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January 29, 2022
Non-Members (advertising supported) edition
Cover story
By Chuck Woodbury
PUBLISHER/FOUNDER
Afriend of mine was starting an online business that would help RVers learn to maintain and repair their RVs. He visited the national headquarters of the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) to see if it might wish to get involved.
He spoke to the then-president and a vice president. He had no sooner begun explaining his new business when one of them remarked:
“RVs don’t break down. RV roofs don’t leak.”
When my friend told me about this conversation I asked him, “They were kidding, right?” He said, “No, they said it many times.”
If you understand the mission of the RVIA, which receives its support primarily from RV manufacturers, you realize the statement isn’t surprising. The RVIA exists to promote the sale of RVs. It can, in no way, intentionally cast a negative light on RVs or the lifestyle.
The RVIA carries out its mission largely by running ads that glorify the RV experience — “Go where you want, when you want.” The RVs they feature are in incredibly beautiful settings. The RVIA and manufacturers pay (in money or perks) “content creators” (many, if not most, who have never stepped in an RV) and “influencers” to write and plant stories, and produce videos that glorify RVing. We get pitched literally every day to use these (sometimes with an offer of cash)! We trash the emails.
NOTHING NEGATIVE
The RVIA will never utter a word about how RVs are “perfect burning machines” — that once they catch fire they’re toast within minutes. The pathetic little fire extinguishers manufacturers install in their inexpensive RVs are fire-fighting peashooters. The RVIA, through its GoRVing.com, will never run an ad or commercial showing RVers camping in a Walmart parking lot (even though many thousands do on any given day).
The RVIA will never mention that finding a campsite these days on the fly is very often impossible and getting worse all the time. Want to go “where you want, when you want”? Then plan plenty of stays at Walmart. Or make your campground reservations a year ahead and be a slave to a schedule.
The RVIA does not educate consumers about the dangers of “hot skin conditions,” whereby someone can be killed by just touching their RV under certain conditions. They don’t tell people that some RVs are manufactured in such a way that simply adding the weight of a driver, passenger and a full tank of gas and water will dangerously overload the vehicle. The RVIA will never advise consumers to check the CCC (cargo carrying capacity) of RVs, some of which can’t carry any meaningful cargo without being overweight. See below.
The RVIA will never mention the crisis of “houseless” people living in beater-RVs on city streets. I have never heard about the industry devoting any money, time or energy to help improve these often dreadful, dangerous “mobile Hoovervilles.”
ABOVE: This 2018 motorhome can hold 706 pounds of weight before it’s overloaded, and thus dangerous to drive. That “Cargo Carrying Capacity” will be decreased by the weight of passengers, fuel, fresh water, and any belongings brought aboard. So figure 350 pounds for two passengers, a full tank of fuel (504 pounds) and let’s say half a tank of fresh water (210 pounds). That’s 1,064 pounds, or 358 pounds overweight before loading a single personal belonging. So if a family of four goes on a trip, how far overloaded might the coach be? How many RVers buy a coach like this without knowing the CCC?
ARE WE TOO NEGATIVE?
We at RVtravel.com do discuss these things. Some readers complain we are “too negative.” No, we’re not purposely negative: We just provide an alternative voice to all the B.S. being churned out by the RVIA, manufacturers, Camping World and all the websites that are funded through advertising by major RV businesses. (We receive only about 10% of our total revenue from paid advertising, most mom-and-pop operations.)
WE SAVE LIVES AND FINANCIAL HEARTACHE
We know from our letters that our advice has saved lives (one example). We know we have prevented new buyers from financing cheap RVs for 15 or 20 years, when in five to ten years their RVs will often be junk they can’t afford to fix that will sit in their backyards gathering dust (while the monthly payments continue).
Camping World is currently advertising entry level RVs for $3.22 a day, financed at about 7 percent for 15 years! That’s 5,475 days, by the way. And, let’s be real: Triple that $3.22 a day (at the very least) for a realistic figure of what that RV will really costs (to register, insure, maintain and sometimes store). Oh, there are camping fees, too.
