Issue 2735
Today’s thought
“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Ahoy, matey! Today is National Talk Like A Pirate Day!
On this day in history: 1778 – The Continental Congress passes the first United States federal budget.
Tip of the day
Tips and tricks for mastering your RV oven
By Gail Marsh
Is this your year? The year you finally conquer your RV oven?
It can be intimidating: the propane-driven pilot light, the small size, the uneven temperatures, and the resulting burnt sacrifices. If you are determined that this is your year to master your RV’s oven, you need these tips and tricks.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Strengthen your fifth wheel’s footing with genius RVpaws
Are you tired of seeing your leveling jack foot pads bent, warped, or worse, completely ruined after just a few trips? You’re not alone. This is one of the most common complaints we hear from RV owners, especially those with larger fifth wheels. There’s a solution—and it’s one we’re excited to share: RVpaws.
You love Uno, but have you played the Wilderness edition yet?
Take your favorite card game to a new level! It’s just like Uno (so you won’t have to learn any new rules), but this version should stay in the camper or car at all times for every outdoor adventure. And if someone you know needs a gift, this is it! Learn more or order here. Have fun playing!
Article and video
How to start boondocking: Everything you need to know
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below from Two Tired Teachers, the RVing sisters and retired teachers discuss how to start boondocking. The sisters encourage RVers to save money and pull the plug. It’s not as difficult as you may think. Watch this delightful video to learn how to make the transition to boondocking easy and painless.
Featured article
Your RV’s fresh water system: Filling it, drinking it, water pressure, gadgets and more
This is Part 5 of Dave Solberg’s “Everything you need to know about RVing” series. Today, Dave looks at RV fresh water systems and tells you just about everything you need to know about them, whether this is your first or 101st RV trip. Wow! Is this informative!
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- RV disaster at Burning Man shows risks of renting out your RV
- No amenities spared on behemoth Keystone Raptor 444 toy hauler fifth wheel trailer
- How owning an RV lot transformed our RV life
- Sleep for free at RV hookup ‘campgrounds’ you didn’t know existed
- RVers offer tips and share frustrations about camping in these times
- A problem with ‘stocking up’ in an RV
Reader poll
If you have an outdoor TV on your RV, how often do you watch it?
Quick tip
When shopping for an RV, do a “livability test”
Shopping for a new RV? Don’t forget the “livability” factor. It’s best to do a walk-through of an RV without the salesman present. That way, you should feel free to sit on the pot to check leg clearance, lay on the bed to determine comfort, walk into the shower to confirm you’ve got room for your elbows and shoulders. Have one person stand in the kitchen in front of the sink or the stove. Can the partner get by without imitating a fertility dance? Open the fridge. You’d be surprised how many times the door swings the wrong way! Can’t shake the salesman? Do all the aforementioned tests and whatever else you can anyway.
Ask Dave
What can a dinette cushion tell you about RV quality? Lots!
DAVE HAS ANSWERED MORE THAN 1,000 readers’ maintenance and repair questions. Read a directory here. There is so much to learn!
On this day last year…
- Tip: How to make more space in your RV bedroom
- Ask Dave: My RV is plugged in, but roof A/C and 12-volt system don’t work
- Featured article: For baseball and history fans, this museum is not to be missed
Website of the day
Pirates Info
Yes, this is a site all about pirates! Why? Because it’s National Talk Like A Pirate Day, that’s why! Explore this page to learn about pirate history, the most famous pirate ships, and much, much more. Who knew?!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Maybe we’re missing something here… but what in the heckity heck is this?! You put this on what? And where? And it does what? Do you know? Can you try it and let us know, please?!
Trivia
Dogs can actually tell time—or at least have a strong sense of it. They’re able to predict regular events, like when it’s time for a walk or when their owner will return home, by using their internal body clocks. Some studies even suggest that dogs can smell the passing of time based on how much a scent fades over hours.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Bodhi (Mini Goldendoodle) is actually our grand pup but accompanied us on a month-long trip exploring Wisconsin and the UP and lower Michigan a few years ago. Loves to cuddle next to you and go for walks, and was a great traveler. The red shell is his rain shell and we were on our way to a hike.” —Warren Gress
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!
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
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the Latest News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.
If you shop at Amazon.com we’d appreciate you using this link. We get an itty bitty commission if you buy something, but they add up and help us pay our bills (most importantly our hard-working writers!).
RVtravel.com All-Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Is the RV usable with the slide in? What does it block?
Oh I wish I’d known about this (our first ever TT)
#1 sit on the toilet make sure you can move your arms # 2 get rid of the mattress and buy a better one!
https://amzn.to/4nEq02c We just bought this mattress topper and it was a cheaper alternative. It works great!
AND you can shut the door while sitting!!!
RE: Dog Trivia… 100% correct!
My dog can tell when it’s time to go for an afternoon walk within 5 minutes. Every day at 5:30 she comes to get me and tells me it’s time to go.
But they don’t quite have the “unnatural” changes between daylight savings and standard time internalized! 😉🙂
Always funny when the time changes (on the clock for humans) and for the first couple weeks they react to the normal activities an hour early or are surprused when the human does it when it is an hour early to their internal clock. Takes ours a few weeks to adjust.
Just me, but I think many house pets adjust their internal clock based on the house lighting changes.
Our dog is patient in the morning. Our male cat is as accurate as an alarm clock (which I only use for atypical event days). He paws at me, same time every morning, not because he wants anything other than my attention. Just one more reason DSL changes are a bloody pain.
All of my 5 Cats can definitely sense time. They know when it’s Feeding time and treat time. And I have encouraged them to learn when bed time is as it is one of their feeding times.
Thanks for posting the pickle salt strips! They enhance the flavor of beer. I use salt when I buy Bud Lite Lime beer.
RE: Dog trivia- Our dogs know that 9pm is our usual bedtime. One will sit in front of me and stare at me as though waiting for me to say “ok let’s go potty so we can go to bed”. After going potty, they both run into the bedroom and jump onto the bed ready to sleep through the night.
Years ago we had a smaller Heinz 57 mutt which would sit by the window every weekday at 1615 to 1630 waiting for the school bus. When he saw the bus and kids, he would go ballistic with excitement. We also adopted a stray mini dauxy – then the two of them would sit by the window! Good buddies until meal time – then it was competition to see who could eat the most the quickest!
In response to the “outside TV” survey. A couple of years ago in a State Park in Virginia we had a great week of camping ruined by a fellow camper watching NASCAR on his outside TV on a Saturday night. Outside on an RV is NO place for a TV. Take it inside, put your feet up and enjoy all the noise.
Bodhi looks like a super dog in his red cape! 😊 thanks for sharing
Thank you for sharing the picture, Gordon! I hope that you have many pleasant future trips together. Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great week and safe travels!