America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2894 • New issue every weekday
Today’s thought
“We don’t need a list of rights and wrongs, tables of do’s and don’ts: we need books, time, and silence. Thou shalt not is soon forgotten, but Once upon a time lasts forever.” ―Philip Pullman
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day! If you’re not ready to adopt a new friend just yet, you can celebrate National Oatmeal Cookie Day instead.
On this day in history: 1885 – Governor of New York David B. Hill signs legislation creating the Niagara Reservation, New York’s first state park, ensuring that Niagara Falls will not be devoted solely to industrial and commercial use.
Tip of the day
A hydroplaning safety guide for RVers
By Gail Marsh
When the skies open up and the roads turn slick, hydroplaning can become a serious threat. This may be one of my biggest fears when driving our RV.
Even a small amount of water—often as little as 1/12 of an inch—combined with speeds as low as 35 mph can set the stage for hydroplaning.
Nothing reduces fear like information, so let’s take a closer look at what hydroplaning is, discover ways to avoid it, and learn basic safety tips if it does happen when you’re driving your RV. Continue reading.
Article and video
Tour a rare 1954 Ranger—the first popup camper
Some vintage trailers are charming. This 1954 Ranger is charming and oddly important. At the Murphy Auto Museum in Oxnard, California, David Neal points to a camper that helped start a style people now take for granted. The trailer came from Anaheim, California, and was built for only two years. That short run is part of why the Ranger popup camper still grabs attention.
🔥 Reader favorite
Stick-on drain cover catches hair, food in bathroom and kitchen drains
Stick-on drain covers are perfect for RV sinks and showers, and work for all RV drains. Don’t spend money on plumbing issues when something as simple as this will prevent future issues. Stick on a drain cover and leave it on until it needs to be replaced. Learn more in this article by Dave Solberg, or order a pack for yourself here.
Featured article
Traveling with an RV refrigerator—Leave it on or off?
By Gail Marsh
Off or on? That seems to be the question RVers face when it comes to travel days. Do you keep your RV refrigerator on or off while traveling down the road? This was the latest topic for discussion around the campfire. Read what these RVers had to say.
PRO TIP: Properly orient your LP regulator! LP gas regulators have a vent. If the regulator is mounted with the vent side up (yeah, it’s been known to happen), moisture is far more likely to make its way inside. Positioning the vent down means you’re less likely to have regulator problems.
Ask Dave
I can’t wrap my head around a load-leveling hitch. Do I need one?
Reader poll
What would you prefer? A great steak or a great piece of seafood?
Quick tip
Protect yourself from kingpins at night
A cheap set of rope lights around the pin box of my 5th wheel keeps me and others from walking into the kingpin, especially at night. I turn them off at bedtime in respect of my neighbors. I use two sets and run them along the side of the RV. —Thanks to George B.
Balance for seniors: Easy-to-perform fall prevention exercises
This easy, step-by-step program shows you simple exercises to improve stability, coordination, and confidence so you can get out of your RV, hike around camp, explore town, or just walk through the grocery store with less worry about a tumble. Gentle, practical moves you can do daily help reduce fall risk and keep you moving well. This might save your life!
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: What is the oily leak on the cab floor of my Class C?
- Article & video: Family of six lives off-grid in massive DIY school bus conversion
- Featured article: Dental disaster and Mexico border blunders: One RVer’s now-hilariously unlucky day!
Website of the day
30 Top Things to Do in New Jersey
New Jersey is a beautiful state with tons to do! And did you know that it’s the “diner capital of the world”?
And the survey says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 5,000 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 10 percent always bring golf clubs when they travel with their RV. An additional 10 percent sometimes do.
• 28 percent say they’ve been turned away from an RV park or service center because their RV is 10 years or older.
• 32 percent have an extended warranty for their RV.
Recent poll: Would you avoid a park if cell service is poor or nonexistent?
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Maybe you already have this, but if not, you’ll see why every RVer is going to want to buy one (or two!). This is a brilliant invention!
