Issue 2491
Today’s thought
“You only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough.” —Joe E. Lewis
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day!
On this day in history: 1884 – George Eastman receives a U.S. Government patent on his new paper-strip photographic film.
Tip of the day
Trailer sway: Causes, cures, and getting away safe
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
New travel trailer users beware. A big boogieman lurking around the next curve could be your undoing. Trailer sway! The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports that about 50,000 trailer sway accidents are reported each year. And many of these are preventable. A bit of sway can ruin your whole day. What causes it? What can result from it? And what can you do to avoid the perils of trailer sway? Read on!
One major cause of trailer sway is improper loading. Weight in any kind of trailer should be evenly distributed. Put too much weight on the rear of the trailer, the rear of the trailer can turn into the proverbial pendulum. And the trouble is, once that trailer begins to sway, things can get worse in a hurry—jackknifing your tow vehicle, maybe even rolling your whole combination over with disastrous results. Too much weight forward, you can actually pull the front tires of the tow vehicle away from the roadway, making for out-of-control steering and braking. Continue reading.
RV review
2025 Cherokee Grey Wolf 20RDSE—big value, little trailer
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the Forest River Cherokee Grey Wolf 20RDSE travel trailer. This is a relatively simple and affordable trailer with no slides but some really great features. In fact, when I was selling RVs (oh, here we go with that again), we sold a comparable Keystone Springdale version of this and they sold like hotcakes. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
No leveling jacks on RV, so can I just use a block on the outside dual wheel?
Dear Dave,
I am going to downsize from a 35-foot Fleetwood Class A to a 26-foot Fleetwood Class A that does not have jacks. Do you think it is safe to use a leveling block under just the outside rear dual tire? The other option would be to use some type of wooden plank laid perpendicular to the tires. Thank you. I am a faithful reader. —Vincent, 2002 Fleetwood Southwind Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
What it’s like to repair bullet damage to an RV
By Dustin Simpson
There could be several reasons why someone might shoot an RV with a bullet, though I must emphasize that such actions are illegal, dangerous, and morally wrong. Shooting at an RV or any other property is considered vandalism and a criminal offense. It puts people’s lives at risk and causes significant damage and emotional distress to the RV owners. Despite all that, it happens, and we do see bullet-damaged RVs in our shop. Continue reading.
Fix roof leaks and extend your RV roof another 18-20 years with the ONLY liquid butyl rubber in the world
RV Roof Magic’s unique solvent-based drying process allows for a chemical bond not found in other RV sealants. That is why it never needs a primer and only one coat. We offer a 10-year warranty. Apply RV Roof Magic to all roofs except silicone and PVC. Over 30 years of history of success. Visit our site for our monthly special!
Video of the day
Senior RVers: The one very important exercise every senior needs
By Cheri Sicard
As senior RVers, sometimes staying fit can become a challenge. In the video below from the new YouTube channel Jack and Darlene Live an Amazing Life, you will learn an essential exercise that every senior needs to do regularly. Luckily, you can do this crucial move inside or outside your RV or practically anywhere else without any special equipment. Learn this move here (and practice it!).
The latest news for RVers
- Market watcher suggests Lemonis may lack confidence in future of Camping World
- Hurricane aid or business move? The truth behind “free” Starlink access
- RV sales face unprecedented meltdown in latest stats
- Scams, misinformation spreading about FEMA hurricane efforts
- Caught on camera: Helene flooding drags RV over dam
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
Not wearing gloves while dumping? Big mistake!
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
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. A survey at RVtravel.com revealed that nearly one-third of our readers never or seldom use gloves when dumping. We’ve sometimes wondered why anyone would take on this bacteriological nightmare without protection. Continue reading why you should wear gloves when dumping.
Reader poll
How long has it been since you ate a TV dinner?
Quick tip
Easy RV windshield and front end “bug off”
“Regarding bugs on RV front ends and windshields: I use a few sheets of ‘Bounce,’ the anti-static/softening sheets used in the clothes dryer. Soaked in water, the sheets can be used by themselves or before using a bug sponge. The liquid from the sheets virtually melts off bugs and makes the job far easier and quicker than using Windex or one of the expensive so-called bug-remover sprays. Paint surfaces are not affected in a negative way.” Thanks, Neil S.!
Website of the day
Where to See Mammoth and Dinosaur Fossils in the U.S., Including Active Dig Sites
Finding fossils can be an amazing way to be a part of history, so get out there and discover some! These sites are the places to do so. How cool would it be to see something so old?
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
There is something very fishy about this. But wait! Maybe it’s just an illusion: It could be argued that it’s not fishy in any way. Yet, looking at it from another perspective, it most certainly is. Oh, so confusing… You decide.
Recipes of the day
5 sweet potato recipes, for the holidays and now
If you have an extra sweet potato or two in your kitchen, or you want to try a new dish at the holidays, check out these sweet potato recipes. We have both sweet and savory recipes here, so there’s bound to be something you’ll be interested in trying. Click here.
Trivia
Oregon’s Crater Lake is 1,943 feet deep. It’s the deepest lake in the United States and the deepest volcanic lake in the world. The deep blue lake contains a tremendous volume of water but has relatively little surface area. It takes a very cold winter to freeze the top. It has not frozen over since 1949.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Shorty’s (Border Collie mix) big adventure this year included a trip to Fort Stevens State Park on the Oregon Coast.” —Donna Loenker
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
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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Shorty – you are a fine looking traveling companion. You keep navigating your people! Don
Thanks Don. He’s always up for an adventure!
The weather map is a great addition. Travelling at the moment (6 months), read every day
Thanks
Not sure about indigenous people day????
After reading what Columbus did to these people? He should be held on murder charges. Akin to the holocaust.
I think he’s dead
all conquering have not been kind to those that they invade. Even the aztec, mayan, incan, commanche, apache, anasazi and others were just as bad.
It always amazes me to hear that Columbus discovered America. How does one discover a land where people have been living for hundreds of years?
The dinosaur fossil article made no mention of Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison, CO, where I spent 10 years guiding student tours. It is a National Natural Landmark and the closest preserved dinosaur fossil bone/tracks site to a major metropolitan area in the world! Kids can actually touch dinosaur tracks and bones that are still in the 100-150 million year-old sandstone outcrops.
TV dinner? I make my own tv dinner and eat it in front of the television. It is season premiere month.
We also have TV dinners on hand. Leftovers from few days ago.
We love, we love the RV magazine, every day, and especially the pets, but when people make comments like about Columbus, (who never got off his ship himself that’s documented) they act like he’s a murderer, when generations of people came after his ships, that may have caused problems as well, as many documented issues from the people living here, it’s irritating. We live in the greatest country on earth, who citizens have fought, and fight, and died, in our Military for freedom across the world.
It would be nice to read an article without the print jumping all over the screen while ads load and change. It used to happen once. Now it’s constant as you scroll paragraph to paragraph, usually separated by an ad jumping in and out. Rant over.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Shorty looks like a great traveling companion, Donna! I hope you have many, many adventures together. I am no fan of the mystery product of today; yuck. Have a great weekend and safe travels! 🙂