Issue 2565
Today’s thought
“I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Compliment Day! Hey, we like your shirt! It’s also National Peanut Butter Day. (See below for some delicious PB recipes.)
On this day in history: 1984 – Apple Computer places the Macintosh personal computer on sale in the United States.
Tip of the day
Electric power: Learn to read the meter at your campsite
By Russ & Tiña De Maris
Spend any amount of time at all in a commercial RV park and you’re apt to get a power bill. Since power is expensive anywhere, it’s a bitter pill for RVers when they’re likely to be presented with a bill for rates higher than the locals pay. We’ve all heard the “cost of reading the meter,” “administrative overhead,” and “Huh?” excuses.
How do you know if you’re actually being billed for what you’ve used? In many parks, old-style clock-type electric meters are used, and many folks just don’t have a clue as to how to “read” them. Digital meters are a lot easier, but not nearly as common. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
Where can I find the part to fix my toilet? I’ve looked everywhere
By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
I have a 2015 Forest River Flagstaff Super Lite 26RLWS travel trailer. The toilet flange broke and I was able to get a replacement flange; however, there’s a threaded adapter (extension) that’s glued into the drain portion of the flange. This extension piece is threaded on the opposite end where it screws into the black tank. Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate this threaded extension piece in order to repair the toilet. … Read the rest of Tony’s question and Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Be careful what you wash your rubber RV roof with
By Dustin Simpson
A few months ago we had a customer schedule an appointment for their 2015 Grand Design Solitude 305RE to have a roof coating completed. Upon inspection, we found that the roof membrane was sticky and tacky—we could rub the membrane with our finger and the membrane would simply wipe away. Obviously, we were unable to complete a roof coating on a roof membrane that we suspected was damaged by chemicals. Continue reading.
Video of the day
Paint your RV hitch for easy hitch-ups
By Cheri Sicard
The short video below from our favorite RV gearhead, Joshua from RV Gear & Far, has a brilliant little tip for hitching up your travel trailer or fifth wheel: Paint your RV hitch. Here’s why.
Featured article
It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s a flying Airstream (well, sort of)
What the heck is this, you may ask? It’s sculptor Joe Scarpa’s playful interpretation of a future Airstream trailer. … It’s actually a Modified Curtis Wright travel trailer. Even though it’s impressive to visit during the day, it’s even better at night, when the neon lights turn it magical. Check this out.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- RVers fed up with others complaining so much: ‘Stay at home or live with it!’
- The 7 red flags of potential bad RV neighbors
- RV review: 2025 Grand Design RV Lineage Series F 31ZW Super C—Wow!
- Epic dump station design failure – Gross!
Reader poll
Did you buy your RV on impulse or plan ahead?
Quick tip
Don’t drive the motorhome? You should! Here’s how
Pam, part of “The Intentional Travelers” blog, shares tips for non-drivers to learn motorhome driving. Start in an empty parking lot, like a church lot on a Monday, to practice turning without crossing lines. Next, try driving on a quiet back road, using mirrors to keep your tires between the lines. Then, at a highway rest area, have your spouse park the rig. Practice driving to the next rest stop—simple in and out. Parking is the toughest part, but private training classes or dealer courses like Lazydays can help.
Learning this skill ensures you’re prepared if your spouse falls ill, giving you the confidence to safely move the RV if needed.
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: Why do RV slides only work when plugged into tow vehicle, not with shoreline power?
- RV review: New Horizons Majestic is a highly customizable premium fifth wheel
- Video: 24 inspection tips when buying a used travel trailer
- Featured article: RV Engineer answers: “Is silicone sealant the worst thing ever for your RV?”
Website of the day
From Covered Wagon to Winnebago: The Evolution of the RV
This article from Cheapism walks you through the history of the RV. It’s easy to read and fascinating!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
We already love this (seriously, it’s one of our favorites!), but we like this version even more. It’s like it was made for campers or something…
Recipes of the day
3 yummy peanut butter recipes with a unique ingredient…
Since today is National Peanut Butter Day, we’re once again sending you to these recipes we shared a few months ago. These recipes all have peanut butter, and they’re all veryyyyyy delicious, but they all include one very unique ingredient… See for yourself.
Trivia
The iconic Coca-Cola bottle is shaped to look like a cocoa pod. Even though the drink doesn’t have anything to do with cocoa pods, the bottle designers were fascinated by the symmetry, curves and ribs on the pods and used them as inspiration.
Readers’ pets of the day
“Oliver is an ornery, high-energy, food-obsessed Boston Terrier that loves to ride up front. Audrey is a senior rescue racing Greyhound from the track in Mobile, AL. She nervously lounges on one of the sofas while traveling. She is most happy when we arrive at our destination.” —Darin Severns
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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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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Darin, loved the photo of your pets! Sighthounds were my first love; we had Irish Wolfhounds and a retired track greyhound over a 30-year time frame. We got Lance from ReGAP (Retired Greyhounds as Pets). Lance was with us for 14 years.
In the article “Be careful what you wash your roof with” the diagnosis was incorrect. I have the exact same RV and had the exact same problem and was told by a Grand Design tech that it was a manufacturing defect. Grand Design replaced the membrane at their expense.
I had that problem with a Grand Design Reflection fiver I bought new in 2017…took many pictures and contacted the manufacturer….with no results of help. The trailer had this roof problem from the factory and the so called “dealer” in Pasco,Washington would do nothing. Manufacturers response…”just keep an eye on it”. I did as it went down the trail and I bought another better built product.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! You have quite a pack, Darin. I hope you have many, many memorable RV trips together. If the co-pilot is practicing on a country road, be sure it has wide shoulders. Otherwise, it might be excessive challenging for a beginning driver. Just looking at the “Leave here with a Laugh” picture made me uncomfortable. Telling myself it is photoshopped helped a little; do not do well with heights. Have a great weekend and safe travels! 🙂
National Compliment Day – You probably like my shirt just because I have peanut butter on it.