Issue 1188
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Merry (almost) Christmas to all…
With Emily Woodbury
It’s almost Christmas, and I hope you’re reading this someplace cozy—whether that’s with friends, family, your partner, your dog, or even just with the peaceful company of your own thoughts.
I hope there’s the gentle hum of Christmas music in the background, something delicious wafting from the kitchen, and a sense of contentment in the air. Most of all, I hope you are warm, healthy, and filled with gratitude for the joys around you, big or small.
If this year looks a little different for you—if you’re not warm, or healthy, or surrounded by loved ones—know that this little corner in cyberspace is for you too.
2024, like recent years, has had its share of ups and downs. At RVtravel.com we’ve worked harder than ever to maintain our commitment to editorial excellence, and not resort to churning out generic articles using cheap artificial intelligence. The online publishing world is a challenging place to be right now, but your support, both as readers and donors, keeps us going. And that means everything to us.
In addition to our virtual world, physical struggles have affected many of us, too. The price of everything seems to be climbing higher still. Maybe the tree doesn’t have as many gifts beneath it this year, or your holiday travels have taken a shorter route than you’d hoped. But there are still so many things that cost nothing and mean everything: love, kindness, a smile, a wave, a hug, a handwritten note, your favorite book shared with a friend, or simply a moment of your time.
HERE AT RVTRAVEL.COM, we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about who we are and what we do. At its heart, it all comes back to community. Whether your RV is a sprawling Class A where you’ve made a full-time life, a tiny pop-up trailer perfect for weekend adventures, or your only place to call home, our community is for you. And always, we like to remind ourselves: We’re all human.
Even though it’s still a few days away, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas. For those celebrating Kwanzaa and Hanukkah starting Thursday, our warmest wishes to you, as well. And a cheerful nod to those who marked the Winter Solstice yesterday, or anyone simply savoring the quiet joys of the season.
Wherever you are, however you’re spending this holiday season, may it be filled with peace, joy, and just a little bit of magic.
Happiest of Holidays to you and yours, and a very Merry Christmas,
Emily, Chuck, Diane, Kim, and the entire RVtravel.com team
Vintage RVs all decked out for the holidays
By Cheri Sicard
If you are ready to get into the RV Christmas spirit, pour yourself a cup of eggnog and settle in for a compilation of delightful Christmas campers. The Camping Therapy YouTube channel is definitely in the Christmas spirit. Our hostess is even wearing a fabulous RV Christmas sweater that I missed when putting together our collection of RV Christmas apparel. Get cozy and hit play on the video—it’s sure to put you in the holiday spirit.
Cherish every Christmas moment, to hold in your memory forever…
By Gail Marsh
When I think of going home for Christmas, all of my senses combine to take me back, if only in my memories of days gone by… I imagine that I hear Mom singing her favorite Christmas songs. Soon I’m humming along. I hear in my memory the solemn carols forming an incongruous backdrop for the excited squeals of children as they exit the church following Christmas Eve service. Continue reading.
10 clever ways to reuse holiday gift wrap
By Gail Marsh
I love holiday wrapping paper. There is such a wide variety of available papers. They come in eye-popping colors and feature everything from whimsical to realistic to geometric designs. Many of today’s wrapping papers are a real work of art! That’s why I hate to see the paper crumpled and thrown into the trash. Some gift wrap can be recycled, but not all. Here are a few ideas on how to recycle or reuse used holiday gift wrap.
Today’s RV review…
Santa’s sleigh
By Tony Barthel
A couple of Christmases ago, as a fluke, I left a note by the Christmas stockings with a plate of really nice home-baked peanut butter cookies and a glass of chilled eggnog along with a silly request. Being an RV writer, I asked Santa if I could do a review of his sleigh for grins and giggles. Of course, I did this in jest, but after a few eggnogs myself, I thought, “What the heck.” Continue reading this timeless classic.
