From RVtravel.com: The common sense resource for RVers since 2001 • Issue 2791
Today’s thought
“Life is to be lived. If you have to support yourself, you had bloody well find some way that is going to be interesting. And you don’t do that by sitting around wondering about yourself.” —Katharine Hepburn
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day! (See ya later… or earlier?)
On this day in history: 1953 – U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivers his “Atoms for Peace” speech, which leads to an American program to supply equipment and information on nuclear power to schools, hospitals, and research institutions around the world.
Tip of the day
See new sights and save with Groupon while RVing
By Gail Marsh
Traveling around the country, we’ve seen many special events, attractions, and museums. We’ve also undoubtedly missed many interesting sights along the way. But not anymore! I’ve found a way to make sure we see more and still save while RVing. And you can, too!
You may have heard about this company or even used it in the past to get discounts on goods and services. (I used it years ago and had forgotten about it. You should know that I’m not a paid promoter of Groupon. I recently rediscovered the company and wanted you to know about it, too.) Groupon, a Chicago-based company, launched back in 2008. Today, Groupon is a global e-commerce marketplace that offers coupons, discounts, and cash back on purchases by folks around the world. Continue reading.
More tips from this weekend:
- RVers share a few handy DIY tips
- Multi-use, transforming RV furniture
- An easy multimeter master class: Save hundreds of dollars in RV repairs
- Everything you need to know about cleaning your RV slide-out topper
RV review
2026 Winnebago Thrive 25RLS—a national park-friendly couple’s trailer
The 2026 Winnebago Thrive 25RLS gives couples a modern, easy-towing travel trailer with a high-end feel inside and out. It packs smart storage, strong construction, and a bright interior into a compact footprint that still fits most national park campsites. Here, Matt, of Matt’s RV Reviews, takes us on a walk-through tour that looks at the key features, highlights, and a few honest drawbacks. Click here to read our review and watch the video.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Finding and identifying your RV’s water heater information
Join me in the video below, “In The RV Shop,” as I talk about where to locate your RV water heater information. Besides the model number, you will find the serial number, which is necessary when contacting any RV dealership or repair shop. Dometic, Suburban or Furrion will all require this information on your water heater to look up the unit, purchase parts and to assist with any troubleshooting. Click here to read.
The cutest cactus coasters!
These are the best coasters ever! This would look great on your dinette or side table! This “cactus” comes with 6 coasters—build it how you want! You’ll get tons of compliments on this.
Article and video
RV decals gone in minutes with the best RV decal remover
By Cheri Sicard
Old RV decals can make a solid RV look tired in a hurry. In the video at the end of this post, Todd and Carla Rose, the Runaway Roses, have owned several used campers and truck campers, and each one came with the same problem: faded graphics and cracked gold stripes that were stuck on like concrete. This guide walks through what they tried, what failed, and the simple method and RV decal remover that finally took those decals off in minutes instead of days. Click here to read and watch.
The latest news for RVers
- AI dynamic pricing hits campgrounds nationwide as rates change by the minute
- National parks to require photo ID for visitors 16 and up
- Texas builds massive RV parks for temporary workers, but who will use them after?
- Oregon considers major overhaul of state park reservations amid crowding and cancellations
- Three family members die from RV refrigerator fire
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
How to choose the right RV storage facility
By Gail Marsh
Soon we may need to choose a new place to store our RV. The company that currently provides space for our rig has just announced that it’s raising monthly fees. I suppose it’s because demand is up. Way up! … So, we have 30 days to choose an RV storage facility. Here are things to consider when looking for RV storage.
Ask Dave
Twelve Days of Christmas RV Tools—Second day: infrared temperature sensor
By Dave Solberg
On the second day of Christmas, my must-have tool is the infrared temperature sensor. As I have stated many times, it’s important to have specifics when troubleshooting most RV repairs, rather than just saying it’s not cooling or not heating. Continue reading.
SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOUR RV?
Good news! We have more than 3,500 articles in our “RV Maintenance and Repair” category, so we’re confident we can help you solve the problem. In addition, did you know you can search our website using the search bar at the top of every page for keywords or topics that interest you or that you need help with? Yep, we’ve got you covered!
Reader poll
If you display a Christmas tree this holiday season, will it be real or artificial?
The world’s cutest toilet paper holder
We shared this a few weeks ago as a Mystery Product, and we haven’t stopped thinking about it—it’s so cute! This toilet paper holder holds three rolls of toilet paper and can be placed anywhere in your bathroom. You’ll smile every time you see it! Learn more or order.
