America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2881 • New issue every weekday
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Today’s thought
“We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.” —Hilaire Belloc
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Scrabble Day! Did you know this version of Scrabble exists? It’s our favorite!
On this day in history: 1960 – The United States launches Transit 1-B, the world’s first satellite navigation system.
Tip of the day
An RV campfire horror story: Why you should never burn fresh wood
When you’re out on the road and enjoying a cozy campfire, safety sometimes means more than just keeping a bucket of water nearby. A recent incident at a campground serves as an important reminder: Burning fresh-cut wood can have unexpected—and dangerous—consequences. Here’s why.
More tips from this weekend:
- The simple fix for a rocking RV
- Easy, no-sew DIY curtain ideas for your RV’s windows
- From the archives: Tricks to using paper towel holders in and around an RV
RV review
2026 Grand Design Lineage LVP2—”budget-friendly,” but polished
Grand Design’s move into compact motorhomes gets more interesting with the 2026 Lineage LVP2. This Ram ProMaster-based camper van keeps the footprint small, but it packs in the kind of lounge, storage, and sleeping flexibility that usually shows up in pricier vans. This model looks more polished than “budget-friendly” suggests, and it fixes a few common van pain points, including the bathroom setup, screen door, and black tank design. See what you think.
🔥 Reader favorite
New and improved Dump Buddy is a must-have gadget for RV dumping
Don’t miss Tony Barthel’s updated review of the new and improved Dump Buddy, a plastic collar that goes around a sewer pipe in the ground and then one that goes around your sewer hose elbow. It’s easy to use. Read Tony’s review here or order on Amazon.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Mastering RV maintenance with the perfect caulking gun
Learn all about mastering RV maintenance with the perfect caulking gun in this informative article and video from a skilled RV repair shop owner—Dustin! Discover the benefits of a dripless caulking gun and how to use it effectively.
Article and video
Dirty secrets of RV inspections you need to know
Here, certified RV tech Jacob Rigor of Rigor RV Repair pulls back the curtain on RV inspection dirty secrets that every RVer should know about before contracting for an RV inspection. Are all RV inspections created equal? Unfortunately, no. There are some “dirty secrets” in the RV inspection business that could leave you with a lemon and a whole lot of regret.
BUMPER SNICKER: “I fix things… eventually.”
The latest news for RVers
- U.S.–Iran ceasefire talk hasn’t lowered fuel prices much. Here’s why
- Gas prices are climbing, but diesel is jumping faster. Here’s why it matters.
- That “pause” on Starlink could cost you hundreds—or more
- New Starlink hybrid plan promises simpler internet for RVers
- Love’s rolls out RV tire and battery service across 27 states
- Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel: New TPMS standard, smart trailer concerns, Battle Born update
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
RVers discuss propane safety tips and tricks
By Gail Marsh
It was chilly around a recent campfire, but the conversation heated up rather quickly as folks shared their thoughts about propane safety. Chet began. “I just got a dressing down,” he said. “I took my 30 pound propane tank to fill it up and was told I needed to transport my filled tank upright. That’s impossible in my small vehicle. I put it in the backseat and as you can see—I survived.” Continue reading all about propane safety here.
FUNNY MUG OF THE DAY: Attention readers of advanced age: Drink your coffee with this and proudly tell the world “No, I am not old!”
Ask Dave
Is it legal to drive through a yellow/orange light?
Reader poll
Military veterans: Did you ever physically serve in combat?
IT’S AMAZING AND TRUE! Read more than 2,000 of our previous polls!
Quick tip
Do you really know your fire safety equipment?
Every RV is equipped with at least one fire extinguisher, and experts recommend several. But a sad experience from North Dakota highlights that having a fire fighting tool isn’t enough. Regarding an RV fire in a rural area, the local Fire Chief had this comment about the RV owner: “She had trouble getting the fire extinguisher off the wall bracket, which could have otherwise possibly mitigated damage.” Mitigated damage? In this instance, the owner was able to get out of the rig—but that was it. Unable to get the extinguisher loose from the mounting bracket, she was unable to put out what had started as a small fire in the kitchen.
What about you—and your traveling companions? Does everyone who travels in your RV know how to get the fire extinguishers loose from their mounting brackets, and then how to use them? It could make a huge difference in whether a small fire is a nasty weekend-ender, or a total loss claim. —Russ and Tiña De Maris
Website of the day
RV Resorts With 9- and 18-Hole Golf Courses
Like to golf? Looking for a new favorite RV resort? We think this list will have you covered! These RV resorts have their own golf courses. Have fun!
Monday Motivation
“Too many of us are hung up on what we don’t have, can’t have, or won’t ever have. We spend too much energy being down, when we could use that same energy – if not less of it – doing, or at least trying to do, some of the things we really want to do.” ―
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
There’s no dis-a-brie-ing, we NEED these! Oh, how fun! If you’re a, let’s say, delicious-food lover (or a mouse), you’ll need these too!
