America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2801
Today’s thought
“The best way to cheer yourself is to cheer somebody else up.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Date Nut Bread Day!
On this day in history: 1913 – Arthur Wynne’s “word-cross”, the first crossword puzzle, is published in the New York World.
Tip of the day
7 common RV winterization mistakes you should avoid
By Andrew Herrick
As an RV technician, I get asked about RV winterization a lot. Personally, I’m a fan of winterizing with liquid antifreeze through the onboard water pump. Where I live, winter packs an MMA-level punch, so I trust the pink stuff to get the job done.
These are the most common RV winterization mistakes I hear about when I help my customers winterize. If you read this list first, you might avoid a future visit from me!
RV review
2026 Thor Four Winds ESpec 19Z— A cute Class C that fits in a parking spot
The 2026 Thor Four Winds ESpec 19Z is built for people who love the idea of van life but want more space and comfort without jumping to a bigger Class C. At just 20’5″ tip-to-tail, it fits cleanly into a standard parking spot yet still packs in a full bathroom, kitchen, and sleeping for four. Impressive! And cute! Check it out.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Why fifth wheel frames crack, and how to prevent it
Join me “In The RV Shop” in the video below as I talk about finding cracks on a Lippert Components frame. While completing a wheel bearing pack service, the techs located three cracks on this frame! This is just another reason to keep up with your routine maintenance. Small cracks like this can lead to a catastrophe later.
Check out Camco’s telescopic collapsible rake
Did you know there’s a rake made specifically for RVs?! Well, now you do, and how will you ever live without it? It expands to 60″ long and has a 22″ rake width, but folds down to just 30″ x 8.5″, so easy to store. Keep your campsite neat and dirt out of your RV. Learn more.
Article and video
Tour a fully restored 1952 Vagabond travel trailer
By Cheri Sicard
The stunning 1952 Vagabond travel trailer in the video at the end of this post proves that a vintage rig can feel like a small, stylish home. The tour, from the team at BossaNova Life, follows a couple from Oregon who turned a gutted shell into a warm, roomy space for their family and friends. This is amazing!
Confuse-Us Say: RVer who approach buffalo close for selfie like natural selection saying “Finally.”
The latest news for RVers
- RVers at risk: Expert claims Battle Born lithium batteries are dangerous and unsafe
- National park pass lawsuit targets Trump image on 2026 pass
- Camping World debuts new RV financing plan, but buyers beware
- Why winter RV camping feels different this year
- Ford’s new F-150 Lightning pickup to have 700-mile range, improved towing
To read more recent news, click here.
ANOTHER BIG FORD RECALL: Ford issues major recall on EVs and hybrids, park mode may fail
Featured article
RV manufacturers boost profits with cheap Chinese parts
By Ron Burdge
RV manufacturers are always looking to increase profits, often by sourcing cheaper parts. A growing trend is to buy components made in China because they’re much cheaper than those made in the USA. But what’s the catch? Continue reading.
Ask Dave
Storing RV engine and house batteries in winter
It’s a pen, it’s a ruler, it’s a level, it’s 9-things-in-1!
This is neat! This multi-tool pen has 9 useful functions, including a ballpoint pen, a flat head screwdriver, a Phillips screwdriver, a stylus, a bottle opener, a phone holder, a bubble level, a ruler, and an LED light. You name it, this little gadget can do it!
Reader poll
Did you decorate your home and/or RV for the holidays?
Quick tip
Where to put that stabilizer jack crank?
If your crank is creeping around in a storage compartment, you may find that when you need it most, it’s crawled to the middle of the compartment, just out of reach. Get yourself a couple “garage storage hooks” like these, screw them into an appropriate location in your basement storage compartment and hang that cranky crank (or anything else that gets away) where it’s in reach and can’t get away!
Website of the day
Vital Vegas
All the insider news, information and tips you should know about Las Vegas. It’s the stuff the media doesn’t cover, and the stuff that business owners don’t want you to find out.
Trivia
Who invented Dorito chips? They first appeared in the early ’60s in Frontierland restaurant, Casa de Fritos, in Disneyland. There, the chef came up with the idea to take extra tortillas, slice them into small wedges, fry them, and season them like chilaquiles, only dry, not wet. They were such a hit that Frito-Lay began selling them in 1964.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Okay, this is just plain cute! Do the “look inside” feature and trust us, you’ll want it!
Readers’ pet of the day
“We recently adopted Barlie (Yorkie mix, age 2) and are still getting used to each other. We are showing him the world, and he is barking at all of it!” —Kelly Foster
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 Enjoy Illinois Inspiration Guide. Trips, itineraries and inspiration. Updated biannually. Order print copy, view online, or download PDF.
Leave here with a laugh
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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In your article RV manufacturers boost profits with cheap Chinese parts. Nuts and bolts do matter. There was a scandal years ago about counterfeit nuts and bolts. On my 2023 Outdoors RV I’ve had two self tapping screws holding the bottom fenders break. If I didn’t catch it there could have been damage to the fenders eventually. Union wages and demands is a reason manufacturers go to China for cheap parts. On my Outdoors Rv the shower doors weren’t made right. The door cuts the bottom gasket and dealer told me they don’t know how to fix it. Light over the dump valve I never used would light up with the switch off. My dinette booth seat was made wrong and had to be modified to latch drawer.
Sounds like it must have been made in a non union shop!
In addition to the Featured Article from over a year old, Magnum does not make Invertors anymore.
Magnum Energy is under the DMX Power name now and still manufacture inverters under the Magnum name.
https://www.magnum-dimensions.com/mobile-power-products/inverter-chargers
That’s new news to me! Thanks for the update. I know I called them about 9 months ago and the message I got is they only sold replacement parts. Thanks.
Great, and then they wonder why they fall apart???
Barlie looks like he is enjoying the ride. What a cute dog.
Barlie is so adorable, and he’s letting you know he’s seeing everything when he’s barking as it’s all new to him. He looks like a very happy dog. Keep on camping.
Suggestion for a future poll: For those RVs that use scissor stabilizer jacks. How many people use a cordless drill adapter versus the manufacturer’s hand crank?
Yes, I have the hand crank buried at the bottom of the bay, but I’ve never used it. And a cordless drill/driver is a must tool for RVing. It gets used for a lot more than the jacks.
For ‘stuff’ in the middle of the pass-through, I have an extension pole for hanging Christmas lights. While the dedicated poles have become ridiculously priced, you can make your own using a paint roller extension pole (<$10) and a Christmas light hanging hook (<$5) that mounts on the pole.
Put this unit on those quick tip garage hooks and you can snag that hand crank and a whole bunch of other things that are otherwise hard to reach at the middle of the pass-through. And put those items back to the middle when done using them.
Thank you for sharing the great picture of Barlie, Kelly! I hope that you have many wonderful RV adventures for years to come. Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great week, safe travels, and a merry Christmas!
Barlie is a lucky dog. Hope you have many years of fun together. Thanks for sharing
My stab crank hangs from 2-3 Velcro straps screwed into a basement wall. I tried the hooks but the crank would bounce out. The crank is there for backup. I use a power drill and attachment to raise and lower the jacks.
Your Barlie is a cutie! What a cute name. Looks like he is enjoying the outdoor life. Enjoy him!