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Issue 745 • Week of June 4-10, 2016
Editor’s corner
With Chuck Woodbury
Chuck (at) RVtravel.com
I wrote this article two years ago in response to the death of a 3-year-old boy, who was electrocuted by simply touching his family’s Airstream trailer. The trailer was experiencing what is known as a “hot skin” condition. It can happen to any of us, and does, in fact, happen much too often (most often the shock does not kill). I urge you to read this story. Being aware of what causes this potentially lethal condition could save your life or the life of someone you love. Here is my story, slightly edited, from two years ago.
We reported earlier this month about the death of 3-year-old Landyn Gerald Keener, who was electrocuted when he touched his family’s Airstream trailer in Amboy, Ill., when it was experiencing a “hot skin” condition. After hearing the news, our technical editor [at the time] Chris Dougherty interviewed electrical engineer Mike Sokol about how such a tragedy could occur and how other RVers can avoid becoming a victim. Watch that interview on our RV Travel Channel.
Here’s a story by Chris about this incident.
The fact is, a hot skin condition can occur on any RV, new or old. In a nutshell, it’s caused when an RV is plugged into an improperly wired electric plug or cord. In most cases, the only harm that will come to touching an affected RV is receiving a mild shock. But under certain circumstances the shock can be deadly. Here is a news story about the accident that took the life of young Landyn.
Our contributor and RV electric expert Mike Sokol received the following letter after my editorial appeared:
Did you miss last week’s issue of RV Travel? You can read it here.
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See this week’s greetings near the bottom of this newsletter.
Featured categories
You’ll find some good reading material here.
• RV bathrooms.
• RV appliances — maintenance and repairs.
• Hooking up to utilities.
• Your first RV outing (and more).
• Engines (gas or diesel) — maintenance and repairs.
•Editor Chuck Woodbury’s Roadside Journal.
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May 2016 RV and RV-related recalls
The latest recalls on RVs and other vehicles and/or products of interest to RVers have been released by U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The list includes models from Forest River, Jayco, Newmar, Thor, Winnebago and others — plus vehicles commonly used to tow, or be towed by, RVs. Is your RV or other vehicle on the list? Find out here.
Reduce air drag and boost fuel efficiency — Airtab® your RV!
Just peel and stick Airtabs™ to the rear sides and the rear roof of your RV coach or trailer to create swirls of air that reduce aerodynamic drag, save fuel and improve stability. Airtabs™ dramatically reduce trailer ‘fish tailing’ and crosswinds pressure to RVs from passing trucks, while improving fuel efficiency 2% – 5%! Click on the video.
Click here for more information about using Airtabs™.
Click here to purchase Airtabs™.
Reader RVs
What RV do you drive or tow?
Send us a photo of your RV (and tow vehicle) with a 150-200 word description of where and how often you travel with it, and what you like or don’t like about it. Include your name(s) and hometown. We’ll post them to RVtravel.com. Send to assistant editor Diane McGovern at Diane(at)RVtravel.com .
CLICK HERE to see last week’s RV Travel Reader RVs.
Light up your RV with Boogey Lights!
RV accent lighting is all the rage! Just look around the RV park! Enter Boogey Lights®! These robust, super-bright, state-of-the-art LED lights with hi-tech controller technology represent the next generation in LED lighting for RVs. The AWNING & UNDER-GLOW LIGHT KITS are specifically designed to withstand harsh operating environments. Don’t waste your money on junk! Get Boogey Lights! You can even control them with your Smart Phone! Learn more or click the video for a demonstration.
The RV Industry Association reports that movements of RVs from manufacturers to dealers in April jumped ahead 4.5 percent more than April 2015. Towables led the way, moving out 35,050 rigs; motorhomes showed the largest gain percentage-wise, up 16 percent and moving 5,014 units.
Auction prices for used RVs hit some records in May, according to market watcher Black Book. Travel trailer prices hit a new record high, averaging $12,000. Motorhomes showed pep, too, zooming ahead 15 percent to average more than $40,000 — the first time since May 2013. Black Book notes sales volume was up as well, and overall used rig quality was better.
Reminder: Camp for free in Oregon State Parks the night of June 4 in traditional sites — full hookup (sewer, electricity and water), electrical hookup (electricity and water), and tent sites. Parking is free both June 4 and June 5 at the 26 parks that charge a day-use parking fee. If there are spaces left, you can reserve online here.
Also: Washington State Parks is offering two free admission days in June: Saturday, June 4, in recognition of National Trails Day, and Saturday, June 11, National Get Outdoors Day. Visitors won’t need to display a Discover Pass for day-use visits (no overnight stays) to state parks on these dates.