Even though this website is doing well, it’s increasingly a challenge for us to stand alone amid a barrage of new RV websites written by formula by “content creators” (many of whom, perhaps most, have never stepped inside an RV) to attain favorable Google rankings (and thus earn more money). We’re all vying for the same eyeballs.
I personally have lost industry friends because of RVtravel.com’s honestly. Other “friends” no longer stay in touch. They are embedded in the industry and do not appreciate anyone rocking the boat.
WHAT A SHAME!
There is no national “RVers” association — one whose mission is to look out for you and me. How can that be, I wonder, when it is so badly needed? We’ve tried, but don’t have the resources to make it happen. If I were 20 years younger, I’d push as hard as I could. But my energy, I hate to admit, is waning. For now, I believe, RVtravel.com is as close as it gets to being a watchdog for RVers. As long as I am involved we will continue to pledge our allegiance to you and other RVers, not the industry for it money.
If you believe in our mission, please consider helping support us with a voluntary subscription. Only 4 percent of you do, and I’m telling you, it’s a huge help. The other 96 percent of you benefit from what we provide, but do not feel compelled to pitch in. But thank goodness for those who do, for you provide the baseline income that allows us to remain free of editorial pressure from commercial interests that would blackball us in a flash if we wrote the “wrong” thing.
If you know someone who is planning to buy an RV, please urge them to sign up to receive one or more of our free newsletters.
Be safe out there.
Headline stories in tomorrow’s newsletter
• Campground Crowding: Actually, campgrounds aren’t crowded. What’s going on?
• Catalytic converter theft rampant; costly repair for truck owners
• Buying or selling a used RV? Here’s the latest on prices
• RV manufacturers did set new record in 2021
• 70% of last year’s campers say they will try it again in 2022
• New pickup truck prices skyrocket, except for 10 “cheap” options
PLUS: Latest fuel prices • Stolen RV Report • Latest RV recalls • AARP Scam Report • Reader survey • and much more…
Last week’s Tip of the Day highlights in RV Daily Tips Newsletters
• Bucking the trend: Heading north for the winter (Part two)
• Dead RV battery issue leaves owner in the dark
• You MUST have a set of microfiber cloths in your RV. You can do SO much with them
• RV Mods: A place to carry your “grass carpet”
• Don’t trip the breaker. Colored sticker dots save the day
Today’s RV review…
Today, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BSDS. He writes, “With a tremendous amount of interior cabinet and drawer space and a really usable floor plan, I like this rig quite a bit. And the qualities of the Flagstaff and Rockwood line really have been demonstrably better than a lot of what I’ve seen out there.” Read more.
Last week’s reviews:
• American Coach American Eagle 45E
• Cherokee Wolf Pup 16FQBL
• Reader prefers Coachmen’s Apex Ultra-Lite 300BHS
• Keystone Montana 3791RD totally redone by Cortni Armstrong, The Flipping Nomad
• East to West Alta 2350KRK
Chat with your favorite writers on our RVtravel.com Forums
Most RVtravel.com writers are getting their own forums, where readers can discuss their articles with them. Here are some you can visit now.
• Dave Solberg (RV Repair and Maintenance)
Do you have questions for Dave about RV maintenance? Ask them here!
• Mike Sokol (RV Electricity)
Do you have a question about RV electricity? Mike has all the answers!
• Tony Barthel (RV Reviews)
Would you like to see a certain RV reviewed? Submit your request here!
• Roger Marble (RV Tires)
Roger is a national authority on RV tires.
• Dr. Karel Carnohan (Ask the Pet Vet)
Dr. Karel is here to answer questions about your travel companions!
• Gail Marsh (RV Tricks & Tips)
Learn and share tips and tricks for RVing with Gail!
• Nanci Dixon (Crowded Campgrounds)
Join Nanci to discuss the difficulty in finding campsites
Clintoons • By Clint Norrell
MORE OF CLINT
See some of Clint’s recent cartoons. They’re wonderful!
