Issue 1389
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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Page Contents
Today’s thought
“The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers.” — Dave Barry
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Hammock Day!
On this day in history: 1893 – Katharine Lee Bates writes “America the Beautiful” after admiring the view from the top of Pikes Peak near Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Tip of the Day
RV Education 101: Towing capacity tip
With Mark Polk
RV EDUCATION 101®
You can take two identical trucks with the only difference being the rear axle ratio, and there can be several thousand pounds difference between the tow ratings. Make sure you check everything prior to purchasing a new tow vehicle. The engine, transmission, cab configuration, bed size, axle ratio, tow package, and 2WD vs. 4WD all factor in to the vehicle’s towing capacity.
ONLINE TRAINING COURSES BY MARK POLK
• Tow your Travel Trailer Like a Pro
Do you have a tip? Submit it here.
Need storage for your stuff or RV?
Are you out of storage? As RVers, we often run out of room for, well, everything. And what do you do with your RV when you’re not using it? That’s a big concern for RVers who don’t have room in their yards or live in condos with no extra parking space. Here’s a handy resource for locating storage for your “stuff” and your rig. Learn more.
Yesterday’s featured article: Why would you want a lithium battery pack?
Reader poll
Does your RV have a built-in ice maker in its freezer?
Chill out and tell us 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.
• DIRECTORY OF RV PARKS WITH STORM SHELTERS.
Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.
Quick Tip
Long storage space
Check for storage space behind the sofa. Sometimes a short, folding ladder can be stored there. This may also be a place for mops or brooms. It is a bit inconvenient but storing long items in an RV is often difficult to do since the tallest place is often the closet. Other items to store behind the couch are the screens from the front driver and passenger window and (if a front entry coach) the door screen, too. This will make driving through scenic country much more pleasant. Thanks to Ron Jones, AboutRVing.com.
Strengthen your hands, fingers and forearms
Here’s a great, easy way to build up the strength in your hands, fingers or forearms. Perfect for RVers. If you suffer from arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis or tennis elbow this is for you. It’s also great for simply building up the strength of your grip. This is a best seller and costs about $8. Learn more or order.
Website of the day
DIY Air Conditioner
Well, this is pretty cool….literally! Up for a fun project? Build yourself an air conditioner!
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• RV Doctor: OK to use hydraulic levelers when RV is stored?
• RV Tire Safety: Weighing an RV – 4-corner or CAT scale?
• RV Shrink: Wife concerned about husband’s “fanatical” DIY attempts.
#925F
Trivia
The letter E is the most common letter in the English language. It appears in 11% of all English words (and we used it here 15 times!).
*Yesterday we told you the secret language the Queen speaks with her handbag. Read about it here.
For peace of mind, use a backflow preventer
Backflow happens when a fresh water system gets “cross-connected” with a source of bad water or other contaminants. You don’t want that! Prevent this from happening by using a backflow preventer. Here’s an affordable one. Use it and rest easier. (You can read more about backflow prevention here.)
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Tango. My Great Pyrenees that loves to go camping.” — Gary Lowe
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
I was visiting my daughter last night when I asked if I could borrow a newspaper. “This is the 21st century, Mom,” she said. “We don’t waste money on newspapers. Here, use my iPad.” I can tell you this … that fly never knew what hit him.
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
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Senior editor: Diane McGovern. Social media 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
The DIY air conditioner is NOT one at all. Air conditioning gets its name from the dehumidifying effect, and only incidentally the cooling. The DIY project here may be a “personal swamp cooler” but it actually ADDS humidity to the air, only cools modestly/temporarily, and then only when in an already dry climate.
And some use em to line the cats litter box …
I certainly gave the wrong answer a few weeks ago when I said roads were about as good as they were 20 years ago. We have been on the road now for 2 weeks (13 more to go), and the Interstate highways are awful. Couldn’t they use some sort of level on bridge approaches? Why must every bridge bounce my truck and trailer?
I counted 16 e’s.
I do not have an ice maker….I bring a couple of ice cube trays to freeze in my freezer daily and that is usually good for the day.
The laugh was one of the best ones yet, we got a big laugh with that one!
Re: Today’s thought. Dave Barry is truly one of the great philosophers of our time. I am sitting in front of a large book case holding most, if not all, of his prophetic prose.
Let’s see, how long can I stay at a KOA for the price of a Lithium battery?
Would much rather have the lithiums and a beautiful boondocking spot than stay long at a KOA. Just my preference about where I’d spend my money.
Re the “Laugh” – brought to mind the days when we used newspapers to house-train our pets.
Or line a bird cage!
Or even start a camp fire for an awesome cookout!!! When my son comes over, he always gets our old newspapers!
Some people even read them.
Or use em to line the cats litter box …