From RVtravel.com: The common sense resource for RVers since 2001 • Issue 2755
Today’s thought
“Road trips are the equivalent of human wings. Ask me to go on one, anywhere, and we’ll stop in every small town and learn the history and stories, feel the ground, and capture the spirit.” —Victoria Erickson
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Pasta Day! Hungry for a new pasta recipe? Here you go!
On this day in history: 1918 – American actress Rita Hayworth, whose portrayal of seductresses helped earn her the nickname “The Love Goddess,” was born.
Tip of the day
How to easily pull an RV sewer hose out of bumper storage
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
If you’re anything like me, the “Tech Wizard” of our RV, you know some jobs are just uglier than others. Dumping tanks is not on my list of favorite assignments, and dumping tanks puts the “Wiz” back in “Wizard.”
As if having to hook up hoses and pull levers weren’t bad enough, just getting started is an issue. You know, convincing that recalcitrant sewer hose to come out of the bumper storage area. Well, we may have a practical suggestion for the issue of RV sewer hose storage.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Understanding the causes of shrinkage in RV window glass seals
Join me today as I talk about factors that cause RV window seals to shrink and discolor. The most important are UV rays, heat, soaps, cleaners, constant movement, age, salt, snow, and normal wear. Over time, you may encounter issues like shrinkage, where the seals seem to contract or pull away. Continue reading.
Article and video
The perfect Starlink Mini setup: No-drill roof mount, cost, speeds
By Cheri Sicard
For full-time travelers, reliable internet used to be the hardest part of being on the road. In the video at the end of this post, Robin Barrett of Creativity RV shares a viable solution. Robin has lived nomadically for 9 years and now runs work and life through a Starlink Mini mounted on the roof. This setup needs no drilling, no hard wiring, and powers on with a tiny remote. Check it out.
Secrets of RVing on Social Security
Author Jerry Minchey takes you on a journey that lets you discover how you can travel around the country and live the fascinating RV lifestyle for far less than it costs to live in your sticks-and-bricks home. Among other things, he shows you step-by-step how to enjoy the RVing lifestyle while traveling and living on just your Social Security income. Updated January 2025. Learn more or order.
Featured article
Is RV composite building material a game-changer?
By Andrew Herrick
The alchemists of ages past sought to transmute common, basic elements into that most prized of possessions: gold. (They weren’t much different than today’s crypto miners, those digital chemists bent on transforming 0’s and 1’s into cold cash.) Anyway, Material Science engineers of the modern era have accomplished something similar. Weaving together the humble elements of polypropylene and fiberglass, a company called Hanwha Azdel has created a unique construction sheet material: Azdel. And Azdel in RVs has taken the industry by storm. Learn more.
FREE IS GOOD! Free latest edition “JIFFY” Mixes Recipe Book.
Ask Dave
Is Vaseline good to lubricate RV slide room seal?
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- New 2026 RV rule could leave you without power at some campgrounds
- Right turn on red: Common mistakes and risks
- The importance of regularly inspecting and replacing your shackle links and bushings
- Quick tips and RV hacks from fellow RVers
- RV review: Highland Ridge Open Range 3X 393TBR – three bedrooms!
- Which is better—and more affordable—for heating your RV: gas or electric?
Reader poll
What tip percentage do you typically leave at a restaurant?
Stop guessing! This water meter won’t let you overfill tanks
Kate Doherty has found a way to make sure you won’t accidentally overfill your tanks. She uses the Save A Drop P3 Water Meter to add water to her black water tank with precise measurements each time. Read more about it here, then you’ll surely want to order one for yourself.
Quick tip
Keep bad water out of your fresh water tank
Before filling your rig’s fresh water tank, do what the cowboys did before leading in the cattle: Take a sip and see what the water tastes like. You can put bad-tasting water in your tank easily, but getting that bad taste out is a tough job!
FUN FACT: There’s a pine tree in California that’s more than 4,800 years old — older than the pyramids of Egypt. It’s called Methuselah, a bristlecone pine hidden somewhere in the White Mountains. Its exact location is kept secret to protect it from vandals and overzealous tourists.
On this day last year…
- RV walk-through: Tour a beautifully restored 1948 Spartan Manor trailer—It’s a showstopper!
- Ask Dave: Gear on RV’s slide room mechanism has stripped twice. Can I adjust it?
- Article and video: Amazing and inexpensive DIY wooden truck camper
- Featured article: Remember this critical item when RVing with your dog
Website of the day
Ghost Tours of New Mexico
If you’ve never been on a ghost (or haunted) tour, you’re missing out! They’re fun and you learn a lot of history! Here are some of the most popular tours in New Mexico.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
What’s green, and talks, and is one of the all-time stupidest yet creative gag gifts in the history of mankind? We nominate this. If you have a sense of humor, you will love this. If you are among the 12.3% of humans who are humorless, you will be angry with us for wasting your time learning its identity.
Trivia
In 2023, 7,810 fatal traffic crashes involved drivers 65 years and older. That was 19 percent of all crashes.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Our Beagle, Lyra (age 4), loves to RV—all of the new smells and places to explore!” —Ann & Charlie Marchand
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.
FINISHED READING THIS NEWSLETTER? Don’t leave! Read yesterday’s brand-new Great RV Accessories newsletter before you go.
Leave here with a laugh
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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Trivia. Considering that almost 17% of the population is over 65, it sounds like this is not an unusual number.
Plus, how many of the fatal accidents are caused by the 65 and older drivers?
More than likely these crashes are caused by much younger drivers speeding and driving distracted.
Most fatal accidents involve drivers between 25 and 44. With the highest number 25-34.
Bob, my mind went the same direction that your mind went. I get tired of people picking on me.
Lyra is absolutely beautiful. Having beagles and many over 50 years they are go happy go lucky buddy. Have fun for many years to come with Lyra and your travels.
As a former German teacher, I had the mystery product and used it often in my classroom to get kids’ attention.
That trivia about car crashes doesn’t reallty tell you much. Does it mean that 81% of fatal crashes involve people under 65. Are those 19% at fault or victims. Over 65 and you are more likely to die in an accident than a 25 year old. So that little bit of trivia is, well, trivial.
54.7% of all statistics are created on the spot to make a point.
I heard it was 63.4%
Did you know that 5/4 of most people have trouble with fractions?
Trivia – just goes to show you that older drivers are better than younger ones!
Better joke for the day was the Mystery Product – oh not the product itself. It was Amazon’s offer for a similar item; a jar of “365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Dill Relish, 10 oz”.
🤣🤣 Thanks, Jim! Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I read the story about Azdel being used in RV’s. It’s a good product. Another good product is PVC. I had a leak in the roof that leaked through the ceiling. I replaced the roof and all the vents. I wasn’t sure what to use to fix the sealing until I found a product at Lowes. It looks like wainscoting. It comes in 8ft lengths 7″ wide with 3 in a pack. It’s tongue and groove but made out of PVC so it won’t rot like luan. I used guerilla glue and white screws to secure it to the ceiling. It looks great.
The laugh of the day is true, but it’s connected to the same source as the water you drink from the sink or fountain
Not always!
lyra is a great looking beagle
thanks for sharing
Lyra is gorgeous, beagles are awesome dogs. Keep on camping!