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RV Travel Newsletter Issue 1023

October 30, 2021

366

Welcome to RVtravel.com, an RV-themed newsletter from the most-read consumer website about RVing in North America. At RVtravel.com, you will learn about RV camping, RV travel, RV news and much more. Be sure to check out all our other RV-related newsletters.

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October 23, 2021
Non-Members (advertising supported) edition

Cover story

Big money investors pursue RV parks, but it’s not so easy

By Andy Zipser
Author, Renting Dirt

Although RV production numbers have been softening in recent months, down from their peaks in 2020, investor cheerleading for the industry remains undiminished. Earlier this week, for example, the study firm Research and Markets predicted that the global RV industry will expand at an average annual rate of 7 percent a year until 2025, and more than 11 percent of American households now own an RV. That all adds up to a siren call for big-money investors who never would have given the sector a second look a couple of years ago. To the extent that big money leads to big ambitions, however, it also means more conflict.

Take, for instance, the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, owned by the Mashantucket Pequot tribe. Although it has long permitted RVers to use one of its parking lots for several nights without charge, the casino’s accommodation nevertheless has RVers complaining about the noise and fumes from idling tour buses and RV generators. So now the casino wants to add a “resort-like” RV park to its fistful of casinos and 2,228 hotel rooms, including a pool complex with waterslides and splash pads, as well as tennis, bocce and volleyball courts.

The problem? The tribe wants to build the 300-site RV park not on its own reservation, but on 63 adjacent acres that it owns in the town of Preston. That has alarmed local residents, who worry about the proposal’s impact on an adjacent fishing pond, about the possible loss of trees that screen the casino from view and about the town’s inability to provide adequate emergency services.

BUSINESS NOTES

Welcome to the many new readers who discovered us through our daily “Out and About” feature on SiriusXM radio.

👍 Yesterday, we posted the 13,000th article on this newsletter! And all were written by real people (nearly all of them active RVers), not by artificial intelligence or “influencers,” whose mission is to “sell,” not inform.

Headline stories in tomorrow’s newsletter

• Industry analysts warn of propane “Armageddon” this winter. Be prepared.
• Winnebago order backlog now tops $4 billion; buyer wait time likely extended
• Campground Crowding: “I never set out to ‘camp.’ I set out to travel.”
• You can thank Artificial Intelligence for quickly approving your next RV loan

And all the latest news that affects RVers.

PLUS: Campground updates • Latest fuel prices • Stolen RV Report • Latest RV recalls • AARP Scam Report • Reader survey • and much more…

Last week’s Tip of the Day highlights in RV Daily Tips Newsletters

• Pet owners: Your pet’s toys are a vital part of their lives. Here’s why
• Adjusting trailer brake controllers
• You can do way more with leaf blowers than you think! Here are 6 other ways to use them
• What to do about a sticky slideout
• Secret storage? You have tons of it in your RV – just open that cabinet door!

Did you know? There are 19 different manufacturers of fifth wheel toy haulers. Learn who they are and the models they make.

Today’s RV review…

Today, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews new 2022 Highland Ridge RV Silverstar XLT 264RLS fifth wheel. There are a few things in this fifth wheel that stand out. But, in general, why do so many RV manufacturers follow the same floor plans? Tony answers this question in today’s review. (And you’ll want to check out that fridge!) Read it here.

Last week’s reviews:
• CrossRoads RV Cruiser Aire 22RBS – Big space in a medium box
• 2022 Keystone Springdale 282BH – bunk buddy
• AT Overland Aterra XL: The ultimate flatbed camper?
• Preview: Innovative Cercle Touring Bike
• Preview: Ember RV Overland Micro Series – Big news in small packages

Clintoons • By Clint Norrell

MORE OF CLINT
See some of Clint’s recent cartoons. And here are more posted since July 3. They’re wonderful!

Stay for free or almost free at casinos. Our popular Casino Camping column is back!

If you’ve been around here for a while, you may remember our Casino Camping column, which we last published back in April of this year. Well, it’s time we bring back that popular column but we need your help to do so! If you have a favorite or not-so-favorite casino that offers RV parking or camping, please let us know on the form at the bottom of the article. Tell us about your experiences there, too. Read some tips about this great alternative to crowded campgrounds, as well as some recommendations from our readers, here.

One bit of “good” drought news: more free waterfront camping

Sunrises and sunsets can be spectacular

By Dave Helgeson*
Waterfront camping is great when you can find it. Free waterfront camping is even better! It’s that time of year again. Reservoirs are nearly empty! With farmers having watered their crops all summer long, reservoirs are at their lowest level of the year, exposing thousands of acres of often easily accessible shoreline / lake bottom suitable for waterfront camping. Find out about a bunch of free waterfront camping here.
*Dave will be speaking at the FMCA Convention in Tucson, AZ, March 25 and 26. He would love to meet RVtravel.com readers that will be attending. Feel free to introduce yourself after one of his seminars.