Featured article
Finding a good service department is one of the most important parts of RVing
By Gail Marsh
We all have our “must-have” lists when purchasing a big-ticket item. We use these lists because they help narrow down our choices when, say, buying an RV. You may not want the same features on your RV that I do. That’s okay. Everyone is different. But one feature that all RV owners will undoubtedly want (and need eventually) is a good service department. Is that “must-have” on your list? It should be! Find out why, and how to find one, here.
Is your RV ready for an emergency? Follow these steps to make sure
By Randall Brink
Most RVers view their motorhomes as a route to adventure—the open road—free to roam where and when we please. Some take a more practical view and see their RV as a full-time home, whether roaming or stationary. Likely few of us may have considered that our motorhomes are also an asset in the event of a major unforeseen event…. Is your RV ready for an emergency? Get some good tips here.
Overheard comments by salespeople and consumers at the Florida RV SuperShow
By Gail Marsh
You can tell quite a bit about an industry by attending a large show like the Florida RV SuperShow this past week in Tampa, Florida. … What I found most interesting, aside from the electric prototype RVs, rugged off-road rigs, and the sheer number of different manufacturers present, were the comments I overheard. Here are just a few things I heard while walking through the event. … These are very telling, and some are very funny.
Modern prospecting equipment for the RVer
By Randall Brink
In my first installment of this prospecting series we covered essential equipment and where best to dig. … Here, we’ll go over some additional prospecting equipment and tools to unearth gold and wash gravels in those old, dry deposits. Read more.
Truck camper demolished when hit with 85 mph winds
We write often about the importance of knowing the weather ahead of you, whether you’re staying in one place or traveling. It can, quite literally, make or break you. If you see heavy winds in the forecast or know you’ll be traveling through a gusty area, be prepared. Here’s an example of what could happen otherwise. Warning: This is not pretty!
Last year at this time, these were the most popular articles
• Bear and wasp spray: Good or bad idea for self-defense?
• An easy, quick way to fill your RV’s toilet bowl
• Maintain a safe water supply onboard your RV
• 20,000 RV fires occur each year. Here’s how to prevent one
Reader Poll
Would you prefer that everything in this newsletter be RV-related, or do you like a mix of other things too?
Please let us know. After you click your response, you’ll see how others have responded. Feel free to leave a comment. CLICK HERE.
The most popular poll in this past week’s RV Daily Tips newsletters:
How many finger rings do you most often wear? (That’s a strange one to be the most popular, but guess you’re all interested in rings!) See how nearly 2,000 other RVers responded.
Is your medical marijuana card valid when RVing in other states?
By Cheri Sicard
“Can I use my medical marijuana card in other states?” is probably the most common cannabis travel question I get from students of my online cannabis courses and visitors to my website and YouTube channel. I wish the answer was as simple as yes or no. But, sadly, like many issues surrounding marijuana, the answer is far more complicated than that. Continue reading this informative post.
Rewrap your assist handle with this gripping mod
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Right up in the “neatest thing since sliced bread” category, for our family at least, are big assist handles that you can mount on the side of your RV. At the end of a long road day, or a long trail, being able to grab that handle and stabilize yourself heading up the steps into the rig has been a lifesaver. Learn more.
Coming soon to a campground near you—drone food delivery
You may soon be able to order your food by phone or online and have it delivered to your exact RV site in the campground via drone. One potentially bright spot in the pandemic experience has been the advancement of food delivery systems. Learn more.
RV Maintenance Log Book keeps track of everything for you!
This RV maintenance logbook 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 everything in your RV – 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 down the road. Learn more or order.
RV boo-boos – “And the Greatest RV Mashup Award goes to … “
OK. We’re not sure if this mashup technically qualifies as an RV boo-boo. Much depends on your definition of “boo-boo.” If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you’re likely in one of two camps—cheering, or retching! Check out this hodgepodge RV.
