Issue 2647
Today’s thought
“I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Rescue Dog Day!
On this day in history: 1570 – Cartographer Abraham Ortelius issues Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, the first modern atlas.
Tip of the day
Easy tip for draining fresh water tank
By Nanci Dixon
Here’s an easy tip for draining the fresh water tank: Add a hose end!
As full-time RVers staying in different RV parks across the country, we have wondered where to dump fresh water when it is not so fresh and the system needs sanitizing.
The RV park does not want us to drain 90 gallons (or even 20 gallons!) of water at the campsite. Although I will admit that I have resorted to stealth-opening the fresh water drain in the middle of a torrential downpour before we figured out this system… Continue reading.
Ask Dave
Planning ahead: Should RV leveling jacks be retracted during winter storage?
Dear Dave,
Our fifth wheel is currently in a seasonal campground in Michigan. We are there from May 1 to October 31. When I winterize the RV in the latter part of October, should I take the RV off of the auto levelers for the winter and re-level in the spring? Or should I just leave the auto levelers alone? —Ken, 2022 Grand Design 303RLS Read Dave’s answer.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: If you prefer quiet RV parks, when calling ahead for reservations ask if there are any railroad tracks or a busy highway very close by. Many RV parks are on inexpensive land near a busy street or railroad track. If trains run often, it can be difficult to sleep. Also, check out the park’s location on Google Earth and get a bird’s-eye view of the area.
Article and video
A unique DJ camper van conversion for a rockin’ good time
By Cheri Sicard
Ever dreamed of taking the party with you? Jack, profiled in the video below, did. He built a van that’s truly one of a kind. The Bozak Van isn’t just a campervan; it’s a mobile DJ booth that won the eBay Van Conversion of the Year award. Jack, a graduate of the DIYHero® van conversion course, combined his passions into a stunning vehicle. (But the real question: Would you camp next to Jack?)
Featured article
Easy DIY project: Make an on-the-road cookbook of your favorite RVing recipes
By Nanci Dixon
I am packing up for six months on the road and I’ve decided I need to bring along a cookbook of my favorite RVing recipes so I have them all in one place. Last year I overpacked and weighed down an upper cabinet with way too many of my favorite cookbooks. It wasn’t a disaster—a finishing nail or two fixed it; but I don’t want to do that again. Instead, I gathered my favorite recipes and made my own traveling cookbook! Talk about brilliant! (Plus, this is a fun project!)
Reader poll
On your cell phone, do you talk more or text more?
Create extra storage with this stuffable pillow—fits clothes, bedding, towels, more!
This is one of those brilliant camping items every RVer should have. This pillowcase was designed to be stuffed with stuff! Stuff it with clothes (think winter jackets, holiday clothes, extra layers, etc.), extra bed sheets or pillowcases, extra towels… anything! Give yourself more closet space and storage space and keep your extra things hidden in plain sight. Keep it on your bed, couch, or chair, and nobody will ever know! Check it out.
Quick tip
Stabilize before deploying slideouts
“Vehicle jacks are essential for stabilization with rooms extended. Level and stabilize before extending the slideout. If you do not stabilize first, the slideout will change your level when it is extended.” —From Trailers & Fifth Wheels Made Easy
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: Why does an RV fridge work on LP but blow a fuse on electricity?
- RV review: SylvanSport VAST is the most unique trailer available
- In the RV shop with Dustin: Learn how to reseal your RV roof seams
- Video: RV factory warranties—Important info you NEED to know!
- Featured article: How to ask tire questions to get the answer the first time
Website of the day
The best glamping in the USA
You can’t deny it… you’d totally trade your RV in for a night to stay at one of these ultra-luxe glamping locations, wouldn’t you? (For one night? We would!)
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Spot the difference! Okay, now spot the differience. No, really, spot the diffirence… Did you?
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:
• 14 percent only dump their RV’s tanks at free dump stations
• 25 percent have not flown on a plane within the last 10 years. (Only 1 percent have never flown on a plane before!)
• The highest number of voters, 49 percent, have an Android for a cell phone. 46 percent have an iPhone.
Recent poll: How long is your RV?
Trivia
In March of 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt called a meeting to create a Civilian Conservation Corps. He intended to put 500,000 unemployed youths to work in forests, parks and range lands across the country. In its nine years, the CCC employed more than 3 million men and left an undeniable imprint on the nation’s landscape. The CCC built more than 40,000 bridges, restored nearly 4,000 historic sites and structures, improved thousands of beaches, roads and shorelines, and created 800 state parks.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Maximillan Oreo Edwin Whiskers (domestic shorthair tuxedo, age 2) is a brat, a monster, and a rascal. Loves to walk on his leash in the forest. Keen ears and eyes for squirrels, birds and bugs. Hates dogs NOT on a leash. RV console kitty lover.” —Denise Rose
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. No blurry photos, please! Please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!
