From RVtravel.com: The common sense resource for RVers since 2001 • Issue 2778
Today’s thought
“We shouldn’t be looking for heroes, we should be looking for good ideas.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Play Monopoly Day! (Psst: The National Parks Monopoly is our favorite version!)
On this day in history: 1969 – Apollo program: Apollo 12 astronauts Pete Conrad and Alan Bean land at Oceanus Procellarum (the “Ocean of Storms”) and become the third and fourth humans to walk on the Moon.
Tip of the day
Simple trick makes storing pot and pan lids easy; keeps them safe during travel
By Dave Helgeson
As we all know, the contents of an RV go through a major earthquake every time we head down the road. Keeping contents organized and in place is a constant battle, especially in the kitchen. Many items like pots and pans can be nested together, but what about the lids?
The various sizes, diameters, and knobs of the lids prevent them from nesting together. That allows them to slide around in your cabinets. They quickly become disorganized with each bump in the road. They move to and fro each time you brake and accelerate. What is an RVer to do? This!
In the RV shop with Dustin
RV ownership and expectations from a repair shop owner’s perspective
Lately, I’ve seen a wave of online posts warning people to “run away” from certain RV brands—Grand Design included. As someone who has been in the RV repair industry for more than 25 years and works with thousands of customers across the U.S., I understand the frustration behind some of those comments. But I also think we need to take a step back and look at RV ownership a little differently.
Article and video
How to make a safe wallet to protect your personal information
By Cheri Sicard
What is a safe wallet? A wallet that protects your sensitive personal and credit card information from being stolen. If you don’t have a safe wallet, thieves can easily steal your information. In the video, Tracy explains how thieves with a radio frequency ID (RFID) scanner device can steal personal information from your credit cards through your purse or pocket without you even knowing it. If you did not already know about this common identity theft scam, prepare to be shocked.
Lodge cast iron scrapers: Small gadget, big results
Cheri Sicard writes, “Sometimes the smallest tools make the biggest difference—like these Lodge Cast Iron Scrapers. This simple plastic scraper lifts off stuck-on food with ease, no scratching or buildup. I use them all the time. The two-pack includes a pan scraper and a grill scraper, made of durable, dishwasher-safe polycarbonate with edges that fit different pan shapes. Learn more or order.
DID YOU KNOW? Speaking of cast iron… The oldest cast-iron cookware ever discovered dates back more than 2,400 years to ancient China, where early pots and cauldrons were already being made during the Warring States period (475–221 BCE). Pretty amazing that your modern skillet has roots going back two and a half millennia!
Featured article
Reader describes what it’s like to RV in Germany
We received this letter from longtime reader Jim Johnson, who tells us about his recent (in 2024) trip to Germany. He writes: “I just returned from a trip to Germany. Based on the number of RVs (“caravans” in Europe) I see on the roads and parked near homes, the industry is bigger in Europe than in North America.” Klicken sie heir (click here).
Ask Dave
How does a 50-amp to 30-amp adapter work?
BUMPER SNICKER: “If you lived in your car, you’d be home by now.”
Reader poll
When you find a spider in your home or RV, do you kill it or release it outside?
Helpful resources
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
• LATEST RV RECALLS
Quick tip
Easy RV windshield and front-end “bug off”
“Regarding bugs on RV front ends and windshields: I use a few sheets of ‘Bounce,’ the anti-static/softening sheets used in the clothes dryer. Soaked in water, the sheets can be used by themselves or before using a bug sponge. The liquid from the sheets virtually melts off bugs and makes the job far easier and quicker than using Windex or one of the expensive so-called bug-remover sprays. Paint surfaces are not affected in a negative way.” Thanks, Neil S.!
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On this day last year…
- Tip: Why you should use window film in your RV
- RV review: Checking out the new features in the 2024 Casita Travel Trailers
- Featured article: Little-known facts about license plates
Website of the day
50 survival tips and tricks for the outdoors
The title says it all! Visit this page (and explore the rest of the website while you’re at it) to learn the best tips about surviving in the wilderness. Lots of stuff here will come in handy!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
You probably have one of these. It’s probably soooo boring looking. Why not replace it with something that adds to your decor and is sooooo not boring? Check it out.
Trivia
Red flag laws were laws in the United States and the U.K. enacted in the late 1800s, requiring drivers of early automobiles to take certain safety precautions, including waving a red flag ahead of the vehicle to warn of its approach.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Iggy (mixed breed), age 8, is a sweet dog who is happy to go for an adventure. He’s easygoing and is happy to lie around camp, taking in all the sights and smells. He’ll go for a walk anytime you want. We love our camping buddy!” —I. Ira Hertz
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!
FREE IS GOOD! Free North Carolina Travel Guides, including maps and guides to various types of adventures. Online or by mail.
Leave here with a laugh
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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The expression on Iggy’s face is wonderful. I can’t tell if he’s thinking, “What the heck are you doing?” or “You caught me doing something I shouldn’t.” He’s a beautiful dog.
Iggy is a cutie, I’ll go with on a walk anytime. Keep on camping!
Since Monday I have not been able to fetch the newsletter. Apparently Adblock is causing a problem. This never happened before so I’m wondering if you changed something on your end. Pause it didn’t help and I finally removed it but of course I wish to continue to use adblock or another ad blocker so I don’t get overwhelmed with ads on other sites. Any advice appreciated. Both chrome and Safari wouldn’t let me open the newsletter.
I use Adblock with no problems on my Windows 11 laptop, Firefox is my chosen browser.
I’m on a MacBook Pro. Something changed but hard to determine where so I’m trying another adblocker. Just wanted to see if anyone else was having this problem and if Chuck had any clues of changes on his end. The message I did get said it was the server and I wasn’t having this problem anywhere else.
I’m curious. What breed is your dog. We have a similar looking breed that we got from a rescue.
Hi, Dale. In the description submitted, he was described as “mixed breed” (which I’ve added to the post) and “tri-color”. So maybe they’re not sure of the breed. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Used dryer sheets also work well with a little moisture to remove bugs from vehicles.
Yes, any dryer sheet works. Buy the cheapest and they work as good as the name brands.
Reference the Trivia “Red flag laws”, “… in the UK in the late 1800s there were a host of self-propelled vehicles on the road — powered by everything from steam to electricity — and they were considered so dangerous that the Red Flag act was passed, stipulating that around town these vehicles could only travel at 2mph and in some cases with a person walking in front waving a red flag to warn townsfolk.”
I am very disappointed that you said BCE instead of BC when referring to the time that the first iron pots were made. I did not think you were worried about being politically correct.
Hi, Gary. I’m sure that was written that way only because that’s how it was written wherever the person who put it in found it, i.e., it wasn’t changed to that to be “politically correct.” Have a good day. 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I keep getting a black box in your newsletter with a circle that keeps spinning. Is this a product of your website? This black box with circle appears on every article. Do you know why? Please answer.
I get the same when reading from my iPhone. It is Located just below “Today’s Thought”. Everything else works fine
For over 10 years (or however long it’s been produced) I have been reading the “Mystery Product of the Day” and have yet to be even tempted to purchase it. Just a data point for you. But now that I think about it, I’m sure you know your return on that investment.