Camp at Nevada’s disappearing Walker Lake while you still can
By Cheri Sicard
After spotting a few lonely RVs parked in campsites along the service road below Nevada state Highway 95 near Hawthorne, we made a spontaneous decision to postpone visiting the Extraterrestrial Highway for a few days in order to take advantage of this beautiful lakeside camping opportunity. We sure are glad we did. Continue reading.
How it Happened: The inspiring story behind Scotchgard Fabric Protector
By Gail Marsh
Last week, I introduced a new column to you: How it Happened. We took a look at how the military influenced the invention of the drive-thru window. This week, we’re looking at something just as useful, but a little different: Scotchgard Fabric Protector. This is interesting!
CONTEST
Is this your RV?
Win a $25 Amazon gift certificate if today’s RV photo shows your rig
Every day we post a photo of an RV either submitted by its owner or by our editors as they move about the country.
Click here to see if your RV made it into today’s issue.
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! If you have bed sheets that don’t stay in place, these easy-to-use bed sheet fasteners or “suspenders” keep them in place – no more corners that won’t stay down! Learn more or order for a great price.
Popular articles from last week
MOST POPULAR:
• A “newbie’s” shifting perspective on RV etiquette
PLUS:
• How it Happened: You can thank the military for the drive-thru window
• Ask Dave: Can I connect a portable propane tank to my RV’s outside quick propane connect?
• RV boo-boos – No pickup to pull fifth wheel? No problem!
• The Quartzsite Report: Desert scorpions!
• Self-powered trailer debuts, plus zero-emission motorhomes
Saturday Giveaway!
How would you like to win a set of Happy Camper Pot Holders?
How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (January 29, 2022) by 7 p.m. Pacific time. Remember, you can only enter once and after we notify you by email via RVcontests@gmail.com that you won, you have 24 hours to respond or we’ll give the prize to someone else.
Click here to enter or see last week’s winner!
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
We actually really like all of these, but we bet you can guess which one is our favorite! You’ll want one of these.
Resources
“RVs: Who Makes What” – This is a new free directory from RVtravel.com which lists every U.S. RV manufacturer and their makes and models. Learn more and/or download a free PDF copy.
RV Show Directory: See if a show is coming soon to your area.
Stolen RVs — Help us recover these stolen RVs. The more eyes we have searching for them, the better chance of getting them back to their rightful owners, and maybe putting the crooks who stole them in the slammer! See the stolen RVs.
Great websites. Check out our favorite websites of the day! We compiled a list of (almost) all the websites we’ve ever posted, and we update it weekly.
Where to complain about bad RVs, dealers, service, RV parks. This is an ever-expanding list of resources where you can report, share or discuss your problems with RV manufacturers or dealers.
Best Club for RVers: Escapees. Click here to learn more or join. Endorsed by RVtravel.com.
Directory of RV parks with storm shelters
In case you’re on the road with your RV and the weather report is showing a tornado headed your way, have this list handy.
RV Clubs
Check out our Directory of RV Clubs and Organizations.
What does financing an RV for 20 years REALLY mean?
In case you missed this article the first time around, here it is again. Important! Click here.
Stuck with a lemon RV? Contact Ron Burdge, America’s premier RV lemon law attorney.
The Best RV Trip Planner Apps and Tools. Everything you need to help plan your trip is here.
‘Earthquake Putty’ keeps stuff in place
Do you have items in your RV you like to keep in place — 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.
Ask Dave
Ask DaveDave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook” as well as the Managing Editor of the RV Repair Club.
My carpeted ceiling fabric is drooping. What can I do?
Dear Dave,
“We are always in the process of upgrading our 2005, paid-for, well-built, Class C GT Jamboree. Until COVID we had been full-timers for 15 years. …” Continue reading about the extensive (understatement!) renovations Sheryl and her husband have done to their Class C, and why they’re concerned about the ceiling, plus Dave’s advice, here.
Other questions Dave answered this week:
• Video: My motorhome is in storage. Anything I need to do before bringing it out?
• How close should the tire pressure on duals be?
• More about dually tire pressure
• Does extreme heat make my RV’s wallpaper wrinkle?