Police in Chula Vista, Calif., are now ticketing RVers for parking on city streets — at $100 a pop. For $2, the city will issue a 24-hour parking permit — but look out out-of-towners: Only local residents can get the permit, and they’re limited to 72 per year.
Tennessee joins other states in asking visitors not to bring outside firewood into its state parks. On June 1 the policy requires outside firewood be either certified heat-treated or in the form of “manufactured logs.” The requirement will hopefully slow the spread of diseases or exotic insects which can wipe out local trees.
An out-of-control campfire may have set speed records last Sunday. Campers at The Dalles, Ore., were evacuated from the South Junction Campground on the Deschutes River after initial reports at 7:00 p.m. showed the fire covering about 800 square feet. By 7:30 the fire was up to 20 acres, and before day’s end, the fire billowed out to 300 acres.
Bandera County may be part of Texas Hill Country, but flood waters paid no mind when torrential rains made a call. Many folks had to be evacuated – and one pair had quite a tale to tell. A father and son were camping in their fifth wheel when flood waters picked up their rig – still attached to the pickup truck. When all was said and done, they spent three hours hanging onto a tree branch until rescuers could pluck them free. In the town of Bandera, staff at Pioneer RV Resort reported that six RVs were “removed” from the campground by floodwaters.
Officials are taking comments on a proposed 25 percent fee hike at some of the front country campgrounds of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (N.C. and Tenn.). If put in place, the hike would be the first since 2006, and would help officials deal with cost increases and maintenance. Presently, fees at Elkmont, one of the more popular park campgrounds, are $20 per night and could jump to $25. Balsam Mountain, Abrams Creek and Big Creek campgrounds would also be added to a reservation system under the proposal. Information and comments can be found by clicking here.
Snow Canyon State Park, near Ivins, Utah, will be taking a summer sabbatical while new pavement is rolled out and electrical systems are upgraded. The work has already begun, but officials anticipate a reopening by June 30.
Smokey Bear, where are you? In a recent two-week period, officials with the Coconino National Forest (Arizona) reported 44 abandoned or unattended campfires.
RVs & Electric Bikes – the perfect match!
An Electric Bike is the perfect, simplest and most affordable way of sorting all the ‘challenges’ of RV’ing. Get around camp effortlessly, visit the sites or town nearby without unhooking or simply enjoy a fun ride with fellow campers! Click here to discover our electric bikes and get $100 off, free shipping & returns, and 0% financing on any new EVELO using the code RVTRAVEL during checkout!
More News
Last July a major storm blasted through the Gull Lake Dam and Recreation Area, an Army Corps of Engineers recreation site in Brainerd, Minn. The Corps now announces that cleanup and repairs are complete and the campground is reopening.
Nature playing havoc with trees at Princess Creek Campground on Odell Lake in Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest has led to closure of the campground and associated boat launch. Blown-down trees, exposed roots and root rot have led officials to make the call for the sake of safety. The campground is closed indefinitely. Individuals who want to visit Odell Lake can still reserve a spot at nearby Sunset Cove campground, which is much larger and can accommodate RVs. Visitors can reserve sites at Sunset Cove beginning this summer through Hoodoo Recreation.
Three Canadian provincial campgrounds will get the royal treatment as the Government of Saskatchewan says it will pump $1.2 million into utility upgrades. Some 300 campsites at Meadow Lake, Lac La Ronge and Good Spirit Lake parks will see changes in electrical, sewer and/or water service.
Got a hankering to check out the “Pearl of the Antilles,” Cuba? RVing club Escapees will send a shipload of club members to Cuba in January. A seven-day trip to Cuba includes transportation via a cruise ship. Once on the island, travelers will taste a home-cooked luncheon, visit a fishing village popular with writer Ernest Hemingway, see a crafts market, and catch a Rumba dance, among other tourist activities. Price for the cruise not available at press time, but more info is available by clicking here.
RVers using a “pop-up” trailer at Tahlequah, Oklahoma‘s Diamondhead Resort got a reality check on how fast a pop-up can pop down. A large tree crashed down on the trailer, trapping three people inside the unit until rescuers could extricate them. No serious injuries resulted, but the pop-up was pulverized.
Not everyone at Ohio’s Maumee Bay State Park was a happy camper this Memorial Day weekend. Power brownouts in the campground came while air conditioning was in hot demand and plenty of RVers raised a fuss. Some guests took it philosophically, pointing out that traditional camping meant tents — and no a/c or color television. State officials say they’re working on upgrading electrical service across their system.
A child playing at the Red River State Recreation Area near East Grand Forks, Minn., made an unsettling find last week: two human fingers lying on a picnic table. No clues as to whom the disjoined digits belong to — no blood on the scene, no local hospital reports of serious hand injuries.
