Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Welcome to another edition of RV Travel’s Daily Tips newsletter. Here you’ll find helpful RV-related and 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. Please tell your friends about us.
Page Contents
If you are not already receiving an email reminder about each new issue of this newsletter, sign up here.
Today’s thought
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Produce Misting Day.
Tip of the Day
Rig too big to fit in a campground? Maybe not
When entering a National Park, National Forest, or State Park campground, do not be turned away because your rig is over the posted maximum size. In most cases, this limit indicates what size vehicle can be accommodated at ALL the campsites, though some — and sometimes many — will fit larger rigs. Before giving up, drive through the campground and look for these larger sites and measure whether you will fit. Remember that overhangs can extend beyond the designated pad allowing larger rigs to squeeze in. Parking your tow or toad away from the campsite may also enable you to fit into the designated space. If there is a host or ranger on duty, ask about larger sites that are available. —Bob Difley
Do you have a tip? Submit it here.
Get rid of your RV’s P-trap. Look here.
An honest RV dealer (and one of our sponsors). Click to learn more.
Your smartphone will count your steps!
Chris Guld of geeksontour.com shows you that you don’t need a fancy pedometer, FitBit or AppleWatch to count your steps – your smartphone is already doing it! Click here to learn more.
Reader poll
Easily clean those stubborn bugs off your RV
The Microfiber Mesh Bug and Tar Sponge has millions of tiny fibers embedded in the microfiber cloth that grabs and holds the dust and dirt. It is so effective it even cleans without chemicals, saving both time and money. The secret of this sponge lies in its unique, double-layer microfiber mesh. Older nylon bug sponges can harm your clear coat, but this one is completely paint safe. Learn more or order
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.
Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.
Quick Tip
Simple way to fill your coach battery cells
Are your coach batteries difficult to reach to fill the cells? Head off to the drug store and pick up a water bottle with an “enema” hose and fitting. Fill the water bottle with distilled water, hook up the hose with the shut off clip. Now lead the “business end” of the hose to each cell and use the shut-off to open/close the fill-up flow.
Random RV Thought
If you need to use your RV’s emergency exit, drape your bed’s cover over the window. It’s much easier and faster to crawl over that than the narrow edge of the window.
Going full-time? Need a home base? This is the best.
New and interesting finds at Amazon.com. Wow! It’s fun exploring here.
Website of the day
National Serro Scotty Organization
The National Serro Scotty Organization is a strong network of vintage trailer aficionados with hundreds of members in every state and in Canada, Denmark, and Germany. It was credited in Douglas Keister’s book “Teardrops and Tiny Trailers” as the reason Serro Scotty trailers “continue to thrive and survive.” “Cute trailers, friendly people and awesome adventures.”
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Article and Video: Why Camping World is not an RVer’s friend.
• Another example of how slobs are ruining our camping.
• Letter to editor: New type of RVer putting squeeze on RV park spaces.
#858-1
Stay warm this winter:
- Space heater uses less than two amps! RVtravel.com has one, loves it! More.
- This 12-volt electric blanket will keep you cozy. Click.
- Camco’s insulated skylight cover keeps the heat in your RV from escaping. More.
Trivia
Metairie, Louisiana, is home to the longest bridge over water in the world, the Lake Pontchartrain causeway. The 24-mile causeway connects Metairie with St. Tammany Parish on the North Shore.
Leave here with a laugh
Q: Did you hear about the chameleon who couldn’t change colors?
A: He had a reptile dysfunction!
Today’s Daily Deals at Amazon.com
Best-selling RV products and Accessories at Amazon.com. UPDATED HOURLY.
Join us: Facebook • Twitter • YouTube • RVillage
Check out our Facebook Groups: RV Horror Stories • RV Advice • RV Electricity • RV Parks with Storm Shelters • RV Buying Advice • Northwest RV Camping • Southwest RV Camping and NEW RV Crashes and Disasters.
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Become a Member!
This newsletter is brought to you Monday through Friday by RVtravel.com and is funded primarily through voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you! IF YOU APPRECIATE THIS NEWSLETTER and others from RVtravel.com, will you please consider pledging your support? Learn more or contribute.
