July 18, 2019
Welcome to another edition of RV Travel’s Daily Tips newsletter. Here you’ll find helpful RV-related and small-space living tips from the pros, travel advice, a handy website of the day, our favorite RVing-related products and, of course, a good laugh. Thanks for joining us. We appreciate you.
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Today’s Thought
“I believe in the Scottish proverb: Hard work never killed a man. Men die of boredom, psychological conflict and disease. They do not die of hard work.” —David Ogilvy, legendary advertising man
TIP OF THE DAY
Shocking statistics about RV tire pressure
Almost a quarter of all RVs on the road have overloaded tires, according to the Recreational Vehicle Safety Education Foundation (RVSEF). Nearly 40% of RVers say they go six months or more between inflation pressure checks, and 85% of motorhomes are unevenly loaded or have out-of-balance loads by 400 pounds or more.
An overloaded vehicle with underinflated tires is bad news. Tires, bearings, suspensions and other components all wear out more quickly with heavier loads. Handling is also compromised and stopping distances are lengthened when a vehicle is overloaded — both of which compromise safe driving. The fact that 40 percent of RV owners admit they go six months or more between checking tire pressures is problematic. Tires, even in good condition, can lose between one and two pounds of inflation pressure per month.
RV CLUB OF THE DAY
Vintage Airstream Club
Is your Airstream 25 years or older? Are you a member of the WBCCI (Wally Byam Caravan Club International)? Then you qualify for membership in the VAC. As a member you will have the opportunity to learn more about your vintage beauty and meet other owners of these classy and historic RVs.
READER POLL
FREE TRAVEL INFORMATION
South Dakota is a spectacular place to visit with an RV. There’s Mt. Rushmore in the Black Hills, Badlands National Park, Wall Drug with its 5 cent coffee, and the ever-evolving Crazy Horse Memorial. Send for a free 2019 travel guide or download it for instant viewing.
OTHER RESOURCES:
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION.
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION.
Tips for maximizing your smartphone battery during a power outage (courtesy of Cummins)
QUICK TIPS
• Hot-weather driving is hard on your vehicle. Travel during the morning and in the late afternoon to lessen impact on you and your vehicle.
• Realize that it might take your motorhome or large fifth wheel the length of a football field to come to a complete stop.
• To avoid headlight glare in a campground, select a campsite inside a curve in the campground road, not outside.
TRIVIA
- In Ponca City, Oklahoma, a tornado once picked up a house with a man and his wife still in it. Though the walls and roof were blown away, the floor remained intact and eventually glided downward, setting the couple safely back on the ground.
(Website of the day removed. Totally unintentional “destination,” and we sincerely apologize.)
And the survey says. . .
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 1,500 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• One-fifth would like a built-in bathtub in their RV!
• Fifty-eight percent never stay in a KOA campground.
• Three-quarters always add chemicals or other additives to their RV black tank.
CLUBS & USEFUL ORGANIZATIONS
PLEASE NOTE: We may receive an affiliate commission if you join any of these.
• Harvest Hosts: Stay free at farms, wineries and other scenic and peaceful locations for free. Save 15% on membership.
• Overnight RV parking. Directory of more than 14,000 locations where you can stay for free or nearly free with your RV. Modest membership fee.
• Boondockers Welcome. Stay at homes of RVers who welcome you in their driveways, yards, farmland or other space on their private property. Modest membership fee.
• Escapees. Best Club for RVers: All RVers welcome, no matter what type of RV, make or model.
• No park Walmarts. Best directory of stores that do not allow overnight stays with RVs.
Towing and leveling equipment for your RV? Look here.
LEAVE HERE WITH A LAUGH
From the police blotter:
• A deputy responded to a report
of a vehicle stopping at mailboxes.
It was the mail carrier.
• A woman said her son was
attacked by a cat, and the cat would not allow her to take her son to the hospital.
• A resident said someone had
entered his home at night and stolen bacon from the refrigerator. Upon further investigation, police discovered
his wife had gotten up for a late-night snack.
• A man reported that a squirrel
was running in circles on Davis Drive, and he wasn’t sure if it was sick or had been hit by a car. An
officer responded, and as he drove on the street, he ran over the squirrel.