• What tire pressure monitoring system do you recommend?
NEW! Visit Dave’s new forum on RVtravel.com. Ask him a question or help answer one from another reader. Click here.
RV Gadgets and Gizmos
Must-have Gripstic Snap Bags
By Tony Barthel
We RVers depend on gadgets and gizmos that both make our lives easier and also simplify and shrink things. Such is exactly the case with the Gripstic Snap Bags I ran across in Quartzsite. Every once in a while I see something and buying it is a total no-brainer. … Did they live up to Tony’s expectations? Find out here.
RVelectricity™
with Mike Sokol
50-amp plug meltdown warning
Dear Readers,
As many of you know, I’ve been doing a casual study of melted shore power connectors. Some of these shore power outlet failures are caused by loose terminating screws, some by oxidation of the contacts, and some by worn-out pedestals that haven’t been properly maintained in years. However, over on my RVelectricity group this week, someone posted a video with a very interesting theory of why this could be occurring. And no, it’s none of the above. Continue reading.
This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session: Testing for a dangerous hot-skin voltage (with video)
NEW! Visit Mike’s new RVelectricity Forum on RVtravel.com.
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. You’ll want to buy one here.
RV Tire Safety
Critical information is on vehicle certification stickers
By Roger Marble
The vehicle certification sticker has some critical safety information you should know. I don’t expect you to memorize all the information. However, I strongly suggest you snap a picture of the sticker, keep it on your phone, and know where to find it. It has information that is critical when it comes time to knowing the proper tire inflation and when you are shopping for replacement tires. Continue reading.
NEW! Ask Roger anything about RV tires on his new RV Tires Forum.
For Lovers Only…
Listen up, romantics. If you have a special someone you’d like to surprise with a secret message right here on this website (could be your wife, husband, partner, child, neighbor, friend, etc.) submit it to us here. Don’t use their real names, use a special name that only they’ll recognize. Oh, how fun it will be when they read it! You’ll make their day! We’ll feature these in our upcoming newsletters, so keep your eyes open.
Here are a couple of responses.
To: Grandma Re
From: Big Bird
“I never thought my life could so happy and satisfying. Thank you for sharing your life with me. Love you……”
To: Snookums
From: Green Eyes
“I love you, Snookums! You are my one true love!”
Operating an RV Park
We passed our building inspection on the first try!
By Machelle James
FINALLY! We can see what the store is going to look like! I cannot even begin to describe what this feels like. AJ and I were sitting under the patio cover admiring how AMAZING the store is—even unfinished! … Our other bit of good news is we passed our building inspection on the very first try! Continue reading Machelle’s update.
Recipe of the Day
Cheesy Cream of Cauliflower Soup
by Heidi Hoerman from Columbia, SC
This soup is a beautiful creamy white and shows really well in a dish with some bright color. Serve it hot with crumbled bacon and chunky croutons… maybe even a little extra shredded cheese and you have a winner!
We’ll take a bowl (or two) of this, please! Get the recipe.
Other recipes featured in this week’s Daily Tips Newsletters:
• Creamy Lemon Oatmeal Bars
• Easy Low Carb Chicken and Mushroom Stew
• Seafood Pasta in Lemon Butter Sauce
• Double Chocolate Strawberry Gooey Butter Cake
• Easiest Pot Roast With Rich Gravy
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Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Charlotte and Templeton are English Bulldogs. Charlotte (the mostly brown colour) is the mother of Templeton. They both love camping. Charlotte is 8-1/2 years old and Templeton is 5-1/2. We live in Nova Scotia, Canada.” —Patricia Norris
Vintage Postcard of the Week
Postcards owned by Colleen and Ed Weum, Pacific Northwest Postcard Club. Read more about their 90,000 postcard collection here.
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.
Brain Teaser
What is yours to own, yet others use it more?
(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday news newsletter. And please don’t spoil it for other readers by posting the answer in the comments.)