RV Daily Tips Staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Managing editor: Emily Woodbury. Assistant editor: Diane McGovern. Marketing director: Jessica Sarvis. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
ADVERTISE on RVtravel.com and/or in this newsletter. Contact us 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.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
This newsletter is copyright 2019 by RVtravel.com
Recycle! Need a battery filler? Take a Heinz ketchup plastic bottle – remove the labels. Insert a 1/4″ flexible clear plastic tube thru the hole in the screw on cap top. To expel water, squeeze gently. To stop the flow when removing simply pull the tube up above the distilled water. Write on the bottle “Battery water only” with marker.
When I had the flooded lead-acid batteries I used a trigger nozzle spray bottle. I added a length of fish tank aerator tube to the nozzle to extend it’s reach. Then checked the water level of each cell with an inspection mirror and flashlight.
I don’t need it any more as I just upgraded to AGM batteries. Find me on FB if you are interested in photos of the battery service nozzle.
I keep seeing the ads for Banning RV Park stated as “Newly Constructed”. That grabbed my interest since I live in the Twin Cities, MN. I stayed at the park last week for two days. It is not newly constructed, but an older park needing much maintenance. One of the campsites had a grill in front of the tent entrance with 2 garbage and trash piled over 4 feet in the fire pit. Needless to say, I will not be returning.
Our local grocery store allows us to round up for a food bank donation. I have found this to be an easy way to donate.
I know several folks who won’t work for a living but travel to 5 or 6 food banks to get all they can. It’s turned me off from donating to food banks. I do donate to some other kinds of charities.
Amen Diane M. The scams being pulled in charity amazes. We give generously but we select carefully. A writer in Canada (Walter Stewart) wrote a book called “The charity Game” The subtitle said at time of writing the Charity business was an 81 billion dollar a year deal. I’d buy a turkey and give it to a family genuinely in need, I’m certainly not going to feed a person on the dole, trekking its way across the country on my ticket.
We use a small bug or insect spray container to fill batteries in our motorhome.
Doesn’t the emergency window just fall out (and break!) I’ve never had to use ours and hope I never do but I surely don’t remember seeing hinges at the top or the bottom.
Hinged at the top Penny.
They have hinges. Many keep a length of wooden dowel to prop the window open.
Another way to fill batteries is with a turkey baster.
I use a turkey baster as well.
As far as the “quick tip”, make sure you label that bag ” for battery use only “
😯 Good point, dave. —Diane at RVtravel.com
I read a few times that we all should practice exiting through the emergency exit so we know how to land without breaking our bones. Yes, using the blanket will help a lot to deter injury to our bodies and to help with a safer landing. But we should practice this stunt for the possibility if it should occur.
I stoped donating a long time a go, seems once they get your name email etc they give (sell) it to a lot of funny orgs!
Dave
Regarding the poll question – I don’t donate money or food but I do donate my time by volunteering every month.
I think t would be beneficial if people that have used their emergency window would post the circumstance needing it and how that worked out for them, considering the size of a lot of campers partners I really don`t see how they can expect to fit through one.
I wonder about that also. There are big people and there are big obese people. That is a question of how to get out of the emergency exit like a window in an emergency. Hmmm
How about using an Emergency Ladder.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=emergency+ladders&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
your thinking like in a house with the room to place and maneuver you will likely won
t have time to push the wifes can out of the window then you get to dive out. Watch a few YouTube RV fire videos its scary what they say happened and the lack of time to react. Best bet multiple detectors in camper a plan of action before you need it. In a 5th wheel The smoke will probably get you first anyway same as sleeping in the rear of a motor home. Best detector senses the ion change in the air before lots of smoke and fire, not the cheap ones that come with your unit. (your experience may vary)The heater mentioned above only works for a distance of 2 feet max… it’s just too small if not blowing RIGHT onto you. I prefer this one, with 4-800W heat, a digital thermostat, and (importantly in an RV) impossible to knock over.
https://www.amazon.com/Ontel-Handy-Heater-Personal-Compact/dp/B01L9UKAHM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3
At this time, its $11 on Amazon…
I can only see for the power output “The Handy Heater features 350 watt energy-smart heating power”
Also I when I first looked the price was $12.49… just now I see it down to $11.99
Stay cool
I only food bank a couple times a year, but do run a charity for foster kids…
I’m amused at how large RVs and 5-ers have grown.
FYI, the bug sponge ad’s price is $3.79 @ Amazon. Bought one yesterday at WalMart for $1.47
Use the scrubbing side of a regular dish sponge. Buy a bag of them and stow.