Is it just me, or are headlights too bright? Some nights it feels like everyone else’s headlights are trying to blind me!
Turns out, modern LED and HID lights are whiter and more intense than old halogens. When those beams hit your eyes at the wrong angle (or bounce off a dirty windshield), they don’t just annoy, they make night driving genuinely risky.
Changed for the worse
Headlight technology has changed since I first learned to drive. Lights have moved from yellowish halogens to HID and now LEDs. LEDs are much more efficient and can put a lot more light where manufacturers want it. However, that concentrated, blue-white light also produces stronger discomfort glare for many drivers—like me.
Think about this: A typical halogen low beam might be roughly 1,000 lumens. OEM LED systems commonly push 3–4 times that. Some aftermarket retrofit bulbs advertise far higher numbers, which can overwhelm other drivers.
Worrisome
You are not imagining the problem. In the U.K., a large RAC (Royal Automobile Club) survey found 89 percent of drivers say at least some car headlights are too bright. Many reported that they have to slow down until their vision recovers from the intense glare.
In the U.S., public comments and earlier NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) surveys show a longstanding pattern of complaints about headlight glare going back decades. Survey numbers show that glare causes drivers to avert their eyes or lose contrast sensitivity for several seconds. That’s a long time at highway speed.
What manufacturers and safety groups say
Auto groups and many auto makers point out that better illumination can reduce crashes by improving visibility. Programs that combine visibility with glare control (IIHS headlight ratings, or the newer adaptive systems) show real safety benefits when done right. (IIHS is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.)
AAA and IIHS have both studied advanced systems and noted big potential gains from “smart” or adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights. They illuminate the road without blinding other road users.
Meanwhile, regulators in the U.S. updated rules to allow certified adaptive driving-beam systems, but wide adoption takes time. So, you get the tension: Brighter light helps you see, but if the distribution, height, or aftermarket tinkering is wrong, it can blind others.
Aftermarket bulbs, recalls, and legality
A big part of the headlights’ problem comes from retrofit bulbs and assemblies that weren’t designed for the vehicle’s optics. Federal standards focus on whole-headlamp assemblies, not just raw lumen claims.
The NHTSA has said many aftermarket LED retrofit bulbs don’t meet the rules for replaceable light sources. There have been recalls where retrofit LED bulbs exceeded flux limits and increased glare. That’s why many safety experts and regulators warn against swapping LEDs into housings meant for halogen bulbs.
Grassroots groups and petitions calling for limits on blue/bright headlights have gathered tens of thousands of signatures. Advocates are pressing federal agencies for tighter controls and more study.
Regulators have moved a little bit (for example, permitting ADB technology). Still, lawmakers, safety advocates, automakers, and consumer groups continue to hash out the balance between visibility and glare.
Practical techniques for RVers
RVers have both advantages and disadvantages when it comes to headlight over-brightness and glare. Special advantages may include bigger rigs and higher seating. Special vulnerabilities include long travel days and fatigue.
Here are practical tips you can use tonight—and every time you’re behind the wheel after dark.
• Choose your driving windows and routes with light in mind. If you can, pick routes with consistent street lighting, and avoid long, unlit stretches late at night when glare recovery matters most. Minimize long nighttime driving stretches if you don’t feel comfortable with heavy glare. (We plan our travel days to arrive well before sundown.)
• Slow down and give yourself space. Bright glare temporarily reduces contrast and slows focus recovery. Dropping speed when you see a glaring oncoming vehicle or when glare is frequent gives you the distance you need to react safely. (This is especially important in an RV because your stopping distance is longer.)
• Use the “look-right” trick and keep your eyes moving. Don’t stare at oncoming beams. Train yourself to focus on the right edge of the lane or the fog line when a blinding vehicle approaches. Glance back when the glare passes. That steady, peripheral reference helps maintain lane position without being pulled into the light.
• Keep windshields, mirrors, and visor areas clean and defect-free. Smudges, film, or micro-scratches scatter light and multiply glare. If your RV has a large windshield, clean the inside and outside regularly. Replace worn wipers and scratched mirror glass. Anti-reflective coatings on your eyeglasses and mirror anti-glare treatments can help, too.
• Use your lights deliberately. On back roads or in the country, use your RV’s high beams when safe. The extra distance enables you to see animals or other road hazards. Switch to low beams early when you detect oncoming cars. If your coach has auxiliary lights, make sure they’re aimed correctly and legal for road use.
• Avoid retrofitting high-lumen LED bulbs into housings not designed for them. They’re often illegal and increase glare for others.
• Adjust mirrors and seating to reduce direct glare into your eyes. Small changes in seat height or mirror tilt can make a big difference in how oncoming beams hit your line of sight. If your RV has an adjustable driver seat height, try a small change and test it at night in low-traffic areas.
• Know when to stop. If glare leaves you disoriented, pull off at a safe, well-lit rest area and wait until the effect passes. Fatigue multiplies the danger from glare. If you’re tired, don’t push through long nighttime conditions.
• Consider eyewear carefully. Some drivers use yellow-tinted “night” glasses and swear they work. But the safer step is a current eye exam and glasses with anti-reflective coating if recommended by your optometrist. If you have trouble with glare recovery, mention it at your eye visit. There are clinical steps that may help.
• If you’re an RV owner who maintains your own rig, aim and test your lights. Properly aimed low beams light the road without blinding oncoming drivers. Have a shop check aim and alignment after major suspension work, changes in load, or tire changes.
• When other drivers are the problem, document and report dangerous retrofits, if possible. If you repeatedly encounter vehicles with illegal, glaring retrofit bulbs or dangerously aimed assemblies, note the plate and location. Then report the info to local enforcement or NHTSA. Recalls and enforcement actions have followed complaints in the past.
What about you?
Have you observed a change in headlight brightness over the years? Do very bright or improperly aimed headlights bother you? Tell me in the comments below.
You could easily miss the town of Tecopa, California. It’s one of those tiny dots on the map in the middle of nowhere that makes you wonder who lives there and why. Located not far from Death Valley, with Pahrump, Nevada, as the closest “big” town, Tecopa isn’t exactly on most travelers’ radar.
I ended up going there as it was part of the snowbird itinerary, with hot springs, that ChatGPT created for me. (Read more about that here.) What I found was a tiny town with some surprisingly big experiences. I spent a week there, and it was anything but boring.
Why go to Tecopa?
Natural and commercial hot springs
A lush, oasis-like date farm
Excellent hiking
A secret (and seriously impressive) dining experience
Soak your cares away
Tecopa Hot Springs campground
Hot springs are the main attraction here. Several campgrounds offer soaking pools, but if you prefer something more natural, you can head out to the free public springs (picture at the top of this page).
To find them, drive about a mile north of town and look for the trail on the right side of the road. The spring is about 1/4 mile or less in. Despite what it says at the following link, there are not a lot of signs posted, so it can be easy to miss. Check with folks at your campgrounds for more details, or check out the video on this page.
Be aware: The natural hot spring is clothing-optional, and you’ll encounter visitors who take full advantage of that. Others, more modest soakers, wear bathing suits. Either is acceptable here.
The mineral-rich waters are the real deal, leaving your skin noticeably soft and smooth after a soak.
Hot springs campgrounds
During my stay, I tried two of the more affordable hot springs campgrounds. Let’s just say the term “resort” is used loosely. Both were small, a bit worn, and definitely funky—but the pools were clean, the water was hot, and the weekly rates were hard to beat.
Campground and bath house at Amy’s Tecopa Springs Resort
Amy’s Tecopa Hot Springs Resort
Guests share two private four-person soaking rooms. It might sound limited, but I never had to wait and always had a room all to myself. The pools close daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for cleaning, but otherwise are open day and night. As of this writing, weekly full-hookup rates were around $250. Bathing suits are optional, and the private rooms make it easy to soak solo or with your group.
Tecopa Hot Springs and Campground(next door)
Right next door to Amy’s, this campground is part of Harvest Hosts, so you get a free night’s stay. It’s a little more scenic than Amy’s and easier to park in, but no less in need of a facelift. It is supposedly under new management, so we shall see. In talking to some regulars, they say they have seen the quality go down over the years. The pools here are larger than Amy’s and separated into men’s and women’s. No options, bathing suits are NOT allowed.
I enjoyed both. As an RVer, any long soak feels like a luxury. If I returned, though, I’d likely choose Amy’s for the ability to soak with everyone in the group—but I did love the larger, natural-bottom pools next door. After a week of twice-daily soaks, my skin hasn’t felt this good in years.
China Ranch Date Farm: A desert oasis
Just a 15-minute drive from the hot springs you’ll find the historic China Ranch Date Farm—a true oasis in the Mojave Desert.
Wander the property, browse the gift shop (don’t skip the baked goods), and treat yourself to a date shake. The setting is unexpectedly lush, with cottonwoods, willows, and date palms thriving along a small stream.
Nearby, you’ll find remnants of the Old Spanish Trail and the Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad, along with scattered mining ruins that hint at the area’s past.
Several great hikes originate here, too.
Note: Parts of the road to the date farm are narrow and windy, not to mention unpaved. Do NOT tow a trailer here, and do NOT take a large motorhome. You don’t need four wheel drive, as the unpaved parts of the road are graded, but with big rigs it would be tough.
Take a hike
Hiking trail at China Ranch Date Farm
The area offers excellent hiking, especially around the date farm. I tackled the 4-mile Slot Canyon Trail, which winds through desert landscapes, riverbeds, and historic ruins. A side trip leading to a beautiful seasonal waterfall was an unexpected bonus.
There are trails throughout the Tecopa area, but this is serious desert country. Go prepared, bring plenty of water, and avoid hiking during extreme heat. I visited in February, and the conditions were almost perfect. Even then, though, it got plenty hot on the unshaded parts of the trail.
Super-secret restaurant find
Chef Eric, Steaks and Beer, Tecopa, CA
How secret is this restaurant find? The chef/owner did not want me to write about it (but I am going to anyway).
Tecopa is in the middle of nowhere. There are no real services, no cell service, no gas stations, no grocery stores—yet there is this amazing restaurant. Located in the parking lot of Amy’s Tecopa Springs Resort, Steaks and Beer does not look or sound like a fine dining restaurant, but it is, albeit in a dive setting. (It’s pricey, like a fine dining restaurant though.)
They serve excellent food, craft beers, and wines. (The wine was not pricey, only the food.) Even though “steak” is in the name and what they specialize in, there is enough creative vegetarian fare to keep the vegetarians happy (not vegans, though). They even serve a 5-course prix fixe meal for two.
I asked Eric, the chef/owner, what possessed him to open such a restaurant in such a place. His reply was, “It’s where poor people come to open a restaurant.”
Brilliant concept
Honestly, for a talented chef, it is the most brilliant concept ever. The place has tables for 16 and 3 at the bar. They are open for only 2 hours a day, 5 days a week; they do no promotion; and it takes just two people to run it, the chef and a single waiter.
Heck, when I visited, they did not even have a sign as the wind had blown it down during a recent storm. Yet, every night, those tables fill up, mostly with repeat customers who never miss this place when in the area.
When I asked if I could interview him for an article, Chef Eric politely declined, saying, “I don’t do interviews, and I really don’t want press. I am busy enough. Tell your friends, don’t tell the world.”
Well, the RVtravel.com audience, much as I love you guys, is hardly the world—so I don’t feel bad.
If you visit Tecopa, you need to know about Steaks and Beer. As to Chef Eric, this is a man who has his head and his priorities straight. He is totally making it in the restaurant business, on his own terms. I am impressed. And the food was outstanding!
Who goes to Tecopa?
I met plenty of visitors from Las Vegas—it’s only about 90 minutes away, as well as travelers passing through Death Valley National Park—which is roughly 50 miles away.
If you’re anywhere near the area, Tecopa makes a perfect side trip. Come for a soak, stay for a hike, grab a date shake, and treat yourself to an unforgettable meal.
You just might be surprised by how much this little dot on the map has to offer.
By Dustin Simpson
A lot of people are always asking me: What do you use to wash or wax your RV? I’ve used Meguiar’s products for as long as I’ve been driving, and they’re always what I recommend to my fellow RVers and customers.
I’ve tried just about every wax out there, and I can’t find anything as easy to apply, or that lasts as long and protects the way this does.
I use it on all my vehicles, including my RV. I only use two other products: 303 on all the decals, vinyl, and plastics; and if I have a stubborn streak that won’t come off, I use Gabe’s Pride black streak remover.
Here’s a picture of the products I like and use to wash and wax RVs. (Please note: I have zero affiliation with any of these. This is just my opinion on products I like and use.)
Scroll down to see all my favorite products. Hope this info helps you get your RV sparkling new! Happy cleaning!
Today’s RV review looks at the Forest River IBEX 20MDS travel trailer with the Black Canyon “Beast Mode” option. In many ways, the trailer is a very different—er—beast depending on whether this option is included, and it makes a big difference in how I’d evaluate it. That said, I’d also bet that if you have an IBEX dealer nearby, you won’t see many units equipped this way.
As regular readers will know, I urge you to shop for your RV from the road up and to look at the decisions made in the chassis of the RV before you ever even step inside. Doing this can save you a lot of time, particularly when looking at travel trailers.
The Beast Mode option swaps out the low-grade leaf spring suspension that you’ll normally find on this trailer for CURT’s fully independent coil spring suspension system. Now, the common thinking might be that this is for off-grid camping, and, yes, it will certainly help with that.
But think of how many times you’ve towed a trailer on even normal roads where cattle guards, those crater-sized potholes, railroad grade crossings, and other poor road conditions made you make a mental note to see if the cabinets inside the RV were still hanging in place when you got to wherever you were going.
On our caravan along Route 66 with several other RVers, we were all comparing how the RVs withstood some of the absolutely awful road conditions in New Mexico.
So I think this much, much better suspension system is absolutely worth the money, no matter where you plan to go. It exemplifies why I suggest shopping from the ground up.
Start at the road with the IBEX 20MDS
In addition to the better suspension in the Black Canyon Beast Mode option, there are other things to look at under this trailer, including the fact that there is one connection for all the sewer functions—nice.
But the underbelly on this is fully enclosed, and there is a duct from the furnace to heat the enclosed space. Further, there are 12-volt heating pads so you can camp in colder climates with this rig.
Something else worth noting: The spare tire on the back of this RV is the same aggressive type of tire as on the four wheels, rather than being some low-grade spare. Nice touch.
In order to accommodate the suspension travel, IBEX has chosen a Schwintek slide mechanism, which is unfortunate only in that you need to open the slide to access the bathroom in this trailer. You never, ever, ever want to partially extend a Schwintek slide. No, never.
But the Schwintek system does have the advantage of none of the components being under the floor of the slide room. If you actually maintain and operate a Schwintek system properly, they actually aren’t unreliable.
