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April 7, 2024
Issue 1151
Free, abbreviated edition
Cover story
Attention, readers: We are headed into battle
By Chuck Woodbury
FOUNDER AND PUBLISHER
Google is giving website publishers the heebie jeebies. I’m telling you because you should know. What Google is doing is hinting (strongly) that for a monthly fee it will one day soon provide instant search results based on artificial intelligence. So, you and I will pay Google for the service and from then on when we search for a particular topic, the response will pop right up on Google, courtesy of A.I. No need to visit websites that today would be where we would go for answers. You may have noticed that Google is already experimenting with this, free for now.
Will Google actually do this? My guess? Absolutely!
Once you pay for the new service, if you were to type in “How much do RVs cost?” Google will instantly return the answer based on A.I., rather than list web pages as it does today. This will kill many websites that rely on the giant search engine for their traffic. And that includes most websites about RVing.
It’s sort of like if you operated a retail tourist shop a block off the main highway, and relied on a prominent billboard to alert travelers you were there. Then one day local officials remove the billboard. Suddenly, nobody finds you. Consider what happened to tourist shops along Route 66 when Interstate 40 opened, bypassing them. Most went belly-up.
I envisioned something like this happening many years ago. And that’s why we have built a substantial mailing list and are pushing hard to grow it. Chances are you received an email from us that brought you here today.
Publishers who are aware of what’s happening, some of them panicked, are discussing what they can do to combat Google. The fact is, if a website’s circulation drops, then what they can charge for advertising drops. When it gets to where they cannot deliver enough eyeballs, advertisers leave. The solution: Paywalls and subscriptions, i.e., to read a website, you pay. And yet, as publishers know, attracting readers for free is a whole lot easier than asking them to pay, which requires superior content.
We have asked readers hundreds of times to voluntarily subscribe to RVtravel.com. Only 6 percent of you have done so. And yet we provide quality information, not just generic filler pumped out by content creators and, increasingly, by artificial intelligence.
You are likely tired of me pitching donations. But, frankly, I don’t believe I have much choice anymore than to convince more of you to help us pay our way. That means, encouraging you to donate. And, like it or not, we need advertising, which I plan to write about soon. I’m aware that our recent tweak has not gone as smoothly as we hoped. We’re working on it.
Never in my four decades of publishing have I seen so much change, and not necessarily good. In my opinion, any publisher who is not paying close attention to what is happening and making plans how to adapt is like a lion tamer taking his eye off the beast.
Mike the Headless Chicken
Changing gears, on a far lighter note: I hope you have time to read my article about an upcoming festival that honors a long-departed but celebrated chicken. Why is the fowl celebrated? The chicken, named Mike, lived for 18 months without a head! Now that’s worth celebrating. Read all about it.
JOIN OUR TEAM! WRITE FOR US!
RVtravel.com is looking for writers!
If you’ve dreamed of writing to a big audience then continue reading! We’re looking for experienced writers who live and breathe RVing. Please email editor(at)rvtravel.com with as much information about yourself as possible. Explain why you want to write for us. Include writing samples and/or links to your website or blog. This can be a rewarding, excellent-paying freelance position for a talented, prolific writer.
Yesterday’s Top News for RVers
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- RV park expansions ignite land use disputes: Towns clash over camping evolution
- Court dismisses RV owner’s appeal against Ford—A cautionary tale in RV warranty legal battle
- Beware! Fake eclipse glasses flood market, risking eye damage and blindness
- Bridges are taking a hit – three in a week
- Campground Crowding: RVers and camp hosts share a trick to getting around the 14-day stay limit. It works, but are the consequences worth it?
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
Fix roof leaks and extend your RV roof another 18-20 years with the ONLY liquid butyl rubber in the world
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Today’s RV review…
Renegade RV Veracruz 30VRM – a “super” Super C
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the 2024 Renegade Veracruz 30VRM Super C. This is an interesting offering on the Ford F550 XLT platform, which means that it’s equipped with Ford’s 6.7L V8 diesel engine and 10-speed automatic. So what, you say? Here’s why I like that.
