America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2860 • New issue every weekday
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Today’s thought
“Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Good Samaritan Day! Do something good for somebody today, please!
On this day in history: 1969 – Apollo 9 returns safely to Earth after testing the Lunar Module.
Tip of the day
5 ways to improve RV resale value
By Cheri Sicard
One of our favorite YouTubers, Duane from the RV Inspection and Care YouTube channel, is here with an important video for anyone who ever hopes to sell their RV. His five ways to improve the RV resale value of your rig can be an invaluable aid in getting the most you can when it comes time to sell. Don’t feel like watching the video? Keep reading, I’ll break it down for you.
RV review
2026 Jayco Jay Feather Air 16RB—pretty nice!
A small travel trailer usually comes with small-trailer compromises. The 2026 Jayco Jay Feather Air 16RB tries to flip that script with a wide body, a smart layout, and a kitchen that feels bigger than it should. Here, Josh the RV Nerd from Bish’s RV walks through why it works well for a couple, a solo camper, or someone traveling with a pet. Check it out.
FRIDAY THE 13TH SUPERSTITION: If you say, “This setup should only take 10 minutes,” it definitely won’t.
In the RV shop with Dustin
The importance of inspecting your seven-way cord and junction box
In 2022, a class action lawsuit was filed in a Montana federal court against Forest River, Inc. It alleged that all Forest River fifth wheels built between 2002-2022 were equipped with an unsafe wiring system. 50 pages of documents accused the manufacturer of not safely insulating and protecting wires between the towing vehicle’s seven-way cord junction box and an RV’s battery. This can increase the risk of a short and create a hazardous condition. If you own a fifth wheel or travel trailer, your unit is equipped with a seven-way cord and junction box. Continue reading.
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 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.
Our most popular tips for RVers so far this year:
- Simple RV gadgets that solve annoying camping problems
- The easiest way to find a quality campground or RV park nearby
- Our top 10, most-read tips for RVers in 2025
- The six critical photos you need to keep on your phone
- RV spare parts you should always carry
Article and video
Real RVers share their 20 most useful RV hacks in 20 minutes
Certified RV Tech Emily, aka the RV Repair Woman, put out a call to her followers, and more than 200,000 RVers shared the hacks they wish someone had told them earlier. The best ones aren’t fancy, they just prevent the classic RV headaches: dead batteries, warm fridges, stuck slides, and surprise repair bills. Emily shares the most useful takeaways—you get 20 essential RV hacks in just 20 minutes!
Featured article
Readers speak out: Scary times at unsafe and creepy campsites
By Cheri Sicard
We asked RVtravel.com readers about creepy campsites with this question: Have you ever left a campsite or campground because you felt unsafe or otherwise just creeped out? If so, why? As usual, our readers had a lot to say. However, we were happy with the large number of respondents who had never had this unfortunate experience. Read what many of your fellow RVers said here. (Tip: Listen to your gut.)
Ask Dave
Is Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. getting into the Class A gas motorhome market?
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Why is Buc-ee’s so hugely popular with RVers?
- Ford to discontinue F53 gas chassis. Are large Class A motorhomes doomed?
- Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel: RV sales stall, new RV parts site, state park reservation chaos
- The true cost and hidden dangers of disposable propane cylinders; an alternative
- Gadget show-and-tell: Real people share their favorite RV gear
- Genius charging cord trick that makes RV life easier
Device keeps fresh water tank clean
Tony Barthel writes: “The RV Inline Sanitizer is the simplest of solutions. It’s essentially a reservoir in which you put bleach and then use a source hose and a delivery hose to fill your fresh water tank. The sanitizer effectively adds the bleach as you fill the tank. It is truly that simple.” Read more about this nifty device here.
Reader poll
Do you swim in campground pools?
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.
Quick tip
Drive straight and slow over speed bumps
Try to hit speed bumps straight on (both wheels over at the same time) and very slowly. If you drive over them at an angle (one wheel over slightly ahead of the other), your coach will rock back and forth, from side to side, especially in the back. Even going dead slow (creeping), driving over the speed bumps at an angle may cause the coach to rock enough to actually cause things to fly out of the upper cabinets! This is true with the small speed bumps, too. —From Ron Jones, About RVing.
THE MORE YOU KNOW… The first RV ever mass-produced was the Pierce-Arrow Touring Landau in 1910.
Website of the day
BBC Travel: Places that don’t belong
This section on the BBC Travel website is fun to explore. See places that just seem a little… well, oddly placed, around the world.
Trivia
When it comes to fast-food burger restaurants, McDonald’s leads its top rivals by a long shot. The average McDonald’s location in 2024 took in $4 million a year in sales compared to Wendy’s $2.1 million and Burger King’s $1.6 million.
Readers’ pets of the day
“Our Mylo (Shih Tzu, age 10) and his cousin, Chloe (Golden Retriever, age 11), at the end of a long, tough day.” —Richard Pendleton
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.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
We think it’s VERY important that every single RVer who does this has one of these! In fact, it’s so important that everyone who does this, whether they’re an RVer or not, should have one! Trust us. Please?
FINISHED READING THIS NEWSLETTER? Great job! Now you can move on to yesterday’s brand-new Great RV Accessories newsletter—filled with all your RV gadget hopes and dreams!
Leave here with a laugh
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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Mylo and Chloe look like they’ve had a proper camping day. Thanks for sharing
Mylo and Chloe look very tired, but they are probably dreaming about their next adventure. Both are cuties for sure. Keep on camping.
WOW…MIlo and Chloe! Wish I could sleep like that! They are fabulous!
That’s what we all look like after a long day. Beautiful pups!
It would be fun to go through campground late evening and use today’s mystery product!!!
I enjoyed the article on unsafe and creepy campsites. Good job!
Goldens and their relative are the best dogs, I’ve found.
I wish I could have and travel with one. Too much attention needed. A dog needs to have fun and play catch etc. No way could I keep up with one today.
A swell kitty would work but my last best friend enjoyed sitting on the dash, but when I turned the key, he was out the door.
Maybe he thought we were headed to the vet?
When I came back from a trip he was right out there to meet me. Of course he pretended to be somewhat aloof, but we both were happy to see each other..Darn Coyotes/Cougars…