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RV Travel Newsletter Issue 878

Learn about RV camping, RV travel, RV news and much more. This newsletter, now in its 18th year of continuous publication, is funded primarily through advertising and voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you!

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Page Contents

Issue 878 • Week of January 5 – 11, 2019   #rvtravel



Editor’s corner

With Chuck Woodbury
Chuck@rvtravel.com

Areader commented last week that he no longer wakes up each Saturday morning eager to read this newsletter. The newsletter, he said, has become too serious and “technical.” He misses reading my often lighthearted musings, which I have written in this space for most of the 18 years we have published.

I miss them, too. I never have space here to fully explain myself, but to sum up, I have changed: That’s reflected in what I write about, and how I write it. I plan to continue writing my fluffy, sometime silly observations of life in my Roadside Journal. But here, I definitely believe my calling is to do more to help improve the lives of my fellow RVers with, of course, a few lighthearted pieces from time to time when I’m in an especially happy or goofy mood.

I will not let up on promoting the need for more RV parks and more inexpensive overnight parking places for RVers including those who can’t find an available space in a booked-solid RV park. I will continue to advise prospective RVers to avoid 20-year loans pushed hard by Camping World and others, a practice that (mark my words) will put countless thousands of RV buyers upside-down in their loans and in dire financial straits in the years ahead.

Plugging in at an RV park is not always safe (most often it is, of course). We are identifying miswired pedestals that could seriously shock you, or worse!

I WILL CONTINUE TO LEND MY VOICE to those who advocate more training for RV technicians (progress is already underway in this area). And with our RV electricity expert Mike Sokol and our all-volunteer Stray Voltage Patrol, we will continue to identify (and get repaired) defective RV park pedestals that could potentially kill an RVer under certain circumstances.

And I will not let up on my campaign to force RV manufacturers to build better products. If you want to read some true horror stories about RVers who bought lemons, read our Facebook group RV Horror Stories (you do not need to be a Facebook member). And if you bought a lemon, click here to find helpful resources including contact information for lemon RV lawyers who can help you resolve your issues.

The readers of this newsletter who become members by voluntarily subscribing provide more fuel every week for us to do more to promote these causes.

It is not uncommon for RVers to buy a new RV and then sit by for months on end, postponing trips, making payments, while the RV’s defects keep it in the shop for months (and sometimes never getting fixed). That’s wrong! We will continue to put pressure on the RV industry to do better.

I AM NOT AN RV NEWBIE. I didn’t wait until I retired to buy an RV and set out to see America. I took my first RV trip at about age 30, and bought my first motorhome a few years later, in the early ’80s. In the nearly four decades since then – after at least 5 or 6 years altogether on the road – I have changed, and RVing has changed. So I view the Wonderful World of RVing differently than the countless thousands of newbies who just bought their first RV, many of whom read this newsletter. We have actually started publishing a monthly Beginner’s Guide to RVing newsletter to address specific issues faced by potential RV buyers and novices.

Imagine every seat in this stadium occupied by an RVer.

Close your eyes for a minute and picture a Rose Bowl crowd with every seat in the stadium occupied by an RVer. Well, that’s how many different people each month read RVtravel.com and its various newsletters. In that crowd are RV newbies, full-timers and boondockers.

Some readers live full-time in one or two RV parks a year. Others move every few days, exploring the country. Some live in 15-foot fiberglass travel trailers while others live in luxurious million dollar motorhomes. Some get by on Social Security, others work part time to pay their way. Some can afford to pay $475 a night for a holiday site in a Newport Beach, California, waterfront RV park. Others can’t afford $10 a night and consider a Walmart parking lot their “campground” of choice.

So that’s who I write to every week in this space, and there is no way I can satisfy all those people with the subject matter. We try to hit upon subjects that will be of interest to the majority of our readers, but addressing the specific topics of interest to each individual is impossible.

I love my work with RVtravel.com. My staff is the best, and we are all excited about what we do and how we are helping people. If you’d like to help us, please tell all the RVers you know to sign up for this newsletter (or any of our other newsletters) at https://www.rvtravel.com/subscribe .