We’re not sure who reported it — maybe it was Polk Salad Annie. But in any event, animal control officers in Jackson Township, N.J., got an unusual callout over the holiday weekend. Seems a young, two-foot alligator turned up at the Maple Lake Campground. Officers “arrested” the reptile, turning it over to a licensed exotic reptile handler until a further disposition can be made. Police think it was probably a “pet” that somebody turned loose at the lake.
A “fight fire with fire” controversy over flags at a Virginia Beach, Va., RV resort recently attracted police and the media. Seems someone got incensed over a guest who was flying a Confederate flag over their rig, so they responded with two of their own: a Nazi swastika and an ISIS-like flag. Police were called and the media showed up at Indian Cove Resort. The flags eventually came down and tempers cooled. Police said they were not issuing citations — it was a First Amendment rights situation.
Keep up with RV Industry news
throughout the week at RVbusiness.com.
Not wearing gloves while dumping? Big mistake!
In this day of fastidiousness and the injection of antibacterial chemicals in nearly every product, there’s a strange movement out there: Dumping holding tanks with your bare hands. For those who have excuses not to wear gloves, reading this article might change your mind. Learn more.
Seat belt laws in 50 states
After receiving questions and comments from readers regarding the safety and legality of passengers moving about in a motorhome rolling down the highway, we did some research and have posted the results in this article.
Incredibly small, incredibly bright LED COB lights
Rich “The Wanderman” recently wanted to add some additional lights to the front of his RV — something like driving or fog lights but with very low power consumption and easy to mount. He didn’t like the LED lights for cars for several reasons, but then he stumbled upon these “amazing beauties.” Learn more.
Reminder of Norcold refrigerators
recall over spontaneous fires
We’ve told you about this before, but this is so important it’s worth a reminder. Many RV refrigerators manufactured by Norcold between Jan. 1, 2002, and Oct. 1, 2012, have spontaneously caught fire with often devastating results. Here is a short video by RV fire expert Mac McCoy explaining the situation and why you must get your Norcold refrigerator into the shop for a free fix to avoid a potential catastrophe. Watch this important video.
Good and bad news about prescription refills on the road
Not long ago we ran a video tip showing how easy it is to get prescription drug refills while traveling by carrying your pill bottles with you and then having a local pharmacy have the prescription transferred there. But we heard from some readers with concerns about this, so we checked with authorities in several states and report their answers here.
No more roof leaks, for life, guaranteed!
Now with locations in TX, FL, MI, AZ and NC!
RV FlexArmor® is a sprayed RV roof that is 187 mils thick, has no more caulking joints and is the proven RV roof alternative for over a decade. Guaranteed not to leak for your RV’s lifetime! “Your company gets an A+.” —Marsha G., customer. Click on our new video showing how we handle air conditioners.
•Click here for more information at our website, or call 1-844-FLEXARMOR.
•Click here to visit our Facebook page.
Where do you carry your sewer tote?
If you’re a serious boondocker you know that one of the more difficult issues can be caring for waste water: Who wants to break camp to go dump the tanks? Just dump your waste water into a “blue boy” portable sewer tote, then tote the tank – not the rig – to a dump station. So where you do you carry your blue boy when you’re on the road? Here are suggestions from RVers. Read more.
Beware of battery-draining phantom loads
Phantom loads are electrical connections to your batteries that continually draw power, however small. Loads that are run off the house batteries will not be a problem; the problem is with those phantom loads connected to your dashboard clock radio or anything else that is powered by the starter battery. Learn more.
RV water heater won’t stay lit. RVer asks for help
This is a question from a reader to Chris Dougherty, Certified RV Technician, when he was our technical editor: “My automatic ignition hot water heater in our motorhome ignites but won’t stay on. It tries several times and then quits. Any suggestions?” Read Chris’ answer and watch a related video by Gary Bunzer.
Olympic National Park: This month’s National Park Getaway
“A stunning variety of sights, sounds and experiences beckon visitors to Olympic National Park, in the far northwest corner of Washington state. The park protects a varied landscape and three distinctly different ecosystems — wild Pacific coast, valleys of ancient forests and rushing rivers, and rocky, glacier-capped peaks.” Read more.
Use an axle-greasing “system” or do it by hand?
Is it better to use a “system” to grease your RV’s axles or do it by hand? Here’s a discussion of the pro’s and con’s of each method by Russ and Tiña De Maris. Read more.
This week in history
Week of June 4-10
Compiled by Dell Bert
1876 — Express train crosses the USA in 83 hours.
1933 — First drive-in movie theater opens.
1944 — D-Day. Allied powers land on the beaches of Normandy, France.
1966 — NFL and AFL announce merger.
1968 — Robert F. Kennedy assassinated.
