America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2916 • New issue every weekday
Today’s thought
“The press is the best instrument for enlightening the mind of man, and improving him as a rational, moral, and social being.” —Thomas Jefferson
Learn why Google, Yahoo, Bing and Chat GPT agree that the Sunday edition of the RVtravel.com newsletter is America’s best RV newsletter.
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Say Something Nice Day! Scroll down for nice things!
On this day in history: 1951 – Washington State Ferries, the largest ferry system in the United States, begins operation under state ownership after a buyout of the Puget Sound Navigation Company.
Tip of the day
Retired police officer shares the best RV security tips and gear
By Cheri Sicard
Here, we join Izzy from Endless RVing as he shares his favorite RV security tips. If you aren’t a regular viewer of the Endless RVing YouTube channel, you might not realize that Izzy retired in 2025 after 25 years of service in law enforcement. In other words, he has some solid experience behind his RV security tips and advice.
While Izzy has done other RV security tips videos in the past, focusing on firearms and personal safety, this one focuses on gear and gadgets he says will increase your overall RV security and prevent theft.
More tips from this weekend you may have missed:
- Pricey fuel makes me a local explorer. Let me inspire you to do the same
- Even more RVing tips and tricks from RVers (with photos)!
- Take care of those insert moldings. Here are the products to use
SAY SOMETHING NICE: If nobody’s told you lately: You’re doing better than you think you are. Keep going. The road ahead still holds plenty of good surprises.
RV review
New teardrop-sized trailer has wet bath with stand-up shower
By Chuck Woodbury
At first glance, this is genius! A pint-sized trailer, less than 4 feet high, that manages to include a wet bath with a stand-up shower. How is that possible? Actually, it’s surprisingly easy. It just took some creative thinking to make it happen. The bathroom, you see, rides on the tongue of the trailer, folded down for travel, then easily raised at the campsite. This is neat!
IT’S GETTING HOT! Your car needs a sunshade to keep its interior cool. This is the #1 best-seller—look at the reviews!
Article and video
The 10 best states for BBQ
Here, we join Kyle, aka the Geography King, for his list of the 10 best states for BBQ in the USA. If you are an RVer who loves BBQ as much as Kyle does, you are going to want to check out this great barbecue itinerary. Some of the states on the list are expected, but Kyle has thrown in some surprises, too.
The latest news for RVers
- Your next RV may have a much more complicated electrical system than your old one
- RVer dumps sewer tank into gas station’s diesel tank. Big time bad news!
- $67 million in National Park visitor fees redirected to Trump’s D.C. projects
- Lawsuits keep piling up at one Camping World dealership
- Homeless veteran gives up his dog to get help. Then an RV changes everything
- Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel: New RV safety standards are a good thing
To read more recent news, click here.
SAY SOMETHING NICE: Thank you for supporting independent publishing and this newsletter. Every read, click, comment, and shared story means more than you probably realize.
Featured article
Leave your hood open in Arizona parks!
By Nanci Dixon
This week we received an email from Allen S. He was wondering if any of us here at RVtravel.com knew what in the world these folks in Tucson, Arizona, were doing. Allen asked: “Why are people leaving their hoods open and lights on all night in the engine area of their tow vehicles while camping in the Tucson area? We come from Canada and are confused.” Unfortunately, Nanci knows all too well, and tells you all about it here.
The #1 water filter for RVs
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 to improve the taste and smell of your drinking water. Learn more or order.
Ask Dave
My RV height is shorter than the brochure states. Did I miss something?
Reader poll
How many grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) do you have?
Quick tip
Keep bugs from sticking so hard to your rig
Bugs sticking to the front of your rig making you buggy? Get ’em off easily. Apply plenty of wax to the front of your rig when doing your “spiff and clean” routines. Some RVers swear by dampening dryer softener sheets with water, then wiping the front end down with the sheet. Bugs practically jump off with a quick wipe down later.
SAY SOMETHING NICE: Wherever you’re parked tonight—big campground, tiny pullout, or your own driveway—we hope you find a little peace, a good sunset, and something that makes you smile.
Website of the day
Leave Las Vegas to See the Most Beautiful Places in Nevada
Visiting Las Vegas and want to explore more of beautiful Nevada? This is the list for you!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Go fishing for marshmallows! We’re serious! Fine, you don’t believe us? Well, go fishing for hot dogs instead then! Here’s how.
Monday Motivation
The older we get, the more we realize that experiences matter more than possessions. RVing is a reminder that life’s greatest treasures are the memories we create. A stunning sunrise, a wildlife sighting, a family gathering at a campsite, or a quiet evening under the stars can bring more happiness than anything sitting on a store shelf. Every trip adds another chapter to your story. The memories made today will become the stories shared tomorrow. So fuel up, head out, and keep collecting experiences that enrich your life and inspire those around you.
Trivia
State Farm is the most popular auto insurance in the U.S., holding the largest market share (around 18% to 19%) based on direct premiums written. Progressive and GEICO follow closely, rounding out the top three largest insurers.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Tasha (6) joined us four years ago and has certainly adapted to the camp life. She is recently the only pup, so she is on a search for a new camping buddy, hopefully soon.” —Terri Readdy
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!
