From RVtravel.com: The common sense resource for RVers since 2001 • Issue 2776
Today’s thought
“Sometimes I wonder if there’s something wrong with me. Perhaps I’ve spent too long in the company of my literary romantic heroes, and consequently, my ideals and expectations are far too high.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Take a Hike Day!
On this day in history: 1800 – The United States Congress holds its first session in Washington, D.C.
Tip of the day
Did you know tire pressure gauges lose accuracy over time?
By Mark Polk, RV Education 101
I talk about the importance of checking inflation pressure in tow vehicle and RV tires all the time, but is your tire pressure gauge giving you accurate information?
When I was in charge of some large fleet maintenance operations, one of my responsibilities was the tool calibration program. Certain tools required regular calibration to ensure accuracy. A tool every RV owner uses is a tire pressure gauge. But did you know a tire gauge can lose accuracy if it gets banged around in your toolbox? Here’s what to know.
More tips from this weekend you may have missed:
- Need a sewer hookup? Get a poop grinder!
- How to legally live in an RV on your own land
- Everything to know before becoming a Florida RV snowbird
- How to make your RV warm and welcoming to guests for the holidays
RV review
The 2025 Keystone Reign 15RB is a small, high-end travel trailer
The 2025 Keystone Reign 15RB steps into the spotlight as a premium single axle trailer that actually does feel premium. Created by the same mind behind popular small RV brands like r-pod and NoBo, this compact rig mixes smart design, sharp styling, and real camping comfort. Keystone positions this as a higher-end compact option, not a bare-bones entry model. The fit and finish, lighting, storage ideas, and systems all back that up. Check it out.
In the RV shop with Dustin
A reminder to clean your RV’s fresh water tank every six months
I always refer to your RV’s fresh water tank as a dirty fish tank. Think of all the slime and bacteria growing in tanks and water lines. Whenever you go camping, you’re getting water from a bunch of different sources. Well water, private land or even city water all have different chemicals and minerals in them. This is just another reason to clean and sanitize your RV’s fresh water tank and associated fresh water lines. Continue reading.
The best trash can for your car or RV
This small trash can is made for cars and can be attached to either a headrest or the center console with adjustable straps. When it’s not being used, it collapses flat. It’s leakproof and waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about anything spilling. This could also be used as a storage container for drinks, snacks, or even pet toys. Learn more or order.
Article and video
The best winter RV gear
By Cheri Sicard
Winter camping in an RV can be tough, but the right gear makes it comfortable and safe. In this article and video, Jared Gillis of All About RVs rounds up practical accessories that keep water flowing, propane burning, steps safe, and the interior warm. He also shares a few clever tricks that are easy to miss on the first cold snap. We bet there’s some stuff in here you’ve never heard of or thought of! Check it out.
The latest news for RVers
- RV refrigerator maker Norcold files for bankruptcy
- Lazydays to delist its stock; prepares to shut down
- American Heartland theme and RV park collapses amid fraud lawsuit
- Purchased a Grand Design or planning to? You may be eligible for a rebate
- Terrifying crash in NM good reminder for RVers
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
Cheap sewer hose sends “horrific” stuff out pinholes
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
It doesn’t seem to matter what grade of sewer hose you buy, sooner or later the thing will give up the ghost and leave you wading around in unwholesome liquids. Experience does teach us that the less money you spend on your hose, the sooner you’ll be looking for another one. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
I winterized with RV antifreeze. Why does it come out of low point drains?
Reader poll
Would you ever pick up a hitchhiker?
Easily clean those stubborn bugs off your RV
The Microfiber Mesh Bug and Tar Sponge has millions of tiny fibers embedded in the microfiber cloth that grabs and holds the dust and dirt. It is so effective it even cleans without chemicals, saving both time and money. Older nylon bug sponges can harm your clear coat, but this one is completely paint safe. Learn more or order.
Quick tip
A trick to expand your shower
Feeling “closed in” in the shower? If your shower is equipped with a shower curtain, get a curtain tension rod, mount it a few inches outside the existing shower rod. Run the curtain over the top of the new rod, then back into the shower stall. Gives a few extra inches of space for your shoulders.
