America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2928 • New issue every weekday
Today’s thought
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”—Thich Nhat Hanh
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Eat Your Vegetables Day!
On this day in history: 1885 – The Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor.
Tip of the day
Burned by the plug: A wake-up call on shore power safety
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
A conscientious RVer had a scary situation. His 30-amp RV was plugged into a 30-amp-rated outlet. The family had been running the refrigerator and water heater on electric, and tossing in an occasional microwave oven use. The pedestal circuit breaker never tripped, but suddenly his son reported the shore power plug was smoking! Not only was it smoking, but the plug was in a meltdown crisis. Nobody likes a hot shore power plug. What happened to this RVing family has happened to other RVers. What gives?
RV review
Brinkley Model Z 2900—Luxury fifth wheel that feels like home
The Brinkley Model Z 2900 packs a lot into 32’11”. With three slides, a residential look, and a long list of standard features, it feels much bigger than its footprint suggests. Its best trait is balance, because it combines towing-friendly size with the kind of layout and finish that usually show up in larger fifth wheels. For shoppers who want a fifth wheel that can handle weekends, long trips, and even multi-season use, this one checks a lot of boxes.
FAMOUS LAST WORDS: “We won’t need that.”
Article and video
Campsite stories—7 things you never want to hear
Campers know a trip can flip in one sentence. One minute the site is calm, and the next somebody says something that sends everyone sniffing the air, grabbing a flashlight, or blaming a tank sensor. Most campsite trouble starts with a harmless line, then turns a quiet evening into full campground drama. Uh oh…
Sewer fitting grip help! Gadget to the rescue!
If you find the bayonet mounts for your sewer hose connections are getting a bit hard to twist off and on (hate to say it, but it sometimes comes with age), here’s a tool that might help. An adjustable oil filter wrench, made to get a grip around automotive oil filters, can also provide a handy grip and plenty of leverage on the bayonet fitting of your sewer hose, and the termination cap as well. Here’s one we recommend.
Featured article
“Max psi” on tire sidewall. What does it really mean?
By Roger Marble
I know I have answered this question in the past, but maybe it was on an RV forum for a single-brand RV so not everyone has heard this. So here goes. Many, but not all, tires have the words “Max psi” followed by a number on the tire sidewall. I have no idea which lawyer wrote the requirement, but he or she didn’t understand how those words would be misinterpreted. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
Why does one RV air conditioner blow warm air while driving?
Reader poll
Do you experience altitude sickness at high elevations?
Quick tip
Quick way to sanitize the public water hose connection
Worried about what the last guy may have done to the water hose connection at your site or at the filling area? Get yourself a bottle of “spray Clorox” and spritz the water tap threads before hooking on your own hose.
Funny t-shirt of the day
On this day last year…
- Tip: How to navigate around highway closures
- Ask Dave: Essential LP cylinder safety tips
- RV review: The Palomino Puma 121RKCE Travel Trailer—Insanely small yet surprisingly BIG
- Featured article: Add RVing on Nevada’s wacky Extraterrestrial Highway to your bucket list
Website of the day
The 10 Most Unique Places To Go Kayaking in the U.S.
If you have room in your RV for a kayak, we suggest you have one! Kayaking is a great way to see places you wouldn’t normally get to see. Check out these unique spots! (And if you don’t have a space for a kayak, what about an inflatable one? They’re great!)
Trivia
A long-overlooked organ may hold surprising clues to healthy aging and cancer survival. Researchers at Mass General Brigham used AI to analyze CT scans from tens of thousands of adults and found that people with healthier thymuses—a small immune-system organ once thought to become largely irrelevant after childhood—lived longer and had substantially lower risks of heart disease, cancer, and death.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Pulling this out in the campground will be a big ol’ USA hit! Seriously, this should be brought out at every BBQ and gathering. How cool!
Readers’ pet of the day
“Ryder (Australian Shepherd/Mini Poodle, age 3) is a true companion. Very family-oriented. Lots of energy and fun to have around.” —Richard Mazurek
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!
• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.
Leave here with a laugh
How do you know when a pun has matured?
When it is full groan.
(No comment.)
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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RVtravel.com All-Star Staff
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