Happy New Year! Be happy, be healthy, and be respectful to your fellow man and woman. Whether we are right wing or left wing, or right in the middle, we are Americans (and Canadians, too) with the same goals — doing the best we can as human beings, and in the case of the readers of this newsletter, enjoying the incredible freedom we have as RVers.

chucksignature
P.S. Our recap of news highlights from the world of RVing from the past week is back. Click here to read.

Also:
I made a 10-minute appearance on Alan Warren’s syndicated radio show, “The RV Show USA” last week. You can watch the taping of the short segment by clicking here.

Welcome to veteran RVer Sam Suva who will be writing a weekly column on Work Camping. The link to his first column is below.


My Roadside Journal

(about whatever is on my mind, not necessarily RV-related)
Archives



Did you miss last week’s RV Travel?

Read it here | Back issues


Sign up for our newsletter RV Electricity Newsletter

Sign up for our RV Electricity Newsletter or any of our other newsletters here. If you missed RV Electricity Issue 14, published last Sunday, click here to read it.


Help us do more! Support this newsletter

The staff of RVtravel.com works hard to bring you an honest, unbiased, valuable newsletter every Saturday. Readers help make it possible by becoming members with their “voluntary subscriptions.” Even a pledge of $5, $10 or $20 a year is appreciated — that’s for more than 50 weekly issues (add another 208 if you read our RV Daily Tips Newsletter)! Many readers set up an ongoing membership, most $5 to $10 a month. But even a one-time contribution of $10 or $20 helps make it possible for us to write about important matters, not just fluff to please advertisers and RV industry big shots.

BECOME A MEMBER NOW!


Breaking News

Comprehensive list of RV and RV-related recalls for December

Please note: Due to the partial federal government shutdown, this listing reflects only the information available prior to the shutdown. The list of latest recalls on RVs and other vehicles and/or products of interest to RVers has been released by the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The list includes models from Grand Design, Gulf Stream, Heartland, Jayco, and others — plus other vehicles and equipment commonly used by RVers. Is your RV or other vehicle on the list? Find out here.


Cover Story

Will new Walmart concept kill overnight RV parking?

by Russ and Tiña De Maris

Late last year a YouTube video was released that caused quite a stir among some RVers. The producers sounded an alarm that plans by Walmart’s corporate planners would put the spell of doom on the future of overnight RV parking around the country. The big event that started it all was the October 2018 reveal of a new plan called “Walmart Reimagined.”

walmartreimagined.com

The idea behind the “Reimagined” project is to take some of Walmart’s stores with large parking lots and re-envision them as town centers. Some would have walking trails, restaurants and coffee shops. Some might have a movie theater, even a bowling alley. Other possibilities included taking some space inside existing Walmart stores and creating, say, a food court, to attract more business. Of course, the outside projects would be the ones that would concern RVers. Tie up parking lot spaces with green belts and boutique stores – that means less space for the passing motorhome and travel trailer set. Read the rest of our story.



That was the RV week that was …

The latest news about RVing from our newsroom

Read news highlights about RVing from the last week.



Federal shutdown creates mountains of trash and human waste

As the federal funding “stalemate” turns into “stagnate,” national parks and other federal lands are left holding the bag. Click here for a synopsis of current closures and conditions from around the country.

Camping World, Good Sam reorganized

Camping World Holdings, Inc. announced on January 2 the realignment and new assignments of its executive leadership team. Here’s part of what Marcus Lemonis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, had to say: “The organizational changes we have made and are announcing today should streamline our team and bring a new and heightened focus on inventory management, expense control, product margins, cash flow and asset deployment.” Learn more.

Is a traditional or convection oven best in an RV?

Chuck and Gail have a combination microwave/convection oven in their motorhome. It also came with a traditional oven, which they removed and replaced with three drawers. Gail is very happy with the convection oven, but Chuck wanted to get our readers’ views after reading a question about this subject at our Facebook Group, RV Advice. Read more, and then tell us what you think.


Reader Poll

Reader Poll

How many RVs have you owned in your life?