RV Service Centers and Repairs Report
It’s not just the RV industry; auto industry says “not enough technicians” to get the job done
In this column, we summarize some of your recent emails and comments regarding RV service centers and repairs. This week Nanci Dixon relates your concerns including the ongoing instances of independent RV dealers selling out to larger companies and rates increasing dramatically, and a dissatisfied customer whose RV had so many repair issues and for so long that he had to get an attorney involved to get the matter resolved. And there’s a (lengthy) rave review of an RV dealer that’s so heartwarming it’ll almost make you tear up.
UPDATED WEEKLY: A list of RV dealers, service centers, and mobile techs as recommended by our readers. Click here.
Around the Campfire
RVers share the best RV advice they’ve ever received. What’s yours?
By Gail Marsh
Last week our campfire group talked about the worst RV advice they’d ever received. This week while sitting around the campfire, we considered the opposite as we discussed the best RV advice ever received. See what folks had to say and then chime in with your own response.
RV keyless entry: Which RV keyless door lock should you get?
By Cheri Sicard
Have you ever considered RV keyless entry options? In the video below, Joshua from RV Gear and Far compares the two most popular brands, RVLock and Latch.it. Personally, I found this incredibly helpful. My keyed lock is flimsy and in constant need of tinkering to make it function. All the other locks on the market I have seen don’t look much better. Would RV keyless entry be better? Let’s explore.
Break in your new generator the right way for long service life
By Randall Brink
The small, efficient gasoline generator is a practical necessity for extended RV boondocking or any time spent away from a source of alternating current for energizing appliances and battery charging. In 2022 I switched from a Class A coach with a hefty 7.5 kW Cummins Onan generator to a tiny towable with a single marine deep-cycle battery and no generator. My boondocking plans would require a generator. I wondered what the best way was to break in a new generator so it had a long life. Here’s what I found.
How RVers are preparing (or not) for the Great North American Eclipse
By Gail Marsh
A recent RVtravel.com poll asked readers to chime in about their upcoming plans for the solar eclipse, happening on April 8, 2024. Responders generally fell into three categories: RVers who plan to travel in their RVs to see the eclipse, RVers who are not interested in the eclipse, and RVers who happen to live within the predicted path of the eclipse. Read about the results of the poll and some of our readers’ comments here.
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- How to get rid of campfire smell that clings to clothes and hair
- The ultimate list of RV hacks, tips and tricks
- Need a new place to walk? Try this trail-finding trick with Google Maps
- Unusual, helpful uses for chalk while RVing
- How to manage allergies while RVing
NOT RECEIVING OUR DAILY TIPS NEWSLETTER YET? You’ll love it! It’s filled with RV tips and tricks, RV maintenance advice, cool gadgets, trivia, a poll question, a joke, websites we love, recipes, and much more. Read the latest issues here then sign up here. Easy unsubscribe if you don’t like it (but we know that won’t happen).
Take an extra 10% off a GhostBed luxury RV mattress!
The GhostBed RV mattress is 10” deep, crafted with gel memory foam for coolness, has 3 layers of luxurious comfort and is perfectly sized for your RV! Ahhhh… Wake up relaxed and rejuvenated. RVtravel.com readers now get an EXTRA 10% OFF a GhostBed Luxury RV Mattress! CLICK HERE and use code RVTRAVEL10. Watch RVtravel.com’s Tony Barthel’s RV mattress review here.
Up your RV maintenance knowledge and join the ultimate diesel motorhome event of 2024
By Roger Stickley
Since 1990, the Ramblin’ Pushers have offered a yearly event that focuses specifically on proper maintenance and safe operation of all classes of diesel motorhomes. The event … [is called a] “Maintenance Session” (MS for short), to distinguish it from more casual, socially oriented RV rallies. Recently the MS has expanded its list of eligible coaches to include all classes of diesel motorhomes, including Class A, B, C and Super C. Read about this worthwhile upcoming event.
SaddleHawk Ranch, an unexpected Harvest Hosts gem for horse lovers in Deming, NM
By Nanci Dixon
SaddleHawk Ranch was such an unexpected Harvest Hosts gem. It is located just east of Deming, New Mexico. We have been Harvest Host members for a couple of years and have not been fully taking advantage of the program, although the ones we have gone to have been excellent. We were so glad we stayed here!
The spider who loved me
Essay by Emily Woodbury
A few days ago I was working on my laptop outside at my backyard picnic table getting this newsletter ready for you. I saw something jumping around out of the corner of my eye. An itsy, bitsy spider was bouncing back and forth from my computer cords to the table. I’ve never seen a jumping spider in person before, but I recognized it immediately from the photos I’ve seen online of the “world’s cutest spiders.” Continue reading about the spider who wanted to be my friend.
