Issue 2658
Today’s thought
“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” —Thomas Watson, president of IBM, 1943
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Cheese Day!
On this day in history: 1896 – Henry Ford completes the Ford Quadricycle, his first gasoline-powered automobile, and gives it a successful test run.
Tip of the day
Fairgrounds camping: Don’t overlook these affordable, sometimes free, ‘campgrounds’
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Traveling the back country of Idaho, we were bereft of where to stay. We had no great desire to spend big bucks for an RV park where we’d use hardly any of the amenities. The distaff side wasn’t inclined to hitting the boonies. Where to go? At a fuel station in Bonner’s Ferry we inquired about the whereabouts of a county fairgrounds. “Just up the road in downtown.” A classic case of double-taking, but OK, down the road to downtown we went.
Despite a prevaricating GPS unit, we eventually found the county fairgrounds. And sure enough, fairgrounds camping was allowed—and, to top it off, allowed for free. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
Why won’t RV’s converter charge the battery unless reset button is pushed?
Dear Dave,
My RV’s converter is not sending voltage to the battery. I put in a new battery, but it didn’t fix the problem. When I push the reset button on the circuit board, the battery starts charging. After a while it stops charging until I push the reset button again. I have noticed that the fan is not coming on. Do I need a new fan, or a new converter? The converter is a 2019 Progressive Dynamics. —Joe, 2021 Prime Time Crusader 26RD Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Are the most common RV issues covered under warranty?
Join me in a video as I delve into some of the most common RV issues plaguing the industry today. In an interview with Wholesale Warranties, I chatted with Staci and discussed these top issues and whether they are covered claims under warranty. Click here to watch.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: If you feed a wild animal, you might as well shoot it afterward because by feeding it you might be killing it, too. When you feed a wild animal, it could become dependent on human food instead of looking for food as nature intended. When winter comes and the tourists are gone, the critter could starve to death.
RVers urged to speak out as industry leaders meet in D.C.
Did you know that the “RVs Move America Week” has kicked off in Washington, D.C.? This weeklong event is organized by the RV Industry Association (RVIA). Industry representatives come together to shape a long-term strategy for guiding the continued growth of the $140 billion RV sector. On Advocacy Day (today!) RVIA participants head to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers and advocate for key priorities affecting the RV industry. Learn more and make your voice heard.
Article and video
Minibus RV conversion: A Craftsman cottage on wheels
By Cheri Sicard
In today’s video, we meet Kevin, who transformed a mini school bus into a stunning living space he affectionately calls “Bev the Bus.” Viewers get to explore every nook and cranny of this minibus RV, from the tiled shower to the beautiful wood accents and dog-friendly features. Check it out—you might want one!
Featured article
How squatters could move into your RV or onto your land
By Gail Marsh
Dive into the potential risks of leaving your RV unattended as law enforcement struggles to combat this emerging issue. Explore the vulnerabilities of RV locks and the unexpected challenges faced by property owners like Tommy Kramer, embroiled in a months-long battle to reclaim their land from determined RV squatters. Could squatters live in your RV? Could they stay on your land? Find out here.
Reader poll
Do one or more of your pets sleep in bed with you at night?
Helpful resources
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
• LATEST RV RECALLS
• DIRECTORY OF RV PARKS WITH STORM SHELTERS
• THE BEST RV TRIP PLANNER APPS AND TOOLS
• CURRENT WILDFIRE REPORT
• CURRENT SMOKE REPORT
Quick tip
Stop slideout plumbing leaks before they start
Responding to a story we posted regarding water damage to RVs, longtime reader Dave Telenko pointed out an area of concern that some RVers might miss. “Another spot to check is the kitchen slide—not only the pressurized water, but the drain line that flexes back and forth every time the slide goes in and out. On our 2017 Forest River 34Q, there was such a leak. The problem is the mating of a soft flexible hose (bilge hose) into standard ABS (house plumbing) pipes with a compression-type fitting. It didn’t work and leaked, and would never work. I put a piece of metal on the inside of the soft hose and then tightened up the fitting. It was tight. I tried to pull it out and no way could I do it.” Thanks, Dave!