1971 — The Ed Sullivan Show airs for the last time.
2004 — Ronald Reagan dies.
Discover the RV Warranty Taking the Community by Storm!
The best RV warranty coverage just got better: Introducing the Viking Protection Plan, a policy designed for maximum coverage and ease of use, all backed by the customer satisfaction guaranteed by RVer Favorite Wholesale Warranties. Ready to see what the ultimate in Peace of Mind might cost you? Get your FREE Quote for coverage today! Read more about this exclusive coverage.
RV Clubs
Here are some RV clubs from our extensive directory which you may be interested in:
Cedar Creek RV Owners Club
A not-for-profit club formed for owners of Cedar Creek Fifth Wheels, Travel Trailers, Silverback or DayDreamers. Membership benefits include: fun rallies, travel caravans, informative seminars, vendor presentations, social interaction with other club members, and a club forum to discuss various topics. International Rally on June 6, 2016.
Good Sam Club – Military Membership and Veterans
“Active military personnel receive a complimentary Club membership. It’s our way of saluting and thanking our soldiers for the service they provide to our country. Veterans are eligible for a discounted Life membership rate.”
Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers
Actually a forum, but covers thousands of topics and more than a million posts about Teardrops and other tiny travel trailers, including national and international chapters and gatherings.
Be sure your food
is heated just right!
With Alpha Grillers Instant Read Thermometer’s 4.4-inch stainless steel probe and LCD digital gauge you can easily check the temperature of your food to be sure it’s at its “perfect doneness.” Great for when you’re grilling at the campsite (and in your kitchen, too). Folds up easily. Keep in your pocket. Learn more or order.
Bumper sticker of the week
Here’s a favorite “bumpah stickah” from Floyd Beatty in Maine: “Take the mystery out of driving — Use your #@%$& turn signals!” Thanks, Floyd!
Funny/clever business slogan
Sherri Wahle saw this on the side of a van in Portland, Oregon: “Spools rush in … upholstery.” Thanks, Sherri!
Have you seen a funny bumper sticker or business slogan? Send it to Diane(at)RVtravel.com
Unique RV overnight stops at wineries and farms
With membership in Harvest Hosts® you can stay overnight at 500 wineries, farms and attractions across North America. Harvest Hosts offers an exciting alternative to traditional overnight stops where you can meet interesting people and learn about their lifestyle. Learn more at the Harvest Hosts website, or watch an interview with the founders by RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury.
Upcoming RV Shows
See the Web’s best directory of upcoming RV shows for 2016.
Websites of the Week
We like these websites. Check ’em out. More next week.
JUST 23 CENTS A CUP!
Make your coffee one cup at a time
Folgers Classic Roast instant coffee single serve packets make it easy to “brew” a cup of coffee without firing up the coffee maker. It’s a good alternative to Starbucks VIA®, at a fraction of the cost. Most coffee drinkers who try it like it. This pack of 84 servings works out to about 23 cents a serving! Learn more or order.
Good reading from RV123.com 
• 25 Genius Camping Hacks (video)
• Happy Camper (video)
• Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, TN
Keep your fridge in order when you travel
Tired of stuff moving around in your RV fridge after a day of driving? Maybe a carton of milk has fallen out on the floor one too many times? Here’s the solution. Camco’s RV Double Refrigerator Bar is designed to keep order in your RV fridge during travel. It’s spring loaded to keep items in place. The bar extends from 16″ to 28″. And the good part is the price tag: about $5! (The RVtravel.com staff uses a pair of these in its RV!) Learn more or order.
Ask the RV Shrink
Husband and wife both want fully swiveling chair
Dear RV Shrink:
My husband and I are always fighting over the driver’s captain’s chair. The driver’s chair swivels all the way around when we stop and faces out into the living/kitchen area. The passenger seat swivels, but only partway because the dinette bench is in the way.
I think we should just shop for a longer motorhome, with a floor plan that allows both seats to fully swivel. My husband says that’s the economic equivalent of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. We live in this space full-time and I want it comfortable without drawing straws for “the chair.” —Redesign Chairperson in Chautauqua
Essential for big RVs!
2016 Rand McNally Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas
If you drive a big RV — extra long or extra tall — then this truck driver’s road atlas will be a huge help in knowing where you can drive without encountering a low bridge or getting stuck hanging over a cliff. This is an essential aid even if you have a GPS! Coverage: United States, Canada, and Mexico. Learn more or order.
