America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2848 • New issue every weekday
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Today’s thought
“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that receives it.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Clam Chowder Day!
On this day in history: 1836 – Samuel Colt is granted a United States patent for his revolver firearm. Do you travel with a firearm? If so, you need this.
Tip of the day
DC to DC charger: Does your RV need one?
By Dave Helgeson
What is a DC to DC charger and should my RV be equipped with one?
Before that question can be answered, you will need to understand what a DC to DC charger is and what functions it performs.
Many of you reading this use an autoformer to ensure the incoming shore power is at the proper voltage for your RV. As most of you know, low shore power voltage can damage the compressor in your air conditioning system and/or residential refrigerator, or cause a host of other problems. An autoformer adjusts, or what some say “conditions,” the voltage to the ideal level for your RV. A DC to DC charger functions much the same but…
RV review
2025 Rockwood 1910FT pop-up camper—a nice reset on pop-ups
Pop-up campers used to be where a lot of families started, then the segment got stuck in place. Same layouts, same parts, same feel, year after year. In the video tour at the end of this post, Josh the RV Nerd at Bish’s RV says Rockwood finally gave pop-ups the kind of updates people have been waiting for, without trying to turn them into something they’re not. Check it out and see what you think.
In the RV shop with Dustin
How to maintain your RV’s water heater valves
Proper maintenance of your RV water heater valves is essential for ensuring safe and efficient operation. In this guide, join me [Dustin] on “Shop Talk” as I explain the importance of maintaining Atwood and Suburban water heater pop-off valves.
Article and video
The pros and cons of an RV wood-burning stove
Having an RV wood-burning stove might seem like a weird idea, but it certainly worked well in the early days of RVing, and it possibly can now. In this article and video, we join Mel of Mel’s Big Van Small World for a look at the pros and cons of wood-burning stoves in vans or RVs.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: It’s cruel and unusual punishment to be eating a breakfast of cold cereal when the RVer next door is cooking bacon and eggs and the wind is blowing your way.
Featured article
Half-ton trucks: What to know before you tow
By Tony Barthel
How much can you tow with a half-ton pickup? It might surprise you that there is no single answer to this. It may also surprise you that your very light travel trailer may be much more than your V8 pickup is supposed to handle. What a half-ton pickup can tow varies widely depending on how it’s configured. Just because your truck has the big V8 and a tow receiver and, potentially, even a “tow package” doesn’t mean you can tow a trailer. Continue reading this important article.
Tanner Toons
with Tanner Woods
No more stretching to reach your RV roof vent
This adjustable vent opener pole makes cranking open hard-to-reach roof vents simple—no climbing, straining, or wobbling on tiptoes. With an extendable handle and interchangeable heads that fit most RV vent knobs, it’s a handy tool for quick airflow adjustments without the hassle. Learn more or order.
Ask Dave
Is there an RV battery monitor that works?
Reader poll
Do you remember the address of the home where you spent your childhood?
Quick tip
Hung up on trash bag storage? Hang ’em up!
If you carry rolls of plastic garbage bags or kitchen trash bags, here’s a “hack” to take advantage of empty wall space in a cabinet or other area. Grab a pair of suitably-sized curtain rod hangers and a piece of wooden dowel. Cut the dowel to fit the width of your rolled bags, stuff the dowel through it, then screw in place the curtain rod holders to hold your new bag-roller. Thanks to amzgtrvl for the tip.
Website of the day
The Most Beautiful Photo We Could Find of Every U.S. National Park
They’re not lying—these photos are stunning! Trust us, you’ll want to visit every single one of these parks after looking through these.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Brilliant idea! This will save you time, money, and coveted storage space. Not to mention it’s perfect for RVers and their small… Well, you’ll see. Check it out.
Trivia
We seldom think twice about an airport code: What’s all that interesting about LAX for Los Angeles International? But not all are so unremarkable: Omega Airport in Namibia, OMG, is an example. Or how about YUM (Yuma International)? Or MAD (Madrid)? BOO might be a fun place to fly into on Halloween (Bodo Airport in Norway). PIE might make you hungry (St. Pete-Clearwater International), or LOL (Derby Field in Lovelock, NV) if you could use a little cheering up. But if you’re superstitious, you might want to avoid flying into Arrachart Airport in Madagascar, also known as DIE!
Readers’ pets of the day
“Holly and Dolly (Shih Tzus, ages 9 and 3) are best buddies, great companions, and good travelers. They like keeping an eye on things (especially squirrels) in the screen room at a campsite in central Missouri.” —Sarah Miller
HELP! WE’RE RUNNING LOW ON PET PHOTOS! 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!
• 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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In reference to airport codes; my all-time favorite is SUX Sioux City, Iowa which pretty well sums up trying to fly these days. I flew for work on a fairly regular basis for 12 years. My bride is retired after 34 years as a flight attendant. Now we travel a bit slower and lower in our RV.
We are from Sioux City and they sell mugs and T-shirts with the bold slogan: FLY SUX!
Fresno California code is FAT.
I’ve been to DIE.
Holly and Dolly are so adorable and look quite comfortable. And please keep an eye on those squirrels you never know what the heck they are up to. Keep on camping.
I liked the Quick Tip but the reference to amzgtrvl.com….I tried to reach that website and it says it doesn’t exist. Is that address correct?
Fancy that, I got an error also.
I also did a search for amazing travel and looked the the addresses, I found nothing that used anything close to that abbreviated link.
You are so fortunate Holly and Dolly don’t break through the screen tent sides after a squirrel. I was not so lucky with my pup. But she had fun. 😊
thanks for sharing.
I guess “beauty” is indeed in the eye of the beholder. The pictures that were chosen for the “Most beautiful photo of every US National Park” – weren’t in my opinion. I’ve taken much better ones, and I’m sure many of you have too.
I agree. There are numerous beautiful parks in the North Eastern part of the country.
Adirondack Park in Upstate, NY, though not a National Park peppered with dozens of small lakes and gorgeous scenery.
The picture of Smokey Mountain park almost looks AI generated. I’ve been there a few times and the view did not look fake.
Holly and dolly are two happy campers for sure 🥰🐶🐶
Somehow you have to figure out how to use this as trivia:
World’s smallest park: The Smallest Park in the World – Mill Ends Park Portland Oregon
Thanks, Dr. Mike. That’s a good idea. Chuck wrote two sentences about that in his Roadside Journal in 2016. (I knew I had seen it somewhere before. I wish my short-term memory were as good as my long-term memory!) Have a good night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com