RV Travel Newsletter for Sunday, February 22, 2026

America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 1249
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Today’s thought 

“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it — then I can achieve it.” —Rev. Jesse Jackson

Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Margarita Day! (If you enjoy margaritas, you need this—it’s made for camping!)

On this day in history: 1879 – In Utica, New York, Frank Woolworth opens the first of many five-and-dime Woolworth stores. (The final U.S. Woolworth store closed in 1997.)

RV damaged during service, dealer won’t pay. What if this happened to you?

By Gail Marsh
This article details a recent Liz Amazing video that documents an issue for more than a few RV owners. Jayco damaged a motorhome while it was being serviced. Now the dealership refuses to pay to fix the damage. Who wants to pay for something the RV technicians damaged or broke? Not me! Here’s what happened and how you can work to prevent the same thing from happening to you.

Battle Born Battery failures leave RVer facing huge warranty issues

Six pricey Battle Born lithium iron phosphate batteries were supposed to power Mark Guido’s fifth wheel trailer. Instead, they ended up on his truck tailgate, on their way to hazardous waste disposal. The surprise wasn’t just the failures. It was how the warranty process played out once four out of six batteries stopped performing. Oh, boy…

A reminder to perform these basic RV maintenances often overlooked

We have no problem remembering the “big things” in RV maintenance. Examine and clean roof? Check! Care for slide outs? Check! Inspect tires and wheels? Check! Inspect and apply conditioner on rubber seals? Check! The basic RV maintenance chores we overlook are the ones that remain largely out of sight. If this describes you, perhaps these reminders will help.

Two-story RVs? A reminder of an earlier time

By J.R. Montigel
If you attend an RV show, chances are excellent you will find RVs with lofts and even a second floor on some very large models. Of course, roof decks can qualify as a second story. As I walked through a recent RV show and came upon a fifth wheel with a second floor (little kids could stand up, not adults), I thought of something I had learned years ago that fascinated me…

REMEMBER: You don’t need to receive an email alert from us to read our newsletters. Just visit our home page, www.RVtravel.com, at any time of day, and the latest newsletter issues and articles will be right there for you. Enjoy!

Today’s RV review…
2026 Cedar Creek Experience 29RL—nice hidden gem 5er

By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the Forest River Cedar Creek Experience 29RL. This is one of those fifth wheel floor plans that everybody and their brother makes. It’s one I would use as the basis of my shopping for any fifth wheel. But what kind of fixtures, appliances, and build quality do they put into this that others may or may not? Find out here and see what makes this one stand out. 

Brand-new travel books we think you’ll love:

1. National Geographic Ultimate Guide to the National Parks: A Complete Tour of All 63 U.S. Parks
2. Gun Laws by State (2026 Edition): The Definitive Firearm Carry & Transport Guide
3. The Route 66 Travel Guide: A Journey Along America’s Mother Road — Maps, Must-See Stops, and the Stories That Turned Route 66 into a Legend
4. National Geographic National Parks Cookbook: Dishes Inspired by America’s Great Outdoors
5. Utah National Parks Handbook 2026: A Travel Guide to National Parks, Scenic Drives, and the American Southwest

Tanner Toons
with Tanner Woods

Sign up for our RV Daily Tips Newsletter so you don’t miss a single Tanner Toon.

NEVER PAY FOR GROCERIES AGAIN!
That’s silly, of course. Any grocery store that didn’t charge would go broke. Yet, look at RVtravel.com! Our staff works hard to bring you hundreds of newsletters a year. Some readers thank us with a voluntary subscription. But while most others will pay for a haircut, a movie ticket or a campsite, they won’t pay us for all we do! Aren’t we worth something to you? Advertising pays many bills, but far from all. Won’t you please consider chipping in?

Tony’s tips
The RV industry needs a “Tony Certified” standard

Dear RV industry,
You need to hire an old fat guy like me, Tony Barthel. No, I’m not kidding. Let’s talk about this. Hire someone who’s actually dumped tanks, chased leaks, and fought hidden fuses! What would make an RV “Tony Certified”? Read my specific must-fix list. Think we could actually make this happen? Let’s do it!

The two types of RVing boondockers: those who like solitude and those who don’t

You’re boondocking on thousands of open acres, and another RV pulls in right next to you. They introduce the whole family, flip on bright outdoor lights, and run the generator all night. Do you stay quiet or pack up and move? A Reddit thread lit up with strong opinions from both sides. Some RVers admit they park close for safety. Others say they boondock to avoid people altogether. Which side are you on? Click to read and weigh in.

Do this when you discover an RV rain leak

By Dave Helgeson
Detecting and correcting RV rain leaks is a must for preserving the life of your RV. Water intrusion can result in extensive damage to an RV if left unchecked. As someone who has been around RVs all his life and worked in and owned RV dealerships, checking RVs for rain leaks was one of my top priorities. One thing I learned over all those years is that rainwater will always follow the path of least resistance. Continue reading.

Why mile markers still matter on today’s highways

Mile markers started as simple reference points. So, why do we still see them on our highways today? Hasn’t GPS overshadowed these simplistic markers? Nope! Read on to find out why.

Yesterday’s top news for RVers

• Camp hosted before? You may already qualify for a Forest Service job
• Michigan lawmakers consider lifting campground stay limits amid housing shortage
• Campspot names top 10 campgrounds for 2026
• Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel: Lippert is having a good year; and y’all are happy RVers
• Nation’s largest hands-on motorhome training event opens to all coaches in 2026

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

Clear your mirrors in seconds with this simple gadget
Keep your view clear, no matter what the road or weather. This retractable rearview mirror wiper wipes away rain, mud or road spray with a simple slide. Don’t wait for the mirror defrost to kick in—this is faster! Easy to use and built for travel. Check it out.

