Issue 2556
Today’s thought
“Nothing great in the world was accomplished without passion.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Clean Off Your Desk Day! Well, get to work!
On this day in history: 1888 – The National Geographic Society is founded in Washington, D.C.
Tip of the day
Where to find RV parts and supplies for less
By Gail Marsh
A recent post on Facebook about buying RV parts and supplies for less caught my attention. AlwaysKickingTires posted the following:
“Not sure if I was the only one who didn’t know Lowe’s has a small RV supply area in the plumbing section. I stumbled on it accidentally.”
In addition to in-store products, commenter D-V386 replied: “Some Lowe’s stores will order RV supplies from a catalogue they have and have them delivered to the store for free. They are typically cheaper than RV stores.”
Not so fast! Audreyg warned… Continue reading.
BONUS TIPS FROM THIS WEEKEND:
- Need a free place to stay in your RV? Ask a church
- What to do about squeaky slideouts
- Why you need a label maker in your RV
- Disaster preparedness: Why you must pack an evacuation “go” bag
RV review
Glacier Ice House 18RD—something fishy going on
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the Glacier Ice House 18RD. While I often like to review more mainstream trailers, this one is quite unusual in some ways, but not all. First of all, this is known as an ice house or fish house trailer. Check it out.
Ask Dave
Why did RV’s AGM battery die in 2 years? How to maintain sealed FLA battery
By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
I store and use my RV in the winter, and live in the Phoenix area. I leave my trailer plugged in in my garage when I am not using it. In the summer, I store my trailer and use it in Colorado, where it rarely gets above 90°. Two years ago I purchased the used trailer and bought a new AGM battery. After two years, the battery needed to be replaced. …
Is there such a thing as a maintenance-free lead acid battery? Do you have any idea why I only got two years out of my battery using it as I do? Can you suggest anything that would extend the life of the battery? —Jim, 2019 NuCamp 320
Read the rest of Jim’s question and Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Preventing major water damage to your RV slide-out roof
By Dustin Simpson
In this article and video, we’ll teach you how to prevent major water damage to your RV slide-out roof, showing you key tips and techniques to protect your RV from costly repairs. We’ll also take a close look at a recent repair job where we replaced the roof on a 2019 Keystone Big Horn slide-out that had suffered water damage due to improper sealing. Learn how to spot these issues early and take action to avoid similar problems.
Video of the day
RVing at U.S. military campgrounds and RV parks
By Cheri Sicard
U.S. military campgrounds can be an awesome option for those who qualify. In the video below, Steve Turtle explains what these campgrounds are, who is eligible to use them, and how to find them. Click here to watch.
The latest news for RVers
- U.S. state implements campground demand-pricing. Will others follow?
- Sky-high vehicle insurance rates may get better in 2025
- Motorhome prices seemingly surge; towable RVs see decline in latest used market analysis
- A growing scam could leave you stuck with a stolen vehicle
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
Insider look: RV mobile tech discusses work, most common RV problems, and much more
By Jan Steele
RV mobile techs are the heroes of our adventures—and misadventures—on the road. What would we do without them? A few weeks ago, I desperately needed the aid of one of those valiant road warriors. Later, a question popped into my head: What is the number one problem RV mobile techs fix? We asked you in a poll, and I also asked the few techs I could get to return my phone calls. … Read Jan’s report on the results here.
Reader poll
What kind of coffee maker do you most often use to make coffee?
Quick tip
Thoughts on buying a new RV
Obviously, if you want something brand-new, you’ll need to visit a dealer or an RV show. However, do NOT buy new. I say this from experience after I ignored the advice of full-timers before us. Rigs “off the line” are often riddled with problems. I’ve heard this about every manufacturer, though some are better than others. Most full-timers I know recommend buying something at least two years old, as someone else has worked out the kinks at that point. Armed with this knowledge, we expected a few visits for service, and we’ve made over a dozen in the past 18 months. It’s been incredibly frustrating, especially when service departments aren’t known for great service. Trust me, don’t buy new! Plus, with the rapid depreciation of RVs and the steep cost, it’s less of a financial burden to buy used. —From Beginner’s Guide to Living in an RV: Everything I Wish I Knew Before Full-Time RVing Across America.
Website of the day
10 Park Sites With Incredible Archeology
This website from the National Park Trust will inspire you to visit some of these places around the U.S. with amazing archeological sites and ruins.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Missing your home fireplace? Can’t have a campfire outside? Well, this is almost as good… Crackling fire included (say what?!).
Recipes of the day
Sweet and savory muffin recipes for on-the-go mornings
We’ve listed both sweet and savory muffins here, so there’s something for everyone. Like starting your day with something savory and packed with protein? Try the breakfast egg muffins or the ham and spinach muffins. Prefer starting your day with something sweeter? Try the blueberry cream or the banana chocolate chip muffins. Sounds good, right? Here are the recipes.
Trivia
The Audubon Society was originally founded in reaction to women’s hats. In the late 19th century, it was fashionable for women to wear hats made with hundreds of feathers or even entire taxidermized birds. In London, it was common for hat makers to place single orders for up to 400,000 feathers at a time. One order required feathers from nearly 200,000 herons! Bird lovers started to take note, and George Bird Grinnell, the editor of Forest and Stream magazine, founded the precursor to the modern-day Audubon Society, even though it would not fully incorporate until 1905. Because of this, many states adopted laws against the hunting of birds for these feathers and ended the craze.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Buddy (Beagle) has been camping with me since he was 12 weeks old. Now 1 1/2 years later, he has over a dozen trips under his belt… well, collar, in his case. Still loves exploring wherever we go.” —Henry Famularo
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
You know the popular soap and fragrance store Bath & Body Works? Well, we like this a whole lot more! Want one for yourself? Find it here. Too funny!