As with so many other RVs, this now comes with a tankless water heater, which means you only have the option of propane. These can be fiddly, so basically, the best course of action here is to set the water temperature to one you’re comfortable with and just use the hot tap. Don’t invite the cold tap to the party in the shower.
IBEX 20MDS - 2026
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Forest River IBEX 20MDS floor plan
The CURT independent suspension is part of the Beast Mode option
A breakfast bar and L-shaped kitchen
A four-place dinette but with knee-knocker poles
A multifunction faucet and glass washer in the IBEX 20MDS
Drawers under the couch of the IBEX 20MDS
Forest River IBEX 20MDS offers a better suspension option
Good space in the bathroom plus a large storage compartment
The Murphy bed forces the mattress to bend in the IBEX 20MDS
Inside the Forest River IBEX 20MDS
This is a relatively short trailer, but having a Murphy bed means you get a couch as well as a four-person dinette (in the slide). There’s also a dining bar incorporated into the kitchen design, so there are a number of choices to sit and have a meal.
The dinette in here features a two-pole knee-knocker table design—bummer. I’d prefer a free-standing table, but that can be facilitated easily enough with a trip to the hardware store.
Murphy bed
Okay, since I wrote that there’s a Murphy bed, let’s talk about that for those of you who are still with me. This type of bed design forces the mattress to bend to accommodate the Murphy function, so the mattress itself has to be rather thin. Bleh.
But this is a 60” x 80” mattress and, surprisingly, doesn’t interfere with the slide mechanism even if the mattress is down. So you could replace this mattress with one that actually won’t make your chiropractor’s yacht payment easier and just leave the thing down all the time.
Granted, that means that you lose the functionality of the couch, but some sacrifices may be worth making to some buyers. At least you have the choice.
I do like the cubbies behind the closet adjacent to the bed. They feature 12-volt and household power outlets.
Of course, there’s a windshield here with a Murphy bed, which is the dumbest thing in RVing. There’s a windshield when you don’t want it, at night, and then one you can’t take advantage of when the bed is up. So, again, another reason to just never fold the Murphy bed up.
I would have loved to have been in any planning meeting where someone said, “Hey, let’s have a windshield and a Murphy bed.” That’s when the person with that idea and I would go outside and have a little talk.
Kitchen in the Forest River IBEX 20MDS
I like the kitchen design in this rig, where the extension of the counter incorporates the kitchen sink but also a breakfast bar. Or margarita bar… your choice.
The sink incorporates one of those silly glass washing devices, and the faucet has both a sprayer and a shower/rain type function. There’s a three-burner propane cooktop and a convection air fryer microwave.
But what you won’t find here are any drawers whatsoever. Nope, not a one.
Well, okay. There are drawers under the couch that you’ve now buried under the Murphy bed, but that’s it.
There are cabinets here that are of decent size, and there are more under the dinette benches, again, decently large. You could find some drawer/organizer type of thingamajig that would solve your drawer desires.
One thing I’d like to see is a provision that makes it easy for an owner to add a propane oven. For those who don’t want one, the space could instead be used for a cabinet or drawer. It looks like the cabinet below the propane cooktop could accommodate an oven. But it would be even better if there were a factory-designed option that dealers could install.
I think the majority of RVers wouldn’t go for the oven, But for those who want it, it would be available, and it would be an easy thing for a dealership to keep one of them in stock.
While there are no drawers, there is a huge pantry, and that may be sufficient for some travelers. I like that the shelves in the pantry don’t extend all the way to the door. So, you could also hang a broom or small vacuum or your archery equipment (hey, I don’t know you) in here in addition to utilizing the shelves.
Bathroom in the Forest River IBEX 20MDS
By virtue of a taller ceiling in this rig, you also get more headroom in the shower, which will be appreciated by many RVers. This is my favorite RV bathroom type: one that spans the width of the RV. That means you can actually be in this space and change clothes without that “ta-da” moment of surprising the rest of the people traveling with you.
Although the shocked look on their faces is pretty priceless.
There is also quite a bit of storage in the bathroom, as well as a closet on the road side wall.
Boondocking in the Forest River IBEX 20MDS
As mentioned earlier, I think this suspension might scream “boondocking,” but that’s not necessarily why I would buy this. In fact, I don’t believe I’ve ever gone to a place where a real off-road suspension was necessary. But this better suspension will treat the RV more gently as the sucky roads in this country feel more like off-roads than smooth pavement.
The Black Canyon Beast Mode package also includes a second solar panel and a 2,000-watt inverter, so those might also make the package well worth considering.
Something else interesting: The Black Canyon Beast Mode package also includes a whole-house water filtration system. I’m not always a big fan of these, mostly because they add more plumbing, and there are already some excellent external water filters available. That said, a whole-house system does filter the water coming from the holding tank, which is a definite plus. I also like that the filter is located in the front pass-through, and the plumbing setup looks solid.
As for travel access, again, no can do with the slide in. You had better remember to extend that slide all the way, no matter how bad you have to pay the rent on all that coffee you drank on the road, or you’ll be sad.
IBEX 20MDS specifications
Final thoughts on the Forest River IBEX 20MDS
I like that Forest River makes this top-notch suspension available, although I wonder how many people actually choose this? It is absolutely the best travel trailer suspension system on the market, in my opinion.
One more comment: This does feature that goofy entry door with the black glass exterior. It does nothing to add additional window space but offers more weight and cost for zero benefit. Who thinks of this stuff?
Otherwise, this is a decent little trailer with a few head scratchers but a lot of positive aspects to it.
My thanks to Josh from Bish’s RV for the video and photos in this article.
More about these RV reviews
These RV reviews are written based on information provided by the manufacturers along with our writer’s own research. They are based on information from a single unit and may not reflect your actual experience. Shop your RV and dealership carefully before making a buying decision. They are intended only as a brief overview of the vehicle, not a comprehensive critique, which would require a thorough inspection and/or test drive.
Tony comes to RVtravel.com having worked at an RV dealership and been a lifelong RV enthusiast. He also has written the syndicated Curbside column about cars.
You can also check out Tony and Peggy’s RV podcast.
I have previously strongly suggested that when people experience a tire failure, they should file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That is the part of the Department of Transportation that is responsible for vehicle safety regulations, including tires. Here is a link to the form.
I received this question on this topic: “Thanks, Tireman. My next question is, when is it appropriate to report to the NHTSA? After any flat? Or are there specific indicators?”
Excellent question, as we don’t need to be “crying wolf.”
Reporting process
If we look at the process, I think it will help us understand when and why we would want to contribute to the database of tire failures.
I think we can sum up the primary objective for NHTSA is to decrease the number and severity of injuries or accident costs due to a failure of an automotive system or component. One way to achieve that goal would be to hold the manufacturer responsible for providing parts that deliver reliable service for normal and expected operating conditions.
One way to hold a manufacturer accountable and maybe “hold their feet to the fire” is to order and require a manufacturer to replace a part that has been found to have an abnormally high failure rate due to either design or manufacturing problems.
Deciding if investigation is justified
Based on data submitted to NHTSA, that agency decides if an investigation should be started. The investigation could be limited to a review of test and manufacturing data, or it could involve NHTSA conducting its own tests.
So what data does NHTSA use to decide if an investigation is justified? There is supposed to be a combination of warranty data from the part manufacturer, plus a review of complaints filed by individuals.
This presents a problem for NHTSA. How should they judge consumer complaints when they know that consumers seldom have the technical knowledge to do a proper or thorough evaluation of a product failure?
So, the question really is… Should the tire manufacturer be held responsible for a tire losing air due to a puncture or a leaking valve? It may be difficult or nearly impossible for the consumer to do the proper investigation to learn the root cause of the failure.
It is well-documented that more than half of RVs on the road have one or more tires in an overload and or under-inflated condition. Should the tire company be held accountable for an overload or low inflation?
Bottom line
If you believe the RV company or the tire manufacturer should be held responsible for the tire failure, then you probably should file a complaint.
If you take a few minutes, you might even decide the failure was not the fault of the tire company but of the RV company that selected a tire with no margin for any loss of air or load variation.
You still need to provide complete tire information. However, in the case of poor tire selection, I would be sure to include a statement with actual measured loads and the small reserve load the tire selected provided. Roger Marble
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 in our newsletters and across our website.
If you’re a regular reader, you’ve probably spotted many of these goodies in our newsletters, gadget reviews, maintenance how-tos, and kitchen roundups.
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 by their publishers. We’ve been compiling this list for years through our Amazon affiliate program!
Everything we love for our RV, about our RV, and for the adventures that come with it—it’s all right here.
So go ahead—top off your coffee, settle in, and start scrolling. We have a feeling you’ll find at least one thing that makes you say, “Okay, I need that.” After all, there are nearly 200 items here to look through… WOW!
RV Maintenance Log Book keeps track of everything for you
This RV maintenance log book allows you to document and track all repairs and work done on your RV. If you bought your RV used, wouldn’t this have been nice to have with the sale?! Keep track of all the work done on it (and where and when), specific part models, your favorite black tank cleaner, the lightbulb bases you use, paints and fabrics, and much more. This will be a lifesaver. Learn more or order.
🔥 Reader favorite
Book is a must-have for state park campers!
This book, “50 States: 500 State Parks,” is a must-have for all state park campers and explorers. The book is a beautiful visual journey through America’s best state parks. Whether you’re looking for stunning vistas, rare wildlife, a dose of history, or an enjoyable hike, the state parks offer an array of experiences. Learn more or order.
50 States, 5,000 Ideas is the best book!
This National Geographic book showcases the best travel experiences in every state, from the obvious to the unexpected. Sites include national parks, beaches, hotels, battlefields, dude ranches, museums, and more. Each entry provides detailed travel information and fascinating facts. Also includes Canadian provinces and territories. Learn more or order.
Helpful book for camping areas managed by the NPS This book from The Ultimate Public Campground Project describes 2,241 camping areas across the United States that are managed by the National Park Service. If you’re looking for new places to camp, this is the book for you. The project has been growing since 2008 and now has a website and an app too. Learn more or order.
The definitive guide to services along the Interstate
Since 1991, the Next Exit has been THE “go-to” directory to locate what businesses and services are at every Interstate exit in America. In this new 2025 edition, learn what’s ahead, not behind you—fuel, food, campgrounds, rest areas, shopping, hospitals, etc. Sometimes a GPS or smartphone isn’t best for this. Often, this is! Learn more or order. (Or you can pre-order the 2026 edition, which will ship in September.)
Book for cheap city and town park camping
In most cases, camping in city and town parks costs less than nearby private or other better-known public camping areas. In many cases, the overnight fee is $10 or less, with many sites still free. Some even include free or inexpensive utility hookups. Here is a directory of these under-publicized parks. The first edition of its “Camping in America’s City & Town Parks” is now available.
You’re no dummy… but this book is still helpful!
The RVs & Campers For Dummies book gives you all the just-starting-out info you need. Should you rent first or buy? What RV is best? What supplies will you need? What does the RVing life really look like? How do I fix this thing? All those questions and many, many more are answered in this book. Learn more or order.
🔥 Reader favorite
Ready for adventure? The Road Atlas: Adventure Edition is!
We still appreciate a good physical road atlas and this highly rated National Geographic Road Atlas: Adventure Edition is certainly one to love. The atlas has up-to-date road maps for all 50 states, plus Canada and Mexico. Cities and metro areas include popular attractions and points of interest. The atlas also acts as a guidebook to National Parks and the top 100 adventures. This atlas is cool!
🔥 Reader favorite
RV Camping in Corps of Engineers Parks
Many RVers consider Corps of Engineers campgrounds to be the best in the country. This guide is just for RVers—boat-in and tent-only sites are not included. Of all the public lands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has some of the best parks and campgrounds available. In fact, it’s the largest federal provider of outdoor recreation in the nation. Learn more or order.
The best directory of where to camp on public lands
The Bureau of Land Management Camping book describes 1,547 camping areas managed by the BLM in 14 Western states. Details for each camping area include the number of campsites, amenities, facilities, fees, reservation information, GPS coordinates, and more. You’ll want this book if you camp or are interested in camping on BLM land. Learn more or order.
A Rand McNally road atlas for kids—how fun! Give this Rand McNally Road Atlas to your kids or grandkids before they hit the road. It features simplified yet real road maps of all 50 states, and interesting information on each place. It also has state facts and fun state-related activities. It makes a great gift!Learn more or order.
By RV Travel publisher Chuck Woodbury Book for newbie RVers a must-have!
If you are planning to buy your first RV or are just getting started with your first rig, this book by RVtravel.com publisher Chuck Woodbury should be a must-read. The ABCs of RVing answers important questions that newbie RVers don’t even know to ask! You’ll save countless hours of research and avoid making costly mistakes. Available in printed and Kindle editions.
Secrets of RVing on Social Security Jerry Minchey takes you on a journey that lets you discover how you can travel around the country and live the fascinating RV lifestyle for far less than it costs to live in your sticks-and-bricks home. Among other things, he shows you step-by-step how to enjoy the RVing lifestyle while traveling and living on just your Social Security income.Learn more or order.
Brand-new National Park book has everything you need
We all know that National Geographic puts out beautiful, thoughtful work, so it’s no surprise that their brand-new 2026 book, National Geographic Ultimate Guide to the National Parks: A Complete Tour of All 63 U.S. Parks, is no exception. This is a travel guide to 400+ parks, areas, trails, historic sites, seashores, campgrounds, and much more. Learn more or order.
Milepost 2025 edition for Alaska travelers
If you’re traveling or thinking about traveling to Alaska, this book is essential! It’s the best-selling travel guide to Alaska and includes mile-by-mile descriptions of more than 15,000 miles of road in Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, British Columbia and Alberta. Its 700-plus pages detail accommodations, camping, fishing, gas stops, restaurants, attractions and services found in Alaska and western Canada. Learn more or order. Or preorder the 2026 edition (ships mid-April, 2026).
A wonderful book for the Alaska-adventure lover Speaking of Alaska… “Tip of the Iceberg: My 3,000-Mile Journey Around Wild Alaska, the Last Great American Frontier,” by Mark Adams, tells the incredible story of the 1899 voyage of Edward H. Harriman and his “floating university” among other scientists and writers. Mark Adams sets out to retrace this historic expedition and how the lessons learned in 1899 still apply today. A fascinating read that will surely have you wanting to visit Alaska. Learn more or order.
Van and RV Camping at State Recreation Areas
Our friends at Roundabout Publications have published another helpful book for RVers. This one is for RV camping at 656 camping areas at 415 state recreation areas across 30 states. This includes camping locations at off-highway vehicle areas, state beaches, state recreation areas and sites, state vehicular recreation areas and more. Having this book will save you money! Learn more or order.
Van and RV Camping in State Forests And another one from our friends at Roundabout Publications! This one is for RV camping at 585 camping areas in 298 forests across 25 states. Save money by camping on State Forest public lands managed by government agencies. Having this book will save you money! Learn more or order.
