America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2861 • New issue every weekday
Today’s thought
“My favorite weather is bird-chirping weather.” —Terri Guillemets
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Panda Day! Watch the panda live cam here—it’s adorable! [If there aren’t pandas in the picture, scroll back until you see some.]
On this day in history: 1802 – The Army Corps of Engineers is established to found and operate the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Tip of the day
Your RV’s R-value. Don’t believe it hook, line and sinker
By Andrew Herrick
The R-value of your RV is kind of a joke. Oh, I know it sounds impressive. I know the 4-season “Arctic Package” is boasting sky-high numbers.
But what you need to know about RV R-value is that it’s not measured. It’s not tested. There’s no certification standard. It’s a loosely calculated number based on inaccurate assumptions. It’s not an outright lie—just an incomplete truth. I’ll tell you the rest of the story.
More tips from this weekend:
- Unwritten rules for RVers at truck stops
- Why it’s important that you take photos of your RV’s serial number stickers
- How to turn on emergency response settings on your cell phone
- Your RV warranty is about to run out: What to do next?
RV review
2026 Keystone Springdale Mini 1200BT—Tiny, but workable… for some…
The 2026 Keystone Springdale Mini 1200BT is a no-frills travel trailer that works well for a solo traveler or a couple. The floorplan is compact but focused on essentials. You’ll find a full-size bed, a small galley, a bar-style table, and an exterior power awning for extra living space outside. It does exactly what it sets out to do: give two people a lightweight, towable, and affordable travel trailer with a private bathroom and basic living comforts. Check it out and see what you think.
It’s almost spring: Time to change your water filter!
Camco’s TastePURE Water Filter with Flexible Hose Protector reduces bad taste, odor, chlorine, and sediment in drinking water with a 20-micron fiber filter. Its durable in-line, exterior mount filter has a wider body to increase flow. Use it at your campsite to keep sediment out of your RV water tank and improve the taste and smell of your drinking water for a whole season. This is essential equipment. Learn more or order.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Sawdust and metal shavings in your RV can pose health risks
Join Dustin Simpson and his techs as they discuss a recently received inquiry regarding a consumer finding wood and metal shavings throughout his brand-new RV. Shavings in new RVs are inevitable when there is a lack of care or concern during the manufacturing process, and they can become a potential health problem. Learn more.
DARN IT! That’s what you’ll say if you miss a super great bargain today only on something you really want! CHECK HERE!
Article and video
Hidden RV outlet flaw can lead to melted wiring, tech warns
According to Nick Buchanan, aka That RV Tech, most RVs, even the big fancy ones, leave the factory with press-fit (Wirecon) outlets. They look like a normal receptacle from the front, but they don’t connect wires the same way a home outlet does. Over time, that difference can turn into heat, melted plastic, and burnt wiring. Swapping those outlets for standard residential receptacles is one of the simplest upgrades for long-term reliability and safety.
The latest news for RVers
- California officials stall plan that would legalize RV living on private land
- Is RV travel really cheaper? The industry says yes; many RVers say it depends
- Gas prices continue to rise; up 35 cents from last week
- RV air conditioners have barely changed in decades—until now
- Buc-ee’s receives ‘F’ rating from Better Business Bureau
To read all recent news, click here.
HA… HA… I told my suitcase that there will be no travel this week. Now I’m dealing with emotional baggage.
DO YOU SOMETIMES WISH YOU HAD A KEYBOARD for your tablet? Here’s how to do it — easy and inexpensive!
Featured article
Around the Campfire: RVers share their “RV envy.” Is bigger more desirable?
By Gail Marsh
What a discussion around the campfire a few nights ago! A gal with a small RV admitted she sometimes experiences “RV envy.” From there, the discussion exploded. Read more, then share your thoughts in the comments.
The best socket set for RVs—ALWAYS carry one in truck or trailer!
Tackle nearly any RV, truck, or trailer job with the NEIKO 02282B 1/2-Inch-Drive Impact Socket Set. JD from Big Truck Big RV calls it one of his most-used tools of all time. These thin-walled, impact-rated sockets fit tight spaces that others can’t, making tire changes, stabilizer jack adjustments, and other RV tasks fast and easy. Durable, compact, and designed for heavy-duty use. Watch JD’s video or learn more and order.
