America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2917 • New issue every weekday
Learn why Google, Yahoo, Bing and ChatGPT agree that the Sunday edition of the RVtravel.com newsletter is America’s best RV newsletter.
Today’s thought
“Advertising is the art of convincing people to spend money they don’t have for something they don’t need.” —Will Rogers
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is International Volkswagen Bus Day! Check out this ’56 VW/Airstream oddity!
On this day in history: 1910 – Charles Rolls, a co-founder of Rolls-Royce Limited, becomes the first man to make a non-stop double crossing of the English Channel by plane.
Tip of the day
A gadget that easily fixes stripped screw holes
By Nanci Dixon
Rocking and rolling down the road in an RV can loosen and strip even the most tightly held screws. As our RV gets older, we are finding more screws shake loose and more screw holes stripped out when we try to replace or tighten.
One major issue for us has been a wall—yes, literally a wall—that was never screwed down in manufacturing. The factory fixed it once but, in time, the screws have loosened, the holes have been stripped, and now the bathroom door flaps open while driving.
Searching across Amazon, YouTube, and RV sites, I finally found what might be a better solution than the short-lived glue and toothpicks in the wood holes.
Article and video
The secret to walking up and down hills without getting tired or hurting your knees
Walking up hills can really take it out of a person. What if it didn’t have to be so hard? There’s a way to make those climbs easier and more enjoyable. The secret is to use your body efficiently, relying on your biggest muscles and conserving energy. The video near the bottom of this post will explain how to walk uphill using less effort.
GOT ANTS?
Ants love your home, RV, and campsite, but not for long! This is the best-selling ant killer, and it works. Get rid of them for good!
Featured article
The history of a camper’s favorite dining seat: The picnic table
By Gail Marsh
Adam and Eve were probably the first people to enjoy dining outside. Holding your food proved to be somewhat problematic, so eventually a blanket was introduced to the outdoor dining experience. The blanket had its drawbacks, and picnickers everywhere dreamed of a device that would hold not only their food, but themselves up and off the ground. It was time for a novel invention. A picnic table! And here’s how it happened.
Ask Dave
There aren’t enough outlets in my RV. Can I use a power strip?
Reader poll
Do you have a dash camera on your RV or tow vehicle?
LIKE TAKING POLLS? So do we! Did you know we’ve run more than 5,000 polls on our website over the years? Check ’em out! Have fun!
Quick tip
Where to find “clean” firewood
Can’t find a good source of campfire wood? Restrictions to keep invasive bug species at bay make it even harder. Hit the “big box” lumberyard and buy less-expensive “utility”-grade 2x4s. Cut ’em in foot or foot-and-a-half lengths. They are easy to chop into kindling, if desired, and they light easily, don’t support bugs, and put out plenty of heat and light.
The easiest way to fly a flag from your RV
Recently, one of our Facebook members shared a really cool suction cup flag holder for RVs, and I couldn’t be prouder to highlight it here. This handy little accessory makes it easy to show your love for our country and support for our troops wherever you are. Sticks to any surface.
Website of the day
See Jurassic Park Come to Life at These Amazing Dinosaur Fossil Parks
Take a look at the photos in this article—it’s hard to believe they’re real, but they are! It would be incredible to see these in person, especially if you’re traveling with kids or grandkids.
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:
• 36 percent of women and 33 percent of men say they know how to use a sewing machine.
• 16 percent do not have a passport.
• 27 percent are either planning or hope to plan soon a trip to Alaska within the next two years in their RV.
Recent poll: Would you pay more for an RV with additional safety features?
Bumper snicker
Trivia
Colgate toothpaste evolved from William Colgate’s 1806 New York soap and candle shop. The brand introduced its first mass-produced toothpaste in jars in 1873, followed by the iconic collapsible tubes in 1896, marketed as “Colgate Ribbon Dental Cream”.
Readers’ pets of the day
“Zoe, Lucy, Sally, and Bailey on their very first camping trip. A lot of tangled leashes and poopy bags, but they did better than we thought. All rescues are over the age of 10. We’re all exhausted.” —Tamara Furry
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Sunday RV Travel newsletter. No blurry photos, please! Please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!
• Pet Food and all pet products at Amazon
• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Oh, we’d pay good money to watch these in action! In fact, this could probably even become an Olympic sport! A very tasty Olympic sport for a certain someone… And, yes, we’d try it…
FREE IS GOOD! Guide to New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Includes map. Available instantly as download or by mail.
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 Staff
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What a coincidence someone with the name Tamara FURRY would love and keep 4 FURRIES!
Dogs look cozy and relaxed, how nice!
RE: Today’s Thought on advertising.
Most ironic… @@
Zoe, Lucy, Sally, and Bailey are cuties and look like they’re tuckered out right now. Thank you for rescuing and seniors yet to boot, they are the best! Everyone remember adopt don’t shop! You will be making so many fun memories with this crew. Keep on camping.
2X4s for firewood. Construction material is nearly always softwood. Burns fast. For the best campfires, you want well seasoned hardwood. That you will almost always have to source local to your campsite.
We have two companies in our town that build pallets. They dump roll off dumpsters of cutoff lumber everyday. Heat treated and certified for world wide shipping. When we go camping I stop and get as much as i want for free. All clean, no nails, screws or other metal.
Thank you for sharing the delightful picture of your pack, Tamara. May you all have many, many wonderful RV trips together in the coming years. Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great day and safe travels!