RV service centers and repairs report
RV tech spills secrets: “RVs are built to fail so you have to keep buying new ones”
This week Nanci Dixon relates your frustrations with “pleather” in RVs (maybe a class action lawsuit is warranted?), a couple of recommendations for RV service centers for quality and timely service, and a troubling report from a longtime Master Certified RV Tech regarding poorly built and quickly inspected RVs. There are also a couple of folks who requested a list of good service centers. “I’m sure a lot of RVers would love to have something like that available.” Wait… What?! We’re pretty sure that’s what we’ve been adding to for almost a year whenever new rave reviews are submitted by our readers. Read this week’s good and bad reports here.
UPDATED (usually) 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
- Chaos at Florida RV resort as mysterious bullets tear through the air
- EPA backs California plan to restrict sales of RVs, cars and pickups
- Cell service anywhere: T-Mobile and Starlink connection testing open to customers
- After 25 days of fighting for her life, woman dies from PA Turnpike RV explosion
- Camping World ordered to pay $3.5 million for misleading pricing fiasco
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
Turn your RV into a coffee shop or log cabin—smooth jazz, crackling fire and all
By Emily Woodbury
I came across these incredible “ambiance” videos (is that what I should call them?) on YouTube and thought I’d share them with you. I have to admit, I left this first one, “Snow Night on Window at Coffee Shop,” on in another browser window while I was working, and it really sorta kinda felt like I was there! Not bad! You’ll love these!
How it Happened: The history of sending Christmas cards
By Gail Marsh
Each year, Christmas sneaks up on me and I’m sending out Christmas cards well after New Year’s Day. Mailing Christmas cards is a time-honored tradition and one I’m not willing to abandon—even if my cards arrive well after Christmas is over. Thinking about my yearly procrastination got me to wondering about the history of sending Christmas cards.
Why gingerbread is a Christmas tradition
By Gail Marsh
When the holiday season arrives, the aroma of gingerbread fills homes and bakeries, evoking warm memories and festive cheer. Have you ever wondered how this spiced treat became synonymous with Christmas? Let’s look at its history and uncover its origins and special connection to the holiday season.
Publisher’s Roadside Journal
Elephant and a rabbit fall in love
By Chuck Woodbury
I enjoy playing with artificial intelligence (even though I fear it, too), specifically writing using A.I. To illustrate: Several times in the past we have held contests where we posted about 20 to 25 unrelated words and then asked our readers to write a story of no longer than 100 to 120 words that included all the random words. We would offer a cash prize for the most creative. Today, I was thinking of holding another, similar, reader contest. But then I thought, “I bet some tech-savvy readers could cheat by using A.I.” So I gave the idea a test.
Travel destinations
Famous historic trails are essential road trip routes for RVers
By Gail Marsh
Many RVers use the “off-season” to plan their upcoming adventures. Themed travel allows you to dig deeper into topics that interest you most. Each journey here offers a unique peek into America’s past and is loaded with educational stops, amazing landscapes, and plenty of RV-friendly spots. Here’s a rundown of what to expect on each trail, plus some tips for making the most of your historical RV adventure.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: Did you know we have tons (and tons!) of Facebook groups for our readers and other RVers? Check out all our groups here.
Reader poll
Did you travel or will you travel for the holidays this week?
We’re thankful for you; are you thankful for us?
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?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Are you smart? Are you sure you’re smart? How do you know? Why should we believe you? Well, this will help and it’ll be fun proving you’re smart, too!
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- How to eliminate hitch clunk
- A road food trick: Ask the locals where NOT to eat!
- When you think outside the “conventional campsite” box, a whole new world awaits
- 7 uses for Reflectix reflective tape besides as insulation
- 7 common RV winterization mistakes RV tech says you should double-check!
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT… You’re NOT signed up for our RV Daily Tips Newsletter?
Well, what are you waiting for? It’s our readers’ favorite newsletter for a reason! It’s filled with RVing tips, maintenance, RV reviews, repair and DIY advice, gadgets, websites we love, recipes, and more. It’s plain ol’ fun! Read a few issues here and if you like what you see, make sure you sign up.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Why EternaBond tape may not be the solution for RV roof maintenance
By Dustin Simpson
In this article and video, we dive into the truth about RV roof repairs and explore why EternaBond tape or similar products may not always be the best solution for maintaining your RV’s roof. Join me and my wife, Ashley, owners of an RV business, as we share our professional insights and discuss why proper roof maintenance requires more than just a quick fix.
