Issue 2496
Today’s thought
“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.” —George Washington
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Apple Day!
On this day in history: 1879 – Thomas Edison applies for a patent for his design for an incandescent light bulb.
Tip of the day
Taking care of RV batteries, high-tech style
By Greg Illes
Sometimes RV batteries seem ridiculously simple—we tend to see them as either working or dead. But there is way more than meets the eye in this 2,000-year-old technology. [According to panasonic.com: The “Baghdad Battery” – ceramic pot battery and the world’s oldest “ceramic pot battery” was discovered in the remains of Khu jut Rabu, a village in the outskirts of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. This battery is more than 2,000 years old.]
RV batteries are made with lead plates interleaved with lead-dioxide plates. The plates are immersed in sulfuric acid, and the electrochemical reaction creates the battery effect. The whole bundle is wrapped up in a big plastic box with the electrical terminals on top.
As current is drawn from the battery, a chemical change occurs which causes both plates to begin to change into lead sulfate. But this where is a major wrinkle arises…
Bonus tips from yesterday’s newsletter:
Half-ton trucks: What to know before you tow
By Tony Barthel
How much can you tow with a half-ton pickup? It might surprise you that there is no single answer to this. It may also surprise you that your very light travel trailer may be much more than your V8 pickup is supposed to handle. What a half-ton pickup can tow varies widely depending on how it’s configured. Just because your truck has the big V8 and a tow receiver and, potentially, even a “tow package” doesn’t mean you can tow a trailer. Continue reading this important article.
Important safety tips when leaving your RV behind
By Nanci Dixon
If you are leaving the RV for a couple of days in a campground, make sure to take a few precautions. We have left our motorhome at campgrounds for a couple of days or for several weeks due to family emergencies and, for the most part, everything has been fine. But there are a few things that I have learned to help keep our RV secure and put my mind at ease while we’re away.
Adjusting your RV travels for medical needs
By Gail Marsh
For many people, the dream of RVing is the ultimate freedom—a life on the open road, exploring stunning landscapes, and living at your own pace. But what happens when health or medical necessities come into play? Whether you’re dealing with chronic conditions, new medical needs, or simply want to ensure you’re prepared for anything that comes up while RVing, there are ways to adjust your travel plans and keep your RV adventures rolling.
RV (p)review
2025 Coachmen Brookstone 318RLL—all decked out
Today’s RV (p)review is of the 2025 Forest River Coachmen Brookstone 318RLL fifth wheel. This model is somewhat emblematic of something I noticed when I toured the RV Dealer Open House this year, which is where the major RV companies display their newest models for dealers.
The trend I saw was in the area of patios. Check this example out.
Ask Dave
Why does heat blow out of RV’s ceiling vents but not floor?
Dear Dave,
Previously, the RV’s electric heat option would blow out the roof vents and floor. The last couple times I’ve turned it on, it’s only been coming out the roof vents. I’m stumped on what’s going on. —Richard, 2022 Keystone 377FL Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Shocking RV wall inspection; molding maintenance and replacement tips
By Dustin Simpson
Join me in our RV shop as we inspect the standard way that RV manufacturers install roofline moldings. During my inspection of an RV side wall, I will be explaining more about rain gutter joints, how moldings are butted together, how they are secured against the walls of most RVs, and how often the insert moldings need to be replaced. Learn more.
Video of the day
The best electric heaters under $25 for small RVs
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, Drew from Playing with Sticks talks about the best electric heaters for teardrop trailers, as that’s what this YouTube channel specializes in. However, these small electric heaters would also work well in any tiny space such as a van, truck camper, or small trailer. Check these out.
The latest news for RVers
- Readers demand “Keep politics out of RVtravel.com”
- Missing RVer’s tragic fate revealed after police shooting incident
- The real reason Lake Mead boondocking area was closed
- “Ghost” campground reservation could cost you $3,000 fine
- Major shakeup: Forest River closes all manufacturing facilities in California
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
The wonderful 3,205-mile U.S. highway with a great big name
By Gail Marsh
Route 66 holds a special place in the hearts of folks who love to travel. If Route 66 is “The Mother Road,” does that make Highway 6 her little daughter? No, Highway 6 enjoys a much larger moniker: the Grand Army of the Republic Highway (named as such to honor the Union forces during the Civil War). This wonderful highway certainly lives up to its great big name. Continue reading.
Reader poll
Do you have a favorite U.S. state?
Quick tip
Black water dump trick for boondockers
“We were full-timers for about 12 years, so I emptied many black tanks. A tip: After I drain, flush, and close the valve, I continue the flush for about 30 to 60 seconds so the tank is not dry. (That’s usually up one dot on the tank meter.) This lets me be stingy with my precious fresh water when boondocking.” —Thanks to Fred and Judy C.
Website of the day
National Parks Quiz And Trivia
This is fun! This page from National Parks Trivia will get your brain working and teach you new things about our beautiful parks.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Okay, we want you to order this for the very special lady in your life. We’ll just give you a hint about it. We searched Amazon for “Sexy RV Nightgown.” This is what came up. Wow! We get excited every time we see this.