Trivia
7-Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 13,000 convenience stores in the United States and Canada. It sells the most coffee from its stores on Long Island, NY.
YOUR GRANDKIDS WILL LOVE YOU! Set this up at your campsite and your young grandchildren will know for sure you are the best Grandma and Grandpa in the world!
Readers’ pets of the day
“Here are our two beautiful babies, Tony and Catniss, chilling in the MiniLite while watching everything that’s going on outside.” —Bob Wood
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!
Leave here with a laugh
Tiny, portable air purifier is RV-sized
If your RV ever smells too much like last night’s dinner, this compact USB-powered air purifier is a quiet hero. It uses a true HEPA filter to trap dust, pollen, smoke, pet dander and odors, and runs whisper-quiet in sleep mode. Keep the air fresh wherever you are. Check it out.
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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Does anyone else use an ozone generator machine? I have found it to be the best thing for removing oders from the camper. When I get back from a trip and have cleaned i place it in the camper for about 45 minutes. No oder and another plus is because it takes the oxygen out of the air we have no insect or anything else living in there. They are on Amazon for around 45 dollars. I bought a used mh that had been smoked in and it took all of the oder out. Happy camping and travels
Mike Tucker
Alabama
I’m glad an ozone generator has worked well for you. I haven’t had a reason to use one and would be hesitant because it can have a negative effect on rubber and plastic. However, if I needed to purify the area in an enclosed area from lingering smoke smell, I would be tempted to use one. Cigarette, cigar and pipe smoke lingers and lingers.
We have a small one in our laundry room at home where our cat’s litter box sits. Since adding the generator we NEVER have any cat box odor. Fantastic!
Yes, sadly someone left a small window open on our Motorhome while we were parked in our rv spot when we were burning a fire in the fire ring. Smoke completely filled the interior and was in all materials from window coverings to the partial carpet areas. We rented an Ozone Machine from a rental facility for $60, put it in the unit for several hours and IT TOTALLY CLEANED ALL SURFACES! Ozone breaks over 4,000 different molecules and rescued me from my Wife’s absolute frustration with me😅
Fire extinguishing devices- the most common fire in a RV is at the propane stove. In addition to a chemical spray fire extinguisher, I strongly recommend a fire blanket. No chemicals, no expiration date, inexpensive. Hang it on the wall. If a stove fire happens, turn off the burner(s), grab the pull strips to release the blanket from the sleeve and toss the blanket over the stove. The flames go out almost immediately as the oxygen under the blanket is rapidly consumed.
A fire blanket can also be used to protect you. Wrap it around yourself and get the heck out quickly. Don’t worry about extinguishing the fire.
Along with coffee at a Long Island 7-11, you start your day with a buttered roll.
If on fire, get out, family and pets. RVs can be replaced, people not so much.
I do have a multiple amounts of fire extingusers.
Tony and Catniss (what a great name) are so precious. I’m glad they are an alert for the comings and goings around the campground.
Thank you, they are both rescues and our first cats after 30 years of dogs. They really are precious and we love them so much!
A portable 5 lb. fire extinguisher should be considered as your personal escape assistant and nothing more. Yes, you need to know how to unlatch it but if you can’t unlatch it in the dark, stow loose fire extinguishers within your rig.
If used right, a 5 lb ABC extinguisher might be large enough to “mitigate damage” but suggesting the RV’er test that opinion while potentially breathing toxic combustion gasses and fumes seems pretty reckless by that Fire Chief.
So, if we have a small grease fire while cooking, we’re just supposed to run outside immediately and watch our rig burn to the ground? I don’t think so. Otherwise, what’s the point in having a fire blanket and a fire extinguisher? We have three exit options, so getting out is not an issue if attempts to extinguish a fire fail.
Yes, our lives are what’s most important, but it’s not always a “get out or die” situation. There’s room for careful judgement in the moment.
The point of having a small fire extinguisher or fire blanket is to improve your chances of escape, not to reduce the potential reimbursement of your insurance company.
Nowhere did I say you can’t blow out a candle, put a lid on a pan or extinguish a smoldering cigarette butt. I said a Fire Chief recommending untrained personnel lacking PPE breath potentially toxic smoke is reckless and it is.
Or you could use a swatter on the mosquito, put tequila in the cap (refill many times), use the salt with the tequila and then use the stick to push the rock over the edge of the board.
Tony and Catniss have found the best place in the campgrounds to watch all the goings on and they are keeping track of it all. They are both gorgeous and well traveled. Keep on camping.
I bought 4 cans of fire extinguisher spray. I keep one by the bed, 1 by the stove, 1 by the Bdrm door. I found them at Menard’s and reasonably priced. Not sure how effective they would be – but certainly better to be close at hand and simple to operate. I will test one outside this spring. I like the fire blanket idea as well for the stove area.
Beautiful kittens we have a 25fbls. Where do you put the cat box? We only have one cat but 2 dogs.