Issue 2650
Today’s thought
”The past is a place of reference, not a place of residence.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Road Trip Day!
On this day in history: 1934 – American bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde are ambushed by police and killed in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.
Tip of the day
Tips for packing the RV for an extended time on the road
By Nanci Dixon
The disadvantage of having a part-time house now versus being a full-time RVer is that I am always forgetting something, or duplicating something, or just plain packing way too much! Packing the RV up for a six-month-long haul is a big job. There are a few tricks I have learned over the last few years that make it a little bit easier.
This is my “don’t forget” list. Because we haven’t duplicated a lot of items, we cart stuff into the house and cart it back out to the RV. I inevitably forget something. Last year it was my favorite salad hands, the nutcracker that I used to open those stubborn little water bottle caps, and sweatshirts.
We took a few mini-trips this winter, and I forgot my pillow, VIAIR for tire pressure, the doomed salad hands, and we also forgot to check the weather. Should have brought flannel PJs, too! Continue reading.
Ask Dave
What does 50% State Of Charge (SOC) of a 12-volt battery mean?
Dave,
Love reading your answers for RVers. It is the best help I have ever seen at any website.
My question is, you always say that batteries are made to drain down to 50 percent.
What is 50 percent—12v, 11v, 10v? I think this would help RVers a lot. Also, how to monitor, when and what to do when you get to that magic number. —Louie, No RV as of today Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
The importance of having an RV spare tire
Join me “In The RV Shop” as we discuss how carrying a spare tire for your RV is a smart and essential precaution, as it can provide a quick solution in case of a flat tire. Here are some important considerations regarding having a spare tire for your RV.
Article and video
Weigh Safe Flap Jack RV Stabilizer Block review
By Cheri Sicard
Have you ever struggled with wobbly RV setups? In this video, Jared Gillis from All About RVs is back with a review of a new piece of gear that might just solve that problem: the Weigh Safe Flap Jack RV Stabilizer Block. Read on.
Featured article
Big-time boo-boo: RV door hits overhead light in brand-new RV
By Keith Ward
Is this the fail of all RV fails? I’m not sure, but it’s got to be up there. I was at an RV show in Pennsylvania with my wife earlier this week, and we were looking through the models when I came across something I hadn’t seen before: a storage door that hit and stuck on a nearby ceiling light. I was so incredulous that I tried it again, several more times. Yup, every time it hit the light. This was on a brand-new RV, sitting on the show floor! There are those who say that the problems with RV build quality are overblown. I invite those with that opinion to watch this 22-second video.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Amazon pushes into RV territory with $8 million, 200-site RV park
- Letter to the Editor: RV erupts in flames on I-10—longtime reader loses everything
- RV review: 7 of my favorite high-quality travel trailers without slides
- Tragic RV maintenance accident claims life of retired Florida sergeant
- Using a credit card at the pump could add $1 per gallon
Reader poll
Do you enjoy visiting ghost towns?
Quick tip
Easy windshield cleaning
Keep a can or bottle of good-quality window cleaner within easy reach when you stop to fuel up. Before starting to pump fuel, spray your windshield liberally with the window cleaner. Let it sit while fueling and then use the “usually” available squeegee to easily remove the bug guts. The cleaner virtually dissolves and also releases the bug guts from the glass and it saves a whole lot of scrubbing. —Our thanks to George B.!
GET COOKIN’! Here are some of our favorite Memorial Day weekend recipes.
On this day last year…
- Tip: You’re using your RV power awning wrong!
- Ask Dave: I installed SumoSprings on the front of my F-53. What’s best on the rear for roll control?
- RV walk-through: MeerKat CampKat: A bare-bones teardrop trailer—Make it how you want it
- Video: Favorite boondocking gadgets and mods
- Featured article: Use caution if using pressure washer on or near tires
Website of the day
The Most Accessible National Parks in the U.S.
These parks have paved pathways, all-terrain wheelchairs for rent and more accessibility features that welcome mobility-challenged guests. (This article was posted in 2022 so even more updates have been made since then, but this article serves as a good guideline for visitors.)
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
What if we told you we had a solution to saving space for one of your all-time favorite items? Maybe you could even *gasp* get more of these items? Check it out.
Trivia
Las Vegas has more hotel rooms than any other city in the U.S.—over 150,000! In fact, if you stayed in a different hotel room every night, it would take you more than 400 years to sleep in them all!
Readers’ pet of the day
“Marty (Hairless Chinese Crested, age 11) is a rescue who was abused for his first 1-1/2 years. He is skittish around strangers and nearly always on ‘alert’ when we are camping, but he will relax on occasion, like he is in this picture!” —Susan Whitmire
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
The inventor of the throat lozenge died.
There will be no coffin at his funeral!
FINISHED WITH TODAY’S NEWSLETTER? Good! Now it’s time to catch up on yesterday’s brand-new Great RV Accessories newsletter! Read it here.
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.
The Big-time boo-boo: RV door hits overhead light in brand-new RV won’t let you comment.
The article is an old one from 2024 (date at the top). Comments are closed on these recycled articles.
Would be interesting knowing the Manufacturer!!
@Susan W, Bless you for taking in Marty and giving him a good home. He surely looks relaxed in the picture.
There is no can of beer next to the dog!
LOL Nope don’t see one.
Featured articleBig-time boo-boo: RV door hits overhead light in brand-new RV
three ads an no video. I give up
Sorry you’re having trouble seeing the video, Joe. Maybe you have something set up on your device that’s blocking it. I just double-checked and can see the video fine, and we haven’t had any other comments about it, that I know of. Here’s a link to it. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Thank you for rescuing Marty, Susan! I hope that you have many more camping adventures and that Marty is able to relax similarly some of the time. Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great werkend and safe travels!
As we struggle with stuff in available space, we have to remember how many of us were backpackers or had a little popup trailer with children.