Monday, November 25, 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.
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Today’s thought
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” —Walt Disney
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Parfait Day!
Did you see the news? Click here to read the latest issue of the Sunday news for RVers.
Tip of the Day
Water pressure regulator tips
From John and Kathy Huggins
Water pressure varies from campground to campground. Some have in excess of 150 pounds per square inch pressure. Modern rigs are designed for less than 50. If you do not use a water pressure regulator, you could rupture an interior water hose. Believe me; you do not want to clean up after that, not to mention the expense of a very difficult repair.
Most folks don’t know the difference between pressure and flow, but you should. “Flow” is a measure of volume of water delivered in a period of time, usually measured in gallons per minute or gpm. The poor shower is caused by low flow, as are most other RV water supply problems. “Pressure” is a measure of the force of the water, and it is measured when no water is flowing (“static” pressure). It is measured in pounds of pressure per square inch or psi.
RV plumbing systems in an RV fresh water system are generally tested to a pressure of 100 to125 pounds per square inch (psi), but to prevent warranty problems, RV manufacturers may recommend only 40–50 psi. Unfortunately, this may not provide the shower you’re looking for. Most house plumbing operates at about 60 psi, and this can be adequate for RVs, too.
The cheaper (under $10) pressure regulators are really water flow restrictors, and you will notice the restriction when you have to dance around under the shower to get wet. The best way to go is with an adjustable water pressure regulator with a pressure gauge so you know what water pressure is entering your rig. There will be an adjusting screw to raise or lower the pressure. I set ours between 45 and 50 pounds per square inch (psi). Get one of these at an RV parts store or online. You’ll be glad you did.
From So, you want to be an RVer? And Enjoy the RV Lifestyle? [Revised]. Available on Amazon.com.
Do you have a tip? Submit it here.
RV Electricity – This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session:
Blown fuse indicator. Mike loves this “cool gadget,” which tells you which 12-volt DC fuse is blown. (Fascinating how it works!)
• Sign up for Mike’s monthly RV Electricity Newsletter.
• While you’re at it, be sure to join his popular Facebook group, RV Electricity.
• Read more of Mike’s articles here.
What can be done about uneven heating in a fifth wheel?
Chris Dougherty, certified RV technician, received a question from one of our readers while he was serving as RVtravel.com’s technical editor regarding uneven heating in a fifth wheel. The furnace kept the bedroom and bathroom toasty, but the living area was cold. Read Chris’ response.
Reader poll
What did we learn about you from our reader polls last week? Find out here.
PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT
Handheld sewing machine is a must-have for RVers
This portable sewing machine is perfect for your RV. The machine is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, allowing great control and easy operation. Great for silks, denim, wool, leather, and to hem pants, jeans, hanging curtains and crafts, etc. It can repair drapes without taking them down, repair clothing without taking it off, and repair bedding without stripping the bed. It’s so neat you’ll want to buy one here.
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.
Quick Tip
Earn a few bucks on the road
If you’re a skilled laborer, sell your skills on the road. You can offer your services on Craigslist for the area you’re visiting.
From RV Living Full Time: 100+ Amazing Tips, Secrets, Hacks & Resources to Motorhome Living. Available on Amazon.com.
Motion-sensor light ideal for drawers, closets and bedside tables
These small, motion-sensored portable LED lights are perfect to stick in your RV’s drawers, cabinets, bedside tables or closets. The rechargeable light automatically turns on when a drawer, cabinet or door is opened, lighting up the space you need to get into. They’re incredibly handy in an RV, where small places can be dim. Learn more or order this 2-pack.
Random RV Thought
When you do something really stupid with your RV, like banging it into a tree branch and making a dent or even a hole, don’t fret. Such misfortunes happen to all RVers sooner or later. Just get the damage repaired and get on with your life. Stuff happens.
Website of the day
Watch out for these tourist traps in all 50 states
This is a list of tourist traps across the U.S. that, to many, have become overrun or overrated. But since the qualification as a “tourist trap” is in the eye of the beholder, we’ll just give you the heads up and let you decide for yourself if you feel swindled after shelling out money at these spots.
Space heater uses less than two amps! RVtravel.com has one, loves it! More.
Can a tire pressure monitoring system save you money?
Daryl Lawrence of TireTraker Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems answers the question: “Will a tire pressure monitoring system save you money?” Plus, he tells you more reasons why a TPMS is a good investment. Watch the video.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Already nervous RV driver led astray by expensive GPS.
• Storing RV batteries during a harsh winter.
• Don’t look a Class B white elephant in the mouth.
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Come shop with us for the holidays! 
RVTRAVEL.COM HAS ITS own store! We’ve hand-selected all of our favorite must-have RV items, our famous gift guide, neat kitchen gadgets, pet gear and so much more. Check it out here and get all your holiday shopping out of the way.
Trivia
The original recipe of Kentucky Fried Chicken’s blend of 11 herbs and spices handwritten by Colonel Harland David Sanders in 1940 is locked up in a digital safe that’s encased in two feet of concrete. It’s monitored 24 hours a day by video and a motion detection surveillance system.
Leave here with a laugh
We search for a lot of jokes here at RVtravel.com (we provide you with six jokes a week!), so we thought we’d take a break and let a Google Home tell you 15 minutes of jokes. Hey, some of them are pretty good! Click on the image to play.
Today’s Daily Deals at Amazon.com
Best-selling RV products and Accessories at Amazon.com. UPDATED HOURLY!