2026 edition: Rand McNally Road Atlas & National Park Guide
This comprehensive guide is a must-have for RVers and nature lovers, offering stunning visuals, essential visitor information, and invaluable travel tips for all 63 of America’s national parks. The guide also includes a complete 2026 Rand McNally Road Atlas, ensuring seamless navigation for travelers across the country. Learn more or order.
Get your kicks on, well, you know…
“The Best Hits on Route 66: 100 Essential Stops on the Mother Road” is the perfect companion for anyone traveling down Route 66 or who has ever wanted to. Route 66 expert Amy Bizzarri takes you on an inspiring and entertaining journey down America’s most famous favorite road. Along with fascinating history and travel inspiration, the book also includes itineraries, so trip planning is a breeze.Learn more or order.
Downsizing The Family Home: What to Save, What to Let Go Whether you’re downsizing to go full-time or for other reasons, this best-selling AARP book will guide you through the process, from opening that first closet to sorting through a lifetime of possessions to selling your home. This will help you create a strategy and mindset to accomplish the task quickly and rewardingly, both practically and emotionally. Learn more or order.
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The best book for National Forest Camping
The U.S. Forest Service manages nearly 193 million acres of public land in 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands. These areas provide many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Forest Service areas offer some of the best camping experiences in the United States. In this directory, you’ll discover 4,108 select camping areas at 141 forests in 42 states. Learn more or order.
The road atlas for spooooky RVers
If you’re a true-crime junkie, a real horror fanatic, or just like learning about the history of some of America’s creepiest places, this road atlas is for you. Jam-packed with illustrations, fun facts, travel tips, and more, this guide includes some of the country’s most notorious crime scenes, hauntings, and supernatural sightings. You’ll also find recommendations to the best oddity museums, curiosity shoppes, and more. Learn more or order.
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2025 guide to state gun laws Because so many of our readers carry, we believe it’s important to let you know about this very popular guide. The 2025 edition covers all the basics for armed travel in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. What is legal in one state could be a felony in another. This book should be used as a reference before entering a new state (or into Canada or Mexico) to know what to expect before you cross the border. Learn more here or order here.
National Geographic Road Atlas 2026: Scenic Drives Edition
National Geographic’s Road Atlas: Scenic Drives Edition is the ideal companion for the next time you hit the road. Includes up-to-date road maps for all 50 U.S. states, plus Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Cities are shown in detail with inset maps that include popular attractions and points-of-interest. It also includes carefully researched scenic drives and a map and guide section for the 20 most popular national parks. Learn more or order.
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Excellent book for county park campers
Roundabout Publications and the Ultimate Campground Project have published the first edition of “Camping in America’s County Parks.” The 192-page directory profiles 2,068 RV, van and tent camping areas at 1,408 parks in 42 states. Inside, maps pinpoint campgrounds with information about staying, including types of restrooms, showers, dump stations and RV length limits. Rates, contact, and reservation information is also listed.
Why RVers need a truckers’ road atlas
These atlases feature large-scale maps for every state, clearly marked truck and RV-friendly routes, and critical details like low clearances, restricted roads, and weigh station locations. A 22-page mileage directory includes more than 40,000 truck-route-specific, city-to-city distances for planning fuel stops and overnight stays. America’s best-selling trucking atlas delivers the most complete highway and routing information available for large vehicles. Learn more here or order here.
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Balance for seniors: Easy-to-perform fall prevention exercises
Keep your balance sharp and your independence strong on and off the road. This easy, step-by-step program shows you simple exercises to improve stability, coordination, and confidence so you can get out of your RV, hike around camp, explore town, or just walk through the grocery store with less worry about a tumble. Gentle, practical moves you can do daily help reduce fall risk and keep you moving well. This might save your life!
500+ bucket-list adventures for your next RV trip
Looking for ideas for where to go next? This Fodor’s guide is packed with more than 500 unforgettable experiences across all 50 states—from iconic national parks and scenic drives to quirky roadside stops and local food must-tries. With colorful photos, smart itineraries, and regional maps, it’s a fun, inspiring roadmap for RVers planning their next big adventure—or dreaming up the one after that. Check it out.
Home/Lifestyle
A good gadget makes you wonder how you ever lived without it.
Bed sheet suspenders keep your sheets in place!
We have to admit, we just recently discovered these and wondered how we didn’t know about them sooner—they’re amazing and, yes, they work! If you have bed sheets that don’t stay in place, these easy-to-use bed sheet fasteners or “suspenders” keep them in place so no more corners that won’t stay down! Learn more or order for a great price.
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“Earthquake Putty” keeps stuff in place Do you have items in your RV you like to keep in place like on a table, bedstand or counter? You need this. Quakehold Museum Putty is designed to keep items secure in earthquakes! Hey, a moving RV is a constant earthquake! To use this, pull off what you need, roll until soft, apply to the base of the object, then lightly press it to the surface. Later, it comes off clean. RVers love it! Cheap, too! Learn more or order.
Save money—don’t toss away good batteries!
Most RVers rely on battery-powered devices like flashlights, radios, lights, etc. But sometimes we can’t tell how much life a battery has LEFT, so we toss it. This inexpensive tester will alert you in an instant to a battery’s condition, saving you money from tossing ones with plenty of remaining life! Works on AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, and button-type batteries. Learn more or order.
Make RV driving days easier on your back, hips, and behind
If your hips and lower back start complaining after a few hours of driving, this memory foam wedge seat cushion can help. It adds a small lift for better posture and visibility while relieving pressure on your tailbone and lower back—something RVers and tow-vehicle drivers appreciate on long travel days. With supportive foam, a non-slip base, and a washable cover, it’s a simple upgrade that makes those miles much more comfortable.
The neatest RV “safe” we’ve ever seen… Fear losing your keys? There’s no perfect place to hide your keys in your campsite or RV that thieves can’t find. But HitchSafe may solve that problem. The HitchSafe slides into your hitch receiver and locks. When open, it is large enough for not only keys, but also an emergency credit card, cash or driver’s license. Then hide it with an ordinary-looking dust cover. Learn more about it here.
The best kitchen sink strainer—no more odors or clogs! If you’re unfamiliar with the revolutionary Kitchen SinkShroom, you’ll want to introduce yourself. This popular sink strainer prevents anything from going down your kitchen sink’s drain (in your house or RV). Say goodbye to odors and clogs. Read more about it and its partner, the TubShroom, here, or order one here.
Groove gap cleaning tool keeps bugs, dirt and grime out of windows and doors
This small, handheld groove gap cleaner cleans windows, sliding doors, shower door tracks, oven and sink gaps and more. This two-part gadget has a scraper for scraping up debris and dirt, and a brush for brushing it away! The elevated handle has finger grips for an easy hold. If it gets dirty, wash it with soap and water, and it’s just like new. Learn more or order.
Let your drill clean your RV… really!
This 4-piece cleaning brush attachment connects right to your drill. Deep-clean virtually any surface. Perfect for grout lines, corners, tiles, tubs, showers, carpets, wooden furniture, windows, shower doors, siding, linoleum, stoves, counters, fiberglass, grills, marble, and more. Learn more or order here.
Prevent crumbs or trash from falling through the seat cracks!
This is one brilliant product! The Drop Stop, the car seat gap filler, prevents anything from falling in front of, in between or behind your car or RV’s seats. It simply attaches to the seat belt catch and sits comfortably between your seat and the middle console. I think all of us here at RVtravel.com are going to go buy this 2-pack right now. How could we not?!Learn more or order.
Heated car blanket keeps you warm on the road
Do you fight with your partner about the heat in the car or RV? Are you always hot? Always cold? Well, for the one who is always cold, they probably need this 12-volt heated car blanket. You don’t have to blast the heat, and they stay warm. Win-win! Check it out.
Hide dirty laundry, and save space, too!
Sometimes where to put those worn clothes waiting for wash day is the pits. Many hide a basket in the shower stall, but here’s another approach: Hang that dirty laundry out—not for everyone to see, but on the back of a closet door. Zippers on this one make it easy to open, and the company includes a couple of different hooks to help you hang it. Find it here for a great price.
Turn your steering wheel into a table or desk
What a great idea! Hook this on your steering wheel and you’ll have an instant ergonomic desk. It’s very light, but sturdy enough to support a laptop, lunch or notepad. It mounts quickly on the steering wheel and is easily stowed in the back seat pocket. We love this! Learn more or order.
Keep insects and bird nests out of your RV furnace Wasps, mud daubers, birds and rodents pose a serious threat to the furnace on your RV. They can enter through the furnace vents. Their nests can interfere with air flow and cause serious damage. This pack comes with a few different screens so check which one will fit your vent. Here’s more info on these screens, and why they’re important. You can order them here.
Compression socks save your legs and feet
If you don’t believe us when we say these compression socks really work, look at the overwhelmingly positive reviews, and maybe you’ll change your mind. These socks provide instant relief to your arches and heels and work to increase blood and oxygen circulation, which helps reduce lactic acid buildup and aids muscle recovery in ankles and feet. Click here to learn more.
See every detail clearly with this 5X magnifier with LED light
See every detail clearly with this handheld LED magnifying glass. Featuring a large 4.72″ x 3″ rectangular lens with 5X magnification, crystal-clear acrylic optics, and 12 bright LEDs, it makes reading, crafting, or inspecting small items effortless. Lightweight, rechargeable, and ergonomically designed for comfort, it’s portable and perfect for seniors, hobbyists, or anyone who wants precision viewing anytime, anywhere. Learn more here.
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Fire-resistant bag keeps valuables safe!
This silicone-coated fire-resistant bag will save your money, documents, jewelry, passport and other valuables from a fire. Its two layers of supreme fire-retardant fiberglass material make it resist fire and heat up to 2000℉. It’s waterproof, too, so when the hoses arrive, your valuables won’t be harmed. Learn more or order.
Keep your glove box organized for once!
This glove box organizer will really help you out. Find what you need quickly, when you need it. It has six pockets inside and out for your vehicle or RV’s manuals, insurance cards, registrations, and more. It even has space for a pen or tire gauge and comes with a notepad. Learn more or order.
Remove ticks easily from people or pets! This Tick Twister Remover Set will remove ticks, large and small, without squeezing them, reducing the risk of infection. It does not leave the mouthparts of the tick in the skin. It’s the safest and easiest way to remove ticks and in just a few seconds. Helps prevent Lyme disease. Keep one of these in your RV. It’s tick season! Learn more or order.
Lap desk puts your back to rest! If you use your computer on your lap, read your Kindle on the couch, or have a hard time holding that heavy hardcover, you need this lap desk! Staff member Emily uses this when she works and highly recommends it. It has 8 adjustable levels and a stopper to hold objects upright. Great for those with lower back pain or bad posture. Learn more or order.
It’s time to clean your CPAP machine!
One of our past surveys told us that 53% of you (or your partner) use a CPAP machine. Wow! When was the last time your machine was cleaned thoroughly? They get very dirty! This highly rated cleaning kit will get out all those yucky germs and bacteria. The extendable brush will expand to 7 feet, but folds up into a small plastic bag so as to not take up too much room in your RV. If you use a CPAP, you’ll want to order this here.
Inflatable foot rest is comfortable for couch and passenger seat Now that’s cool! Miss your favorite recliner no more! This inflatable foot rest is perfect for lounging on the couch, in the chair by the campfire, or in the passenger seat for long drives. Take it on a plane ride, or take it to the grandkids’ sports games (we know those can get long). It weighs less than 1 lb. and folds down small for travel. Learn more about this comfy foot rest here.
Are you handy? So is this bucket cover! This “Bucket Boss” will change the way you work! Use this well-organized bucket cover as a toolbox (and never lose anything again), for your car and RV parts, for garden tools, and even for keeping gadgets organized. It couldn’t make things easier! We’re guessing that everyone who sees you using this will want one too! Learn more or order.
Say goodbye to rodents with Tomcat Rodent Repellent
The Camping Loop uses Tomcat Rodent Repellent spray to keep rodents away from his RV. Safe around kids and pets while repelling rodents. Use it on the RV frame, the outside electrical connections, around (but not on) the tires, etc. As it lasts about 9 months, Tomcat Rodent Repellent provides another form of cheap insurance against a mouse infestation. Watch the video and learn even more ways to keep rodents out of your RV.
Don’t struggle to get in or out of your car!
Easily get in and out of your car with these car door handle assist supports. The ergonomic design is comfortable and is suited for almost all cars with U-shaped latches. It will ease any worries of falling. They’re made of high-quality steel and are anti-rust and anti-corrosion. Each handle holds up to 400 lbs. Learn more about these here, and never struggle to get in or out of the car again!
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Never lose your glasses or sunglasses again—keep them nearby
This glasses holder clips to your car or RV’s visor so they’re always easily accessible to you. The glasses clip is closed with a magnet, holding it strong enough so that it won’t ever fall out, but is still easy enough to open with one hand. If you find yourself losing your glasses often, or have a hard time keeping them organized, this is for you. We love this! Learn more or order.
Prevent costly mistakes with these RVminders
Check out these RVminders and easily prevent costly mistakes! These bands wrap around your steering wheel and remind you to check things before you drive away. Never leave the steps or ladder down again. Antenna or satellite down? Slide locks in place? Doors, vents and windows closed? Compartment locks locked? Hookups disconnected? These are so easy to use they should be in every RV! Check ’em out.
Motion-sensing RV step lights automatically turn on and off
These lights are great if you spend any time outside in the dark. These waterproof motion-sensing lights easily attach to your stairs—no drilling or screws are required, just peel the tape off and attach the magnetic strips. Easy! The lights sense motion up to 10 feet away and will stay on for as long as they detect motion. After that, they’ll shut off automatically. Learn more or order.(Hint: These can be used in other dark places, too, like your cabinets, closets, or bathrooms!)
Grip tape won’t let you slip This heavy-duty grip tape sticks to any surface and gives you traction on things like your RV steps, ladder or roof, and at home on your deck or in your basement, or even on your boat. It’s good stuff to keep around. You can find it for a good price (and in multiple size rolls) here.
Hold the door open, will ya?
Reader Cliff Thomson recommends: “We got tired of the hook breaking on our front door and on the front cargo door on our fifth wheel. So we bought two magnetic door holders from Amazon. Last week, the door stayed open in a 35 mph wind. Since the magnet is spring-loaded, a push will release it.” The stopper is stainless steel and rust-proof. It attaches using a 3M adhesive sticker—no drilling or tools required!
Easily clean those stubborn bugs off your RV The Microfiber Mesh Bug and Tar Sponge has millions of tiny fibers embedded in the microfiber cloth that grabs and holds the dust and dirt. It is so effective it even cleans without chemicals, saving both time and money. Older nylon bug sponges can harm your clear coat, but this one is completely paint safe. Learn more or order.
Pocket-sized pain and bug bite itch relief
This small anti-itch and pain balm is good to keep in your pocket or purse any time you’re around pesky mosquitoes. It’s an all-natural balm made with essential oils that help relieve pain and reduce swelling. It also helps with spider bites and bee stings. Learn more or order. And see other bug-bite relief and prevention options in this article.
