From the editors of RVtravel.com, “The RVers’ Voice of Reason.”
Thursday, August 29, 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, tips on 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
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” —Mark Twain
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Chop Suey Day.
Staff member Emily spent last weekend playing National Parks Monopoly at her campsite. Play it yourself here.
Mark your calendar: America’s largest RV show is coming in two weeks to Hershey, Pennsylvania. You have never seen so many RVs in one place. Be the first to see the 2020 models!
Tip of the Day
How to control mold and mildew in your coach
Mold and mildew spores are everywhere, and growth seldom takes place without moisture. Thus, to eliminate mold and mildew, the only sure way is to eliminate the moisture by whatever method is needed. If we control the humidity in our coach, it reduces the amount of mold and mildew.
There are many ways to do this. You can buy a dehumidifier (requires power) or use products like DampRid and Dri-Z-Air, which are in most cases a form of desiccant that absorbs moisture. Some RVers suggest that rock salt and kitty litter control moisture. But the most-suggested and the most efficient, cheapest and popular method is to keep the air moving in your coach. And it’s a big help if you install vent covers like those from MaxxAir. They cover the RV’s existing vents, which means you can keep them open in any weather, even when it’s raining, while driving or in storage.
LED lights for RVs: Huge selection. Exceptional prices. Click.
Reader poll
Helpful resources
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION.
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION.
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
• CURRENT WILDFIRE REPORT.
• LATEST RV RECALLS.
Keep stinky odors out of your RV (relied on by the RV Travel staff). Click.
Random RV Thought
For many RVers, it’s time to celebrate: Labor Day is here and that means next week most kids go back to school, and most family vacations are finished for the year. That means many more places to camp for those still out and about, many not even requiring a reservation. Yippee!
Website of the day
Cheap RV Living
This website is an amazing resource for RVers on a budget, and in particular those who travel in non-traditional RVs, like vans. If you’re on a very tight budget, you need to spend some time on this site. And even if you have gobs of money, it’s always good to save a dollar where you can.
Give your phone or tablet a “full-sized” keyboard
How neat is this? This tiny, collapsible Bluetooth keyboard connects to your phone and tablet so you can type comfortably. The 5-ounce palm-sized keyboard can be folded into your pocket or backpack to carry around. All you have to do is press “Connect” to quickly pair with your devices. Check it out here.
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:
• Seventy percent always or almost always keep their gray tank valve closed when they have full hookups (the proper thing to do).
• Eighty-eight percent use a space heater in their RV.
• Seventeen percent have waited at least a week or longer for a repair. Five percent have waited more than a month.
The latest RV recalls. Is yours on the list? Check here.
Trivia
Iowa leads the USA in the amount of human and animal waste it produces. It’s a pressing environmental concern, according to a University of Iowa research engineer. Chris Jones’ study found that the state with 3.2 million people and a total livestock population of 110 million produces as much manure as a human population of 168 million, the Des Moines Register reported. “Just to ensure clarity, in Iowa, we are generating as much fecal waste in every square mile as 2,979 people,” Jones wrote in a blog on the university’s website.
Leave here with a laugh
Bumper sticker on the back of a motorhome: “O to 60 in 13 minutes.”
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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.
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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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0 to 60 – I thought I’d never make it.
0 to 60 – Why? I’m retired.
I used to have a similar bumper sticker on my VW van, only it said “0 to 60 in 13.8 minutes” lol
The Kiddie fire extinguisher recall was mandated by the NTSB. You should have gotten. Otified by your RV OEM…if they know you are the owner.
To Bob p – It isn’t the teachers who “can’t work nine months straight.” Those decisions are made by the school boards, the directors of schools, and the central office people. In my experience, it’s the higher-ups who want vacation weeks during the school year. We teachers would just as soon skip those and start school a couple of weeks later and get out a week earlier.
Funny you should ask about fire extinguishers. We just bought 3 new ones from Costco!!
We have one extinguisher by the entry door, two small ones on either side of the bed, two in the basement on each side of the coach and one in our toad. Might be a lot but we’re worth saving.
I’m adding one of these powder-free fire extinguishers to my trailer’s tiny bathroom since the exit is past the stove and refrigerator.
How to use:
Videos of use:
1) Learned at Escapees Boot Camp that there is a better extinguisher, Fireman aerosol https://www.amazon.com/FIREMAN-Multi-Purpose-Extinguishing-Suppressant-Spray/dp/B07BZ7KGGD
I have one in my bedroom, one in the kitchen and one in the tow vehicle. Replaced the Kidde with the recall. There is also a device you install over the refrigerator or other heat producing areas which releases fire suppressant and puts out the fire immediately https://proteng.com/ . I remember discussion on installing them in RVs as “sprinkler” type fire protection for the whole rig.
