From RVtravel.com: The common sense resource for RVers since 2001 • Issue 2785
Today’s thought
“Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.” —Alphonse Karr
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Native American Heritage Day.
On this day in history: 1895 – The first American automobile race takes place over 54 miles from Chicago’s Jackson Park to Evanston, Illinois. Frank Duryea wins in approximately 10 hours.
Tip of the day
Dollar stores offer great bargains for RVers
By Gail Marsh
I used to pop into Dollar Tree for a quick snack or a last-minute birthday card. On a recent run for snacks, I wandered deeper into the store and came away surprised and excited.
Dollar Tree’s aisles are full of little finds that make life easier on the road. If you enter your local Dollar Tree store today, you can find many useful items that support the RV lifestyle. Here are some examples.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Consequences of RV roof sealing failure explored
Today, join me as I revisit a critical inspection from 2017 involving a new Forest River RV that suffered from a roof sealing failure. This case highlights the importance of thorough inspections and quality assurance in RV manufacturing. Click here to read.
Article and video
RV cold-weather camping tips and safety hazards to avoid
By Cheri Sicard
When temperatures drop and leaves turn, plenty of RV owners start thinking about winter camping. Some do it by choice, others because they have no better housing option. Either way, cold camping can be rough on both people and rigs if they go in unprepared. This video guide from Josh the RV Nerd at Bish’s RV walks through real-world tips to stay safer, protect the RV, and avoid some very expensive and dangerous mistakes. I break them down for you in the article, too.
TODAY IS THE DAY! THE BIGGEST SALES OF THE YEAR ARE ON!
If there’s something you want, or need, or any gifts on your holiday shopping list, today is the day to buy them! Don’t miss out on these amazing sales—some Black Friday sales end today!
Featured article
Why you need a second shower rod in your RV’s shower
By Gail Marsh
Small spaces like an RV bathroom can always use more storage. That’s why you need a second shower rod in your RV shower. (If your RV doesn’t have a “first” shower rod, you still need one!) Find out why here.
IN COLORADO TODAY? Get into all Colorado State Parks FREE! Here’s how.
Ask Dave
Wood under RV toilet is soft and tank is falling. Help…
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- $120K RV depreciates to $40K—Losing $10K in just two weeks
- RV review: 2026 Keystone Cougar 316RLS—nicely updated, nicely improved
- How to legally live in an RV on your own land
- RV Roof Magic roof resealing update: Two years later, how did it hold up?
- How to clean an RV hot water tank
- Meet the unlikely inventor of bear spray
Speaking of missing things… We know many of you were offline yesterday (good!), but if you missed yesterday’s newsletter, it means you missed a few really, really funny turkey videos. It’s a short issue, so it won’t take you long to get through. Click here, scroll down, and laugh!
Reader poll
Will you be eating Thanksgiving leftovers today?
What’s the best black tank treatment? This!
Recently, Dave Solberg was asked what he thinks the best black tank treatment on the market is. His answer? “RV Digest-It Plus is the best product, as the proteins help the aerobic bacteria break down the sewage.” You can read more in Dave’s article here, and find RV Digest-It Plus on Amazon here.
Quick tip
Take care of awnings when it rains
RVer Christy has an electrically operated RV awning. She cautiously loosens the handle on one end of the awning to lower an arm to tilt the awning when rain threatens. After that, she sticks a piece of painter’s masking tape over the switch as a reminder not to roll in the awning until she’s readjusted the awning arm. Thanks, Christy!
Website of the day
Travel + Leisure Trip Ideas
Starting to think about 2026 travel? Well, Travel + Leisure’s Trip Idea page will surely inspire you to visit some of these incredible places. Have fun exploring here (literally!).
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Does anybody know what day of the week it is right now? It’s Monday, right? Wait, it’s Wednesday?! Perhaps we need one of these. We bet you know a lot of people, maybe yourself included, who could use one of these, too. This is funny!
RV recipes
6 Thanksgiving leftover recipes that put the extra food to good use
Okay, if you have leftovers in the fridge, click here and look through these recipes. After one more turkey serving, you might want something different… Turkey enchiladas sound good to us!
Trivia
Believe it or not, the day after Thanksgiving is so busy for plumbers that they jokingly call it Brown Friday. Reports show they can receive up to 50% more calls than on a typical Friday, thanks largely to clogged kitchen sinks and garbage disposals overloaded with improperly tossed holiday food scraps.
Readers’ pet of the day
“This is our rescue cat, ‘QIC’. She sits in the side windows and yells at 18-wheelers.” —Thomas Phipps
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.
FREE IS GOOD! Free 116-page catalog (more like an encyclopedia!) of herbs and their uses from Dragon Herbs, promoting the “art of glowing health.” Read it online or put your name on a list to receive the updated version when it’s produced.
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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? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
I got one from my wife when I retired in 2007, and it is a big help! Eventually, it stopped working, but we got another immediately because I used it all of the time.
Love the kitty but not the disrespect of the flag
Look closer. It’s not a flag.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I am thankful for many things, not least of which is RVTravel.com. I start each day reading the RVTravel newsletter. I learn valuable info with practically every newsletter. At the vary least every newsletter is entertaining. It is well worth the few bucks I donate every month to support such a great resource.
Keep up the good work RVTravel!!
Thank you for your kind words, Bob! We appreciate your support, verbal and otherwise. And we appreciate YOU! Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
“Brown Friday” is also when folks watching the football game all rush to the toilet at once, and everyone flushes, at about the same time.
QIC looks like a mellow traveler.
thanks for sharing