America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001.
Issue 1266
Today’s thought
“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” —Mark Twain
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Father’s Day, of course! It is also National Turkey Lovers’ Day, and National Sunlight Appreciation Day!
On this day in history: 1970 – Penn Central declares Section 77 bankruptcy in what was the largest U.S. corporate bankruptcy to date.
What our readers learned from their fathers
Last week, we asked our readers (you!) to tell us what their fathers—or father figures—taught them. The response was overwhelming. We received hundreds of heartfelt submissions. As we read through the responses, a few themes appeared again and again: hard work, honesty, kindness, perseverance, courage, and responsibility. Some lessons came through words. Others were learned simply by watching. Here are some of our favorite responses.
Are private laundry room rentals the next RV park amenity trend?
By Nanci Dixon
We’ve seen private bathhouses, private dog parks, and private hot tubs, but could reserving an entire laundry room be the next thing RV parks use to stand out? Seasoned RVer that I am, I am pretty immune to surprises, but this was certainly something new. After idly scrolling through a long list of legalese rules, I spotted a link to laundry room rental.
This is fascinating: How tires are made (a short video)
We know how babies are made, right? It comes naturally to all creatures, including we Homo Sapiens. But on a similar note—not as basic to human life, yet interesting—do you know how the tires on your car or RV are made? This video shows in a few minutes, through animation, the entire process from start to finish. Ya gotta love those robots! Read more and watch the video.
Run your air conditioner with little power
Running an RV air conditioner on a 20-amp household outlet sounds impossible—unless you have a SoftStartRV™. This small device reduces startup current dramatically, helping many RVers cool their rig when they never could before. Learn more.
Today’s RV review…
2027 Jayco Jay Feather 26BHSL—affordable and familiar
By Tony Barthel
I’m noticing more and more RVs going back to basics as I keep seeking out the new and noteworthy, and there is probably no better example than the 2027 Jayco Jay Feather 26BHSL travel trailer. In fact, many of the interior pieces and attention to detail take me back a few years. I’m willing to bet that there are a good number of RVers who don’t want to have to remember how an app works just because they want to measure tank levels or bring an awning in. Continue reading.
POP QUIZ: What cartoonist called his popular main character “a violent and impetuous yet introspective and humanitarian free spirit, with particular sympathy towards poverty-stricken individuals and orphaned children?” Answer below.
Tony’s tips
The RV industry is listening, it seems
A while back, I looked in the mirror and shared who I think carries some of the blame for the perceived lack of quality in the RV industry. And, yep, it’s us. As I write this, I’m sitting in the heart of the RV industry in beautiful Elkhart, Indiana, and today I want to share something I saw that made me very, very happy.
Yesterday’s top news for RVers
- RVers in their 70s aren’t slowing down. They’re changing how they travel
- Gas prices just dropped below $4. Why RVers shouldn’t celebrate yet
- National parks could get billions for roads, campgrounds and other overdue repairs
- RV makers are pulling back. What that could mean for RV buyers
- License plate readers may soon do more than just read plates
- Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel: How tariffs have affected Elkhart, van rental demand, and future RVers
Read the rest of the news in yesterday’s newsletter here.
Rare campground deals worth snagging—but hurry!
Up to 40% off summer camping is not something RVers see every day. For a limited time, Campspot’s Ready, Set, Summer Sale unlocks rare savings at participating campgrounds, RV parks, and glamping resorts across North America. Use code READY26 by June 21 and see where your next trip could cost a whole lot less. Click here to learn more.
¯¯¯ Song of the week
“I Stand By My Dumpin’ Man”
This new weekly musical series from the RV Travel Virtual Recording Studio features songs about RVing. These catchy tunes appear in every Sunday donor’s newsletter and occasionally here in the free, ad-supported edition. Click below to play.
A trick for getting rid of mosquitoes at a long-term campsite
Everyone enjoys time outside until mosquitoes show up. These pests make evenings uncomfortable and can spoil your campsite fun. The good news is there’s a simple, safe, and cheap way to control mosquitoes at a long-term campsite using the four corners method. Here’s how it works.
