Okay, say you’re at a BBQ and your friend offers you two things: a nice, juicy steak or a great piece of seafood. Which would you pick, the steak or the seafood?
We know it can be a tough decision, so in today’s poll, you have the option to say that you’d like both equally. (“Surprise me!” you’d say.) Or, perhaps you’re a vegetarian or just don’t like either option, and you could say “neither” and just eat the sides. (Hey, sometimes the sides are the best part, we wouldn’t judge!)
Some folks don’t even need to think about it. The second they hear “steak,” the decision is made. Maybe it’s the smell coming off the grill, the char marks, or that first bite of a perfectly cooked piece of beef. For many people, steak just feels like classic BBQ food.
Others hear “seafood” and they’re sold. Maybe it’s buttery shrimp, grilled salmon, fresh halibut, crab legs, or a perfectly seasoned skewer right off the flame. Seafood can feel a little lighter, a little fresher, and for some people, a whole lot harder to pass up.
Then there are the strategic eaters among you. You know better than to choose too quickly. First, you need more information. What kind of steak are we talking about? What kind of seafood? Who’s doing the cooking? Is there garlic butter involved? These details matter!
And let’s not forget that the sides can influence everything. A loaded baked potato next to that steak? Tempting. Fresh corn on the cob and pasta salad with the seafood? Also tempting. Sometimes the supporting cast can sway the main decision.
Well, what’re you having? Tell us below, and feel free to leave a comment after you vote, too.
A few miles north of Florence, Oregon along U.S. 101, not far from the shores of the Pacific, a daily carnage of death takes place. But you cannot hear the screams.
The victims are insects. The predators are innocent-looking plants called Darlingtonia, which sounds a whole lot like darling. But hah! For insects that fall in love with these lush green plants, the word darling does not apply. For these plants — unlike most plants that crave simply soil, water and if they are lucky an occasional shot of Miracle Grow — are carnivores!
An unsuspecting victim lands or crawls onto a plant’s leaf, lured by the sweet nectar on its colorful petal-like appendages, and its welcoming entryway.
Once inside, alas, there is no return. The confused creature tries to escape but becomes terribly confused by the many transparent areas of a leaf that appear to be exits.
But no, they are not! Eventually, the insect becomes trapped in the plant’s lower tube by sharp downward pointing hairs. The victim then plummets into a pool of liquid at the base of the leaf, where it is digested and absorbed through the plant’s thin walls.
If you can stomach being in the proximity of such a life-and-death scene, then point your RV or car to the heavily wooded Darlingtonia Wayside off U.S. 101 where there’s a big parking lot, and walk 100 feet to the plants.
Afterward, if you can muster an appetite, there are picnic tables where you can dine and perhaps say a few kind words in memory of the victims just yards away.
Admission for humans is free, but not so for insects.
For the last couple of years, many RV shoppers have followed the same strategy: Wait… Prices will probably fall farther.
And for a while, that approach worked.
After the pandemic buying frenzy cooled, dealers across the country found themselves sitting on aging inventory, softer demand, and buyers who suddenly had more negotiating power. Discounts became easier to find. Some used RV prices dropped sharply from their peak.
Now, however, there are signs the market may be starting to shift again.
A new report from the National Powersport Auctions suggests used RV sales activity is picking up in several categories, especially for towables and lower-priced units. That does not mean the market has suddenly snapped back to pandemic-era pricing. But it may mean the window for the deepest bargains is beginning to narrow.
Buyers may still have leverage—for now
This is not a story about runaway RV prices.
Inventory levels in many regions remain fairly healthy, and dealers still appear willing to negotiate—particularly on older units, high-end motorhomes, or rigs that have lingered on lots for months.
But the tone of the market may be changing.
Many RV shoppers simply appear more comfortable chasing value right now. A clean late-model used rig can look a lot less intimidating than signing papers on a brand-new RV with a large monthly payment.
That appears to be helping move more pre-owned inventory.
The shift matters because used RV pricing often behaves like a balancing scale. When demand strengthens even modestly, dealers usually become less aggressive about cutting prices further.
For RVers hoping for another major price slide, that could be disappointing news.
Why some RV shoppers are shifting to used rigs
Affordability still sits at the center of the RV market.