Trivia
The introduction of the popular arcade game Space Invaders caused a nationwide coin shortage in Japan. When the game was introduced in 1978, so many people started playing it that there was a coin shortage—100-yen coins were no longer able to be used by regular citizens or at stores. Worldwide, the game made about 600 million dollars a year in coins, but just in Japan alone, between 1978 and 1982, the game made over 2 billion dollars.
Word and Phrase Origins
From the book, Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson:
company. “A business company, in the strictest sense of the word, is a group of people who sit down and share bread together. For company derives from the Latin con ‘together,’ and panin, ‘bread.’ The idea is that a company consists of friends so close that they sit at the same table sharing any bread they have.”
Laugh of the Week
*mosquitoes (But what fun is a meme without a typo or two? 😆 )
Did you miss last week’s RV Travel?
RVtravel.com Staff
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Associate editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editors: Russ and Tiña De Maris. Senior writers: Nanci Dixon, Tony Barthel, Mike Gast. Contributors: Mike Sokol, Gail Marsh, Roger Marble, Dave Solberg, Dave Helgeson, Andy Zipser, Janet Groene, Julianne Crane, Chris Guld, Machelle James, Scott Linden, James Raia, Kate Doherty, J.R. Montigel, Clint Norrell, Randall Brink, Chris Epting and Karel Carnohan, DVM. Special projects director: Jessica Sarvis. Moderators: Gary Gilmore, Linda Brady, Mark Gorrie. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. Special Reports: Bradford Geer. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
RVtravel.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): mikegast@rvtravel.com
Advertising: Advertising@rvtravel.com
Help desk: Contact us.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
This newsletter is copyright 2022 by RV Travel LLC.
Laugh of the week? That is what the eastern seaboard has and is now heading to Michigan. Need to move as far south as I can get away from that white stuff and zero temps.
Hi I just want to thank chuck and anyone else working for this paper. Your hard work has been appreciated by my husband and I for a long long time. We are lucky to have you. Stay healthy❤️
Thank you so much for your kind words, Wendy. We all love what we do, and we’re constantly striving to improve for you and all of our other wonderful readers. Comments like yours make our efforts worthwhile. Take care. 😀 –Diane
After reading the comment from the RV show about the wine coolers made me wonder…How does a state with open container laws handle an RV that may have open containers since people are living in it?
Chuck,
Yesterday January 30th wife and I went to the Green Bay wii. camper show. My wife was in one of the campers on display. She opened a cabinet. The door on the cabinet was thin and poorly made.
I watch a guy pull a shower curtain shut while he was in the shower the curtain was poorly made.
My wife and I were looking for a camper under 30 feet with the bedroom wardrobe sliding out. Talked to one sales lady she said that the beds that slide out under 30 foot campers that’s too much weight on the tongue.
Asked another sales man why they don’t make beds slide out on campers under 30 feet here was his response. People want longer camper and bigger camper.
Hi there … I just joined up today (29th) 🙂 … have read a few articles, and scrolled through a few more … this looks like a great resource. 😀
Hi, Lori. And Welcome! We’re so glad you found us. We’ll try to live up to your expectations. That’s our main goal: to provide RVers with factual information, helpful RVing tips, and a little humor along the way. Be sure to check out our “newsy” Sunday Newsletter. We used to have one RV Travel Newsletter on the weekends, but it got too big so we now put the more newsy-type stuff into our Sunday newsletter. Lots of good RVing info in there, too. Oh, and don’t miss our RV Daily Tips newsletters Monday through Friday. And our biweekly Great RV Accessories newsletters and Full-Time RVers newsletters, if you’re so inclined. Anyway, welcome aboard. We appreciate you! (I guess I’d better get back to tomorrow’s newsletter, so it will be available if you want to look at it!) Have a good night. 🙂 –Diane
Hi Diane … yep, I signed up for everything, not that I’ll get through it all and some stuff may not be a good fit, but I won’t know until I go there … as the saying goes, ‘if you don’t play, you don’t win. 🙂
Yay! Thanks, Lori. And if you don’t like something, you can easily unsubscribe, or just not click on the link in the email. And dang! I guess that’s why I never win the lottery – because I don’t buy tickets, eh? 😆 Have a great day! 😀 -Diane
I am not a paying subscriber
I agree with today’s post but chuck is a leftist and after years of letting them block us , i have decided to put my foot down and cannot pay to read the narrow minded leftist bs
So , i occasionaly read the technical articles and skip most of the rest
Keep the left political comments out
I don’t need the ones from the right either
Let’s go (bleeped).
