Issue 1365
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.
If you shop at Amazon, please visit through our affiliate site or https://rvtravel.com/amazon (we get a little commission that way – and you don’t pay any extra). Thank you!
NEW FACEBOOK GROUPS: RVing with a Disability • RV Travel Tips • Trucks for RV Towing
[activecampaign form=34]
Page Contents
Today’s thought
“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Go Fishing Day!
Tip of the Day
Bag those troublesome cords and hoses
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Of all the gear RVers have to struggle with, some of the most unruly in terms of storage are coils of hose and electrical cords. They all seem to have a marvelous ability to unravel and get scrambled in your basement storage compartment, making it a real mess when it comes time to set up camp.
Sure, there are cord reels and hose reels – they work to a limited degree. We once tried a “flat hose” and reel combination that proved most unsatisfactory when the packaging didn’t warn users that the hose had to be completely unreeled before water pressure was applied. We had an interesting “experience” with an exploding hose reel on that occasion. Continue reading.
Do you have a tip? Submit it here.
RV mods: Give your galley a stainless-steel makeover
For many years, Greg Illes and his wife lived with their factory Formica countertop. It was serviceable but was really drab-to-ugly (sound familiar?). They considered several products, but either expense or weight were big obstacles. Finally, Greg “bit the bullet” for a somewhat-challenging job: resurface the counter in stainless steel. Learn how he did it (and how you can, too).
Yesterday’s featured article: Beware your RV slideout
Reader poll
Do you enjoy birdwatching?
Click here and chirp (vote).
Quick Tip
Some possible financial help to buy an RV
In the market for an RV but aren’t sure you can afford it? Check with your tax consultant – you may be able to write off the loan interest on your tax return. The money you save there might be the edge you need if you’re getting an RV loan.
Random RV thought
You don’t really have to be an “outdoorsy” person to enjoy the RVing lifestyle (even though most RVers would describe themselves as so). You can enjoy the lifestyle just as much if you park at a beautiful overlook and enjoy the view from your dinette – no hiking involved!
Protect your RV “pigtail”
That 7-way connector on your travel trailer or fifth wheel is a critical component. When not plugged into your tow rig, the thing is susceptible to the onslaught of dirt, rain and even bugs. This slips right over your precious plug and keeps out the crud. One user says, “This works perfectly to keep the plug on my RV clear. I remove it when not in use and place it in my ‘RV emergency tool kit.’” Learn more or order.
Website of the day
Arrive Outdoors
Arrive is an amazing gear rental website where you can rent anything and everything from tents to tables and chairs to hiking shoes or poles to binoculars. Need something for your adventure but think you may never use it again? Want to test out a new brand? Rent it through Arrive!
Did you see the adorable cottage, er, RV, we posted on Saturday? Look at it 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:
• 10 percent play the lotto often
• 73 percent have had formal training in CPR
• 39 percent bought a special vehicle just to tow their RV
Recent poll: How many miles do you believe you will put on your RV this summer compared to last summer? Respond here.
Trivia
Tongues of chameleons are roughly twice the length of their bodies. Can you imagine for we humans if we had a tongue that was 10-12 feet long?
*Yesterday’s trivia section told you where you could see “Moon trees” across the U.S. Know what a “Moon tree” is? Hint: It’s been to outer space and back! Read about them here.
These socks don’t stink!
If you don’t believe us when we say these compression socks really work, look at the overwhelmingly positive reviews and maybe you’ll change your mind. These socks provide instant relief to your arches and heels and work to increase blood and oxygen circulation, which helps reduce lactic acid buildup and aids muscle recovery in ankle and feet. Click here to learn more.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“This is Shipley. Named after the local donut shops in Houston! Part Border Collie, part Shar Pei. Sweet girl rescued about 3 years ago. Looks of a Border Collie with the brains of a Shar Pei. We love her anyway! Loves sleeping in our Micro Minnie.” — Peter Z
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Saturday RV Travel newsletter.
Leave here with a laugh
A dog was resting in a campground and an RVer was reading nearby on a lawn chair. “Excuse me, sir, but does your dog bite?” a recently arrived camper asked. The RVer looked up over his newspaper and replied, “Nope.” Yet when the camper approached the animal, it began snarling and growling, and then attacked his legs. After pulling away from the crazed animal, he yelled, “I thought you said your dog didn’t bite!” The RVer muttered, “Ain’t my dog.”
Join us: Facebook • Twitter • YouTube • RVillage
Our Facebook Groups: NEW RVing with a Disability • NEW RV Travel Tips • NEW Trucks for RV Towing • RV Horror Stories • RV Advice • RV Electricity • RV Parks with Storm Shelters • RV Buying Advice • Northwest RV Camping • Southwest RV Camping • Free Campgrounds • Budget RV Travel • RV Videos • plus Texas RV Camping and Florida RV camping.
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the latest Sunday News for RVers, make sure to catch up 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
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Senior editor: Diane McGovern. Social media director: Jessica Sarvis. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
This website utilizes some advertising services. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
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 2020 by RVtravel.com
I ordered one of those RV PigTails and It was to small for my plug and just a smeige.
A few weeks ago, there was a discussion of a company that offers a discount for Diesel fuel at various locations. I know there was concerned about providing a SSN on application and there was a fee. The food not thing I don’t know is the contact information for them or their name. Any ideas??
Here’s a link to our most recent article about the diesel discount program, Mike: https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-diesel-fuel-discounter-update/ I hope that helps. Take care. 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Thank you!
You’re welcome, Mike. Have a great day! 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Regarding the pig tail….. A good cover is a MUST. I see all the time these pigtails exposed to the environment. Cover the plug and keep it straight in an up position so no water enters the plug. I bought several rubber covers and never have an issue of a good connection. And also it is recommended to get a can of electrical spray to dry any moisture build up to maintain good connection.
The plastic cover for the 7-way connector didn’t fit my connector (too loose) and it tended to trap moisture inside. Even if it was a water tight fit, you’d have to make sure the connector was dry before installing it.
I put mine under the propane tank cover when it is not in use. Seems to work well..
If the hoses have water in them then the bag is going to get wet. We use 8×8 square bins for the hoses and the extension cords as well. Want to keep them form being damaged.
Connect the hose to itself, no leaks and reduces the chance of contamination.