Issue 2646
Today’s thought
“You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” —John Lydgate
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Devil’s Food Cake Day!
On this day in history: 1911 – Parks Canada, the world’s first national park service, is established as the Dominion Parks Branch under the Department of the Interior.
Tip of the day
Secret Costco shopping tips you should know
By Gail Marsh
“You should definitely write an article about that!” a fellow RVer recently told me. I’d been telling her about the many Costco tips that can benefit RVers.
I’m a Costco junkie. There. I admitted it! What’s to love? Well, there are Costco stores almost everywhere we travel. If there’s not a Costco near our destination, there’s one or two along our route. That makes it easy to stock up as we RV.
Enough about my love for Costco. You’re here for the secret Costco shopping tips, right? Read on! (Don’t miss the price coding secrets revealed later in the article.)
More tips from this weekend you may have missed:
- How to find out if you’ll have cell service where you’re headed
- Police officer shares the best RV security tips and gear
- How to replace your RV’s plumbing vent cap
Ask Dave
RV’s corner trim is separating. What adhesive should I use to fasten it?
Dear Dave,
The front edge of my travel trailer is coming apart at the seam where the front and the side meet. What is the best adhesive to use to hold the siding in place? —Rob, 2017 Keystone Sprinter Campfire 25RK Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
How to identify your RV roof vent lid hinge style
Did you know that there are five different RV vent lid styles? The main difference among them is how they hinge on the vent base. To better help yourself or your local repair shop, make sure you either remove the vent lid and take it in, or take a side and back view picture so it’s easier to match it up. Continue reading.
Sewer fitting grip help! Gadget to the rescue!
If you find the bayonet mounts for your sewer hose connections are getting a bit hard to twist off and on (hate to say it, but it sometimes comes with age), here’s a tool that might help. An adjustable oil filter wrench, made to get a grip around automotive oil filters, can also provide a handy grip and plenty of leverage on the bayonet fitting of your sewer hose, and the termination cap as well. Here’s one we recommend.
Article and video
Know your rights: When the police can search your RV without a warrant
By Cheri Sicard
Ever wondered what your rights are when you’re on the road in your RV and encounter law enforcement? It’s a unique situation because an RV is both your vehicle and, potentially, your home. This dual nature brings up some interesting legal questions, especially when it comes to police searches. In this video and article, the team from The Camping Loop outlines five scenarios where police can search your RV without a warrant.
The latest news for RVers
- Camping World claims top spot in RV sales
- Staff shortages shut down dozens of Army Corps campgrounds, but RVers can help
- Walmart says prices are going up. Here’s why RVers should care
- Amazon pushes into RV territory with $8 million, 200-site RV park
- Amazon’s Starlink rival: Analyst weighs in on expected internet pricing
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
A spare fuse spot in your panel can brighten your day
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
We had a peculiar problem come up a while back. It was after nightfall and we were preparing to make a foray to the Land of Nod. The wife had already shuffled off to the bedroom. I was busy brushing my teeth when I got one of those “Honey, something’s wrong here” shout-outs. “The light just went out here in the bedroom.” One more thing to do with my spare time. Happily, a spare fuse helped in the end. Find out how here.
Reader poll
Do you have Starlink?
Quick tip
Segregation at work in the hose compartment
We’ve urged readers to use separate hoses for dirty tasks, like flushing sewage, and saving your fresh water hose for that single purpose. Here’s Phil’s response: “I cap all of my hoses, regardless of purpose. And, yes, I keep the caps separated by color flagging so I don’t put ‘flush’ on ‘fresh’!” Thanks, Phil!
Website of the day
40 of the Most Colorful Places to Visit in the United States
It’s the time of year when we crave color… enough of those winter browns and grays already! Here are 40 places to get your color fix.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Don’t you love when we help you clean your RV? Well, when we suggest things like this, we sort of are! Trust us, these make cleanup a breeze.
Trivia
Statistically, hurricanes are more destructive than tornadoes. A single tornado may have stronger, faster winds than a hurricane, but a hurricane’s larger size and longer life give it the potential to be more disastrous.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Rockie (Lab mix, age 8) is the light of our lives. He is very personable and comical sometimes. Very friendly, loves meeting new people and going to new places. As we are full-time RVers, he has been traveling since he was 1 year old. We take him to doggy daycare so he has his play time, and he so enjoys it.” —Maryanne Pratt
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
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.
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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As I am sending potable water through my segregated hoses, I use backflow preventers on each. I should be able to use any hose in a pinch, but as a practice, don’t.
Rockie – what a smile you have! Easy to see why you are the Light for your family. Enjoy the roaming. Don
Yes, I have the STARLINK generation 3. We live permanent in our RV in North Carolina. It might be pricey, but the speed is unbelievable!
I use the cheap short hose that was included when we purchased our camper. I wrapped black gorilla tape on the hose at both ends to remind me it’s only used for the black tank flush.
Rather than relying on caps and plugs to keep contaminants out of your hose, connect them to themselves.
You don’t have to worry about using the dirty plug on the clean hose or bugs and dirt getting inside your hoses. Ditto with the slinky, connect the ends and stop worrying about where you put the caps.
Loved the Laugh~ that was us after backpacking for sure!
The Amazon link included at the bottom of each issue, does it only work for the RV items listed or do you get a commission off anything I purchase after clicking on it? I will make it my Amazon home page if you get a few cents from my monthly orders. I never see responses to my posts, so you may have to email me directly so I start doing this.
Regarding the Mystery Product, IMHO do not use in your RV fridge. This will stop the air circulation in the fridge and that is mandatory for the fridge to work properly. That’s why RV fridge shelves are wire grids not flat, solid shelves.
Rockie is so sweet! Thank you for sharing Maryanne.
Rockie looks adorable, Maryanne! I hope that you have many joyous trips together. Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great day and safe travels!