Issue 1221
Free, shortened edition
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Today’s thought
“I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity.” —Albert Einstein
RV horror story: Keystone factory mistake turns new rig into $125K lemon
By Gail Marsh
Liz Amazing returns to the shocking story of Grant and Kalei, whose dream RV turned into a toxic mess after a factory plumbing mistake caused their washer to flood their entire RV. With mounting health issues, destroyed belongings, and no real help from Camping World or Keystone, the young family is still fighting for a fair resolution. Click through to read and watch Liz’s follow-up and see what every RVer should know to avoid a similar disaster.
RV inspector’s top 4 RV slide out tips
By Cheri Sicard
RV slide outs—you either love them or hate them. Either way, if your RV has one or more slide outs, you’ve probably discovered already that they need maintenance and care, so much so that many RVers avoid them entirely (I am firmly in that camp). Here, certified RV inspector Duane shares his top 4 RV slide out tips. Put Duane’s tips into practice and properly maintain and protect your RV’s slide outs, and avoid a lot of potentially expensive repairs.
Fix one thing and another breaks. Our RV feels like it is falling apart!
By Nanci Dixon
Our RV feels like it is falling apart! We fix one thing, cross our fingers, and then something else breaks! We have driven the last 2,500 miles on some very bumpy roads. At the sharp, boulder-strewn turn into our new-to-us rural driveway, all the cabinets opened up, and the olive oil has added a nice sheen to the already too shiny tile. Our RV is more than eight years old, and it’s headed toward the dreaded 10-year rule. And yes, things bump, break, and age out. But still… Continue reading.
Today’s RV review…
Keystone Walkabout 26MAX—Delightfully different
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the new-for-2026 Keystone Walkabout 26MAX travel trailer. There’s a lot to unpack here. First, what you have is a trailer that is very specifically targeted to the outdoor/boondocking/off-grid camping market. Here’s what makes it so “delightfully different.”
COMMENTING UPDATE: Last week, we asked for your input regarding how we could change or tweak our commenting system to eliminate angry, rude commenters. We have read through all your responses (yes, all of them!) and appreciate your input. We will use your comments to continue to brainstorm ideas for how to better this system and, as always, try and make your time on RVtravel.com as enjoyable as possible. Thank you!
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
- BLM identifies 6 million acres that could be sold—map shows where
- Virtual tool helps RVers choose the best campsites and avoid bad ones
- Scam alert: Beware of unsolicited packages
- Grand Canyon’s Dragon Bravo wildfire now a ‘megafire’
- Los Angeles parking lot brings relief for homeless RVers
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
Mystery solved: Car won’t start with vanilla ice cream around
By Chuck Woodbury
In 1978, the Pontiac division at General Motors received an unusual letter about a great mystery. The letter: “You’re going to think I’m crazy, but please hear me out. My family loves ice cream. Every night, the kids take turns picking a flavor, and I drive to the store to get it. Now here’s the weird part: I recently bought one of your new Pontiacs, and I swear—every time I buy vanilla ice cream, the car won’t start.” Continue reading.
Is it legal to run a yellow light in an RV? Maybe, maybe not
By Gail Marsh
Yellow traffic lights are meant to warn drivers that the green phase is ending, and a red signal is imminent. My question: Is it legal to enter an intersection on yellow? The answer? Maybe. Maybe not. The answer can vary from state to state. Here’s what to know.
“Green Book” and the road to safe travel in segregated America
By Gail Marsh
The history of travel in the United States is much like the many roads that crisscross our land. Some highways are pitted with potholes, while others are smooth as glass. One particularly rough patch of U.S. travel history is the Jim Crow era. For Black travelers during the Jim Crow era, travel miles brought the risk of discrimination, humiliation, or worse. Enter “Green Book”, the annual directory that mapped out safe havens for African American motorists from 1936 until the mid-1960s. Learn more.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: If power goes out in your home’s neighborhood, you will be the envy of your neighbors if you have an RV on your property that you can move into temporarily to live with most of the comforts of home.
Reader poll
If you arrived in a new small town tomorrow, which of these would you most look forward to doing?
TAKE A GUESS: Do RVtravel.com readers buy their fuel based on price or brand? What about you? Find out here.
Great new book for boondockers
Hit the road with confidence using the ultimate 2025 boondocking guide from full-time RVers who’ve logged more than 500,000 miles across all 50 states. Packed with 1,000+ hand-picked free and low-cost campsites, GPS coordinates, cell coverage details, and Starlink visibility insights, this book helps you skip the guesswork and head straight to safe, scenic, off-the-grid adventures—plus nearby hikes, events, and small-town gems to make every stop unforgettable. Learn more or order. Congrats on the book, RVtravel.com readers Rich and Zona!
Sunday giveaway
How would you like to win a can of this bear spray?
Works for mountain lions, too!
How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today by 7 p.m. Pacific time. You can only enter once and after we notify you by email that you won, you have 24 hours to respond.
Click here to enter or see last week’s winner!
Now that’s a happy lobster! Mailbox seen on Pine Island, Florida. Thanks for sending, Jeff T.!
RV gadgets and gizmos
What are the three best RV air conditioners?
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
RV social media pages are on fire with complaints from RVers who can’t keep their cool this summer. Their A/C units are blasting warm air, or just aren’t cool enough. Some may need to adjust their expectations, while others may actually need a new air conditioner. What’s the best RV air conditioner? There’s a lot of wiggle-room for a claim here, but one tech-oriented magazine has some suggestions.
