Issue 2602
Today’s thought
“History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats.” —Bertie Charles, Forbes Publisher
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Sloppy Joe Day!
On this day in history: 1990 – In the largest art theft in U.S. history, 12 paintings, collectively worth around $500 million, are stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. (If you want to learn more about this, we recommend this book!)
Tip of the day
13 tips about work camping that will point you to success
By Nanci Dixon
Ever think about work camping? Cutting costs and staying in an area longer? Getting to know more people in a more permanent venue? We hadn’t really considered it until we met a campground host in Arizona our first year full-timing. My husband is always needing something to do and enjoys having people around, so becoming a campground host seemed like the perfect job while we were there for the winter.
The host introduced us to the park supervisor. He had an opening! After hearing my husband’s qualifications, we got the job! Please continue reading for Nanci’s (sometimes amusing) story and her 13 tips for successful work camping.
Ask Dave
My RV’s roof air conditioner drips inside when running. How can I fix it?
By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
When running my air conditioner on hot days, it begins freezing up and drips water or “snow”. What is the cure for this little issue? Thank you. —Jeff, 2024 Coleman Lantern 274BH Read Dave’s answer.
Video of the day
TrunkMate’s sleeping platforms turn cars into cozy campers
By Cheri Sicard
Ever dream of turning your car into a cozy camper without the hassle of a full-blown RV? TrunkMate makes that dream a reality! They specialize in creating comfortable camping spaces inside your existing vehicle. This video focuses on TrunkMate’s awesome minivan sleeping platforms, available in different varieties.
Featured article
Hiking with the Angels: Everything to know about RVing around Zion National Park
By Dale Wade
Hop on board Nature’s Highways as we travel through Mukuntuweap National Monument. Never heard of it? You probably know it as Zion National Park. Established in 1919, Zion ranks third of the most-visited national parks, and has some stunning camping areas. This may be your first visit, but others have camped, hunted, and lived there for more than 8,000 years. Here’s a full guide to the park for RVers.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: When driving, a big dark spot on the road ahead often means there’s a dip coming up. The dip shakes loose a drip of oil from many of the vehicles that pass. The darker the spot indicates the severity of the jolt. Just remember: “The darker the dot, the deeper the dip.”
Reader poll
How would you describe the reliability of your RV’s automatic levelers?
You might enjoy this poll, too: Have you ever won an athletic trophy?
Quick tip
Use the space over your head for storage
Instagram user @rvideas posted this one: “So smart—this RV owner installed a wire closet shelf above her bed and added collapsible storage bins.”
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: I have several questions about storing my motorhome in Florida
- RV review: Palomino Pause Reboot 19.4: Champ of off-grid camping
- Video: Are 1-star RV resort reviews merited? Florida resort investigated
- Featured article: Readers debate: What’s the best time to pack food and consumable supplies into your RV?
Website of the day
The Surprising Origins of 15 Pasta Shapes
Now, this is a fun article! Have you ever wondered how your favorite pasta shapes came to be? This article tells all, and it’s fascinating!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Go ahead, put those magnifiers on, ready… aim… fire! Well, not really, but sort of! Let us know how this goes. We’re curious.
Thinking out loud…
The enduring love of an RV
The expectation of acquiring a new possession is often more exciting than the possession itself once you have it. Whether it’s a new chair, video game or newfangled tool, we dream about the item and how it will enhance our life. But once acquired, the product often becomes just another possession. That’s less so with an RV, which continues to captivate most owners for years and years.
Perhaps it’s because an RV is more than a “thing.” It’s a magic carpet that takes us on grand, memorable adventures. RVers who once traveled with their small children in an RV and then have to sell the RV years later can come to tears seeing all the memories drive away. An elderly couple, too old to travel anymore, will likely feel the same. RVs provide an ongoing source of wonder to those who own them. And unlike most of the miscellany in our lives, the passion an owner feels for an RV seldom dims.
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:
• 84 percent say they usually buy their RV fuel on price, not brand
• 22 percent eat at a fast food restaurant at least once a week, if not more
• 50 percent say they’d love to RV around Iceland if they had the chance!