RV Tech Tips
from Mark Polk
Black tank tips
The first step after dumping your black tank is to add enough water to completely cover the bottom of the tank. Four or five toilet bowls full should be enough depending on the size of your black tank. Water will assist a great deal with controlling holding tank odors. You always want the contents of the tank to be covered by water. Next, fill the toilet bowl and add the proper amount of holding tank chemicals, usually four ounces for every 40 gallons the tank holds. Flush the toilet. Repeat this procedure every time you empty the black water holding tank. Some holding tank chemicals like RV Trine by Valterra also contain valve lubricants to keep the valves operating properly and extend the valve seals’ life.
Mark Polk is the owner of RV Education 101, the premiere source of educational DVDs about buying, maintaining and using an RV. Learn more.
2016 Traveler’s Guide
to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States
Learn how to prepare, carry & transport your weapons during travel in all 50 states, Canada & Mexico. Includes state breakdowns of firearms ownership, semi-auto gun ownership, castle doctrine, right to protect, open carry, concealed carry, state and national parks, permit reciprocity, loaded vs. unloaded, interstate transport restrictions, traffic stops, universal restricted areas, motorhome and RV issues, preemptive local laws & more. Learn more or order.
Latest fuel prices
Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $2.34 (on May 30). Change from week before: Up 4 cents; Change from year before: Down 44 cents.
Diesel: $2.38 (on May 30). Change from week before: Up 3 cents; Change from year before: Down 53 cents.
Batteries last a long time!
Motion detection nightlights can
last a year on a set of batteries
When you need a nightlight when without hookups, these are great: they light only when they sense motion, shutting off after 30 seconds of no movement. They use no wires & install in less than 5 minutes. Use outdoors, too. Lights come in a 3-pack. Can last up to a year! Watch the short video for a demonstration or learn more (or order at a great price) at Amazon.com.
RV Travel Reader Pets 
Do you travel with a pet? We’d love to introduce your pet(s) to fellow readers. Send a photo or two of Fido or Boots and a 150-200 word description of your furry friend(s), along with your name(s) and hometown to Diane(at)RVtravel.com .
Click here to see the last issue of RV Travel Reader Pets.
Plugs into your 12-volt plug or cigarette lighter
Keep cool without air conditioning!
This 12-volt oscillating fan will really come in handy when you’re boondocking and can’t use your air conditioner or if it’s out of order. Or simply use the fan to cool off when you don’t want or need the full-blown AC. This fan gets great reviews, and you won’t believe the low price — especially when you consider that this fan oscillates! Learn more or order.
The RV Kitchen
with Janet Groene
Tomato Relish
An RV recipe to relish.
Now that roadside vegetable stands are bursting with early cherry tomatoes, sweet and ready from the vine, you can make them a part of any trip. Whip up this tangy condiment on the spur of the moment when you want to hang a ruffle on an ordinary meal. It’s good on biscuits, hot dogs, burgers, fried potatoes, almost anything. Get the recipe.
Check out hundreds of other recipes by Janet … and her many books at Amazon.com
BEST-SELLERS IN KITCHEN AND DINING AT AMAZON.COM
Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your day!
Don’t let pesky mosquitoes spoil your picnic or other outdoor gathering. This highly rated 17-ounce Cutter CitroGuard Candle will repel mosquitoes and other flying insects while also providing pleasing ambient lighting for any outdoor activity. Burns up to 30 hours. Learn more or order for less than $10.
RV Fire Safety Tip
Safety tools can save lives
There are plenty of fire and life safety tools that can save lives, but for them to be effective, they must be in working condition and you must know how to use them properly. Courtesy: MacTheFireGuy.com
Editor’s note: Choose from a wide selection of fire extinguishers at Amazon.
Updated for 2016
Locate services at Interstate exits
The 2016 Next Exit is the most complete USA Interstate highway exit directory ever published for every exit of major and most minor routes. Find what’s located at upcoming exits on your route — gas, food, lodging, camping, shopping, hospitals, Wal-Marts and much more. A best-seller year after year. Learn more or order.
RV Quick Tips
Prevent containers from moving around in the fridge
If you find items in your refrigerator “meander” around while traveling, then put empty pots or dishes inside the cooler to take up the open space and prevent sliding.
Remove the wax or leave it on your RV?
Want to strip the old wax off your RV? Wash your RV with dish soap and water. Want to leave the wax on your RV? Wash your RV with automotive soap and water.
A trick for working with trailer equalizer bars
When installing trailer equalizer bars, hitch the trailer to the ball, then crank up the tongue jack an inch or two to raise the tow vehicle. Now hook up the equalizer bars. When disconnecting, leave the trailer hitched and crank the tongue jack to lift the tow vehicle a bit. Now disconnect the equalizer bars. Lift the weight off the tow ball, unlock the coupler, and disconnect.