A growing number of buyers appear focused less on luxury upgrades and more on monthly payments, insurance costs, and avoiding large depreciation hits. That naturally pushes attention toward used inventory.
Towables may benefit the most from that trend. Travel trailers and fifth wheels generally cost less to purchase and maintain than motorhomes, making them attractive to buyers trying to control expenses while still entering the RV lifestyle.
For existing RV owners, there could be a small upside as well.
If used inventory continues moving more steadily, trade-in values may stop slipping as quickly as they have over the last two years. Nobody should expect a return to the inflated values seen during the pandemic boom, but a more stable market could help sellers feel less pressure to slash asking prices.
Don’t expect pandemic-style pricing again
The market still has plenty of caution built into it.
Dealers continue watching interest rates closely. Buyers remain selective. And many RVers still remember how overheated the market became during the pandemic years, when some used rigs sold for prices that shocked even longtime industry veterans.
That environment is gone.
But there is growing evidence the market may be settling into something closer to normal. Instead of endless price declines, RV shoppers could soon see more stability—and fewer dramatic markdowns.
For bargain hunters, that creates a tricky question: Wait longer and hope for a better deal, or buy before the market firms up further?
The answer may depend less on timing the “perfect” market and more on finding a well-maintained RV priced fairly for today’s conditions.
In other words, the era of watching prices fall month after month may not last forever.
Love it or hate it, Starlink has changed RV travel. For many RVers, especially those who boondock or spend time far from cities, satellite internet turned places once considered “offline” into workable campsites. Suddenly, streaming, remote work, video calls, weather tracking, and even telehealth became possible from places where campground Wi-Fi barely handled email.
That’s why a growing wave of complaints and concerns surrounding Starlink may matter to RVers more than almost anyone else.
A recent report from Fast Company highlighted mounting complaints filed with the FCC involving SpaceX and its Starlink satellite internet system. The complaints reportedly range from billing disputes and customer service frustrations to reliability concerns and equipment issues.
For RVers, that may sound familiar
Many users praise Starlink for delivering internet access where traditional providers failed. But RV forums and social media groups also contain no shortage of stories about sudden speed slowdowns, congestion during busy travel seasons, support delays, and confusion over changing service plans.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Starlink is failing. In many ways, it may mean the opposite.
Success may be creating new problems
Starlink has grown incredibly fast. What began as a niche satellite internet service for rural users has become a mainstream connectivity option for homeowners, travelers, truckers, boaters, emergency responders, and, of course, RVers.
That rapid growth creates pressure.
Every new customer adds demand to a network that depends on thousands of satellites working together overhead. In heavily used areas, especially popular travel destinations, some users have already noticed slower speeds during peak periods.
RVers may feel those growing pains first because they often travel directly into high-demand recreation areas where cellular networks are already overloaded. A crowded campground on a holiday weekend can stress almost every communications system available, including satellite internet.
For RVers who now rely on Starlink for work or day-to-day communication, that matters.
Why the FCC complaints matter
FCC complaints do not automatically prove a company is doing something wrong. Large companies often accumulate complaints simply because they have massive customer bases.
Still, complaints can reveal patterns.
The Fast Company report suggests some customers are frustrated with support responsiveness, billing concerns, and equipment replacement issues. Those are the kinds of problems that can hit RVers particularly hard because many travel far from shipping centers, service locations, or reliable backup internet options.
If your home internet goes down in suburbia, you may have alternatives. If your internet goes down while boondocking 30 miles from the nearest town, the situation changes quickly.
For some RVers, internet access is no longer just entertainment. It may be tied to:
Remote work
Online banking
Navigation
Weather monitoring
Campground reservations
Telehealth visits
Emergency communication
That raises the stakes considerably.
More satellites, more scrutiny
Starlink is also drawing growing attention from astronomers, regulators, competitors, and environmental researchers concerned about the sheer number of satellites entering orbit.
Some worry about orbital congestion and the long-term risk of collisions or space debris. Others argue satellite brightness can interfere with astronomy observations.
These concerns often spark heated debates online, especially among Starlink supporters and critics.
But for RVers, the bigger practical question may simply be this: Can Starlink continue expanding fast enough to maintain reliable service as more users come onboard?
That may become one of the most important questions in mobile internet over the next few years.
