Issue 2723
Today’s thought
“As it has been said:
Love and a cough
cannot be concealed.
Even a small cough.
Even a small love.” ―Anne Sexton
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Bowling League Day!
On this day in history: 1895 – John Brallier becomes the first openly paid professional American football player, when he was paid $10 by David Berry to play for the Latrobe Athletic Association in a 12–0 win over the Jeanette Athletic Association.
Tip of the day
The best tool to diagnose your RV’s air conditioner health
Certified RV technician Chris Dougherty discusses the importance of an infrared thermometer for RV owners. He explains that many common questions about RVs involve temperature issues, whether it’s with the air conditioning system, refrigerator, stove, or even the wheels and hubs.
Chris recommends that every RVer have this handy tool in their toolbox.
RV review
2025 Palomino Puma 121RKCE: A terrific, affordable camping trailer. And it’s tiny!
By Chuck Woodbury
Look at the size of this trailer. Wow! Is it pint-sized or what? Actually, it’s 16 feet long. It doesn’t look like that to me, but then I didn’t actually measure it. Watch the video at the bottom of this article, and I believe you will be impressed at how smartly this small 2025 Palomino Puma 121RKCE travel trailer is designed.
RVer compares black tank treatments: These two work!
Joshua from the YouTube channel RV Gear & Far tests eight different black tank treatments to see which ones work and which ones don’t. Spoiler alert: Liquified and Unique RV Digest-It+ were the big winners when it came to breaking down the waste. Read the story and watch the video to compare. (We’re buying some Liquified right now!)
Ask Dave
RV refrigerator does not work, but there are no error codes
Dear Dave,
Our Norcold DC/propane fridge stopped working but there are no fault lights to indicate the problem. We have been in this F/T spot for 10 years, so nothing really changed. Weather warmed a bit during the week it failed, but it was not that hot (upper 70s–low 80s). How can I tell what part needs fixing? —EJ, 2011 Dutchmen Rainier Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Prevent water heater explosions by knowing the signs
Water heater explosions are rare, but when they do happen, they can be devastating. Do not wait for a catastrophe. Here are a few signs your water heater will give before bursting.
Article and video
An RV that looks like a bear trap—craziest camper ever?
By Cheri Sicard
Camping often means finding a way to carve out a little peace, even in busy parks. Our favorite oddball RV builder, Steve Wallis, took this to a new level by camping inside a fake bear trap. With a creative, low-key way to claim your space, he shows how a simple illusion can guarantee solitude on a crowded night. This is insane!
Featured article
RVing NM’s otherworldly Valley of Fires National Recreation Area
By Cheri Sicard
After spending the last six months exploring here, I have come to think of New Mexico as the land of otherworldly landscapes. I talked about this in my article about City of Rocks State Park, and I encountered it again at Bandelier National Monument, and at the topic of this post, the Valley of Fires National Recreation area. And all these odd landscapes are distinctly different from one another! Continue reading.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: This is a bad situation: You pull into a campground beneath a beautiful pine tree. You dine, enjoy a campfire, then go to sleep. At dawn, a loud “boom” explodes on your rooftop waking you from your peaceful slumber. Then there’s a second, and a third! Terrorist explosives on the roof? No, just a squirrel dining above on pine cones or fruit, dropping it when finished. You step outside and see him 50 feet above you. You say “shoo squirrel,” and he looks at you with authority and says, “No, the food is good and you can’t do a thing about it.” And you realize that we humans do not always have the upper hand with nature, even small rodents.
Reader poll
In your career’s prime, was your work more about using your brain or your brawn?
Helpful resources
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
• LATEST RV RECALLS
• CURRENT WILDFIRE REPORT
• CURRENT SMOKE REPORT
Quick tip
A battery fill solution for close quarters
“The standard battery service bottle doesn’t work in my Bounder 38N battery compartment—too tall. I use a squirt bottle with a nozzle, attaching a length of 1/4″ vinyl tubing to the spray port. I add the distilled water by placing the tube in the service opening and pumping the spray nozzle. I use a flashlight and mirror to check the level.” Thanks to Phil A.
On this day last year…
- RV walk-through: The longest RV! Tour the Luxe Elite 46RKB fifth wheel!
- Ask Dave: Reader says: “RVIA is all hat, no cattle.” What about RV electrical codes?
- Video: Med student saves rent by living in Transit van RV “dorm room”
- Featured article: You won’t believe this “mobile toilet”!
Website of the day
Reddit thread: What’s the most beautiful place in the USA?
This Reddit thread has nearly 400 comments of people discussing what they think is the most beautiful place in the U.S. This is interesting and fun to read through! What would yours be?
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Are you a snacker? Well, what’s the one snack you’d NEVER eat? Is it this? We bet it is! Or…wait… Would you? WOULD YOU?
Trivia
Did you know each of those red/orange and white sections mean something? If not, now you do!
Readers’ pet of the day
“Tupper (Australian Labradoodle, age 3) is named after a lake in the Adirondacks! Loves to be outside. Has traveled across the USA. Loves to hug. Always ready to play. Our first non-shedding dog—a game-changer for us!” —Rick Palmer
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
Yikes! Don’t take this sign literally!
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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Tupper is a fine looking dog. Thanks for sharing.
Wouldn’t it be nice if the Dept of Hwys had a flag, windsock or even 5 feet of surveyor’s tape strung out near the highways for us RVers that are towing to know the direction and strength of the wind.
Free, and recycled, battery filler: Heinz plastic ketchup bottle. Lift the top – find 1/4″ hole – insert a 1/4″ tube to reach the bottom and long enuf to reach your battery. Fill with distilled water and squeeze the bottle as needed. To stop the flow, stop squeezing, (or an accidental squeeze), pull the tube up out of the water. (Like normal directions we find these days – “remove the ketchup first before filling with distilled water”! – HA!)
And no disclaimer about removing the lid to add water to the bottle as that would be quicker.
Oops – I hope I didn’t mess up too many with that oversight! Thanks for the reminder Impavid!
Congratulations on a non-shedder, Rick! I am highly envious. May you have many wonderful trips together. Thank you, Emily and Diane! I think that I’ll pass on trying spiders, regardless of how environmentally friendly it may be. Yikes! I could not comment additionally on Cheri’s travel article, but those were a couple of beautiful pictures. They certainly make traveling there attractive. Have a great day and safe travels!
Battery fill solution, check out Flow Rite battery watering systems. It has auto shut off when cells are full. The hardest part is installing in a tight space, might need to remove batteries to install after that easy peasy filling.
Tupper is a handsome (I am assuming a boy, if not beautiful 🙂 ) boy! He looks ready for any adventure.