An RVers’ praise for the lowly bungee cord
By Nanci Dixon
As we were doing our put-everything-away routine to leave the RV park, I noticed the many bungee cords festooning our closet. When people joke about things being held together with bubblegum and string, I looked around and realized that bungee cords are holding us together. Continue reading.
The new thing in travel: Sleepcations
The hospitality industry, which focuses on travel involving hotels and resorts, has a new buzzword. Known as “sleepcations,” these trips emphasize rest and recovery rather than sightseeing or packed schedules. While the term has gained attention in recent years, the concept itself is not new. We wonder if the sleepcation idea is relevant to the RV industry.
A fun fact about RVtravel.com (that’s us!): it’s widely recognized as America’s original RV newsletter, and it has been continuously publishing RV news, tips, and advice since 2001—making it one of the longest-running RV-focused online newsletters in North America. More than 100,000 RVers subscribe. Woohoo!
Photo of the day
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Yes, it is possible to get everything delivered on Amazon, and this is proof. We’re not sure how this is even possible, but apparently it is… Thank us later.
Our amazing readers
RVtravel.com readers reveal the special times in their lives
By Chuck Woodbury
Awhile back, I asked you to write me about some of your special life moments or accomplishments of which few, if anybody you know, were aware. Here are your stories with recent additions. Keep ’em coming. Don’t be shy!
Reader poll
How comfortable are you sharing an interstate highway with self-driving big rig trucks?
POLLS FROM THIS PAST WEEK
- What size bed do you have in your RV?
- Do you listen to music while you drive?
- Do you experience altitude sickness at high elevations?
- Do you consider yourself to be a minimalist?
- Do you like having your photo taken?
Sunday giveaway
How would you like to win this set of three “Spice Daddy” BBQ spices?
(In honor of Father’s Day, of course. But ladies, you will enjoy them, 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. Click here to enter or see last week’s winner.
Father’s Day specials
The fascinating history of Father’s Day
Pops, Daddy, Papa, Dad, Father… No matter what you call him, today is the day we celebrate our fathers and the important father figures in our lives. Dads deserve to be recognized, but did you ever wonder about the history of Father’s Day? Read on and you’ll see why it’s fascinating.
The father who turned his boy into a pickle
By Chuck Woodbury
I would like to tell you the tale of pickled Willie. I learned about Willie while passing through Raymond, Washington. Willie’s claim to fame is that back in the mid-1800s, he came West as a pickle. Yes, that’s right, a pickle.
Ziploc bag helps me remember my father
By Chuck Woodbury
I was organizing some boxes the other day when I came across my father’s hairbrush. My father died in 2008. When packing up his stuff back then, I placed the brush in an airtight Ziploc bag (and put that bag inside another bag) and stored it with other items. What a surprise it was when I opened that Ziploc bag! It was like my father had walked right into the room: I could smell him! Continue reading.
Adventure Starts at America’s Largest RV Show®!
Dreaming of a way to tour the country in comfort? With 1,500 RVs from 40 manufacturers, America’s Largest RV Show has what you need. Explore 33 football fields of the newest models, shop camping products and services, and find your next vacation destination. Plus, there are educational seminars for every RVer—novice or pro. Find your dream rig at America’s Largest RV Show, September 16-20, in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Tickets available at largestRVshow.com.
Tanner Toons
With Tanner Woods
Highlights from this week’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter
- Sagging, loose cables are a silent threat to your RV’s slide-outs
- Simple strap hack makes propane cylinder transport easy
- Burned by the plug: A wake-up call on shore power safety
- 18 ways to use “single-use” items more than once
- How to choose a cool campsite in the hot summer
In the RV shop with Dustin
How to spot bad RV moldings
Moldings are a critical part of your RV’s structure, not just for aesthetics, but for protecting your RV from the elements. In this article and video, we’ll show you how to spot bad RV moldings, explore common issues that can arise, and teach you how to check if they need to be replaced.
