Issue 2694
Today’s thought
“He who will not economize will have to agonize.” —Confucius
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Drive-Thru Day! Ever wonder how the drive-through was invented? Well, you can thank the military when you find out!
On this day in history: 1847 – Richard March Hoe, American inventor, patented the rotary-type printing press.
Tip of the day
Easy ways to make your RV’s entry steps safer
By Gail Marsh
A fellow camper recently fell and broke her arm. It happened on her RV entry steps at night. She simply tripped over the bottom step and the next thing you know, she’s on her way to the local ER. The incident got me thinking about tips for safe RV entry steps.
No matter what type of step system your RV has, you may be able to make them safer—for you, your family, and pets. Many of the tips I’ll share cost very little, especially compared to what an ER visit may set you back. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
What’s the best way to repair soft spot in RV’s floor?
Dear Dave,
There is a soft spot in my hallway floor behind a slide. It is close to the wall. Can I peel the floor back without damaging it, and is it repairable without tearing a lot out? Or can I cut the underbelly open and look from the bottom? —Ed, 2022 Hampton Park model Read Dave’s answer.
Article and video
Take a ‘Breaking Bad’ tour of Albuquerque
By Cheri Sicard
If you were a fan of the hit TV show Breaking Bad, you are going to want to check out this video from Traveling Robert. In it, Robert takes us on a Breaking Bad tour of Albuquerque, NM, in his own unique style. Actually, Breaking Bad is just one component of Robert’s explorations of Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city. Therefore, it’s a good video to watch for anyone planning an Albuquerque visit, regardless of your affinity for the show. If you don’t want to watch the video, I break it all down for you in the article, too.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: Many states are having financial problems. Many have already shut down state parks or are threatening to shut them down. Help show your support by visiting your favorite state park. Stay for the day or camp for a few days. Your admission and camping fees will add up and could make a difference in whether the park stays or goes.
Featured article
Etekcity Infrared Thermometer for grill, RV and home use
By Cheri Sicard
This versatile point-and-click infrared thermometer has uses inside the RV (or home) and out, especially now that grilling and barbecue season is upon us. Certain grilling techniques require temperature monitoring, especially low-and-slow smoking, or high-temperature pizza making, in addition to a host of other outdoor and indoor cooking tasks. Click here to learn more.
Reader poll
Which of these fast food chain restaurants is your favorite?
Quick tip
Make your TV/cable connectors in basement storage more accessible
If the TV and/or satellite cable connectors are stashed away inside a basement storage unit (and probably under a “weather-tight cover,” too), you’re probably tired of skinning up your fingers and breaking your back when hooking up. Phil P. has a workaround. “What I did was get two short sections of cable that would reach to the outside of the trailer. That way I would only have to fight my way through connecting to the RV once. I then put male adapters on the ends. I have one hooked to the cable input and one to the satellite input and it makes life a lot easier and no skinned fingers!” Thanks, Phil!
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: Can I keep trailer parked at home plugged into 120-volt source?
- RV review: 2025 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE—nice floorplan
- Featured article: Meet Marian, the 92-year-old RVing adventurer
Website of the day
RVupgrades.com
Once you’re on this site, click on “Menu” at the top of the page. Did you just gasp? Yeah, so did we. This online store has everything (eeeeeverything) you need to repair or upgrade your RV. You may be able to find these products somewhere else for less money, but here they’re all in one place to see and compare. Happy shopping!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
If you knew something might save your life someday, you’d want it, right? Well… you may want to keep this handy.
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:
• 78 percent are Amazon Prime members.
• 9 percent only use disposable plates in their RV.
• 74 percent always make sure to bring an electric toaster with them in their RV.
Recent poll: Does your present life meet, exceed, or fall short of your younger self’s expectations?
Trivia
When you think of camels, you probably envision them in a Middle Eastern desert, right? Well, surprisingly, Australia has the largest population of feral camels in the world. Between 1860 and 1907, about 10,000 camels were imported to Australia from India, North Africa, China and Mongolia—they were much better suited to life in the outback than horses. That original group of 10,000 has grown to approximately 1,000,000 over the years. Now Australia exports camels to the Middle East, mostly Saudi Arabia, to help the countries keep up with the demand for camels and camel meat.
BUMPER SNICKER: Irony. The opposite of wrinkly.
Readers’ pets of the day
“TidBit, Hurricane Allie, Laney, and Navarre (Shelties, Mini American Shepherd, ages 6-8 years). We love traveling with these girls! And they love RV life! We did upgrade to a 32-foot motorhome to give us more space, lol.” —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
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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Camels originated on the North and Central America land mass. They traveled toward Asia and beyond via the Siberian land bridge.
Australia has the largest feral population of camels. 🤯
Vist The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Unless you are already familiar with the Ice Age mammals that roamed North America, you will be surprised.
I have ordered from RVUpgrade Store numerous times. Last year on our way across Montana to the FMCA rally in Oregon, DW got a little anxious and stepped out of the motorhome while the electric steps were still moving. The push rod broke, which means the steps just “hung” there, unusable. I called several mobile techs…nothing. I found the part on RVUpgrade and called them explaining the need for a rush shipment. We were moving the next day to another camp in the boonies of north central Montana. They rushed the shipment out from the West coast and it arrived in just two days at our campground.
Great service! Like any retailer, they have some best prices and some high prices.
What a great looking RV “Pack”. You have your own Caravan! Lot’s of future memories to be made. Don
Love your gang of shelties Kip!
thanks for sharing
How about RVTravel have some natural disaster classes and articles, from floods in Texas, Fires in California, f-6 tonadoes in the mid west, and hurricanes creeping up the East coast.
That is quite a pack you have Kip! I can see why you got a larger RV. May you have many wonderful adventures together! Thank you, Emily and Diane!