From RVtravel.com: The common sense resource for RVers since 2001 • Issue 2781
Today’s thought
“Life is great. Cheese makes it better.” —Avery Aames
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Sardines Day! Don’t like sardines? We bet you’ll like these! Just trust us…
On this day in history: 1969 – Apollo program: The Apollo 12 command module splashes down safely in the Pacific Ocean, ending the second crewed mission to land on the Moon.
Tip of the day
How well do you know your putty tape?
By Roger Danforth
If you do much RV maintenance or repair, chances are good you’ve encountered “putty tape.” This sticky material is a regular performer between windows and walls, roof vents and roofs, and a host of other places where a gasket-like substance is needed to help seal out moisture. Any time you install trim metal, a new roof access ladder, or practically anywhere else you penetrate the outside surface of your rig, you’ll need this gunk-on-a-roll.
More tips from this weekend:
- 10 ways to spot frame flex and structural issues in your RV
- Life-saving tips for power strips and surge protectors
- Tips for living comfortably with arthritis on the road
RV review
The Grand Design Influence 3804DS—a true two-bed, two-bath RV
Looking for an RV that accommodates families or friends traveling together? Or an RV that gives you a space away from your partner? Then the 2026 Grand Design Influence 3804DS might be the right RV for you. This is a true two-bedroom, two-bath RV. Not a bunkhouse. Check it out.
BLACK FRIDAY SALES ARE ON!
Is what you need or want on sale? Find out here.
In the RV shop with Dustin
One very important thing to know about Lippert Solid Steps
Today, we’re addressing a crucial safety topic: the correct installation of clevis pins in the Lippert Solid Step® retractable legs. Ensuring these pins are properly installed is vital to prevent potential injuries and maintain the stability of your RV steps. Let’s dive into why this is so important and the risks involved with incorrect installation.
Article and video
This item in your junk drawer could start a devastating fire
By Cheri Sicard
Channel 5 News in Cleveland shares an alarming story in the video below about a hazard many people are unaware of. I know I was. Did you realize that keeping batteries in your home or RV drawers can cause fires? It’s true, and it could happen to any one of us. Watch this and be careful!
The latest news for RVers
- $70,000 bonus offered as NPS seeks 500 new park officers nationwide
- Grand Design unveils new Omega frame amid ongoing frame-failure scrutiny
- Utah woman sentenced for defacing sacred petroglyphs
- Court clears way for massive Gulf Coast RV resort on former golf course
- Yet another Camping World giant-flag dispute erupts
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
RVer opens basement storage, finds sewer hose cut in half. What happened?
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
It’s a case for RV detectives. After a day’s travel, this Class A owner stopped to set up camp. Opening a basement storage door, he found his sewer hose cut in half. He’d put the hose away earlier that day, and it was fine then. What happened?
An electric mousetrap that works
Keep unwanted rodents out of your RV with the Owltra electronic rodent trap—a clean, humane, and RV-friendly solution that actually works. Powered by just 4 AA batteries, the trap delivers a quick, high-voltage zap for instant elimination, no chemicals or glue. It’s pet-safe. When it’s time to empty, simply pop the magnetic lid and dump—no mess, no touching. Cheri Sicard recommends it here.
Ask Dave
Which states require both front and rear license plates?
Find out here. (And find out why you may need to know.)
Reader poll
Do you use a sound machine to help you sleep?
Quick tip
Garden kneeling pads—good in and around the RV
Garden kneeling pads, made out of foam, are great for kneeling in the garden. But pick up a pack of them and you’ll have uses for them around the RV. Some RVers keep one with a box of disposable gloves so their knees don’t get wet when dumping holding tanks, or putting down manual stabilizers. But here’s another one: After bouncing down the highway, you park, go inside, open a cabinet door and hey, presto! Stuff jumps out of the cabinet! Some of these pads fit right across the opening of a cabinet door (tucked inside) and act as a barrier, keeping items inside the cabinet. And if you hit the bleachers at your favorite athletic or sporting event, they make a great cush for your tush. Here are some on Amazon.