2) But think of all the great cheap/free manure that Iowa has! Should be able to grow great crops to feed those who don’t want to eat meat!
I learned the same so I have 4 of them. Thanks goodness I have not had to use any of them
Where do I get the bumper sticker?
I want one too
I don’t know about everyone else but my experience in 35 years of RVing is that the days of “lumbering” RVs holding up traffic are long gone. A trope from the 50s perhaps? My 1st was a 69 Chevy 3/4 ton with a 10′ Westways camper and a 350 ci engine, then on to an 87 Itasca Sunflyer 22′ class A with a 454. Then a 2012 24′ Raptor Toy Hauler (6500# dry) behind a 2003 1 ton Chevy dually with a 6.0 litre. Same truck now with an 11′ Lance camper. With all of these I have never felt like the ‘slo-poke’ my old CB handle suggested (from my Landcruiser on Rubicon trail days!)
Regarding the manure problem in Iowa, eat less meat it will do us all some good; reduce pollution, produce healthier crops other than grain, cheaper healthcare.
Hear, Hear!
I don’t know where you live or how old you are but kids starting school after Labor Day went out years ago at least in the middle of the country. Here in Tennessee the children went back to school the second week in August. They don’t get out until the last week of May. 70 years ago when I started school it was the way you stated. I also changed my fire extinguishers with the Kidde recall last year. Anyone who didn’t hear about the recall must get their news from the Communist News Network, they were telling lies when I was in Vietnam and are telling bigger lies today. P.S. the reason kids have the schedule they do is because all the “breaks” throughout the year, teachers can’t work for 9 months straight like they used to. I was a bus driver so I was privileged to this info.
Are you on the correct website? Your paranoia and not very well disguised hatred belongs on a political website. As for fire extinguishers in RVs, can’t they be tested at your local FD. Ours does it for free.
Agreed, lighten up.
Hey Bill. You just returned what you claim.
There is some paranoia and hatred going on here, but not from Bob. Although agree its best to keep politics out of this forum.
At a rally a few months ago I learned that powder type extinguishers should be mounted horizontally, not vertically as installed by the RV manufacturer. I’ve remounted and also shake it at least monthly.
Eric:
That is correct!
I did replace my extinguisher earlier this year as I had to use one on a fire. However, I remove my extinguishers from the wall mounts every month or so to shake them so the powder stays loose, and to check the pressure. This is a practice we use on our commercial fishing vessel, it was recommended during our firefighting courses. I think that it applies to an RV as the vibrations of going down the road could compact the dry chemicals in the bottom of the extinguisher.
I will add to Jeff’s recommendation on extinguisher placement, for those of us with trailers, one should be placed in the tow vehicle.
My RV is a year and a half old, so my answer to the poll would be never, which isn’t a choice.
The daily POLL on Fire Extinguishers is interesting.
Not too long ago, I posted information that has been out for more than 2 years concerning Fire Extinguishers and especially those from KIDDE! KIDDE issued a Recall on Fire Extinguishers with PLASTIC HANDLES and PLUNGER TYPE Buttons.
RVers should check their Extinguishers to see what type they have. If it is a KIDDE brand, you will need to check the model number and serial number, check the KIDDE website and see if yours is under recall! You can then fill out the online form and KIDDE will replace your OLD Fire Extinguisher with a New Metal Handle one, FREE of CHARGE!
Fire Extinguishers have a Life Expectancy of 6 years and should be checked at least once a year, by checking the gauge on the unit.
Also, RVers should carry at a minimum 3 extinguishers in their RVs. Main living area, Bedroom and your outside storage bays. These are inexpensive items that can save your life and property, should a Fire Break Out!
But, everyone who reads this post, should check their current extinguishers for the recall I described. Remember, this is a recall by KIDDE and is completely Free of Charge.
You all take Care.
Reference Fire Extinguishers:
Here is the Link: https://www.kidde.com/home-safety/en/us/support/product-alerts/recall-kidde-fire-extinguisher/
Great info Jeff! Thanks
I did this about 2 years ago. 3 of my 5 fire extinguishers were on the recall list, they since been replaced by Kidde. If you have a store brand (i.e. Walmart, etc.) extinguisher you should also check the list. Kidde makes a number of generic/store brand extinguishers.
Today’s laugh reminded me of when we bought our ’68 MGB several years ago. Co-workers asked what it’s 0 to 60 time was and I told them, “Eventually”.
But, I will bet you had more fun getting there. It truly about the journey.
I had one of those…what fun to zoom around the curves of California central coast with the top down! Kept stalling though and I had to get out and short the starter with a screw river to get get it going again. What fun!