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RV Daily Tips Staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Managing editor: Diane McGovern. Advertising director: Emily Woodbury. Marketing director: Jessica Sarvis. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
ADVERTISE on RVtravel.com and/or in this newsletter. Contact Emily Woodbury at advertising(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 2019 by RVtravel.com
We sincerely apologize for the unintentional site the Website of the day reached. We have removed the Website. When I clicked on it to make sure the link worked, it went to the big eyes so I didn’t click any further into the site or I would most certainly have deleted it. I’m very sorry it slipped past “my eyes.” 🙁 —Diane at RVtravel.com
No apology needed. Sites are hacked so often it is almost impossible to keep that stuff out. Not the first time it has happened nor will it be the last. Snowflakes that are offended, just close the window and move on.
Thank you, Scooter. We try very hard to maintain this as an informative, interesting, entertaining, family friendly website — but occasionally there’s a goof or oversight and we correct it ASAP. We have very tight security filters to keep objectionable stuff off our site as much as possible. I have popups blocked on my computer, and maybe that’s why I didn’t see what some of our readers saw. It’s kinda hard to delete something that I can’t even see. 😯 But I appreciate your kind and supportive words. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
I can’t believe the people that think you did that on purpose! And act like seeing whatever it was (I got here too late to click on it) has devastated their lives. I thought we were all adults here and could click through if we didn’t want to read something.
Love the dailies…missed them last week.
Thanks, Vanessa. I appreciate your comments. I didn’t see anything, either, but that might be because I have popups blocked. But I’m sure it was shocking for something like that to all of a sudden pop up on RVtravel.com, or anything we link to. 😯 The “dailies” are back. I was just working on setting up the email alerts for next week. We’re glad you like them. Chuck’s been updating the format recently so they’ll be even better than they have been. He’s still “tweaking” them, so you’ll probably see some more changes in the near future. Let us know what you like or dislike about the new format. Thanks! (And whenever I see your email address it reminds me of me and my two sisters [I’m the middle one], the youngest of which is now gone. But seeing your address makes me think of good memories.) Take care. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
No problem when I clicked on the “eyes” link. It was kinda fun. Didn’t get anything ‘offensive’ at all.
Thanks, Tommy. I didn’t see anything offensive either, or I would have pulled it before the newsletter went out. I think maybe I didn’t see it because I have popups blocked on my computer, and not everybody does so they got the peep show. 😯 —Diane at RVtravel.com
I can’t believe how many people ignore the most important part of their RV…the TIRES. Without those you have a stationary box.
I learned so much in RV Bootcamp at Escapees and RV Basic at FMCA earlier this year about tires! I purchased higher ply tires for my TT (including the spare) and a monitor system so I check them everyday. Had one pick up a screw and was able to stop before the tire was destroyed. It was repaired on the side of the road and now almost 3000 miles later I’m still rolling on it.
My answer isn’t there. Maybe! Sometimes I think yes that is a great idea. Then I read articles about troubles on the road and destroyed RV and think NO way.
A lot of folks have commented here today on the trip of a life time to Alaska. I’ll bet it is as spectacular as they indicate. It’s a trip I’d like to take as well, but the lady here says no.
As a youth in 1958, my dad ran the Louiselle Transport terminal at mile 300 Fort Nelson. Prior we lived for a year and a half at mile zero Dawson Creek, That highway in those days was paved to Taylor, the rest was precarious totally unpredictable gravel & dirt (and anything else road builders had on hand) over muskeg.
The stories long haul truck drivers were telling and which me with big ears early in life heard was astonishing. Oh, I recall being pulled from school when the hired help didn’t show up to help throw the beer down the conveyer and into the storage room back of the Fort Nelson Hotel, Kids couldn’t go near a pub in those days and I was so proud as a 10/11 year old to have “seen inside”
Anyway, I’m betting the road is a beauty today, the scenery as fantastic as I recall from my youth – a time when Texans braved the road with their rock guard fronted early Class A’s and the bears we lived side by side with in this community feasted daily out of a purpose built pit at the back of the Avonlea Hotel, a spit outside the screen door leading to the kitchen.
Man those were the days, thanks for the memories. Happy travels.