Young nomads follow their dreams in homemade RV. What they can teach us

By Nanci Dixon
Last week I brazenly followed what was definitely a homemade RV into a parking lot to talk with the owners, Kyra Campaña and Andrew Morrison. What I at first thought was an armored car-turned-motorhome was actually a 1998 diesel construction truck. Kyra and Andrew were delighted to talk with me and even invited me in to see the inside. What was so very refreshing was to hear their unbridled joy in RVing. They talked excitedly about the places they had been and all the wonderful fellow RVers they had met. Continue reading. (You’re gonna love Kyra and Andrew. Just sayin’. –Diane)

New Feature: RV Consumer Support

Is a mobile RV repair service right for you?

By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Imagine you’re enjoying an RV getaway. You’ve parked your rig in a quiet campground and enjoyed several days of relaxation. Alas! Like “all good things,” the time has rolled around for you to roll out. You push the button to bring in your slide-out, and instead of the reassuring rumble of the slide coming in, you get a “crunch!” and the slide won’t budge. Your relaxation has ended – there’s no way you can head out with an extended slide-out. Is a mobile RV repair service right for you? Find out here.

Last year at this time, these were the most popular articles

• Are you unintentionally spoiling RVing for others?
• A quick guide to troubleshooting RV furnace problems
• Is geotagging ruining nature and the outdoor experience?
• These two inexpensive cleaning agents work great!

Reader Poll

Have you ever turned away from an RV park because its entrance looked junky or otherwise unappealing?

Please let us know. After you click your response, you’ll see how others have responded. Feel free to leave a comment. CLICK HERE.

The most popular poll in this past week’s RV Daily Tips newsletters:
How old were you when you first got married? See how more than 2,200 other married (or once-married) RVers responded.

Brain Teaser

Who makes it, but has no need of it?
Who buys it, but has no use for it?
Who uses it, but can neither see nor feel it.
What is it?

(Answer in tomorrow’s Sunday news newsletter. And please don’t spoil it for other readers by posting the answer in the comments.)

Do you have a brain teaser you think we should use? Send it to us here.

Say goodbye to dirt! Add elegance and lighting to your entryway stairs

By Kate Doherty
In previous customization articles, I’ve looked at ways to customize your RV’s entertainment center and add a televator, and how to replace your RV’s small double sinks with one large sink. Today, we’re looking at another way to customize and spiffy up your RV: Get rid of that dirty RV stair carpet! This is cool!

A popular lesson put into play: Don’t let first impressions fool you

By Rod Andrew
After several years of traveling, many of us realize that the magnificent sights that we’ve seen often don’t linger as long in our memories as the small events we’ve participated in and the different people we have met. Even something as simple as an act of carelessness can have a powerful impact. Here’s one such incident that taught me a lesson. … Continue reading Rod’s heartwarming story here.

Pasta la vista, baby!
This amazing Halloween-shaped pasta will arrive in time for Halloween – it’s just what you need to make your day festive! And if you’re cooking for kids or guests, they’ll love it too! Shapes include bats, pumpkins and witches. It’s too cute to resist – we’re buying a bag ourselves! Learn more or order.

Game on! How many of these favorite TV pets from the past can you match with their owners?

By Gail Marsh
Hubby and I flipped through the television channels, again and again. And again. Still nothing on that we wanted to watch. News? Too depressing. Comedies? Not really funny (to us, anyway). Dramas? Too intense. Reality shows? Too weird. So, it was back to flipping… Until I challenged Hubby to name all of the famous TV and movie pets that starred in television shows when we were kids. Game on! Test your memory here.

If you’ve ever wanted to own your own town for a small price, now is your chance!

If you watched the popular Emmy-winning TV show Schitt’s Creek, the thought of owning your own town and being your own mayor is probably an exciting thought to you. Even if you haven’t watched the show, this is still a neat opportunity.

Is this your RV?

If it’s yours and you can prove it to us (send a photo for comparison), tell us here by 9 p.m. Pacific time today, October 23, 2021. If it’s yours you’ll win a $25 Amazon gift certificate.

If this isn’t your RV, send us a photo of your RV (if you haven’t already) for a chance to win in future issues.

We’ll have another photo in tomorrow’s newsletter (sign up to receive an email alert so you don’t miss the issue or those that follow). Some of these photos are submitted by readers while others were taken by our editors and writers on their travels around the USA.

Saturday Giveaway!

How would you like to win a set of insulated travel mugs with lids?

How to win
We’ll select a winner at random out of all entries we receive today (October 23, 2021) by 7 p.m. Pacific time. Remember, you can only enter once and after we notify you by email via RVcontests@gmail.com that you won, you have 24 hours to respond or we’ll give the prize to someone else.