RV tire safety
How much air pressure is too much in RV tires?
By Roger Marble
“How much air pressure is too much in RV tires?” is a simple question with a complex answer. Roger explains here.
Ask Dave
This past week’s questions that Dave answered:
Why does RV water pump run all the time when connected to city water? • My RV’s gray tank valve handle and rod are missing. How can I drain the smelly tank? • Why does one RV air conditioner blow warm air while driving? • Why does it take several attempts for RV’s absorption refrigerator to light? • I want to switch to lithium batteries, but I have some questions
Amazon Prime Day starts Tuesday, but sales are already on
It’s true! Thousands of items are already marked down ahead of Tuesday’s big sale. See everything on sale here. Don’t miss out! And chances are, if it’s not on sale yet, it will be, so make sure you check back.
RVer health
Dad’s life experiences may influence children before they are even conceived
Scientists have long believed that sperm’s primary role was to deliver a father’s DNA. But researchers now report that sperm may also carry molecular messages shaped by a man’s life experiences, potentially affecting future children before they are even conceived. Read more.
FREE IS GOOD! Free Betty Crocker cake mix to help celebrate America’s 250th birthday! From June 18 to July 11, 2026, make a qualifying purchase of a Betty Crocker Cake Mix product to receive a free cake mix via rebate (up to $3.99 before tax).
RV gadgets and gizmos
Pet hair everywhere? FurZapper products can help!
By Cheri Sicard
Anyone who has a shedding dog or cat knows the struggle of pet hair. If you RV with pets, you know the problem is even worse in a small space. Heck, I’m still finding hair from a dog who passed away two years ago. Fortunately, I recently discovered two products from the innovative company FurZapper that are helping me tame the mess.
Live cam
Ponte delle Guglie, Venice, Italy
(You may want to turn your sound down, or off.)
Readers’ pet of the day
“Annie Boo (Pug, age 13) is our sweetest little old lady! She is a gentle soul, half blind and crippled but content to be with her family. And she loves camping!! Here she is taking her after-breakfast nap!” —Joanie Summer
• 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.
Dump Buddy is a must-have gadget for RV dumping
Don’t miss Tony Barthel’s review of the Dump Buddy. What’s a Dump Buddy? It’s essentially a plastic collar that goes around a sewer pipe in the ground and then another one that goes around your sewer hose elbow. You simply use the knob to tighten the collar around the sewer pipe and then flip up the second collar and tighten that around the sewer hose. Read Tony’s review here or order on Amazon.
Trivia
Before the late 19th-century invention of safety elevators, the second floor was the most desirable floor to live on in New York City. Known as the piano nobile (noble level), it offered the perfect balance of prestige and practicality: Residents avoided the street-level dust, noise, and odors while only having to walk up a single flight of stairs.
Sunday funny
From the early days of Saturday Night Live. Who can forget, from 1976, Dan Ackroyd and his Bass-O-Matic 76 fish blender.
Did you miss last week’s RVtravel.com newsletter?
POP QUIZ ANSWER (question above): That is how cartoonist Elzie Crisler Segar described his character Popeye.
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Headed on an unfamiliar highway? Learn if it has low bridges you might not fit under.
Learn current road conditions in every state. This is a very handy resource.
And finally… A song from the past
RVtravel.com All Star Staff
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Horrible, loud ad music, constantly repeating makes this issue unreadable. Sorry
I keep my mute button on except when I want to listen to something.
Annie Boo is adorable and taking a nap after breakfast sounds like a solid plan in my book. She just wants to spend her retirement days with her family relaxing and camping.Keep on camping.
Song of the week: Had to chuckle a bit at the gloves in the picture of the guy holding the stinky slinky. Zoom up and those leather gloves morph into leathery bare fingers with nails! 😆
AI sure has a hard time with hands. At least the guy doesn’t have 6 or 7 fingers!
Why so many pop-up ads….always ..