Reader poll
When you’re RVing/camping, do you think you’re “roughing it”?

Respond here.

POLLS FROM THIS PAST WEEK

• Do you shower/bathe every day?
• For longtime RVers: Is RVing today as enjoyable to you as it was 15 years ago?
• Have you ever adopted a stray dog or cat?
• For readers aged 70+: Do you feel you are mentally declining?
• Should campgrounds/RV parks have a ‘lights-out’ rule?

Sunday giveaway
How would you like to win this “Tactisquatch” ground coffee?

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.

Remember this?
From the archives: 20 bar soap hacks to make RV life easier

By Gail Marsh
In my local store, the bar soaps have been demoted to the lowest shelf. Liquid soaps, in all of their various scents and colors, have all but eliminated bar soap from the “personal cleansing” aisle. Well, wait just a minute! There are many uses for that bar soap. In fact, you can use bar soap hacks to make your RV life easier than ever! Just read on for my 20 smart ideas…

Upcoming events

Everything to know about the National Route 66 Centennial Kickoff Celebration

Springfield, Missouri, has been chosen to host the National Kickoff for the Route 66 Centennial. If you love cars, music, history, and big small-town energy, this is one you’ll want to attend. Springfield will run Centennial Kickoff activities from April 30 to May 3, 2026. Here are all the details.

RVers’ guide to Death Valley’s 2026 rare superbloom

By Gail Marsh
Superblooms in Death Valley? That seems like an oxymoron to me. However, early signs indicate a rare superbloom for the area this year, 2026. The National Park Service says sprouting is already visible in places. If conditions continue to cooperate, Death Valley could experience peak displays between late February and early April. Learn more.

DID YOU ENJOY THIS ISSUE? If you enjoyed it, learned something from it, or it gave you a new idea or perspective… please help us continue to bring you quality, unbiased coverage of RVing with a voluntary pledge. Thank you!

? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
What if we told you there was a gadget out there that could prevent your rig from being overweight? Well, this will certainly help.

Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter

• Hey, RVers! Do you know about these microwave tricks?
• Why you need a label maker in your RV
• Believe it or not, tennis balls come in very handy for daily tasks around the RV
• Know Your RV: Take care of your stabilizer jacks
• Tips to clean a gunky gray water tank. Yes, yours is gunky too

In the RV shop with Dustin
Why RV manufacturers issue recalls (and why it’s not always a bad thing)

Hearing the word “recall” can make any RV owner’s stomach drop. It’s easy to assume a recall means your RV is unsafe or poorly built. But, in reality, recalls are often a sign that a manufacturer is doing the right thing—taking responsibility, being transparent, and proactively protecting owners. Continue reading.

RV tire safety
Does ChatGPT give the correct answer on tire inflation? Sometimes…

By Roger Marble
Can ChatGPT give the correct answer? Well, sort of. I asked it about proper tire inflation. Here is what I got when I asked: “How much air should I put in my tires?”

Ask Dave

This past week’s questions that Dave answered:

As I get older, RV toilet has gotten ‘shorter.’ What are options for quality tall toilet? • What size and type generator do I need for my RV? • Are there covers to protect RV roof vents and skylights from hail? • Is it necessary to apply sealant to the RV roof periodically even if it’s not leaking? • Is it OK to walk on an RV’s slideout roof?

**Last day: If you’re near Providence, RI, be sure to see Dave at his always educational and entertaining seminars at the Rhode Island RV Show today.
**Last day: And if you’re closer to Bedford, NH, learn all about RVing at seminars presented by longtime RVer and RVtravel.com reader/frequent commenter Neal Davis. He’ll be at the New Hampshire RV Show today.

RV gadgets and gizmos
BougeRV 18V portable coffee maker—breakthrough or gimmick?

Camp coffee usually comes with a catch. A fast countertop pod machine needs a wall outlet. A propane stove boils water quickly, but then it turns into the whole pour-over routine. Here, the team from Adventure Gear TV set out to see if the BougeRV 18V Portable Coffee Maker offers a real third option: a cordless, off-grid single-serve brewer that avoids big power stations and propane tanks. So, is it worth it?

GOOD DEAL! All day today, National Margarita Day, enjoy Classic Margaritas for $2.22 at Bahama Breeze Island Grille restaurants around the country.

RVer health
Why people continue weight loss drugs even if they get sick

Many people including RVers who take the weight loss drug semaglutide—sold under brand names like Ozempic^®—continue to use it despite unpleasant side effects because they believe it works. Researchers found that perceived effectiveness, such as weight loss or reduced appetite, is the strongest predictor of satisfaction and willingness to stay on the medication. Continue reading.

Live cam
Shenshuping Gengda Panda Center in China’s Wolong Valley

They are so cute! (If you don’t see the pandas, just back up the video until you do.)

Bumper snicker

Readers’ pet of the day

“Rosie (Yorkie/Poodle, age 6) stays familiar with certain campgrounds we visit, like this one in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where she has visited annually since she was only 8 weeks old.” —Steve Comstock

• 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.

IS YOUR DOG SHEDDING? It’s shedding season, and the dogs are goin’ crazy! Maybe this will help?

Trivia

The modern hamburger was invented in Hamburg, Germany. Today, the average calories in a fast-food burger is around 520 (a McDonald’s Big Mac has 560 calories). A plain McDonald’s burger (no toppings) has 240 calories, while a Burger King hamburger with ketchup, mustard, and pickles has 241 calories. White Castle, founded in 1921 in Wichita, Kan., is the world’s oldest chain of hamburger restaurants.

Sunday funny

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

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And finally… A song from the past

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