America’s Original RV Newsletter. Since 2001
Issue 2952 • New issue every weekday
Today’s thought
“He who is without a newspaper is cut off from his species.” —P. T. Barnum
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Junk Food Day!
On this day in history: 1865 – In the market square of Springfield, Missouri, Wild Bill Hickok shoots and kills Davis Tutt in what is regarded as the first documented Western quick-draw duel.
Tip of the day
Do roof coatings really stop roof leaks? RV tech weighs in
By Andrew Herrick
Unpopular opinion: RV roof coatings don’t stop roof leaks. Okay, okay, I overstate my case. RV roof coatings can stop leaks—but that’s not why you should apply them…
Let’s back up a minute and ask, “Why do RV roof coatings exist in the first place?” It’s because RV membrane roofs are made of thin plastic sheeting no thicker than a dime. Continue reading.
Article and video
Tour a stunning 1969 Avion vintage travel trailer
Some vintage campers survive because nobody touched them. Shirley and Dave’s 1969 Avion vintage travel trailer stands out for the opposite reason: They updated it carefully and kept the parts that still felt right. The tour in the video shows the 25-foot trailer with polished aluminum style, handmade details, and practical fixes and upgrades that make old-school camping easier. Check it out.
TODAY’S SPECIAL DEALS AT AMAZON. Limited time bargains. Big discounts. Browse now.
Featured article
How to clean mineral deposits in an RV toilet
By Cheri Sicard
I can report firsthand that the technique outlined in this video from the Cleaning How To YouTube channel actually works. When I found it, I had been searching for how to clean mineral deposits in an RV toilet. However, I was wary of putting chemicals into my RV septic system and did not know what was and was not safe to use. Turns out the solution is inexpensive and all-natural.
Ask Dave
Why separate black and gray tanks? Why not just one?
Song of the week from last Sunday’s issue
“I Was Born In A Campground To A Gypsy Mama”
Reader poll
How much of your clothing do you buy on Amazon?
TUESDAY THOUGHT: Every RVer has a list of places they still want to visit. We hope yours keeps getting longer.
Funny mug of the day
Quick tip
Carry clothespins. They’re handy!
Wooden or plastic clothespins are surprisingly useful around an RV. Use them to clip towels to a clothesline, secure tablecloths on windy days, keep snack bags closed, organize charging cables, or hang lightweight items to dry. They weigh almost nothing, cost very little, and solve dozens of little camping problems. Toss a handful into a drawer, and you’ll probably find yourself reaching for them more often than expected.
Website of the day
Alaska.org
Heading to Alaska soon or thinking about planning a trip? (Come on, it’s a DREAM RV destination!) Start your planning here.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Can chopping vegetables be “cute?” Oh, you betcha! And this is how!
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:
• 74 percent say their credit rating is excellent.
• 16 percent always or usually always carry tire chains in their RV or tow vehicle.
• 75 percent have given a public speech to more than 50 people.
Recent poll: Have you ever had to evacuate a campground because of severe weather?
WILDFIRE SMOKE BOTHERING YOU? Check out portable air purifiers at Amazon!
Trivia
A sparrow’s brain shrinks in the winter to help it conserve energy during the cold weather and food shortages. During the non-breeding season (fall and winter), sparrows do not need to defend territory or attract mates. The regions of the brain controlling birdsong can shrink and lose neurons during this time, effectively lightening the bird’s body weight and saving energy. So while a bird may sing a beautiful song in the spring, by wintertime it has no clue how to do it. Then spring comes, and the bird remembers.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Our spoiled little girl, Malia (Yorkshire Terrier, 10 months old), will soon be hitting the road with us and our travels. She loves being with us and rides well in her dog seat.” —Cinderella Sanders
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!
• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.
FREE IS GOOD! On Monday, July 27, be one of the first 250 folks to enter to receive a FREE 16 fl. oz. bottle of the new Coffee Mate® Situation‐sip Mixed Fruit flavored creamer. The giveaway will happen at 2 p.m. ET, and the giveaway window will close once all products are claimed. Mark your calendar and check back early and act fast. (Sounds kinda like making a campground reservation, eh?😉)
Leave here with a laugh
Fix roof leaks and extend your RV roof another 18-20 years with the ONLY liquid butyl rubber in the world
RV Roof Magic’s unique solvent-based drying process allows for a chemical bond not found in other RV sealants. That is why it never needs a primer and only one coat. We offer a 10-year warranty. Apply RV Roof Magic to all roofs except silicone and PVC. Over 30 years of history of success. Visit our site for our monthly special!
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.
Today’s thought isn’t really new anymore. The newspapers by me don’t have much news in anymore. Even some of the news on TV is more advertisements than news. I find out more news on Apple news.
News industry is dead. Now seems to be political in nature. Reporters have a non-neutral stand and that’s how they report.
‘neutral’ news is mostly a late 20th & very early 21st century thing. Going back to the 18th, 19th & most of the 20th century, most newspapers were known for the political leanings of their publishers. I try to get my news from a variety of sources with different political leanings – and different nationalities.
The readers of this newsletter are by definition travelers. So travel. Get a passport and travel further without spending your whole trip on a ‘canned’ tour or in tourist-oriented gift shops.See for yourself what other people think.
So true. News has devolved into editorials and opinions. No more unbiased news. We dropped our 40-some year subscription to our local paper several years ago. I really do miss the tactile experience of a newspaper with my morning coffee. The Sunday issue used to take two hands to pick it up. Now it’s probably less than twelve pages, ads and all.
Just saw a news story on TV about the last flight of a space shuttle. My first thought was the space shuttles were the largest toy hauler RV ever built. Those RVers were really lucky to be able to take a trip in them.
Until they explode or burn up.😔
I would have said commercial truck drivers. Mostly they delivered unique cargo to a unique place. Some of it required special handling, or returning with the empties. Would have loved the chance to hitch a ride.
Thank you for sharing the adorable picture of Malia, Cinderella. I hope that you share wonderful RV adventures for many years to come. Thank you, Emily and Diane. The highlighted website is a wonderful first approximation for comprehensive information for anyone contemplating or planning a trip to Alaska, however one travels there. DW used it extensively before our RV trips there in 2019 (RV #1) and last summer (RV #2). I am sure we’ll use it again when we plan RV #3’s trip there. Have a great day and safe travels!
Malia is gorgeous, she is ready to make many, many new memories as she accompanies you on numerous adventures. Keep on camping
As to “Today’s weather forecast”, when I see the yellow and red areas my heart always goes out to them. I hope everyone is safe along with their property.