America’s Largest
RV Consignment Dealer
Buy or sell your used motorhome, diesel pusher, fifth wheel or travel trailer hassle free at PPL Motor Homes. And check our huge selection of parts! PPL is the largest RV consignment dealer in the USA, selling more than 24,000 consigned RVs since 1972. Visit the PPL website.
Ask the RV Doctor
The RV Doctor, Gary Bunzer, answers your questions
What’s causing noisy RV slideout?
Dear Gary,
Our 2007 Winnebago has a living room/dinette booth slide that makes a loud groaning or growling noise when sliding. It has a little bit of a jiggle back and forth along the front edge as it comes in. It did not do that for a while when it was new, and we did buy it new. We have tried some cans of stuff recommended by a local RV shop here but it didn’t help. Last week we stopped by our dealer and we were told, “Well, some of them do that. It could cost a lot to have it fixed.” And they were wanting to sell us a newer model (diesel). We said no. … Any suggestions on what to do? How can we fix or troubleshoot the problem? It works fine, just is noisy. —Doug and Rose, Cheyenne, Wyo.
Read more from Gary Bunzer at the RVdoctor.com. See Gary’s videos about RV repair and maintenance.
Keep rodents out of your RV!
The overwhelmingly positive reviews on this make it a best bet for keeping your RV rodent-free. This is the only plant-based rodent repellent registered for inside use by the EPA. It effectively repels rodents up to 100 days with a “woodsy” scent that’s pleasant to humans but offensive to rodents. It’s safe around kids and pets so no safety warning is required. 98% biodegradable. Tested and endorsed by the Good Sam Club. Learn more or order.
Gizmos and Gadgets
Tailgate ladder saves the day when getting onto pickup bed
Do you remember when you could jump up into the bed of your pickup with ease? As we age, we find things like jumping up not as easy as they used to be. But the Traxion Tailgate Ladder is a simple solution, and your back will thank you for it. It’s easy to install on most trucks and deploys in a couple of seconds, or folds and secures out of the way against the tailgate. Read more.
SmartPlug charger reduces fire/electrocution problems
The SmartPlug is a revolutionary shore power system designed to replace the outdated and problematic twist-type design in use today. It is intuitive to use and provides greater protection against loose connections and corrosion — the leading causes of shore power failure and fires. And now it’s been upgraded and provides a new standard of safety for RV and boat owners. Learn more.
Keep your RV
from rocking and rolling
These sturdy steel Husky Stabilizing Scissor Jacks will keep your trailer or 5th wheel stable. The jacks come in a pair, each supporting 6,500 pounds with a lift of 24 inches. Can be welded on. Easy installation. 35 sq. inch base plate. Black powder coated. 2-year limited manufacturer warranty. Learn more or order.
RV Short Stop
Cape Arago Light
near Coos Bay, Oregon
Cape Arago Light, with a full, rich history, is perched on a three-acre island a few hundred feet off Oregon’s mainland, roughly 10 miles southwest of Coos Bay on the Cape Arago Highway. The lighthouse and the land it sits on are not currently open to the public but there are a few places it can be seen from land, including by hiking a short section of the Oregon Coast Trail that meanders through coastal forest. Also, RVers can get a view of the lighthouse from a pullout with parking for most rigs.
Read Julianne G. Crane’s article.
Eliminate gray water
tank odors for less than $8
Gray water tanks can produce nasty odors, too. Using the latest technology in quick dissolving biodegradable tablets, Elemonate deodorizes your gray tank, freshens sink and drain lines and dissolves grease and organic sludge buildup in the drain lines of your sink and gray tank. Learn more or order.
The Dying Art of Proofreading
In an office:
WOULD THE PERSON WHO TOOK THE STEP LADDER YESTERDAY PLEASE BRING IT BACK OR FURTHER STEPS WILL BE TAKEN.
Visit our YouTube Channel.
More than 500 great videos about RVing!
Videos you’ll like
• Solo woman enjoys full-time RVing in 12-foot T@B trailer
You don’t need much space to live full-time in an RV, as this enthusiastic full-timer explains. Watch the video.
• Buying an RV — The pros and cons of buying a new or used RV
The RV Geeks offer an excellent, entertaining discussion. Watch the video.
• Motorhome propane pressure regulator: What it is, how it works
Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor, explains in this helpful video. Watch it.
• How a paper cup can save the day at an RV sewer hookup
Every once in awhile this trick will save the day. Watch the video.
HOW TO WATCH YOUTUBE VIDEOS
USING VERY LITTLE BANDWIDTH.
Random RV Thought
When you haven’t been RVing for awhile and your thoughts turn to getting away again, it’s really tough to get the thought out of your head. If you are at work, it’s especially difficult. Who can work when his or her head is filled with thoughts of being away in the RV, seeing new places and things and enjoying nature? So don’t resist: Just find a way to go!
