America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2940 • New issue every weekday
Today’s thought
“Don’t wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel, stride down there and light the bloody thing yourself.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Eat Your Beans Day! Here are a few of our favorite bean recipes.
On this day in history: 1819 – The Bank for Savings in the City of New-York, the first savings bank in New York City, opens.
Tip of the day
Smart, skinny storage and organization solutions for RVs
One of the biggest challenges of RV living is finding a place for everything without making your home on wheels feel cramped. That’s where narrow storage solutions shine.
Slim cabinets, rolling carts, vertical organizers, and enclosed storage units make excellent use of spaces that would otherwise go unused. Want the skinny on narrow storage solutions? Keep reading!
RV review
Travel Lite Up Country 550U-XS—The truck camper for midsize trucks
Midsize truck owners hear the same line all the time: The truck is too small for a real camper. That is why the Travel Lite Up Country 550U-XS stands out. It is a hard-side truck camper built for midsize trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Ford Ranger, and it keeps the setup compact instead of turning the truck into a bulky mess. At 1,100 pounds dry, it aims at buyers who want a simple camping setup with real shelter, air conditioning, and a place to sleep. Check it out.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Inverter vs. converter—What’s the difference?
Here, Dustin and Zach discuss RV electricity basics—specifically, the difference between an inverter and a converter. They also cover what items run off of 12 volts (DC) and what items run off of 110 volts (AC). Knowing the difference will not only help you manage your RV electricity, but can also help you troubleshoot problems when you are out on the road.
Keep your essentials right where you need them while driving
This vent-mounted organizer gives RVers and all drivers a place for phones, cords, sunglasses, and more without cluttering the dash. The three-pocket design keeps your phone secure (even while charging) and everyday essentials within easy reach, making long drives and busy travel days more organized and less fumbly. Learn more or order.
Article and video
The best stops on Route 66 in every state
Route 66, also called the Mother Road by John Steinbeck, traces a line of American history from Chicago all the way to the Pacific. Spanning eight states and crossing three time zones, this legendary highway shows off everything from Missouri’s towering woodlands to the sun-bleached ranchlands of Texas. Click here to read a breakdown and watch the video.
THE MORE YOU KNOW… Friday is America’s most popular day for ordering takeout.
Featured article
Your ice maker could be growing mold. Make sure you clean it!
By Dale Wade
Ah, spring has arrived. We pulled the RV out of storage for this year’s maiden voyage. As I went through the spring checklist, I came across “Check the ice maker.” I pulled it out of the box, opened it up, and found black mold around the inside edges. Whoa. Let’s clean that portable ice maker. Here’s how.
Ask Dave
Why does my small trailer trip a GFCI outlet when I plug it in?
Our most popular stories this week:
- 2026 Wolf Creek 850 truck camper review: Compact, yet comfortable
- Meet the woman in her 80s who built her own ProMaster camper van
- 3-part camping mosquito control that works
- Clasica: A new, lightweight, vintage-style fiberglass travel trailer
- Our experience staying at an “upscale” Love’s RV Stop
- Would you support stricter penalties for campers who don’t cancel reservations?
- Imported Japanese RV: 1998 Toyota Camroad Zil 4×4
Brand-new travel books we think you’ll love:
- National Geographic Ultimate Guide to the National Parks: A Complete Tour of All 63 U.S. Parks
- Gun Laws by State (2026 Edition): The Definitive Firearm Carry & Transport Guide
- Route 66: The Complete Centennial Travel Guide to the Mother Road: Road Trip Planner with Full-Color Maps, Mile-by-Mile Routes, Day-by-Day Itineraries, Hidden Gems, Legendary Diners & Vintage Motels
- National Geographic National Parks Cookbook: Dishes Inspired by America’s Great Outdoors
- Utah National Parks Handbook 2026: A Travel Guide to National Parks, Scenic Drives, and the American Southwest
Reader poll
Do you own a lawnmower?
Quick tip
What to do if driving toward a dust storm
In Arizona and other Southwest states, dust storms can pop up at any time of the year, but most frequently occur during the monsoon season of June to September. If you’re driving a vehicle and see a dust storm ahead, the most important thing to do is to not drive into it. That’s because visibility can drop to zero, leaving you and others driving blind, making for a dangerous situation. Read more and watch a 30-second video.
Website of the day
AARP Daily Crossword
As AARP says, “A crossword a day keeps the doctor away!” This is a good daily dose of entertainment, and it keeps your brain sharp. Have fun!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
It’s RV-sized and will absolutely change your life! Never let your RV, car, home, couch, rugs… you name it! feel dirty again.
Trivia
Do microwaves cook food from the inside out? No. Microwaves penetrate the food to a depth of 1 to 1½ inches. In thicker pieces of food, the microwaves don’t reach the center. That area would cook by conduction of heat from the outer areas of the food into the middle. In a microwave oven, the air in the oven is at room temperature so the temperature of the food surface is cooler than food in a conventional oven, where the food is heated by hot air. Therefore, food cooked in a microwave oven doesn’t normally become brown and crispy.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Here’s Buddy (Maltese/Bichon, age 3) keeping tabs on what’s happening in the campground. He’s a good traveler and loves his walks.” —Dave Chessman
HELP! WE’RE RUNNING LOW ON PET PHOTOS! 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.
FINISHED READING THIS NEWSLETTER? Fantastic! Now you can move on over to yesterday’s brand-new Great RV Accessories newsletter. Woohoo!
Leave here with a laugh
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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RVtravel.com All-Star Staff
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