Website of the day
Smart911
This is a free website that could very well save your life! It allows you to create a profile that is instantly shared with 911 if you ever call—this includes medical information and allergies, pet info, common addresses, phone numbers, photos and more. Sign up! (after you read the Terms of Use)
Trivia
Did you know New York City has its own species of ant? The “ManhattAnt” appears to exclusively live in New York City, where Broadway meets 63rd Street and 76th Street. The ant may have evolved on its own due to isolation in the city, and has adapted to a warmer, drier, concrete-covered environment.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Luna, age 2, was recently adopted and fit into the RV life just perfectly. She watches everything and anything out the windows. She loves our bed and lounges all day long. We adore her.” —Susan Bell
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!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Oh, you know we love a good pun! And an RV-themed pun? Even better! You’ll love this, too.
FREE IS GOOD! Free South Carolina Vacation Guides. DiSCover South Carolina. (Get it?) Lots to choose from. By mail or online.
Leave here with a laugh
A burglar enters a home. All of a sudden a voice pipes up, “I can see you, and so can Jesus!” Startled, the burglar looks around. No one is there, so he gets back to business. Soon, the voice repeats, “I can see you, and so can Jesus!” The burglar jumps and takes a longer look around the room. Over in a corner, partially obscured by curtains, is a caged parrot, which pipes up again, “I can see you, and so can Jesus!” “So what?” asks the annoyed burglar. “You’re only a parrot!” To which the parrot replies, “Maybe, but Jesus is a Rottweiler!”
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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I keep getting a black box in your newsletter with a circle that keeps spinning. Yesterday and today. I’d like it stopped.
A trojan has gotten into your device. That has never happened to me.
I get the same thing. I believe it’s a video ad, and your ad blocker keeps it from loading.
it is also on my newsletter also.
This black screen with circle appears on every article on your newsletter.
Luna is a gorgeous black cat. Her eyes are mesmerizing. Glad to hear she has adapted well to the RV life.
This morning when I tried to open rvtravel.com in google chrome it kept saying my ad blocker was preventing it. I checked the ad blocker and it was paused for your site. So I switched to Safari and accessed the newsletter but the amount of ads were horrific. I was able to read the newsletter but with all the ads it was an ordeal.
Dustin’s fresh water tank rinse section and video. The reviews show some serious concerns. There was no comment section to comment to Dustin on that page. Suds, Toxicity etc. The only way to contact him is phone (that I’ve found). It would be nice to email him, and/or have him respond to these allegations. Thanks! 🙂
Ran,
not sure what concerns you’re talking about but if you’re looking for more information on the product reach out to thetford.com because it’s their product that we’ve been using for decades.
Hi Dustin. Thanks for the reply. There was a lot of reviews that complained about not being able to get all the foam (caused from the product) out of the tanks. Additionally the product toxicity. I have no problem contacting Thetford, but wanted to get your input on how to alleviate these obstacles. I don’t drink from my tanks anyway…!
Ran, ya we basically dump and flush the system four times, run the cleaner through the system and then we drain the tank and then we put fresh water in it and then we open up all the faucets and let it run fullbore to flush it out, and then we do the same process on the sanitizer, which is supposed to stop the cleaning agent.
Sometimes after we’re all done, we’ll even do a fifth rinse so it’s when we do it as a service for customers. It’s kind of like an all day babysitting job. And you’re just wasting a ton of water.
Problem has been for over week now. Seems ads are slowing down the site. Even my ad blocker won’t stop them.
I also have this problem on two other sites that are “Raptive Partners”. Seems they are somehow bypassing ad protection.
The rest are fine.
I use Chrome, on my windows laptop, with uBlock Origin Lite. No issues here.
Same with Firefox and uBlock Origin.
Hi. I found Mr. Polk’s article on tire gauges less than inspiring. Other than being told to spend more money and get a good gauge, it really did not address the issue of how to get a good tire pressure gauge. There are many gauges available, cheap and expensive alike, and they all reference their accuracy. But what a person needs to know is how to recognize a top notch gauge and Mr. Polk did not address that most important issue. A listing of visually recognizable characteristics of good gauges and or a listing of highly reliable and accurate gauge manufacturers would have been most useful and quite desirable in helping the consumer to purchase a good instrument.
Luna is beautiful, keep an eye on everything and keep it all under control! And keep on camping.