This newsletter is for intelligent, open-minded RVers. If you comment on an article, do it with respect for others. If not, you will be denied posting privileges.
Issue 1414
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
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Dog Day!
On this day in history: 1791 – John Fitch is granted a United States patent for the steamboat.
Tip of the Day
Avoid major damage – Inspect all exterior seams regularly
With Mark Polk
RV EDUCATION 101®
Every seam on your RV, and anywhere the manufacturer cut a hole in your RV, has the potential for water damage. To protect your investment, and your wallet, take time to thoroughly inspect all of these seams and sealants.
The outside of your RV might look okay, but the internal damage caused by water over a long period of time can result in the entire roof, floor or wall rotting away without you knowing it. You should inspect the seams and sealants at least twice a year, and make sure you use the proper sealant for the type of material you are repairing.
ONLINE TRAINING COURSES BY MARK POLK
• RV Care & Maintenance E-book Course
Do you have a tip? Submit it here.
Why would you want a composting toilet?
Frequent boondocker Greg Illes answers that question after using a composting toilet off and on for three years. He describes the pros and (a few) cons of composting toilets, how they work, and what’s involved in making them work. For avid boondockers who always seek greater freedom in both water and waste management, composting might be worth a look. Learn more.
Yesterday’s featured article: Why vultures poop on their legs (and more)
Reader poll
Do you have a portable propane campfire pit?
Light it, roast a marshmallow, then vote in our poll 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.
NEW FACEBOOK GROUPS: RVing Route 66 • California RV Travel
Quick Tip
Don’t forget to check RV’s fluids before you leave
Bill Larsen weighs in on pre-pullout checklists: “Before every run, whether an RV or towable, do we always check our fluids? We all know to check tires, lights, and brakes, but do we look under the hood? It’s easy to lose that habit and replace it with watching lights and messages from the amazing array of monitoring equipment. For the little time it takes to look at the tanks and pulling the dipstick, we might avoid unscheduled camping on the shoulder or in a dealer’s repair yard.” Thanks, Bill!
Website of the day
Women’s RV Forum
This one is for the ladies! Chat with other women RVers in this handy forum about RVing with pets, RV recipes, plan get-togethers, start a book club and discuss recent crafts or DIY projects.
SECRET PHRASE: Perry and Don went to the rodeo.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Are you really washing your dishes correctly?
• Reader letter: Days of RVing without reservations are gone.
• OK to use cruise control while towing?
#929-1
Trivia
There are more than 2000 varieties of cheese available worldwide; mozzarella is the most consumed.
*If you could fuel a car with the same amount of fuel from an airplane, how far could you go? We told you yesterday.
Stay organized like Mike!
Here’s a tip from Mike Sokol: “After one more frustrating dive to the bottom of my ‘battery drawer’ looking for a few AAAs to power my latest gadget, I’ve decided to get organized. This holder should keep you stocked with enough batteries for an entire camping season, and even includes a nice tester to find the dead ones. Also, you all know not to just throw used (or new) 9-volt batteries in a drawer where they can make contact with metal objects and catch on fire, right? Here’s what I’m ordering to keep it all under control.”
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“I recently canceled our annual camping trip with long-time friends after my husband discovered a bird nest in the tongue of our 5th wheel. He refused to remove the nest saying it would “kill” him if those babies died!! Softie for sure!! Anyway, here is a photo of our two wonderful labs, Bailey (black) and Dutch (yellow). Dutch was one of eight puppies born to Bailey 4 years ago. They are soooo connected! This is Dutch’s normal position, snuggling onto Bailey’s rump. She absolutely doesn’t mind!! We are not complete without our dogs and they LOVE to go camping with us!” — Nancy Michaels, North Platte, NE
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
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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 battery holder mentioned in the main issue is good, I have one for home. But when RV’ing, I want something with more holding power.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GSLW9CM/?coliid=IY6AEJY4EXEB2&colid=3IC8HMCL0A3CO&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
The one in the link is foam filled with the correct sized slots foam piece which can be removed. Comes with battery tester. It zips up, so the batteries cannot fall out even if you pick it up wrong side down. It holds a huge number of batteries of all the common sizes. I keep it in the RV, and remove the batteries from remotes, when we are putting it away at end of trip. Then I can get them back out, put them in the remotes, and no chance of corrosion or damage to remotes. I highly recommend this battery box for the RV, at home the other one works fine.
I had to LOL about the Women’s Forum…this is not a criticism….it’s just about me. When I read this newsletter I read all the technical…”guy stuff” :-). Then I quiz my husband if I don’t understand something (mechanical eng & race car/eng builder) or nag him if I learn something we should have or be doing. Especially electrical. Love Mike’s info. Reason we got a surge protector. Husband was disinterested. I researched and ordered! When I see…on other forums….issues people have when they didn’t have one or what was saved because they did I make sure to pass it on to my husband :-). I do like reading recipes, but have other sources for that.
I only answer to polls that are related to RV’s. There to many corporation’s already collecting our information.
Love the Bailey and Dutch story, how awesome . Great photo
Thank you, Dennis!
Does storing batteries in the fridge increase their life?
No, old wives tale. Cold will hurt output but less so with lithium
I joined the ‘RVing Route 66’ Facebook group and received a reply that I was now a member. Today when I tried to post to it I received a “No Permission to Post” error. What’s up?
Just a thought. Since you implemented a strict guideline to posting, I haven’t seen as much posted comments as before, pros, cons and in-between. Were postings that bad or insensitive that you’ve banned them out. Simply put, I don’t recall anything that bad, yes the “know-it-alls” are a nuisance but that’s life. Chuck, you come out with such flare that you miss yesteryear but that’s the past. Those are memories you and I and everyone else yearn for. We will cherish them and take them to our graves. We can agree or disagree and that’s the great thing we have in this country, the best in the world. I salute my fellow veterans and say thank you to ones serving now. “Live life passionately, laugh a lot, love unconditionally.” Weather you mask or not, stay safe everyone. I’m out!
Good thoughts, but over the 5 years I have been a member I have definitely seen a coursening of comment with most of the ‘haters’ trying to inject a political or societal negativity. I joined to discuss RVing and will happily contribute and read comments (even negative) about this disturbing “reservation only’ system.
I began using a battery organizer last year and will never go back. It is so much easier to keep track of what batteries I have and need. It also makes it easier to move batteries between the house and trailer.
100% spot on. I have two. I keep rechargeable and watch style batteries together and a small charger and ohm meter fit in this same container.
I have a similar system for all memory sticks, SIM cards, adapters, etc. Makes life much easier
I like these Storacell battery caddy by Powerpax. They give me flexibility in where they can be stored and carried. Drawer, truck glove compartment, pocket, camera bag. Somewhat expensive but they should last forever.