Please let us know. After you click your response, you’ll see how others have responded. Feel free to leave a comment. We’ll post the final results in next week’s newsletter. CLICK HERE.



What we learned about you last week

You probably did not travel for Christmas this year, and you probably didn’t go to a New Year’s Eve party either. You’d rather sleep in the pitch black than with any lights on, and many of you think you’re excellent swimmers. You have an Amazon Prime membership and – whew – you carry an air compressor with you in your RV. All this and more, right here.

Feedback on SPOT – the rescue device

In his last RV Electricity Newsletter, our resident electrical- and techno-genius, Mike Sokol, wrote about SPOT, a compact text-only satellite messenger for those lost in the wilderness. One of Mike’s readers, Jim Larsen, wrote of his own experiences with an earlier version of SPOT, and with his gracious permission, we’re sharing it with our readers. Read this important message.

Using a fabric building for RV storage – Part 3

Rich “The Wanderman” bought a fabric building to store his RV and it’s finally assembled – sort of – but not without numerous difficulties. Was it worth it? Find out here.



Camping World stock tanks again

From the Motley Fool: (Jan. 1, 2019) — Shares of Camping World Holding’s stock – already performing 10 times worse than the rest of the stock market this year with a share price loss of more than 70% – took another plunge Monday morning, falling nearly 10% before retracing to close the day down “only” 8.1%. Find out why.

Dumb crooks swipe FEMA trailers

It was blow enough that the huge California wildfire dubbed the Camp Fire engulfed the town of Paradise, killing 86 people and wiping out close to 14,000 homes. Now come a couple of knuckleheads who have earned their “Dumb Crook” designation in connection with the aftermath of the disaster, after stealing trailers provided by FEMA for fire evacuees. Read more.



Popular articles from last week’s issue

Camping on federal lands during the shutdown – latest information.
Malia Lane reports on her battle with terminal cancer.
RV Electricity – Don’t backfeed power to your RV!
What’s going on with the RV industry? Stocks plummeting.
RV generator cannot carry a load.
• RV shipments nosedive in November, fourth straight month of decline.
RVing couple can’t agree on where to “settle” seasonally.



From the RVtravel.com Reader Forums

Need advice about 10-day RV trip from Las Vegas
“Hi, I am planning 10 days in RV in July from Vegas. There is so many options that I am a bit lost. Where would you recommend to go? I am from Europe and that would be my first trip to the US-West. Traveling with family (teenager kids).”  Comment here.

Replacing two 6-volt batteries with two 12-volt batteries
“I’m fulltime living in a 2005 Georgetown XL (Class A). I’m wintering in rural Texas on private land, and attached to a 50AMP circuit. Once winter ends (or we get to March, whichever comes first) I expect to be doing a good deal of boondocking. I’m considering replacing the batteries (and possibly the converter as well). Right now I have two 6-volt lead-acid batteries. Searching for 6-volt batteries suggests that they’re hard to come by; can I simply replace them with a pair of 12-volt batteries? Anyone know? Comment here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION: New users register here.


Lap desk puts your back to rest!If you find yourself using your computer on your lap, reading your Kindle on the couch, or having a hard time holding that heavy hardback, you need this lap desk! Staff writer Emily uses this when she works and highly recommends it. The desk has eight adjustable levels and even has a stopper to hold objects upright. Great for those who have lower back pain or terrible posture (ahem, Emily). Learn more or order.


Resources

RV Clubs
Check out our Directory of RV Clubs and Organizations.

RV Tours
Prefer to travel with a group of RVers? There are plenty of great RV trips to choose from. Here are a few.

Where to complain about bad RVs, dealers, service, RV parks. This is an ever-expanding list of resources where you can report, share or discuss your problems with RV manufacturers or dealers.

The RV Show USA
Listen each Wednesday evening on Facebook or YouTube for the live taping of America’s only syndicated radio program about RVing. Sponsored by Cheyenne Camping Center and PPL Motorhomes.

Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.

What does financing an RV for 20 years REALLY mean?
In case you missed this article the first time around, here it is again. Important! Click here.


