Issue 2433
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Today’s thought
“He who will not economize will have to agonize.” —Confucius
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Drive-Thru Day!
On this day in history: 1847 – Richard March Hoe, American inventor, patented the rotary-type printing press.
Tip of the day
Easy ways to make your RV’s entry steps safer
By Gail Marsh
A fellow camper recently fell and broke her arm. It happened on her RV entry steps at night. She simply tripped over the bottom step and the next thing you know, she’s on her way to the local ER. The incident got me thinking about tips for safe RV entry steps.
RV entry steps come in various configurations. There are three main types.
- Platform step. This is basically a small step stool that gives you a step up into your RV. Some platform steps feature fold-away legs for ease of storage.
- Foldable or scissor steps. This kind of RV step is housed underneath the entry door. You pull them out for use, and tuck them away when you’re on the road. Some foldable steps are manual, while others are electric.
- Pull-down solid steps. This stair type locks into the door frame of your camper. When you open the entry door, you unlock the pull-down steps. With a gentle pull, the steps extend out of the camper to the ground. Some pull-down steps can be adjusted to allow for uneven terrain.
Which type is the best? Well…
Ask Dave
Can I keep trailer parked at home plugged into 120-volt source?
Dear Dave,
I just cooked one of my two wet cell batteries (Interstate deep cell). Question: Is it a good idea to keep your 30-amp trailer plugged into a 120-volt source while parked at home for 30 days straight? Would it be better to get a satellite battery maintainer? —Paul
RV review
2025 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE—nice floorplan
Today’s RV review is of the 2025 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE. This is a trailer we looked at a couple of years ago and, I’m finding, the longer we spend these times together the more we start to look at things we’ve seen before.
So, really, what’s changed in this floor plan? Well…
In the RV shop with Dustin
Catastrophic damage to a Grand Design, Part 3: Exposing the damage
Before you continue reading, make sure you read Part 1 and Part 2 of this series here.
By Dustin Simpson
Welcome to Part 3 of our RV back wall disaster series on this Grand Design RV, where we take an eye-opening look at the structural problems that RV owners face. From lag bolts to wall issues, we uncover the hidden dangers lurking in this RV.
Take an extra 10% off a GhostBed luxury RV mattress!
The GhostBed RV mattress is 10” deep, crafted with gel memory foam for coolness, has 3 layers of luxurious comfort and is perfectly sized for your RV! Ahhhh… Wake up relaxed and rejuvenated. RVtravel.com readers now get an EXTRA 10% OFF a GhostBed Luxury RV Mattress! CLICK HERE and use code RVTRAVEL10. Watch RVtravel.com’s Tony Barthel’s RV mattress review here.
Video of the day
Take a “Breaking Bad” tour of Albuquerque
By Cheri Sicard
If you were a fan of the hit TV show Breaking Bad, you are going to want to check out the video below from Traveling Robert, a 1st place winner in our 2024 RV video awards (as voted by RVtravel.com readers). In it, Robert takes on a Breaking Bad tour of Albuquerque, NM, in his own unique style.
Featured article
Meet Marian, the 92-year-old RVing adventurer
By Gail Marsh
I had to look up “nonagenarian.” I’d wondered what name was given to a person in their nineties, and I found out it was nonagenarian. I’m still not sure if I pronounce the word correctly, but the way I say it, it rhymes with Marian. A happy coincidence, I think. Marian certainly qualifies as a nonagenarian. At 92, she and her husband, Ed, (still an “octogenarian” at age 88) continue to travel the country. They’ve been RVing for 10+ years and have big plans for the years to come.
Continue reading this uplifting story
Reader poll
Of these options, which fast-food chain restaurant is your favorite?
Quick tip
Scheduled roof maintenance pays dividends
Having a schedule of physically inspecting your RV roof every six months is a good idea. Left unrepaired, roof tears or bad sealant around roof openings can let water get through, right down to that chintzy particle board or other roof substrate. Left long enough, water can infiltrate the sidewalls. Mold, mildew, and huge repair expenses are the only outcome. Get up there and clean the roof with mild soap and water. Some RVers apply a protectant, too. Check all the seals around vents, antennas, and end-caps.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Make your RV pantry really work
- Ask Dave: Can I tow a 2023 Coachmen Catalina with my F-150? Show me the math
- Video: Easy step-by-step DIY RV toilet seal replacement
- Featured article: An easy, cheap DIY fix for RV mouse infestation
Website of the day
RVupgrades.com
Once you’re on this site, click on “Menu” at the top of the page. Did you just gasp? Yeah, so did we. This online store has everything (eeeeeverything) you need to repair or upgrade your RV. You may be able to find these products somewhere else for less money, but here they’re all in one place to see and compare. Happy shopping!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
If you knew something might save your life someday, you’d want it, right? Well… you may want to keep this handy.