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Cleaning gel gets rid of dust and grime everywhere!
Say goodbye to dust and grime in hard-to-reach places. Give your car a professional-looking detail in minutes with this, and clean areas in your RV like vents, blinds, window and door grooves, computer keyboards, and so much more. This stuff is amazing! All natural ingredients and won’t damage any surface. Simply press/push it into those hard-to-reach places, pull it up, and watch everything sparkle. Learn more or order.
The glowing gadget with many uses for your RV
Forget bright lights at night and forget tripping over cords. Don’t ever hit your head on your slideout again, and never miss a step on your RV’s entry steps or ladder. Place this glow-in-the-dark tape on the things mentioned above, or on light switches, your dog’s collar, and much, much more. Read Gail Marsh’s article about how handy this stuff is. Then you can order here.
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Stick-on drain cover catches hair, food in bathroom and kitchen drains
These stick-on drain covers are perfect for RV sinks and showers and work for all RV drains. Don’t spend money on plumbing issues when something as simple as this will prevent future issues, saving you headaches and money. Stick on a drain cover and leave it on until it needs to be replaced. Easy! Learn more in this article by Dave Solberg, or order a pack for yourself here.
Spin-scrubbing brush cleans RVs inside and out
Cheri Sicard writes, “The spinning scrubber brush makes cleaning my RV so much easier. And with so many different attachments, I can use it to clean almost any surface, inside or out. I especially love the pointed brush as it gets into the cracks and crevices around the edges of the floor where dirt ALWAYS accumulates. The brush has also helped me clean the stove, bathtub, and even the RV’s exterior.” Learn more about it here. You can order it here.
The best trash can for your car or RV
This small trash can is made for cars and can be attached to either a headrest or the center console with adjustable straps. When it’s not being used, it collapses flat. It’s leakproof and waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about anything spilling. This could also be used as a storage container for drinks, snacks, or even pet toys. Learn more or order.
Rub on stain remover laundry stick and stains are gone!
Cheri Sicard loves the Cadie Stubborn Stain Remover laundry stick. She writes, “What is so great about a laundry stick stain remover? It’s the consistency of a stick deodorant. You just rub it on the stain and toss the clothes in the hamper until laundry day, when you wash as usual. Presto! No more stains.” Learn more about it here.
Attach items in your RV without using nails This super-strong double-sided adhesive tape will hang most objects in your RV without using nails. Works on wood, metal, plastic, aluminum or glass surfaces—indoors and outdoors. Use EZlifego tape to keep carpets in place. And it’s easy to remove and use again later. Highly rated. Learn more or order.
Keep your fridge and cupboards in order when you travel
Tired of stuff moving around in your RV’s fridge and cupboards after a day of driving? Here’s the solution. Camco’s spring-loaded RV Double Refrigerator Bar will keep your items in place. (The RVtravel.com staff uses a pair of these in their RV!) Learn more or order.
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Jar, bottle, and can opener good for weak hands This 6-in-1 jar and bottle opener has eight sizes of circular openings, making the jar opener extremely convenient for opening small and medium-sized lids. The hooks on the top can be used to open the large-size lids by breaking the air tightness, and can also be used to open the ring-pull cans. Learn more or order.
Small blind spot mirror good for all vehicles
If you don’t have one of these on your RV or tow vehicle, you need one! These small 2″ round glass blind spot mirrors easily stick onto your current mirror; no hard work is needed! They’re waterproof and rust-resistant and can rotate and sway to be adjusted for the best visibility. They’re affordable and could save you from an accident. Learn more or order.
Secure what’s on those corner shower shelves!
Don’t worry about moving your soap, shampoo or conditioner next time you drive down the road. Instead, easily install one of these stainless steel corner storage bars and keep everything in place—nothing will fall out ever again! These bars come in a one- or two-pack and can be adjusted to fit any shelf. They’re specifically made for RVs, which makes them even better! Learn more about them here or order them here.
Never get a blister again!
Gail Marsh writes, “Hiking and walking long distances would be great if it weren’t for the blisters! If that’s been your excuse, you definitely need this! I absolutely love this blister prevention balm. Yes, it prevents blisters! If you’re a walker, hiker, or just need to break in a new pair of shoes, trust me, you need this!”
Create extra storage with this stuffable pillow—fits clothes, bedding, towels, more!
This is one of those brilliant camping items every RVer should have. This pillowcase was designed to be stuffed with stuff! Stuff it with clothes (think winter jackets, holiday clothes, extra layers, etc.), extra bed sheets or pillowcases, extra towels… anything! Give yourself more closet space and storage space, and keep your extra things hidden in plain sight. Keep it on your bed, couch, or chair, and nobody will ever know! Check it out.
Use this portable, battery-operated ceiling fan anywhere!
This is pretty cool, isn’t it? This portable, battery-operated ceiling fan can hang anywhere like: over the picnic table, over your bed, over your hammock, over your desk, even over the BBQ… see? Anywhere! And it’s battery-operated and USB-rechargeable, so you don’t have to worry about outlets or long extension cords. This is the perfect summer gadget to keep cool. Learn more or order.
No more house flies, fruit flies, mosquitoes, or any flying insects in your RV again!
RVer Shay Matthews writes, “If you don’t have one of these Zevo insect traps yet, go get one! This photo was after four days of camping in our trailer.” The Zevo flying insect traps plug into any electrical outlet in your home or RV and attract all flying insects like house flies, fruit flies or gnats, and mosquitoes. It works 24/7 by using a powerful adhesive, which discreetly catches bugs. 76,000+ reviews! Learn more or order here.
Need a step up?
Car or truck roof too hard to reach? Designed to fit over almost any tire, the TireStep allows you to reach three important areas of your truck or SUV: the engine compartment, the roof, and the bed. For fifth wheel owners, the TireStep may be the helper you’ve been wanting for a long time and just didn’t know it. Reaching over the truck bed using the TireStep is not a problem while hitching or unhitching your rig. Learn more here or order here.
A DEET-free mosquito and tick repellent … that works! If you’re one of those people that mosquitoes love (we all know at least one person like this), this product is for you. A very impressive number of five-star reviews. This awesome DEET-free insect repellent works for mosquitoes, ticks, black flies and fleas. Keep this one handy, folks. As RVers, there’s a good chance you’ll probably need this. Learn more or order here.
Cordless camping fan clips or hangs on; works great!
Cheri Sicard loves her new USB-rechargeable clip-on or hanging camping fan. She says it’s the best one she’s ever tried, and it works perfectly for keeping her cool at night. The fan has three speeds and can run up to 65 hours on a single charge. Clip on or hang from just about any surface and it produces a strong wind for such a small fan. The fan also includes an LED lantern, and it has a USB-A port for charging cell phones, flashlights, and laptops. Impressive! Read more about it here.
Chuckie Rudziewicz on facebook.
Take the weight off your RV water hose, power cord with this easy trick
If your RV is like most, the city water inlet is mounted on the side—convenient for you, but not so great for your equipment. The weight of a full water hose can pull down on the hose fitting and inlet port, causing strain. The same goes for power cords that lock into the rig. To solve this, one RVer used 3M’s “Broom and Mop Grippers”—a peel-and-stick product. Mounted near the ground on the outside of the rig, the grippers help hold the weight of a foot or two of hose or cord, reducing stress on the connections. Learn more here.
The cozy chair blanket that keeps you warm year-round
Camping chairs aren’t just for summer! This soft, plush Sherpa chair cover is made with a cozy fleece side for comfort and a waterproof side that protects against wet, damp, dirty, cold, and chilly chairs. Plus, it makes hard chairs more comfortable! This durable, stylish cover prolongs furniture life, and adds extra warmth to chilly nights around the campfire, tailgating events, and more! It comes in three colors. Learn more or order.
An electric mousetrap that works
Keep unwanted rodents out of your RV with the Owltra electronic rodent trap—a clean, humane, and RV-friendly solution that actually works. Powered by just 4 AA batteries, the trap delivers a quick, high-voltage zap for instant elimination, no chemicals or glue. It’s pet-safe. When it’s time to empty, simply pop the magnetic lid and dump—no mess, no touching. Cheri Sicard recommends it here.
Keep your hands warm all winter long
These are Amazon’s best-selling rechargeable hand warmers. They come in many colors and heat up in just three seconds. They are ideal for outdoor walks, sports events, or cold morning chores. They’re small, lightweight, and easily fit in any pocket. Know someone who is always cold? They (or you!) need these!
Starlink Mini RV charger powers Starlink Mini and other devices at once
For RVers relying on a Starlink Mini, staying connected during long trips or off-grid adventures can be a challenge. The new JR-CL30 4-in-1 Starlink Mini RV charger delivers stable power to your Starlink Mini. At the same time, it can be charging multiple devices, helping you manage connectivity and gadgets on the road. Learn more here.
You deserve a new RV mattress!
Cheri Sicard recently purchased this RV mattress and loves it! She says this mattress changed her life. She writes, “It is the MOST COMFORTABLE mattress I have ever slept on in my entire life, and my quality of sleep (and life) has improved tremendously as a result of it.” And it’s below $250 on Amazon! Read her review here.
These blackout “curtains” take just 30 seconds to set up, fit any window
Tired of waking up in a bright room or falling asleep to bright lights outside? No more! These blackout curtains can be cut to fit any size window. No drilling required. Set up takes 30 seconds! Learn more or order for your home or RV.
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Have a hard time opening water bottle lids? These will help! Simply push one of these “lids” onto the water bottle lid, and voila, it’ll be much easier to twist off. These are designed with seniors and those with arthritis in mind, and they really help! Here’s an affordable pack of 3.
Heavy-duty Wrap-It storage straps are a must-have for RVers
Tired of all your cords getting tangled? That shouldn’t happen, and it won’t if you use these Wrap-It storage straps! Family-owned and made in the USA, these polypropylene straps hold up to 50 lbs.—perfect for RV hoses, extension cords, tools, and garage gear. One simple solution for a clean, pro-level organization. Come in a 6-pack! Learn more or order.
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Keep your windshield clean!
No more dirty windshield—inside or out! This windshield cleaner comes in three different sizes, and the large, swivel head easily wipes dirt, grime, dust, and whatever else is dirtying up your windshield right off. Too easy! Thank us later. Learn more or order.
Tiny, portable air purifier is RV-sized
If your RV ever smells a little too much like last night’s dinner—or the campground fire pit—this compact air purifier is a quiet hero. It uses a true HEPA filter to trap dust, pollen, smoke, pet dander, and odors, runs whisper-quiet in sleep mode, and is small enough for an RV, car, or bedside table. With simple touch controls and USB-C power, it’s an easy way to keep the air fresh and breathable wherever you park. Check it out.
A tiny heater perfect for small RV spaces
When the RV gets a little chilly, this compact personal heater adds just the right amount of warmth without taking up valuable space. About the size of a coffee mug, it’s designed to warm your immediate area—perfect for a desk, bedside table, or under your feet on cool mornings. Low wattage means it’s RV-friendly, easy to store, and a cozy little comfort for life in small spaces. Find it here, and read more about small RV heaters here.
Clear your mirrors in seconds with this simple gadget
Keep your view clear, no matter what the road or weather. This retractable rearview mirror wiper wipes away rain, mud or road spray with a simple slide. Don’t wait for the mirror defrost to kick in—this is faster! Easy to use and built for travel. Check it out.
A big-trash-bin alternative “I was struggling with keeping a trash receptacle in our motorhome…. I found this Glad Roomate Undercounter Waste Bin, in which regular plastic grocery bags fit perfectly. The lid opens two ways and can either clip to a door or drawer or be mounted with an adhesive strip. We both love the trash bin; it’s made our life in the RV much better.” Thanks for the tip, Chris (and Keri)!
No more stretching to reach your RV roof vent
This adjustable vent opener pole makes cranking open hard-to-reach roof vents simple—no climbing, straining, or wobbling on tiptoes. With an extendable handle and interchangeable heads that fit most RV vent knobs, it’s a handy tool for quick airflow adjustments without the hassle. Learn more or order.
An easy way to open all medicine bottles
This easy-grip medicine bottle opener is a simple daily helper for RVing seniors and caregivers. Designed for weak hands or arthritis, it adds extra leverage, includes a non-slip mat for one-handed use, and even has a built-in magnifier with LED light to read tiny labels. Small enough for the RV medicine cabinet, it makes managing prescriptions on the road a whole lot easier and less frustrating. Learn more or order.
Health/Safety
Peace of mind is the best thing you can pack in your RV.
3-in-1 NOAA radio, flashlight and phone charger must-have for RVers This emergency hand-crank radio is a necessity for RVers. Keep it somewhere safe—you never know when it will come in handy. The 3-in-1 radio is also a bright LED flashlight and a smartphone charger. The radio can be charged via solar charging, hand cranking or a USB plug. Learn more in this article, and you’ll want to buy one here.
Test the RV park water before you drink it How pure is the water at the RV park you just entered? Is it pure enough to drink or full of contaminants? This TDS meter provides an inexpensive and convenient way to instantly check your overall water quality. Don’t risk drinking bad water! Use this hand-held device to check the condition of your water filter, too. Every RVer should have one of these! Learn more or order.
Make sure to have this First Alert EZ Fire Spray in your RV The First Alert EZ Fire Spray portable fire extinguisher is easier to use and discharges 4 times longer than traditional fire extinguishers. With an aerosol nozzle and portable size, it’s suited for the kitchen, car, garage, boat or RV. The formula wipes away with a damp cloth and is biodegradable. Learn more or order.
Protect yourself from intruders, bears and more! The BASUeAlarm lets us explore, sleep, and adventure with confidence! This tiny device emits an ear-piercing alarm to scare away intruders, burglars, and wild animals, and will call for help if you’re stranded. You can count on this alarm to help keep you safe. Click here to order.
Tiny gadget might save your life
This keychain can be used in case of emergencies such as vehicle rollover, electrical system failure, car fire, floods, sinking, and more. The razor-sharp seatbelt cutter will free you within seconds, and the tempered glass window breaker will easily break your vehicle windows. Keep this where you can reach it while you’re driving. At all times.
The small but mighty Reese trailer hitch coupler lock
The Reese trailer hitch coupler lock keeps your travel trailer safe! The way it’s set up, it is impossible to get bolt cutters around it and it’s incredibly sturdy and well-made. It’s inexpensive, small, and ensures that the coupler stays closed while driving. It can even be used when unhitched! Learn more about it hereor order one here.
Afraid of water damage in your RV? You need this! This essential water damage tool helps home and RV owners measure moisture content in wood, concrete, drywall, and subflooring. Use the pin sensors to find the moisture content in your home or RV. The easy-to-read LCD will help you know if you need to dry the existing materials or replace them with brand-new ones, and can be used as a water leak detector after flood damage. You’ll want to buy this here.
