the day

25 Amazing Hot Springs In the U.S. You Must Soak In
They’re not lying—You must soak in these! Okay, it’s not a requirement, but after seeing the photos you’re sure going to want to! (We do!)


? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
If you have a dog, there’s no way you won’t laugh at this. It made us laugh out loud!


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:

• 50 percent say they have a very good first aid kit aboard their RV (and 47 percent have a very basic one).
• 53 percent once smoked cigarettes but do not any more. 4 percent still smoke, and 43 percent never did.
• If given the chance to lose weight, 11 percent say they wouldn’t take it—their weight is just about right!

Recent poll: Which campsite do you normally choose, a pull-through or back-in?


Trivia

What do you call kernels of popcorn that have been popped? Just popcorn, right? Wrong! Popcorn industry folk take these popped kernels very seriously, and refer to them as “flakes.” Yup, it’s not popcorn, it’s a flake! Why flake? They’re all unique, just like a snowflake. There are two kinds of flakes: mushroom and butterfly. At a movie theater, you’re most likely eating butterfly flake, but if you buy caramel corn somewhere, it’s probably mushroom flake. Flake shape is serious business in the popcorn industry!


Readers’ pet of the day

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How safe is it to store lithium batteries in an RV?

Dear Dave, 
My question is about safe storage of lithium batteries, in what I have started to call the Lithium Craze. Many owners are buying and installing multiple lithium batteries inside the coach—under beds is a big one. I just recently saw them under the dinette seats. I see it as a dangerous installation. Does the industry have a stance on this? Is it as dangerous as I think? —Rudy, 2015 Crusader

Dear Rudy,
You are correct in the observation that it is a “Lithium Craze.” I have also witnessed it at my seminars the past three months. I just finished doing seminars at the RV Supershows Phoenix RV Show and we had quite a turnout for the 12V battery and solar seminars. Several attendees stated they had just swapped out their flooded lead acid (FLA) batteries with lithium. Several had installed a very inexpensive brand that just started flooding the market. I have some concerns about the quality and longevity of them. I asked a couple of the owners to stay in touch to get a field test of what they found with these.

Unfortunately, there is no “industry stance” on placement or even quality of lithium batteries. There are numerous companies coming out of the woodwork with cheap LiFeP04 batteries. Most of the cheap versions are from overseas and there is no track record of their product or service. Overnight they have become “lithium experts”—it is a little concerning in my opinion.

I have researched lithium batteries and charging profiles quite extensively. I have posted several articles regarding what to look for in a quality lithium battery. These include: UL-listed cylinder cells; mechanical connection of the cells rather than a plastic circuit board with solder points; and a battery management system (BMS), which is basically an integrated computer.

Lithiumcells
Lithium cells (Click to enlarge.)
Expion Cell Connection
Expion360 cell connection (Click to enlarge.)

Battery management system (BMS)

One key component that I have found from talking with the technicians at Go Power!, Expion360, and Battle Born is the BMS. It not only regulates the charge profile to each of the cells, but also is a safety override if anything should fail. That includes monitoring temperatures, voltage, and shutting down way before a failure, short, or fire.

Since lithium batteries do not have acid covering plates and do not gas when being recharged, they technically are safe to install inside a sealed compartment or even inside the rig under a dinette or bed pedestal. This is actually a good installation point as it positions the battery or batteries closer to the converter/charger. Therefore, there is no drop in voltage and the onboard heater keeps them warm during cold weather.

Storage of lithium batteries

The recommended procedure for storage of lithium batteries is to remove the negative cable. That would separate the batteries from the 12-volt system and eliminate any parasitic draw or drain. A lithium battery will hold a 90% state of charge (SOC) for more than six months, so it will not harm the battery and is the best way to store them. And since there is no charge going to the batteries during storage, there is no danger of overcharging, overheating, or other factors that would create a safety issue.

My concern about lithium batteries

In my opinion, the “safety issue” would be a cheap lithium battery located in an interior compartment that either does not have a BMS, or a cheap one that fails to regulate the charge and temperature.

I am looking forward to getting actual data from the RV owners that attended my seminars this past weekend.


 You might also enjoy this from Dave 

Is one 300 Ah lithium or three 100 Ah batteries better? What size converter?

Dear Dave,
I decided to go lithium and am familiar with the install, but I have a question on batteries. Currently I have four 6-volt golf cart batteries and am okay with power availability, but slightly more would be better. I see a lot of batteries at 270-300 amps, but I cannot get a clear answer on what’s best: one 300-amp or three 100-amp lithium batteries? I have room for either. I’d like to hear your views and ideas. Thanks again. —Alan, 2018 Winnebago Vista 29VE

Read Dave’s answer.

MORE FROM DAVE ON LITHIUM BATTERIES


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

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