Trivia
During sleep, fluid in the body tends to pool in low-lying areas, which is why most of us wake up with noticeable bags under our eyes.
Super clean your holding tanks!
Extreme Cleaner by Happy Campers cleans, softens and helps dissolve and remove all types of sewer waste, toilet tissue, crud, sludge, light corrosion and scum buildup. Highest concentrated, most active (powerful) sewer tank and sensor cleaner on the market. Recommended for winterizing, annual clean out, and removing persistent odors caused by chemicals or medications obstructing your tank treatment. Often helps restore poor-working sensors. Learn more or order.
Worth Pondering
“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it — then I can achieve it.”
“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His hands can’t hit what his eyes can’t see. Now you see me, now you don’t. George thinks he will, but I know he won’t.” —Muhammad Ali (1/17/1942 – 6/3/2016)
TODAY’S DEALS ON RV PARTS & ACCESSORIES AT AMAZON.COM. Click.
Readers’ Birthday and Anniversary Greetings
Happy Birthday!
• June 4: To Pat from Jessie. To my wife on “Your” special day. Happy Birthday!
• June 6: To Janet Tregerman from “Hubby”. Happy Birthday to my Love.
• June 6: To Debbie Good from Garry & Charmayne Robertson: Happy birthday to our very special camping friend. Who knew 5 yrs ago Dutch oven cooking would bring us all together? Bring on more good times.
• June 8: To Jill Beth from Donnyboy. I love you, my rock and best friend. Happy birthday!
• June 8: To Paul Sternett from Lynne. Happy birthday! I love you!
Happy (belated) Birthday!
• June 1: To Ken from Bonnie. Dear Ken, May this birthday and many more follow you into a happy, healthy RVing future. Happy Birthday….hugs, Bonnie
• June 2: To Pat from Wyndy. Happy Birthday to my partner & our mom. Love – Wyndy, Jackson & Lucy
• June 2: To Cathy from Marc, Duncan, Clark and Chester. Happy Birthday to the best RVing wife and mom!
• June 3: To Sharon Hertz from Ira. Happy Birthday and Happy Camping!
Happy Anniversary!
• June 4: To Sharon & Ira Hertz from Ira. Thanks for all the great years together.
• June 4: To Scott (Captain Amazing) from MJ. You are the love of my life and the man of my dreams. Thank you for sharing your life with me.
• June 5: To Dianne from Louis. Happy 40th Anniversary to the love of my life.
• June 5: To Jimmy and Patsy from Kathi Hiers. Happy 52nd Anniversary to my wonderful parents! Wishing you a Blessed day.
• June 6: To Rosanne & Dennis Napora from Your Family. Have a great time in the Allegro, during the CASTAWAYS vacation! Happy 40th Anniversary.
• June 7: From Norm to Kathy: Happy 52nd Anniversary to my dear wife! Looking forward to many more years with you.
Happy (belated) Anniversary!
• May 30: To Carol from Mike Scansaroli: Happy Anniversary and love from Mike!
• June 1: To Jeri from Jim: Happy 50th, my Love.
• June 3: To Cheryl, my Famous Redhead, from Jim, your Brown-eyed Hamsome Man. Dated 4 years, engaged 18 months, married 49 years and still going with a love that will not give up.
Send your special someone a birthday or anniversary greeting (20 word maximum)
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RV Travel staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Assistant editor: Diane McGovern. Contributing editor: Russ De Maris. Contributing writers: Greg Illes, Bob Difley, Richard Miller, Richard Mallery, Janet Groene, Roger Marble and Julianne Crane.
ADVERTISE on RVtravel.com and/or in this newsletter. Contact Chuck Woodbury at Chuck(at)RVtravel.com. 
About the RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury has explored America by RV for three decades. In the ’90s he published the quirky travel newspaper Out West, and was an “on the road” writer for the New York Times Syndicate. His book, “The Best from Out West” is available at Amazon.com. Woodbury’s RVing adventures have been profiled on ABC News, CNN, NBC’s Today Show, and in People Magazine, USA Today and in hundreds of newspapers. He is the host of the Better Business Bureau DVD “Buying a Recreational Vehicle,” the definitive guide to purchasing an RV the right way.
Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
Our offices are located at 610 5th Ave. S, Suite F, Edmonds, WA 98020.
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RVtravel.com includes links to other websites. We cannot control the content and/or privacy policies of those sites. Please be aware when you leave this newsletter or any other section of RVtravel.com to read the privacy statements of any of those websites that collect personally identifiable information. Our own privacy policy applies only to RVtravel.com and its affiliated blogs.
This newsletter is copyright 2016 by RVtravel.com
Why are we looking at a newsletter from June 2016?