Hey, Claudio. You say, “Keep the left political comments out. I don’t need the ones from the right either.” And then you say, “Let’s go br—–.” That’s not a “political comment”? Excuse me?! –Diane
After reading Claudio’s post…I just made a donation to RVTravel.com.
Thanks RVTravel. Look forward to the newsletter on the weekends.
Thank you, Tim! We appreciate you and your support (moral and otherwise) very much! Take care. 😀 –Diane
Way to go, Tim. 🙂
Tim, I’ve found it to be a very good place to “donate”. I have a monthly donation and have had it for almost a year now! I don’t miss many newsletters, either!
Thank you soooo much, Lindalee. We certainly appreciate your kind words and your ongoing support. We honestly love what we do. And it’s because of positive words like yours that we constantly try to improve in order to provide our readers the best RVing information in the world! Take care. 😀 –Diane
Claudio, I am not a leftist. I have always been pretty much in the center politically. When I lived in California, I always registered as an Independent, and voted almost always for the candidate I thought was best, not the party. These days I find myself somewhat conservative on some matters and liberal on others. In Washington state, where I live now, we do not choose a party, so I guess I’m technically still an “Independent.” I do not believe in conspiracy theories, so call me what you want. I can tell you that as a long-time online publisher and student of the news media, that publishing radical theories will earn the publisher/writer/influencer far more money than publishing straight, well-researched news and information. Only porn earns more. If one has no morals, he or she can get rich publishing conspiracy theories — and that’s why there are so many out there. As a publisher it’s always tempting to publish something very sensational and earn yourself $1,000 based on traffic, rather than a straightforward article that earns you $75. Unethical publishers are having a field day today.
I concur.
Don’t worry about the Claud’s of the world, As an Independent I’ve learned that people like him call everyone a leftist, Like monkey’s they fear what they can’t figure out. which is a long list.
Oh, Ron, I think I love you!!
Way to go Chuck! I’m with you – the “influencers” are making BIG bucks right now, for sure!
👎👎 Guess you don’t listen to your own views.
Chuck keep up the good work educating people that RVIA is not a certification of a quality product. But rather a marketing business for the RV manufacturers. I learned that fast. Don’t know how RVIA can live with marketing products that can take people’s lives. When I buy an RV, I expect it and the equipment to be trouble free for years. Some people feel it is acceptable to spend thousands of dollars and repair their own RV instead of getting it repaired under warranty by the dealer. Plus getting service by a dealership and paying $150. an hour, not acceptable. We have to find ways to force the RV industry to improve. Keep up the good work Chuck.
Thank you for your lead article today. I have been researching the RV lifestyle for the past year. I have read many other blogs and articles and found RV travel to be the most honest and informative/entertaining. I have paid the subscription it is the best bargain out there.
Great lead article and I made a donation because I really appreciate the information I get each weekend from the newsletters. I signed up for a subscription to RV magazine a couple of years ago, and absolutely hate it. I find it to be nothing more than a monthly “Camping World” flyer and I don’t trust the information in there is for the benefit of me. It’s just paid product placement, as far as I’m concerned. So I’ll now consider my donation to be a subscription to a newsletter that is much better than that magazine. Unfortunately, today’s consumer isn’t the brightest, so there will always be demand for that. I was at an RV show and someone was so excited about the $250 TV in an $80,000 trailer. Thanks for the great work.
Chuck, just made a donation to RVTravel after reading your article about the failure of the RV industry to address the real issues facing them today. You have never been more correct. Donated equal to the membership fee we pay each year to our RV club. Plan to do so each year as we glean useful information from the newsletter each week. Thank you for being the voice in the wilderness for us.