Quick tip
Battery safety comes first
When working with RV storage batteries, keep safety in the foremost place. Common flooded-acid batteries produce hydrogen gas when they charge. Unless that gas is thoroughly vented, a single spark can create a great explosion (think Hindenburg). When working with your batteries, always make sure the battery compartment is thoroughly vented BEFORE making a battery connection. For those who have an inverter, you’ll always (or near enough to call it always) get a spark when you reconnect the battery terminals.
Website of the day
The Best Diners in America
It’s hard to beat a good diner. It’s even harder to beat a huge plate of melt-in-your-mouth pancakes, or ham and eggs if that’s more your thing. Here’s a list from Food&Wine of the best diners in America.
Trivia
7-Eleven stores were originally called “Tote’m Stores.” Back in the 1920s, the Southland Ice Company operated a chain of ice houses around Dallas, TX, where customers would stock up on ice for their ice boxes. An employee at the time, John Jefferson Green, got permission to start selling basic kitchen goods such as milk, eggs and bread at one of the 16 stores. The model was very successful and, eventually, all other stores adopted selling other kitchen and food products. The stores were renamed “Tote’m Stores,” which was a nod to the fact that customers “toted” away their purchases. However, also at this time, one of their employees had brought back a large Inuit totem pole from a trip to Alaska and erected it outside their store. This is another reason it was named “Tote’m.” This pole was so eye-catching that pretty soon, there was a totem pole in front of every store.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Caper, aka Gladys Kravitz, is small for a Golden (age 5), but she’s packed with personality. She’s obsessed with squirrels, bunnies, toads, and lizards. She loves everyone and shows it by generously giving hugs. She’s a wonderful traveling companion and great sofa snuggler.” —Donna & Ron Brasfield
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.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
This would look so beautiful at night in your RV! We want this as we curl up with a good book!
FREE IS GOOD! Free festive fun in-store events and goodies at Petco all December.
Leave here with a laugh
An RVing couple, both born the same year and month, were celebrating their 60th birthdays. During the celebration, a fairy appeared and said she would grant them each one wish. Very excited, the woman said that since she had already visited most of North America in her RV she would like to visit Europe. The fairy waved her magic wand; airline tickets instantly appeared in her hand. Then it was the husband’s turn. He paused for a moment, then said with a sly look, “Well, I’d like to have a woman 30 years younger than me.” The fairy waved her wand and, presto, he was 90.
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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Quick Tip – you should always remove the negative terminal FIRST when disconnecting batteries. Plus, when working on your House batteries, you should turn off the Inverter/Charger at the Inverter versus the remote if you use one.
I’d suggest to read one’s inverter manual before doing anything with the batteries. While normal battery protocol is to remove the negative first, and attach it last, I had a Magnum inverter and the instructions were to remove positive first. There were other steps as well, but net is it’s best to read and understand the system requirements in your own RV and follow those instructions.
As always, RTFM.
Caper is gorgeous, she can hug me anytime and anywhere! And with all those obsessions I’m sure she stays busy in the campgrounds. Keep on camping.
Reference Leave here with a laugh, my wife is a twin. Yup, she and her sister were born on the same day. My wife’s twin’s husband asked one day what my wife’s birthday was. Yeah, he wasn’t too bright. They’re not together anymore.
🤣🤣 That’s too funny, Impavid! Thanks! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Did you guys ever hear of twins being born where one is just before midnight and the other after? It happens and therefore twins can have different birthdays! 🙂
Oh, that’s true, Mikal! I forgot about that. Good point! Or how about twins born December 31 and January 1, i.e., a “year” apart!🫨 Have a good night. 😀 –Diane
Caper is a beauty! We love Goldens…especially when they have the beautiful darker golden-orange color as originally bred. We miss our Golden a lot and plan to get another someday.
Would love to know why “aka Gladys Kravitz.” Does Caper like to stick her nose in other people’s business like Gladys always did on bewitched? 😀
If you’re anywhere near Pennsylvania, check out Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue for your next Golden. They are between Lancaster and Reading, Pa. They rescue Goldens and Labs. My niece has worked there for 17 years. It’s a great place to adopt from. They take care of their medical needs and work to make sure they are a good fit for each family.
Good idea to rescue when possible! 👍 We are no where near there, but we did get our Golden from a Golden Rescue that was about 100 miles away.
Goldens are such great dogs I’ve always been amazed that anyone that gets one ever wants to get rid of it. We still tear up from time to time and ours crossed the rainbow bridge over 5 years ago.
Caper, aka Gladys Kravitz! This description cracked me up. She is a beautiful Golden. It is obvious you take time to brush that gorgeous fur. In this picture she is obviously scoping out the camground for some juicy gossip.
We had U-Totem in Florida. Was that the same as Totems?
also had 7-11.