America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2809
Happy New Year, readers and friends!
We are so excited to share another year with you. Thank you so very much for continuing your journey with us. If you weren’t here, we wouldn’t be here!
If you missed Sunday’s RV Travel newsletter, make another cup of coffee and read it here. It’s filled with all our best stories from 2025 (and we mean FILLED!).
Today’s thought
“The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes.” —G.K. Chesterton
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is 2026! 365 sunsets to go! (It’s also National Hangover Day AND National Bloody Mary Day!)
On this day in history: 45 B.C. – The Julian calendar takes effect as the civil calendar of the Roman Empire, establishing January 1 as the new date of the new year.
Tip of the day
Our top 10, most-read tips for RVers in 2025
We wrote, and you read! These were your top 10 favorite (most-read) tips of 2025. You might remember some of these, or maybe you missed all of them. Either way, we know you’ll find something to learn here. Have fun looking back at these popular tips.
Article and video
Travel Route 66 by drone: Amazing footage from Illinois to California
Route 66 feels different when it’s seen from above. In the video at the end of this post from Travel with a Wiseguy, John Wise shares a compilation of drone clips from his road trip across the Mother Road, starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica. It’s the kind of edit that lets the scenery do the talking, with music carrying the pace while the views change mile by mile. You’ll enjoy this.
Featured article
RV Engineer answers: “Is silicone sealant the worst thing ever for your RV?”
Many RV owners would rather swallow a live June bug than spread silicone caulk over their rigs. “Silicone is the worst possible product you could use,” they warn. “It will peel, and nothing will ever stick to it again!” Should you believe these fireside horror stories of silicone gone awry? If silicone is so bad, why are some RVs sealed with silicone straight from the factory? And what should you be using instead? Continue reading for the truth.
Take better care of your body: Prevent and reverse diseases
Discover how everyday food choices can help you live a longer, healthier life. In “How Not to Die”, Dr. Michael Greger breaks down the leading causes of premature death and shows how simple, science-backed nutrition and lifestyle changes can help prevent and even reverse chronic disease. Packed with practical advice, surprising insights, and easy-to-follow checklists, this best-selling book empowers you to take control of your health, one meal at a time.
Ask Dave
RV’s theater seat ‘leather’ is peeling. Why, and what are my options to replace?
Reader poll
Did you make a New Year’s resolution?
Quick tip
Easy stand for inline water filter
If you use an inline water filter to feed your in-bound water supply, keeping the filter canister out of the dirt can be a trial. Here’s a trick: A rubber safety cone, cut with a sharp knife to accommodate the canister, is both lightweight and goof-proof. Since highway workers frown on us using their cones, you can find a variety on Amazon.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Amazing Google Earth feature allows you to accurately measure campsites, parking spaces, more
- RV review: These are Far-Out Campers—a truck camper for adventurers
- Ask Dave: My Schwintek slide-out doesn’t have rollers. Is that a problem?
- Article & video: Healthy RV cooking: 5 yummy make-ahead jar salads
- Featured article: RVing and campfires: Connecting, adapting, and embracing life’s simple pleasures
ARE YOU A NAIL-BITER?
Stop that habit! This stuff really works—nail-biters swear by it! (No, really. The reviews are insane!)
Website of the day
New Year’s Traditions From Around the World
Do you know why, and in what countries, folks make noise at midnight on New Year’s Eve? Do you know what foods are lucky? What do other countries “pop” other than champagne? All that and more.
And the survey says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers close to 5,000 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 45 percent say it is very important for them to be able to spend some time alone.
• If given the snacking choice between cheese or a piece of candy, 64 percent would choose cheese.
• If given the choice of being admired either for being handsome/beautiful or for having a great mind, 91 percent said they’d rather be admired for having a great mind.
Recent poll: Will you spend more or less time in your RV in 2026 than you did in 2025?
Recipes to kick off the new year:
- Make your kitchen feel like a fancy restaurant with these New Year’s Eve (Day) recipes
- 4 healthy recipes that you’d never know are healthy
- 6 super salad recipes for a healthier you
- 5 steak recipes to elevate your next meal
Trivia
In the 1920s, Americans saved Ecuador’s economy by consuming millions of Eskimo Pies (now called Edy’s Pie). Yup, that’s right! In the 1920s, Ecuador went through its own depression and was in need of a massive infusion of money. At the same time in the U.S., the Eskimo Pie was invented. (If you’re unfamiliar, that’s an ice cream treat covered in chocolate.) By 1922, Americans were consuming so many Eskimo Pies that global cocoa prices were driven up 50 percent. Since Ecuador was, at the time, the world’s largest cocoa exporter, they received enough money to lift the entire country out of its depression.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
This is serving up something we love! Want to get in better shape for the new year? Enjoy playing games? Well, this is something you can do right at your campsite and you’re guaranteed to have fun while doing it!
Readers’ pet of the day
“Peanut, age 6, loves to travel in our RV. Here she is sleeping after a long drive.” —Rachelle Feldman
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! Join Auntie Anne’s Rewards and get a free pretzel for joining and a free pretzel on your birthday with any purchase annually.
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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I wish that the Laugh of the Day was funny! There’s nothing funny about NOT using your turn signals. It takes virtually NO EFFORT!!! It makes driving SAFER!!!
Heck I always say they didn’t put turn signals on that model.
And it seems the more expensive the vehicle, the less the signals get used.
That, and it’s hard to do when holding a cell phone!!!
I agree. Good message but not funny at all.
One place virtually no one in America uses turn signals is roundabouts…but they should to exit the circle.
Learned that lesson my first trip to Australia years ago. I was constantly getting honked at in roundabouts…it was my first time using them. I asked my business colleagues why. They asked, “Are you using your turn signals to exit?” No was my response. They let me know that not doing so makes drivers entering ahead stop and wait when they could have kept moving into the circle, had they known I was exiting. They were letting me know of their displeasure!
Makes sense.
Problem with that is what happens if you are turning at the next exit, or you didn’t turn it off after entering? And what if they pull out in front of you?
If they do, it’s their fault no matter what.
And, how many people do you see with turn signals on for miles?
Even in town, some are oblivious to the that little light blinking.
I ride a Goldwing motorcycle. The turn signal self cancels while moving after about 15 seconds (13 blinks), at 35mph, that’s almost 500 feet. And at 60mph that’s over 900 feet.
Why don’t cars and trucks have the same system?
I get a notification my signal is still on if left on for a few seconds on my 2021 car .
Most folks don’t realize that using your turn signals does not cause cancer.
Peanut, quite adorable, looks all worn out from that trip, hopefully she can rest up a bit for the next one. Keep on camping.
I always say that model has the turn signal delete package!
What a sweet picture, Rachelle! Thank you for sharing it! Thank you Emily and Diane! Have a great day, a grand 2026, and safe travels!
I’ve been using the traffic cone to hold the filter for several years. Cones are inexpensive and also can be used in a breakdown situation. I think the cost was around $15.00 (tall cone) at a local hardware store. Rugged and easy to clean & dry off. (A few sizes available – check your storage space and filter sizes).
The reason young drivers don’t use their Turn Signals, especially in new cars, is the fact they don’t know how to add Turn Signal Fluid.
Yes, NOT using your Turn Signals is a driving danger, but come on folks. Are you really starting the new year all “wound up tight and no humor in your life. Geeeeeezzzzz