RV Travel Newsletter for Sunday, November 24, 2024

Issue 1184
This is the abbreviated, free edition of this newsletter. Become a donor and receive the ad-free edition.

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The true cost and hidden dangers of disposable propane cylinders; an alternative

By Russ & Tiña De Maris
Americans rely on propane for camping and DIY projects, but those convenient one-pound cylinders come at a steep cost. With millions discarded in parks and landfills annually, disposal expenses and environmental damage are skyrocketing. While refilling disposables may seem like a money-saver, it poses serious safety and legal risks. And with California banning disposables soon, the future of propane use is shifting.

You could get a ticket for having a missing sewer cap

By Gail Marsh
We were stopped for fuel when a fellow RVer quickly made his way over to our rig. Pointing to our fifth wheel’s sewer discharge pipe, he said, “You might want to get a cap for that. Otherwise, you could get a ticket.” Could we? We learned he was right. You could potentially receive a ticket if your RV’s sewer cap is missing. It all depends on the circumstances and local laws. Reasons for a citation may include…

Hibernate smart: 5 steps to stop RV mold growth before it starts

By Andrew Herrick
Mold may flower in the summer, but it’s planted in the winter. Or to riff off an old country proverb, “December cold brings May mold.” I use the terms “flower” and “planted” metaphorically, of course. Mold neither blossoms nor roots. It’s a fungus, and it eats things. If you accidentally nurture it, it’ll try to eat your RV, too. So if you improperly store your RV over the winter, you could be turning it into a veritable fungus greenhouse (looking at you, plastic tarps!). Here’s how to stop that from happening.

Today’s RV review…

No new review today. Tony and Peggy are driving home from Indiana, where they were touring a bunch of new RVs for future reviews. Woohoo! Safe travels, you two!

To fill the void, here are a few of Tony’s most popular recent reviews:

• 2025 Forest River Wildwood Grand Lodge 44VIEW—what a view!
• 2025 Jayco Jay Feather 26FK—details make the difference
• Keystone Outback 328RL—striking gold
• Jayco Jay Feather 27MK—a new floor plan

RV service centers and repairs report
RV technician shares the secrets of why RV warranty work is a “broken system”

This week Nanci Dixon shares one reader’s report on his difficulty in finding knowledgeable RV technicians who don’t “vanish” before the work is done on his fifth wheel. Also, an RVer is being advised by a Keystone-authorized repair shop that they need a new roof but Keystone (without inspecting the roof) says they don’t, so it won’t honor the warranty. And a 15-year certified RV technician explains the “broken” RV manufacturing and warranty system in detail. (It’s appalling.) Read more.

UPDATED WEEKLY: A list of RV dealers, service centers, and mobile techs as recommended by our readers. Click here.

Yesterday’s top news for RVers
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• Washington state mirrors California’s motorhome ban
• Lazydays sells seven dealerships to Camping World
• White campers have advantage making camping reservations
• California resources meets with RV manufacturers amid controversy over motorhome sales ban
• 21 million Americans expected to hit the road in RVs this holiday season

Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.

What sound does a limping turkey make? Wobble wobble!

 Happy (almost) Thanksgiving! 

Why Thanksgiving is a great holiday to spend in your RV

By Tony Barthel
Camping Thanksgivings have been a tradition in our family for years, with friends always eager to join us at various campgrounds—from beaches to forests. We love both camping and Thanksgiving, and we’re grateful for our RVs. While preparing the holiday feast in an RV isn’t always easy, here are some tips we’ve learned to make Thanksgiving more RV-friendly.

Thanksgiving: What a season of gratitude and hope teaches us

Thanksgiving’s origins are rooted in survival, friendship, and gratitude, but history reveals a more complicated story, particularly for the Wampanoag people. In a time of division and uncertainty, the true essence of Thanksgiving—unity, gratitude, and hope—holds even greater significance. Nanci Dixon reflects on personal memories of family, loss, and love, offering a powerful reminder to embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving year-round.

How to cook Thanksgiving turkey in an RV oven

By Cheri Sicard
Are you spending the Thanksgiving holidays on the road this year? Don’t let that stop you from cooking your Thanksgiving turkey in an RV oven. Yes, this definitely can be done and the team from Irene Iron Travels shares their experiences after doing it for the first time. Here’s what to do (hint: it’s easy!).

We’re thankful for you; are you thankful for us?
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Travel destinations

Step back in time at Love Valley, an “Old West” town from the past

By Gail Marsh
Love Valley, North Carolina, is a small, one-of-a-kind town. Here, visitors are invited to step back in time to a place where cowboys roam and cars are noticeably absent. Nestled in the Brushy Mountains, this “Old West” town was founded in the 1950s by Andy Barker. Barker dreamed of creating a place that mirrored the wild spirit and rustic charm of a classic cowboy town. You’ll love this place!

The Battle of Mobile Bay: A must-visit Civil War site for RVers

Reader poll
What do you call it: stuffing or dressing?