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.
Oh, and if you missed the Latest News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.
If you shop at Amazon.com we’d appreciate you using this link. We get an itty bitty commission if you buy something, but they add up and help us pay our bills (most importantly our hard-working writers!).
RVtravel.com All-Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
My wife and I don’t drink coffee. Never have. Iced tea, coke products, or water.
“Quick Tip” isn’t a tip, it’s your opinion. Yes, be it new or used, “quality” is not synonymous with RVs. This is based on advice or hearsay. Did all the full timers buy their rig used? Plus, how are you sure the previous owner repaired all the kinks. It could be the reason why it’s on the market; owner(s) didn’t want to hassle with the costs and long wait times for repair. Lastly, we all know how fast RVs depreciate, just think of one that’s now at least two years or older. IMO!
We are on our 2nd coach, both bought new. 2013 and 2021. Both had a few issues when new, all fairly minor. I have done all my own warranty work, to my satisfaction, on my schedule. And I do all preventive maintenance, coach and chassis. Neither coach has ever seen an RV service department. Don’t want those buffoons touching our coach.
We looked at used both times, too many obvious problems, weird owner mods, and funky smells, yuck.
I also had problems with my new rv.
Rather than returning to the dealers and driving 200 miles one way I contacted the dealer, explained what was needed to be done and said I could do the repairs. Could he help me? He said he would pay me his going warranty rate and supply any needed parts. He did and sent me a check over $600 for labor too. Win win
Done it both ways. Sometimes there is a reason a used RV is on the market – they are trying to sell their problems. On the other hand the warranty on new RVs is seemingly more and more just a sales pitch and not a contract. In either case, the buyer needs to either be knowledgeable at self-inspection or hire a professional inspector. Don’t get caught looking at the halo and missing the clay feet; and watch out for the Fear Of Missing Out sales pitch.
Not the author’s opinion, it’s common knowledge, and experienced techs will back it up. There is no quality control in the RV industry like there is in regular vehicles. With new, you pay a premium price for an un-inspected item with hundreds of parts which can and do fail. You pay for having a warranty which often proves virtually worthless. You waste weeks just getting in to a shop, then the shop has to fight the manufacturer for permission to fix, then the parts are shipped with maximum delay through an antiquated distribution system. There literally is no advantage to buying new, unless you need some floor plan or gadget not available in older models.
Henry, Buddy is a handsome chap. Being a beagle owner over 50 years they are my top pup. You guys have fun and safe travels.
Awwwww, Buddy is adorable, keep on campin’
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Buddy is adorable, Henry i hope that you have many more RV adventures together! The advice to buy used rather than new should not be accepted as fact. Certainly new RVs have problems, but it cannot be assumed that used RVs have been made free of major problems. If that were universally true, would any be offered for sale? Some (many?) are offered for sale because the owner tired of the problems rather than eliminated them. Get an inspection before buying any RV. Have a great week and safe travels! 🙂
Neal, I agree 100%. Someone who got a lemon and is sick of dealing with it might be as common as the owner who worked out all the issues. In fact, if they invested all that effort to get to a perfect RV, why are they selling???
Your advice on a thorough inspection is spot on…but “inspect” the inspector before hiring them! Have read horror stories of incompetent inspectors as well!
I agree with you, Mikal, all inspectors are not the same or necessarily good. There are a few (many?) on YouTube. They make good videos, but I don’t know how well they inspect. Have a great week and safe travels! 🙂
The two happiest days of a boat owners life are when they buy it and when they sell it. An RV is nothing more than a boat with tires.
Still have our first boat we bought used in 95, it is a 1980. Then bought a pontoon for the grandchildren in 2016. Our trailer in 2010, when we get rid of them it is because we can’t go anymore…one sad day!
Have bought new twice. How to get around dealer warranty work is to get your list together before the ONE year warranty runs out and return it to the factory. Repairs will be professionally done. I know it seems like a huge hassle but it has worked for us.
Concerning the video on military campgrounds, he doesn’t mention using militarycampgrounds.us as a resource. This is a great resource with reviews and info like which gate to use to enter the installation. It’s more comprehensive than any other web site or resource for military campgrounds.
I have bought two new Lance’s and not had any major issues. However, before I took delivery, I told my dealer that I expected him and his team to go through the trailer with a fine tooth comb and find/fix anything they see including cleaning up all the extra screws/nuts/bolts that seem to gather and that I was not interested in coming back and tying up my trailer! With that said, they also realized that they would also get an excellent trailer in trade-in!
We bought our new Lance April 2020, build date December 2019. This was our first RV and I brought a ten page PDI with me and took a day and a half for the inspection. Dealer didn’t want to take that long, but I told them that was NOT negotiable. Had a very patient tech and he came away with a generous tip. Never had any real problems with it since then. Fortunately, I’m really handy and stay on top of all maintenance issues. As in autos, RV’s vary widely in build quality, require constant maintenance, and if you aren’t somewhat handy, that can really bite you in the backside. Preventive maintenance really helps.
“National Clean Off Your Desk Day”. Ha, like THAT is going to happen. That was not a New Year’s resolution for me. Doesn’t count!
there is a private car museum in Fairbanks, besides the fabulous cars there is period clothing beside most of the vehicles & in addition there is a story about the Audubon Society. it was actually started by 2 women for the reasons stated but they needed a front man.