Click here to enter or see last week’s winner!

Finally! This incredible RVtravel.com mug can be yours!
Wow! What great news!! This RVtravel.com coffee mug not only holds your favorite beverage, it shows everyone you’re a proud RVer and a proud fan of RVtravel.com. And, as we always say, we guarantee your coffee will taste better in this. Design is on both sides. Learn more or order your very own mug!

Email us a photo of you with your mug after it arrives (editor@rvtravel.com). We’ll post it!

Resources

“RVs: Who Makes What” – This is a new free directory from RVtravel.com which lists every U.S. RV manufacturer and their makes and models. Learn more and/or download a free PDF copy.

Stolen RVs — Help us recover these stolen RVs. The more eyes we have searching for them, the better chance of getting them back to their rightful owners, and maybe putting the crooks who stole them in the slammer! See the stolen RVs.

Great websites. Check out our favorite websites of the day! We compiled a list of (almost) all the websites we’ve ever posted, and we update it weekly.

Where to complain about bad RVs, dealers, service, RV parks. This is an ever-expanding list of resources where you can report, share or discuss your problems with RV manufacturers or dealers.

Best Club for RVers: Escapees. Click here to learn more or join. Endorsed by RVtravel.com.

Directory of RV parks with storm shelters
In case you’re on the road with your RV and the weather report is showing a tornado headed your way, have this list handy.

RV Clubs
Check out our Directory of RV Clubs and Organizations.

What does financing an RV for 20 years REALLY mean?
In case you missed this article the first time around, here it is again. Important! Click here.

Stuck with a lemon RV? Contact Ron Burdge, America’s premier RV lemon law attorney.

Ask Dave

Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and the Managing Editor of the RV Repair Club, a one-stop go-to online resource for RV enthusiasts.

What is this leaky valve under my bathroom sink?

Dear Dave,
I repaired a couple of leaks under the bathroom sink. This connector [pictured in the post] intermittently releases a small amount of water. Not sure what it is and whether it is functioning as designed. Is it some sort of pressure relief connector? Thanks in advance. —Perry

Read Dave’s reply.

Other questions Dave answered this week:
• Why doesn’t my 3-way refrigerator work on 12-volt?
• Should a hitch ball be greased or not?
• Why does the electric tongue jack only work intermittently?
• Why did the lithium battery explode and flame up?
• What are the red specks in my water from the campground?

?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
Hehehehe. If we ever saw this on the road we’d laugh pretty hard! See why.

Road Trips

Historic markers along the road: Standing where Teddy Roosevelt got inspired

By Chris Epting
“Historic marker, 500 feet.” You know the feeling, right? No matter what it is, you sort of have to stop. It’s almost as if, since someone was thoughtful enough to mark it, you owe it to yourself to reward their efforts with at least a brief stop. Maybe it doesn’t always feel rewarding. Maybe it’s actually not that interesting. But still, if somebody thought to put a plaque or a marker there, there’s just something about it that’s worth your time. At least that’s how I feel. Can you relate? Continue reading.

RV Gizmos and Gadgets

Take a hot shower anywhere; no fresh water tanks required!

By Randall Brink
Water is one of the most important things that you cannot live without while camping. Among the constant and never-ending questions facing RVers, particularly while boondocking, is, “Will I be able to take a shower?” It’s not just about the lack of fresh-running campground water. The other concerns are: How much fresh water do I have onboard? How quickly do I want to fill up my gray water tank? Given the capacity of fresh water and wastewater, how long can I remain in camp? Read more.

RVelectricity™

with Mike Sokol

Everything you know is wrong (about circuit breakers)

The amount of misinformation posted on Facebook is legendary, so please don’t take advice from any FB “electrical expert.” It seems a bit like the original Firesign Theatre album, “Everything You Know Is Wrong”! You should be aware that all of my RVelectricity articles on RVtravel.com and my own RVelectricity Facebook group are fully peer-reviewed by my own administrators and moderators – who are all highly skilled in electricity and code. Nope, I can’t get away with publishing any incorrect information, so you can trust what we post. Continue reading.

This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session

Don’t burn up your water heater element

I found this post on another RV group page and thought it was an important reminder….

“I went to winterize the trailer (sadness) and decided to get a jump on draining the hot water tank before I even hooked the power. Well, you guessed it. I didn’t follow my normal winterizing routine and simply flip the little on/off switch to off in the hot water tank. The switch was left on in the trailer, which I usually always turn off at the end of any trip. Hooked up power and realized later the switch was on in the trailer. …”

Read the rest of the post and Mike’s advice about replacing water heater elements here.