Leave here with a laugh
What does a tapeworm have in common with the Eiffel Tower?
They’re both Paris sites.
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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Many CCC camps are now State and local parks. Any place with a complete list of original CCC camps?
Try this ccclegacy.org
We lived right next to Washington State Park in DeSoto, Mo. It’s a beautiful park with CCC buildings. The last free-flowing Ozark waterway, Big River, runs through it. We could put our canoe in at home and take it out at the park for a nice float. When we moved to Iowa the park bought our home and put in a boat ramp.
Now the CCC would be called slavery.
Why it was voluntary and they were paid what would be the equivalent of about $600 per month in today’s dollars
The worker got $5 of the $30 they earned. The other $25 was sent to their parents at home to help the family.
I’m not saying it was a bad practice, just that the worker got very little other than room & board, which is why someone might refer to it as “slavery.”
My father was in the CCC and he never said it was anything but a godsend. It was a way young men could help their family make it through the tragedy of the Great Depression.
I think Vic’s point was those getting welfare without getting out of bed would call being “forced” to work to receive taxpayer money a form of slavery.
If the CCC were fired up today, it’s highly unlikely generational welfare recipients would happily put on work gloves and earn their entitlement. Nope, it’d be called a biased gut punch to the poorest of poor and shut down immediately.
Having listened to my great-grandfather talk about his experience working with the CCC, it was a godsend back then. Then. The men worked long hard hours, but they were paid for it. It helped provide food and housing for his family. It was something he was proud to be able to do, and was grateful for the ability to make money.
My Dad worked for the CCC and had amazing stories of what a blessing it was in those lean years when there were no other jobs available.
I kind of agree that in TODAY’S world there would probably be an uproar over someone doing hard labor and only getting approx half of today’s minimum wage (adjusted for inflation) and not even directly getting 83% of that.
I didn’t take your comment as a negative of the program, but just how people today might see the program if implemented the same way today.
The CCC was also a godsend for our country, as it instilled a sense of duty and discipline that helped us prepare a fighting force for WWII.
RE: random RV thought about quiet- When people say “quiet” it can mean different things. In my experience the most sought after quiet is freedom from noise created by people & pets in the form of parties, rambunctious children and barking dogs. Our long-stay 55+ park sits only yards from train tracks used multiple times a day around the clock. No train horns near the park. After about a week, none of the guests (including us) seem to even notice the trains. The young adult who like to ‘burn rubber’ with competition mufflers on the equally near county road is a whole other story.
Should be a requirement to receive welfare
Some sort of national service, say two years, should be mandatory in America….for both genders. Several generations of kids have never been taught work ethics or morals and it sure shows in today’s leadership.
Work ethics should start from early age coming from the parents.
Having taught middle school for 12 years I can tell you that there are generations of “lost kids” who had no one in the household that taught work ethics. Schools are having to teach life skills, including social skills & work ethics along with reading, writing and arithmetic. After leaving teaching and going to work for HUD as a family life coach, I saw that some home school situations are no better. Parents with no education have signed their children up as home schooled so they don’t have to wake up early and get them to school. America is failing these children.
I suggest you all read (or listen to) ‘The Shadow War’ by James Sciutto to realize how unprepared we are for war and how we naively continue to believe at face value promises made in negotiations with other countries. It is focused on China and Russia. He wrote another book published in 2024 that I have not read yet.
The Quick Tip “Level and stabilize before extending the slideout” is not always the case. Be sure to read your Owner’s Manual to be sure.
Newmar recommends extending slides while the motorhome suspension is aired up before deploying jacks. Next drop air and level. Before retracting slides, raise jacks, air up, then retract. This is because jacks can put uneven pressures on a frame not present when it’s aired up.
This is different than many other manufacturers, but that’s why an owner needs to know procedures for their RV and not rely on generic information.
I try to explain that to people and they don’t get it. 04 Newmar 40′ MADP.
The CCC also had the unintended benefit of providing the military with exceptionally well conditioned young men to fight in World War II
It’s sad for me to see how much we’ve changed from feeling good about “earning” (no matter how little) Welfare (CCC back then) to feel it would be “slavery” if asked to work for it now. I keep asking myself how did these changes in attitudes happen so fast? We were not like this, and I didn’t raise my children like that, but some people must have, right? Why??
When we got “rich”, we bought our kids everything they wanted. We are the culprits.
Not all of us.
Especially good newsletter today!!!
Maximillan Oreo Edwin Whiskers is beautiful. Should have been named Maximillan Edwin Oreo Whiskers – M.E.O.W. 😁
I thought the same thing.
I’m surprised you don’t have a recipe pull-down at the top. Use the categories in your article above. As a senior bachelor, I could sure use some simple RV friendly ideas. Did someone say Chipotle!
Hi, Kernel. Click here for hundreds of delicious recipes. Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great day and safe travels!