America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2823 • New issue every weekday
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Today’s thought
“The poor man is not he who is without a cent, but he who is without a dream.” —Harry Kemp
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day!
On this day in history: 1789 – The first American novel, “The Power of Sympathy or the Triumph of Nature Founded in Truth,” by William Hill Brown, is printed in Boston.
Tip of the day
Easy way to check trailer brake light connections
Checking the brake lights on your travel trailer, fifth wheel, truck camper or tent trailer has been problematic for years. Without a partner to stand behind your RV and tell you if they are working or not meant having to jam something on the vehicle’s floorboard to hold the brake pedal down, then running to the back of your RV to take a look to check your trailer light connections.
Others checked their brake lights’ operation by looking for their reflection in a window, chrome bumper or other reflective surface located behind their RV. With the advent of remote vehicle entry via a key fob, checking your RV’s brake lights these days is as easy as pushing a button.
RV review
Retro vibes, modern features: 2026 Gulf Stream Vintage Cruiser 19ERD
If you love the 1950s look but want today’s conveniences, the 2026 Gulf Stream Vintage Cruiser 19ERD is built to deliver both. This compact travel trailer is best suited for a single RVer or a couple who want a stylish, easy-to-tow weekend rig or a rig for extended road trips without the bulk of a full-size trailer. It’s so cute, inside and out!
Tiny, portable air purifier is RV-sized
If your RV ever smells a little too much like last night’s dinner—or the campground fire pit—this compact air purifier is a quiet hero. It uses a true HEPA filter to trap dust, pollen, smoke, pet dander, and odors, runs whisper-quiet in sleep mode, and is small enough for an RV, car, or bedside table. With simple touch controls and USB-C power, it’s an easy way to keep the air fresh and breathable wherever you park. Check it out.
The latest news for RVers:
- Buc-ee’s to open its biggest location ever, and it’s not in Texas
- Do some RV brands really hold their value better or is it more complicated?
- State fuel taxes inch higher in 2026—will RVers notice?
- A kid’s fossil find in Wyoming shows how RV travel can spark lifelong curiosity
- RVers are prime targets for today’s smartest scams
In the RV shop with Dustin
A step-by-step guide to applying self-leveling sealant on your RV’s roof
Applying sealant to your RV roof, especially a self-leveling silicone sealant, can significantly extend the life of your roof and protect it from leaks and water damage. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on how to apply the sealant properly to ensure effective coverage and a long-lasting seal.
Article and video
Phoenix Camper: From a ’70s VW to a folding, futuristic motorhome
A Volkswagen bus is usually the kind of vehicle people picture as simple and boxy. The Phoenix Camper van flipped that idea on its head. Designed in the 1970s by Robert Q. Riley of Robert Q. Riley Enterprises in Chandler, Arizona, this DIY camper turned a VW Type 2 into a fold-out home with a look that still feels a little ahead of its time. This is amazing—you will love it!
Featured article
“Stupid” RV buying mistake leaves owner desperate
By Chuck Woodbury
I discovered this posting on a social media site. It hit one of my hot buttons—how incredibly easy it is to convince someone to make a bad decision about buying an RV. Oh, not intentionally, just the opposite—a dumb mistake expertly promoted by an RV salesman. Here’s the comment. And after you read the story, please leave a comment about what you’d do in this situation.
Ask Dave
Jug of water down RV kitchen sink is coming out city water connection. Why?
Doctor’s order: Coffee!
This coffee mug is hilarious! It’s perfect for yourself or the coffee-lover in your life who just cannot live without coffee. This high-quality mug is made from ceramic and painted to look like a prescription pill bottle—it’s just what the doctor ordered! You can’t order this from a barista, but you can order one here.
Reader poll
Do you always return your shopping cart to the cart return/back to the store?
Quick tip
Icky-sticky bugs and tar
Tired of thick accumulations of road tar by wheel wells, and stuck on bugs which seem to favor cab-overs and front running surfaces? Apply commercial bug and tar fluid, allow it to soak in and then wash off. Another alternative is applying waterless hand cleaner, letting it sit for a few minutes and wiping off with a soft cloth. You’ll save money, and to save time we’ve seen RVers working over their rigs while waiting in lines.
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: Which works best to insulate RV windows – shrink wrap or bubble wrap?
- Article & video: How to clean portable solar panels
- Featured article: A bad hitch can leave you in the ditch—or worse
Website of the day
Instacart
Get all your groceries delivered right to your RV’s door (and much more than groceries, too!). Costco, Walgreens, Petco, Lowe’s, Michaels, 7-Eleven… you name it! It can all be delivered to you via Instacart.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Pop, pop, pop! You’ll see why we like this one—it’s space-saving, which is perfect for RVers. Plus, it works great (we know from experience)!
Trivia
Facial sideburns derive their name from American Civil War general Ambrose Burnside. The general’s giant patches of hair on each cheek linked together by his mustache put the style into fashion in America in the 1870s. Eventually, men started shaving their mustaches and leaving their upper lip and chin bare, leaving just the sideburns to be shown off. The name “burnsides” got morphed into “sideburns” and the name stuck.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Ziggy (Shih Tzu) was a rescue at the age of one. He loved to go on trips in the RV to explore. He was a great family pet as long as you understood his motto to life…. ‘It’s my way or the highway.’ Sadly, we lost Ziggy just before Christmas at the age of 16. We miss him but take comfort in having enjoyed all his funny quirks and the love that he gave us for many years.” —Larry French
HELP! WE’RE VERY LOW ON PET PHOTOS! Please send us a photo of your pet with a short description. No blurry photos, and please do not submit your pet more than once. Thanks!
• Pet Food and all pet products at Amazon
• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.
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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Buc ee’s: The chain plans to open the world’s largest convenience store in Fort Pierce, Florida
Read More: https://www.thetakeout.com/2080421/buc-ees-worlds-largest-convenience-store/
Let them repo rv. Treat money you spent to date as lease. They have to come up with rest and must prove to a fault all te income and expenses. Repo d my car and never paid a dime
Ziggy was a gorgeous boy. Although your heart is heavy, the best way to heal is to find another beautiful fur baby that needs a furever home…when you are ready! Ziggy would approve!
I’m so sorry for your loss of Ziggy. I also want to thank you for rescuing him in the first place. And I understand that some dogs can be stubborn but I feel then she’s (ours) is definitely in the right family. I’m so glad that Ziggy got to spend quite a few years with you and getting to see what camping was all about, treasure those memories as they are the best.
Quick Tip:
Never use waterless hand cleaner to remove bugs and tar.
They contain abrasives which will scratch the surface.
Regular bug and tar remover and a sponge with a nylon mesh helps in removing the stuff.
You normally face the direction of travel when on stairs.
Would someone tell the guy/gal who does the weather map that we now have enough snow, thank you very much.
HI Impavid: I agree! Also, I wish they would take down those “deer crossing” signs – too many deer are getting hit there….!
So sorry you lost Ziggy. You were blessed to have him for 15 years.
if only our pets lifespans were longer than ours!
Is anyone else having problems navigating the daily newsletter with their iPhones? I used to be able to click on a topic and go right back to the newsletter without starting over. I also have the issue of how slow it is to move on to the next article. Frustrating.