Issue 2593
Today’s thought
“Do you think that I count the days? There is only one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Cheese Doodle Day! (Emily says these are the best cheese doodles in the world, by the way.)
On this day in history: 1872 – George Westinghouse patents the air brake.
Tip of the day
Unusual ways RVers can use old water hoses
By Gail Marsh
I think almost every RVer has them—old water hoses, that is. When we purchased our first (and only) new RV it came with a bucket of free goodies. While several items in the bucket were worthwhile, the water hose was not good. From day one it kinked, leaked, tangled, and frustrated us every time we RVed. It didn’t take long for us to replace that cheap one, but we were left with a problem: what to do with it. That’s when we came up with unusual ways for RVers to use old water hoses. I think you’ll like these ideas.
Ask Dave
How to hook up a portable satellite feed in RV
By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
We have two Winegard satellite dishes on the roof, one for each TV so we can operate them independently. Sometimes when we park under trees we want to be able to plug a third dish into the rear satellite connection located in the compartment where the main power cord is located. We get nothing when connected there. … Read the rest of Will’s question and Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Repairing a frame flex issue uncovered after RV dropped off for other service
By Dustin Simpson
In the world of RVs, unforeseen challenges can emerge. My team at California RV Specialists encountered a concerning issue while maneuvering a Forest River Wildcat around our service yard. The owner of the unit had been unaware of the potential danger lurking beneath the surface—pin box frame flex. Here’s what happened.
Video of the day
Amazing U-Haul RV conversion for under $800
By Cheri Sicard
Reuse advocate Alex Eaves and tiny house expert Derek “Deek” Diedrickson built an amazing U-Haul RV conversion for less than $800 (excluding the truck). This creative reuse project turns “garbage” into something special while minimizing waste and inspiring others to do the same. Check it out in the video.
Featured article
Is the RV industry’s new tactic to “Grind RVers down and wear them out”?
By Ron Burdge, RV Lemon Law Attorney
Most new RV owners complain to their dealer about their RV’s defects. When they have had enough, they complain to the factory too. And all the while the time limit clock for the owner to actually file a formal claim in court is ticking away. … So if a manufacturer wants RV owners to either run out of time or get desperate for a solution, what can they do? Why, just provide one more waste-of-time step to go through! Read this eye-opening explanation of the RVIA’s RV Dispute Resolution Program.
Reader poll
Do you bring a musical instrument with you on your RV trips?
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
TV hanger for flat screen needs no studs
Mounting a flat screen TV in an RV can sometimes raise issues. A lot of mounts require they be screwed firmly into studs – and you can be hard-pressed to find them in some areas of your rig. Here’s the Hangman No Stud TV Hanger that claims it will hang any LED thin screen TV in less time than it takes to unpack it. It’s two interlocking aircraft-grade aluminum brackets: one attaches to the back of the TV, the other on the wall. Tiny picture hanging nails hold the wall bracket in place. Once installed, a 1-inch clearance from the wall provides easy access and space for cords and cables.
The wall track has a foam backing to minimize wall damage. Once removed, all that is left behind are tiny pinholes that can be easily covered up. Users report it lives up to its claims. We would STRONGLY advise you take your TV down before travel, however! You can find it on Amazon; prices vary depending on the size. (If that model is out of stock, here are more to choose from.)
On this day last year…
- Tip: Tips for using cabinet sides for RV storage solutions
- Ask Dave: Why won’t two 6-volt batteries run my CPAP machine overnight?
- RV review: 2024 Forest River Vibe 19RB—No slide room necessary
- Video: Affordable RVing—10 ways to save money on the road
Website of the day
RV Service Reviews
When you break down in your RV, we’d hate to see you go to a bad service shop. This website shows you reviews of good service centers near you.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
What if we told you that you’d want to drink out of this toilet bowl? Would you believe us? Heck, we’d drink out of this toilet bowl! See for yourself and you won’t think we’re so crazy!
Recipes of the day
Bold and zesty Buffalo chicken recipes you will love
We can’t even say the words Buffalo chicken without getting excited. And these aren’t your regular Buffalo chicken recipes either. Think: Buffalo chicken meatballs, casserole, loaded baked potato salad, toasted subs, and even Buffalo chicken eggrolls! Check these out.
Trivia
The chocolate chip cookie was invented by Ruth Graves Wakefield. She owned the Toll House Inn, in Whitman, Massachusetts, a very popular restaurant that featured home cooking in the 1930s. Her cookbook, Toll House Tried and True Recipes, was first published in 1936 by M. Barrows & Company, New York.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Jazzy (Pomeranian mix) was our companion in our first two years of full-timing. Sadly, she developed Cushing’s disease and had to leave us too soon. She was a star wherever we traveled. Some thought she was a stuffed animal!” —Jim Schrankel
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!
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
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National Cheese Doodle Day?! for $424.65 oz., I think I’ll pass!
88 grams is 3.1 ounces. At $14.95 that’s about $4.83/ounce. Still outrageous for something that will probably arrive stale.
Amazon has a real problem with their translation in most descriptions.
someone needs to go back school and learn math
I was quoting what was on Amazon! Funny!
The website of the day link is broken.
Sorry, Seb. I think it comes and goes. (It didn’t work for me the other day when I checked it, but then it started working again.) It worked for me now: https://rvservicereviews.com/ I hope that works for you. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Diane, I just tried it and it’s not working again..
Grrrrrrr! Thanks, Bill. I just tried it again by clicking on the link in the newsletter, Googling that URL, as well as going to that newsletter “anonymously” and clicking on the link. They all worked for me. Must just be some servers (or whatever) that it doesn’t work on, or maybe your security settings are “tighter” than mine. (Just guessing.) Sorry, Bill and others. I have no clue about what’s actually going on, and why it works for some and not others.🙄 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
It didn’t work on my phone either..
I’ll try it again later this evening if I get a chance.
Sorry, Bill. But thanks for the update. Frustrating/annoying!😠 –Diane
“…There is only one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk.” ―Jean-Paul Sartre
I guess Jean-Paul never worked the midnight shift!!! 😉🙂 Anyone here that has done it knows what I mean.
5×5 on that.
Jazzy is quite the cutie. A friend had a Pomeranian but she was never taken to a professional groomer and it looked like it. Whoever groomed Jazzy really made her face stand out. Kudos to that groomer.
Jazzy was adorable and the Laugh of the Day! The BEST! Thank you
RV industry’s new tactic: is it really a “new” tactic.
Test
You passed, Engineer.👍 Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Notice that all of the TV mounts in the article links specify that they’re for drywall, which is typically 1/2″ thick or more. They’re not designed for the paper thin walls in most RVs, which are commonly between 1/8″ and 1/4″ thick, and are often little more than glorified cardboard.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great day and safe travels! 🙂
Love the laugh of the day. We had a black lab mix and the exact same bed cover. The same thing happened to us more than once.