Trivia
A little Oreo cookie trivia for you. The actual creme filling does not contain milk. A recent study revealed that “[the creme] is more of a frosting rather than a cream like cream cheese or cream fillings in pastries.” The study also revealed that an Oreo experiences “significant structural loss” within a minute of exposure to milk. So all those times you thought it was taking forever for milk to soften your Oreos, all you had to do was wait 60 seconds. And if you thought vegans couldn’t eat anything like this, well, you’re wrong. Oreos are a pretty tasty vegan treat, don’t you agree?
Readers’ pets of the day
“Suzy & Lola (Cockapoo & Parti Goldendoodle, ages 8 and 2). Both breeds are loving, sweet, and quite anxious. Require lots of attention, which, as retirees, my wife, Paula, and I are happy to provide.” —Jim Peabody
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!
WANT A “RESERVED FOR THE DOG” PILLOW FOR YOUR PUP? Find all styles and designs here.
FREE IS GOOD! Free Box of Signature Dipped Strawberries, plus birthday vouchers, when you register to become a Club Fondue member at Melting Pot.
Leave here with a laugh
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
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Suzy & Lola are so cute. I’m glad they have their own couch and that you as retirees have lots of time to devote to them. May you have many wonderful adventures together.
The quick tip is a nice idea, but how many would actually turn them off at night?
The reason to have it is to light the area at night if you need to go out.
A better alternative is to put a motion sensing light, or two, on or near the pin. Comes on when you approach it and automatically turns off after about 30 seconds.
I have one mounted down low near my steps.
“Leave here with a laugh”; there’s a 9PM?
Quick Tip rebuttal. Skip the bright all night long rope lights! I attached a solar charged motion detection light to warn people about the trailer tongue. Automatically turns off after 30 seconds when people move out of range (which is about 10 feet from the tongue).
Mine’s not solar. It runs on 3 “C” cells. In 5 years I’ve only replaced the batteries once.
I mounted it with 3M Dual Lock. Easy on and off.
It says they are turned off at bedtime and sure beats stumbling around in the dark. And they look quite pretty too. Don’t your motion lights irritate people? Might as well just get a low wattage flashlight and make sure it’s always pointed at the ground.
Good point, Impavid.👍 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Or a Headlight, red filter for us-we star-lovers.
True. Have a good, starry night, David. 😀 –Diane
My motion light is pointed downward. It is also only 3 feet off the ground and only 45 lumens
Yes!..Many of us enjoy looking at the stars and planets. And not having to wear a hardhat when looking up at the planets. I’ve knocked my noggin more times since being retired than when I was working.
Beautiful puppies! Enjoy. Every dog needs to be spoiled1
#1 top thing to do in New Jersey? Leave. 🤣
We already purchased the mystery product, in fact we got 2. They work well, I leave my bottles of shampoo & conditioner on the little corner shelf when we are moving down the road & so far they have stayed in place. It is the little things that make life easier!
The only suggestion I have for that item, is to remove the adhesive and replace it with 3M dual lock. You can then remove it when needed and put it back.
Ah, the 1954 Ranger popup. I bet there were lots of short lived campers and RV’s over the years. I had a 1975 Air Camper car top tent built in Indianapolis, but finally had to get rid of it. Canvas lasts a long time, but lifting it on top of a car gets old fast. I hope you find more unique campers.
I RV’d for over 30 years – pop-up, travel trailer, and a half-dozen RVs and always had the refrigerator on. Never had a problem. ‘fridge was always cold. At 81 I’ve become semi-retired from camping.
With you and still Driving-Kicking-Exploring. I keep cold mugs in the freezer.
Hello Gail….What is the point of the fridge question as it’s 3 years old and we can’t give our response?
Just wondering…..I do want my food and ale cold after a long drive and after 40+- years of having the propane on, I’m still here and enjoying a cold one. With a NORCOLD!…..They should send me some kind of gift for sticking up for them with my 1988 rig.