Issue 2719
Today’s thought
“Journalism should never be prostituted for selfish ends or for the sake of merely earning a livelihood or, worse still, for amassing money.” —Mahatma Gandhi
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Red Wine Day!
On this day in history: 1937 – Toyota Motors becomes an independent company.
Tip of the day
How to use a multimeter for RVers
By Cheri Sicard
The team from Love your RV & Boat on YouTube has produced a handy video that shows RVers how to use a multimeter.
This inexpensive little tool is a must-have for your RV toolbox. On the advice of RV tech guru Dave Solberg, I picked one up from Harbor Freight for under six bucks. I then looked for a video on how to use it. Before I could get to it, Dave called me up and walked me through the process of using the tool to diagnose a battery issue I was having.
OK, I didn’t need the video. That time. But I still wanted to understand what this tool does. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
Is trailer’s wrinkled front cap due to delamination from heat?
Dear Dave,
Is this [picture of trailer] delamination of the front and bottom of the back? Or can it be from sitting in direct sunlight and high temperatures and closed up for the last 4 years, just opened occasionally. —Dawana, 2015 Dutchmen Kodiak Read Dave’s answer.
Article and video
Avoiding RV title transfer and VIN verification problems when buying a used RV
By Cheri Sicard
Author Robin Barrett of Creativity RV recently bought a used Airstream. She says she made a BIG mistake in regard to the RV title transfer and VIN verification process that could have cost her all her money. Had Robin not been able to remedy this mistake, and it did take some creative problem-solving skills, she would have had the trailer, BUT she would not have been able to register it, use it, or even sell it. Continue reading for Robin’s story.
Featured article
Around the Campfire: RVers’ sightseeing tips that save you money
By Gail Marsh
A recent campfire conversation generated great tips RVers can use to enjoy special events, museums, and other sightseeing opportunities without breaking the bank. RVers travel to see new places and experience things that are not available back home. Here are some ideas that the campfire folks shared this past week for saving money while sightseeing.
“Fix It In Foil. Tasty Recipes! Easy Clean-Ups!”
Easy prep, great taste, good nutrition, quick clean-up! “Fix It In Foil” includes 51 fantastic recipes to make in foil — plus instructions for cooking in an oven, on an outdoor grill, or on a campfire. Fix it in foil and forget about scrubbing pots and pans. And, with plenty of substitution suggestions, enjoy a whole new list of recipe possibilities! Great for RVing! RVtravel.com BEST-SELLER! Learn more or order.
BUMPER SNICKER: “Honk if you’re against noise pollution.”
Reader poll
Is RVing more about “getting there” or “being there”?
POLL FROM THE PAST: If there were a permanent moon base, would you spend a week there if invited? How many of our readers would be THAT daring?
Quick tip
Pinless meter shows moisture in walls, ceilings
Planning on buying a used RV? Water leakage is a sure-fire way to kill a rig. But how can you “see” inside the walls or ceiling of an RV to detect moisture? Here’s a neat device that non-invasively detects and reports on moisture levels under a variety of materials up to 3/4″ deep. “Looks” under drywall, paneling, softwood, and hardwood. At about $40, it might just save your bacon. Here are some on Amazon.
On this day last year…
- RV review: 2025 Jayco Jay Feather Air 18MBH—Jayco makes big quality changes
- Ask Dave: No 12-volt power to RV thermostat or vent fans. Can’t find cause
- Video: Fire truck RV conversion is HOT!
- Featured article: Rophor RV Levelers: Streamlined solution for double-axle trailers
Website of the day
Space Weather
We always seem to have outer space on our minds, but we think you’ll find this website pretty neat, too. On it, you’ll find news and information about the weather in outer space. It’s a fun website to explore.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
The description for this product reads, “Not intended for those who do not like fun, or laughing, or parties, or cards, or Moose, especially Moose.” So, in other words, if you’re incredibly boring and don’t like one of the world’s coolest animals… don’t click here.
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:
• 45 percent say the bed in their RV is not the original mattress it came with.
• The majority of voters, 53 percent, go to Amazon first to buy their RV parts and accessories. The next most popular stop is a local RV dealer store.
• 24 percent have ordered take-out delivery to their home or RV within the past month.
Recent poll: In general, which type of RV are you most interested in reading/learning more about?
Trivia
If you ever find yourself in New York City, hop on the local 6 train downtown (the subway) and stay on after the last stop. The train loops around to go back uptown, but before doing so goes through the beautiful old, and now abandoned, City Hall station. As soon as the doors close at the last stop, stand up and press your face up against a window on your right side and watch the station go by. It’s neat! Here’s more info about it (scroll down).
Readers’ pet of the day
“Duke is a rescue dog (Great Dane/American Staffordshire mix, age 12) who loves to go camping. He thinks our travel trailer is his, and he lets us use it. We call him ‘the old man.'” —Matt Harrison
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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Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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Duke – what an admirable quality…sharing your RV with your people. You keep letting them tag along…as long as they obey you! Don
Duke is adorable, and that’s also my favorite spot too (in front of the fireplace) nice & warm on a cool morning. Thank you for rescuing!
Your going to b___ch like hell when that local RV shop closes up because of big A…SHOP local,they pay taxes, support local charities and your kids sports programs +++
Hi, Ron…I’m thinking you live somewhere more urban than we do (nearest village pop.300, limited stores 30 min away, none of them RV shops.) I have a love/hate relationship with A.com… but yes, shop local whenever possible. When impossible, I order.
Similar to the comments by Rebecca, we don’t have a local RV shop within a 45 minute radius of our town. I’m not driving a 90 minutes round trip to pick up something for the RV. I have a love/hate relationship with Amazon but it is necessary for rural areas that don’t have a lot of shopping options.
Duke- I’d love to meet him!
Thank you, Emily and Diane! I get the laugh for today. Ones future has so many variables that it makes ones head hurt, so sleep is the only recourse. Alternately, ones RV trip is finite, and has many fewer variables than life, so planning it seems manageable rather than overwhelming. True? Have a great day and safe travels!