Recent poll: Would you prefer to stay in a campground where kids were not allowed?
Trivia
The state of Alaska is not only the largest state in the country but is also home to the northernmost, westernmost, and easternmost points of the United States. Point Barrow is the northernmost point, Little Diomede Island is the westernmost point, and Pochnoi Point on Semisopochnoi Island in the Aleutian Islands is the easternmost point. But wait… how is a point in Alaska the easternmost point? This article explains.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Chloe (Chihuahua) loved to camp and met no strangers. She loved to take walks and sleep next to the campfire. She was a real cuddle bug, too. Sadly, she crossed over the rainbow last fall at the age of 15. She is so missed.” —Cori Cotton
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your Chloe, Cori. She sounds like she was the best camping companion. We hope she’s somewhere cuddled up next to a campfire right now. ❤️
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!
Leave here with a laugh
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We are beginning our RV life at the ages of 65 and 66. We have a 1 week long trip under our belt and are so excited for this spring, summer and fall to travel more. Looking at our RV gives me joy thinking of all the parks and forests we will see and a new areas to visit. At this age it is a symbol of freedom, relaxation, continual learning, and adventure. Unlike acquiring most possessions, buying the RV was terrifying, but having it gives me peace.
Welcome to RVing, Cookie!👍 We hope you folks have many happy and carefree RVing adventures! And thank you for including RVtravel.com in your new, exciting lifestyle. Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
“The survey says …” would be improved with knowing the number of people responding, maybe?
I would wager that the folks who submitted the ‘Tip’ about adding wire shelving above their bed have bruised and dented foreheads most mornings. 😵💫
My thoughts exactly! As an FYI, it is always nice to have more storage HOWEVER what is this doing to the individual’s RV weight rating?
Our Montana has 3,900 Cargo capacity, but that can get used up in a hurry, never mind a lighter 5th wheel or travel trailer.
Won more than a few bar bets on Alaska being the farthest North, West and East. Few were able to name the farthest South as well. (Hint: It starts with an H)
Great quote today, suitable for a day when mankind will triumph in space once again. I’ll be cheering extra hard for America today. Not a right or left America but as that same American, albiet Canadian then, that watched the B&W tele in the 60s and 70s, tuning in for every launch of a rocket, in awe of mankind’s ingenuity and drive.
With prayers, today we watch 2 astronauts stranded in space for 9 months come home, rescued. It matters not, the individual achievements, it is the team of engineers, entrepreneurs and craftsmen that pull this off today and every one of them have my respect. GO USA GO. 🌎🚀 I’ll be watching.
Happy trails 😎 ✌️
They were never stranded! That is just media hype. There are always enough re-entry vehicles docked at the ISS to evacuate all personnel at any time. It just made more sense to have them join crew 9 for a normal rotation.
Tomato, tomautau. I guess that begs the question, is anyone ever really stranded. Side of the road with 2 flat tires and 1 spare? Deserted island with lots of trees, build a boat i guess? Lost at sea, but with a compass and a map, in life raft… start paddling.
One man’s stranded is another man’s abandoned, which is why I chose “stranded”, they were never abandoned, just delayed…. a little…. with NO options. it’s not like they could have just jumped in a re-entry vehicle at any time and left. My comment, was simply an acknowledgement to mankind and how far WE have come since JFK. Not a dis of anyone in particular, nor was it a bow of the head to anyone in particular.
Chloe was such a precious and sweet looking doggie. Thank you for sharing her with us, many warm memories of her to❤️🐶
Very sorry for your loss, Cori. 🙁 Were I still working, I would be sorely tempted to buy the mystery product, and probably would. Could provide an effective reset when struggling with a problem. However, current problems are physical, not mental, so would not be helpful. Have a great day and safe travels!
Chloe was an apple head chihuahua. I know our kylo ren was one who also passed away May 8 4 years ago this May. And like Chloe loved to camp except for one thing. It was not the campfires he was found of it was socializing. And I mean socializing. We ended up having to go find him from time to time with other campers. Uh huh. A few years before his death he was found crashing a wedding. Yeah. That one still has us laughing to this day.