Issue 2485
Today’s thought
“Travel is fatal to prejudice.” — Mark Twain
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Cinnamon Roll Day!
On this day in history: In 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial Earth satellite, which orbited Earth until 1958, inaugurating the Space Age.
Tip of the day
Fiberglass RV polish and restoration 101
By Cheri Sicard
Fiberglass RV polish, restoration, care, and maintenance are all part of a different animal than caring for traditional RVs. In the video below, Todd and Cara of the Runaway Roses YouTube channel are going to show and tell us all about it.
These fiberglass RV polish tips will work on campers, trailers, boats, or any other kind of fiberglass vessel.
Ask Dave
Best way to clean and lubricate RV slideout rails and gear
By Dave Solberg
Hi, Dave,
I’m looking to purchase a used fifth wheel from an individual. An inspection finds it is in relatively good shape. However, the owner has liberally applied a thick red grease to the slideout’s rack and pinion mechanisms (the geared rails and the cog wheel). My question is, what’s the best way to clean off the grease and prep it for the proper, dry slideout lubrication? —B, 2017 Wildcat 29RLX Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Bees and other pests could catch your RV on fire. Don’t let this happen
By Dustin Simpson
An RV owner in one of my Facebook groups asked, “Any idea what caused this?” One of the most important reasons why we write these articles is to help you and to help protect others in the campground. It is very important to learn all you can when it comes to RV maintenance and why… especially when it comes to preventing RV fires! So with that being said, let’s talk…
Video of the day
Do solar panels inside windshields work?
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below from Project of Science, our host, a custom van builder by trade, wanted to do an experiment with portable solar panels. He wanted to know if setting up solar panels inside windshields would work to power a van’s battery or devices, and he set out to find out.
Featured article
The hidden danger of formaldehyde in RVs
By Dave Solberg
Over the years there has been much discussion and many articles written about formaldehyde present in RVs and the effect it can have on owners. Probably the biggest story was the FEMA trailers purchased during the Hurricane Katrina disaster that sat in a field in the Midwest over the summer. Once they were distributed and sold, people were getting sick due to the high levels of formaldehyde in them. Continue reading.
Reader poll
In the last 20 years have you traveled outside the U.S., Canada and Mexico?
Quick tip
Know your own whereabouts
When you get into a new RV park or boondock site, it’s not a bad idea to jot down information on your location, including site number, park phone number, GPS coordinates, etc. If an emergency pops up during your stay, this information might pop out of your mind. A small dry-erase board mounted where you can easily find it makes a great place for this critical information.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Is your RV packing on the pounds? Try these 10 steps to shed some rig weight
- Ask Dave: What is the scheduled maintenance for RV roof sealant? How hard is it to replace?
- RV review: This is different: The category-busting Timberwolf 16ML
- Video: RV Instant Pot recipes: Baby back ribs in under 1 hour!
- Featured article: Around the campfire: Who’s to blame for lack of quality RVs?
Website of the day
Enjoy the magic of fall at these 10 amazing festivals across the U.S.
Happy fall, y’all! Have fun at these fall festivals across the U.S., as recommended by USA Today Readers’ Choice.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
We’ll be honest… We were looking for a funny product to feature here today but this came up instead. It’s not funny, but we really like it! We think you will, too.
Recipes of the day
It’s Friday and you deserve a cookie!
You deserve a cookie on a Friday. It’s true! And these four cookie recipes are sure to get your weekend off to a good start. Cherry cookies, anyone? Or how about Oreo cookies or citrus-glazed cookies? Or how about a perfect-for-fall caramel apple cookie? We want one of each! Here are the easy-to-make recipes.
Trivia
The yo-yo took off in popularity in the U.S. in the 1920s. Filipino bellhop Pedro Flores caught guests’ attention by playing with one at a Southern California hotel. (Yo-yo means “come come” in a native Philippine language.) Flores saw a business opportunity and began manufacturing the toys. Donald F. Duncan—father of the Good Humor ice cream bar—first saw a yo-yo in 1928. A year later, he bought out Flores. Duncan’s company staged contests where yo-yo “champions” could make the toy “walk the dog,” “shoot the moon,” “rock the cradle,” and go “around the world.” The yo-yo first appears on Greek pottery in 500 B.C., but historians believe it’s been around even longer.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Our rescue dog, Miss B (Smooth Saluki), from Qatar. Fast and always on rabbit patrol.” —Jack Deery
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. No blurry photos and 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
A traffic cop had a perfect hiding spot for catching speeders. But one day, nobody exceeded the speed limit. He soon learned why: A 10-year-old boy up the road a quarter mile was holding up a large hand-painted sign: “RADAR TRAP AHEAD.” Further investigation led the officer to the boy’s accomplice, another 10-year-old 100 yards beyond the speed trap with a sign that read “TIPS.” At his feet was a bucketful of change.
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
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Solar panels inside the windshield work, but with a reduced output. My small solar panel will keep the Group 24 engine battery up, while in storage. Just needs sunlight.
VW used to ship their cars with a small solar panel to keep the early computers operational.
If you park facing North, StarLink will work on your dash as well.
When I lived in Ohio, the local police used to hide in a driveway along a rural road.
That was until one of the property owners got a speeding ticket.
Great thought of the day!
Ms. B is a beautiful pup and definitely looks spoiled!!!
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 Miss B is so elegant, Jack! May you have many happy trips together! 🙂 Today’s laugh is funny! 🙂 Have a great day and safe travels! 🙂
We had a resident who would sit just outside our city limits and hold up a sign warning people of the radar ahead. It was his way of fighting back at our police for his numerous arrests for domestic violence. He chose this rather than stopping his abuse of women…..
We keep the park map in a 8.5″x11″ brochure bin (e.g. https://www.amazon.com/Marketing-Holders-Literature-Magazine-Brochure/dp/B00NO56DEK/) beside the door. Park maps usually have the park address, phone number, and our site circled.
We keep brochures for parks we might return to in the back of the bin.
To remember exactly where I park our trailer, we set our Parking location in Google Maps. When ready to find our way back, I need only only tap the Parking location.