Issue 2669
Today’s thought
“The best portion of a good man’s life: his little, nameless unremembered acts of kindness and love.” ―
Today is Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.
Tip of the day
Moochdocking 101: How to score free camping and get invited back
Moochdocking. Verb.
The act of staying in your RV in a friend’s driveway or on their property. May or may not include electrical and/or water hookups.
Moochdocking can be a wonderful way to not only save money on campgrounds but also to connect or reconnect with friends and family for memorable and meaningful interactions. When on the road, I always try to intersperse moochdocking with other camping options along the way. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
Hitch ball on trailer’s anti-sway device is scarring. Should I be worried?
Dear Dave,
I have about 3000 miles on this little TT. The ball is scarring on the new Blue Ox anti-sway hitch installed at the dealer. I’ve not had a hitch ball scar before. Thoughts? Regards, Kevin, 2025 Geo Pro 15FBS Read Dave’s answer.
Article and video
This $40K electric van might be the perfect off-grid camper platform
By Cheri Sicard
Dreaming of the perfect off-grid camper but tired of the same old gas work trucks or pricey custom builds? One creator from Power of Light thinks the answer starts with an affordable electric van that packs serious muscle, with the numbers and features to prove it. Check it out.
BUMPER SNICKER: “I’m planning to be spontaneous.”
Featured article
What is RV “lot rot” and why it could be your golden ticket to huge savings
By Dave Helgeson
Lot rot: A term used to describe a new vehicle that has sat on a dealer’s lot for an extended period and is beginning to show signs of aging. … All dealers have seen it at some point. An RV is in near-perfect condition when it’s delivered to the dealer’s sales lot from the manufacturer. But slowly, the sun, rain, dust, and debris take a toll. … Learn how you might use lot rot to your advantage when buying a new RV. Read more.
Reader poll
Do you like having your photo taken?
Fire-resistant bag keeps valuables safe!
This silicone-coated fire-resistant bag will save your money, documents, jewelry, passport and other valuables from a fire. Its two layers of supreme fire retardant fiberglass material make it resist fire and heat up to 2000℉. It’s waterproof, too, so when the hoses arrive, your valuables won’t be harmed. Learn more or order.
Quick tip
Floor vents: Trick to prevent traps
Floor vents gather dust, dirt, and dog hair, plus the occasional wedding ring. Cover them with contact paper during the summer months and save work later.
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: Everything you need to know about charging RV batteries
- RV review: Palomino River Ranch 393RL fifth wheel floor is all on one level
- Video: 5 beginner tips for planning a cross-country road trip
- Featured article: This RV is shaped like a USB flash drive
Website of the day
PopPhoto
Whether you’re an experienced photographer or not, this website has a little something photography-related for everyone. Lots of good articles and information here.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
You said yoga class? Ohhhh. We thought you said pour a glass! We’d rather pour a glass, and this is all the inspiration we needed! Thanks.
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:
• 74 percent cook with and use butter, not margarine.
• If an evacuation were ordered, 91 percent say their RV could be ready to go in two hours or less if need be.
• 40 percent of trailer and 5th wheel owners say their rig has a tire pressure monitoring system.
Recent poll: Did you buy your present RV new or used?
Trivia
Juneteenth marks the day—June 19, 1865—when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that all enslaved people were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The news sparked a mass exodus known as the “Scatter,” and Juneteenth has since been celebrated under names like Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, and Second Independence Day.
Readers’ pet of the day
“TidBit (Mini American Shepherd, age 5) is tiny but fearless. She competes in dog agility, has three AKC Tricks titles, and is always up for anything. We travel in a Jayco Greyhawk 29MV with our four dogs (the other three are Shelties), and they make our adventures interesting, to say the least. This photo was taken at Orion Oaks Dog Park in Lake Orion, Michigan.” —Kip Kirby
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
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Those “fire resistant” bags don’t work. Read the reviews where people actually tested them. The trim and zippers melt and the bags fall apart. The contents are destroyed.
The UL94 test. It says the flame should extinguish 10-20 seconds after the ignition source is removed. Doesn’t do much good if the bag is in an actual fire.
Even fire proof safes and lock boxes have a time and temperature limit. Most are 30-60 minutes at 1700º, and those are steel, insulated boxes.
We bought one at Harbor Freight to organize our documents in our fire resistant safe. Didn’t think stuffing them into a flammable manila envelope would be reduce the kindling count.
The funny thing is, the stitching and Velcro that holds it together are not made of the same fire resistant material and will burn away just as you’d expect from normal thread and Velcro.
It does help organize but I thinking spitting on the fire offers more protection than the fire wrap from Harbor Freight.
That’s why we jokingly call it “Horrible Freight”.
They’ve got good stuff there too.
Even if you only get a couple uses out of it. It’s better than buying name brand tools. Their tools are good for how much you use them.
Go Tidbit! What a happy traveling bunch you all must be Kip! Thanks for sharing.
Tidbit is gorgeous. Enjoy your travels with all your fur babies.
Juneteenth does not mark the date all slaves in the U.S. were set free. It only marks the date in 1865 that Texas (specifically Galveston) was apprised of Lincoln’s Emancipation Declaration, i.e., that all states that joined the rebellion (Confederate action to secede) were free. There were states that had slavery that did not secede and slaves in those states were not set free. Six months later, in December 1865, the 13th Amendment was ratified. This is actually when all slaves everywhere in the U.S. were set free.
We still have slaves in the US. All the poor Americans that our politicians refuse to raise the minimum wage and can’t afford healthcare and dentists.
Minimum wage was never meant to be a wage to support a family on. It’s an “entry-level” wage till you prove to your employer that you’re worth a higher wage. The moment you arbitrarily force any employer to raise their wages, their products and services go up the same amount. Should be simple to understand.
Sadly employers have figured out that they can pay folks minimum wage for lots of jobs that are NOT “entry-level” positions. There are not enough higher paying jobs for high school graduates that don’t have the aptitude to do higher skilled work, apprenticeship training, or college. These adults are often funneled to retail or restaurant positions. Employers under pay them & they end up needing taxpayer funded housing, food & medical assistance. I assisted these folks through HUD. The employers would tell them that “if we pay you more you lose ALL your government aid” therefore they never get ahead. It’s often referred to as the Sam Walmart business system as he perfected it.
Raising the minimum wage will never solve the problem – it’ll only create multiple other problems. Again, pretty simple. The only “Free Lunch,” especially if it’s coming from the government, will always be in a rat trap.
a couple of thoughts
Great picture, Kip! I hope that you and TidBit have many, many RV adventures in the coming years. Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great weekend and safe travels!