Issue 2597
Today’s thought
“Nobody ever figures out what life is all about, and it doesn’t matter. Explore the world. Nearly everything is really interesting if you go into it deeply enough.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day!
On this day in history: 1702 – The Daily Courant, England’s first national daily newspaper, is published for the first time.
Tip of the day
Don’t like guns? Alternatives for self-protection
By Mike Sherman
Do you want to feel protected while camping but you shun guns? There are alternatives that will help you in the event you find yourself under assault, either by an animal, or a human being acting like an animal.
Non-lethal weapons have, of course, been around since the beginning of time. Some might think a rock or a baseball bat is a non-lethal weapon, but the law recognizes them as deadly weapons. If you rely on a baseball bat for personal protection, keep in mind its use requires you to be up close and personal with your attacker. But what about a defensive spray? They can save your life with a 15-foot separation between you and the offender. Continue reading about the benefits of pepper spray and other gun alternatives.
Popular from last weekend: Brace yourself – Tariffs may hit your wallet harder than expected
Ask Dave
Can I just use a regular tarp to protect my RV?
Dear Dave,
Do I have to use an RV cover, or can I use a regular tarp to protect my RV? —Robert, 2016 Coachmen Catalina Read Dave’s answer.
CAMPING WORLD OWES MONEY to many RVers for unlawful sales practices. Maybe you? Find out.
Video of the day
How to prevent RV theft and keep your RV secure
By Cheri Sicard
In this video, we join Joshua from RV Gear & Far for some useful tips on how to prevent RV theft and ways to keep your RV secure whether it is on the road, at your house, while out boondocking, or in an RV storage facility. With enough determination, any RV can be stolen. Read the article and/or watch the video.
Featured article
Skål! 3 creative meaderies to stay at in your RV
By Cheri Sicard
In this week’s Harvest Hosts column, we invite you to drink up old-school style at three creative meaderies you can spend the night at in your RV if you are a Harvest Hosts member. If you have not yet discovered mead, it is a unique alcoholic beverage that, at its most basic form, is made from fermented honey, water and yeast. However, it can be flavored in an astounding number of ways, as evidenced by the offerings at these three creative meaderies.
Reader poll
Do you like pickles?
Recent poll: Do you believe motorhomes are headed to extinction? Respond here.
Quick tip
Help prevent blown tires
Ted J. wrote us with a thought from “them that’s been there, done that.” Here’s his advice: “The first thing I do before we leave our driveway is check the air pressure in our tires. Over the years we have had several blowouts, which I am sure most have had! Several of those were because of under-inflated tires.” Thanks, Ted, for the cautionary advice. And, might we add, a tale that endorses a tire pressure monitoring system!
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: How do I know when my LP tank is at 80 percent?
- RV review: Keystone’s popular 2024 Cougar 23MLE—New price and floorplan
- Featured article: Clogged showerhead cure—courtesy of Walmart
Website of the day
Forvo
Learn how to pronounce any (and they mean ANY) word in English or another language. This website is good to know about!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
We love this so much we wouldn’t want to get it dirty! Why would we get something dirty? Well, you’ll see!
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: Carry candles with you in your RV and car. In a wintertime emergency even the tiny bit of heat they produce can be a lifesaver if stranded in the middle of nowhere.
And the survey says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers close to 5,000 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 20 percent say they never get headaches and can’t remember the last time they had one.
• 40 percent love to dance!
• 35 percent have a current fishing license
Recent poll: Would you consider buying an electric car or tow vehicle as your next car?
Trivia
The rise of airline travel led to the invention of luggage on wheels. In 1970, Bernard Sadow was stuck in customs with heavy luggage after returning from a vacation in Aruba. While he was standing in line, he watched as a worker moved heavy equipment on a wheeled platform. At that moment, Sadow realized luggage should be on wheels, too. Soon after, and after a few different design prototypes, he was pitching his “rolling luggage” to Macy’s.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Mae (Springer Spaniel) was one of my granddogs–she was always ready to sit with me. We got this larger chair so we’d both fit!” —Bev Waldron
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Sunday RV Travel newsletter. No blurry photos, please! 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
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the Latest News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.
If you shop at Amazon.com we’d appreciate you using this link. We get an itty bitty commission if you buy something, but they add up and help us pay our bills (most importantly our hard-working writers!).
RVtravel.com All-Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Nice to see all the rigs at FRVA (FMCA) in Perry, Georgia. Especially nice to see both Roger Marble and Mike Sokol giving several talks. Only missing Dave for a trifecta.
Pushing RVtravel to the great unknown.
Good to hear. My wife and I went to Redmond, OR in August and that one was pretty bleak.
If you are going to carry candles, also carry something to light the candles.
And only unscented candles.
When buying the pepper “spray”, look for the gel or foam type. Very little chance of it blowing back towards you. Plus it sticks to what ever it hits.
Mae & you appear to be quite cozy. Looks like you both are enjoying a great camping trip!
When traveling we carry bear spray as a deterrent. I can attest to its impact. Had left a can under the back seat of our jeep and folded down the seat resulting in puncturing the can. It works well.
We have a citronella candle that to date has only been used outdoors. Note- I think mosquitoes have evolved to enjoy the scent.
It’s true, they told me so as they were taking a break from munching on my body..
You and Mae look very comfortable together, Bev. I hope that you enjoy many trips and adventures together when she is visiting you. Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great day and safe travels!
“Random Thought”: We in the north country know most of these suggestions for survival. Carry a shovel, blanket, candles, matches/lighters, water, candy bars, warm gloves and boots or overshoes, flashlite with fresh batts., cell fone, flashing lite to attract attention, a 10-12′ piece of rope so you can get out of the car to clear snow from your exhaust and or personal relief. Most of these articles will fit nicely in a briefcase in the back seat or trunk. If storms are forecast, stay where it is warm – it will blow over sooner or later! Interstates will be closed during winter storms and two lane roads get very narrow in blowing snow!!!
PS: Keep a full-near full tank of gas/fuel. Keep a window cracked open for fresh air! Don’t go to sleep! Tie the rope to a door handle or close in the door so you can find your way back to the inside! Call 511 for road conditions. (Definition of a flashlite? Convenient tube to store dead batteries in!).
I was always told to keep a lighter and a candle, first aide kit and a pair of scissors you can get to if in case you can’t get out of your seat belt. Hint water and stuck in a serious car accident. Won’t go there. That is within my reach if needed.