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Issue 1442
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
“Learn to accept. It doesn’t mean putting up with it, it means simply not wasting energy on situations you can’t change by paddling backwards against the peace of your day.” —Dalai Lama
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Do Something Nice Day!
On this day in history: 1970 – The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is founded.
Did you see the news? Click here to read the latest issue of the Sunday News for RVers.
Tip of the Day
Dumping RV tanks: Where do you go when you gotta go?
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
When we take on the RV lifestyle, we also put on some new “hats” for the roles we assume. What kind of hat does a “sanitary engineer” wear? I dunno — the only part of my uniform in that role is a pair of good, thick rubber gloves.
Getting out the sewage becomes our “problem,” and that can really BE a problem if we’re not sure of where to “get rid of the goods.” When set up in an RV park, it’s not a problem — but on the road or when boondocking, it gets a bit more complicated. Here are some possible places to dump your tanks. Continue reading.
Do you have a tip? Submit it here.
RV Electricity – This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session:
Dogbone adapter confusion cleared up – Part 2
In my last JAM Session I posted a simple question about how dogbone adapters are named. (Yes, that’s me with a dogbone in my mouth.) This survey was done because I often get a lot of confusing questions about these most basic of adapters in my various Facebook groups and RV forums that I watch. While there are lots of electrical questions to consider, the most basic one is what do we call an adapter that connects an RV with a 50-amp plug to a pedestal with a 30-amp outlet? Continue reading.
• Join Mike’s Facebook group, RV Electricity.
• Read more of Mike’s articles here.
Tools for a safe and cheery campfire
Just about everyone loves a campfire. There’s even a word in Swahili that means “dreaming the fire,” it’s such a compelling experience. Greg Illes gives you lots of tips for the perfect, and safe, campfire. He also explains why the most important fireside tool is a shovel – but it may not be for what you think. Learn more.
Reader poll
When you “camp” at Walmart, do you ask the store for permission?
Tell us here, please.
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.
Fire Extinguishing Aerosol, Two-pack
The First Alert Tundra Fire Extinguishing Aerosol Spray is easier to use and discharges 4 times longer than traditional fire extinguishers. With an aerosol nozzle and portable size, it’s suited for the kitchen, car, garage, boat or RV. The formula wipes away with a damp cloth & is biodegradable. Learn more or order.
Quick Tip
Getting your trailer out of a tight spot
Got your trailer backed into a tight spot and can’t get it out? Block the trailer tires, unhitch your tow vehicle. Now bring the tow vehicle back in at a different angle of approach, hitch up, and try ‘er again.
Website of the day
Zocdoc
Zocdoc is a great website to bookmark. If you’re in a new place and need a doctor (for anything) simply type in what you need, your zip code and your insurance, and the website will match you up with a doctor nearby. Click on an appointment time, schedule your appointment and fill out paperwork, all right there! Couldn’t be easier.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• RVer stuck with bad toilet. Dealers won’t do warranty work.
• Have you remodeled your RV? These folks have, and it’s gorgeous!
• RVs in Japan are a lot different.
#934-1
Trivia
Think humans are kings and queens of planet Earth? Think again! We are just one of the estimated 8.7 million species that live together on Earth. Makes you feel small, doesn’t it? There are over 7.8 million species of animals alone!
This is a must-have for state park campers!
This recently published book, “50 States: 500 State Parks,” is a must-have for all state park campers and explorers. The beautiful book takes you on a journey through America’s best state parks. Whether you’re looking for stunning vistas, rare wildlife, a dose of history or an enjoyable hike, state parks offer an array of experiences. Learn more or order.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Our seven traveling companions. They are the best travelers – always in a bunch while we are on the road.” —Dave Matthews
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
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.
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RV Daily Tips Staff
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Senior editor: Diane McGovern. Social media and special projects 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
Gem of a thought today. I have used a paper cone inserted in the top of the jar of apple cider vinegar et.al. Prevents escape.
Just a quick response to “where to dump. The Maris’ talk about heavy rubber gloves. I only use the thicker nitral gloves often found at Harbor Freight. That way when there is a problem (yuck), when done you peel them off not touching anything but the inside of the glove. Otherwise it seems you have to scrub and disinfect the gloves before they are used again.
One of the biggest problems with many campfires are people that ignore their fire for hours as it smolders lingering smoke into many others campsites.
Hi Chuck and Diane. I need your help. A few months ago you had an article on how to get rid of fruit flies/gnats in one’s RV. I searched under “pest control” but did not find the article.
Could you or your readers be of help? Thanks.
Best remedy for gnats and fruit flies I have found and it really works.
1/2 cup warm water
1 tbsp sugar
2 ounce cider vinegar
8 drops dawn liquid dish detergent
Pour over soil
I have never had to repeat but if you have a severe infestation you may have to repeat.
A small bowl/bottle..small ant cider vinegar, about 2 oz, several drops of dish soap. {dawn} cover top with plastic wrap..punch a small hole in middle of plastic wrap..Set on counter top..flies go in but can’t get out..works for me every time..
Try August 29, 2020 use search getting rid of fruit flies
Hi, Greg. Sorry for the delay in responding. Here’s the link to Nanci Dixon’s article/video on fruit flies: https://www.rvtravel.com/fruitflies963/ Go get ’em! 🙂 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Thanks to those who responded with solutions in getting rid of fruit flies and gnats.
I will give them a try !! Thanks Diane, that was the article I had seen.
You’re welcome, Greg. And yes, I saw some other suggestions from our readers. You all are the greatest to help your fellow RVers! Thanks! 🙂 —Diane at RVtravel.com
I sent that turtle pic to a few people who have absolutely no idea how to park. I love it.
Those are very pretty kitties!! Lucky seven!!
Q.What do you call a Wally store thats dog friendly?
A.Wall-mutt!
ZocDoc doesn’t appear to be widely accepted. I tried it with my insurance and zip code. The closest doctor it could find was over 200 miles away in NYC. I live in WNY near Rochester, NY. The concept is great, but it needs to be more widely accepted my doctors.
I like the turtle! You should send us a link to print these out!
That’s a good note!
I don’t mind someone with a new vehicle taking up several spots–IF they’re in the far end of the parking lot.
Just try a search…. :-/
https://duckduckgo.com/?t=lm&q=color+in+the+lines+parking+turtle&iax=images&ia=images
We have never “camped” at a Walmart but we sometimes do spend a night at one to get some sleep.
“Camped” and spending a night the same. Did you ask is the question, think your answer is no.