Ironically, the increased scrutiny may eventually help RVers. Regulators are already considering rule changes that could allow satellite broadband systems to operate more efficiently and deliver stronger performance. Competition from other satellite providers could also push improvements in pricing, support, and service quality.
RVers may be more dependent than they realize
A decade ago, many RVers viewed internet access as optional.
Today, for a growing number of travelers, it has become essential infrastructure.
That’s why Starlink’s growing pains matter. The debate is no longer just about satellites or tech industry competition. It’s about whether RVers can continue relying on the systems that increasingly power modern RV travel.
And for now, despite the complaints and controversies, many RVers appear willing to tolerate some bumps in exchange for something they once struggled to find at all: reliable internet far from civilization.
Winnebago Industries is recalling certain 2022-2027 EKKO motorhomes. The touchscreen display may register unintended or phantom inputs and turn on the generator without the operator’s knowledge. More than 1,500 RVs may be affected by this safety recall, which was issued April 22.
People in an enclosed space, such as a garage, with a running generator may be at an increased risk of injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning.
There is no warning that precedes the defect condition. Once the generator starts, the operator may notice engine noise and vibration.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside until the repair has been performed. Winnebago will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 18.
Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-6939 or 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago’s number for this recall is 205.
America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2893 • New issue every weekday If you find this newsletter helpful, please consider supporting our work with a donation of your choice. Thank you!
Today’s thought
“The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon.” ―Brandon Sanderson
Need an excuse to celebrate?Today is National Shrimp Scampi Day!
On this day in history: 2004 – The final Oldsmobile is built in Lansing, Michigan, ending 107 years of vehicle production.
Tip of the day I replumbed my RV sink with flex pipe. Genius or totally unhinged?
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
When we write a piece, we’re typically in agreement. Not so today—the distaff side thinks I’ve lost my mind. In fact, she thinks I’m so far off the mark that she tried to nix the whole story. But, hang on. “I” figured this was something readers needed to hear about. Flexible drain pipe in your RV—a brilliant stroke? Or a disaster in the making? Well, here’s our story.
RV review
2027 Thor Quantum LX19 Class C review: 21 feet, no slide
Short Class C motorhomes are hard to find. The 2027 Thor Motor Coach Quantum LX19 is thus a rarity. It packs the basics into a 21-foot coach with no slide, which makes it easy to drive, park and fit into almost all campsites. For downsizing RVers or minimalists who find even the most basic RV amenities a relative luxury, this one might be right on the money.
You love Uno, but have you played the Wilderness edition yet?
Take your favorite card game to a new level! It’s just like Uno (so you won’t have to learn any new rules) but this version should stay in the camper or car at all times for every outdoor adventure. And if someone you know needs a gift, this is it! Learn more or order here. Have fun playing!
In the RV shop with Dustin Two additional uses for EternaBond tape on your RV
A while ago, I shared reasons why I don’t recommend utilizing EternaBond tape on your RV roof (outside of using it as a patch). But today, I want to share two additional ways I do recommend using EternaBond tape on your RV.
Article and video How much lithium battery power does an RV need?
Picking the right lithium battery bank can feel harder than the install itself. For many RV owners, the goal is simple: enough power for the way they camp, without paying for far more than they need. That is why a simple set of amp-hour ranges helps. Instead of getting lost in battery math, RV owners can match their camping style to a practical starting point. Here, our favorite certified RV inspector, Duane of the RV Inspection and Care YouTube channel, breaks it all down.
WEDNESDAY WISDOM: If the week were a road trip, Wednesday would be the scenic overlook where you stop, stretch, and realize you’re making good time.
Featured article Everything you need to know about RV insurance – You may not be in good hands
By Dave Solberg
It’s something we don’t like talking about and hope we never need—insurance for our RV. It may sound simple: Just call your home or auto coverage company and tell them what you bought and they should be able to put together a policy, right? It’s not that easy, and if you don’t get a policy designed for your type of RVing, you will pay too much and probably not have the coverage you need. Learn all about RV insurance here.
Bumper snicker
Kinda mean… Kinda funny. Get one for yourself here.
