From RVtravel.com: The common sense resource for RVers since 2001 • Issue 2767
Today’s thought
“Sorrow is how we learn to love. Your heart isn’t breaking. It hurts because it’s getting larger. The larger it gets, the more love it holds.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Candy Day!
On this day in history: 1960 – At the Kasakela Chimpanzee Community in Tanzania, Dr. Jane Goodall observes chimpanzees creating tools, the first-ever observation in non-human animals. (We miss you, Dr. Goodall!)
Tip of the day
Foam gap filler is a quick fix for cracks and holes in the RV
By Nanci Dixon
The first time I used foam gap filler we were covering a few holes in our old RV. The foam expanded a lot, amazingly, all over the holes and all over my hands. Pretty soon my hands were covered and firmly stuck together. Think: super glue on steroids! I couldn’t get it off so I couldn’t drive. I had to walk to the hardware store to buy whatever would cut it. After the store staff quit laughing, they kindly sponged it off. So, lesson learned: Wear gloves.
Foam gap filler is a great tool for filling small and large holes and is particularly useful for the RVer. Unfortunately, we need to use it a lot to fill the cracks and holes that mice in the desert always seem to find. Continue reading to learn more.
RV review
The 2026 Winnebago Thrive 22MLS—all freshened up
By Gail Marsh
The new Winnebago Thrive 22MLS is a 2026 model sparking conversations everywhere. Winnebago markets its Thrive line of RVs as fresh, lighter-weight travel trailers that bring upscale touches into an attainable price. I really like the look of Winnebago’s Thrive 22MLS exterior. Its clean lines are appealing. The RV’s interior upgrades also impressed me: seamless surface countertops, minimal window decor, a thoughtful shoe cubby, and the bed “nightstand” arrangement. Continue reading.
Cool RV Tools: Meet the Spider Tool Holster Bitgripper
These “cool tools” are tools and gadgets that we actually use in the RV industry! We also believe they will be helpful to you. Today, we’re looking at the Spider Tool Holster Bitgripper. This is a great RV gadget for your drill gun or impact gun. It comes as a two-pack and has a high-strength 3M adhesive bit holder. This add-on is for easy access to six driver bits on the side of your power drill or driver gun. Learn more.
Article and video
The truth about RV wheel bearings, plus maintenance tips
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, we join Jacob Rigor, a certified RV tech, from Rigor RV Repair for an important discussion of RV wheel bearings. This is important because some RVers don’t even know they have wheel bearings, let alone that they need regular maintenance.
Featured article
38 years as a solo female nomad: Living large in a 4X4 pop-up
By Cheri Sicard
This story brings joy to an experience that too much of the mainstream media paints negatively: living as a solo female nomad. If you are a single woman (or man, for that matter) who thinks they might enjoy RVing but are intimidated to go it alone, this article and video will have you rethinking those notions.
JUST PUBLISHED! News for RVers:
- RVers stunned as ‘lifetime’ campground memberships are canceled overnight
- Camping World stock tanks 25 percent. Here’s what RVers should know
- Some Grand Canyon campgrounds reopen after summer wildfire closures
- How you can step up during the government shutdown
- Your help wanted finding this stolen travel trailer
RV ESSAY: My RV is my home, but does the public think I’m “homeless”?
Ask Dave
How do I keep my RV’s on-demand water heater from freezing?
Reader poll
Where (in your RV) do you most often eat your meals?
Quick tip
Water pump wacky? Possible causes
If your water pump runs a few strokes and then stops, only to repeat the sequence a few minutes later, you probably have a dripping faucet or a leak. In addition to all faucets, check the pressure fitting for a drip and the water heater drain plug for leaks. If no leaks are found, you may have a malfunctioning pump pressure cutoff switch. Or, there may be air in a line somewhere, e.g., the outside shower or toilet line. Bleed all the lines and fixtures, including any under-sink filter assembly. (Thanks, DW/ND, for the last suggestion.)
FREE IS GOOD! Free Mississippi Travel Guide: “Your adventure starts here.” Several versions available online or by mail.
On this day last year…
- RV review: 2025 Coachmen Cross Trail EV 20XG—It’s different
- Ask Dave: There is a TT-30R [RV] outlet in my home. Why doesn’t the oven plug fit?
- Featured article: How to prevent being electrocuted while swimming
Website of the day
22 mysterious shipwrecks you can see on Google Earth
Have you ever seen a shipwreck? There are many places around the country (and world) where you can see what remains from shipwrecks, but this article is neat because you don’t have to leave your current location to do so! The photos from Google Earth are amazing!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Are you having fun yet? Are you?? Well, rest assured, after a couple of these you will be having a lot of fun!
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:
• 34 percent only check their personal email(s) once a day.
• 4 percent have rented an RV outside of North America. 27 percent would like to (and 69 percent would not).
• 68 percent say their RV is the perfect length for them, not too long and not too short.
Recent poll: Do you like candy corn?
Trivia
Here’s how to determine how far you are from a lightning storm. It takes the sound of thunder roughly 5 seconds to travel 1 mile after a lightning strike. So count the time it takes for you to hear thunder after a flash of lightning. For example, if it takes 10 seconds for you to hear thunder after the flash of lightning, you’re about two miles away.
Readers’ pet of the day
“My Bebe (Toy Poodle, age 12) was rescued during an August 2018 FBI raid of a fentanyl lab in Alabama disguised as a puppy mill. She was totally feral, underweight, and had rotted-to-gums teeth. I paid a $300 adoption fee, but with spaying and excessive dental fees, the amount quickly rose to almost $3K…and she’s been worth every penny! It took almost two years for her to totally trust me. We are inseparable; wherever I go, she goes…and we sleep together side-by-side.” —Brenda Grady
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. No blurry photos, please! Please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!
Leave here with a laugh
A little snail was standing at the corner waiting to cross the street. He heard two turtles coming down the street from the opposite direction. They both ran their stop sign and crashed at the intersection. The police responded and when the officer arrived he saw all the turtle parts strewn about the road and knew there were no survivors. Looking around he saw the little snail standing at the corner. He walked over and, looking down, he asked the snail if he saw the accident happen. The little snail looked up at the officer and said, ”Oh, officer. It happened so fast!”
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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Bebe is a great rescue story. You are a kind person to invest not only your money into her, but also your time and love. It sounds like your investment paid off. You are both lucky to have found each other.
Bebe – sounds like you found just the right person…to trust! You both are very fortunate. Enjoy the journey…Don
Thank you for giving Bebe her best life!
Wonderful story on Bebe. Shelter pets are the best – not only for the pet, but for the new owner as well.
The magic works both ways!
Reference Trivia: Light travels faster than sound. That’s why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
That made me laugh out loud!
Bebe is adorable, looks like a white version of my old Rosie who lived to 15.5 years old. As far as value I know Bebe is priceless as all my dogs, past & present
$20 for a beer glass? OUCH!
I’m good with a beer in a can or a bottle though I’ve used glasses left in the freezer for couple of hours, makes for a really cold beer!
Snoopy
Brenda, you & your sweet Bebe are both lucky to have found each other. Thanks for rescuing her.