Ghost town trails
Finding the Christmas spirit in Poinsettia Mine, Nevada
By Dave Helgeson
In the spirit of Christmas, Poinsettia Mine, Nevada, is this month’s featured ghosted place. I would have written about the ghost town of Christmas, Arizona, but I have yet to visit it. Since poinsettia plants are associated with Christmas, it was the next best place I could come up with for the December installment of Ghost Town Trails.
RV gadgets and gizmos
No new gadget reviews this week, but make sure you read Thursday’s brand-new Great RV Accessories Newsletter. This issue is packed full of gadgets!
Video of the day
RV campground turns into amazing Christmas wonderland
Every year, as November rolls around, something magical happens in northern Indiana. The Shipshewana RV Campground transforms from a popular camping spot into a dazzling “Christmas Campground.” This two-mile-long drive-through display, known as “Lights of Joy,” creates a holiday experience filled with millions of twinkling lights, animatronics, and festive cheer. Click here to learn more, and make sure you watch the video to see the sights in action.
RV tire safety
Which tire inflation information should you follow?
By Roger Marble
I recently received this from an RVtravel.com reader: “Figuring out which tire pressure to use… listed on the trailer, the tire, or in the tables based on the weight each tire was carrying. I saved your advice in an earlier article suggesting inflating 10-20% above the label. What I’m not getting: You say: ‘When inflating your tires, do not exceed the maximum inflation identified on the tire or wheel.’ But you also say: ‘Having said all this, I would suggest you run at least the certification label +10%. If you can run label +20% that should result in better durability.’ Please clarify.” —Irene D. Roger sorts it all out 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:
- How long will an RV 12-volt refrigerator run with two batteries?
- OK to eliminate RV house battery and hook solar panels to shoreline power?
- Our new-to-us Class A rides very rough. How can we fix it?
- Do I need to winterize 200-watt fixed solar panel on RV roof?
- I winterized the RV part of my Class B. What should I do about the Mercedes part?
RVing with dogs
RVers with dogs, avoid this possible campground lawsuit
By Gail Marsh
A recent post on Facebook came from a woman who tripped over an RVer’s dog tie-out leash. Her fall caused a broken ankle. As you might imagine, threats of litigation swirled for days. It’s a cautionary tale: RVers with dogs, watch out!
Recipes of the day
Christmas crack recipes: Not what you think; much better!
No, of course these aren’t real crack recipes… they’re much better! Delicious, edible Christmas crack aka really delicious sweet and salty snacks! You deserve these recipes, but if you need a last-minute gift, package these up and there you go! Get ready to drool.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Milo (Toy Australian Shepherd) is 10 years old and loves to travel in our fifth wheel. He loves hiking and taking walks and meeting new friends. He has one blue eye and one brown eye.” —Melody Assaro
HELP! We’re running low on pet photos! 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.
Don’t kill yourself or loved ones out of ignorance
• If you ever feel a shock when touching your RV, take action. Otherwise, you could kill yourself or loved ones.
• If you blow a front tire, do this. The result could be a disaster if you follow your instincts.
Trivia
The world’s tallest cut Christmas tree was a 221-foot-tall Douglas fir, cut from Weyerhaeuser property near Enumclaw, southeast of Seattle, WA. It was displayed just north of downtown Seattle at the then-brand-new Northgate Shopping Center (the first modern shopping mall in the U.S.) in 1950. That’s one tall tree!
Sunday funny
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Today’s weather forecast across the nation
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.
RVtravel.com All Star Team
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Milo in Reader’s Pet of the Day is sooooo adorable. If I was going to have a dog for my RV travels, that would be it.
“…your partner” – one of the poorest ways to identify a relationship, unless it’s a business partner. Not sorry to say it, Emily.
What I want to know is if she was crossing thru someones campsite and that is how the fall happened. If it was on the road then it is the woman who broke her wrist fault. This can go so many different directions. I was told by Progressive that our trailer and the site we are on is covered for accidents. Believe it or not. I had them repeat it twice and asked them so if little Johnny runs thru our site breaks his leg my coverage will transport him to the hospital fix him up and no worries. They said yes it is covered. So my trailer that sits on a seasonal site is covered full coverage. Thrilled with that one.