Keep road flares in the RV for emergencyYou should always have road flares in your RV in case of an emergency. This pack of three bright, waterproof, and shatterproof LED disks are perfect to keep tucked away. These bright lights can be seen from a mile away and can be used for traffic control, as a warning light, as a rescue beacon and they can also be used for recreational activities such as camping and hiking. Learn more or order here. 


Ask the RV Shrink

Wife wants smaller RV but with bigger space – hubby needs advice

Dear RV Shrink:
For a number of years we have been planning on buying an RV for our retirement, but my wife is now dragging her feet. We plan to keep our home but live in the RV for most months of the year. Her problem seems to be space. She doesn’t want a big RV, but she wants lots of storage, cooking area, bath and bedroom. That is an impossible combination. Please give me some reasoning firepower so we can get past this perception obstacle in our road to retirement. —Little Big Mansion on Wheels

Read the RV Shrink’s advice.

Can’t get enough of the Shrink? Read his e-book: Dr. R.V. Shrink: Everything you ever wanted to know about the RV Lifestyle but were afraid to ask or check out his other e-books.


Best-selling vent cover!
Keep rain out and fresh air inside your RV
Few add-ons are more enthusiastically endorsed by RVers as MaxxAir vents. This is the original and best-selling model. Install this over your RV vents, then keep them open in any weather. On rainy days, air from inside your RV can exit without a single drop of rain coming inside. Keep your vents open during storage and while driving. Learn more or order.


gas-738Latest fuel prices

Here are the latest U.S. average prices per gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel as of December 31, 2018:
Regular unleaded gasoline: $2.27. [Calif.: $3.22]
Change from week before: Down 6 cents; Change from year before: Down 25 cents.
Diesel: $3.05. [Calif.: $3.81]
Change from week before: Down 3 cents; Change from year before: Up 8 cents.


Keep your hoses wrapped up and kink-free
Wrap up those stiff hoses kink- and twist-free with these Coil n’ Wrap Velcro water hose straps. They wrap the hose up so tight you’ll have more storage space which, as RVers know, can be hard to come by. Learn more.


RV Quick Tips

Travel trailer users – secure your batteries in a tongue box

Reports of batteries stolen from travel trailers are far too common. How can you secure that heavy but precious investment? User DABAT on the rv.net forum found a way. He bought a fancy diamond-plate tool box, commonly used in pickup truck beds, made a couple of mods, and located it on his trailer tongue.

Vehicle trash system recycles plastic bags

Troubled by trash in your RV or tow car? Here’s an interesting wrinkle that allows you to easily recycle a wide range of plastic bags (including grocery store t-shirt bags and others) to keep things clean. Using a 3M adhesive sticker (included) you mount this little “corral” device up wherever you need it, then hang whatever receptacle bag you want to use. Bag full? Dump it with the trash and replace with a “new” one. Less than $5 on carace, we also found one an amazon. Trouble is, it was the Japan Amazon site – none to be found on the U.S. site.

Do you have a Quick Tip? Send it to Russ (at) RVtravel.com and you just might see it here!


Amazon Deals of the Day!
Here are more than 1,000 special deals, just for today. And the items just keep on changing. If you can’t find a great deal here on something you want, then, well, you must not need anything. If nothing else, it sure is fun to poke around here to see the incredible array of cool stuff that’s available at this very moment at bargain prices! Click here for today’s deals!


Work Camping

The business of work camping. Getting started

Sam Suva and his wife are work campers. They began work camping more than 10 years ago and have spent a lot of time working as they traveled. In this new weekly feature, they will share their experiences with you, with an emphasis on how to incorporate work camping into a full time RV lifestyle. Read more in this first installment.


