America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2904 • New issue every weekday
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Today’s thought
“Life is like a prism. What you see depends on how you turn the glass.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Dance Like A Chicken Day!
On this day in history: 1804 – William Clark and 42 men depart from Camp Dubois to join Meriwether Lewis at St. Charles, Missouri, marking the beginning of the Lewis and Clark Expedition‘s historic journey up the Missouri River.
Tip of the day
How do you hang a TV wall mount on an RV wall?
RV TV wall mounts are great. Their swing feature allows users to turn the TV in multiple directions, great for the rather strange seating arrangements RV manufacturers often use. They also allow the TV to be pushed back out of the way when not in use. The trouble is, these articulating mounts typically require the use of wall studs for a safe and secure install. If the desired wall doesn’t have studs—typical of most fiberglass or composite exterior RV walls—what’s to be done? Here’s one way to get the job done.
Article and video
Clever dual-purpose Toyota Sienna camper van build
A minivan camper usually asks for a compromise, but this 2025 Toyota Sienna build doesn’t. It keeps the second row, sleeps one person, and still looks like a normal family van from the outside. That dual-purpose layout is the whole story here. Horizon Camper Builds turned a hybrid XLE into a removable stealth camper that can still work as a four-passenger daily driver. Here, we get a full tour.
THURSDAY TRUTH: RV steps are either shin-height or ankle-height. They somehow know exactly where to hit.
Featured article
5 nifty gadgets that make RV life easier
By Gail Marsh
Who doesn’t love a great gadget? And a gadget that helps you RV is even better! During the past holiday season, I made a short wish list of things that I thought might be useful as we RV. I happily received a few of the items on my list. I plan to purchase the others in the days ahead. See what you think.
Time to make your RV shine!
It’s the perfect time of year to get your RV looking as good as new. Make sure you wash and seal it. Here’s the product to get you started. One wash delivers a deep clean, streak-free shine, and UV protection—keeping your RV protected and looking like new all season long.
Ask Dave
Are professional-grade tools really worth the money?
Reader poll
How many TV/movie streaming services are you currently subscribed to?
Quick tip
Removing an overhead mattress
Need to remove a mattress from your motorhome or truck camper overhead? It can be a tight proposition! Start to roll up the mattress, then bind it around with ratchet-style tie-down straps. Cinch them up tight, then pull the mattress out. Or buy your new mattress from an outfit that will deliver and install your new mattress!
On this day last year…
- Tip: What’s better for you: Class C motorhome or Class B van conversion?
- Ask Dave: RV’s two smaller slide rooms retract but larger kitchen one will not
- Article & video: RV tech’s RV buying advice—10 steps to follow
- Featured article: Get your teeth cleaned, a chiropractic adjustment, your hair cut, and your dog bathed at the world’s largest truck stop
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Make yourself laugh and your wife scream. Or perhaps make yourself laugh and make your husband scream. Either way, someone will laugh and someone will scream! See why.
Website of the day
Airbnb: Airstream & Camper Rentals
It’s the best of both worlds—you still get to “camp” in an RV, but it’s not yours so you don’t have to worry about reservations or parking! Explore this page and you’ll find incredible Airstreams and campers to book through Airbnb.
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:
• 26 percent say they carry every tool they could ever possibly need with them in their RV.
• More people always or mostly always read printed books over eBooks.
• 21 percent get five or more spam calls on their phone every day. Yikes!
Recent poll: Have you ever forgotten something important at home after leaving on an RV trip?
Trivia
In 1949, Popular Mechanics predicted that computers today would weigh approximately 1.5 tons. Wow! In the March 1949 edition, they wrote: “Where a calculator like ENIAC today is equipped with 18,000 vacuum tubes and weighs 30 tons, computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and perhaps weigh only 1.5 tons.”
Readers’ pet of the day
“Harper (English Springer Spaniel, age 1) was rescued from a bad situation when she was about 10 months old. She’s a good dog who has quickly adjusted to camper life.” —Corby Myles
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!
AMAZON PET DAYS ARE ON! From May 11-15, expect big sales and deals on pet products. See what’s on sale here (and don’t miss out—tomorrow is the final day!).
FREE IS GOOD! Free copycat restaurant recipes from RecipeLion.com—from Cracker Barrel to Olive Garden.
Leave here with a laugh
Why couldn’t the pony sing a lullaby?
She was a little horse.
Take an extra 10% off a GhostBed luxury RV mattress!
The GhostBed RV mattress is 10” deep, crafted with gel memory foam for coolness, has 3 layers of luxurious comfort and is perfectly sized for your RV! Ahhhh… Wake up relaxed and rejuvenated. RVtravel.com readers now get an EXTRA 10% OFF a GhostBed Luxury RV Mattress! CLICK HERE and use code RVTRAVEL10. Watch RVtravel.com’s Tony Barthel’s RV mattress review here.
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 Staff
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Harper looks like a sweet dog. Thanks for rescuing her. I’m glad she is a good dog and has adjusted to camper life. May you have many wonderful adventures together.
I love the bumper sticker, but my problem is with the drivers in front of me, not the drivers behind me.
And, you hope that they can read and understand your meaning.
They will be in front after reading and passing
Harper is gorgeous. Thank you for rescuing! As always adopt don’t shop! I am sure you will make so many memories together, she looks like a very happy dog. Keep on camping.
Oh we sure enjoy the RV Pet of the Day! Harper is so sweet looking and we are glad he was rescued!
Harper looks quite content by the camper.
Enjoy the adventures you will all have!