Ask Dave
Squirrels are eating my RV! What can I do?
Click here to read Dave’s answer.
Reader poll
What’s the longest you’ve waited in line at a dump station?
Quick tip
“No-see-um” battery cells?
RV coach batteries “tucked away underneath” and hard to check fluid level? Use a hand mirror to hold over the top of the battery and angle the view back to you. Shine a flashlight onto the mirror to shine light down into those dark cells.
Website of the day
Bureau of Land Management
Sure, we all know what the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) does and we know we can camp on BLM land, but have you ever really explored the agency’s website? If you haven’t, check it out for tons of great information.
Monday Motivation
“Vulnerability is hard and it’s scary and it feels dangerous. But it’s not as hard, or scary or dangerous as getting to the end of our lives and having to ask ourselves: What if I would’ve shown up? What if I would’ve said ‘I love you?’ What if I would’ve come off the blocks? Show up, be seen, answer the call to courage and come off the blocks. Because you’re worth it—you’re worth being brave.” —Brené Brown
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
This is a whole page, not just one product, but once you see it you’ll understand why we couldn’t pick just one! Scroll down.
Trivia
The potato chip was invented by accident, but it was so well-loved that the famous chef opened his own restaurant where he served a basket of chips at each table. Here’s the full story.
Readers’ pets of the day
“Tillie June and Teddy Roosevelt (Mini Schnauzer and Australian Cattle Dog, both 1.5 years old). Our happy campers after their first motorhome weekend camping trip. They did great and were worn out when we got home.” —Deborah Raeburn
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
At a couple’s counseling session, the therapist told them that couples these days are so disconnected that 85 percent of all husbands don’t know what their wife’s favorite flower is. The husband turned to his wife and whispered, “It’s self-rising, isn’t it?”
COOK FOR ST. PADDY’S DAY TOMORROW: St. Patrick’s Day recipes: Classic favorites and creative twists
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
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
The advertisement for the Camco water filter boasting a 100 micron filter specification is not doing the product any favors. 100 microns would be a pretty big chunk in the world of water contaminants. The actual specification is 20 microns which is still nothing to write home about.
Thanks, Gary. It’s been corrected. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
You’re right. With the average human hair at 80 microns, boasting your filter couldn’t stop a hair could be considered as pretty deflating.
Understood, but it’s better than letting all that into your water and lines.
I’m always looking forward to Monday Motivation!!
Quick tip on filling batteries – When your flooded acid batteries die (which will be sooner than expected because checking water is such a pain). Replace them with quality AGM (maintenance free) batteries. It is a direct swap with no extra expense like Lithium. They cost a little more to purchase but last longer than flooded batteries because they won’t go dry – therefore costing less over time.
“cost a little more”….. Have you done a price comparison between the two recently. The difference in price is closer to double the cost for an AGM over a flooded cell battery.
Which type of battery needed is usually dependent upon affordability, how often you boondock and ease of maintenance. I never boondock and my 6 house batteries are on a slide out tray and only have to add water about once every three months. Obviously, wet cell batteries suit me perfectly.
You’re right about the price of AGMs and they’re very close to the price of lithium batteries. The kicker is that a lithium battery provides twice the amount of usable power, since they can be discharged 100%, whereas any type of lead-acid battery can only be discharged to 50%. Any lower and it will be damaged. Lithium batteries also weigh ~1/3 as much.
I just wanted to say that while I can appreciate the beauty of a big rig I don’t want one. The Rockwood mini light we have is perfect for us.
Big enough to have recliners, a dinette, and a closed off bedroom, and not have a radius shower, is plenty big for us!
nothing like tired camping dogs! Nice to see Teddy and Tillie resting up after a fun camping trip. Thanks for sharing.
Tillie June and Teddy Roosevelt look very comfortable. They appear to enjoy the camping life. Keep on camping.
At the moment we need our 40′ DP to do our venue-Dog Trials- and be able to stay on site for 5 days. When that ends we will downsize or stop all together