America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2886 • New issue every weekday
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Today’s thought
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” —Anne Lamott
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Lima Bean Respect Day!
On this day in history: 1789 – George Washington arrives at Grays Ferry, Philadelphia, while en route to Manhattan for his inauguration.
Tip of the day
CPAP placement tips for RVers
By Gail Marsh
At a recent RV show, I happened to overhear a wannabe RVer. As her husband began to check out the kitchen storage, she made a beeline for the bedroom. After a brief glance at the bed, she turned around and loudly announced, “Nope! Not gonna’ work!” Then the gal quickly grabbed her husband, headed for the door, and informed him, “Forget this one. It’s got no place for my CPAP machine.”
Finding a spot for your CPAP machine is sometimes challenging, especially when the RV doesn’t have a traditional nightstand. Safe and effective placement of your CPAP is crucial for a good night’s sleep. That’s why you might need some CPAP tips for RVers.
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.
More tips from this weekend:
- RVtravel.com’s ultimate collection of money-saving tips for RVers
- 12 more quick RV tips and hacks from actual RVers
- Popular RV myths seen on social media—BUSTED!
- In defense of the RV shut-off valve: A $15 plumbing mod you shouldn’t live without
- How to avoid, reduce, or eliminate RV driving pain
RV review
Hēlio XE—a small has-it-all travel trailer you can tow with a car
Finding a camper that stays light without feeling stripped down is tough. That is why the Hēlio XE stands out, because it packs a wet bath, kitchen, dinette, and even an optional bunk into a compact fiberglass trailer you can tow with a car. It feels closer to a full travel trailer than a tiny teardrop or canned ham. For shoppers who want low weight and full standing room, this one deserves a close look.
🔥 Reader favorite
The best marshmallow (and more) roaster!
This is hilarious! Take your marshmallow or hot-dog-roasting to a whole new level with this roasting reel. Give it a crank at the perfect speed, and you’ll have the perfectly roasted or toasted… whatever… in no time! Makes a great and funny gift. Find it here.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Say goodbye to RV tank sensor issues with these tips
Struggling with inaccurate tank sensor readings in your RV? You’re not alone! Many RV owners experience false readings from their holding tank sensors, leading to confusion and frustration. In this article and video, we’ll explain how holding tank sensors work, why they sometimes fail, and how to properly clean and maintain them to ensure accurate readings every time.
Article and video
Tour a rare ’90s Revcon Trailblazer motorhome
The team from Ambition Strikes bought one of the world’s rarest motorhomes, the Revcon Trailblazer. Its rare features and ’90s charm make it a unique motorhome. Only 67 of the beauties were ever made, and in this video, they give us a tour.
FACTOID: Texas’ King Ranch, at about 1,300 square miles, is larger than Rhode Island.
The latest news for RVers
- Google Maps rolls out biggest upgrade in over a decade with new AI and 3D navigation
- Ford recalls 1.3 million trucks; drivers could lose control
- Amazon launches Health AI, bringing medical care to RVers anywhere
- Got a Norcold fridge? Here’s what the Norcold bankruptcy could mean for your warranty
- DEF sensor failures stranded RVers—Now the EPA is stepping in
- Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel: Bad behavior crackdown, risky road trips and Zion camping restrictions
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
Re-wilding: Becoming curious about the big, wide world
By Emily Woodbury
After many years of living smack-dab in the center of New York City, I returned to the beautiful Pacific Northwest and settled back into a place I thought I knew. Washington is a place where you can be in a desert (yes, with rattlesnakes), in the mountains, in a rainforest, on the beach of an island, or in a bustling city, all within two hours. That’s what makes it so special. It’s a hard place to get bored of, or in. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
RV dealership repair misdiagnosis. Who can you trust?
Read Dave’s discussion of RV dealerships’ misdiagnoses.
Turn your RV toaster into a mini grill
These reusable toaster bags make quick RV meals, with less mess. Grill sandwiches, reheat pizza, warm leftovers or toast snacks without dirtying the toaster—perfect for fast meals without mess. Gail Marsh recommends them here.