SAY SOMETHING NICE: Here’s to the readers who still lend tools, share directions, offer campground tips, and help strangers without being asked. You make the RV world better.
Leave here with a laugh
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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RE: Mice and pack rat article. Our home is on the edge of some very dense woods, and we recognized a serious rodent problem right away. After countless mouse and rat traps we found the easiest cure, which we have been using successfully for years. And it works in a campground too. Three simple words. Mighty Mint, Amazon.
My four oldest grandkids are all in their mid-to-late 20s and haven’t shown any interest in getting married nor having a family.
Thomas Jefferson is rolling in his grave. Everything and I mean everything is politicized today. Yes, even here as we all see almost daily.
If owning over 600 slaves in his lifetime, authorizing the extinction of indigenous Americans or fathering children with one of his slaves who was in her teens (Sally Hemings) while he was in his forties doesn’t merit a restless grave, I’m not sure today’s politics is even wiggling TJ’s skeletal toe.
Heck, Abraham Lincoln just about got into a duel with his political rival James Shields for exercising his 1st Amendment right printing satirical news but his assistants stopped him.
Our generation are amateurs compared to the past…LOL
Bob, it was the same back then. While Jefferson felt free press had the potential to be great, he also felt they failed at it:
“…the man who never looks into a newspaper is better informed than he who reads them; inasmuch as he who knows nothing is nearer to truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods & errors. He who reads nothing will still learn the great facts, and the details are all false.”
—Letter to John Norvell, 14 June 1807
You can find the entire letter online in various archives. Interesting reading.
Tasha reminds me of our family dog when I was a kid. May she find a good traveling companion and may all of you have happy travels together.
It is just me and my two fur babies. No family. Live alone and travel alone. Sad but true. As for insurance? When my 2 homes went up insurance wise I did some searches and could not believe Allstate beat out everyone else. Saving a lot of money. I have been with Progressive for auto insurance for almost 10 ten years. Have not been disappointed yet.
After reading the article about rodent damage and all the different ways to “prevent” it, there was NOT ONE comment critical of the manufacturers that continue to use soy based insulation for wires!!
THEIR quest to save money is what is causing the problem in the first place!!
SHAME on THEM!!
It’s not just to save money, which it may or may not. It also saves the environment. Producing the insulation using petrochemical products means more toxic pollution and waste in our landfills.
Plus, using soy or other plant based products is just one more forever renewable source.
So, when your vehicle is totaled due to rodents lunching on your wiring, you can rest easy knowing the petrochemical insulation isn’t poisoning the scrapyard.
Tasha is a real cutie and knows the best place to be – close to the campfire. I am sure you will have many, many more memories to make and maybe find more camping buddies. Keep on camping.
Well Chuck, thank the anti-petroleum environmentalists for changing electric wire coatings. Those “fossil-fuels” need to be stopped according to them. Try coating wires with Vicks VapoRub. Rodents don’t like the smell. Rodents don’t like peppermint smell either but you must retreat the area every couple weeks because it doesn’t last. Safe travels everyone.
I think you might be onto something . I’m sure a chemist could come up with some odor that would make it profitable for the RV industry.
Like this?
https://amzn.to/43KSAXy
Thank you Bob!!!!
subject of say something nice day,from the tv series MASH,will quote Major Frank Burns” it’s nice to be nice to the nice”
Thank you for sharing the delightful picture of Tasha, Terri. I hope that she finds her new traveling buddy soon and that you all have many wonderfully memorable RV adventures for many years to come. Thank you, Emily and Diane. Have a great week and safe travels!
State Farm insurance is the most used. I just was rear ended and wanted to put in a claim with them. I was told by my agent that they might drop me because of that one claim. What the H is insurance for??
A couple of claims with State Farm, been great to work with and never dropped. Even SF is scary to others, a couple of accidents not my fault and the other insurance company started to give me lot of excuses about claim issues. I just said I will turn it over to the SF agent and all of a sudden the issues went away and everything was fixed
Killing rats. I have been criticized before for this method and the ingredients that worked for our factory. Rats cannot belch/burp. We used coca Cola (use any sweet soda you wish), almost frozen to a slush, poured into a shallow pan and set out where the Rats feed. They drink the sweet mixture, and later expand internally. Other rats eat them.
Use Rat-X. Pellets that you can use in a tray or in throw-packs. All natural. Completely harmless to all other animals. Only kills rats and mice. Won’t kill any predator that eat the dead rats. Puts the rats in a Gluten coma, they croak, and then their bodies desiccate – basically turns them into cardboard, so no stink. That stuff really works!
Tasha is gorgeous! She looks friendly and full of fun.
“The press is the best instrument for enlightening the mind of man, and improving him as a rational, moral, and social being.” —Thomas Jefferson
For those that make EVERYTHING political, are you sure he just isn’t referring to a grape or apple cider press?