Natural gas detector could save your life
After a propane near-disaster in Nanci Dixon’s RV, she was very grateful to have this natural gas detector. She recommends all RVers carry one. It is compatible with a wide range of combustible gases: LPG, methane, ethane, propane, butane, natural gas, coal gas, gas fuel, and liquefied natural gas. Read about Nanci’s near-disaster here, and make sure you order one of these for your RV.
This should be in every first aid kit to stop bleeding
BleedStop is an anti-bleeding powder to apply to cuts and wounds to stop bleeding. It is made from ferrous sulfate, ammonium alum, chloroxylenol and tannic acid and can slow down or completely stop bleeding. It does not need to be washed off and a bandage can be applied right over the powder. This should be in every first-aid kit, especially for people who take blood thinners! Read more about it here or order some here.
Must have: Affordable, simple solution for low voltage protection
Klein Tool’s RT250 is an electrical receptacle tester that tests the wiring conditions at an electrical outlet. Its LCD displays the voltage and identifies wiring faults. You could use an adapter to “step down” from the 30-amp outlet (or maybe two to come down from 50-amp outlets), testing the circuit before you plug in your shore power cord. Continue reading and make sure you have one of these!
Please, please, please have good windshield wipers for winter!
Did you know you could buy windshield wipers for your car and RV on Amazon? Here are motorhome wipers, and here are all car wipers. Winter is not the time for bad wipers!
These glasses are specifically made for driving at night
Night driving doesn’t have to be stressful. These night vision glasses reduce glare from headlights and streetlights, helping sharpen contrast and ease eye fatigue after a long day on the road. They slip easily over regular glasses (or work fine on their own), and wrap comfortably for peripheral vision. They come in multiple frame colors for men and women.
Reinforce your RV’s screen door in seconds
Give your RV screen door a little extra love. This lightweight aluminum grab bar reinforces and protects your door, helps prevent everyday damage, and adds a comfortable, secure grip. Fully pre-assembled and adjustable to fit most RVs, it installs fast and makes every in-and-out smoother and safer. Learn more or order.
Easily check the tire pressure on your inner dual tires
Do you have trouble reading the tire pressure on your RV’s inner duals? This dual-head tire pressure gauge with an extension steel shaft will reach where a standard gauge won’t. Be sure you know the pressure of all your tires, or risk a potentially dangerous blowout. No batteries required. Learn more or order.
Maintenance/Repair
RVer truth: The one tool you don’t pack is the one you’ll need.
Protect your RV parts from rust and corrosion T-9 is the RV technician’s choice for attacking corrosion, loosening rusty parts, and flushing out old lubricants. It permeates metal crevices and seeps deep inside assembled components to leave a durable protective coating, lubricating without dismantling equipment. T-9 will not harm paint, plastic, rubber, fiberglass or vinyl. It can be used on engines, wiring, and belts, and is safe on electronics. Boeshield T-9 was developed by Boeing for lubrication and protection of all components. Learn more or order.
An all-metal RV water heater tank rinser wand that works and won’t fly off!
Nanci Dixon shares her new favorite all-metal water heater tank rinser. “It is practically guaranteed to not come apart in the tank. I made sure to pick the one that came with an adaptor to fit a garden hose with an on/off lever. … The wand can go in far enough to cover the whole tank, and the nozzle can be turned down to flush out the deposits on the bottom.” Read Nanci’s review here and order one for your RV.
Penetrating oil can save the day!
It can be a bad day on the road if you break down and need to loosen a screw or bolt, and it won’t budge. Here’s help: This rust eater, deep penetrating oil will penetrate rust, scale and corrosion to free parts and assemblies instantly. It will free up rusted machine screws, bolts, nuts, clamps for mufflers and tailpipes, locks and more. You need this! Learn more.
🔧 Dave Solberg’s toolbox pick
The one tool every RVer should carry for troubleshooting
When something in your RV stops working, guessing won’t fix it—you need real numbers. A good multimeter lets you quickly check campground power, test batteries, confirm 12-volt and 120-volt voltage, and diagnose wiring or fuse issues before they turn into expensive repairs. Accurate and easy to use, it’s one of those tools you may not use every day—but when you need it, you’ll be glad it’s in your toolbox. Learn more about it in Dave’s article here.
Clean those dirty, cloudy, dim headlights!
Cloudy headlights don’t just look bad, but they make night driving harder. This easy, three-step headlight restoration kit clears away oxidation and restores headlights to like-new clarity in about 30 minutes, with no power tools required. The real win? A ceramic coating that bonds to your headlights and protects them from UV damage for the long haul. A simple, satisfying fix for drivers who want safer, brighter nights on the road.
Every RVer needs a good set of pliers
An RV toolbox is not complete without a good set of pliers. These fit the bill. The channel locks are ideal for any plumbing connection or nut/bolt where you need more leverage. Needle nose are great for wiring. Electricians’ pliers and wire snips are essential for electrical work. General-purpose pliers help in many other ways. Learn more or order.
Window or door screens damaged or torn? This helps!
If you have damaged window or door screens in your home or RV, this screen-repair tape will help. No tools or special skills required. Simply cut, peel, and stick for a fast, permanent, and hassle-free solution that anyone can complete in just minutes. You won’t be able to tell there was ever a hole or tear! Don’t let any bugs in your RV this summer! Learn more or order.
🔥 Reader favorite
Sewer fitting grip help gadget to the rescue!
If you find the bayonet mounts for your sewer hose connections are getting a bit hard to twist off and on (hate to say it, but it sometimes comes with age), here’s a tool that might help. An adjustable oil filter wrench, made to get a grip around automotive oil filters, can also provide a handy grip and plenty of leverage on the bayonet fitting of your sewer hose, and the termination cap as well.Here’s the one we recommend.
🛠 Dustin Simpson’s maintenance must-have
Thetford’s toilet seal isn’t crappy!
Thetford’s Toilet Seal Lube and Conditioner works on all RV and boat toilets and protects the seal from drying out. If your toilet’s seal dries out, it can prevent it from sealing and holding water. You don’t want that! This is one of those products you should really use, even if dealing with your toilet isn’t your all-time favorite thing to do. Learn more about it here or order it here.
Roof vent not doing its job? Here’s a solution…
If you smell your toilet when driving your motorhome down the road, it’s because the odor is being drawn into the RV and not outside via the roof vent. The solution is to get an inexpensive 360 Siphon Roof Vent. It works for all RVs, even when the RV is not moving, like in a campground. Keep the stink away.
🛠 Dustin Simpson’s maintenance must-have
The best caulking gun for RVers
Completing repairs and maintenance is a whole lot easier when you have the right tools on hand. Reseal your RV with the BEST caulking gun! This one is favored by RV technicians. If you’ve ever had to reseal any part of your RV, you know how tired your hand gets. This relieves hand pain and makes the job easy. Learn more in this article, or buy one here.
Tape fuses together to create waterproof seal
Rather than an adhesive, this type of tape fuses to itself. It makes a totally waterproof seal that can be used to repair the insulation on electrical wiring in the field. It has all kinds of other emergency uses advertised, such as a quick fix for a leaking radiator hose, so it certainly deserves a place in your RV toolbox since it’s a multi-tasking piece of equipment that could save your bacon. Learn more or order.
Don’t take a break on your brakes! Wonder what it would be like to have your brakes go out while you’re going down a long, steep grade? Well, you might find out if your brake fluid is moisture-contaminated. Water in brake fluid boils and can wipe out your braking ability! Buy a brake-fluid tester for less than $10 that warns you if there’s too much water in your fluid. Simply dip the tester into your rig’s brake fluid, and you’ll be able to see where you stand. Learn more or order.
🔥 Reader favorite
A “cool tool” indeed: The Magnetizer/Demagnetizer
This gadget, recommended by Dave Solberg and Dustin Simpson, instantly magnetizes or demagnetizes steel tools and other small parts. You can convert any tool blade to a magnetic retriever of things like screws, nuts, and metallic particles. No batteries or electricity required. Never lose a screw again! Read more about it here, or buy one for yourself here.
Stinky sewer dump? This will do the trick!
If a sewer hose doesn’t fit tightly, sewer gases will escape and make the odor when dumping almost unbearable. It’s embarrassing and disgusting! This sewer adapter hose seal plugs the hole. No more stink! Read more about it here or order one here.
Hitch Ball Lubricant extends the life of your hitch mount!
Protect hitch balls and receivers from corrosion with this high-film strength and waterproof grease. Formulated to stay where you apply it, this lubricant reduces friction, wear, rust, water corrosion and noise. Compatible with any variety of trailer applications like receiver hitches, ball mounts, hitch balls, locks, couplers, jacks, and more. Learn more or order.
Affordable tire tool will save you tons of trouble
What gives when you think your tires are “good to go” but down on air again the next day? Your valve stem valve probably isn’t tight enough. A loose, leaking valve stem can cause a tire failure due to low pressure under load at highway speeds. So pick up one of these very inexpensive tools and make sure your valve cores are snugly seated in the valve stem. Click here to order.
RV’s leather furniture cracking, peeling, or dulling? Here’s a fix
Dustin Simpson: “Everything from the oil in your skin, the products we wear, sun exposure, moisture in the RV, and storage temperatures can cause the materials on your RV furniture to break down. Do regular cleaning: wiping off furniture with 303 Leather 3-in-1 Complete Care to regularly remove sand, dirt, and other grime. The best way to maximize the longevity of your furniture is to keep it clean because the longer these residues soak into your furniture, the quicker those materials break down.”
Get rid of those decal “ghosts”!
If you use a coin to remove old decals from your RV, you may have an unwelcome guest when the job’s done: decal “ghosts”—shadowy after-images imprinted in the Filon siding. The solution? A heavy-duty oxidation remover! Pour the remover onto a rough sponge and scrub the Filon in circles. The yellow oxidation will come right up and your RV will look good as new! It will also remove stains, scratches and water spots. Learn more or order here.
Device keeps fresh water tank clean
Tony Barthel writes: “The RV Inline Sanitizer is the simplest of solutions. It’s essentially a reservoir in which you put bleach and then use a source hose and a delivery hose to fill your fresh water tank. The sanitizer effectively adds the bleach as you fill the tank. It is truly that simple.” Read more about this nifty device here or order it here.
🔥 Reader favorite
The best product for holding tank sensor maintenance
Dustin Simpson writes, “At some point, you’ve emptied your tanks only to find that your sensors are reading full. Over time, holding tank sensor probes build up with sludge/scum, which causes incorrect readings. Thetford’s Level Gauge Cleaner is specially formulated to dissolve tissue, waste, sludge and soap scum buildup and works with both black and gray water tanks on all RVs. It prevents buildups and restores level sensor operation fast. Read more about it here.
🔥 Reader favorite
New and improved Dump Buddy is a must-have gadget for RV dumping
Don’t miss Tony Barthel’s updated review of the new and improved Dump Buddy. What’s a Dump Buddy? It’s essentially a plastic collar that goes around a sewer pipe in the ground and then another one that goes around your sewer hose elbow. You simply use the knob to tighten the collar around the sewer pipe and then flip up the second collar and tighten that around the sewer hose. Read Tony’s review here or order on Amazon.
Time to change your water filter Camco’s TastePURE Water Filter with Flexible Hose Protector reduces bad taste, odor, chlorine, and sediment in drinking water with a 20-micron fiber filter. Its durable in-line, exterior mount filter has a wider body to increase flow. Use it at your campsite to keep sediment out of your RV water tank and to improve the taste and smell of your drinking water for a whole season. This is essential.Learn more or order.
RVer compares black tank treatments: These two work!
Joshua from RV Gear & Far tests eight different black tank treatments to see which ones work and which ones don’t. Spoiler alert:Liquified and Unique RV Digest-It+ were the big winners when it came to breaking down the waste. Read the story and watch the video to compare. (We’re buying some Liquified right now!)
These hose quick connectors stop all leaking
Nanci Dixon writes, “We love quick connector hose fittings. I use them everywhere we have a hose going… one on the water faucet pressure valve, one on the hose going to and from the water filters, another on the water softener, one on the flush hose, and even on the water sprayer! Quick connectors make it so much quicker… except when they don’t. And when they don’t, they leak. … I bought two new sets and no more leaking.” See how well they work here.
New high-quality water flow meter; perfect for flushing holding tanks Nanci Dixon writes, “I’ll admit it, I am rather compulsive about dumping and flushing my holding tanks, and I have gone through a number of water flow meters. A water flow meter measures how many gallons of water are going from a faucet to a water hose. Inevitably, in time, they leak, so I was back on Amazon looking for a different brand. This was the meter that was recommended to me, and wow, does it work! Read my review here.”
A happy camper for Happy Campers black tank treatment
“We have battled black tank odor off and on for years. We’ve tried just about everything—flush, flush, flush! We’ve hosed water down the vent on top of the RV to make sure the vent was actually connected to the black tank. Not to mention, I can’t even count the number of different brands of black tank deodorant and tissue digester we’ve tried. Nothing seemed to work until Happy Campers…” Continue reading Nanci’s review.
Have a paint nick or chip on your RV? Here’s an easy trick
Nanci Dixon writes, “After many miles and a few gravel roads, our motorhome had a number of paint chips and nicks. The last time we were at the manufacturer’s to have a few warranty items taken care of, I had the paint chips fixed, too. They showed me an easy fix—use mini automotive repair paint sticks or brushes. Works like a charm. Here are the paintbrushes I used.” To learn more about the process, read Nanci’s article here.
🛠 Dustin Simpson’s maintenance must-have
Gadget makes RV battery maintenance EASY!
Dustin Simpson writes, “Maintaining the distilled water in your RV battery has never been simpler! This 2-quart battery filler design has been around for years and offers a convenient spring-loaded filler valve that helps keep any shop, garage, or workplace clean. It’s perfect for checking and filling water in your RV batteries. This easy-to-use maintenance tool takes the annoying chore out of watering batteries.” Learn more here.
Squeaky, stiff or stuck RV windows? This will help
Gail Marsh writes, “Sliding RV windows are convenient, but after a while, they can begin to squeak or become difficult to open and close. Dust, dirt, and travel road grime can be the culprits. First, clean the tracks, then add a lubricant. Spray a little on a cloth and wipe down the track of the window where it slides. You can also use a dry lubricant specifically made for RV windows like this, if you prefer.” Learn more in Gail’s story here.
🔧 Dave Solberg’s toolbox pick
Protect your battery terminals
Battery terminals and cable ends should be cleaned using a mixture of baking soda and distilled water with a wire brush. A commercial battery cleaner, such as CRC Battery Cleaner with Acid Indicator, can also be used. This product changes color from yellow to pink when acid is present outside the cells, helping identify problem areas. You can find it on Amazon here or learn more about protecting your battery terminals here.