We did our Alaska trip in 2009 with our Class A and Toad. Spent 88 days on the road doing 12,806 mile round trip from home and back. Drove about 5000 mile of Alaskan roads. Took the “TOP OF THE WORLD HIGHWAY’ but do not recommend that for everyone. Did Denali, gold panning, wild game ranches, whale watching, boat to Juneau, White Pass and Yukon RR, climbing glaciers, and so many more things. On the way up did Mount Rushmore, Calgary Stampede, Western Canadian National Parks and many more places on the Alcan Highway. On the way back home did the Red Wood Forrest, Glacier National Park and others. Cruise ship does not do it justice in my opinion. While you still have your health, JUST DO IT.
We drive the ALCAN a lot We live in alaska and we also enjoy the rest of the country
Website of the day includes a link to an adult site! I didn’t expect this from you guys.
Our sincere apologies, Tom. It was a huge error/oversight on our part, and the Website has been removed. 🙁 —Diane at RVtravel.com
We have been to Alaska with our motorhome once and would love to do it again.
Alaska is on my bucket list – but not on my husband’s. We’ll probably end up visiting via cruise ship and land tour.
Take a cruse from Vancouver. No driving for days. You will also see much of the coast.
We took Direct flight to Anchorage and rented an RV . Spent 3 weeks travelling around the state. Loved it and yes gas cost more as well as groceries. RV rental place picked us up and dropped us off at airport. Would do it again. Beautiful state and love all the wild life.
I have made 13 trips to Alaska and back,some were for work,others were for moving there.You all can have it,too many people and too high prices have ruined the experience.
In 2013 we took a 11,500 mile RV trip to Alaska from So Cal. We have traveled almost 100,000 miles traveling to all 48 States in our RV and going to Alaska was the best trip we’ve taken. As far as Wildlife,Scenery, Ease of Travel etc Canada/Alaska is the place ! Our plans are to go back again next year…while our health still allows us. We like traveling alone and researched it and took off. We didn’t have any surprises and met some really nice people along the way who doing the same thing we were doing.
I noticed in todays Daily Tips, home prep tips from Cummins Inc. that the article says to change your oil every 3-4000 thousand miles. Never heard that about any diesel engine needing their oil changed that often. My Cummins 6.7 says 15000 miles or 1 year. I did call Cummins & they are looking into that statement as its wrong!
Dave
I commented earlier but, appears “ moderators” remove it presumably because I used the word pee-oh-are-in-oh within my comment. So, you have included a link in the Eye Game, that took anyone who clicked on it, because it was made to look like it could be part of the game, that was actually an “adult” website. I was very surprised this was allowed on RVTRAVEL, which is a family type magazine/email/website business. For those who, unfortunately, use Windows, it could have meant an immediate virus or other harmful computer problems. What happened, RVTRAVEL?
Otherwise, you provide an excellent service to all of us RV’ers.
Thank you.
I’m sorry, Robert. The filters for the comments held your comment for approval. I’m just now reviewing the comments from this morning and approved your very valid comment. I’m also appalled that there was a link to porno on the Website of the day. When I checked to make sure the link worked, all I saw was the big eyes, so figured it worked, so clicked back out of the site and went back to proofing the rest of the newsletter. I’ve removed the Website. Thank you, and the other readers, who pointed this out. We sincerely apologize for this huge error on our part. 🙁 —Diane at RVtravel.com
What’s with the “Website of the Day”. Ridiculous that the link is x-rated! Is this how you run your website now?
You must have your computer settings set too high. It’s just cute googlie eyes that follow your cursor not curser.
Maybe your settings are not set high enough.
We apologize for the huge error and oversight. I did check the link someone else had placed in the newsletter but only saw the eyes, so clicked back out of that site and continued proofing the rest of the newsletter. If we had known there was an x-rated site (literally) linked to this website in any way, shape or form, the website would NEVER have been used. I’m sorry it slipped by. 🙁 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Thanks RV Travel for bringing to our attention stopping distances of a typical loaded RV in the Quick tips spot and shocking to reality that 40% who say they only check tire pressures every six months, or are overloaded
This information informs of just 3 known dangers RV’s in the hands of the ill-prepared pose to the rest of us. BUT, there’s another important topic that needs to be discussed – speed – the speed a very large number of RV’ers drive those capacity over loaded rigs, tires underinflated rigs.
