Issue 2616
Today’s thought
“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it is going on when you don’t have strength.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Coffee Cake Day! And if you’d rather celebrate in the evening, it’s also National Beer Day!
On this day in history: 1933 – Prohibition in the United States is repealed for beer of no more than 3.2% alcohol by weight, eight months before the ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution. (Hence, why we celebrate National Beer Day today!)
Tip of the day
How to clean the inside of your windshield in under 2 minutes
By Cheri Sicard
Traveling RVers and especially RVers with pets have no doubt experienced the frustrations of a dirty inside windshield. Dogs especially like to leave nose prints everywhere. Fret no more. Rebecca from the Tiny House Creations DIY at Old Country Cooks (formerly Good2Know) YouTube channel is here to show you how to clean the inside of your windshield quickly, easily, and with no streaks.
I am talking less than two minutes and you will have a clean, clear, sparkling interior windshield! And it works! Click here to read the article and watch the video if you want to see it in action.
Tips from this weekend you may have missed:
- How to avoid RV dealer sales fraud in 2025
- Why you need a multimeter for your RV
- How to get rid of, and prevent, RV drain fly infestations
- An easy fix for a shower that won’t drain
Ask Dave
Looking to buy recalled RV. Should I offer less, or run?
Dear Dave,
We are thinking about purchasing this unit at ~$95k (35,000 mi., sales price $99k), but recently found out it is a warranty buyback unit from Jayco. Almost ALL of the recall/warranty issues were electrical, several re the Renogy battery/inverter system. We went to the dealer (Buda, TX) yesterday and the unit was on shore power. We noticed SoC on panel was at ZERO, so I have BIG concerns about the Li battery and system in general. Should I walk away completely, or throw out another offer (maybe $90k?) and hope for the best? Thank you! —Tom Read Dave’s answer. (It may surprise you.)
In the RV shop with Dustin
How an RV suspension works, plus upgrade tips
In this “What’s In The Shop?” video, Zach takes you along to inspect a typical fifth wheel RV suspension system. He explains the typical suspension system and gives examples of suspension upgrades and the benefits of having them. During this inspection, he found a worn shackle link that was almost broken. If this were to come loose during travel, it could cause serious damage to the unit and those behind you. You do not want this to happen to your RV! This could be life-saving information!
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: Make a habit of stopping at visitor centers. Sometimes the coffee and Wi-Fi is free and even road maps, too. Pick up lots of literature about where you are headed: You will likely find some discount coupons. Sometimes, if you ask nicely to stay overnight in the parking lot, they will say yes.
Video of the day
Exploring a 1960s abandoned RV park
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, the team from Travels with Lucky stumbled upon a place that felt frozen in time. A little time capsule into Apache Junction, Arizona’s past, where the echoes of the 1960s linger—an odd, abandoned RV park. Check this out.
The latest news for RVers
- How will RVers be affected by latest tariffs?
- Launching soon: Amazon’s affordable satellite internet will rival Starlink
- More drivers ignoring traffic laws as reckless drivers multiply
- Gasoline prices jump a dime since last week
- Grand Canyon to raise camping fees
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
A heart attack at Love’s Truck Stop: RV trips don’t always go as planned
By Gail Marsh
[originally published in January 2024]
I’ve learned so much over the past couple of weeks. We were only four hours into our long trek to Florida when my worst nightmare unexpectedly became a reality. While parked at the fueling lanes at a Love’s Truck Stop, my husband, Keith, began to experience pain in his left arm. The pain quickly escalated and persisted, so we called 911. Continue reading.
Reader poll
When RVing, do you rely on income from employment to afford to travel?
“While the sight of a bald eagle has thrilled campers for generations, the sight of a bald man does nothing for the eagle.” —Submitted by reader Jim Schrankel
Quick tip
Fresh water fill mod keeps you dry
“I was having no success with the fresh water fill. I’d get more water on me than in the tank. I think there may be a dip in the fill hose and/or vent hose acting as a water trap. In any event, I cut three or four feet off the end of a garden hose and snaked the cut end down the fill hose and right into the fresh water tank. Now I connect my supply hose directly to the garden hose and no more mess. I probably should have used one of those white hoses that’s made for drinking water. But we keep the water chlorinated and don’t drink it anyway. After a little whittling on the plastic fill housing, I was able to stuff the hose coupling far enough back to close the hatch.” From jeff-z.com.
Website of the day
The Best Camping in Oregon, From Crater Lake to the Oregon Dunes
If you’ve never camped in Oregon, there’s no way you won’t plan a trip after reading this and seeing these photos. It sure is a beautiful state… [CAVEAT: If you want to visit Crater Lake before the only permitted trail to the lake is closed (from 2026 to 2029), better go this year.]
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Will you win a million dollars next year? Will you lose those 50 pounds? Will you finally discover the Fountain of Youth? Will you finally get that golden retriever puppy you’ve always longed for? Well, here’s how to find out…
Trivia
North Dakota’s Lake Sakakawea has more shoreline than the California Pacific Coast.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Buddy is right at home in the RV, especially when the heated floors are on.” —Leslie Bergmann
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
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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Re: Quick Tip. Amazon sells nifty little clear hose just for filling your fresh water tank. It even has a shut off.
We have one of these and it works perfectly 😀
Amazon link: https://a.co/d/hXQcqPE
Be sure to glue the clear plastic hose to the yellow fitting…
Love the refreshing story about Keith and his medical emergency. RV community is great.
I missed the trivia question in the email today. Hope it comes back.
I have the fresh water gravity fill with a screw-on cap over the input tube and the air vent hole. I would love to have an adapter that allowed me to screw a garden hose (potable water rated) on those threads and still allowed the air vent to work.
Maybe this will work for you Jim: https://www.ebay.com/itm/265790458356?_skw=fresh+water+fill&itmmeta=01JR8FTH5DRYPSRY3NKKX6TJJM&hash=item3de25889f4:g:Q2QAAOSwCeRith0p&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fXLvgu%2BS4QOw4jZPxIEoV1lM9QcAhursQaYsWdOKWtyiu4scWxlKDwCr89o%2F2hyvPEJU6aCb6xXBLsRbqVk9n8lRDbG4qycg7HlZ7%2BuLXxf8lrog4ShVY89ftflO8vfQFYhvGE1x9o%2BS4DbBBt7ukwprTXz0C4M83pnyUTq2rJxPccuJIT%2FfNyb2mQ1NOrdmv%2FGsQA2%2FbV9pp2KbUNFlsFOF2mTy7MZG5%2B2Lll8TKXY6WMFztNvOiCpVlbNUtjQ1A%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_KS6o_CZQ
I have one that is similar to your suggested link. It looks like yours works as well as mine! Love it! It’s worth the money!
Buddys expression of long travel days is right on! Thanks for sharing.
I use a gallon monitor to fill my fresh water tank so I know exactly how much I’m putting in and the threaded front fits perfectly in the tank spout with no backsplash whatsoever!
A right angle adapter and short piece of hose into the fill stops the fill hose from bending.
Same adapter used on city water inlet.
Orange cats are the best cats!
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great week and safe travels!