🛠 Dustin Simpson’s maintenance must-have
Cool RV Tools: Meet the Spider Tool Holster Bitgripper
These “cool tools” are tools and gadgets that we actually use in the RV industry! We also believe they will be helpful to you. Today, we’re looking at the Spider Tool Holster Bitgripper. This is a great RV gadget for your drill gun or impact gun. It comes as a two-pack and has a high-strength 3M adhesive bit holder. This add-on is for easy access to six driver bits on the side of your power drill or driver gun. Learn more.
🛠 Dustin Simpson’s maintenance must-have
Keep your RV slide-outs moving smoothly with Camco’s Slide-Out Lube & Protectant
Is your RV’s slide-out making strange noises or not operating as smoothly as it should? Let us introduce you to Camco Slide-Out Lube & Protectant, a must-have product to keep your slide-outs working flawlessly. Learn how to use this lubricant to reduce noise, prevent wear and tear, and ensure your slide-out operates as smoothly as the day you bought your RV. Click here to learn more.
Tank Blaster to the rescue—It really works!
Nanci Dixon writes, “Our gray water tank sensors had started reading 67% or 100% almost constantly, even after dumping. Not wanting to risk a backflow of gray water into our shower, we had started pulling the handle to dump the gray water way too often. Thetford’s Tank Blaster to the rescue!” Continue reading her review. (Hint: she loves it!)
🔥 Reader favorite
Every RVer needs drain valve lubricant to protect their valves
Dustin Simpson writes, “Your RV’s dump valves play a critical role in managing the waste from your gray and black water tanks. These valves need to operate smoothly to ensure proper drainage and prevent leaks or clogs. Over time, the seals and moving parts within the dump valves can dry out, leading to stiffness, leaks, or complete failure. Regular lubrication is essential.” Learn more in Dustin’s article or order some here.
Water check valve prevents your fresh water from draining
Nanci Dixon recently discovered an empty freshwater tank upon arriving at a campground. The culprit was a small part she never even knew existed—the water check valve. She writes, “After a recent dilemma, at least 50 people responded and said our water check valve went bad. I had no idea what or where that was. I do now—and I have a spare!” Learn more about this small, inexpensive gadget and why it is so essential here.
🛠 Dustin Simpson’s maintenance must-have
Keep this product on hand for easy RV underbelly repair If road debris or a tire blowout has damaged the underside of your RV, you might be tempted to reach for duct tape—but it won’t hold for long. Most tapes don’t stick well to underbelly material, and repairsdon’t last. Instead, keep a roll of underbelly repair tape on hand; It’s designed specifically for RVs, with a strong, waterproof, and permanent adhesive that seals rips and holes for good. Learn more about it here, or order a roll here.
Rust and/or corrosion affecting parts of your RV? This will help!
CorrosionX stops rust and corrosion with a unique coating that sticks to metal like a magnet to resist displacement by friction or pressure and lubricates under extreme loads and high temperatures—perfect for RVs. It penetrates faster and further to break free rusted nuts, bolts and fittings within minutes and it’s safe on electronics and won’t interfere with circuits. Learn more or order.
Hold that nail in place—Don’t smash your fingers or let it go in crooked!
This is the perfect tool for anyone who doesn’t like tools! Use these “pliers” to hold nails in place so you can hammer away without worrying about smashing your fingers. This little tool fits all types and sizes of nails and has a handle that’s easy to grip, so nothing will slip out of place. It also prevents nails from going in crooked. Keep this affordable tool in your toolbox and thank us later! Learn more or order.
Make those wheels sparkle!
When was the last time you actually noticed your wheels and hubcaps? Probably not recently because we’re guessing they’re covered in dust, dirt, oil and grime. This amazing SONAX Wheel Cleaner will make them sparkle again. Its acid-free, ph-balanced formula won’t damage a thing. Just spray it on, watch it clean right before your eyes, and wipe it off. It’s that easy! Learn more or order for a great (and worth-it) price.
Are quick-release hose connectors worth having? Oh, yeah!
Gail Marsh writes, “Setting up in an unexpected downpour of rain was all it took for these quick-release hose connectors to become one of hubby’s favorite RV gadgets. Do you use them? We’ve put them on our drinking water hose and black water rinse hose, and they really live up to their name! If you don’t have these, you’ll want them after reading this.
Protect your RV decals with RejeX!
Tired of worrying about waxing over vinyl decals? RejeX is a liquid coating that seals, protects, and extends the life of your RV’s decals—without masking or fuss. Trusted by experts and backed by advanced aerospace technology, it’s easy to apply and keeps your graphics looking vibrant. Get your RV shining and protected today!
The best socket set for RVs—ALWAYS carry one in truck or trailer!
Tackle nearly any RV, truck, or trailer job with the NEIKO 02282B 1/2-Inch-Drive Impact Socket Set. JD from Big Truck Big RV calls it one of his most-used tools of all time. These thin-walled, impact-rated sockets fit tight spaces that others can’t, making tire changes, stabilizer jack adjustments, and other RV tasks fast and easy. Durable, compact, and designed for heavy-duty use. Watch JD’s video or learn more and order.
🔧 Dave Solberg’s toolbox pick
What’s the best black tank treatment? This!
Recently, Dave Solberg was asked what he thinks the best black tank treatment on the market is. His answer? “RV Digest-It Plus is the best product, as the proteins help the aerobic bacteria break down the sewage.” You can read more in Dave’s article here, and find RV Digest-It Plus on Amazon here.
The best lube for your RV locks
At least every six months, inspect each storage compartment’s components on your RV. This includes the hinges, locks, and seals. The preferred lubricant for RV storage compartment locks is a Teflon or graphite dry lube like Houdini Lock Lube, which cleans the lock and keeps the mechanism working smoothly. It repels dust and dirt, and prevents the gooey mess that other lubricants cause.
Do you have a portable jump starter for your RV? You need one! It’s a must-have item and could save you big bucks and money! Here’s the best one.
Telescoping magnetic grabber saves money and my day
When my car battery died, my dad (our publisher, Chuck) helped me replace it. Just as he tightened the last screw, the metal piece slipped and disappeared deep into the engine bay. With the battery barely secure, we headed to the auto parts store—where a clerk said, “Wait! I have a tool for that!” and brought out his magnetic grabber tool. He slid it down into the depths of the hood, looked around, and boom! The piece instantly stuck to the strong magnet, and he pulled it out. I suggest we ALL carry this in our toolkits from now on… Chances are you’ll need one someday, too!
🔧 Dave Solberg’s toolbox pick
Every RVer needs an endoscope—Here’s why:
RVs are packed with hidden spaces that are nearly impossible to see or reach. From A/C ducts to buried plumbing lines, problems can hide anywhere. An endoscope connects to your phone, letting you peek into those tight spots and troubleshoot with confidence. You can check out Dave’s favorite endoscope on Amazon here, or continue reading about this gadget in Dave’s review here.
🔧 Dave Solberg’s toolbox pick
Something wrong with your RV? To diagnose, first test the airflow
Dave Solberg writes, “To troubleshoot properly, you need to know how a component should operate and get accurate readings for temperature, voltage, airflow, and more. This airflow meter—an anemometer—measures airflow per minute and temperature.” It’s one of Dave’s top-recommended tools. Read his article or order one here.
🔧 Dave Solberg’s toolbox pick
One spray protects your RV’s most important electrical connection
Corroded plugs cause big problems and this simple electrical cleaner helps stop them before they start. A quick spray on your 7-pin connector clears moisture, grime, and buildup, helping keep your lights, brakes, and charging systems working as they should. It dries fast, leaves no residue, and takes about 10 seconds to use—making it one of the easiest “preventive maintenance” habits an RVer can add before hitting the road. Read Dave’s recommendation here, or learn more or order on Amazon.
Funny/Gifts/Clothing/Games
RV-themed gifts fall into two categories:
1) Actually useful
2) Makes everyone laugh at the campsite.
🔥 Reader favorite
Doctor’s order: Coffee!
This coffee mug is hilarious! It’s perfect for yourself or the coffee-lover in your life who just cannot live without coffee. This high-quality mug is made from ceramic and painted to look like a prescription pill bottle—it’s just what the doctor ordered! You can’t order this from a barista, but you canorder one here.
Your hot and cold beverages will taste better in this!
Isn’t this the coolest mug/thermos you’ve ever seen? We can’t imagine a more perfect vessel for your drinks if you’re an RVer, car or truck lover! The stainless steel liner will keep your hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for two hours—no more cold coffee! If you buy this as a gift, make sure to get one for yourself, too!
Give the most patriotic RVing gift of all time
If you’re going to be patriotic, why not do so with an American flag made out of motorhomes? How cool is this shirt? It comes in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes, so you can match with the whole family. And it’s 100% cotton, so you know it will be soft! This is so neat! Get one for yourself here.
Fun! The Motor Mixer stirs your beverages
This is so funny! We love it! This little motorized stirrer is pure fun in a mug. Shaped like a tiny vintage outboard motor, it winds up by hand (no batteries!) and gently mixes coffee, tea, or hot chocolate while giving you a grin every time you use it. Check it out.
By far the coolest bottle opener for RVers!
Look at this adorable vintage trailer bottle opener! You’d be the star of the campground if you opened everyone’s beer or soda with it! It’s a magnet, so you can always find it on your fridge, and it comes in two color combinations. It would make a great gift, too! Learn more or order.
A Year of Us: One question a day for couples
Having a journal like this is such a wonderful way to bond with your partner. It only takes a few minutes to fill out each day, and it will be something you’ll be so happy to look back on years down the road. A Year of Us: A Couples Journal, asks daily questions that spark everyday conversations. Learn more or order.
Here’s an idea for you: Record your history Record your family history on your iPhone or video camera. If you want some inspiration, we recommend you get the book To Our Children’s Children. It will prompt many ideas of what to talk about. Your children and grandchildren will appreciate this when you are gone. Think about it—Wouldn’t you love it if your parents had done this for you?
Stay warm and cozy in RV slippers!
These adorable trailer-themed slippers are just what your favorite RVer needs to get them through the winter months. They’re ultra-soft, warm, and comfortable, and have nonslip soles so you won’t slip and slide across your RV’s floors. They come in two sizes S/M and L/XL, so every foot will be happy! Check ’em out here.
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!)
RVing earrings for that special lady in your life (or you!)
Name a cuter accessory, we dare you! That’s right, there isn’t one! These adorable acrylic dangle vintage travel trailer earrings are the accessory of the season and make the perfect gift and stocking stuffer for the lucky lady in your life. And yes, that lucky lady could be yourself! These are lightweight and have the design on both sides. Learn more or order for a great price, and check out the other designs, too!
Not just for kids! This RV coloring book is for adults, too
When was the last time you colored? We bet it’s been a while. Re-learn the therapeutic comforts of this pastime and start coloring! This coloring book for adults featured hand-drawn designs of RVs of all kinds and beautiful natural scenes. It makes a great gift, too. Give coloring a try again… we bet you’ll love it! Learn more here. (And no, it’s not just for adults—kids would love it, too.)
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!
The cutest camping decor we’ve ever seen…
You’ll make everyone jealous! These battery-operated mini LED kerosene lanterns are by far the cutest piece of camping-themed decor we’ve ever seen. These string lights are perfect for both indoor and outdoor lighting. Wrap them around the trees, patio decks, door frames, or windows for a party, holiday or summer decor. We’re ordering some for ourselves here…
20 camping games and puzzles that make perfect gifts
Spending time indoors this winter, especially if you’re not traveling south, can be a bummer. It’s cold, it’s rainy, it’s snowy… yuck! What’s better than getting cozy and doing a puzzle or playing a game? These 15 games and puzzles are camping and RV-themed! You’ll love them and they’ll be a blast for the whole family (or just you!). Check them out.
Good bumper sticker for a motorhome! Find it here.
Food/Cooking/Kitchen
“The smaller the kitchen, the more creative the cook.”
🔥 Reader favorite
The best marshmallow (and more) roaster!
This is hilarious! Take your marshmallow or hot-dog-roasting to a whole new level with this roasting reel. Give it a crank at the perfect speed, and you’ll have the perfectly roasted or toasted… whatever… in no time! Makes a great and funny gift. Find it here.
Keep your Blackstone/griddle good-as-new
This simple griddle cleaning kit helps RVers keep their flat-top grills in great shape trip after trip. With scrapers, scouring pads, and a pumice grill stone, it quickly removes grease, burnt bits, and buildup without scratching the surface. Clean before and after cooking, and your griddle will last longer—and be ready for the next campsite breakfast. Learn more about cleaning your Blackstone in Gail’s article here, or buy this griddle kit here.
Never let your coffee (or any hot drink) get cold again!
Cold coffee happens fast in an RV—this mug warmer fixes that. Keep your mug on it and it’ll never get cold! With three temperature settings, a large heating surface, and auto shut-off for safety, it keeps your coffee or tea warm while you read, work, or watch the view outside your window. Compact, spill-resistant, and easy to stash when it’s time to roll. Plus, we love the wood design on this one. Learn more or order.
A gadget that makes breakfast sandwiches for you? Yup!
This incredible breakfast sandwich maker cooks your custom sandwich in just five minutes! Perfect for an easy, on-the-go breakfast or lunch. All you have to do is add your bread, an egg, meat, veggie and cheese of choice, press the maker into action and voila—the perfect warm, melty, toasted breakfast sandwich pops out. They have a single maker or a double if there are two of you.
Cooking for two? It’s never been easier!
This cookbook from the beloved America’s Test Kitchen brings you 650 delicious recipes specifically designed for just two people! 150 of those recipes can be on the table within 30 minutes or less. This cookbook has it all! Look through some of the recipes, read the amazing reviews, or order here.
Universal lid fits all your pots and pans!
This incredibly handy universal pot and pan lid will fit [almost] every pot and pan in your RV kitchen! Works with fry pans, pots, saucepans, skillets, stockpots, woks, cast iron pans and more! Eliminate kitchen cabinet clutter with this multipurpose, compact lid. Don’t you wish you had known about this sooner? Learn more or order.
A toaster fit for an RV!
Want to keep a toaster in your RV but don’t have the space for it? This slim, compact toaster is made for RVs—it’s not even 4 inches wide! The slots for your toast are normal width, and can even reheat and defrost foods, too! It’s easy to use, and the reviews are stellar! Plus, it comes in many colors. Learn more or order one for your RV here. Happy toasting!
Keep your brain sharp and your knives sharper! Tired of dull knives in the kitchen? This easy-to-use knife sharpener (used by staff members Emily, Chuck and Nanci!) sharpens your knives with a few quick strokes. You’ll feel like a professional! The sharpener has two settings: one for polishing the knife and for quick touch-ups, and another for dull, damaged knives. Its small size is perfect for an RV, and it’s a great price! Learn more or order here.
The smallest, most brilliant cutlery organizer for your RV
It’s like this was made for RVs! Usually cutlery organizers take up entire drawers—you know those ones that spread out and take up unnecessary space. This one doesn’t do that! This small, compact tray organizes your cutlery in an amazing space-saving way. It fits up to 24 pieces of cutlery, so you’re not losing any space! Check it out and order one for yourself.