Endorsed by tire expert Roger Marble!
tire-guage660Outstanding tire pressure gauge
The Accutire MS-4021B digital tire pressure gauge has an easy-to-read LCD display that provides pressure readings from 5-150 PSI. It’s ergonomically designed with an angled head and a rubber-coated easy-grip handle. If you forget to turn it off, it will do so automatically. The included lithium battery never needs to be recharged or replaced. Used by the RV Travel staffLearn more or order.



gary-736

Ask the RV Doctor

The RV Doctor, Gary Bunzer, answers your questions

Stymied RVers can’t find water leaks to fix them

Dear Gary,
Apparently my husband did not properly winterize our Southwind motorhome. When we fill the fresh water tank we have no problems, but when the pump goes on the leaks start. When we roll under the RV the leaks aren’t around any plumbing pipes. … But there are leaks by the storage bins and around some electrical wires. How do we fix the leaks if we can’t find where they’re coming from? Where should we look for leaks and how do we get there? —Jacque

Read Gary’s response.

Read more from Gary Bunzer at the RVdoctor.com. See Gary’s videos about RV repair and maintenance.


sponge91FkFZCzPZL__SL1500_Easily clean stubborn bugs off your RV
The Microfiber Mesh Bug and Tar Sponge has millions of tiny fibers embedded in the microfiber cloth that grabs and holds the dust and dirt. It is so effective it even cleans without chemicals, saving both time and money. The secret of this sponge lies in its unique, double-layer microfiber mesh. Older nylon bug sponges can harm your clear coat, but this one is completely paint safe. Learn more or order.


bob-d-med399

Ask BoondockBob

with Bob Difley

Safe water made simple

It’s a vital resource we need to sustain life. For RVers, it’s more critical than for homeowners. It’s water. Permanent home dwellers use just one main source of supply for their water and, as such, generally know the quality and consistency of the supplier. But when on the road, water suppliers change with every change in campground. Can you be confident in the diligence of their monitoring practices? Here are some tips to help keep your water safe.

You can find Bob Difley’s e-books on Amazon Kindle.


The best book on RV electricity, hands down!
Mike Sokol is America’s leading expert on RV electricity. He’s taken his 40+ years of experience to write this book about RV electricity that nearly anyone can understand. Covers the basics of Voltage, Amperage, Wattage and Grounding, with additional chapters on RV Hot-Skin testing, GFCI operation, portable generator hookups and troubleshooting RV electrical systems. This should be essential reading for all RVers. Learn more or order 


RV Electricity

with Mike Sokol

The ABCs of campground power and grounding – Part 2

As promised, here’s Part 2 of the ABCs of RV grounding. Why is the word “ground” so confusing to RV owners, technicians and even some electrical engineers? Mike thinks it’s because the word is misused in so many industries that the definition has been corrupted. But it’s important to understand grounding, so learn all about it here.

For more info on Mike’s qualifications as an electrical expert, click here.


Double refrigerator bars ensure nothing moves while driving
I know it’s happened to me many times – I’ve opened the fridge (even slowly) after driving down the road and a heavy jar has fallen on my toe – “OW!” – because it shifted in the fridge. Never have that happen again with these easy-to-install double refrigerator bars. These spring-loaded bars can also be placed in cupboards or in closets. Order for a good price here.


RV Tire Safety

with RV tire expert Roger Marble

RV tires: “safety factor” versus “reserve load” – What’s the difference?

Roger explains the difference between “safety factor” and “reserve load” and which is more important regarding RV tire safety. Items like tires do not really have a “safety factor,” as tires generally do not fail from simply increasing the load too much. Tire engineers prefer to use the term “reserve load” when talking about the load capacity of a tire. Learn more.


Fire Extinguishing Aerosol, Two-packfire extinguisher
The First Alert Tundra Fire Extinguishing Aerosol Spray is easier to use and discharges 4 times longer than traditional fire extinguishers. With an aerosol nozzle and portable size, it’s suited for the kitchen, car, garage, boat or RV. The formula wipes away with a damp cloth & is biodegradable. Learn more or order.


Astronomy for RVers

with Chris Fellows

The upcoming Blood Moon – a rare treat!

North America will be treated to this fantastic sight only once in 2019/2020. On Monday, January 21, 2019, not long after sunset, all of North America will be treated to an event that shouldn’t be missed. A total lunar eclipse isn’t exactly a rare event but jot this down on your calendar or you’ll have to wait until 2021 for the next one. Learn more.


