America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2816
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Today’s thought
“I was raised to sense what someone wanted me to be and be that kind of person. It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else’s eyes.” —Sally Field
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Clean Off Your Desk Day!
On this day in history: 1967 – Dr. James Bedford becomes the first person to be cryonically preserved with the intent of future resuscitation.
Tip of the day
My 11 favorite RV cleaning products
By Nanci Dixon
There are a number of cleaning products that can be effective for use in an RV. I have some favorites that I just can’t do without.
It is always best to check the owner’s manual for specific recommendations for your type of RV and the materials inside it. Remember: Aerosols can set off LP and smoke detectors if sprayed too close to the detector.
That being said, here are my favorite RV cleaning products.
More tips from this weekend:
- RVs and WD-40: Unusual combinations that work
- Who is Tony Barthel, the RV expert behind the reviews? (Plus, his new tips column)
- Are you yielding wrong?
- Can a solar panel overcharge your battery?
RV review
2026 Thor Tellaro Sport 20U—A compact Class B with smart layout
The 2026 Thor Tellaro Sport 20U is a compact Class B van that still manages to have an open feel inside. It uses space well, starting with the long lounge layout and ending with a wet bath that feels larger than expected. The fridge size also stands out for a Class B. Learn more and take a tour here.
A good Starlink Mini mount
If you’re running Starlink Mini on the road, this magnetic roof mount makes setup simple and solid. Built from durable aluminum and designed specifically for Starlink Mini, it locks on securely (no suction cups here), adds a smart 8° elevation for a more stable signal, and reduces wind drag while you’re rolling. It includes installation tools and anti-theft screws, so once it’s mounted, it stays put—giving RVers and overlanders one less thing to fuss with when it’s time to get online. Learn more or order.
••• TODAY’S SPECIAL DEALS AT AMAZON •••
In the RV shop with Dustin
How often do dump valve cables break? Should I be worried?
If you have questions, we have answers! Here is a sample from one of our past Talkin’ RV Tech shows where one of our viewers shares their concern about their dump valve cables breaking. As mentioned, we don’t see a lot of cables breaking. What we do see is the actual dump valve breaking. There are a few things you can do to prevent your RV dump valve from breaking.
TIP: Learn the locations of current power outages across the USA: PowerOutage.us.
Article and video
Wow, check out this triple-decker micro camper build—a 3-story “toaster” trailer
Building a micro camper is hard enough on one level, but Chay Denne aka President Chay went for a full triple-decker. The goal was simple to say but wild to execute: Make a freakishly tall, street-legal camper with three floors, real heat, a real bathroom, and enough strength to survive the road. His masterpiece is amazing!
The latest news for RVers
- Zion National Park to prohibit large RVs from traveling through park
- Workcampers getting younger, challenging older RVers for jobs
- Putting a sticker on your national park pass could invalidate it
- New futuristic, power-generating RV debuts; recharges the truck towing it
- National parks avoid major funding cuts, a key concern for RV travelers
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
RV engineer spills the dirty truth about RV cargo capacity
By Andrew Herrick, The RV Engineer
In the alphabet soup of RV towing capacities, Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) is usually overshadowed by Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) … All right, I’ll stop! But you should really know more about your RV cargo capacity, because … Well, here’s why.
All RVers need an infrared thermometer
This handy infrared thermometer is one of those tools RVers don’t realize they need—until they have it. Use it to check grill temps, make sure your fridge and freezer are running right, spot hot spots in your A/C or furnace vents, test tire or brake heat after a drive, or see if the oven is actually at temp. Just point, pull the trigger, and get an instant reading on a bright screen—no touching, no guessing, and no crawling into tight spaces. Learn more or order.
Ask Dave
Follow-up to RV roof “chalking” question — It’s fiberglass. Now what?
**Don’t miss Dave’s seminars at the Florida RV SuperShow January 14-18. You’ll learn (and laugh) a lot!
Reader poll
Of these options, which would you prefer for a quick snack?
Quick tip
How tiles help you make your RV’s bed
Putting a fitted sheet on a mattress is made infinitely easier when you can slide the mattress out away from the wall. Unfortunately, many RV beds are on unfinished plywood platforms. These platforms snag the mattress if you attempt to slide it, making it difficult to move. By installing some peel-and-stick tiles on the platform, you can eliminate the snagging issue and make sliding your mattress a breeze. Don’t worry, though—the mattress does stay in place while you’re sleeping. From doityourselfrv.com
Reminder to help keep you safe
Website of the day
Soak Your Winter Blues Away in America’s Most Beautiful Natural Hot Springs
If eyes could drool they would at all these photos. We want to go to all these hot springs, especially now in winter!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Oooooh, this looks nice! Well, actually, it kind of looks like a torture device… but we know it’s nice! And we bet it would feel nice, too! And you’d never have to pay to get one of these done again! Check it out.
Trivia
The Prohibition Era’s most successful enforcement officers made their arrests posing as… what? Police officers! Creative police officers!! Izzy Einstein and Moe Smith were the most successful Prohibition Era enforcement officers. They were responsible for nearly 5,000 arrests between 1920 and 1925. Their secret? Honesty! They’d walk right up to speakeasies and announce they were police officers looking for a drink. Bouncers and bartenders thought it was a gag. After all, what kind of officer would walk right up and announce themselves like that? The two officers would walk in, order a round of drinks, take a sip, and sneak the rest of the drink into bottles in their overcoats to serve later as evidence. Done deal!