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RV Daily Tips Staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Managing editor: Emily Woodbury. Senior editor: Diane McGovern. 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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A better idea for a pressure regulator is to buy a 3/4″ home regulator and put hose connections on both ends with a pressure gage on the down hillside and you will have full flow and an adjustable regulator that has lasted me for 16 years
In Denver the best place off the beaten trail is the capitol. It is built in similar design to the one on Lansing Michigan. Also another one is the Denver Science and natural history museum. Then there is Euro Crepe. Hard to find but can’t get a better crepe if you tried for one of those fast food joints. We do a lot of off the beaten trail. I have a train fanatic husband so yes we buy into one or two tourist traps for him. Sorry to hear about the Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco. It use to be the cats meow. Maybe I might visit it once more.
O and one more thing I did do Salem Mass and it is not a tourist trap. It is of historical significance that shows how mass hysteria can get loose on ones mind. IMO? The biggest tourist trap is those holocaust museums. So pick and choose. I choose Salem over some concentration camp museum. IMO not yours.
How can anyone read all those signs while driving across South Dakota and not stop at Wall Drug? It’s an oasis with lots of goofy stuff to look at, places to eat and don’t forget the free glass of ice water.
I’m sure that “cheapism”, The source of the article probably doesn’t like puppies, or children, or flowers or anything that other people enjoy. People who enjoy the story of the ark, or followed Elvis Presley‘s life “, or like many of these other attractions don’t care about the author’s opinion. I guess we just can’t always get articles that interest everyone, but we thank you for trying!
You should read the whole article before commenting like that… or did it not interest you?
“But we love tourist traps,” says his wife and fellow blogger, Veronica James. “David cannot pass them by….”
Stay cool
I purchased the little drawer lights featured in Mikes column and they work perfectly for those dark areas in your lower cabinets. They hold a charge, really brighten them up and are well worth the money.
I shouldn’t let the cat out of the bag, because sooner or later the hordes will descend, BUT, the misses and I head for the loneliest, loveliest, friendliest, least rippy off, uncrowded, clean place we can find.
We’re Canadians and I have to tell you one of the funniest things ever is watching Asians descend on Banff town site, later observing them dripping with bags stuffed with RCMP dolls and trinkets none Made in Canada. Oh if only they’d turn this junk upside down and check from where it came from they’d (at least some of them) might realize they are not buying a souvenir of Canada but cheap junk made in Asia.
We don’t worry about Traps, been on the road RV’iing for over 50 years, we know lots about how to avoid being scammed or support scammers, who thrive on the gullible pleasure seeker, standing eye ball to eye ball crowing over the worlds largest ball of string!
Although i do agree that many of the ‘attractions on the tourist trap list, would not appeal to me, I wonder what the author does like?? As for the Ark and some of the comments here, I didn’t find the review critical of the attraction, rather it was critical of the cost considering it was subsidized with tax dollars. I feel the review on Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO is totally inaccurate, although the entry price has jumped considerably. For those living in the surrounding area, they can pay a few dollars more and get a season pass and enjoy it year round. The owners are a Christian family, so many of the seasonal themes are based on their faith. The Christmas theme is outstanding and something you will never see at other theme parks.
No matter what I want to see the ark. It just looks amazing.
Our favorite water pressure regulator: https://www.rvwaterfilterstore.com/Fixed.htm
I agree! I bought one this summer – Love it!
About the Ark. I went. Yes it is pricey but Disney World is more than twice that and you can actually see everything unlike Disney. You can get a meal at a reasonable price as well.
It is a great meal too.
lt’s gotten to the point where we rarely hook up to water if we stay in an RV park. We’ll fill our onboard water and go from there. The pressure from our water pump usually provides better showers than if we’re hooked up and going through our pressure limiter.
I concur with the need for a water pressure regulator in some parks. A park in Grand Junction CO comes to mind. My problem has been with the CAMCO regulator. I’ve had two. Both have leaked after about two weeks of service in non-freezing weather on a water supply that averages about 60 psi. Still looking for a more robust item that won’t be too pricey.
Try the one mentioned above. I bought the same one (on Amazon) and it is great!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DYVT3FQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I agree with Dan. We thought the Arc was a great adventure.
With regards to the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
They are worth every penny!
The best one on the market, (that I have found) is the EEZ Tire Pressure System. https://eezrvproducts.com/
Best because you can change batteries in the sensors, (about $3) verses other systems forcing you to buy a new sensor (about $45)
A must have for RVers and a Good investment!
My TPMS makes a great paperweight on my desk. It’s there because, over the course of three months of frustration about five years ago the weight of two of the sensors deflated my tires to the point I had to call roadside assistance three times. That said, my Class C doesn’t move without manual air pressure checking and recording of all six tires. Yes, something can happen moving down the road. I weigh my RV every couple of months and keep to Michelin’s weight table for air pressure. Thanks, but I’ll leave the TPMS on the desk.
I would never take my trailer out without a tire monitoring system. My biggest fear is a blow out since I only have 2 wheels on my trailer.
I did have a stem leak once and that could have caused a not so nice experience but the monitor caught it so I watched my pressure carefully until I found a place to get it replaced.
TPMS uses flat batteries like a hearing aid uses. They give them free to you every year.
I have used the same system on 2 Motor homes and am switching to my third. I find it very good. I would like a system with flow through sensors but that is not what I have. I change the batteries once a year and have no other issues with it.
I agree with Dan, also it’s not like you don’t realize what the exhibit is about.
Yes, there are many tourist traps but I don’t think the Ark Encounter is one. More likely this is another attempt to undermine Biblical values.