🔥 Reader favorite
Bacon without all the grease? Yup, it’s possible!
This incredible microwave bacon cooker is loved (we mean REALLY loved) by everyone. (Look at those reviews!) It doesn’t cook in the fat so it’s much healthier but still has that great taste everyone loves. It reduces fat up to 35 percent, which means you can justify eating 35 percent more bacon! It’s easy to use and dishwasher-safe. Learn more or order.
Use handy silicone lids for cooking and storage Use on the stove, in the microwave or oven, or to seal containers instead of using plastic wrap or foil. They’re BPA-, phthalate-, and PVC-free and heat-resistant to 440 degrees. Press down gently in the center of the lid for an airtight seal. Use to replace missing or broken lids. Use on leftovers and to keep salads and fruits fresh! Learn more or order.
A thing that does all things!
This large silicone pad can be used in your microwave under hot bowls to pick them up, or on top of a dish as a splatter guard, on your table as a hot plate, a drying rack, or even as a jar opener. When it gets messy just toss it in the sink for a wash, or even put it in the dishwasher. An affordable price on Amazon makes it a great deal. Talk about a great multi-tasking gadget for your RV (or home) kitchen.
Collapsible salad spinner stores flat for RV kitchen
Salad spinners tend to take up a lot of precious, limited RV kitchen space. This PrepWorks spinner folds down almost flat, so you can keep it nice and organized. It’s got an easy-to-use crank handle, which quickly dries lettuce or other veggies. You can use the nicely designed outer bowl as a serving dish, so you’ve got two in one. And it’s dishwasher safe for easy cleanup! Learn more or order.
Angry Mama steam cleans your microwave in minutes!
Just add vinegar and water to the Angry Mama microwave steam cleaner and watch her make your microwave appear brand-new! Place her in the microwave for a few minutes and then easily wipe away all the gunk! She might be angry, but she gets the job done! Learn more or order for a great price.
Make an omelet in seconds! Tired of making omelets and dealing with the mess, cleanup, and timely preparation? This microwaveable omelet maker saves the day! This handy gadget makes omelets in just three easy steps: beat eggs and milk, add ingredients, microwave and eat! It promotes healthy eating by cutting out butter, oil and grease. No dirtying pans, and it’s dishwasher-safe! Learn more or buy this breakfast-saver here.
Cut up a whole watermelon in minutes! This stainless steel watermelon slicer works like magic! If you eat watermelon, you need this! Simply push the tool into the watermelon, and pull out perfectly cubed pieces of this sweet summer treat. It couldn’t be easier. And it’s a melon baller, too! Learn more or order here.
🔥 Reader favorite
The “Fasta Pasta” pasta cooker cooks pasta perfectly; minimal water and no propane
Nanci Dixon writes, “This is my new favorite ‘As seen on TV’ Fasta Pasta pasta cooker. It really is perfect for the RV!” To cook the perfect pasta all you do is add pasta, water, and microwave. It uses little water and no propane—no “real” cooking involved. Read Nanci’s review of it here. It’s great!
🔥 Reader favorite
Lodge cast iron scrapers: Small gadget, big results Cheri Sicard writes, “Sometimes the smallest tools make the biggest difference—like these Lodge Cast Iron Scrapers. This simple plastic scraper lifts off stuck-on food with ease, no scratching or buildup. Now I use them all the time.” The two-pack includes a pan scraper and a grill scraper, both made of durable, dishwasher-safe polycarbonate with edges that fit different pan shapes. If you cook with cast iron, you’ll love how effortlessly these work. Learn more here.
Toss and Chop food prep and salad scissors make chopping a breeze
Cheri Sicard writes, “This has long been my favorite and one of my most-used RV kitchen gadgets. These ingenious double-bladed kitchen scissors make it easy to cut, dice, or even mince almost anything, right in the bowl. The Toss and Chop takes up hardly any room, is easy to clean, and needs no electrical power. I even use my Toss and Chop in my home kitchen.” Learn more here.
The handy CouchCoaster® won’t let your drink spill!
The CouchCoaster is the ultimate drink holder for your couch. It holds all your favorite drinks: hot, cold, cans, mugs, glasses, bottles… on your sofa, chairs, recliners, you name it! This is a great alternative to a coffee table, or if you don’t want to reach all the way to the coffee table each time you want a sip. Learn more or order.
Turn your RV toaster into a mini grill These reusable toaster bags make quick RV meals easier and a lot less messy. Grill sandwiches, reheat pizza, warm leftovers, or toast snacks without drips falling into the toaster. Nonstick, easy to clean, and safe for toaster, oven, or microwave use, they’re a simple galley upgrade for RVers who want fast meals without extra cleanup. Gail Marsh recommends them here.
Healthy “ice cream” in your RV without the guilt (or price tag)
Craving something sweet but trying to eat healthier? This frozen fruit soft-serve maker turns any frozen fruit into creamy, ice-cream-style treats in minutes—no added sugar, dairy, or mystery ingredients. Gadgets like this are usually pricey, but this one keeps it simple and affordable, making it a fun splurge that won’t wreck your grocery budget. Easy to clean and perfect for small RV kitchens, it’s a smarter way to satisfy dessert cravings.
Fresh, flavorful diabetic diet meals for RVers over 60
Eating well on the road doesn’t have to be complicated or bland. This diabetic cookbook for people over 60 is packed with quick, practical recipes designed to support steady blood sugar and boost daily energy, all with simple ingredients. With clear nutrition info and a built-in 4-week meal plan, it takes the guesswork out of healthy cooking so you can focus on feeling good and enjoying the journey. Learn more or order.
Officials at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are warning visitors that quicksand may occur near shorelines and in drainages throughout the park. The sprawling park is located in both Arizona and Utah and includes Lake Powell.
The recreation area spans over 1.25 million acres from the Glen Canyon Dam near Page, Arizona, nearly 200 miles up the Colorado River into Utah. The scenic backdrop is described as being as stunning as neighboring Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Painted Desert. Options for lakeside lodging include resorts, campgrounds (including boondocking) and houseboats.
According to park officials, quicksand may be present on ground that appears dry and firm on the surface but may suddenly give way under pressure. Visitors are advised to watch for unstable, shifting, or unusually soft ground and use caution when walking in these areas.
In a post on the Glen Canyon Facebook page, one visitor commented about his experience with quicksand:
“I got stuck up to my thighs. It looked exactly like the wet (but firm) sand I had been walking on along the river all day. But when I stepped on it, I sank instantly as if I had stepped off a deck into a swimming pool, then it congealed around my legs almost as quickly. I was solo and it took me 15 to 20 minutes to wiggle my way out … my legs were raw and red and very cold by the time I got out, but I didn’t even lose my shoes!”
Signs of quicksand
Park officials say several conditions may indicate unstable ground:
Wet, loose, or unusually smooth ground. Flattened or freshly leveled surfaces may hide soft or saturated sediment beneath a thin crust.
Unexpected water seepage or pooling. Slow upward seepage or water collecting in isolated spots may signal water-saturated ground.
Shifting or rippling soil. Ground that subtly moves, ripples, or vibrates when stepped near can indicate insufficient support below the surface.
Dry surfaces that feel soft or spongy. Even when the surface appears dry, the ground may compress noticeably under light pressure. Officials recommend testing from a secure position using a tool rather than stepping onto it.
Low or saturated areas. Drainages, depressions and newly exposed shoreline zones may contain fine sediment mixed with water.
Fine sediment after storms or water-level changes. Silt, clay and very fine sand can create unstable ground that appears normal on the surface.
What to do if you encounter quicksand
Officials say quicksand is rarely life-threatening, but escaping it can be difficult.
Visitors who become stuck should remain calm and avoid sudden movements, which can cause the body to sink deeper. Leaning back helps spread body weight over a larger area and improves buoyancy.
Move legs slowly upward, one at a time, allowing water to flow around them and reduce suction. Gentle movements such as wiggling or rotating the feet can also help create space around the legs.
Once free, continue leaning back and use slow, controlled movements to move toward firmer ground. Avoid standing upright until completely clear of the area.
If available, a branch, trekking pole or other sturdy object can provide leverage. Visitors should seek assistance if escape becomes difficult or if they become fatigued.
The good news is that deaths from quicksand are rare. But they do happen.
What is the 3-2-1 backup scheme and why should every one of you use it? Last week, I proposed ditching campground WiFi, and you all went off the rails with the comments. It was fantastic. But those same comments also made me think that many of us have ineffective backup routines for our data.
I learned the 3-2-1 backup plan from Leo Laporte years ago, and it has served me very, very well. Arguably, this is fireproof, theft-proof, and hard drive failure-proof. It’s even cloud-proof sorta kinda.
I also learned that more than a few of you have had issues with iCloud. Aside from someone hacking into your account, this should also bypass any issues with that.
For example, we could think we’re safe, but what if a thief breaks in and steals the hard drive or the doggone house burns down? Did you know that Francis Ford Coppola only had one external hard drive of scripts and other valuable data, and it was stolen by thieves? Don’t think that only having a single external hard drive with your data is a backup—it’s not.
So what is it?
The 3-2-1 backup plan
Very simply put, the 3-2-1 backup plan means having three copies of your data in two separate locations, so you’ll always have one to use. Being a nut, I have more than three, but that’s just me.
The other factor to make this work is that it has to be fully automatic. We all get lazy and complacent, and, over time, when things don’t go wrong, we tend not to continue doing something that doesn’t seem essential. This is essential, so it’s essential that your plan is fully automated.
So, for us, we have our various computers where stuff is generated, like these articles, photos, and all of that. From there, they are put into a cloud-based service (iCloud in our case, but you may be using Windows). There’s a computer at home that then takes those iCloud documents and backs them up onto an external hard drive. That drive is then backed up onto a remotely-accessible drive (Network Attached Storage—NAS) at a different location.
Another factor for us is our weekly podcast. Now that so many people are demanding video-based podcasts, we’re generating about 20-30 gigabytes per week of data! So those are backed up onto SSDs, which are then backed up onto traditional drives and then put into the normal backup rotation when we get home.
A word about iCloud and Apple
For us, iCloud is absolutely a part of our backup plan, and we love it. It’s particularly useful for photos, as our Apple Photos library has more than 107,000 entries. No, I’m not kidding. But I don’t blindly trust it either.
But I can create a document, like a podcast script, and Peggy (DW) can edit or modify that live document so we both always have the latest copy.
iCloud Drive settings panel
We are an Apple family, so there’s that. We have four iPhones, an iPad, two MacBook Pros, and a Mac mini, as well as two Apple TVs. And the only teenager in our house is me, but that’s just mental age; my odometer has clicked off many more miles than a teenager’s.
Mac mini
At home, we have a computer whose whole life is dedicated to doing backups. When new photos are snapped, typically on iPhones, they go to iCloud, and then the full-sized image is downloaded onto the Mac mini, where it is backed up onto an external drive and then the NAS. When I’m home, I also put a portable SSD into the rotation so that we have a third copy that travels with us, and that data is never more than a few months old, depending on our travels.
This is also true of our iCloud documents. That same Mac mini is set so that the full-sized files are downloaded to it when they are created, and then that gets backed up as well. There is a setting where you can optimize your computer’s storage (which means the full-sized files are in iCloud’s servers), or you can turn this off and have the full-sized files right on your computer.
This is useful as many people buy Macs with smaller internal hard drives, and iCloud lets you access much more data than your computer would otherwise be able to store by downloading and uploading those files as needed.
Macs come with a backup tool called Time Machine, but I’m not a huge fan of this, only because the files are not readily available if I want to see them. But it’s also better than nothing if you’re not using anything else.
I use a tool called ChronoSync from Econ Technologies. This tool basically just copies the files over the way you tell it to. I can see the files that it has backed up as they are in their original state. If I want to use a backed-up version of a file, I just do—no extra effort necessary.
I’m sure there’s something comparable to Windows, but as a former Apple employee, Windows ain’t my jam.
“But I’m on the road full time!”
No problem there. What I would do is have anything you care about backed up onto a redundant hard drive and keep one in your RV and one in the tow vehicle or in the towed vehicle. Then, on a rotation you set, perhaps overnight, send those redundant backups to a trusted friend or bank or whatever, and have duplicates sent to you.
I would also absolutely utilize a cloud-based backup system. Or, if you have a trusted friend or relative, perhaps have a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device at their location and have your backup plan include this. A good automated backup tool can access your NAS and put that into the rotation.
Make sure that your friend doesn’t live where there are a lot of wildfires or tornadoes. Hey, maybe I should offer NAS backups from our home base in the desert in New Mexico!
That way, if your RV catches fire or someone steals the towed vehicle or whatever, you’re still fine.
Don’t delay
I wouldn’t delay implementing a redundant backup plan today. Unless you have huge data needs, this can be done very inexpensively nowadays. Costco has portable SSDs (hard drives with solid-state design) that are pretty great, and a few of these may be sufficient.
Also, do know that any mechanical/electronic gadget can fail. I had an almost-new external hard drive fail, and I was glad it wasn’t the only copy of the data on it. I’ve had other hard drives just fail, as well. So if you’re only using one hard drive for back-up… well, that can be bad.
But don’t rely on just one physical copy of your data. I can almost guarantee that that’s a recipe for failure, both literally and figuratively.
If you’ve ever met Sondra Phillips, you know her passion for campers and her knack for restoration. When she stumbled upon a 1956 Spartan Imperial Mansion for sale, it was a moment of serendipity. Despite its dilapidated state, Sondra saw potential in this vintage gem and eagerly embarked on a transformative project.
The beginnings
Sondra, an interior designer and founder of SKP Design in Kalamazoo, Michigan, specializes in diverse projects ranging from commercial spaces to residential interiors. The acquisition of the Spartan Mansion posed a unique challenge and opportunity.
Initially salvageable but needing substantial renovations, the camper underwent a meticulous dismantling process to address structural issues and prepare for modern upgrades.
Unveiling surprises
During the gutting process, unexpected discoveries added a twist to the restoration narrative. A massive beehive and even the skeletal remains of a raccoon were unearthed, highlighting the camper’s long abandonment and the challenges of its revival.
Designing the future
Key to the project’s success was meticulous planning. Field measurements were precisely recorded and translated into AutoCAD drawings, facilitating exact space allocation and material calculations.
While preserving the original layout, Sondra enhanced functionality by transforming the kitchen into a spacious galley design with added storage and modern amenities.
The fusion of past and present
The overarching design concept aimed to harmoniously blend mid-century charm with contemporary comforts. A corrugated galvanized ceiling visually expands the interior, while stained wall paneling and wood-look flooring lend a sleek, modern aesthetic.
The centerpiece—a vintage Westinghouse refrigerator—was lovingly restored with a vibrant orange finish, symbolizing the project’s ethos of honoring history while embracing modernity.
