Issue 2558
Today’s thought
“Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” —Martin Luther King Jr.
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Bagel Day!
On this day in history: 1889 – The Coca-Cola Company, then known as the Pemberton Medicine Company, is incorporated in Atlanta.
Tip of the day
Pinterest may be your gateway to building, redesigning, or fixing your own RV
By Mike Gast
When you need to figure out how to do something with your RV, buy something you think you can’t live without, or just want to research something online… where do you go?
If you’re like most (especially you fellows out there), you head straight for a Google search or go to YouTube to search for answers. But there’s another option… Pinterest.
I bring up Pinterest because I’ve seen a lot of discussion on RVtravel.com and other sites about folks disgusted with the build quality of their RVs. Many RVers are ready to take control of the situation and build their own unit. But where do you start? The answer might well lie in the same place your mom goes for knitting patterns and Instant Pot recipes. Continue reading.
RV review
2025 Wildwood FSX 165VIEW—It’s polarizing…
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of a new floor plan for 2025, the Forest River Wildwood FSX 165VIEW (the comparable version as a Salem is the Salem FSX 165VIEW). This is a small, single-axle travel trailer that has a really unusual floor plan. But there are also some real cautions I want to share with you if this is something you’re considering.
Ask Dave
How to keep RV battery watering system from freezing
By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
I received a battery watering system for my RV’s four 6-volt FLA [flooded lead acid] batteries. As I live in Colorado, I am concerned about the system freezing during winter storage in an unheated carport. (I keep them charged to prevent freezing.) When in use during camping season, does the electrolyte circulate through the batteries and avoid freezing, as a charged battery does? How do I keep the watering system from freezing? Thank you. —Mark, 2003 Fleetwood Revolution 40C Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
My RV water heater clicks multiple times but won’t light. Why?
By Dustin Simpson
Here is a sample from one of our past Talkin’ RV Tech shows where one of our viewers asked for help diagnosing their Suburban water heater. It’s a common problem: “My water heater clicks multiple times, but won’t light.” If the water heater attempts to light but does not sense the flame, it’s a telltale sign that something is wrong with the electrode… Continue reading.
Video of the day
Wow! Check out this inflatable patio for toy haulers
By Cheri Sicard
Perhaps this ingenious product is common knowledge among toy hauler owners, but I have never seen it before. You don’t know what you don’t know. But what I do know is that I would be seeking out the MORryde PatioEx inflatable toy hauler screened porch (or something like it) if I did own such an RV. This video gives a tour and demonstration from The Everywhere Family.
Featured article
The history of the cheeseburger: Almost as satisfying as a burger itself!
By Chris Epting
Ever wonder about the origin of the American classic, the cheeseburger? Believe it or not, there are three places that all claim to be the birthplace of the cheeseburger. How can this be? Sometimes, similar ideas are thought of around the same time in history. These “coincidences” sometimes lead to arguments over who had the idea first, as is the case with the cheeseburger. … Drool over some cheeseburgers here.
Reader poll
When was the last time you saw a movie at a movie theater?
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
Protect nesting pots and pans
With RV galley storage space at a premium, nesting pots and pans become essential for the cook. But how do you keep the pans from rattling or, in the case of nonstick cookware, from scratching when nested? Here are the ideas of some RVers: Use dish towels between the pans and store them in the oven when traveling. When parked, hang a wood dowel from hooks in the ceiling, and use the dowel to suspend the pans. Another uses bubble wrap between the pans, and wraps larger pans in the wrap. Finally, you can use paper plates between the pans to stop unwanted reactions.
On this day last year…
- Tip: How NOT to pack an RV
- Ask Dave: Why is there good water pressure in RV bathroom but only a dribble in the kitchen?
- RV review: The 2024 Salem FSX 30VCVIEW—redefining towable RVs (with secrets!)
Website of the day
Winners of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2024
These photos are truly something—they’re beautiful and incredible and wow-inducing! You won’t believe some of them are real (but they are!).
