Issue 2731
Today’s thought
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Linguini Day!
On this day in history: 1954 – Marilyn Monroe’s iconic skirt scene is shot during filming for “The Seven Year Itch”.
Tip of the day
The surprising RV kitchen hack hiding in your… toaster?
By Gail Marsh
If you live the RV life, you already love small appliances that pull double duty. Toasters are one of those must-have RV kitchen items, especially when you know a few secrets.
All these years, I thought a toaster was for bread. Silly me! My granddaughter recently educated me about the many other foods that a toaster can, well, toast. I bet you never knew about these toaster hacks!
More tips from this weekend you may have missed:
- How vehicle wheelbase decides safe towing length
- A problem with ‘stocking up’ in an RV
- The best product to protect your RV toilet seals
RV review
RV review: Brinkley Model Z AIR—a very pet-friendly RV
By Gail Marsh
Wishing for an RV that catered to pets? You’ve come to the right place! Brinkley’s new 2026 Model Z AIR features a “pet-friendly” package. So, what does “pet-friendly” mean? Check out the clever features in the video towards the bottom of this post, or simply read the summary below. I think you’ll appreciate the thoughtful, small details that make life on the road easier for animals and their humans.
In the RV shop with Dustin
How to reseal your RV with silicone like a pro
Resealing your RV with silicone is an important maintenance task to prevent leaks and water damage. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you do it like a pro.
If you have a skill/talent/service that could help make RVtravel.com better than it already is, please contact publisher Chuck Woodbury at chuck (at) RVtravel.com and explain. We want to be the best we can be. But we need help! All ideas welcome and appreciated. Volunteer or be paid.
Article and video
Is a park model RV more like a traditional house than an RV?
By Cheri Sicard
Park model tiny homes pack a surprising amount of style, comfort, and functionality into less than 400 square feet. They look and feel like traditional houses but bring unique perks, affordable price tags, and legal quirks. These small but mighty homes have drawn attention from those looking to downsize, invest in a rental, or add a flexible living space to their property. Check this out.
The latest news for RVers
- USDA moves to roll back protections on 59 million acres of National Forest land
- Government plans to repeal land protections on public lands
- RV disaster at Burning Man shows risks of renting out your RV
- GM technology aims to identify older motorists no longer fit to drive
- Help the NPS enhance RV-friendly park services
- BLM camping: Good news now, but massive fee hike looms
To read more recent news, click here.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: When you haven’t been RVing for awhile, and your thoughts turn to getting away again, it’s really tough to get the thought out of your head. If you are at work, it’s especially bad. Who can work when his or her head is filled with thoughts of being away in the RV, seeing new places and things and enjoying nature? So don’t resist: just find a way to go!
Featured article
Modern RV transforms into vintage masterpiece
By Paul Lacitinola
When faced with the ordinary, some see limitations, while others, like Bob and Doreen, see boundless possibilities. Ignoring the status quo of modern recreational vehicles, this couple set out on a bold mission: to transform a 2014 Class C Mercedes chassis Sprinter van and Forest River Solera RV into their dream 1950 Spartanette RV. Check out this one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Ask Dave
RV furnace is 190 degrees at the vent. I’m afraid something will catch on fire!
Reader poll
Have you ever had your RV’s black tank professionally cleaned?
Quick tip
To Dawn or not to Dawn
Using Dawn dish soap in an RV’s black tank is debated. Some RVers use it in homemade cleaning mixtures. But other RVers advise against that because the soap can affect essential bacteria needed for waste breakdown, potentially leading to buildup and false sensor readings. A better way is to use plenty of water and dedicated RV tank treatments to maintain a healthy tank environment. RVtravel.com tech columnist Dave Solberg, once a Dawn fan, now has doubts about the use of the soap in holding tanks.
Website of the day
StyleBlueprint
It’s kind of a weird name for a travel/lifestyle site, but who are we to judge? Anyway, if you have plans to travel through/around Birmingham, Louisville, Memphis or Nashville, check this site out. There are tons of Southern travel ideas, plus elsewhere around the country—there’s so much to see and do!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Ready for a new one of these? You probably finished your last one, or you will soon. See if you’d be interested in this one. It’s gripping, and fascinating.
Trivia
Bet you didn’t know that a goat burps one to four times a minute! How about humans? One unscientific study found they burp on average about 30 times a day. So, moral of the story: Don’t get into a burping contest with a goat!
Readers’ pets of the day
“Bell and Teeter are both rescue dogs that have joined our family. Bell is an 11-year-old Blue Heeler cross, while Teeter is a 2-year-old mixed breed. They love camping with us and being in charge of the campsite!” —Jim Irwin
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
A poodle and a collie are walking down the street when the poodle suddenly unloads on his friend. “My life is a mess,” he says. “My owner is mean, my girlfriend’s having an affair with a German shepherd, and I’m as nervous as a cat.” “Why don’t you go see a psychiatrist,” suggests the collie. “I can’t,” says the poodle. “I’m not allowed on the couch.”
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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To Dawn or Not: I have used Dawn to get rid of sensor issues! If a sensor acted up in either tank, I’d dump, then refill with water to about 3/4 full with a good sized dose of Dawn. Drive to our next destination to let it mix and slosh. Dump and rinse twice.
Also – an RV tank is a holding tank not a septic tank. It does not need ‘essential bacteria needed for waste breakdown’.
While you’re correct that it’s a holding tank, there are bacterial and chemical processes in the tank that do indeed help to break down the contents. This is widely documented. The difference is that a septic tank is an anaerobic (oxygen-starved) environment, whereas a holding tank is an aerobic environment, where air is available to the reactions in the tank.
Gots to break down those “stooges” for a good, easy to clean tank!
Thank you for publishing the weather forecast
ive found it’s far superior to the local tv weather forecasts and they are wronger
than they are righter.
wish I had a job where I could be paid and not produce a definite product
For a job where you can be wrong 75% of the time and not get fired, get into line. It extends around the corner. 🙂
Is using Pine-Sol in your holding tank, possibly hard on the rubber seals? Referring to the Pine-Sol calgon mix.
I’ve been an advocate of the GEO Method for years and years. Somewhere along the line, people who also use this method have substituted Dawn instead of the required laundry soap. I continue to use laundry soap (Oxy-Clean liquid) due to the fact that Dawn makes a ton of suds which will not completely drain and will dry and leave a film on the inside of the tanks/sensors and uses hot water to be most effective. On the other hand, most laundry soaps are designed to be low suds and use cold water…. perfect for cleaning the inside of our tanks and keep the sensors clean.
Bell & Teeter are just gorgeous! Thank you for rescuing!
Bell and Teeter seem like perfect traveling companions. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing the picture of your pack, Jim! They appear very well behaved! I hope that you continue having many wonderful adventures together. Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great weekend and safe travels!