Reader poll
Have you taken an ancestry DNA test like 23andMe or AncestryDNA?
Quick tip
Don’t let floor vents be a catch-all
Floor vents gather dust, dirt, and dog-hair, plus the occasional wedding ring. Cover them during the summer months and save work later. –From 100 RV Tips and Tricks (Mack’s RV Handbook). Available on Amazon.
Website of the day
Grief.com
If you or someone you know is grieving, this is an incredibly helpful resource. Find articles, resources, grief groups and more.
Monday Motivation
“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven? And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives? When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see in truth that you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” —Kahlil Gibran
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Ever want to tell your campground neighbors something without saying it to their face? Well, now you can, and the opportunities are endless!
Trivia
The British government is responsible for the belief that eating carrots improves night vision. During World War II, British pilots began downing a large number of German aircraft. Their secret: radar. But the Brits told the press it was because of all the carrots their pilots were eating. And so the belief that carrots improved vision, especially night vision, was set. The truth: While carrots are healthy, they alone do not improve vision.
Readers’ pet of the day
“This is Willow (Aussalier, age 2). Although she isn’t exactly our dog, Willow and her owner routinely camp with us so she feels like our dog! She loves camping, meeting other people and is the friendliest dog around.” —Dave Riddle [An Aussalier is a designer hybrid dog, crossing a Toy or Miniature Australian Shepherd with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.]
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
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.
Wow, I’ve noticed a lot of repeat articles lately. Maybe I’ve been reading this RVT too long? NOT! Still enjoy the read….
Same here. Not a complaint. Just a comment.
Ditto, but no complaints. I learn a lot from this newsletter and sometimes I need to be reminded of things I read before.
Fun fact: We have almost 25,000 articles on this website! (We’re not robots, we swear!). We do republish some older content, but the majority of it is new. Thank you all for your readership! We appreciate you very, very much!
This is for Emily. A little closer Eagle webcam.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE
FriendsofBigBearvalley.org
I looooove watching the Big Bear eagles, Ran! It’s so much fun watching their babies. It was heartbreaking when they lost the last eggs. Looks like they have a beautiful day ahead of them today. 🙂
When we had our Hoosier Custom Cruiser built for us, they asked if we wanted the cpap option. Sure, we said.
As delivered, the overhead cabinets have both a 110 outlet and a hole in the floor of the cabinet for the hoses assiciated with cpap machine to pass down to the user. A small thought through addition.
Having the outlet overhead allows it to be used for anything requiring power. Plus, there are USB power outlets also.
Dog on the left is a bit tired of world news and busy goings-on, and has decided to reflect inwardly. Smart doggie! Also, the neighbors might be a little too loud.
Willow is beautiful and sounds like the campgrounds greeter. She can greet me anytime. Keep on camping.
I had never heard that CPAP machine should be below one’s face……. Mine is at home but in my Retro trailer it sits on the shelf over the bed above my head. So far no issues after two years. I bought a 12 volt adapter from my CPAP supply company for $89 and it plugs into my house batteries – two 6 volts in series. So far it has lasted the 4-5 nights I dry camp with just a boost from my small portable solar set up. I turn off the humidifier as suggested in the article. Good luck to all you CPAP campers out there.
I advise that people ignore the advertisement from Google to put a paper clip in the charging port of your phone. This could short out the phone and turn it into a door stop. Many advertisements are just “click bait”.
Roger, we have blocked that ad. Clear your cache, and you shouldn’t see it again. Thank you for bringing this to our attention!
I have used a CPAP for over 20 years.
The CPAP on our Class CRV sits in the locker above the head of the bed. Most RVs have a locker a similar place.
my thor 22Z goes to step beyond my previous RVs by having a 12 V utility receptacle in the locker above the head of the bed.
I purchased a 12 V supply device for my Respironics RV and I’d leave it plugged in to that outlet. The unit runs fine on 12 V and I see no detectable drain on my battery even in several days of using the CPAP.
Haha love the dogs I have a set of Newfies one smart one…..lovable