Ask Dave I can’t find the make or model of my RV furnace or how to access it
The wildest multi-tool gadget…
This wild, elusive, totally unique multi-tool carabiner is perfect to keep on your key ring or backpack. When someone asks you for a screwdriver, wrench, can opener, bottle opener, cord-cutter, or ruler, tell them Sasquatch can help! Every camper and outdoor enthusiast needs one of these! It’s cool, but it will also come in handy at the campsite! Learn more or order. (Hurry, before he disappears again!)
Reader poll When washing your hands, do you wet your hands first or apply soap first?
A lot of people overlook washing out their water heaters a minimum of once a year. It’s simple. Suburban water heaters usually have an anode rod. It takes a 1-1/16 socket to remove it. Your Atwood water heater only needs a plug, no anode rod. Also, after you clean your water heater do not turn it on immediately. Contrary to popular belief, turning on an empty RV water heater will not result in the “motherboard” circuit burning up. However, turning it on electric (120 volts AC) will burn up the heating element. Turning it on gas (propane), while not a good idea, will not result in any immediate damage.
Make sure water comes out of the pressure relief valve after refilling, assuring water is in the tank, and you can turn it on immediately. Otherwise, give it about a half-hour before turning it on. If your faucets are not running well after cleaning, remove the screens on each faucet and clean them. —Thanks to Steve K. for the tip from the RVtravel.com RV Advice Facebook page. And thanks to Dave Helgeson for the updated info.
The Most Hippie Town in All 50 States
Still living in the ’70s? Well, good, because these towns are, too! See how many of these hippie towns you’ve been to.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ? In case you or someone you know has been a little forgetful lately… And note that they’re extra strong.
Trivia
While Americans love their beer, the Czechs love it more. According to data from the Japanese beer brand Kirin, people in Czechoslovakia consumed 39.3 gallons of beer per capita in 2024. In 2023, Americans consumed a mere 17.3 gallons per capita. Overall, in 2024, global beer consumption totaled 194.12 million kiloliters in 2024, which would fill about 547 billion standard 12-ounce bottles.
MORE FACTS! How many steps does it take to walk 1 mile? Generally speaking, you can count on 2,000 steps to equal one mile. But, depending upon your length of stride, it might take 2,500 steps to equal 1 mile.
Readers’ pets of the day
“Camping and getting afternoon sun in the motorhome.” —Gloria Sluder
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
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!).
Dear Dave,
I just purchased a used unit from a private seller. It is the regular gas model. I am trying to find out the make and model of the furnace. Also, I can see the vent in the rear driver’s side section of the coach but cannot figure out how the access the furnace. It appears to be under the bed or thereabout. Can you shed any light on this. I have tried to the Coachmen site but everything i have found is vague info. —Patrick, 2017 Coachmen Mirada 35BH
Dear Patrick,
From what I can see on the internet, Coachmen used an Atwood/Dometic 30,000 btu furnace. You can see the outside exhaust port on the driver side of the rig. There should be the Dometic name stamped on the exhaust port, and on the thermostat inside.
Dometic furnace
Access to the furnace
Typically, the access to the module board and burner assembly are from the outside of the rig. First, remove the screws for the exhaust flange and pull it out. Then remove the six screws holding the exterior plate and you should have access to everything. This is an image from etrailer.com of the guts of your furnace.
etrailer.com furnace
It does look like the guts of the furnace are located under the bed platform. Trust me, the designers don’t have to work on these so they are usually not in an easy-to-access location.
Mirada floorplan
How the furnace works
There is not much maintenance required, but rather an understanding of the operation. When the thermostat calls for heat, the blower motor starts to exhaust anything in the burner assembly and draws interior air through the return air grate. Airflow is directed over the burner assembly to the interior vents and passes over a sail switch. The airflow must be strong enough to lift the switch that creates a closed circuit, sending voltage to the module board verifying proper operation and open the gas valve. You should then hear the spark ignite and the burner assembly starting.
Troubleshooting
Most troubleshooting you might need should be accessed through the outside opening. There is a reset button that is a high temperature override and an LED light that will blink a code if there is something wrong.
1 Flash w/3-second pause – Air Flow/Limit Switch – either low airflow or high temperature
2 Flash w/3-second pause – Flame Sense Fault
3 Flash w/3-second pause – Ignition Lockout Fault
Steady On/No Flashing – Internal Control Failure
The only routine maintenance is checking the cover for a tight seal and no moisture penetration and blowing out the exhaust port to make sure there are no spider webs, dust, or mud daubers.
