Issue 2506
Today’s thought
“Sorrow is how we learn to love. Your heart isn’t breaking. It hurts because it’s getting larger. The larger it gets, the more love it holds.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Candy Day!
On this day in history: 1960 – At the Kasakela Chimpanzee Community in Tanzania, Dr. Jane Goodall observes chimpanzees creating tools, the first-ever observation in non-human animals.
Tip of the day
Foam gap filler is a quick fix for cracks and holes in the RV
By Nanci Dixon
The first time I used foam gap filler we were covering a few holes in our old RV. The foam expanded a lot, amazingly, all over the holes and all over my hands. Pretty soon my hands were covered and firmly stuck together. Think: super glue on steroids! I couldn’t get it off so I couldn’t drive. I had to walk to the hardware store to buy whatever would cut it. After the store staff quit laughing, they kindly sponged it off. So, lesson learned: Wear gloves.
The foam gap filler made by Great Stuff is a great tool for filling small and large holes and is particularly useful for the RVer. Here’s why.
RV review
2025 Coachmen Cross Trail EV 20XG—It’s different
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the Coachmen Cross Trail EV 20XG Class B+ motorhome. You may have seen this motorhome in the past but, like many RVs, Coachmen has upgraded this model with some features that might actually make it worth reconsidering. But I will also be very clear—this little RV is going to be very, very polarizing. Why? Well, find out!
Ask Dave
There is a TT-30R [RV] outlet in my home. Why doesn’t the oven plug fit?
By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
My question is regarding a TT-30R outlet which was installed in the home for an oven. The connections are different from the spec sheet. Ground = 2 white wires, left Hot = black wire (ok), right Neutral = red wire, and copper wire from the wall was not used. Is this correct for home installation (for oven)? —Behnia Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
One tiny RV sealant leak can cause thousands of dollars in damage
By Dustin Simpson
I wanted to share a couple of pictures of a 2019 Grand Design Imagine 3170BH. On this unit, the RV sealants leaked and caused water damage to the side wall. This can happen anywhere on your unit, too, that is not sealed properly. Continue reading and see the photos.
Video of the day
The truth about RV wheel bearings plus maintenance tips
By Cheri Sicard
In this video, we join Jacob Rigor, a certified RV tech, from Rigor RV Repair for an important discussion of RV wheel bearings. Important because some RVers don’t even know they have wheel bearings, let alone that they need regular maintenance. Click here to watch and learn more.
The latest news for RVers
- Fact check: Elon Musk is not launching a $17,000 e-motorhome
- Disturbing video captures motorists ignoring burning RV
- Travel trailer dweller arrested while claiming 600 acres of BLM land are “his”
- Used RV prices continue to decline
- Love’s introduces new RV hookup location in Mississippi
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
How to prevent being electrocuted while swimming
In this segment from The RV Show USA, Mike Sokol explains how someone can easily be electrocuted while swimming near a dock where a boat’s electrical hookup is miswired. And it’s not just the fact that someone can be “shocked” to death, but the way they die that’s the scariest. Watch the video—it could save your life or someone else’s.
Reader poll
Where (in your RV) do you most often eat your meals?
Quick tip
Fridge level enough? There’s an app for that
We’ve preached ourselves “blue in the face” about how critical it is to have your rig level to keep from damaging a running RV refrigerator. Here’s Roger M’s two bits: “LP refrigerators need to be within three degrees of level to work properly and to avoid problems with the coolant. But what is three degrees? Few bubble levels give you a number. I found this free one for Android phones. Easy to use and you can even re-calibrate it yourself to a known level surface.” Here’s an app for a free bubble level for iPhone.
Website of the day
22 mysterious shipwrecks you can see on Google Earth
Have you ever seen a shipwreck? There are many places around the country (and world) where you can see what remains from shipwrecks, but this article is neat because you don’t have to leave your current location to do so! The photos from Google Earth are amazing!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Are you having fun yet? Are you?? Well, rest assured, after a couple of these you will be having a lot of fun!
Recipes of the day
Delicious deviled egg recipes for game days, holidays, and more
We drooled over all these deviled egg recipes. We could eat 100 at once, couldn’t you? These recipes are a twist on the original: buffalo deviled eggs, bacon and cream cheese eggs, pimento cheese eggs, crab eggs and, yep, even deep-fried deviled eggs. These look sooooo gooooood.
Trivia
Here’s how to determine how far you are from a lightning storm. It takes the sound of thunder roughly 5 seconds to travel 1 mile after a lightning strike. So count the time it takes for you to hear thunder after a flash of lightning. For example, if it takes 10 seconds for you to hear thunder after the flash of lightning, you’re about two miles away.
Readers’ pets of the day
“Quinn is a Mini Golden Doodle and Casey is a Bichon. We bought our RV so it was easier to travel with them. They love the whole experience.” —Brian Sheedy
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 little snail was standing at the corner waiting to cross the street. He heard two turtles coming down the street from the opposite direction. They both ran their stop sign and crashed at the intersection. The police responded and when the officer arrived he saw all the turtle parts strewn about the road and knew there were no survivors. Looking around he saw the little snail standing at the corner. He walked over and, looking down, he asked the snail if he saw the accident happen. The little snail looked up at the officer and said, ”Oh, officer. It happened so fast!” [We’re not even gonna groan.]
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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Quinn and Casey – that is a great pair of RVing Buddies right there! Don
My IPhone came with a level APP. When laying flat on surface it shows two circles. When the circles meet, the screen turns green at 0º. It also shows how far out of level it is.
When on edge, it shows a split bar that turns green at level, or how far off level it is.
I used that same APP, got my RV dead level and then installed stick-on bubble levels. One on the front for side-to-side level indication, and one on the side for front-to-rear level indication. Simple, cheap, and easy.
What is level enough? Very happy to see the ‘within 3° ‘ with today’s Quick tip.
Experienced RVers know to deliberately make their RVs very slightly unlevel; typically with the entry side slightly higher than the utility side, and maybe the nose slightly higher than the tail. This is to allow A/C drainage and light showers to 1st drain away from the entrance.
I recalibrated my auto-leveling system to do just this; about 1-2° off-level.
My son told me about the Smart Tools app, and I have been using it for several years. It has 12 different functions, but the level, magnifying glass, and the compass get the most use.
Sweet little Queen and Casey are why so many of us RVers enjoy our travels, having the ease of enjoying our precious pets with us. They really enjoy traveling with us as well ❤️🐶
Use the level on the freezer floor or refrigerator floor. That’s what needs to be level.
The app Tool Box is ad free and has about 20 very useful features in addition to the level.
Adorable pups, just darling!
Thank you, Emily and Diane! That is a great looking pack with which you travel, Brian; enjoy! I thoroughly enjoyed today’s laugh. I smiled and did not think to groan. Have a great week and safe travels!