Issue 2533
Today’s thought
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Stretching Day!
On this day in history: 1901 – Guglielmo Marconi transmits the first transatlantic radio signal from Poldhu, Cornwall, England, to Saint John’s, Newfoundland.
Tip of the day
Tips from a pro: How to digitize your family photo albums
By Nanci Dixon
When we cleared out our house to begin our full-time journey, one of the hardest things we had to do was leave behind the mammoth number of family photo albums. After they languished in a storage locker for two years I did a “what if” measure of just taking cell phone camera photos of the most important pages in the albums “just in case.”
That actually worked pretty well, even through the acetate. I set up in a shady area, under the awning so the sky didn’t cause reflections, handheld my phone and snapped away. Since I didn’t do all of the pages or all of the photos, I had enough memory on my phone to keep them. We have thoroughly enjoyed scrolling through them the last couple of years.
Now, the storage unit is gone and I know my sister wants all those containers moved out of her house. Time to do it again…
Ask Dave
Heard a loud “pop,” then RV interior outlets had 240 volts!
By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
Hello. I really need help. All mobile techs are booked out a month. I have a 2019 Chaparral 50-amp 5th wheel on shore power, permanent location. I use a 50-amp EMS by Progressive Industries. Everything worked great first month, then all of a sudden I heard popping and had 240v at outlets. Unplugged shore power, checked voltage at breaker, receptacle, all good, 120v L1, 120v L2, 240v L1+L2. Plugged back in and now 120 in RV. I know I didn’t fix anything as I made no changes. Can you please point me in a direction? What am I missing? Read the rest of Robert’s question and Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
The benefits of RV roof vent covers and why you should have at least two in your RV
By Dustin Simpson
Did you know that RV roof vent covers help protect the vent lid, the vent lid seal and the roof vent sealants? They also reduce the inside temperature during the summer season. What are the benefits of RV roof vent covers? Continue reading.
Video of the day
How to stop candle tunneling (uneven burning)
By Cheri Sicard
Jar candles are popular RV accessories, not only because they provide light without the need for electrical hookups but also because of their delightful scents. But have you ever had problems with candle tunneling—the outside edges of the candle staying solid while a tunnel burns down the middle? I know I have. Learn more and watch the helpful video.
Featured article
RVing the U.S. Civil Rights Trail: Top destinations
By Nanci Dixon
Expand a National Parks bucket list by traveling the United States Civil Rights Trail. The last few years have presented us with lessons that should not be forgotten, and one of the best ways to not forget is to learn more. There are more than 100 sites to visit on the Civil Rights Trail in 15 states, mainly across the South. As we traveled and visited some of the sites, we did so with a heavy heart. Continue reading.
Reader poll
How do you most often grip your RV’s steering wheel?
Helpful resources
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
• LATEST RV RECALLS
• DIRECTORY OF RV PARKS WITH STORM SHELTERS
• THE BEST RV TRIP PLANNER APPS AND TOOLS
• CURRENT WILDFIRE REPORT
• CURRENT SMOKE REPORT
Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.
Quick tip
Slow down to save money
Our reader, Gray, suggests slowing down might save you money. “Aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed, and engine power to overcome drag increases with the cube. For example, going from 55 to 65 mph—an 18% speed increase—boosts drag by 36% and requires 54% more engine power. At 70 mph, which is 28% faster than 55 mph, drag rises 56%, and engine power needs jump 85%. If your RV gets 12 mpg at 55 mph, you might see only 10 mpg at 70 mph.
“Here is an excellent web-based calculator to estimate speed impact on vehicle fuel mileage: mpgforspeed.com.” Thanks, Gray!
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: Replaced an RV circuit breaker, now there is a spark at converter and no power. Now what?
- RV review: 2024 Alliance Valor 44V14 fifth wheel—Bigger is really big!
- Video: 10 RV winterizing steps nobody talks about
Website of the day
The official Gene Autry website
We love Gene Autry—America’s favorite singing cowboy (as the website states). Spend some time exploring here, and make sure you listen to some Gene while you do!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
We are just going to have to admit right now that we already bought one of these and can truly say that it makes a darn good product, and it’s RV-sized!
Recipes of the day
Hot dog recipes perfect for year-round camping
Hot dogs aren’t just for summer! And once you see these recipes, you’ll want them year-round. We’ve got some fun ones featured here: pizza hot dogs, eggroll hot dogs (yep), cheese-stuffed hot dogs (yeeeeep), and more. Check these out.