Read the bear spray story from last year at this time… I have read 4 stories over the last year about bears and bear spray…the bears won in each case. So don’t risk your life on bear spray alone.
Chuck Woodbury hits the bullseye with his latest letter about RV manufacturing standards and truth in advertising. Chuck and RV Travel have helped us think more smartly about what we buy—and why we buy it. This newletter’s ethos is clearly that human happiness and safety are the highest values—not its personal profit. While some of us might decry “regulation,” we need to remember that there would be far fewer rules if those values were the industry’s watchwords. I applaud Chuck for his lifetime of doing the right thing and firmly implanting that purpose in everything that RV travel.com does.
LOVE!!!!! THE COVER STORY!!!!
So perfectly right on!
Just keep doing what you are doing!! A Good Read & Good People!!
As a Comment; have Turfed RV Retailer, did in a Heartbeat!!
We now “work with” Mfr. & find we receive straight guidance & resolution.
Purchasing their product was a good move for us & will consider & contact them 1st.
when purchasing again.
Just a fyi, “Mosquitos” in Laugh of the week is a Spanish word for little flies.
Chuck, your cover story today was not just great and right on, it was also ballsy. You risk someone or some thing seeking retribution; e.g., look at what’s going on right now with Spotify. Free speech has morphed into mob rule. But politics is not where I wanted to go with my comment. I wanted to applaud you for speaking your mind to the point where you put something at risk. That’s 1a, the fact that I think you’re right is 1b. I think you also modestly overlook the possibility that RV Travel actually does represent the consuming RVer, without the usual soapbox bluster. Your article, which I call an editorial from the editor, actually moved me to begin a monthly contribution. Keep up the good work.
Chuck…keep speaking your truth about the RV industry and writing the articles. Anyone who’s owned an RV for more than 30 minutes has experienced some sort of problem. I certainly have. It’s vitally important to RV owners and anyone considering an RV purchase to read the RVT stories and reviews. And although the RV industry probably wouldn’t say it publicly, it’s important to the RV industry as well to have RVT reporting on the industry.
Great lead article! Everything in the country is marketing BS backed by a fully bought and paid for system of government “oversight”. We have been steamrolled by every industry on the planet and have less recourse year by year against being ripped off. Nearly all RV publications are Industry cheer leading, You guy’s might be the last of a dying group. I really started researching the RV industry about 5 years ago and was instantly sickened by what I was reading and decided to use the rest of my working years to help people make an informed decision through education, Inspections and just someone else in their ear besides a salesman and a ton of marketing crap. The industry groups are trying to discredit or lock out any and all consumer groups or new organizations that are looking out for their customer in any way. If anyone doesn’t think we’re the United Corporations of America you haven’t been paying attention.
I just wanted to share that your Mystery Product has some very offensive pictures. The morse code bracelets is a nice unique gift idea. But as I was scrolling through the different choices I came across a couple very offensive words. Not sure if you completely reviewed the product. I love your newsletter and read it daily. I have never encountered this type of language. Just giving you a heads up.
Please help us all get better, What’s offensive?
So maybe folks are unable to read the writing? Or they don’t know what offensive is and what’s not! 🤷🏼♂️ I’ll pass as I do with all products from this newsletter.
Lol!!!
Get a grip, pal.
Yeah, I saw those offensive words. They had the balls to write “You are loved”. Shame!!! What did you find offensive? BFF? Badass? Get a grip and keep on scrolling!
Chuck!
We don’t own an RV but if we did, I would be reading your content every possible moment for the valid information you share.
I dreamed once to travel more and to have an RV. I grew up traveling with my parents during those summer vacations in a travel trailer pulled behind the car. Great memories!
The purpose of my response here is to encourage you in your RV journey, to continue your search for truth in the industry and speak out as you find the answers! This one newsletter alone has massive, much needed information for all those who are on the road or thinking about travel ventures.