Readers’ RVing Mistakes
A beer festival + parking after dark + train tracks = one heck of a wake-up call
In this column, we share some of the not-so-brilliant things we, the RVtravel.com staff, and you, our readers, have done while RVing. This week’s installment from Nanci Dixon includes your lessons learned about the necessity of being fully aware of your surroundings when you park your RV after dark somewhere other than an RV park. Another warning of why it’s important to get out and check that campsite parking spot closely, or else… Also, it’s important to know how much water your gray tank holds and how much water your washer uses for a load of laundry. Just sayin’. Plus, there are two more “don’t trust your GPS” stories, and one important word of advice regarding what type of GPS to use.
Reader Poll
Do you suffer from seasonal allergies?
Please let us know. After you click your response, you’ll see how others have responded. Feel free to leave a comment.
POPULAR POLL FROM THIS PAST WEEK
We asked: What do you do most nights after dinner? Do you think RVtravel.com readers most often watch TV or play games? Go for a walk or read? Find out here.
Outstanding but affordable RV parks
In this column, we’re sharing information taken from our Facebook group Outstanding but affordable RV parks. Also, from time to time, we’ll include our staff’s favorite affordable campgrounds. We hope to provide real options for folks looking to RV in reasonably priced, well-kept RV parks all across the country.
Click here to see this week’s picks for outstanding but affordable RV parks.
NEW! A state-by-state guide to outstanding but affordable RV parks. Updated weekly. Click here.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook”.
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
- What can I clean my RV ceiling with?
- Black tank still smells after trying EVERYTHING. Why?
- Can you elaborate on why you are a “big fan” of Coach-Net?
- My RV hydraulic jacks “twang” and retract overnight. What should I look for?
- Why does the RV refrigerator work on LP but not on 120-volt power?
Click here to see more questions for Dave.
DON’T MISS ANY RV REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE ARTICLES! Every Tuesday we issue a free weekly email digest of all our articles from the past week on the subject. Sign up here for RV Repair and Maintenance Tips (and check out all our other reports and newsletters).
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
You know what Bigfoot really, really loves? America! Don’t believe us? See how patriotic he is here! See? We didn’t lie!
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Use MORryde X-Brace Stabilizers to prevent your RV from moving or wobbling when parked
By Dustin Simpson
A common concern I hear from my customers is in regards to the movement of their unit when in a parked position. Whether it’s the movement from someone walking inside the unit or from strong winds, there are many consumers who can benefit from a stabilizer. MORryde offers three different options in their X-Brace line of stabilizers.
Learn all about them (including video) here
RV Gadgets and Gizmos
Favorite lighting choices for camping and RVing
By Gail Marsh
One of the very best parts of camping and RVing is enjoying the nighttime hours. I love it when twilight slowly morphs into dusk. Stars appear and soon darkness envelops our campsite. It’s peaceful and serene. While I really enjoy the darkness, there are times when we all need a little light. Here are some of my favorite lighting choices for camping and RVing.
Travel Destinations
Add RVing on Nevada’s wacky Extraterrestrial Highway to your bucket list
By Cheri Sicard
The sun had no sooner set on Nevada’s remote Extraterrestrial (ET) Highway when the previously silent sky suddenly roared to life with aircraft. Or, more precisely, the sounds of aircraft. Lots of them. The dark and cloudy early-night sky provided no clues as to who or what was creating the din. But the noise continued uninterrupted, with a few window-rattling booms occasionally punctuating the steady drone.
The best book for county park camping
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. Read more about it here.
RV Tire Safety
Attention to detail is VERY important when it comes to tire size
By Roger Marble
I got a question from Lee H. on the Facebook Page “RV Tire News, Information”. The information provides an opportunity to show why the details of tire “size” can be critical to making the selection of what tires you need. This example is for a large Class A, but the details can just as easily apply to a 18′ bumper pull on 14″ tires.