Recipes of the day
Celebrate National Apple day with these yummy apple recipes
Before you go thinking these are all sweet recipes, we’re here to throw you off. Nope, not all sweet—there’s even a grilled cheese recipe here! Check these perfect fall recipes out.
Trivia
Today, “freelancer” refers to a person who works on their own terms and completes contract work for one, or multiple, companies. The original freelancers weren’t writers, though. In the early 1800s, the term was first used to refer back to medieval mercenaries, “free lances.” They were soldiers free of commitment to a particular country and instead worked for whoever offered the best pay.
Readers’ pet of the day
“They love to travel and being close to me. They also know that when we hit the road, they’re on their way to JRTCA terrier trials. Jacks love to explore, run, dig and hunt, so boondocking is the way to go with this group! They play hard and sleep hard.” —Emily Sherfey
[Editor: Emily listed Rudie, CocoNut, and Eddy, but there’s only one in the picture, so we’re not sure which one this is.]
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 frog hops into a bank. He can see from the teller’s nameplate that her name is Patty Whack. “Miss Whack, I’d like a $30,000 loan.” The frog says his name is Kermit Jagger, his dad is Mick Jagger, and that he knows the bank manager.
Patty explains that he will need collateral to secure the loan. The frog says, “Sure,” and he produces a tiny porcelain elephant. Very confused, Patty explains she’ll need to consult with the bank manager. “There’s a frog named Kermit Jagger out there who claims to know you and wants to borrow $30,000, and he wants to use this as collateral,” she tells him. She holds up the tiny elephant. “What in the world is this?”
The bank manager looks back at her and says with no hesitation, “It’s a knickknack, Patty Whack. Give the frog a loan. His old man’s a Rolling Stone.” [groan]
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
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Have been reading your newsletter for more than 10 years. They have been very helpful in getting me in the RV world. Hope you keep up the great job RVTravel staff has been doing. Your not right 100% of the time but 99.9% means your in the top spot. Thanks for your advice & help.
PS will send you $ when I get my next SS check
“Laugh” – I second the Groan. But I DID laugh.
The thought of the day could not be more appropriate.
Indeed!
Just wait a few weeks…it might just get more appropriate.
I can see the headlines now JB. January 21 the minority leader calls for the impeachment of the 47th president, for his third time. You might be onto something here today JB.
Are these all the people that want this site to be non political?
I often check the Mystery Product of the Day and I’m seldom not disappointed, but today’s item at $58.73 for basically a long T-shirt is t.t.t.terrible.
Say whaaaaat?! I see it at $14.99. Must be your Canadian $$ that you’re seeing, Impavid. But holey cow!!! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
When I click on the link, the Amazon page shows $16.99. It must be those price change algorithms….
Thanks, Rolling Coal. I just checked again (sometimes it can change that fast) and it still shows as $14.99 for me. Your $16.99 is still a long way from $58.73, that Impavid saw.😲 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Mine just showed. $16.99-$17.99
Confusing
Hi, Bill. Impavid sent me a screenshot of the ad in Canada. It shows a price of “23.99 – $58.73”. Weird! I just checked again, since it can change any minute, and it’s still showing $14.99 (which it says is a markdown of 52%). Oh, well. I won’t be buying one anyway. Have a great day, Bill.🤗 –Diane
As with most clothing, the higher price is for sizes above XL.
Maybe I’m just dense but the black tank tip is confusing. If they close all the valves there’s no flushing going on but the paragraph says they go on flushing when everything is closed. -And what does it have to do with saving water? Someone please help!
It IS confusing. Here is my interpretation: They are adding water after the flush to keep some water in the tank and avoid ‘stuff’ drying out and sticking in the black tank. Apparently they are flushing their black tank using water from their fresh tank, so having water already in the black tank requires less use of their fresh water at the NEXT flush.
Gotta say, I’ve never heard of using the fresh water tank to flush the black tank, but to each his own. Every dump station I’ve seen has water spigot for flush/rinse purposes. 🤔
He means he continues backflushing with the valve closed hence adding fresh water back into his black tank giving himself a fresh start. I do it after most empties.
Correct answer. After flushing the black tank at a dump station I also shut the black tank valve and let the dump station fresh water add an estimated 3-5 gallons of water to the black tank.
I believe he is referring to flushing the toilet bowl or adding water to the tank. Not flushing the tank out.
Thanks for all the replies. I don’t dry camp much anymore but have always made sure there is a small amt of fresh water in my black tank to keep things suspended in there.
It was the way he worded it.
I always add about 2 to 3 gallons of water and some tank treatment to my black tank after it has been dumped. While driving it will swish around and help keep the tank and sensors clean. I recently added Pine-Sol (read about here from a poster) instead of the chemical tank treatments and it made the tank smell fresh. But if you don’t like the Pine-sol smell don’t use it because every time you flush you will get a whiff of it.
Is it just me or are others craving McDonald’s French Fries today?
Gangster level trolling.
Shower, anyone?😉 –Diane (Might have to bleep myself.🤐)
Amen!!!
Re: Leave Here With A Laugh. I’m currently reading a book called “Mick”. It’s possible that the frog is telling the truth!
I love the “Leave here with a laugh”!!!!
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Beautiful pet picture! Have a great week and safe travels!