The best phone mount for an RV
Endorsed by the RVtravel staff!
This phone mount suctions or clips to your dashboard or windshield, and is a sturdy, safe place to keep your phone while driving. Perfect for using the GPS while going down the road. The mount is cushioned for a wobble-free phone and can rotate 360 degrees. We highly recommend this one! Learn more or order.


The RV Kitchen

with Janet Groene

Cajun BBQ and Rice

Go Cajun for a change. Hook up the RV in the campground, take these shameless shortcuts and a big, fragrant, spicy barbecue supper is on the RV table in only a few minutes. This recipe can be cut in half, or make all 12 servings and have leftovers. It’s also a good choice to freeze in small batches to feed one or two if that’s how you roll. Get the recipe.

Check out hundreds of other recipes by Janet . . . and her many books at Amazon.com, including the popular “The Survival Food Handbook.”

BEST-SELLERS IN KITCHEN AND DINING AT AMAZON.COM



Digital RVer

with Geeks on Tour

How to make a map of your 2018 travels – in less than 10 seconds

Chris Guld of Geeks on Tour loves maps. Every year she produces a map of their travels with locations, photos and descriptions, then posts it on their blog. If you have Google Maps set to record your location history, making a map of everywhere you’ve been in 2018 is as easy as 1-2-3. Chris explains how here.

Learn about smartphones and tablets
… from Geeks On Tour. This Sunday live! January 6 at 2 p.m. Eastern: Episode 159: How To Organize and Share Google Photos Albums. Here are two recent webcasts: Episode 157: How to send photos from your phone and Episode 158. How to choose a phone caseWatch live or archives of past programs.

Be sure to check out the 2nd edition of Mrs. Geek’s Guide to Google Photos, available at Amazon.com.

Special offer for RV Travel readers!
Visit the Geeks’ Store to buy a membership. Use the coupon code rvtravel and get a 20% discount off anything you order.


No more sticky windows!An RVtravel.com reader recommended this white graphite powder as the perfect fix for sticky windows. Frames can contract in cooler weather, making things tight. He said his fix is lubricating the window tracks with a simple “puff” of white graphite powder. Why the white? “It doesn’t make a mess like the black stuff!” he explained.


Common Terms Used by RV Salespeople

KINK: A problem with a deal due to “miswriting,” misrepresentation, misquoting or mishandling.

GRINDER: This is a buyer who, no matter what the salesman offers, wants more for less.

PUT TOGETHER: This means much the same as “laying someone away.” In other words the maximum gross profit to be made on that deal was accomplished. The customer was “nailed to the wall.”

More next issue. Courtesy of the Burdge Law Office.


Maintain those slide seals!
If you’ve heard a cracking or popping sound when extending your slide outs, it means your seals are sticking and/or drying out! Using a seal conditioner about every 8-12 weeks is recommended to avoid drying and cracking. Once they begin to wear and show damage, they are no longer working to their fullest capacity. We recommend using Thetford Premium RV Slide Out Rubber Seal Conditioner – it works like a charm.


Facebook Groups about RVing

Outdoor Adventures Hiking Gear Flea Market
Camping and RVing with Pets
Travelin’ Solo RV & Camping
PLUS OUR OWN GROUPS: RV Horror Stories & RV Advice


Free and bargain camping

From OvernightRVparking.com

FREE! San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino, Highland, CA. Overnight RV Parking is allowed.
FREE! Tractor Supply Co., Sealy, TX. Overnight RV Parking is allowed.
CLICK HERE for complete details on these two locations!

Overnight RV Parking, with 13,923 locations listed, is the largest and best resource for locating free and inexpensive places to spend a night in an RV. For membership information and a demo of the site, click here. A modest membership fee required, but try the free demo. Watch a video about OvernightRVparking.com.



Museum of the Week

The Neon Museum

@theneonmuseumlasvegas, Instagram

Las Vegas, NV

Founded in 1996, The Neon Museum is dedicated to preserving the art of neon and exhibits iconic Las Vegas signs. The museum has a large outdoor courtyard known as the “boneyard,” which is so cool it can be booked as a wedding venue! In addition to its fantastic displays, the museum also shows how neon trends and design have changed from the 1930s to the present day. The museum can be toured seven days a week, but most tours require a guide, so you must book in advance. Visit the museum website here.