Recipe of the Day
Cheesy Bacon Zucchini Boats
by Traci Coleman from Vancouver, WA
These zucchini boats are a creative way to serve summertime’s favorite vegetable. The bacon bread crumb crunch gives the zucchini a nice flavor and texture. They have a nice cheesy, buttery flavor. Super-hearty, they’re a nice summertime dinner.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Camping in the dry desert air can be challenging for a girl with hair as soft as Harper’s (8-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). She takes it in stride and finds traveling in the RV with Mama to be much preferable to her previous life in a puppy mill.” —Rhonda Brodbeck
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Sunday RV Travel newsletter. No blurry photos, please! Please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!
• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.
Trivia
Vocal pauses like “um” and “uh” are known as speech disfluencies. Every recorded language ever has some variation of these “filler” words. Americans usually say “um” or “uh,” while the British say “er” or “erm” and the Spanish say “ehhh.”
Sunday funny
Did you miss last week’s RV Travel?
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Associate editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editors: Russ and Tiña De Maris. Senior writers: Nanci Dixon, Gail Marsh, Dave Solberg and Cheri Sicard. Contributors: Roger Marble, Dave Helgeson, J.R. Montigel, Randall Brink, Dustin Simpson, Dale Wade, and Tony Barthel. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen. Social Media staff: Gary Pratt. Mascots: Archie and Astor “the Disaster”
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 many affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates 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 the potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
Publisher Chuck Woodbury is the author of “The ABCs of RVing: Everything you wanted to know about RVing but were afraid to ask.”
CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): chuck@rvtravel.com
Help desk: Contact us.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020
This newsletter is copyright 2024 by RV Travel LLC.
Today’s hi tech megalopolies like Google, Facebook, Apple, microsoft, and Amazon make standard oil look like a mom and pop corner store. We need a trust buster on a massive scale. Where is teddy roosevelt?
Who? You mean FDR he been gone and left me some security 🤔
I’m sure he meant Theodore Roosevelt, not the Socialist FDR
Google has become pretty worthless anyway as typically the first two or three pages are all paid links and advertising you have to sift through to get to the regular search links.
Total truth there! I can type in a VERY specific search and the correct result is WAY down the page since Google shows it’s highest paying sponsor links first, even if they aren’t really applicable. Google is today’s version of AT&T before they were forced to break up.
I have moved to Duck Duck Go and it’s wonderful! What I’m looking for is right on top and the constant annoying ads are gone.
I do not use google as a search engine. I use Duck Duck Go. I do not use google as a web browser. I use Firefox. google using AI as a search engine will have minimal impact on me. I do appreciate it is of grave concern for companies that rely on google to get their name out there. Who is paying for their AI service? If I don’t want to pay does it mean I can’t use google. Gee, too bad.
Nope it’s free
I gave up on MS and their so called “software” that never worked right since winblows 98 and switched to Linux which is way better than those other people. At least with Brave and Duck Duck Go you aren’t bombarded with junk ads…although it’s probably coming.It all boils down to greed.
I don’t have Google as my default search engine and no devices Google based.
One big problem is no matter what website you go to, Google is loading trackers. I use Firefox and I can see what is loading at the bottom of the screen.
I am looking to buy a new TV. Looked at Sony. It now has Google TV built in. Google will be tracking every thing you watch!
Same as using gmail as your email client.
Oh well that’s the way of America and the world now who’s fault is that mine i can’t get no one I sent to Washington to even call me back 😡
I closed my Paypal account due to their behavior. Your “send a check” link is broken. Please check that link so we have a Paypal alternative. Thank you!
Hi, Carol. Chuck just sent me this temporary link for those who want to donate by check: https://www.rvtravel.com/checkform2/ Our IT dude, Kim, is working to fix the link on the Donate page, but this will work in the meantime. Thank you! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Oops. Just heard from Kim and he reports that the check option on the Donate page is now fixed. Thanks for your patience in the meantime. 😀 –Diane
From previous and current experiences with Artificial Intelligence (AI) searches and programming, there is no Intelligence in AI and everything is Artificial. MS CoPilot is full of empty gopher holes and erroneous information. Other AI based search engines are equally disappointing.
I can’t stand Co-Pilot and the fact that MS forced it on everyone. When 10 came out and they said people would no longer be able to turn off updates, their reason was “to make sure people’s computers are up to date to keep them safer from viruses, etc.” Well forced upgrades like Co-Pilot (and many other “feature upgrades”) have nothing to do with that. MS Just LIED!
Doesn’t everyone just scroll past the AI search results? Doesn’t everyone also scroll past the sponsored search results?
Use duckduckgo instead of google