America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2941 • New issue every weekday
Today’s thought
“Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses.” —George Washington Carver
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Fried Chicken Day! Here are our favorite fried chicken recipes.
On this day in history: 1942 – Anne Frank and her family go into hiding in the “Secret Annexe” above her father’s office in an Amsterdam warehouse.
Tip of the day
Genius golf ball trick solves low airflow issue in RV’s A/C
By Gail Marsh
It’s been unseasonably hot and still getting hotter at our current campground in Colorado. Our two air conditioners struggle to keep up. I was cleaning the return air filters (make sure you’re cleaning yours, too) when I noticed something rather odd. The RV’s A/C vent looked different somehow. Upon closer inspection, I could see that the vent had collapsed! I could barely put my finger into the vent opening. Wondering if other vents were similarly affected, I checked them. All of the vents had collapsed! No wonder our rig was hot and there was hardly any airflow! Continue reading.
More tips from this weekend you may have missed:
- How sewer backflow can get into your fresh water system
- Triple towing: Is it legal? Is it safe? Should you do it?
- Clean your RV window screens without water
- A step-by-step guide on how to replace your RV entry door holdback
- What is the “best” TPMS?
RV review
The 2025 Puma 255RKS fifth wheel—lighter, less bulky and more manageable
If the question is whether there are any lighter, more manageable fifth wheels out there, the 2025 Puma 255RKS is a great example of one. It is a compact rear-kitchen fifth wheel with one slide. It offers a fifth wheel feel but with a lighter weight. This RV is best suited for a couple but has flexibility for an occasional guest. Check it out.
WHAT’S THE ONE THING… you always need on your first day of RVing? You leave the driveway, get out on the open road, and ahhh… that’s the best feeling in the world. You need this!
Article and video
How to install a skylight in your RV or camper
By Cheri Sicard
Letting in more natural light can make a small camper or RV feel twice as big. That’s exactly what Nailgun Nelly achieved by installing a Specialty Skylight 14×14 from etrailer.com into her 1959 Kencraft camper. If you’ve ever felt your home-on-wheels was a little dark or cramped, adding a skylight just might be the trick to open things up.
The latest news for RVers
- National Park staff may no longer reveal visitor deaths, report says
- State parks across U.S. implement changes that affect RVers
- Gas prices ease ahead of July 4 holiday
- Beyond the headlines with Tony Barthel: Lippert-Patrick merger moves forward, Coachmen has new floors, and Forest River wants to hear from you
- Wildfire update for July 4, 2026
To read more recent news, click here.
Featured article
RVers, if you see purple paint on trees, stay away
By Gail Marsh
As we travel across the United States, I enjoy learning about local traditions, laws, and folklore. My husband and I were married and lived in Iowa for many years. … Iowa is certainly flat, at least in the areas where we lived. I was used to the flat, treeless plain. Then we moved to Missouri. Missouri has a lot of trees! And many of these trees sport a distinctive swipe of purple paint on their trunks. What’s that?! Find out here.
Ask Dave
Who determines the speed advisory on curves?
Read Dave’s answer to that question and more here.
A Permanent Address for RV Freedom — Full-time RVers trust America’s Mailbox for mail forwarding, residency help, and reliable support from the road.
Reader poll
How often do you buy a coffee out at a cafe, drive-through, etc.?
Quick tip
Make sure your pet is comfortable when traveling
Introducing Rover or Fluffy to RV travel? Make sure they have a comfortable bed for traveling. If you’re headed for cold or damp country with an older pet, consider springing for a heated pet bed. Whatever you choose, let your pal get used to it at home before traveling.
Website of the day
Seasonal Food Guide
Wonder what’s in season right now? This website tells you all the foods you should be eating for each month of the year.
Monday Motivation
“Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you’re willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it.” —Lou Holtz
Trivia
A pangram, also known as a holoalphabetic sentence, is a sentence that includes all the letters of the alphabet at least once. One of the most well-known pangrams is likely the sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog,” which consists of thirty-five letters. Since the late 1800s, this sentence has been widely employed to evaluate typing equipment.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
‘Tis the season to be _____, yum yum yum yum yum… yum yum yum yum! Hint: It WILL make you jolly. Click here. (You probably could’ve used this this weekend…)
Readers’ pet of the day
“Pebbles (Goldendoodle, age 5) loves to camp, hike, and swim. She also LOVES a good belly rub to get her going for the day.” —Ben Campbell
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.
Leave here with a laugh
Here they are, from 1978, two wild and crazy guys!
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
• Current National Radar Weather Map
• National Interagency Fire Center (national wildfire activity)
• InciWeb (major fire information)
• AirNow (smoke and air quality)
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the Latest News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.
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RVtravel.com All-Star Staff
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
In west, central Illinois there is purple painted trees. Every one knows what it means here.
Gracious! It must have been nearly 40 years since I have gotten to see the “Two Wild and Crazy Guys” skits! Thanks for the laughs!!
Trivia today, not only to evaluate typing equipment but also used in typing test on speed and accuracy to administrative positions.