By Russ & Tiña De Maris
When we write a piece, we’re typically in agreement. Not so today—the distaff side thinks I’ve lost my mind. In fact, she thinks I’m so far off the mark that she tried to nix the whole story. But, hang on. “I” figured this was something readers needed to hear about. Flexible drain pipe in your RV—a brilliant stroke? Or a disaster in the making?
New sink install leads to flexible drain pipe
How did we get here? Our older travel trailer (everything we own is “older”) has put up with a lot of bumpy roads, bumpy moods, and general harassment. But the kitchen sink finally took offense to the apparent mistreatment, and a crack developed in the bottom of the basin. As clever as I think I am, it was beyond my jury-rigging ability to stop that nasty drip. Time for a new sink.
Should be easy to replace a kitchen sink, right? Wrong! Unless I was willing to buy into revamping the countertop to accommodate a smaller sink, or go really out on a limb and build a bigger countertop (with all the associated issues of putting down new laminate—I could see myself stuck between the wood and the laminate), I had to find “just the right size.”
Trouble in River City
R&T De Maris photo
I did find the right-sized sink. Only trouble is, while one basin was close to the depth of the original, the other side was a fair bit deeper. That difference never occurred to me prior to getting a big box from the UPS guy. I pulled the old sink out with gusto, and was soooo pleased with myself when the new sink dropped down into the existing “sink hole” without any modifications needed. But when it came time to hook up the drain lines, there was trouble.
R&T De Maris photo
The hard PVC pipes just couldn’t, wouldn’t line up. Adding to the fun, the design of the kitchen drawers, combined with the fact that the right-hand basin was much narrower than the original, led to an impossible-to-plumb situation. We have an old friend who’s a plumber. But, hey, why do I want to drag someone in when, after all, I have the male gene that says, “I can do anything!”
“Redneck installation”
R&T De Maris photo
So I visited my favorite hardware store, aka Amazon dot com. I settled on one of their flexible drain pipe systems, and sure enough, in fairly short order, I was able to drop in the new drain system. Never mind, now that our plumber gal-friend has seen it and declared it a thoroughly “redneck installation.” She stated that she would NEVER install accordion-style plumbing drains, accusing them of being a “case of diverticulosis getting ready to happen.”
As I said, not everyone is as generous with their praise of my plumbing nightmare. The sweetie of this writing duo simply says that when she sees the arrangement, the only word that comes to her mind is simply “hilarious.”
Redneck. Diverticulosis-ridden. Hilarious. Thank goodness my skin is a bit thick.
No specters rising from the drain—not yet, anyway
So what do you think? Am I off the rails? Yes, since installing this stuff, I’ve learned that I’d never get away with it in a “sticks-and-bricks” home. After all, “Most building codes do not allow the use of flexible drain pipes, especially the corrugated, accordion-style ones, for sink drains. These pipes are typically prohibited due to their propensity to clog and their inability to effectively self-clean like smooth-walled pipes.”
“Propensity to clog”? Where have I heard that before? Well, the rig recently returned from a 40-day expedition, wherein dishes were washed pretty much daily. I might add (he said, chest puffing out) that I was the dishwasher extraordinaire. I’ve noticed no clogs, no smells, no specters rising from the drain. Does that prove my flexible drain pipe works? Maybe that’s not long enough for trouble to surface. But I’ve read up on social media (surely a reliable source) of at least one other smart guy who says his accordion drain has been happily draining for two years without a hiccup.
I can’t say that I “recommend” you install a drain system like this. But keep it in mind if you get into a pickle. And WE will surely let you know if we run into a mess under the sink as we go down the road.
By Cheri Sicard
Picking the right lithium battery bank can feel harder than the install itself. For many RV owners, the goal is simple: Have enough power for the way they camp, without paying for far more than they need. That is why a simple set of amp-hour ranges helps. Instead of getting lost in battery math, RV owners can match their camping style to a practical starting point.
In the video at the end of this post, our favorite certified RV inspector, Duane of the RV Inspection And CareYouTube channel, breaks it all down.
Why more RV owners are choosing lithium batteries
Lithium batteries keep gaining ground because they solve several common RV problems at once:
They are much lighter than flooded lead-acid batteries, often by three to five times.
