America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2859 • New issue every weekday
Today’s thought
“I would rather lose in a cause that will some day win, than win in a cause that will some day lose!” —Woodrow Wilson
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Girl Scout Day! We hear that is an excuse to buy Girl Scout cookies… Yum!
On this day in history: 1912 – The Girl Guides (later renamed the Girl Scouts of the United States of America) is founded in the United States.
Tip of the day
How to stop and prevent annoying spam phone calls
By Gail Marsh
It was a quiet morning on the water. As the sun gently burned through the mist, I spotted a doe and her fawn approaching. Then… my phone’s jarring ringtone blasted through the peaceful setting. The deer bounded away, and I almost dropped my camera! And for what? A spam call!
Robocalls and spoofed numbers are still pouring into American phone lines in huge numbers. Recent industry tracking shows billions of robocalls in a single month. That means you can no longer rely on a single fix. Layering protections is the practical approach to tackling the spam issue. Spam calls are everywhere, but you can dramatically cut the noise with a few smart moves. Read on to find out how.
Article and video
5 steps to keep mice out of your RV during storage
Here, the team from The Camping Loop talks about five steps you can take to keep mice out of your RV. And if you have ever dealt with the aftermath of mice in your RV, you KNOW you want to prevent this destructive, unsanitary, and messy problem from ever occurring again. Especially if you are storing your RV for any length of time, you will want to pay attention to this video. (Cheri breaks it down for you in her article, too.)
Featured article
The last Airstream built before WWII
When this 1941 Airstream Clipper came up for sale, the Gulleys were extremely excited and jumped at the chance to own another piece of trailer history! Thinking it may be a rare piece, they didn’t hesitate to seal the deal and take possession. Turns out it wasn’t the trailer they were told it was; however, it did have an even more desirable provenance! Learn more.
The best directory of where to camp on public lands
The Bureau of Land Management Camping book describes 1,547 camping areas managed by the BLM in 14 Western states. Details for each camping area include the number of campsites, amenities, facilities, fees, reservation information, GPS coordinates, and more. You’ll want this book if you camp or are interested in camping on BLM land. Learn more or order.
Ask Dave
How can I test my RV’s “emergency start switch”?
Reader poll
Do you have vision or hearing impairment(s)?
FREE IS GOOD! Sign up at Jimmy John’s and get a free sandwich after your first order, as well as a tasty surprise on your birthday, plus more rewards.
Quick tip
How long can you store eggs?
Eggs may be refrigerated for three to five weeks from when they are put in the refrigerator. The “Sell-By” date will usually expire by then, but the eggs will be safe to use. Always purchase eggs before their “Sell-By” or Exp (expiration) date. To keep them safe, take eggs straight home and store them immediately in the refrigerator set at 40° F or slightly below. Leave them in their carton and place them in the coldest part of the refrigerator, not in the door. After hard cooking, eggs can be stored for a week in the refrigerator. S0URCE: USDA
Bonus tip: To tell if an egg is still good, perform the float test. Place an egg in a bowl or glass of water. If the egg sinks, it’s good; if it floats, it’s gone bad. Easy!
Website of the day
America’s Most Beautiful Springtime Destinations
If you’re near any of these beautiful locations, know that we’re jealous of you! These are some of the most beautiful places to visit in the spring. Now, just try to not let all that pollen make you sneeze…
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
One of these that doesn’t smell? It’s a meow-acle! This is too funny. We know quite a few people we could gift this to!
And the survey says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers close to 5,000 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 55 percent are a member of AARP.
• 28 percent say they do not wear sunscreen when outside in the sun.
• 8 percent say they’ve traveled 200,000 miles or more with their RV in their adult life.
Recent poll: What are your top two main considerations when choosing a campsite?
Are ye ol’ eyes giving you problems? Is the small type getting too small to read (it happens to the best of us)? This will save your day.
Trivia
With 280 state park units, more than 840 miles of coastline, 970 miles of lake and river frontage, 15,000 campsites, 5,200 miles of trails, 3,195 historic buildings and more than 11,000 known prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, the California State Park System manages the largest and most diverse recreational, natural and cultural heritage holdings of any state agency in the nation.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Spunky (Pug, age 3.5) loves to RV, and I have named him the official meet and greeter at whatever campground we are staying.” —Jim Miner
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.
HEX: May dog owners who do not pick up after their pet’s waste in a public area step on another dog’s pile soon thereafter.
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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Spunky’s position is perfect to catch all the comings and goings in the campground. May you have many wonderful travels together.
In the article on spam calls, the Apple instructions left out “phone” in under the Apps tab.
The sequence should be Settings > Apps> Phone then continue to instructions.
Exactly my observation. It does not explain correctly. You have to go to Google or Apple to get the correct steps. Also, depending on which model iPhone and system you use, it may be slightly different.
Thanks for the correct instructions!
Spunky found the perfect spot in the camper. And quite a cutie he is. Official greeter and all I’m sure he meets all kinds of people who are super glad to meet him. Keep on camping.
I am curious what other rvers’ experience has been with rv washing machines. My rv had a Splendide washer and dryer that worked fine for a few years. Then the washer mother board went out. To replace it involved disassembling the motorhome wooden enclosure and lifting the dryer off. Over $800 altogether. Then it went out in a few months. No way to contact Splendide in this country (USA). Nearest contact in Washington State and we live in Florida. We heard that a place in Red Bay, AL could install a top-of-the-line machine named Pinnacle. For a couple years it worked, then the mother board goes out. Does anyone make an rv washer that will last?
Have had RV washers and dryers for many years. Maytag, Whirlpool, and Splendide.
I haven’t had issues but have heard of problems with the Whirlpool washers and the motor bearings in the Splendide dryers.
You said there is no way to contact Splendide in the U.S. which is not correct. Their U.S. service HQ is in Clackamas, OR. They mention service techs in the User Manual. Give them a call.
1-800-356-0766 #5 (503-656-2280)
service@westlandsales.com
Monday-Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm (PST)
Can’t help you if the RV company didn’t make the W/D removable without tearing the cabinet apart. 🤯
Thanks for the info, Mikal. It may be confusing because Westland Sales is the parent company of Splendide. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
We have had a Splendide washer/dryer combo for four years in our 5th wheel. It has worked perfectly for us, but you do need to know dryer settings well for your own particular needs.
A game changer for us!
Eggs – In my travels I met a very successful gentleman that supplies processed eggs to prisons, etc, in Mexico. He said the U.S. is the only country in the world that refrigerates eggs. Although they must remain refrigerated once you start, they can be stored at room temp. for months. You see them everywhere just stacked up for purchase.
I smell a scam perpetrated upon the American public… again.
The main issue is that the FDA requires eggs to be washed which removes the natural protective coating. In Europe they don’t wash eggs. Before refrigeration was common people would preserve egg by storing them in a Sodium Silicate solution (water glass).
Canada here. Ditto on refrigerate eggs.
We keep our home-grown unwashed eggs for up to 3 months. While RVing for 8 weeks we hire a chicken sitter back home, and bring 7-8 dozen eggs south with us. When we run out of eggs it’s time to go home.
BTW, the float test can tell you if the egg is old, but not if it’s rotten.
Love the HEX~ so agree as I always pick up after my pups
About today’s “Ask Dave” column: many diesel pushers have a hidden switch in the engine compartment that can be used to start the engine.
California may have the biggest state park system, but they have some of the worst operated and maintained campgrounds I have ever been to. No hookups, poorly maintained roads and lousy restroom facilities. I don’t know where the money goes, because they aren’t cheap either, but i assume the money is not going back into the parks maintenance where it should be going.