Website of the day
Pinterest: Thanksgiving
The Pinterest Thanksgiving has everything! And we mean everything! Recipes, funny memes, decor, crafts, movies… everything! Get ready to spend some time exploring here.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
This might be one of the sweetest things we’ve ever seen for RVers! If you have someone close to you who’s far away (Kids? Grandkids? Sibling? Your partner?) you’re going to want this.
Trivia
Abraham Lincoln is in the Wrestling Hall of Fame! Before becoming the 16th president of the United States, Lincoln was a formidable wrestler in his youth. He reportedly lost only one match out of about 300, earning him a reputation for his strength and skill. His wrestling prowess was even recognized posthumously by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Shorty, Chihuahua, age 6. Great traveler and barks if a tree falls 5 miles away.” —David Needham
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 Official Idaho Travel Guide. Online or by mail. (Online also includes Scenic Byways, Idaho Children’s Brochure, and RV Idaho: Official Campground Directory.)
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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“Leave here with a laugh” picture was perfect. My sentiments exactly.
Merry Thanksgivaween!
Isn’t Walmart or Home Depot starting to decorate and display for Valentine’s day???
Please enjoy your holiday, stay healthy and be safe!
Really makes the holidays less enjoyable.
Even Christmas movies on TV started weeks ago!
The description of Shorty the Chihuahua cracked me up.
As long as I’m not parked next to Shorty, it’s funny.
Or eating at the table all his back parts are contaminating! 🤢
And don’t sit your baby’s but on any counter in front of me.
Kneeling pads are knee savers. We have two large sized ones located in the tool location.
No kneeling on gravel without protection.
I have 2 of these, one for the RV, one for my wife’s garden.
Traxion 1-500 VersaMat Roll-Up High Density Foam Utility Mat
Shorty is adorable, and it sounds like the best alarm available. Keep on camping!
Along with a kneeling pad, I carry a 4’x4′ sheet of cardboard (handy, lightweight creeper). The thicker, the better. Very handy for repairs underneath.
The cut sewer hose story was old, so didn’t allow comments. Several comments related to never storing a sewer hose and fresh water hose so they can contact, which I strongly agree with.
A response was that as long as the ends of each hose is connected to its other end it’s not an issue.
A sewer hose is subjected to fecal contamination on its outside every time it’s used when laid out at the dump station. That contamination moves to the storage location which then gets on a water hose stored there, which can migrate to the connections. Handling can then cause migration to the inside of the connection. Do as you want…just sayin’….
In my career I worked in hospitals, commercial bakeries, and serviced convenience stores and one thing they drilled into you was “cross contamination”.
Garden kneeling pads – all that in the quick tip. I also use them as wall padding / wall protectors in the bay for items that might be otherwise damaged by bouncing – like the surge protector for shore power
In addition to knee pads, I also carry a “yoga pad” to use shimmying under our trailer. Much softer and can slide on it when I need to.
Better than kneeling pads are the ‘scratchy’ door mats that look like fake grass. I keep one any place I might need a door mat or a kneeling pad.
Shorty is a cutie pie!
Putty tape is a mess to use. This product replaces it and leaves no mess:
Amazon.com: Dicor 451BSG-1 Gunnable Butyl Rubber Sealant
Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2AuLDPxGhQ
I have kneeling pads in every compartment. Sure saves the knees on gravel or concrete! (Now if I could figure out lift system to get me up from my knees…!)
This is the season to be especially thankful and I am thankful for RV Travel and its professional staff who put this and several other info pages together every day! I also am thankful for the commenters who entertain me and sometimes infuriate me as well; and those who offer tips gained from experience. (It keeps the heart pumpin’ and blood flow’n!) So thank you all……..
Thank you, Doug. We are very thankful for you and your longtime readership and support. Have a great day.🤗 –Diane
Shorty is an animal and doesn’t belong sitting on a table!! Also, he’s an admitted “yapper”. His name would have been “Soona” …Soona or later he’d be gone!!