Respond here.

POPULAR POLL FROM THIS PAST WEEK
Do most RVtravel.com readers have a traditional absorption refrigerator or a residential one? Take a guess! You could be right… Or you could be wrong. Find out here.

Holiday Gift Guide

Our top 15 best-selling products in 2024 make great gifts for RVers

RVers loved these products the most this year, which means they’d make gifts for other RVers too (or perhaps a gift for yourself…). If so many of you love them, all RVers will love them! Check out these best-sellers.

RV-themed must-have gifts for the home or RV

This gift guides features some of the cutest RV decor we’ve ever seen. Just check out that camp stove ornament (pictured)! That ornament and many other RV decor items are featured in this gift guide. Again, these would make great gifts for yourself, too.

15 camping games and puzzles that are fun for everyone and make the perfect gift

We feature this guide to camping-themed games and puzzles often because they make great gifts year-round. These are some of our favorite games. Now that it’s cold, rainy and maybe even snowy, it’s the perfect time to get cozy and have some indoor fun. Check these out.

?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
You probably need these this week. And if you do, we think these are the ones to get. It’s not too late, but it will be soon!

Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter

• Simple trick makes storing pot and pan lids easy; keeps them safe during travel
• Why you should use window film in your RV
• How to stay free overnight in your RV in a small town
• Tips, advice and other things you should know about recalls
• How well do you know your putty tape?

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What is a turkey’s favorite weather? Fowl weather!

In the RV shop with Dustin
Cool tools and gadgets to help with RV repair

By Dustin Simpson
We all know that Amazon offers a diverse range of RV tools and gear, from essential items like nitrile gloves to specialized tools such as torque wrenches and breaker bars, all at competitive prices and quality comparable to top brands. Here are a few things I use often, and think you would benefit from using, too.

Ghost town trails
Silver City, Utah – Heartbreak and thanksgiving

By Dave Helgeson
This month we will travel to Silver City, Utah, located just a few miles down the road from one of our other featured ghost towns, Eureka, Utah. I chose Silver City not because of extensive remains or a historical event that occurred. I chose it because November is the month we celebrate Thanksgiving. Also, I chose to share my visit to Silver City to remind myself, and hopefully others, of all the things we have to be thankful for. Continue reading.

RV gadgets and gizmos

No new gadget reviews this week, but read Thursday’s brand-new Great RV Accessories newsletter to get your gadget fix. Lots of accessories, gadgets and gizmos inside here.

RV tire safety
Readers’ questions about setting pressure and best gauge

This week tire expert Roger Marble answers a reader’s question about when and how to check and set the tire pressure on his Class A motorhome when traveling through widely varying ambient temperatures. And a reader asks for Roger’s recommendation for a quality tire pressure gauge. Read more.

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:

• All GFCI outlets work; why did 4 on other side quit working?
• How does a 50-amp to 30-amp adapter work?
• How can I use my winterized RV in January and February?
• Is lithium ion or lithium iron phosphate battery better in RV?
• Do ultrasonic mice deterrents work?

What do you get if you cross a turkey with a ghost? A poultry-geist!

Vintage RVs
Unexpected inheritance inspires 1955 Airstream Cruiser adventure

By Paul Lacitinola
For Tom and Holly, the great outdoors has always been more than just a destination—it’s a cherished family tradition. They’ve instilled a love for nature in their children and grandchildren, exploring everything from coastal shores and rugged deserts to towering mountains and iconic National Parks. In 2014, Tom’s father passed away, leaving behind an unexpected inheritance that prompted Tom and Holly to do something special.

RVing with dogs
RVing dogs should have a GPS tracking collar; some options

By Gail Marsh
A post on our RVing with Dogs Facebook group this week shared a family’s grief and what they learned from their loss. Sheryl Carter posted: “Our poodle jumped our fence and was lost and then hit by a car. We couldn’t find her for hours. If we had had a tag on her we could have seen where she was. Now they all have [a locator] and it’s great!” Learn more about doggie GPS-tracking collars here.

Recipes of the day
Thanksgiving recipes

• Thanksgiving stuffing recipes that’ll steal the show
• Try a new sweet potato recipe for your Thanksgiving table
• Six creative, yummy Thanksgiving turkey recipes for you
• Reinvent your mac and cheese with these creative recipes
• 5 delicious vegetable side dish recipes

Readers’ pets of the day

“Bam Bam and Pebbles. We need to watch what we say in front of them. If we say anything about going RVing or say ‘camping’ they get excited and run to the door as if to say ‘Let’s get going!’ They are the best travelers and better than our children were when they were young. Our 10-year-old granddaughter did the photo shoot.” —Tom Wetter

• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.

Want to see your pet in this newsletter? Please send us a photo of your pet with a short description. No blurry photos and please do not submit your photo more than once.

Trivia

Americans eat about 50 million pumpkin pies on Thanksgiving,

Sunday funny

Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?

Read it here | Back issues

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