America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2843 • New issue every weekday
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Today’s thought
“People don’t take trips, trips take people.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Drink Wine Day!
On this day in history: 1930 – Elm Farm Ollie becomes the first cow to fly in a fixed-wing aircraft and also the first cow to be milked in an aircraft.
Tip of the day
Believe it or not, tennis balls come in very handy for daily tasks around the RV
Perhaps you play tennis, perhaps you have a tennis ball-obsessed dog, or perhaps you find an old tennis ball at the campground. Well, don’t toss them out! Try these tips for reusing tennis balls while RVing or in and around your home.
RV review
Brand-new Exodus Capax pop-up camper: Garageable and off-grid
At the LA Auto Show, Brian Chow from Everyday Reviews checked out a brand-new trailer called the Capax. The first impression was simple: It looked pretty wild, especially because it can tow low, then open up into a full-height camper. This camper is a father-son project built from a love of exploring. They wanted one trailer that checked all the boxes and removed common pain points, so they built it themselves when they couldn’t find anything similar on the market. Check it out because it might be just what you’re looking for.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Preventing dump valve handles from coming loose in travel
I [Dustin] was recently asked by a customer about RV dump valve handles coming loose in travel. They wanted to know where they could get a replacement handle and how they could prevent it from coming loose again. If the handle on your RV dump valve is loose, it’s essential to address the issue promptly to prevent any accidental openings or difficulties in operation.
RV MAINTENANCE ADVICE: That’s the topic at RVtravel.com’s Facebook group, where more than 91,000 members discuss keeping their RVs in tip-top shape (and how to fix things that break!).
Balance for seniors: Easy-to-perform fall prevention exercises
Keep your balance sharp and your independence strong on and off the road. This easy, step-by-step program shows you simple exercises to improve stability, coordination, and confidence so you can get out of your RV, hike around camp, explore town, or just walk through the grocery store with less worry about a tumble. Gentle, practical moves you can do daily help reduce fall risk and keep you moving well. This might save your life!
Article and video
Slate EV Truck: A $25K EV you can repair yourself
Buying a new vehicle in the mid-$20,000s sounds almost impossible right now. In the video at the end of this post from Jay Leno’s Garage, Jay meets the Slate prototype truck, an American-made electric pickup that tries to do exactly that, without turning into a bare-bones penalty box. Slate’s pitch is simple. Build one basic truck efficiently, keep costs down, then let owners make it their own over time, from looks to body style to audio. Leno also likes what it stands for: manufacturing coming back to the U.S., instead of rebadging something imported. Check it out.
Featured article
Don’t judge an RV, or RVer, by its cover
By Emily Woodbury
Today I’d like to ask you not to judge. I’d like to ask that you put your discriminations, your hate, and your preconceived notions aside and just read Mary’s story about her and her husband’s experience RVing in Arizona. She sent us the following note…
FACTOID: Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake (1,645 feet deep) in the United States and the tenth deepest in the world. Crater Lake in Oregon (1,943 feet deep) is the deepest lake in the United States, and Lake Baikal, located in Siberia, Russia, is the deepest lake in the world (5,387 feet deep).
Ask Dave
Are there covers to protect RV roof vents and skylights from hail?
Click here to read Dave’s answer.
Reader poll
Have you ever adopted a stray dog or cat?
Helpful resources
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
• UNITED STATES ROAD CONDITIONS FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
• LATEST RV RECALLS
An electric mousetrap that works
Keep unwanted rodents out of your RV with the Owltra electronic rodent trap—a clean, humane, and RV-friendly solution that actually works. Powered by just 4 AA batteries, the trap delivers a quick, high-voltage zap for instant elimination, no chemicals or glue. It’s pet-safe. When it’s time to empty, simply pop the magnetic lid and dump—no mess, no touching. Cheri Sicard recommends it here.
Quick tip: Health
Study reveals insights into dementia risk
A University of Florida study suggests certain brain-training exercises may reduce dementia risk even decades later. Researchers followed nearly 3,000 older adults who completed cognitive training in the late 1990s. Twenty years later, those who practiced computerized “speed-of-processing” exercises—especially with booster sessions—were about 25% less likely to develop dementia than with no training. Scientists say the findings offer strong evidence that a non-drug intervention can help lower dementia risk, though brain training should still be combined with healthy lifestyle habits.
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: Dealer says I can’t use my RV slide room unless it is fully extended?
- Article & video: Laundry day ladder-mounted RV clothes drying rack
- Featured article: Your RV’s rubber roof thinner than a dime; damage could cost you $10,000 to fix
Website of the day
Top 10 Wild West towns in America
Get your cowboy hats and boots on and yee-haw your way over to one of these Old West towns. Have you visited any of these?
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Oh, having and using this would make us such happy little…, well, you’ll see. Have a very happy time camping, won’t you?
Trivia
In 2025, insurance carriers reported 43,811 incidents of suspected motor vehicle insurance fraud to the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) Insurance Frauds Bureau.
Readers’ pet of the day
“When we adopted Bode as a young dog (now age 8), believe it or nor he didn’t know how to swim. He picked it up quickly and now we can’t keep him out of the water. He loves to fetch sticks in rivers or lakes and is a great camp dog.” —Cynthia Westover
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.
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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“Don’t judge an RV, or RVer, by its cover”
Good Morning Emily, I read Mary’s story and I feel for her and her husband. I know it’s not Arizona and it’s a long way but I manage a CG in NC that would not turn her or her RV away. I encourage CG/RV Park owners & managers everywhere to join me in welcoming Mary.
Well said Tom!
Please share the name and address of the RV Park that you manage so the skeptics don’t think you’re just virtue signaling.
1. you moved out of state with no jobs and pitched a tent!!! 2. thats why you dont have custody of your children. 3. the 10 year rule has been around before you were born, its there for the obvious as the picture of your rv demonstrates, its called due diligence before you purchase. 4. Id like to go out with a 25 year old, but even though my motor runs like a champ, my picture says otherwise. just sayin.
Wow John that’s cold!
The truth hurts.
Sounds like someone of privilege talking. Glad I’m not your neighbor.
She said six months of the year without her children. Sounds to me like joint custody.
Bode is gorgeous, thank you for rescuing! I’m so glad he likes to swim and fetch sticks a very important job when camping. Keep on camping, Adopt don’t shop!
Glad Bode discovered the joy of swimming. Thanks for sharing.
I find today’s Leave Here with a Laugh in poor taste.
You must not have been around many Chihuahuas.
Thank you for the review of the Slate Truck. Perhaps we can go back to lightweight popup campers too.