When I see a 35 foot fifth wheel or a monster Class A (with a full sized truck in tow) pass me significantly over the safe speed which I’ll pin at 60mph, I cringe. Why cringe? Because in the event of a blowout or some other mishap, three’s small chance they’ll control the rig ” the length of a football field” before a calamity spreads the entire thing all about the freeway.
Yesterday while driving our tow back to our campsite, ahead of us to our left coming around a corner approaching a long ramp leading to the freeway outside Twin Falls ID was a brand new Dodge dually pulling a 38 foot, story and a half fifth wheel which the fool driver nearly had on its side on that corner. That rig was as close to flipping as I’ve seen in awhile. Add to that scenario underinflated tires and a long hard hot day on the road and you have the perfect recipe for a disaster.
Add me to the 58% who’ll never “stay at a KOA”.
I rode my bicycle from Chicago to San Francisco (back in 1979 when I was much younger – ahem) and after a SD highway patrol officer (who stopped to ask if I needed help fixing my flat tire) suggested I didn’t go through the Wounded Knee res and instead, go north to avoid it, I ended up going to Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, and stopping at Wall Drug where they’d been advertising “Free Ice Water” since they first opened. If coffee is 5¢ now, I’ll bet it was free back then! Oh, and the Crazy Horse thing was barely stone scrapings at that time.
FYEO is wierd. It also carried a pop up banner ad with it, which I promptly closed.
I was totally aggravated by the “adult games” pop up. No more opening links for me! Who knows what it’ll bring into my computer!
I agree. I was VERY UPSET that a porno type link was allowed in RVTRAVEL!! Why was this not screened? It was made to look like it was part of this “Eye game”.
Very disappointed. This is a “Family” type club.
Please accept our sincere apologies, Camper. It was totally a huge oversight and mistake on our part. Please read my explanation in my other responses. I’m as appalled as you all are — this should never have slipped by. I’m very sorry. 🙁 —Diane at RVtravel.com
We apologize, Phil, for the huge error. I had clicked on the link to the Website, which someone else had put into the newsletter, to make sure the link worked. All I saw were the eyes, so I clicked off the website and went back to proofing the newsletter. If I had known what would pop up, it would have immediately been deleted from the newsletter. We’re just as appalled as you all are, and I’m very sorry it slipped by. 🙁 —Diane at RVtravel.com
I would love to go too Alaska but at our ages (78 and 80), and with his health problems, I’m afraid it’s off my bucket list.
For your eyes only, I agree kinda fun and totally useless. It even came complete with a pop up to an adult website, also useless and not as entertaining
All I got was the eyes, no pop up.
Same here, impavid. That’s all I saw when I clicked on the link to make sure it worked, so I clicked back out of it and proofed the rest of the newsletter. If I had known, the website wouldn’t have been in there at all. —Diane at RVtravel.com
Hi, Primo Rudy. If we had known what would pop up on that website, we certainly would not have put it into our family-oriented newsletter. We’re appalled that that was in there, and sincerely apologize that it slipped by us. 🙁 —Diane at RVtravel.com
We have made three trips to Alaska so far, 2010, 2012 & 2015. Would like to do 2-3 more before hanging up the keys. My sons & grandchildren live there so whenever we go we like to spend 2 months with each one. We get there mid-May and leave late September. Some of the most beautiful scenery and wildlife you will ever lay eyes on in Northern British Columbia and Alaska.
Much of the scenery through the Yukon is unbeatable as well.
I would agree about scenery,and fishing,in BC…as for Alaska..you can have it..I lived,and worked,there for years and it has gotten too overcrowded with gangs and drugs.
………gangs and drugs! Good grief, show me a place where gangs and drugs aren’t a problem or at the least being talked about. My town in southern Alberta, Lethbridge, (pop 101,000) has the largest (per capita) drug abuse problem on this planet. The closest to Lethbridge, AB, was Bern Switzerland almost three times smaller usage, this all revealed during a large drug consumption usage/problem solving convention in Portugal earlier this year.
Perhaps the good folks running this forum could pose the question. “What is the place you have travelled and felt safest”” I’m betting that question would attract a very high number of responses.