Issue 2581
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Today’s thought
“You don’t concentrate on risks. You concentrate on results.” —Legendary test pilot Chuck Yeager
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Presidents’ Day! It’s also National Random Acts of Kindness Day!
On this day in history: 1972 – Cumulative sales of the Volkswagen Beetle exceed those of the Ford Model T.
Tip of the day
DIY resealing an EPDM roof on your RV. If I can do it, so can you!
By Cheri Sicard
My New Year’s resolution was to reseal my 20-year-old travel trailer’s EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber) roof. I had watched some online videos, determined this wasn’t brain surgery, and decided that I could do the work myself.
Now here’s another challenge I will put out to you if you think you could not possibly undertake this project yourself. If I could do it, so can you! I am a 60-something-year-old woman with no prior experience who did this entire job by myself.
That’s not to say that a helper or another pair of hands wouldn’t have made the job easier—it definitely would have. Nonetheless, I did all the work with no help whatsoever. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
Are there covers to protect RV roof vents and skylights from hail?
By Dave Solberg
Chuck, et al.,
Great newsletter, as always! My question is, does anyone make hail protection covers for roof vents and skylights for RVs? —Dave T. Read Dave S.’s answer.
FUN FACT: Presidents’ Day, observed on the third Monday of February, originally celebrated George Washington’s birthday on February 22nd. However, the holiday was moved to the third Monday in February as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968, which aimed to give workers more three-day weekends. Today, it honors all U.S. presidents, though Washington and Lincoln are the most commonly celebrated.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Preventing dump valve handles from coming loose in travel
By Dustin Simpson
I was recently asked by a customer about RV dump valve handles coming loose in travel. They wanted to know where they could get a replacement handle and how they could prevent it from coming loose again. … If the handle on your RV dump valve is loose, it’s essential to address the issue promptly to prevent any accidental openings or difficulties in operation. Here are steps you can take to secure a loose dump valve handle.
Video of the day
The top 5 RV accessories from the 2025 Florida RV SuperShow
By Cheri Sicard
Jarrett and Val from Our Next Adventure attended the humongous 2025 Florida RV SuperShow. Among all the vendors, they found five new fun RV accessories that particularly stood out to them, which they share in this video. (Cheri tells you about each gadget in the accompanying article, too.)
The latest news for RVers
- RV video news: Ford’s fall, South Dakota residency changes, Yosemite updates, Starlink and more
- New catalytic converter device stops thefts. Brilliant concept
- Arizona State Parks increasing entry and camping fees
- RV “hot skin” prevention will become standard in new RVs
- T-Mobile and Starlink team up for cell service anywhere
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
Lake Havasu City and the (real) London Bridge, Arizona’s second-largest tourist attraction
By Chuck Woodbury
Lake Havasu City, Ariz., is home to one of the most unusual tourist attractions in America — the London Bridge. Yes, the real London Bridge, the one that was falling down in London and by the mid-1960s needed to be replaced. The bridge was once a huge tourist attraction. But now… Continue reading.
Reader poll
For long-time RVers: Is RVing today as enjoyable to you as it was 15 years ago?
Quick tip
Easy alternative sewer hose caddy
Plenty of us stuff our sewer hose in the convenient rear bumper. Trouble is, according to rvroadtrip.us, the bumper will eventually rust, leaving your hose with nasty little pin-prick leaks. They bought a six-foot PVC fence post at a big box lumber store along with two end caps. Using plumber’s hanging tape, the new carrier was tied to the RV frame, close to the dump port.
Website of the day
The History of Presidents’ Day
Ever wonder where Presidents’ Day came from or how it came to be? This article, along with many interesting links, from History.com is fascinating.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Is this real?? Is this fake?? Can you eat it?? Is it toxic?? We’re not sure, but it’s REALLY cute at least and would look soooo good on your RV’s dinette! Or kitchen counter! Or side table! It would look good anywhere!
Recipes of the day
Crispy, quick, and delicious: Air-fried recipes you’ll love
Fried food without the oil and grease? Count us in! These “fried” recipes are much healthier and just as delicious! We listed a little bit of everything here: fried chicken, pork chops, salmon and a delicious pizza you won’t want to miss. Here are today’s recipes.
Trivia
Yankee Doodle went to town / Riding on a pony; / He stuck a feather in his hat, / And called it macaroni… Wait, he called it a pasta? Nope! Back in the 18th century, British military officers knew “macaroni” to mean something entirely different. Back then, the term “macaroni” referred to men who were preoccupied with high fashion, stylized speech, and fine dining. Upper-class young Englishmen toured Italy, loved the food, and brought it home with them. They also brought home new fashions so British officers called them “the Macaroni Club.”
Readers’ pet of the day
“Digger, for reasons that became obvious! He was a mix of Shepard and who knows what else. But he was a great travel companion. This photo was taken in his favorite spot in his favorite campground! Sadly he is no longer with us; he crossed the rainbow bridge a few years back.” —Nelson Bailey
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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The Presidents Day article from the History Channel link is suspect. There were two holidays in February when I was in public school in the 1950s: Washington’s Birthday on the 22nd and Lincoln’s Birthday Day in the 12th. Combining them created the one holiday on the third Monday. At the same period in time, a holiday commemorating MLK Jr. was being considered. Having lived through this time of dramatic change in the USA, much of what the History Channel article describes seem revisionist.
I fear there is a lot of that revisionist stuff going around.
Ha! Absolutely…
“For the times they are a changin”…sound familiar? We are unfortunately seeing it everyday.
Changing, but not in a good way. Hopefully that will change soon.
I would like to plug an RV YouTube channel… @OpenRoading. We are a veteran (more than middle aged) RVing couple who love watching this young, energetic, loving, & super fun couple who live fulltime in their aging fifth wheel with their rescue dog & bunny. Joseph & Kalyn are open & honest, showing the highs & lows of RV living, while keeping their humorous spirit intact. We never miss them. Give em a try!
“Dude” is wearing Gortex, a good rain suit with great wind proofing. It will saturate if very wet but loved having it on cold windy days. A great choice from the looks of it, probably directing traffic in a parking lot.
Years ago I solved the stinky slinky rust problem by putting a long piece of plastic rain gutter into that back bumper. My hose seems to be lasting forever.
Digger looks like he was a really special dog .
What happened to Tony’s reviews of new RVs that past two days? Isn’t he doing them any more? They were fun and I miss reading them!
$40 for a candle? I think not…
Yep. I’d rather have $40 worth of s’mores, plus the experience at the campfire, actually. (I wouldn’t mind the no-calorie part of this item, however.) Have a great day, Denny. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Wow! I couldn’t figure out what was holding that florescent vest up in the middle of the air, had to look closer.
Hi, Tim. So, the camos were doing a good job, eh?👍 That reminds me of one of my favorite jokes we’ve run here: “The sergeant major yelled, ‘Private Philpott, I didn’t see you at camouflage training this morning!’ Philpott replied, ‘Thank you, sir!'”🤣 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Very sorry for your loss of Digger, Nelson! 🙁 So glad that you had many great adventures together. Thank you, Emily and Diane! I ignored today’s survey as a “brief RVer,” rather than “long-time RVer.” The mystery product was such a bummer! I thought, “Wow! What a great cookie!” My disappointment was great when I realized it is merely a candle with multiple wicks. Regarding the laugh, is this an attempt to “hide in plain sight?” 😉 Have a great day and safe travels!