They take up less space and can be up to 30 percent smaller.
They usually last two to three times longer.
They do not off-gas, so placement is more flexible.
They offer far more usable capacity than lead-acid or AGM batteries.
That last point matters most. A lead-acid or AGM bank usually should not be drained much below 50% if long life is the goal. Lithium gives RV owners far more usable power from the same rated capacity.
Lithium vs. flooded lead-acid and AGM
A quick side-by-side view makes the difference easier to see.
Battery type
Weight and size
Usable capacity
Lifespan
Off-gassing
Lithium
Lighter and smaller
Up to full rated capacity, though not ideal for daily use
Longer
No
Flooded lead-acid
Heavier and larger
About 50% for regular use
Shorter
Yes
AGM
Heavier and larger than lithium
About 50% for regular use
Shorter than lithium
Less concern than flooded, but still limited vs. lithium
For many RV owners, that mix of lower weight, smaller size, and more usable power makes lithium an easy upgrade.
A simple way to size an RV lithium battery bank
Exact power use depends on the RV, the gear inside it, and how it is used. Camping style matters too, especially for boondocking. A precise answer also means working through watt hours, amp hours, charging plans, and inverter demands.
This guide keeps things simple. It focuses on three common use levels, not on 12V, 24V, or 48V systems, recharge strategy, or inverter sizing.
Scenario 1: The average RVer: For weekend trips and the occasional vacation, 200 amp hours is often enough. That size can usually handle lights, the refrigerator, the water pump, and a few days off-grid.
Scenario 2: The mid-range power user: For longer trips and heavier daily use, around 400 amp hours is a better fit. This range makes more sense for RVers running a microwave, hair dryer, TV, or computer, sometimes at the same time. It also stretches boondocking time and cuts recharge frequency.
Scenario 3: The high power user: Heavy users often need at least 600 amp hours, and sometimes more. That setup fits extended off-grid camping and pairs well with a larger solar system that keeps feeding power back into the bank.
Protecting battery life matters, too
Lithium batteries can be drained much deeper than lead-acid batteries, but regular zero-percent discharge still shortens their life. A better target is stopping at about 20% remaining capacity.
That approach still beats the 50% rule that usually applies to flooded lead-acid and AGM batteries. It also helps RV owners keep the long service life that makes lithium worth the higher upfront cost.
Extra capacity is usually the safer choice
Going a little bigger than expected needs is often the smarter move. More capacity means more flexibility, fewer recharges, and more room for future power use.
Battery size should match camping style, not guesswork. For many RV owners, 200, 400, or 600-plus amp hours is a practical place to start, and a little extra capacity is often money well spent.
Think about the last time you washed your hands. Chances are, you didn’t give the order of operations a second thought—you just did what you always do.
But habits like this are funny. Many of us follow the same little routine every day without ever questioning it. Some people turn on the water first, get their hands wet, then reach for the soap. Others pump the soap into dry hands first and add water after. And once you’ve done it one way long enough, it can feel like the only sensible method.
It’s one of those tiny everyday differences that can surprise people. You might live with someone for years and never realize they do it the opposite way. Then one day you catch them at the sink and suddenly question everything.
Maybe you’ve never even noticed that other people do it differently until you saw someone else at a sink and thought, Wait… what are they doing?
So, now we’re curious: When washing your hands, do you wet your hands first or apply soap first?
Vote in the poll below and, if you’d like, leave a comment telling us why your method is the right one. You just might convince somebody to switch. Thanks for voting!
By Dustin Simpson
A while ago, I shared reasons why I don’t recommend utilizing EternaBond tape on your RV roof (outside of using it as a patch). But today, I want to share two additional ways I do recommend using EternaBond tape on your RV.
Slide out roof
While I don’t recommend utilizing EternaBond® tape on the roof of the RV, I do recommend using it on the roof of your slide out—specifically at the T-flange seam. In fact, RV manufacturers install EternaBond tape there, as well. This wasn’t the case years ago.
EternaBond tape is a great option for this application because this water barrier provides a lower profile option compared to a sealant. It also allows the slide out seals to efficiently glide over the tape. Lastly, should you have your slide outs open and debris falls on the slide out roof, you won’t risk getting the debris stuck in the sealant.
