Issue 2665
Today’s thought
“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Sewing Machine Day!
On this day in history: 1777 – The Second Continental Congress passes the Flag Act of 1777, adopting the Stars and Stripes as the Flag of the United States.
Tip of the day
Sagging, loose cables are a silent threat to your RV’s slide-outs
By Andrew Herrick
Sagging cables are a harbinger of bad things to come. If you roll the dice on your cable-driven RV slide-out, you might get lucky, or you might hear a BOOM!… and now your slide-out won’t move.
Cable-driven slide-out systems are a popular choice for new RV installations. They are lightweight, modular, and easy to install. The BAL® Accu-Slide™ system is the most well-known. It is sold in two configurations: regular and Double Back. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
Why does one RV air conditioner blow warm air while driving?
Dear Dave,
I’ve just returned from Talladega, marking our second successful long distance road trip. On both trips we have run the generator and both air conditioner units to keep us cool. Both times while at road speed (55-65 mph) the rear air unit shows it’s cooling but warm air just barely blows out. Once we slow down or stop, it immediately returns to normal cold air flow. The front air cools normally. Have you experienced this? Is the wind on top of the coach combating the efforts of the fan and A/C? —Matt, 2018 Coachmen Sportscoach 404RB Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Cool Tools: Use the DeWalt Impact Wrench for daily RV tasks
Join me as I share what we like to call “Cool RV Tools.” These are tools and gadgets that we actually use in the RV industry! We also believe they will be helpful to you when you need to make repairs while out on the road. Today, I’m introducing the DeWalt 20V MAX XR 1/2 in. High Torque Impact Wrench—the powerhouse tool for your daily tasks!
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: Unless your motorhome or tow vehicle’s headlights are always on, switch to your parking lights when driving in a campground after dark. Your neighbors will appreciate it.
Do you enjoy these random RV thoughts? Then you’ll love reading Chuck Woodbury’s random thoughts from the road in 1988. Oh, what America, road trips, and small towns used to be like!
Article and video
RV inspector recommends the best older motorhome brands
By Cheri Sicard
With guidance from years of RV inspections and living on the road, certified RV inspector Deb of Deb’s RV Services curated the list in the video near the bottom of this page that spotlights the 11 RV brands and models that keep rolling mile after mile. (Yes, I know the video claims 10 best older motorhome brands, but since Deb’s list includes an honorable mention, that makes it 11). What sets the best older motorhome brands apart? Find out here.
Featured article
Using magnets, and the best magnetized gadgets, in your RV
By Gail Marsh
As an avid RVer, I like to discover small, lightweight items that make life on the road a bit easier. Magnets fit that description. In fact, magnets are so versatile in strength and style that we use them in almost every area of the RV. Read on and you’ll see the many and varied ways to use magnets while RVing.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- KOA changes its cancellation policy
- RV review: Brinkley Model I 235—Time to make our voices heard
- Does this Love’s campground represent the future of RVing?
- RVer dies from brain-eating amoeba in campground water
- What the public doesn’t see in national park budget cuts
Reader poll
Have you ever had a bear wander into your campsite?
Quick tip
Happiness is a matter of attitude
You have complete control over your attitude. Many people love small RVs. I know a lot more people who have sold their big RV and bought a smaller one than I know who have sold their small RV and gone with a larger one. Keeping up with the Joneses is basically non-existent in the RV world. More than likely, most of your life, you were always wanting a bigger house, a nicer car, and more of the latest “stuff.” The advertising media have done a good job of making us unhappy with what we have, and of convincing us to always want more. Most RVers (at least the ones who are the happiest) have learned that, in many cases, having less makes them happier than having more. —From RVing: Less Hassle—More Joy: Secrets of Having More Fun with Your RV—Even on a Limited Budget
On this day last year…
- Tip: How to choose a cool campsite in the hot summer
- Ask Dave: Shouldn’t my solar panel keep RV’s battery charged during storage?
- RV review: 2024 Salem Hemisphere Hyper-Lyte 27RKHL travel trailer
- Video: RV tech reveals the 3 most common lies RV salesmen tell
- Featured article: You may be breaking a state law and not even know it!
Website of the day
10 Best Places To Go Snorkeling in the U.S.
Let’s make this the year you try something new, shall we? Snorkeling is a fun, beautiful place to start. This list gives you the best states to snorkel in, and the best places to go snorkeling in each of those states.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
This made us smile. It’s something we all do, and it’s the best part about being an RVer, isn’t it?
Trivia
The first McDonald’s drive-through was inspired by the military in 1975. McDonald’s had a base near one of the restaurants but the soldiers were not allowed to leave the cars while wearing fatigues… and that spells “opportunity.”
Read more: How it Happened: You can thank the military for the drive-thru window
Readers’ pet of the day
“Romeo (Morkie, Maltese/Yorkie mix, age 4) is a very happy dog as long as he is with us. He loves camping and quickly got used to our new 5th wheel, which has large windows that allow him to keep an eye on all the things going on outside. Needless to say, he loves staying on alert to the activities in the campgrounds we visit.” —Rosemary McLain
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
Current fire and smoke map from AirNow
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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Today when I hit the blue “link” it took me to a bank selling their stuff. I couldn’t even get to the Reader poll results or the Amazon link.
I had no trouble – but then, I use DuckDuckGo to avoid junk like that.
Brave browser beats duck duck go. Safer.
No thanks, it’s directly integrated with Google.
No trouble here either! Maybe you need to scan your device for gremlins.
Seems the weather map has been wrong the past few days. I live near Pittsburgh and the map has shown rain and thunderstorms. Both days were sunny with temps in the 80’s. Today’s map also shows this. Local weather says partly cloudy.
Are you just looking at the pic of map or going to the actual link?
Picture of the map. Supposedly refreshed twice a day.
Just looked at the website and it is indeed different.
Romeo is a handsome guy. I bet he alerts you to everything happening around you.
When I have an urge to upgrade to a larger travel trailer, I thoroughly wash my current trailer. by the time i have finished I think that this trailer is probably big enough after all.
Romeo is stylin’ in that sweater!
happy travels boy!
Ft Huachuca soldiers triggered the drive up window. Ft Huachuca is in Arizona north of Sierra Vista tucked into the mountain range to the west.
I mounted magnets inside one of my outside cabinets. They are mounted on the side, at the very top of the cabinet. I always put my hitch pin and weight distribution spring locking pins here.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Me? I’d rather be skinny. 😉 DW? It depends on her mood. Within the.same week? Red AND white, plus a little Diet Coke and Jim Beam once in a while. 😉 Have a great weekend and safe travels!