“Guide to Free Campgrounds” directory updated after 4 years
Any RVer that has been on the road for awhile likely has a dog-eared and ragged copy of Don Wright’s “Guide to Free Campgrounds.” It’s been four years since the latest edition, and much has changed and been added. Read more about it here, and maybe order a copy of the brand-new 832-page guide for yourself or for a gift for your RVing friends.


Upcoming RV Shows

Columbus RV Show, January 4-6, Columbus, OH
Knoxville RV Show, January 4-6, Sevierville, TN
Memphis RV Show, January 4-6, Memphis, TN
South Carolina RV & Camping Show – Greenville, January 4-6, Greenville, SC
Wisconsin RV Show, January 4-6, Milwaukee, WI
Colorado RV Adventure & Travel Show, January 9-12, Denver, CO
Ohio RV Supershow, January 9-13, Cleveland, Ohio
Gulf Coast RV Show – Mobile, January 11-13, Mobile, AL
Washington Camping RV Expo, January 11-13, Chantilly, VA
Florida RV SuperShow, January 16-20, Tampa, FL
Quartzsite RV Show, January 19-27, Quartzsite, AZ

See the complete list of upcoming RV shows.


Silicon plate lifter for microwave ovens.A thing that does all things!
This large silicon pad can be used in your microwave under hot bowls to pick them up, or on top of a dish as a splatter guard, on your table as a hot plate, a drying rack, or even as a jar opener. When it gets messy just toss it in the sink for a wash, or even put it in the dishwasher. About $16 on Amazon makes it a great deal. Talk about a great multi-tasking gadget for your RV (or home) kitchen.


TriviaThe head and tail of a bald eagle turn white only after the bird reaches about five years of age. A female bald eagle, larger than a male, stands three feet tall, weighs 10-15 pounds and flaunts a wingspan of nearly eight feet. Bald eagles can soar more than 10,000 feet high, and their eyesight (six times sharper than that of a human) lets them see fish or a rabbit up to a mile away. They can reach speeds of up to 100 mph when diving.

Bumper sticker of the week

Watch out – the guy behind me is driving like an idiot!

Have you seen a funny bumper sticker? Send it to Gail (at) RVtravel.com

Joke of the Week

Gordie Howe (1928-2016), famous Canadian professional ice hockey player, reportedly was unhappy about a penalty one of his teammates got during a game. He went to the referee and asked, “What would happen if a player came to you and said that you’re an SOB?” The referee told him that the player would get a 2-minute penalty for misconduct. Howe replied, “Then it’s a good thing I didn’t tell you you were an SOB for calling that penalty,” and he skated away. –Thanks to Richard Gougeon, Mascouche, Quebec, Canada

Worth Pondering

“Just living is not enough … One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” —Hans Christian Andersen


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RV Travel staff

CONTACT US at editor@RVtravel.com

Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Managing editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editor: Russ De Maris. Staff writer: Emily Woodbury. Contributing writers: Greg Illes, Bob Difley, Richard Miller, Richard Mallery, Dave Helgeson, Janet Groene, Gary Bunzer, Roger Marble, Mike Sokol, Chris Guld, Julianne Crane, Chris Fellows, Dennis Prichard, J.M. Montigel and Andrew Robinson. Advertising coordinator: Gail Meyring. Marketing director: Jessica Sarvis. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.

REGIONAL AND LOCAL ADVERTISING: We can now run banners on RVtravel.com in your town or in a designated area near you, for example to readers within 100, 200, etc., miles of your business. Contact Gail Meyring at Gail(at)RVtravel.com.

cw501About 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.

Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.

This newsletter is copyright 2019 by RVtravel.com

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Donald Cappel
4 years ago

I have not received a newsletter sind 5 Jan 2019. Is the problem on my end or yours.

jillie
4 years ago

Anyone else having problems with the server recognizing password and/or email? I am. Weird.

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