Issue 2681
Today’s thought
“If you want to be happy, you have to be happy on purpose. When you wake up, you can’t just wait to see what kind of day you’ll have. You have to decide what kind of day you’ll have.”—Joel Osteen
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Macaroni Day! Mac n cheese sound good? Check out these recipes and make one to celebrate!
On this day in history: 1928 – Sliced bread is sold for the first time (on the inventor’s 48th birthday) by the Chillicothe Baking Company of Chillicothe, Missouri.
Tip of the day
You need a jump starter. Seriously.
By Tony Barthel
You should have a portable jump starter. Seriously. But why, you ask? Many reasons.
I have had a portable jump start device that lives in my truck for years. The most obvious reason to have one is to jump start a vehicle with a dead or weak battery. But it can serve a lot of other purposes as well.
The most obvious reason to have one of these is, of course, because the battery that starts your vehicle is low. With the way the universe works, this normally happens on a cold and rainy night when you’re in a big hurry. Of course. Continue reading.
Tips from this weekend:
- Why RVers need a maintenance calendar, not just a checklist or log book
- What can an RV water softener do for you?
- Why RV stabilizer extension matters more than you think
- How to pick out the best sweet corn
- Learn the basics of setting tire pressure and testing TPMS
Ask Dave
Why does water leak from inlet when not connected, overfills tank when it is?
Dear Dave,
The valve at the water inlet to the fresh water tank is leaking when not hooked to the hose. When it is hooked to the hose it seems to be filling the water tank to overflow. Why, and how to fix this? Thanks. —Jenni, 2014 Winnebago Via 25T Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
It may be time to inspect your trailer brakes and bearings
When was the last time you did a trailer brake inspection? During a recent wheel bearing service, we found that this customer’s brake shoes were worn down on three out of the four brakes. This also caused damage to the drums. We also found that the roadside rear brake magnet wiring was cut in half and that the backing plate/shoe and drum were rusted. We found that all bearings were burnt and loose in bearing cages due to lack of lubrication. Don’t let this be you!
Article and video
Visit Bodie, perhaps America’s best ghost town
By Cheri Sicard
If you planned to visit only one ghost town in your life, Bodie would be the one I would recommend. If you are a ghost town enthusiast, Bodie will no doubt be a highlight of your explorations. In the video below, Joel Greene of Our California takes us along on a tour of this fascinating but off-the-beaten-path eastern California destination.
The latest news for RVers
- It’s official: Foreign visitors will pay more to visit national parks
- No, California gas isn’t jumping to $8 overnight
- Love’s opens RV-friendly stop in Winslow, Arizona
- Poop in the parks: A backcountry, backside, problem hits home
To read more recent news, click here.
Secure what’s on those corner shower shelves!
Don’t worry about moving your soap, shampoo or conditioner next time you drive down the road. Instead, easily install one of these stainless steel corner storage bars and keep everything in place—nothing will fall out ever again! These bars come in a one or two-pack and can be adjusted to fit any shelf. They’re specifically made for RVs, which makes them even better! Learn more about them here or order them here.
Featured article
Finding community in campgrounds – like going back to the 1950s
By Rod Andrew
About 14 years ago my wife and I made our first trek south, towing a trailer from British Columbia to Southern California. Early in the trip, we learned something that you readers probably already know, but which came as a surprise to us. We found community. I had thought that traveling would be all about where we went and what we saw and did, but found that this would really only be a small part of what lay ahead. Read the rest of this heartwarming story.
Reader poll
Do you display an American flag when RVing?
Quick tip
Trailer rocking?
If your trailer rocks, even with your stabilizers engaged, check your leaf springs. Worn leaf springs can create quite a seismic disturbance!
Website of the day
The Most Beautiful Places in Canada
Last Friday was all about the U.S., so today we thought we’d show off Canada for all of our Canadian readers. These are the 19 most beautiful places in our neighbor up north and, yep, they’re beautiful, all right!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
We don’t like when we find out about products that could have saved us so much time and cleanup in the past! These are great. We’re buying some.
Trivia
In 5 B.C., ancient Rome became the first city to reach a population of one million. It would be more than eighteen centuries, in 1800, before the second such city, London, would reach that milestone.
Readers’ pets of the day
“This is T-Rex (GSD, 9), Jinx (mixed, 1), and Simba, the camping cat who is 18 years old, at our recent stay on the Potomac River. They are great travelers!” —Mary Masters
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
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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RE: Trivia… very fascinating!
Used to check brakes and grease bearings every spring and never had problems
Breaks?
T-Rex, Jinx, & Simba – what a fine looking eclectic RVing squad! I bet y’all keep your folks in line! Don
Trailer rocking is also caused by not chocking the wheels. Stabilizers do not stop the trailer from moving slightly front to back or side to side.
Using either separate chocks on the wheels, or an X chock between the wheels will eliminate most of the movement.
And using separate beds.
And not being flat-footed
Killjoy!!
Never!!
Just a sign.
If the trailer is rocking, don’t come a-knocking.
Rod Andrew’s story was a nice repeat.
We bought our 1st RV (and no way to tow it – had it commercially moved) to use as the least expensive winter home near family in Texas. We expected living day to day without snow and visiting family. We have developed FAR more close friendships just outside the door of our RV than we ever have in our house’s area.
When our family in Texas considered relocating to a new job (they decided to stay), we went through a tough decision process as to move the RV to another state, or remain close to our friends. Luckily, never had to decide.
Read “Today’s Thought” and quite frankly it is a bunch of bull…. I almost cut the tip off of my finger on the 4th and I sure didn’t think of doing that in the morning. Your day is not predetermined by what attitude you have when you wake up. Having “rosy” thoughts on waking does not guarantee what type of day you will have.
But then, this comment was made by a man who sounds good on TV but only cares about his wealth and himself…
Please, don’t quote this shyster any more… he is repulsive, not for what he preaches but for his actions!
As are your comments.
RE: Trivia, Don’t you wonder how anyone would know this? Did they have a census BC?
Luke 2: “Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth…”
It was a nice surprise to read the highlights of Canada as we are heading up the Icefields Parkway through Banff and onto Jasper next week. It’s been about 10 years, so we are anxious to go up there again!
If your trailer rocks, even with your stabilizers engaged, check your leaf springs. Worn leaf springs can create quite a seismic disturbance!
When I bought my camper brand new, the rocking was terrible. I researched the problem and discussed it with the dealership that I buy my tires from. The Chinese cheap tires do not have any sidewall strength and will eventually blowout. I replaced them with 60,000 mile best tires. No more trailer rocking on the highway.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great week and safe travels!
I know what it feels like to push the complaint button. I’ve done it a few times.