Unique touches
Throughout the Spartan Mansion, curated vintage finds enrich the space, from an orange chenille bedspread sourced from the Netherlands to whimsical, patterned curtains framing the windows.
A translucent Lumicor panel in the bathroom door adds a playful yet functional element, allowing natural light to permeate through spaces.
Living with vintage
Beyond its role as a vacation retreat in South Haven, Michigan, the Spartan Mansion serves as a mobile showroom and meeting space for Sondra’s design clients.
Displayed at prestigious vintage trailer events like the Gilmore Red Barns Spectacular and “All Things Vintage” in Turkeyville in Marshall, MI, the camper stands as a testament to Sondra’s passion for preserving and celebrating mid-century design.
Looking forward
With the Spartan Mansion as a cornerstone, Sondra continues to expand her “Ready To Roll” line, rejuvenating vintage campers and vehicles alike. Each project reflects her commitment to craftsmanship and design innovation.
To explore more of Sondra’s projects and learn about SKP Design, visit www.skpdesign.com.
America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001 Issue 1251 Please help support our hard work with a donation of your choice and receive our ad-free edition as a thank you.
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Today’s thought
“To expect life to be tailored to our specifications is to invite frustration.” —Anon.
Need an excuse to celebrate? It’s National Flapjack Day!
On this day in history: 1876 – Alexander Graham Bell is granted a patent for an invention he calls the “telephone”.
Featured news
The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped nearly 27 cents since last week to $3.25. The conflict in the Middle East has sent crude oil prices to more than $91/barrel. The last time the national average made a similar weekly jump was back in March of 2022, during the start of the Russia/Ukraine conflict. Yikes. Here are the numbers, and here’s another story about how the threat of war raises fuel prices.
Big news for Oregon State Parks this week… First, the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission has approved new, higher fee ranges for campsites, yurts, and cabins as the agency tries to deal with rising costs and a severe budget shortfall, which could cost you $80 a night for RV hookup sites. Additionally, a new $10 fee for some RV dump stations will take effect March 30, 2026, marking a shift from the system’s long-standing practice where dumping was often included with camping.
An environmental advocacy group has launched a billboard campaign in northern Indiana targeting major RV manufacturers over the sourcing of tropical plywood used in RV construction. Mighty Earth has installed six billboards in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties and launched the campaign to pressure RV manufacturers to stop using meranti plywood, which it links to deforestation in Indonesia. In the trade, manufacturers often call it luan or lauan plywood. Here’s the story.
For today’s Don’t Do This At Home installment… A motorhome fire on a Yuma, AZ, roadway ended up in a place no one expected: a family’s backyard. Authorities say a Class A motorhome caught fire while traveling on an elevated roadway Monday evening, March 2, then veered off the pavement and rolled down an embankment before coming to rest just feet from a home below. Here’s the story.
If you’ve ever mapped out a big drive across the country and thought, “There has to be an easier way to plan this,” you’re not alone. The Dyrt just released seven road-trip camping guides that span the U.S., each built around a classic long-haul route. The promise: less time digging through forums and more time actually driving. Check ’em out.
Several indications suggest that Ford Motor Company will discontinue the Class A gas motorhome chassis known as the Ford F53 at the end of this model year. Ford has remained very tight-lipped regarding any long-term plans. Currently, the only Class A gas motorhome chassis with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) above 14,500 pounds is the Ford F53. Here’s what Dave Solberg has to say about this.
It’s your last couple of days to save on Campspot’s Biggest Booking Week! From March 2-8, save up to 50% at participating parks across the U.S. and Canada. Check if your favorite campground is on sale, or book an extra trip while dates are open. Use code BIGGEST26 for 50% off—ends tomorrow! Click here to learn more.
Don’t forget: You’re losing an hour of sleep tonight! Daylight Saving Time starts on Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m. local time. Tonight, before you go to sleep, or tomorrow when you wake up, make sure you spring your clocks forward! (Yay, spring!)
Keep your Blackstone/griddle good-as-new
This simple griddle cleaning kit helps RVers keep their flat-top grills in great shape trip after trip. With scrapers, scouring pads, and a pumice grill stone, it quickly removes grease, burnt bits, and buildup without scratching the surface. Clean before and after cooking, and your griddle will last longer—and be ready for the next campsite breakfast. Learn more about cleaning your Blackstone in Gail’s article here, or buy this griddle kit here.
Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel:
RV sales fall flat, a new way to order RV parts, and what’s up with state park reservation systems?
RV sales numbers are in—and they’re not exactly thrilling. Tony explains why that might work in your favor if you’re buying. He also checks out a new way to track down RV parts, and shares his experience wrestling with state park reservation systems… including one booking attempt that ended with seven tabs open and still no campsite. Click here to read.
RV review 2026 Thor Omni Trail X32: A hit-and-miss Super C
By Gail Marsh I toured the diesel-powered Thor Super C Omni Trail™ X32 and discovered both hits (great features) and a few misses (not-so-great features), too. The X32 is engineered on a heavy-duty Ford F-550 Super C chassis. It features the 6.7L Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel and a strong gross vehicle weight rating that’s typical for Super C rigs. I’m very familiar with Ford trucks, and this one did not disappoint. Join me in exploring this hit-or-miss Omni Trail X32.
Outdoor recreation generated $1.3 trillion in economic output in 2024, accounting for 2.4% of U.S. GDP and supporting 5.2 million jobs, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. While the industry continued to grow last year, expansion slowed to 2.7% as inflation and economic uncertainty affected consumer spending.
RoverPass has introduced a new Advanced Dynamic Pricing feature that automatically adjusts nightly campsite rates based on real-time occupancy at campgrounds and RV parks using its reservation platform. The system allows operators to set rules that raise or lower prices as bookings change, replacing traditional flat-rate pricing.
Sandy Pines Campground, an upscale glamping resort in Kennebunkport, Maine, was scheduled for foreclosure auction Thursday, March 5, following financial difficulties and a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by its operating company. The 46-acre property includes 268 sites. Learn more.
The RV industry expects 2026 RV shipments to range between 328,800 and 367,000 units, with a median of 349,000 units, which is right about the same as 2025 shipments of 342,200.
A New York investment firm is facing pushback after purchasing several Big Sur campgrounds and proposing a redevelopment plan that would reduce RV sites from 130 to 107 while adding tent sites, workforce housing, and new amenities. The redesign—prompted by the need for a new septic system—would modernize infrastructure and potentially reduce traffic. However, advocacy group Keep Big Sur Wild, argues the project could drive up costs and shift campgrounds toward high-end resort-style accommodations.
The National Park Service is warning travelers heading to public lands in the Southwest about a potential hazard they may not expect: quicksand. Officials at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which spans the Utah–Arizona border, say quicksand has recently been found near shorelines and in drainage areas throughout the park. Be careful!
Hoot hoot! Photo credit: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Hoot, hoot, cute, cute!! Antique shoppers in East Durham, New York, got quite a surprise when a “very lifelike” item on a store shelf turned out to be a sleeping eastern screech owl nestled beside a chicken-shaped cookie jar. Customers alerted staff, and wildlife officers gently removed the snoozing owl and released it into nearby woods, where it promptly flew to a tree—apparently concluding its brief career as store décor.
Turn your RV toaster into a mini grill These reusable toaster bags make quick RV meals easier and a lot less messy. Grill sandwiches, reheat pizza, warm leftovers, or toast snacks without drips falling into the toaster. Nonstick, easy to clean, and safe for toaster, oven, or microwave use, they’re a simple galley upgrade for RVers who want fast meals without extra cleanup. Gail Marsh recommends them here.
Tanner Toons with Tanner Woods
You may share this Tanner Toon, unaltered, on your website, blog or social media with our compliments. The musings from Tanner Woods’ creative mind appear in this newsletter every Saturday and Sunday and in many RV Daily Tips newsletters through the week.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: Run your generator as little as possible in public campgrounds, and only when absolutely necessary. If you must run it, do so only after 10 a.m. and before 7 p.m., and only for very short times. Our world is too noisy: Help keep our public lands peaceful and quiet.
Reader poll What’s your preferred length of stay at a typical campsite?
One in three fatal traffic crashes in Florida involves an impaired driver. Alcohol is the leading factor in impaired‑driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities. Over the last five years, alcohol alone accounted for:
84.4% of impaired‑driving crashes
35.7% of impaired‑driving fatalities
80.7% of impaired‑driving injuries
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ? We typed “holy cow” into the Amazon search bar, and this is what came up. Why would we search that? Because we’re weird! But anyway, holy cow, this sounds good! Really good! And the reviews solidify that this is good! Really good!
Laugh of the week
Good pretzels for space alien enthusiasts. Get yours in Baker, California.
MORE FUNNY: Make the handyman or woman in your family laugh with this. Hah!
Saturday Sillies
The perfect scam SIM Swap Scam Leads to $125,000 Theft
Patricia is enjoying a quiet night babysitting when she discovers that her phone has no service. When she switches to Wi-Fi, a sudden barrage of notifications shows that someone is moving money out of her accounts. This sets Patricia off on a race against time to save her assets from criminals who are even cashing out her stocks. Bob talks with Rachel Tobac, CEO of SocialProof Security, about practical steps we can all take to protect ourselves from SIM swapping scams.
Today in history
Today’s weather forecast across the nation THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
When you get to your campsite at the campground or RV park, how long are you typically staying for? Notice we said typically there. We know your lengths of stay may differ with each journey, but we’re curious about your preferred length.
Do you like to keep moving, staying for just one night as a quick resting stop? Or maybe you enjoy a few days to explore the area, settling in for a week, a month, or even longer?
And we know that choosing how long to stay often depends on what you’re looking to get out of each trip. Some of you feel that one night is enough—a brief stopover before hitting the road again.
Others appreciate a few days to really unwind, soak in the surroundings, and get a feel for the local community.
Then there are those who love the luxury of an extended stay, where they can settle into a routine, explore at leisure, and feel like they’re part of the neighborhood. Each approach has its perks, and each reveals a different style of RV life.
Are you more of a nomad or a nester when it comes to RV travel? Whether you’re in favor of fast-paced exploration or savoring a slower pace, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Thanks for sharing!
I toured the diesel-powered Thor Super C Omni Trail™ X32 and discovered both hits (great features) and a few misses (not-so-great features), too.
Come along and explore this hit-or-miss Omni Trail X32 with me. Form your own opinion and be sure to leave a comment to explain your reasoning.
Behind the walls
The X32 is engineered on a heavy-duty Ford F-550 Super C chassis. It features the 6.7L Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel and a strong gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) that’s typical for Super C rigs. I’m very familiar with Ford trucks, and this one did not disappoint. It easily powered up our Missouri hills and provided a decent ride while doing it, too.
The RV’s construction includes a welded tubular aluminum roof, sidewall, and roof cage; a welded tubular steel floor; and Vacu-Bond laminated roof/walls/floors with block-foam insulation. They’re the sort of build choices that prioritize strength and insulation without piling on unnecessary weight. I liked that.
Exterior touches like an HD-MAX finish and a fiberglass front cap are part of the package. The floorplan shows the X32’s cab-over bunk, and living and bedroom slides that open the interior for daytime living.
Basement storage in the X32 is limited. However, accessing some of the storage and utility compartments was really awkward with the slides extended. I foresee bonked noggins in your future if you purchase this Omni Trail. (You’ve been warned.)
Key specs
• Chassis: Ford F-550
• Engine: 6.7L Power Stroke V8, 330 hp / 950 lb-ft torque
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): 19,500 lbs.
• Length: about 33’2″
• Interior height: 7’0″
• Fuel capacity: 66 gallons
• Fresh/grey/black water: 75 / 47 / 40 gallons
• LP: 68.2 lbs.
• Towing hitch rating: 12,000-lb (trailer hitch with 7-pin round connector on X32)
• Awning: 14′ power with LED lights
• Water heater: tankless
• MSRP: from $277,060
Interior and living space
The 2026 Omni Trail X32 is light and bright inside. (A definite hit!) The interior ceiling height and open living footprint created by the slides give a comfortable home-like feeling. I immediately noticed the many storage cabinets, drawers, and cupboards ready to hold “stuff.” (Another hit!)
The layout flows well for lounging and watching a movie, or moving about without feeling cramped. Finishes lean toward upgraded rather than utilitarian, and that’s another check in the “hit” column for me.
Kitchen
The X32’s galley kitchen was a disappointment to me. Yes, I like the linear layout, but countertop prep space is seriously lacking. (Big miss, to me.) I wish designers had used a smaller sink to allow a bit more counterspace, but the drawers and cupboards are great. (So, a miss and a hit here.) I also appreciate the pantry that’s thoughtfully located across from the kitchen appliances.
The two-door residential fridge and three-burner cooktop rate another hit. I wish the microwave had a convection option, but the oven is great for baking muffins and more. Pop-up wireless phone chargers and USB ports are featured in the area, but I’d worry that water from the sink could splash on or into them.
Living/dining room
The forward living area centers on 68″ theater seating across from the entertainment center and a large, windowed slide. The seating is comfortable for two to three people, and you can choose between the options of a Dream Dinette or a sofa/sofa-bed configuration in select models.
If I designed this Super C, I would install an eating bar with barstools instead of the dinette. That would have served two purposes: increased food prep space and opened up the living area even more. In the event that you had extra folks over for a meal, you could always use TV tray tables, a card table, or the picnic table outside.
Large windows, LED lighting, and over-cab storage do keep this area bright and cheery, which I like.
Bath
The bathroom in the Omni Trail X32 is compact but thoughtfully laid out. The shower is fine, and there is plenty of room around the commode, so you won’t feel squished. (Another hit.)
I was surprised by the storage that designers incorporated into this bath. I really appreciate the roomy sink, countertop, and cabinet storage. You’ll find an actual medicine cabinet, towel ring, and rack, as well! (All hits, for sure!)
The Omni Trail X32 touts a tankless water heater for on-demand hot water, and protected holding tanks with heat pads on certain floorplans. This is particularly useful if you plan to camp in cooler weather.
Bedroom
At the rear of the X32, you’ll find a queen bed in a private bedroom with a door for separation, a wardrobe, and a dresser. I was very surprised at the amount of storage in this model!
The bedroom slide really opens up floor space and lets the bed feel less boxed in. The nightstands are too small to handle my husband’s CPAP machine, but USB charge ports are included in the layout, and there’s over-the-bed storage, as well.
Bunk area
The Omni Trail X32 includes a cab-over bunk that’s perfect for kids or occasional guests, and the automatic window cover is a bonus. The space can be used for storage when you don’t need the bed.
Overall take
The 2026 Omni Trail X32 is a solid pick if you want Super C power and a compact-but-comfortable living area. For me, there are some definite “hits” and “misses” in this RV, but I encourage you to see it and judge for yourself.
Watch a video walkthrough below, then share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Just a 15-minute drive from the hot springs you’ll find the historic 
Natural gas detector could save your life
Here’s an idea for you: Record your history