Thetford’s toilet seal isn’t crappy!
Nobody wants to talk about a yucky toilet, but nobody wants to actually have to deal with a yucky toilet either… Enter Thetford’s Toilet Seal Lube and Conditioner. It works on all RV and boat toilets and protects the seal from drying out. If your toilet’s seal dries out, it can prevent it from sealing and holding water. You don’t want that! This is one of those products you should really use, even if dealing with your toilet isn’t your all-time favorite thing to do. Check it out.

RV Tire Safety

It’s just a wheel. What can go wrong?

By Roger Marble
A wheel is just a wheel, isn’t it? That wasn’t the exact phrase used in a recent post but it seemed to be the thought behind some of the comments I saw. Today’s topic will be of interest to anyone who has changed tire size or load range (ply rating to some). It also covers some important safety concerns that you must consider if contemplating such a change. This is a technical matter, which can be boring to some. But there are explosions in some of the videos to keep everyone interested and awake. Learn all about wheel failure here.

Recipe of the Day

Jack-O’-Lantern Stuffed Peppers Recipe
by Chef Charles Smith from Taftville, CT

What a cute meal to have for your little goblins before they go out trick or treating. It’s a delicious stuffed pepper recipe that’s turned into an adorable Jack-O’-Lantern. The filling is full of meat and rice with just enough sauce. This is a meal your entire family will love.

How spooktacular are these?! We’ve gotta make ’em! Get the recipe.

Other recipes featured in this week’s Daily Tips Newsletters:
• Crunchy Smoky Pork Chops
• Game Day Fire Cracker Shrimp
• Crab Cake Sandwiches
• Cheese Dip That Will Make You Famous
• Best Ever Chinese Chicken

Readers’ Pet of the Day

“Rosie is loving life, especially camping, since she was sprung from being a puppy mill mom this spring.” —Judy Cox

Pets featured in this past week’s RV Daily Tips:
• Stella • Maggie Mae & Bella Mae • Cassie • Anya • Tex

Looking for a gift for your furry friend? Check out the Amazon Pet Gift Guide for some great deals!

Vintage Postcard of the Week

Postcards owned by Colleen and Ed Weum, Pacific Northwest Postcard Club. Read more about their 90,000 postcard collection here.

Trivia

Think you’ve been to a desert before? Think again! You’ve never seen a desert like the Atacama Desert along the northern coast of Chile. The Atacama Desert is the dryest desert in the world. How dry? Some weather stations in the desert have never (we repeat: never) recorded a drop of rainfall. Geologic evidence suggests that certain regions across the desert may not have had rainfall from 1570 to 1971. The desert is bone dry. NASA has used the region to test equipment for Mars missions.

Word and Phrase Origins

From the book, Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson:

bleachers. “When you sit in the open outfield seats of a baseball stadium on a hot day, the sun seems strong enough to bleach your shirt. That is the humorous idea behind the coining of the word bleachers for all such seats in a stadium, the term first recorded in the early 1880s.”

Laugh of the Week

Leave with a song from the past

Here’s one of the original country music superstars, Patsy Montana, in a performance in 1991 of her 1935 hit “I Want to be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart.” With this song, Patsy became the first female country performer to have a million-selling single. She is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Does your supermarket give you free groceries?

No, you pay for them. You also pay for gas for your car. You pay for your garbage and electric service. You pay for a Netflix subscription. But only 4 percent of RVtravel.com readers — four out of 100 — pay to read this newsletter and the other 699 newsletters we publish each year. This is not a hobby for our staff. It’s our livelihood. About 15 people earn their full-time or part-time living from RVtravel.com. Thank goodness at least some of you consider us important enough to help support us financially. Is what you read here week after week worth more than FREE? Learn more or donate — it only takes a few minutes! And it will be hugely appreciated!

Did you miss last week’s RV Travel?

Read it here | Back issues

RVtravel.com Staff

Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Associate editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editors: Russ and Tiña De Maris. Senior writers: Nanci Dixon, Tony Barthel, Mike Gast. Contributors: Mike Sokol, Gail Marsh, Roger Marble, Dave Solberg, Dave Helgeson, Janet Groene, Julianne Crane, Chris Guld, Machelle James, James Raia, Kate Doherty, J.R. Montigel, Clint Norrell, Randall Brink, Chris Epting, and Sharon Still. Podcast host and producer: Scott Linden. Special projects director: Jessica Sarvis. Moderators: Gary Gilmore, Linda Brady. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.

Honorary Correspondents: Loyal readers who regularly email us leads about news stories and other information and resources that aid our own news-gathering efforts.
Tom and Lois Speirs • Mike Sherman • George Bliss • Steve Barnes • Tom Hart + others who we will add later.

Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.

RVtravel.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.

CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
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October 23, 2021 Non-Members (advertising supported) edition