Wednesday, March 11, 2020
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 purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day!
Tip of the Day
Keep that RV going straight down the road
By Greg Illes
There are a lot of RVs that don’t always drive straight down the road – and it’s not always someone else’s rig. If your rig is squirrelly, you don’t have to just live with it – there are some remedies available to you. Sometimes the cause is a subtle error in driver technique; sometimes it’s chassis issues or other mechanical factors; sometimes it’s just the wind. Turns out, you actually have control over all of these factors. Learn more.
Do you have a tip? Submit it here.
Keeping your powder – er, paper – dry
Some RVs have a bathroom situated in such a way that you can sit on the pot and take a shower at the same time. For some, that’s a mighty convenient thing, especially for those of us with bad knees or sore feet. But it does tend to create one unintended consequence. How do you keep those bathroom roll goods from turning into a pulpy mess, and useless for their intended purpose? Here are some suggestions.
Yesterday’s featured article: Spring RV checklist for boondockers
RV Camping in State Parks, a helpful guide!
This book is designed to make finding RV-friendly state parks easier. Included is information on nearly 1,750 state parks, forests, and recreation areas in 49 states that offer accommodations for RVers. The book will direct you to each campground, as well as inform you about amenities, number of RV spaces, etc. Learn more or order.
Reader poll
Readers tell us
When RVing, how often do you stay in a Walmart parking lot? Find out what fellow RVers said 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.
Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.
Endorsed by Roger Marble of RVtireSafety.com!
An excellent tire pressure gauge
The Accutire MS-4021B digital tire pressure gauge has an easy-to-read LCD display that provides pressure readings from 5-150 PSI. It’s ergonomically designed with an angled head and a rubber-coated easy-grip handle. If you forget to turn it off it will do so automatically. The included lithium battery never needs to be recharged or replaced. Used by the RV Travel staff. About $11! Learn more or order.
Quick Tip
Be sure to check your RV batteries frequently in hot weather
Traveling in hot country? It’s hard on people – and on RV batteries. Check the electrolyte level in your RV batteries often and keep them filled with distilled water.
Random RV Thought
When the first RVer visits Mars, do you think they’ll scope out a good spot for a campground? If so, it’ll be out of this world!
Website of the day
Recipes for the road
Lots of great recipes perfect for RVing. You can filter your search for just the right recipe by season and by meal type — handy! You can even share your favorite recipes online, once they pass the hungry panelists’ taste test.
A thing that does all things!
This large silicone pad can be used in your microwave under hot bowls to pick them up, or on top of a dish as a splatter guard, on your table as a hot plate, a drying rack, or even as a jar opener. When it gets messy just toss it in the sink for a wash, or even put it in the dishwasher. About $10 on Amazon makes it a great deal. Talk about a great multi-tasking gadget for your RV (or home) kitchen.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Dealing with noisy neighbors during campground quiet time.
• Replacing the RV carpet.
• How to watch YouTube videos using very little bandwidth.
#896-1
Trivia
The White House has its own flower shop. In the basement of the grand building, there is a floral studio, where flower arrangements are made and stored.
The bigger your _____, the longer your yawn. We told you what fills in that blank space yesterday.
Leave here with a laugh
From Chuck’s Roadside Journal: If you don’t laugh when watching this 23-second video, then you have no sense of humor. Watch as this parrot plays peekaboo with a cat, that just flicks its tail in frustration from the other side of the window. Click here.
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. Advertising 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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This newsletter is copyright 2020 by RVtravel.com
Ok, I know it is an advertisement in the newsletter but I have to say THE best thing we ever bought is a Travel Berkey Water System. With all the traveling we do in our motorhome full-time this product is perfect. Just thought other travelers like to know.
Regarding the poll, there is supposedly an old Chinese curse “may you have an interesting life…”
After fires, divorces, poverty, explosions, wealth, surgeries, deaths, accidents, lawsuits, etc etc etc…. I could really appreciate a bit of nice calm boredom!!
Hey, Wolfe. That reminds me of being a single mom since my boys were 1 and 4 (they’re now 40 and 43). During their teen years they weren’t very happy with me at one point (well, one of many!) and seriously threatened to send me to an old folks’ home, like had recently been done to a great-great-uncle of theirs (under protest). All I could think of was the peace and quiet (and no argumentative teenagers), so I asked them how soon they could do that. Not the response they expected. 😆 —Diane at RVtravel.com
There has been flowers in the White House since the 1850’s under President Buchanan. We were invited to the White House in 2007 (a long story). Each and every room in the White House has fresh flower decorations put in daily. And every room has at least one Secret Service Agent in it, some are trainees. Of course we only were in a small portion of the White House during our invite, but every room, even those off limits to most, has fresh flowers.
Seems like money well spent.
Since I’m not worried about the Virus of the year, and have no fear of travelling or interacting with anyone (except those who kiss their dogs) when we get going in June, I’d like to issue a challenge to the folks that run this excellent RV travel blog.
Is it possible to stop advertising Harvest Host as a Camp Free site? It isn’t, in fact if you do as suggested and buy product from your Harvest Host you may well find you could have saved some money camping at the state park nearby.
Since my wife and I enjoy craft beer and wine from fine establishments producing this stuff we have enjoyed many outings on these types of properties.
I just think its a wee bit bold to suggest they’re “FREE” when there’s a catch, neither of which may be well understood nor advertised.
Alvin, it is free after joining the club. If people want to purchase anything that’s their choice, but it is certainly not a requirement for staying. Similarly, people who stay in a Walmart parking lot will shop at the store, so it’s the same principle.
I know the FREE thing Chuck, I also generally run like hell when I see the word, plus I agree with Sandy – 100%
I agree. I’ve never met an RVer who stayed at a Harvest Host facility without purchasing something. Either they enjoyed purchasing or felt guilty if they didn’t.