Readers’ pet of the day
“We adopted KaLua (Collie mix, age 6) after our Suzy crossed the rainbow bridge. Suzy found KaLua and led us to her. She is a well-mannered little lady and told us she cannot wait until her first trip in Suzy’s trailer!” —Emily Hulsey
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!
• Pet Food and all pet products at Amazon and Walmart
• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.
GOOD DEAL! Just in time for Valentine’s Day (or any day, actually): Barilla Limited Edition Love (heart-shaped) Pasta at Amazon. What a special treat for your loved ones!
Leave here with a laugh
FINAL THOUGHT: “Confidence is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking tartar sauce with you.” —Zig Ziglar
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Have an escape plan in case you need to evacuate your RV in a hurry.
do not open your emergency exit window unless it can be closed!
I made the mistake of opening our window only to find out it cannot be closed once opened.
cost us $1000.00 to replace the window
What rv do you have? I’d like to know the make and model!
Ours can be closed, one tip though.
Occasionally open the window and clean and lube the rubber seal. The seal will stick to the glass and make it hard to open.
We also have a piece of plywood tucked under the end of the mattress or leaning against the wall. It’s long enough to reach from the bed to the window.
You can ‘back’ out of the window and drop to the ground instead of going head first.
And a fire extinguisher is in the bedroom!
Same here, an older Winnebago. At least I didn’t test it. If needed I’ve instructed my little sister to use the 5# Fire red thing and knock the quack out of it.
I’d rather have her traveling with me than a replaceable window. $100.?
So sorry to hear about Suzy, but I’m so glad she lead KaLua to you to adopt. I’m sure she will be glad to learn all about camping.
KaLua is a beautiful dog. Many happy travels with her.
Made same mistake with window. One use only. $1200 to replace, very hard to find replacement and it’s a 2023 coach. Manufacturer should put notice on all emergency windows. BEWARE
Starlink Mini mount. Interesting idea. Until you realize it is held in place by four strong magnets.Aren’t most RV roofs fiberglass over aluminum? Or is there steel on the roof?
Once again someone here is sleeping at the wheel…..Mine is aluminum….Not Wubber as Bug’s Pal Elmer would share. That Waskily Wabbit…
I’ll probably be put in the corner with a cone hat tonight…Ratz!
We have a fire extinguisher near the exit door, another in the bedroom and another in the tow vehicle!
I have a fire extinguisher in the bedroom and the factory one by the door and I also carry 2 10 pounders in the basement which I did use one time when I was at a race track and a race car across from us back fired when he was starting it and I was able to get it out before too much damage was done.
Can you do an article on how to “inspect your absorption refrigerator regularly, “ please?
Hi, Traveler. Here’s a fairly recent post on RV refrigerator maintenance from Dustin Simpson: Why regular RV refrigerator maintenance is essential for performance. I hope that helps. If not, let us know and we’ll check into it further. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Ya sure, ya betcha. Says Ballard, Dustin again…..Not for me anymore.
🤣 I am mostly Scandinavian (Swedish and Danish, plus about 10 other nationalities), but am not from Ballard. (I grew up just north of Seattle, what is now Shoreline.) My great-grandmother (who came from Sweden when my grandmother was about 10) lived there many years, however. Have a great day, David. 😀 –Diane
Quick tip alternative: Buy an inexpensive woven fabric paint cloth. Use a staple gun with 1/4″ staples to attach. You can typically ‘blind staple’ the cloth to the head of the bed (put all the cloth at the head and staple about an inch of the bottom, then fold the cloth over the staples and pull the rest to the foot). Then wrap the cloth over the sides and bottom of the platform and staple underneath the platform. Finally trim away the excess.
The cloth not only prevents snags from the OSB platform, but allows for the mattress to breath and avoid mold creation.
If you haven’t done so, supplement your fire extinguisher with a fire blanket. This inexpensive addition won’t expire like your extinguisher and will smother stove fires (the most common fire). The shell easily attaches to the wall and the blanket pulls out the bottom in an emergency.
After you develop your escape plan, then practice it. If you use the window, lay a towel or blanket down before exiting. Exit the window feet first and on your belly. This will make your landing much easier.
FYI I got an email stating that if you change anything on your park pass like putting a sticker on the card because something on the pass you do not like will invalidate your pass. At the price they are charging I think it best to leave your pass alone.
Really enjoyed the article on CCC rating. It’s terrible that so many RV’s are built so cheap they have no strength for “stuff”. Ran into the same problem with a 70’s era “Heavy Duty” F150 4×4. When weighed and subtracted from the GVW, the load capacity was 600 lbs. In a pickup? Greed is dangerous!
I’m just curious, do any of you read information about links you share with us in R.V.’s?
Hot Springs: There are no camping sites close to Chico-Quinns and Trail Creek. Quinns used to have a couple of R.V. spots years ago, they now want you to drive to Plains or Paradise many miles away to a campground they own.
Fairmont is a big $$$$ place more as an amusement park.
At least I travel throughout the areas enjoying the hot water and know what’s up.
Head towards Hot Springs Montana for several affordable choices.
I believe folks from other parts of our great country should rely on more than one source of information before putting the miles on and ending up disappointed.
Thanks for the updated info, David. Take care. 😀 –Diane