We hate to ask but… times are challenging. Can you help?
RVtravel.com readership has dropped. Why? Google no longer shows our stories in its search results, which has had a big impact on us. It’s the same story with a million other independent websites. We’re doing okay because of our loyal readers and big mailing list, but we are hugely challenged. Would you please become a voluntary contributor? It would really help. As a thank you, you’ll receive our Saturday and Sunday newsletters ad-free, forever. Thank you very much, and thank you for being a valued reader.
Travel destinations
An RVer’s guide to the NPS Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival
By Gail Marsh
Looking for an unforgettable weekend under the stars? Pack up your RV and head to North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where the annual Dakota Nights Astronomy Festival returns on August 22–23, 2025—all set against the Badlands’ famous dark skies. What could be better?
Visit Stonehenge replica along Columbia River
By Chuck Woodbury
In Washington state, on a barren bluff overlooking the Columbia River and Oregon, is a full-size replica of Stonehenge, a near carbon copy of the more famous Stonehenge in England, at least as it was before the original monument began to crumble. It’s officially open between 7 a.m. and dusk every day. Admission is free. Learn more here.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Did we already buy this for ourselves? You betcha we did! And they are GOOD! If someone in your life likes either of these things, they’re going to love this combo!
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- Why smart RVers should always carry emergency cash
- It’s time to change your water filters. Yes, now!
- About RV keys and why you need an extra set of them
- Tips from the experts: Get the most from your air conditioner and heat pump
- New water flow meter is perfect for flushing holding tanks
YES, IT’S TRUE! WE HAVE OTHER NEWSLETTERS! If you’re not subscribed to our RV Daily Tips newsletter, you’re missing out! And if you’re not subscribed to any of our other newsletters either, you’re extra missing out! Learn more or sign up here.
Hitch Ball Lubricant extends life of your hitch mount!
Protect hitch balls and receivers from corrosion with this high-film strength and waterproof grease. It reduces friction, wear, rust, water corrosion and noise. Compatible with trailer applications like receiver hitches, ball mounts, hitch balls, locks, couplers, jacks, etc. Learn more or order here.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Taking care of RV awnings: Prevent weather damage and sun peeling
RV travel offers a unique way to explore, providing comfort and the freedom to journey at your own pace. An essential part of this mobile lifestyle is your RV awning, offering shade, protection, and extension of your living space into the great outdoors. However, without proper care, awnings can become vulnerable to damage from weather, sun exposure, and deteriorating stitching. Here’s what to know.
RV tire safety
Nitrogen in tires: Why pay for tire air when it is FREE?
By Roger Marble
Some folks still “buy” (or fall for) snake oil. The dictionary defines “snake oil” as “a product, policy, etc., of little real worth or value that is promoted as the solution to a problem.” I continue to see people pushing the idea that inflating tires with nitrogen gas is a good idea and that some “magic” will occur. As a tire design engineer, I can say that inflating tires with nitrogen aka “N2” will not hurt the tire. Continue reading.
DO YOU HAVE THE MEATS? If you’ve got ground beef in your fridge or freezer, check out these 10 delicious ground beef recipes, all under $10!
Ask Dave
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
- The cooling unit of RV’s refrigerator is extremely hot. Should I be concerned?
- Everything you need to know about charging RV batteries
- RV refrigerator hot weather tips; install fridge fan?
- What is two-wheel gadget attached to tow vehicle in ‘The Long, Long Trailer’?
- RV has two roof air conditioners but only one ceiling duct. Is this a problem?
Readers’ pet of the day
“Buddy (Beagle) has been camping and fishing with me since he was 3 months old (now age 2). He’s always happy to sniff something new.” —Henry Famularo
• 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
Bees can detect if a flower has recently been visited by another bee through electrostatic charges. As bees fly, they generate a slight positive static charge. When they land on a flower, that charge is instantly transferred to the flower. Since it takes a bit of time to dissipate, that static charge is left behind even after they’ve flown off. If another bee flies up to that flower, it can tell another bee was recently there and will make a bee-line to find another flower.
BUMPER SNICKER: I’m still a hot babe, but now it comes in flashes.
Sunday funny
Reader Mike Smith sent this to us a few years ago, and we laugh every time we come across it. Too funny!
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
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.
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Current fire and smoke map from AirNow
Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.
Search Google for the latest RV news from RVtravel.com.
And finally… A song from the past to tickle your funny bone
They don’t make quality songs like this anymore! So please allow us to do your ears a kindness by presenting this blockbuster tune from yesteryear by Al Trace and his Silly Symphonists titled Where is the Chicken in the Chicken Chow-Mein?
RVtravel.com All Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
So good to see a dog wearing a life vest. Every one needs too. As for a new town? Set up and head out. Time to see what and where to go and do. Happy trails.
Hitch grease is OK, however, clean the ball and inside the coupler frequently. The grease holds dust and dirt and acts like sandpaper and wears the inside of the coupler.
I loved the story about the Green Book until the last paragraph. I was not surprised to find the author was white. I am not African American but I know for a fact that it is not always ‘safe’ for people of color to travel to just anywhere in the US. If not authored by a person of color, there should have been a few comments from people of color in the article. Unless we have walked in their shoes, we should be careful not to make assumptions.