The cat was trying to figure out how to get to the parrot.
Speaking of COVID-19…… I am seeing cancellations of group meetings and reunions in many areas. I think it is somewhat irresponsible for the FMCA to hold a rally with 4,000 attendee’s and a substantial number possibly contracting this disease and spreading it thru-out the US. The problem with this bug is you don’t know you have it – until, you’ve given it to someone else.
And, what is the average age of an RV owner? Vulnerable? Be healthy, be safe and drive with care everywhere!
We being 74 and 76 with me having a compromised immune system, just cancelled our reservation at the FMCA Tucson rally being held later this month. The average FMCA member age is 70….. right where this virus likes to attack.
I agree, Jonny Appleseed travels again!,
Hey, DW/ND — Washington state, as of this morning, has banned any events of more than 250 people. And on another issue (tissue?), I went to two nearby Costco stores (one being a business one) and they’re totally out of TP, hand sanitizer and paper towels, with someone announcing that fact at the entrance. Stay cool, be smart and stay safe, everyone. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
FMCA is taking the best approach! DW/ND you are doing what you think is right! I checked info on COVID-9 and will make my own decision. That’s the American Way!!!
Re: tire pressure gauges. I have 6, 3 dial type, 2 good quality stick type and 1 digital. NONE of them give the same reading. Always at least 3# difference with about 5# between lowest and highest. Obviously sometimes a couple will read the same but not always the same 2. Does anyone make a truly dependably accurate gauge. (One of my stick type was bought from a Michelin tire dealer and is the same brand and style they use on RVs)
I am in the same boat as you. None of mine read the same pressure.
Reminds me of the old saying: “The man with one watch always knows what time it is. The man with two watches is never sure.”
The ONLY tire pressure gauge that I use is this one and I highly recommend it, https://tinyurl.com/rkvntuu
its out of stock via the link…
Bill, the dial indicator gauges can be calibrated by a competent lab. The stick cannot. As long as you’re within a 5psi range (+/- 2.5psi) of your desired setting you’re good.
Random RV Thought- Mars
Been there done that! Here is a picture of one of our plates.C:\Users\Spider\Pictures\Saved Pictures\My Graphics\Lunar Barbecue 2.JPG Hope the picture comes through.
Sorry I guess we cannot attach pictures. The picture was a depiction of an astronaut in a suit on a far away planet BBQ ing a steak with an Airstream trailer in the background.
Hey, Don. Sounds interesting. You can submit your photo here: https://www.rvtravel.com/submit/ We’d like to see it and maybe post it. Thanks! 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
This morning (Wednesday) we learned that ten nursing and care facilities in WA state have at least one resident or employee tested positive for Covid 19. That’s a sudden increase from the one Life Care center in Kirkland in which the majority of WA fatalities have occurred to date. This may be seen as an unpleasant or distasteful topic for our carefree RV lifestyle, which most may prefer to ignore, BUT… wife & I have siblings in similar long-term care facilities in No. Idaho and we’d planned an RV trip there to visit. Now we ask ourselves: understanding that one can become infected and contagious without knowing it, is it advisable to travel and visit unprotected facilities containing the most vulnerable family members among us?
Or should we just blithely go on, business as usual, heads in the sand? And deny the uncomfortable reality that this unpleasant reality is spreading at an exponential rate? And pretend it will have no effect on such things as our happy RV lifestyle? And realize that everywhere we go these days, there has been no testing and we have no idea whether those we come in contact with are or are not carriers? Ask yourself: how is it that we are seeing an exponential spread from town to town, state to state?
Is it possible to exchange information, seek answers to serious questions, and make sensible and knowledgeable adjustments to RV travel and camping? Isn’t it about time to begin addressing this issue in these forums, or is that asking too much?
Calm down. Stop watching the leftist fake news stations.
AGREE 100%
We are taking the informed approach. Find a news station that is taking the approach of “inform not panic” (not all news is fake). Until they can find a solution to slow this thing down you should be cautious but not over dramatic. We are choosing not to take our 90 year old parents out for our normal Sunday breakfast to protect them. At 90 they are very vulnerable and I am not ready to lose them yet. This is nothing we need to be hoarding over but be cautious with. The internet can also be a good source of information (but you can also find that “fake news” – although not necessarily leftist – on the internet as well).
Forums aren’t the place to learn about Corona virus–neither are most news reports. Go to the sources yourself: CDC, WHO, etc.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
I like stat news.com for good reporting. A good article is: https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/03/who-is-getting-sick-and-how-sick-a-breakdown-of-coronavirus-risk-by-demographic-factors/
I personally don’t think you are asking too much. However, how can we trust a sensationalist media, and an untrustworthy government to give any useful info. We created this info mess and are now reaping the harvest.
I personally would stay away from any facilities where medical issues are a large part of the operation but that is always my stance during flu season. I even cringe to do the necessaries like big store shopping but always use at least sanitary wipes when I can. Good luck!
According to the CDC: The CDC predicts that at least 12,000 Americans will die from the flu in any given year. That statement does not say corona virus, it says flu, just plain old flu. Regardless of the strain, the very young and elderly are most susceptible, along with anyone having a compromised immune system. There are universal precautions that we should all be undertaking to limit exposure like washing hands correctly and more often, not touching face, etc. For more information, go to the CDC website and READ.
I’m in the opposite corner of the country. Starting today the Life Care in Florida where my mother lives, no longer allow any visitors except in end of life situations. And I really don’t know whether to continue planning our summer trip or not.
In the Warmer parts of the Nation, check your battery for a heat retaining wrap. My coach had several items designed to help in cold climates.
The battery wrap help shorten the battery’s life. Remove it.