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
You know we love a handy product, and this, for people who spend so much time in the driver and passenger seat, is handy! Trust us, we think you’ll want this!
Recipes of the day
Forget KFC and make these delicious fried chicken recipes at home
You won’t ever want to stop at KFC again after you try making one of these fried chicken recipes at home and in the RV. Make yourself a special dinner, you deserve it! Plus, you’ll get tons of points with whoever you’re serving it to, because who doesn’t want fried chicken for dinner? Get the recipes here.
Trivia
Speaking of fried chicken… Did you know it was invented by the Scottish? It was brought to the American south by Scottish immigrants.
Readers’ pet of the day
“This is Charly, a Yorkie. We adopted him when he was five years old and he is now 13. He loves to sit on the dash of the motorhome or look out of the small window on the floor level on the passenger side seat and watch what is going on in the campground. He loves to go camping and explore the campgrounds.” —William Dunbar
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
What happens if you eat aluminum foil?
You sheet metal!
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
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The closest movie theater to us was in Lockhart Texas. Unfortunately, the Covid crisis closed it down, no one wanted to go inside a room with strangers for two hours and risk infection. I wonder how many other businesses were ruined from this.
Many! That whole thing got way outta hand!
So true, especially for all the humans who actually died from COVID. I think we can all agree a certain percentage of mortality is acceptable to keep the wheels of capitalism turning, just as long as it doesn’t affect our own family.
Hmm. Did you notice how the number of flu deaths plummeted when COVID was supposedly killing people? I wonder why that was? I do remember several reports that hospitals and doctors had financial incentive to categorize illnesses (and even accidents) as “COVID related.”
Yeah, when COVID showed up, the flu mysteriously disappeared.
My wife and daughter just saw the Bob Dylan movie. They said there were only about a dozen people in the theater. They both loved the movie.
Times have changed since the streaming services are showing first run movies, a week or so after release.
So agree, there are no theaters within 50 miles of us but I love our 65 inch tv and surround sound and the pause button!
We live in Aledo, Texas.
Movie Theater owners would not be very happy with those Survey results!
Extending the Quick Tip: We purchased felt pads specifically designed for nesting pots & pans. They are often cut like a star and slightly larger than the pot’s bottom. The arms naturally place themselves between the pots’ sides. Multiple options at Amazon, but we bought ours from a kitchen shop.
Same type we use at home. They have to be over 20 years old.
Here in Stamford Texas we are fortunate that our theater received some type of grant for renovation that helps keep the doors open. Ticket prices are low compared to the mainstream theaters in Abilene and they get most of the new movies fairly quick. They did shut down during Covid but continued to make money by selling popcorn at the curb.
We live in Aledo, not to far from you.
“What happens if you eat aluminum foil?
You sheet metal!”: Could be a little rough on the exhaust pipe.
Charly is cute. We rescued a Yorkie many years ago. Nice small dogs.
I see he is inspecting the “Campground Crowding” situation! 😉🤣
Lafd. Enough already. My money is to be directed to the homeless in North Carolina who struggled before being wiped out by Hurricane. Sure I feel bad about pacific palisade but they never knew the word struggle before.
Just sayin.
And I’ll bet the Government does everything they can to help. And it won’t be a fiasco like NC. Though never this bad, wildfires are not unusual in California.
Money talks.
So sad that the death, destruction and homelessness is 3 times this in Western NC. But the media doesn’t care because no millionaire Hollywood types live in Western NC.
It’s been 15-20 years since I saw a movie in the theater. I also don’t watch movies at home. Don’t watch much TV besides news and weather.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great day and safe travels! 🙂
The mystery product of the day is a winner. I first saw a link to the product on one of your newsletters about a year ago & have since purchased 3 of them. Love them!
Thanks for the excellent review, Kathy! We’re glad you like this product. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com