America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2853 • New issue every weekday
Today’s thought
“The central dilemma in journalism is that you don’t know what you don’t know.” —Bob Woodward
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Sons Day!
On this day in history: 1789 – In New York City, the first Congress of the United States meets, putting the United States Constitution into effect.
Tip of the day
Check out what hitting a pothole can do to a tire
By Roger Marble
Some people want to claim a tire is “defective” and present the tire for a free replacement because of a bulge in the tire sidewall.
There is no question of there being a sidewall bulge, but my job as a tire engineer was to actually look at tires and determine if they actually had a defect.
When we look for evidence of some mysterious “defect,” we might notice marks on the wheel and notice the “witness mark” on the wheel left by the tire being bent over the edge of the wheel that matches up with a mark on the tire sidewall. Continue reading.
RV review
New-for-2026 Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 26RES: Compact comfort
The 2026 Keystone Cougar Half-Ton 26RES is built as a compact but comfortable fifth wheel. It’s worth a look, especially if you want roomy rear living space without hauling a huge rig. Keystone engineered the 26RES around their HyperCore™ composite wall construction and HyperDeck™ water-resistant flooring. Both are designed to resist rot and keep the shell lighter and stiffer than traditional wood-laminate builds. Check it out.
Last weekend to save BIG! Limited Time Campground Deals Up To 50%
Campgrounds don’t offer discounts often, but Campspot’s Biggest Booking Week does. March 2–8, save up to 50% at participating parks across the U.S. and Canada. Check if your favorite campground is on sale, or book an extra trip while dates are open. Use code BIGGEST26 for 50% off! Click here to learn more.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Why is my Dicor lap sealant bubbling/rippling after application?
When you apply new Dicor lap sealant, it will off-gas as part of its curing process. Off-gassing is the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemical vapors that naturally occur as the sealant begins to set, cure, and harden. Here’s why this happens and how to fix it.
NOW YOU KNOW: Yes, sparkling water hydrates just as well as plain water—the bubbles come from added carbon dioxide, but your body treats it the same when it comes to fluid intake. Just check the label: Some brands sneak in surprising amounts of sodium!
TODAY’S DEALS AT AMAZON.COM. Hurry. These deals come and go fast.
Tanner Toons
with Tanner Woods
Article and video
9 things to know about overnight parking at Cracker Barrel
Overnight parking at Cracker Barrel restaurants is popular with many traveling RVers. It’s generally safe, and management usually welcomes RVers. Plus, you can have a tasty dinner before turning in or a hearty breakfast the next morning before hitting the road. But Izzy and MJ of Endless RVing, one of our favorite RV YouTube channels, say there are nine things you should know before settling in for the night at a Cracker Barrel.
Featured article
Exposed: The “borderline scam” of RV dual-pane windows!
Josh the RV Nerd at Bish’s RV is about to expose one of the RV industry’s biggest myths: RV dual-pane windows! According to Josh, RV dual-pane windows are “a borderline scam”! It’s not that they don’t have any value at all, but it’s probably not what you are expecting or have been led to believe. Here’s why.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: Every RV project starts with, “This will be simple.” And ends with, “Well… while we’re in here….”
Ask Dave
What is causing green color in my toilet? How do I get rid of it?
The smallest, most brilliant cutlery organizer for your RV
It’s like this was made for RVs! Usually cutlery organizers take up entire drawers, you know those ones that spread out and take up unnecessary space. This one doesn’t do that! This small compact tray organizes your cutlery in an amazing space-saving way. It fits up to 24 pieces of cutlery, so you’re not losing any space! Check it out and order one for yourself.
Reader poll
Do you check the satellite view before booking a campsite?
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
Quick tip
Unusual spot for your “blue boy”
A lot of boondocking RVers use portable waste tanks—”blue boys”—to haul sewage away without having to move the rig. Where to stash the blue boy when not in use? Plenty are hung on a roof access ladder. Some are stashed under the pickup canopy. But one RVer built himself a drop-down tray out of diamond-plate metal and bolted it up under his miniscule rig.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Pay attention to passing motorists’ warnings of trouble
- Ask Dave: Wire with connector hanging under my Winnebago. Should I be concerned?
- Featured article: Why in the heck are some people so mean-spirited?
Website of the day
Topo Maps+
Hiking or driving into the backcountry? This app helps you stay on track, even if you don’t have cell service.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
If you own and/or love one of these, there’s no way you’re not going to want this. It doesn’t get much cuter… Not to mention this could be one of the best, er, cutest, gifts you ever give…
Trivia
The initial price of sending mail with the Pony Express was originally set at $5 per 1/2 ounce (more than $150 today), then $2.50, and by July 1861, it was $1.
Readers’ pets of the day
“Smitty is on the left and is 10 years old. Samson is on the right and is 3 years old. I got Samson as a baby at 8 weeks old. Smitty was a C.A.W.S. (community animal welfare service) at 7 years old at the time. Both dogs love to travel. All I have to say is ‘Let’s GO Bye Bye,” and both of them run to the car or RV. I call them two peas in a pod.” —Melvin Bell
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
RV PARTS & ACCESSORIES. You need it? Amazon has it.
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.
Oh, and if you missed the Latest News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.
RVtravel.com All-Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Smitty and Samson are both gorgeous and obviously well loved and traveled. Thank you for rescuing, always adopt don’t shop. Keep on camping.
Smitty and Samson sound like a perfect traveling pair. Thanks for sharing
Smitty and Samson are darling…and I love that overbite!
Todays laugh was a good one , took me a couple of time of repeating it before I got it!
Thanks
Snoopy
Sending mail is getting pretty close to a $1 now. I know a $ was a lot of money back then, BUT!
Great picture of pups. Enjoy them. Pets bring you so much love!!