Recipe of the day
Summer Squash & Rice Boat
by Becky Ratermann from Camas, WA
Looking for a new way to cook summer squash? Try these squash boats. Onions caramelize in bacon drippings and are combined with rice, squash, and crumbled bacon for the filling. When baked with a pat of butter, these are savory and delicious. Serve as a very hearty summer side dish or a main meal.
Trivia
When you think of camels, you probably envision them in a Middle Eastern desert, right? Well, surprisingly, Australia has the largest population of camels in the world. Between 1860 and 1907, about 10,000 camels were imported to Australia from India, North Africa, China and Mongolia—they were much better suited to life in the outback than horses. That original group of 10,000 has grown to 300,000 over the years, and now Australia is the country exporting camels to the Middle East, mostly Saudi Arabia, to help the countries keep up with the demand for camels and camel meat.
Readers’ pet of the day
“I wanted a senior dog and found Lizzie, a Boxer mix, through a local senior dog rescue. She’s funny, smart, and curls like a crescent roll when you scratch her, making sure you don’t miss any spots. When she thinks we are going somewhere, she grabs her mostly chewed stuffed animal, heads to the front door and says, ‘I’m packed! Let’s go!'” —Karen Green
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Sunday RV Travel newsletter. No blurry photos, please! Please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!
• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.
Leave here with a laugh
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Dear Dave chances are the cooked battery was no maintenance ,wet cell batteries need to filled with distilled water on a regular basis or they cook!
My thought exactly. Most people ignore the fact that the batteries must be maintained. A yearly cleaning and retightening of the battery terminals is also another good idea.
Senior or slightly older dogs and cats face an uncertain future and often are euthanized when they should not be. Often they make better companions.
Lizzie is a sweetheart.
RVupgrades.com site does not have “everything”. In fact, far from it – just an FYI.
I AGREE. They have a variety, but I only use them as another resource in my searching…!
Lizzie is ready to go, I hope you have many great adventures! Seniors are the best!
RE: quick tip on roofs- remember that “roof” also includes all places where it joins the side walls. You know, that metal strip at the top of the wall with the vinyl insert? There is another seal right there that needs careful examination for micro cracks. If the vinyl insert and the screws are good, clean the rubber roof above it, use painter’s tape to protect the vertical face, then use a matching color non-leveling rubber roof sealant to prevent water from getting behind the metal strip.
I am just amazed that your choices of fast food “restaurant” didn’t include none of the above! Fast food is almost never on my list of choices. But that is just me. Thanks for the great newsletter.
I think not voting is the same as “none of the above”. Just sayin’.
Well, you can vote Burger King TWICE and maybe they will cancel each other out. 😏
(BG appears on the list 2 times)
‘None of the above’ was not an option because they were asking “of the ONES LISTED, which is your favorite?” If no selection listed is your favorite, then don’t answer! The question was posed to those that DO eat at fast food restaurants.
Congrats?
I have used RVUpgrades.com as one of my sources. In fact, we’re on the road now and the double ball joint linkage that controls the movement of our entry steps broke on arrival to our current campground. While suggested list directly from Lippert was $62.95, most sources were high $60’s low $70’s. Amazon was nearly $100, and Wal-mart $123!!! RvUpgrades: $50. Ordered Monday late morning. Paid for 2-day delivery and it will be waiting for us today at our next campground in a small town in NE Montana. Hard to beat that price and service.
I think the laugh of the day applies to the other gender also.
I wonder if you might write a piece on boondocking etiquette – specifically, when/if it is okay to set up an old tent or chair to “reserve” a spot. I’ve been to a number of sites where people have set up an old tent midweek, disappeared, and didn’t return until the weekend. I’ve also been at sites where a tent and/or chairs have sat empty for 10+ days. At what point can you assume that the items have been abandoned and either drop them off at the nearest ranger station or in a dumpster? What do you do if someone shows up at 10PM and insists that the dishtowel they left hanging from a tree was in a fact their marker and that you have to leave? Thank you!
Is camel meat dry?
Only when the humps are laying over empty.
🤣 Have a great day, Bill and Cancel. 😀 –Diane
In and Out Burger or Hammy’s Smash Burgers, both only regional chains are extremely good and very customer service!
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 Lizzie is adorable! 🙂 I visited the website of the day and started to bookmark it, but I already had done so. 🙂 Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