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Issue 1013 • December 5, 2018
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QUICK TIPS
Shorty water hoses?
Magic wrote to tell us about his RV water hose philosophy: “In addition to a couple of 25′ hoses, I also have a 10′ hose which actually gets the most usage. Using a Clorox towelette to clean it after each use will keep it white and sanitary.” He adds that he pulls his power cable through the same stuff to clean it up before stowing it. Thanks, Magic!
Inspect your rig often to avoid “damage” surprises later
Have you ever noticed a dent on your RV long after returning home from a camping trip? Unfortunately, you probably won’t ever figure out how or why it happened since you didn’t spot the damage when it occurred. Just as rental car agencies inspect company vehicles prior to handing the keys to customers, you should perform a quick visual inspection of your rig whether you’re stopping at a rest area or parking for the season.
First, walk around your RV and scan the exterior from rooftop to tires. Ensure all antennae are stowed, windows are closed and awnings are securely rolled up. Pay careful attention to your tires by checking for bulges, nicks or items lodged inside treads. Examine the sidewalls and valves for cracking or breakage.
Finally, pay close attention to the bottom half of the rig where damage is most likely to occur. Look for scratches, nicks and dents stirred up by road hazards, bad weather or damage caused by a car that made contact when you didn’t feel it. A complete visual inspection only takes a few minutes to perform. Taking the time to do it can bring peace of mind and save you money on repairs over the course of owning your RV.
Daredevil? Try the Rushmore Mountain Coaster!
If you’re heading to the Mount Rushmore area soon, you’ll want to try out the Rushmore Mountain Coaster. The coaster tracks are secured on the mountain, so it’s not your average roller coaster. The individually controlled carts can reach 30 miles an hour, but they’re equipped with brakes so you can slow down and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. Click the image to watch the coaster in action.
Today’s brain teaser: The 22nd and 24th presidents of the United States had the same parents, but were not brothers. How can this be possible? (If you know this answer without looking it up you get extra points!).
HAVE YOU JOINED THE DISCUSSION? The RV Travel Forums are a place to meet other RVers and discuss topics related to the lifestyle. Come say hi! New users register here.
MORE QUICK TIPS
Don’t burn food in the gas oven
When baking, to even out the cooking, here’s a suggestion for using gas RV ovens. Mary Lowe suggests using a heat deflector. If you can’t find one at a kitchen supply store, take a cookie sheet, turn it wrong side up on the oven rack and place your baking dish/pan on top of it. This eliminates food burned to the bottom of the dish. Thanks, Mary!
Enjoy live music?
One thing you will notice about street musicians is that they must be different from average musicians in order to attract a crowd. In other words, whether you like their music or not, you have to say that they put on an unusual show. Listening to jam sessions and street musicians is where you will hear the real local music and musicians. Most “shows” feature musicians from out of town.
Sometimes you will have to do some asking around to find out where and when the local jam sessions are, but with enough asking you can usually find good local music in almost every town. Do your homework and you will be well rewarded. To find jam sessions ask around at music stores (the ones that sell musical instruments, not just places that sell CDs) and ask street musicians. If you can find one musician who plays the kind of music you like, you can bet that he or she will know the inside information about where the local musicians hang out and have jam sessions playing that kind of music.
–From, RVing: Less Hassle—More Joy: Secrets of Having More Fun with Your RV—Even on a Limited Budget
Do you have a tip? Send it to Russ (at) rvtravel.com
The most scenic nature getaways in each state
This excellent list from Reader’s Digest shows you that the most beautiful spot in your state might be just around the corner. Be right back…heading to Colorado for those mountains! Wow!
Check out the long list of great RVing-related websites from RVtravel.com.
Popular “Guide to Free Campgrounds” directory updated after four years
LEAVE HERE WITH A LAUGH
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RV Daily Tips Staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Managing editor: Diane McGovern. Staff writer: Emily Woodbury. Contributing writers: Russ De Maris, Bob Difley, Gary Bunzer, Roger Marble, Mike Sokol, Greg Illes, J.M. Montigel and Andrew Robinson. Advertising coordinator: Gail Meyring. Marketing director: Jessica Sarvis. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
ADVERTISE on RVtravel.com and/or in this newsletter. Contact Gail Meyring at Gail(at)RVtravel.com .
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.
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This newsletter is copyright 2018 by RVtravel.com
Re Rushmore Coaster I believe it has brakes, not breaks.
Smarty pants! 😯 Thanks, Bob! It’s been fixed. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Yes, a break in the coaster would be very bad.
I’ve worked freelance in Mexico for over 30 years. Best experience ever in my life. I have visited most of Central/South America and the Carribean. Best thing I ever did was move to another place. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t have stopped at the Americas, I would have gone all around the world. Beautiful planet we live on, the only problems are the people and their boundaries.
I was a teacher for 40 years and was paid my salary once a month. If I had been paid by the hour for the gazillions of hours I worked outside school hours, grading papers, doing lesson plans, preparing for evaluations, calling parents, doing unpaid duty (such as bus duty, sponsoring clubs, taking up money at ball games, etc.), I would sure be a lot richer than I am now!
Answered the ? of day as other. I owned my own business and I got what was left at end of year!
Evaluated time. I am a retired USPS Rural Carrier. The routes are evaluated every 2 years by counting every piece of mail you touch for 28 days. They also count your number of mail boxes and stops and number of steps you make if you have businesses that you deliever mail into. Each piece of mail has a time value depending on size, letter, flat or package. After all stops, boxes, mail. and steps are counted plus miles of the route are added up, that is what your route paid the next 2 years.
Thanks for posting this. It’s very interesting
That coaster looks cool. Will give my vertigo a run for its money. When did that thing open? Had to be after we were there. Cool enough to make a stop to do this ride. Thanks for a 1 minute spin.
Was an RN, worked 20 hours a week sometime a little longer, paid hourly.
Straight commission for thirty years. Retirement is sweet.
Own my own company in medical management for over 17 years. May continue working part time doing the same in an RV. Just need good internet.
Spent 37 years in the military and last 10 years as global president of a large US manufacturer. All told, lived 22 years overseas, visited all 50 states, 134 countries, RV’d on 4 continents, and have four Air Force and Naval Academy “cadets/grad/pilot kiddos” working on traveling the same path. God bless this incredible country!
Drove tractor trailer country wide and hauled boats for 35 years and was paid mileage. Saw the complete US and was paid for it. Greatest job in the world.
I was over the road truck driver and got paid by the mile, if the wheels ain’t turning I wasn’t earning
Reference to the Rushmore coaster: I would hate to have it break to have it stop, I would rather use Brakes.
I work for a Class I railroad and get paid for each trip I take, commonly referred to as a start.
You should take reader hints and tips and include them daily.
I was paid by the hour when waiting around, and paid by the mile while driving.
Regarding the Mt.Rushmore Coaster – they mention using the brakes to slow down and enjoy the view. What happens when the folks behind you (chugging along at 30 mph) aren’t INTERESTED in slowing down?
Auto Tech Retired I was paid flat rate.
I owned a limited partnership and I took draws
Drove over the road for CF for 25 years. Was paid by the mile and by the hour when waiting for loads. This after 21 plus years in the AF.