Trivia
Netflix wouldn’t be around if it weren’t for the movie “Apollo 13.” After receiving a ridiculous $40 late fee from his local movie rental company after renting “Apollo 13,” Netflix founder and CEO Reed Hastings thought there must be a better way of doing things. Hastings explained he wanted to create a movie rental business by mail, but didn’t know about the invention of DVDs at that point. The rest, of course, is history.
Readers’ pet of the day
“We were camping in Savannah and the power was out due to Hurricane Helene. I ran a fan on solar power to conserve generator fuel. Jackson (Boston Terrier) had to have A/C instead of the fan. I had to run the A/C after he expressed to me it was too hot.” —Robert Bragg
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
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I agree that slowing down can save fuel (and money), but you also need to consider the optimal cruising speed for the drivetrain. If the transmission never shifts to high gear, your mileage will suffer. The most efficient RPM for most engines will be at the peak of the torque curve.
My previous Monaco Windsor with the Cummins ISC-350 would go into 6th gear at 62 mph. That’s where I cruised at for that engine. I now have a Dynasty with a Cummins ISL-400-2 and it goes into 6th gear at 55 mph. Even though the Dynasty is 10K heavier I am getting the same mpg as I was with the Windsor, 8-9 mpg.
If your trans shifts into 6th at 62 and you are on fairly level terrain, you can push the mode button and reduce your speed very gradually and the trans will stay in 6th…probably as slow as 55. Try it.
Exactly..especially a diesel engine.
The other thing to consider is the amount of traffic that will have to dodge around you. You are decreasing their safety when you go slower. The more lanes there are going your direction, the less this matters – assuming you stay in the right lane. If you need to pass someone going even slower than you, have the courtesy to speed up to the speed the left lane’s traffic is going.
I totally disagree with this assumption “The other thing to consider is the amount of traffic that will have to dodge around you.” The only time this may occur is when you are traveling on a two lane highway…..most of us travel interstates that are at least 4 lanes and faster traffic has plenty of time to get into the passing lane. In addition, most 2 lane highways have passing lanes every few miles that again gives faster traffic time to get around you. Of course those that are impatient and just cant stand being behind a large slow moving RV will throw safety to the wind. I’ve been driving large motorhomes for many years and typically never go
over 60mph and have never had a problem with the faster traffic.
I avoid interstates like the plague. Never pull over 62 mph. And the idea for us in rv travel is to see new and interesting things. It’s not just about the destination….
I’m with you, I love the slower old roads.
I honk and wave at the folks working in the fields or just sitting on their porches.
Mostly I get a wave and a smile back.
So relaxing..
What he said. We need more roads like the Natchez Trace. But mostly we travel 2 lanes, that’s where America lives.
I beg to disagree, Ron. I’ve been on MANY interstates that are only 2 lanes (each way). They may be 3 or 4 lanes near the cities, but then go down to 2 lanes for LONG stretches in between. You MUST have, at least a few times, been stuck behind 2 18wheelers “drag racing”. One going MAYBE 65mph and the other MAYBE 68mph!
If people are in that big a hurry they should have left sooner…no excuse for stupidity at 80 mph….then moan about fuel prices.
Cost of Gas = Cost of RV’ing. My campervan comfortably gets 14 mpg on a travel day where we do 70 mph everywhere we can. Could it get 17-18 at 55 mph? Sure, but then we’d be risking our lives and creating a pointless road hazard. Even running 60 mph on interstates these days is just plain dangerous.
I live in Ohio. Have driven our Class-C to Wyoming 2 times, Oregon once, Georgia 4 times and Maine once. This does not count the trips to PA, Toronto, NY, MI or IL. We set the cruse to 62 mph and stay in the right lane. Never had problems, Never had people honking at us. Sorry but do not agree that 60 is “Dangerous”. We get 10 mpg!
Especially in Utah the last time I was there.
Two lanes, the slow one was probably moving at 85 and the left fast lane…..The speed of light?
Ok had to laugh at the laugh at the ad for the microwave bacon cooker. In the the ad it says just put in dishwasher. Wait what I’m the dishwasher. 🤣🤣
LHWaL gave me a great chuckle!
That was one laugh I didn’t have to take time to figure out.
Thanks!
Humor helps me get by-bye!
I’ll take the 1-2 mpg hit to go faster than 55. Usually 64-65.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! I agree, slowing improves fuel economy. Unfortunately, in our case, I am slowing to get 8 mpg rather than 7. 😉 Ah, the good ole days when my Saturday mornings were spent watching Gene Autry reruns. 🙂 Happy new year and safe travels! 🙂