Manufacturers typically install 4″ EternaBond tape strips in this location. Servicing your slide out and keeping the slide out roof clean and wiper seals conditioned is key to the longevity of your slide out function. Should the EternaBond tape on your slide out roof be past its prime, I recommend doing the following:
Thoroughly scrub your slide out roof and clean your existing EternaBond tape strip with a solvent cleaner. Let slide out roof dry.
Ensure T-flange is fully secured.
Remove any parts of the original EternaBond tape that is no longer sticking to the roof of the slide out or T-flange.
Install 6″-width tape over the existing EternaBond tape, ensuring the new tape goes up the T-flange by 1/4″ – 1/2″ and the remainder of the tape grabs the new slide out roof material.
Thoroughly press tape down and smooth out throughout the length of the slide out.
Please note: You will want to use 6″-wide EternaBond tape for this repair. It is offered in the following colors:
All moldings (rain gutter molding, awning/slide out topper molding or a combination) are made in either 8-foot or 16-foot lengths. Depending on the length of your unit and how your manufacturer installed them, you will have at least one joint where two moldings are butted against each other.
While the gap between the moldings appears insignificant, in my experience it’s just enough to let rain, morning condensation or condensation from an air conditioner drip down the side of your RV. This drip is not only annoying but it can cause streaks.
Here is an easy way to prevent the drips:
Remove screws near the area where the moldings are butted against each other.
Clean the molding surface and let dry.
Peel and center a 3″ – 4″ length of tape over the joint of the two moldings.
Press the tape into the molding and smooth out.
Reinstall screws.
Please note: You will want to use 2″-wide EternaBond tape to do this repair. It is offered in the following colors:
Dustin owns and operates California RV Specialists, an independent RV repair shop located in Lodi, CA. He thrives on sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm of RV repair and maintenance with his team, customers, and virtual friends.
Be sure to check out his YouTube channel where he shares what’s going on in the shop and the product offerings in the store. Dustin is also very active on Facebook. Join his group, RV Repairs and Tips – What’s in the shop!
Few RVers cheer when gas prices jump. But those painful fill-ups can sometimes have an unexpected side effect: They may help push future Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) higher.
That doesn’t mean retirees should celebrate higher fuel prices. Anyone towing a trailer or driving a motorhome already knows what a 50-cent jump at the pump can do to a travel budget. But economists say sharp increases in gasoline prices can ripple through the same inflation measurements used to calculate annual Social Security COLAs.
And that suddenly matters again after new data showed gasoline prices jumped 21.2% in March—the biggest monthly increase in years.
Why gas prices matter to Social Security
Social Security COLAs are based on inflation, specifically a government measurement called the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, better known as CPI-W.
Gasoline is one of the categories included in that inflation basket. When fuel prices rise quickly, they can help push overall inflation readings higher. If inflation remains elevated during the key measuring months later this year, next year’s Social Security COLA could end up larger than expected.
That doesn’t mean one month of expensive gas automatically guarantees a bigger adjustment. Housing costs, food prices, medical expenses, insurance, and many other factors also feed into the final inflation number.
Still, fuel prices have historically played an outsized role in how inflation “feels” to consumers—and in how quickly inflation gauges can move.
RVers often feel fuel inflation first
For many RVers, rising gas and diesel prices hit harder than they do for the average commuter.
A retiree driving a compact car may notice a modest increase at the pump. Someone fueling a Class A motorhome or diesel pickup towing a fifth wheel can see travel costs jump dramatically in just a few weeks.
That’s especially true during spring and summer travel season, when fuel demand normally rises, anyway.
Some RVers may respond by shortening trips, traveling more slowly, staying longer in one location, or delaying longer cross-country plans until prices stabilize.
Others may simply absorb the higher costs and hope future COLA increases help offset at least part of the damage.
There’s still a lot that could change
Economists caution that it’s still far too early to predict next year’s actual Social Security COLA.
Fuel prices can reverse quickly if oil supplies stabilize, refineries recover, or global tensions ease. Inflation readings over the next several months will matter far more than any single spike.
But for retirees living on fixed incomes, the connection between fuel prices and future COLAs is one more reminder that what happens at the gas pump can affect far more than travel plans.
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