Issue 2583
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Today’s thought
“Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who make excuses.” ―
Need a reason to celebrate? Today is National Chocolate Mint Day!
On this day in history: 2002 – NASA’s Mars Odyssey space probe begins to map the surface of Mars using its thermal emission imaging system.
Tip of the day
Know Your RV: Take care of your stabilizer jacks
By Russ & Tiña De Maris
RVs, being built light for easy (and economical) travel, are not “rock solid” in camp. The longer they are, the more they tend to rock and shake as folks move about inside. To that end, most travel trailers and fifth wheels are equipped with stabilizer jacks. How do you “care and feed” them?
On a fifth wheel, the “landing gear” acts as a stabilizer up front, but additional stabilizers are typically found at the rear. Travel trailer fans, if you unhitch from your tow vehicle and rest the trailer on the tongue jack foot, you’ll certainly know the lack of stability. Many travel trailers have at least four stabilizer jacks, some have more. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
Why does RV slide room “jump” like the gears are stripped?
Dear Dave,
When retracting the driver side slide room (which is rack and pinion), at the end of travel both in and out, the gears on the motor sound like they are jumping. I am afraid this will strip the gears. Is there a stop that needs to be adjusted? —Bill, 2023 Grand Design 2670MK Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Using proper heavy-duty jack stands for heavy vehicles
By Dustin Simpson
Today I’d like to stress the importance of using proper heavy-duty jack stands when lifting a heavy RV off the ground for suspension repairs and maintenance. Using the right equipment is crucial for the safety of both the vehicle and the person working on it. Here’s why.
Video of the day
How to make RV corner shower shelves useful
By Cheri Sicard
Corner RV shower shelves! Ugggh. Is there any more useless feature in an RV than corner RV shower shelves? They are too small and you certainly cannot move your RV with anything on them. Heck, sometimes you cannot even move in your stationary RV with anything on them. What are RV manufacturers thinking? Well, this sure helps!
Featured article
An easy, affordable way to transform your RV into a cozy home
By Jan Steele
What’s the biggest impact you can make on your RV’s interior? What will make your lackluster RV house into your cozy RV home? RV decor! For me, it’s curtains, bedspreads and rugs. When I bought my one-year-old motorhome eight months ago, I immediately threw out the bedspread and shams. Yuck. The beige design was … I’m looking for a word here … insipid? Continue reading to see how Jan made her RV uniquely, and cozily, her own.
Reader poll
For readers aged 70+: Do you feel you are mentally declining?
Last week we asked our readers: “Have you ever won an athletic trophy?” What do you think: Did most answer yes or no? Find out here.
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
• THE BEST RV TRIP PLANNER APPS AND TOOLS
Quick tip
Locking bars for w-i-d-e RV cabinets
For those of us with super-wide RV cabinets (which the standard “Camco Cupboard Bars” aren’t wide enough for; ours is 38”), I found an answer to hold stuff in place while traveling – try adjustable, spring-tension curtain rods. They work great, are super easy to tighten or loosen. Thanks to Erinn M.
On this day last year…
- Tip: The best tips and tricks for an RV driving day
- Ask Dave: Is a combination LP and CO detector effective?
- RV review: Kick the generator to the curb—Forest River and Volta announce generator-free RV choices
- Featured article: Death Valley isn’t dead: The magic of the life inside our great national park
Website of the day
The Coziest Restaurant in Every State
It’s February, and that means having dinner in a rustic lodge or a saloon by a fireplace sounds pretty nice, right? Well, this list from Food & Wine has you covered. (This article was originally published in 2017. We know most of these restaurants are still open, but check before going anyway.)
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
This isn’t just a mystery product. This is an absolutely-must-have product. We’re being serious. You MUST have this in your car or RV at all times.
Recipes of the day
Winner, winner—chicken and pasta dinner recipes
Winner winner chicken dinner! Except these recipes are even better than just a chicken dinner because they feature pasta too! Chicken and pasta, what’s better than that? Click here to see the recipes—we bet you’ll want to make (and eat!) them all.
Trivia
Ever wonder why Lyme disease is called Lyme? Well, when the disease was first diagnosed in 1975, it was done so in Old Lyme, Connecticut.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Mewsette recently took her first RV trip. It didn’t take her long to find her lookout and sleeping spots. She’s a tripod who adopted us at six weeks old and she’s been our joy now for 13 years.” —Kerry Park
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
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Mewsette is beautiful!
Mewsette is so sweet and absolutely precious 🥰😻
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Has Tony left for greener pastures? I miss his daily reviews. Given the frequency, perhaps he has just ratcheted back. I hope he isn’t gone for good. Have a great weekend and safe travels!