BUMPER SNICKER: “I’m not over the hill, I just have a great view of the valley.”
On this day last year…
- Tip: BleedStop should be in every first aid kit to stop bleeding
- Ask Dave: Does Dawn dish soap keep RV black tanks clean?
- RV walk-through: 2024 Clipper 128LS pop-up camper with toilet and shower
- Video: This gorgeous DIY truck camper is made from fence pickets
- Featured article: RV road trip fails: Update your packing lists or be prepared to face the consequences!
Website of the day
The 20 Best State Fairs Around the U.S.
Get your Ferris-wheel-ridin’, corn-dog-eatin’ self ready to have some fun! This list ranks the top 20 state fairs around the country.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
We use one of these and we gotta say, we love it! You’ll use it much more than you think. Trust us.
Trivia
Think there’s just one type of grass? Wrong! There are about 1,400 species of grass just in the U.S. alone. Grasses also make up about 25% of all plant life on Earth.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Fleura (age 19) loves the RV so she can look out of her bedroom window. She knows right where she is when we approach the coach. She was a feral California kitten adopted at an event. A wonderful little pal who is loved every day.” —Suzanne Bell
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
Current fire and smoke map from AirNow
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Related to the pets in bed survey…
King size bed – 2 adults, 4 littles ranging from 4lbs to 12lbs. We usually have no issues until it gets lighter earlier. The 4 pounder thinks, regardless of time, when it starts getting lighter and the birds are chirping, it’s time for everyone to get up! Otherwise, bedtime is pretty uneventful!
Why didn’t you post this in the comments after the poll instead of here?
Comments aren’t available on the survey.
Good morning, Cindy. You’re correct, that comments aren’t available on the survey form itself, but you can comment at the bottom of the post which contains the survey. In fact, at the moment there are 21 comments there regarding the survey. You just need to scroll waaaaaaay down to find the commenting section. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
On feeding wild animals: Feeding the larger ones – bears, sheep, elk, etc. – will make them persistent around other humans. A persistent animal of that size is very dangerous, forcing wildlife management officials to try to relocate them. That rarely works, because they will travel many miles to get back to the territory where they got food. Then, the officials will have to shoot them.
This is the much larger issue (pardon the pun). Feeding leads to nuisance animals that then garner complaints and actions taken by officials that are detrimental to the wildlife.
It can also be detrimental to humans when these habituated animals become aggressive.
That said, I don’t believe animals “forget” their survival skills and just starve when an easy food source is depleted.
Re: Today’s Random RV Thought. I ain’t buying it. I’m thinking wild animals are opportunists and will eat when and where they find food. If I’m wrong, show me the malnourished carcass.
Re: Today’s Trivia. Each of those 1,400 species of grass are growing in my front yard.
Along with hundreds of different weeds!
The article on the RV squatting is a year old. Is there any update on the Florida law or if the Good Samaritan removed the problem?
In one of the pop-up ads, Chuck Woodbury shows using a pool noodle to cover the corners of your slide out. A better option than a pool noodle would be the protecting shaped foam that surrounds replacement windshields at auto glass shops. The corners are already mitered and pre shaped to grip on the glass so will hold on the sheet metal very tightly.And it most likely will be free. Be sure to ask first.
Fleura is beautiful. We had a wonderful cat named Mr. Ricky traveled with us in our RV. He made it almost to his 21st birthday. We now have a 14 year old and 7 year old, very different cats.
We have a 4 year old cat that is the queen of our lives. Often think of getting another one but don’t want to jeopardize the love of our baby.
Glad to take Buddy! Oh, shucks. He’s not part of the offer. Oh, well. 🙂
Glad to see Fleura still living the traveling life at 19. We travel with our 17 year old guy and feel lucky to have him along.
thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great day and safe travels!