Chuck linked to his earlier article about the little boy who died from touching the RV. Very tragic accident, but one worth reminding RVers about so it doesn’t happen to them. –Diane
I don’t think there is an active link for the tomato relish recipe.
Sorry, Kathy. That newsletter was from 5 years ago. The link must have unlinked somewhere along the line. I’ve put it back in. Thanks for letting us know! Have a good evening. 🙂 –Diane
No to Boogey Lights and anything else that ruins the night atmosphere.
This is not June 2016
The first link in the story about the child dying from hot skinned RV is not a good link.
A “fight fire with fire” controversy over flags at a Virginia Beach, Va., RV resort recently attracted police and the media. Seems someone got incensed over a guest who was flying a Confederate flag over their rig, so they responded with two of their own: a Nazi swastika and an ISIS-like flag.
Not hardly the same. A union flag would have been appropriate. Obviously these people don’t know their history.
Since you can’t stop the popup ads that splash across what I’m trying to read, please immediately unsubscribe me. You need to keep in mind that few of your readers are millennials, who are perfectly happy to be hit in the face with a sales pitch every fifteen seconds.
Paul. Wow! Where is that coming from? I would like to know. No way do I want anything like that to happen. It would be a great help to me if you would take a screen shot of the ad. I might be able to trace the source. And what browser are you using? Or are you reading on a tablet or your phone? I would have really appreciated it if you would have told me about this before requesting to be unsubscribed so I could have corrected it and thus improved your reading experience. But I will go ahead and remove you from our mailing as you requested. I urge any other readers who are experiencing anything like this to tell me as much as they can about any similar offensive advertising, so I can zap it from our site. — Chuck, editor
P.S. to Chuck’s comments:
Browsers have popup blockers that you can turn on to prevent those extremely annoying popups. If that feature isn’t turned on on Paul’s computer, that may be where the popups are coming from. If he has the popup blocker turned on and the popups are still “popping up,” there may be software or malware overriding his popup blocker. Paul can go into the Help section of his browser to look into this.
If the problem is in Paul’s computer, I don’t think there is any way our newsletter can stop the popups, unfortunately. And since we haven’t heard this complaint from other readers, it sounds like an isolated incident. In any event, we’re sorry you had such problems while attempting to view our newsletter. Good luck, Paul.
Diane at RVtravel.com
I have never had a single pop up ad when reading your publication. That includes today’s new format. I’m sure the problem is on Paul’s end.
BTW – I like the new format! Thanks folks!
Yes I agree with the TV outside a RV. I also despise lights. Special lighting and other trim that light up the campground drive me nuts when trying to sleep. WHY are these needed. ??Now RV people leave Christmas lights on ground around and under the trailer?
Never going to chew your vespa Ca!
Huh?
Diane
We’ve been getting nearly full page adds that cover what we’re reading on websites – not RV Travel so far. No “x”s to get rid of them. Maddening. We have to go back and start over and the add doesn’t come back then.
Hi, Joan. I’ve noticed that on some websites, also. Even with my pop-up ads blocked they can still get through — very annoying! I’ve noticed they have different locations to delete them so sometimes you have to look really hard — they’re pretty sneaky, but I’ve always found some way to get rid of them. Usually there’s a tiny “x” up in the right-hand corner, but I’ve found other locations or options, also. Sometimes you can just click on the page in the background and that will delete the pop-up. But I don’t think I’ve ever run across one that I couldn’t delete. Good luck!
Diane
I really miss the polls you used to have.
Mary, we plan to bring them back. –Chuck
The first year on the road, we had electrical issues in a state park we were volunteering at and lost our tv power supply and also the home entertainment system. Another volunteer recommended a surge protector/electrical management system. We bought the EMS-HW50C by Progressive Industries which checks and reports faulty electrical conditions before allowing power through to our RV. It also cuts the power to the coach in low and high voltage situations. In campgrounds with marginal power, our clocks have to be reset when the voltage drops too low, but we have not had to repair/replace electrical components.
I was surprised to find how far down this comment box is.
I have been reading your article for years and look forward to Saturday so I can enjoy another one. The last couple have had an advertisement that covers part of several articles, this week it is “encor”. So far I cannot figure a way to close or get rid of the ad. I can still read the article if I click on the tab to read the full thing but sometimes I am not interested in all of it. It would help if the ad had a way to close or if it was moved over so as not to cover the articles. Thank you and keep up the good work
Tommy, I’m not sure what that ad is, or how to get rid of it. If you are viewing on a computer and can take a screen shot of the ad and email it to me I may be able to do something. I certainly do not want that sort of ad to interfere with your reading. Email the screen shot to me at chuck (at) RVtravel.com . Thanks.