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Issue 1464
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
“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Candy Day!
On this day in history: 1922 – In Egypt, British archaeologist Howard Carter and his men find the entrance to Tutankhamun’s (“King Tut”) tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
Tip of the Day
Protect your battery during storage
By Mark Polk
RV EDUCATION 101®
RVs have parasitic loads that can slowly discharge a battery. Some but not all of these loads are LP gas leak detectors, the TV antenna power booster, clocks, stereos and appliance circuit boards.
If your RV is equipped with battery disconnect switches make sure they are in the “off” position when you are not using the RV, and during storage. If your RV does not have some type of battery disconnect, I recommend you get one. The cost savings will be realized when you don’t have to purchase a new battery(s) every one to two years.
Editor: Here are some battery disconnect switches on Amazon.com.
ONLINE TRAINING COURSES BY MARK POLK
• RV Battery Care & Maintenance E-Book Training Course
Do you have a tip? Submit it here.
Today’s RV review…
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the Happier Camper HC1 travel trailer. As he reports, “It may not be for everybody but the idea of being able to reconfigure your RV at a moment’s notice is really a neat idea.” Learn more.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the AVIA travel trailer by nuCamp RV? If you missed it, you can read it here.
For previous RV reviews, click here.
Is this your RV?
If it’s yours and you can prove it to us (if you submitted the photo to us we probably already know it’s yours), then email us at rvcontests@gmail.com by 9 p.m. Pacific Standard time today, Nov. 4, 2020. If it’s yours you’ll win a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate. Include your mailing address and a phone number (in case there is a prize delivery issue).
We’ll have another photo in tomorrow’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter (sign up to receive an email alert so you don’t miss the issue or those that follow). So please be sure to check if it’s yours. Some of these photos are submitted by readers while others were taken by our editors and writers on their travels around the USA.
Trailer-towing nightmares revealed
This heart-stopping video shows a travel trailer swaying along a busy New Jersey highway before crossing lanes of traffic and flipping over. The video is one of many that show how dangerous it can be to improperly attach a trailer or camper to a vehicle. If you pull a trailer or tow any other vehicle, please take two-and-a-half minutes to watch this video. You may save a life – yours or someone else’s.
Yesterday’s featured article: The clash of tribes: RVers vs. hardcore outdoors people
Reader poll
Have you ever loaned your RV to a close friend or family member?
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.
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.)
Quick Tip
RV journal writing
A journal is not necessarily a diary with your innermost thoughts. It can be a chronological list of what happened in your life. Not everything, of course – just the things and events that you think you might possibly want to know a year from now. Here is a partial list of the kind of things and events that you should consider recording: What went wrong with your rig. What you did to fix the problem with your rig. What date you installed that new refrigerator. When you replaced that tire that blew out and how much you paid for it. (Of course, if you keep a maintenance log for your RV, you don’t need to put this information in your journal. There’s no need to list things in two places.)
Also list when you bought that new keyboard and how much you paid for it. The names of the camp hosts where you stayed when you were in AZ. The names of people and the names of their dogs you met at different campgrounds. Nothing impresses people and makes them feel like you really remember them than knowing their dog’s name. Basically, jot down anything you think you might possibly want to know a year from now. Three to five minutes a day is all it will take, and you will be surprised how much you will use and appreciate this information. —From RVing: Less Hassle—More Joy: Secrets of Having More Fun with Your RV—Even on a Limited Budget Available on amazon.com.
Website of the day
RV Trip Diary
This is an app (for iPhone and Android) that allows you to keep a written (and photo) diary of RV parks you visit. Answer questions like: Was the park clean? Did it have hookups? Would I return? Take photos and check the location off on your personal map. (Fun fact: This app was developed by the 20-year-old son of one of our readers!)
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• A four-story tall RV…literally.
• Photo: Sad scene after motorhome gets run off the road.
• Warning! Don’t park in a wash!
#938-1
Need a step up?
Car or truck roof too hard to reach? Designed to fit over almost any tire, the TireStep allows you to reach three important areas of your truck or SUV: the engine compartment, the roof, and the bed. For fifth wheel owners, the TireStep may be the helper you’ve been wanting for a long time and just didn’t know it. Reaching over the truck bed using the TireStep is not a problem while hitching or unhitching your rig. Learn more here.
Trivia
The beloved baseball song “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” was written by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer in 1908. The funny thing? Neither of them had ever been to a baseball game!
*How fast do raindrops fall? Probably a lot faster than you’d guess. We told you yesterday.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“This is Cali. She wandered into our campsite when we returned from a cross-country trip. She never left and eventually, she decided to adopt us. She loves being in the RV but hates the driving part. Some parks are great for exploring while on her harness and leash and other parks are just fine watching through the windows, especially the windshield. Her favorite pastime is chasing squirrels when she is home and off the leash. We often wonder what traveling was like before she chose us as her new parents.” —Chuck Baier
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
We posted this video a couple of years ago, but laugh every single time we see it, so we thought we’d share it again. Click to play this hilarious video of a Scottish grandmother read “The Wonky Donkey” to her grandson. If you want to buy the book for yourself or someone you know, you can do so here. We can’t stop giggling!
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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Absolutely love that video where the lady is reading to the baby about the donkey! Thanks, I needed that! 😀
One of the funniest Youtubes
Being a recovering sailor, I always keep a log when traveling in the MH. I keep track of expenses as they occur and write up a summary of the day every night.
My Dad started writing in a journal in 1935 and until just before he passed in 2004. Family kept his journal while he could not do it for the last month or so. it was all in long hand writing. I typed his journals onto my computer and gave copies to my siblings.
I started in 2003 for a personal journal. When i make a major purchase, I also write down where purchased, warranty length, cost etc. I can go to my Journal to find details if still under warranty, etc. I also add Dr. appointments and what for. I have gone back many times to see what the weather was at what time. Did we have snow or a heavy rain when? You need to determine what you wish to add, but the more you add, the more information you will remember.
Dad’s first 5 year Journal/Diary, the last entry on December 31, 1939 was “I think Mom is pg.” I was born 8 months later.
Love the Wonkey Donkey book and that video.
The Wonky Donkey is so funny! Reminds me of the first time I read Fox in Sox to my son and laughed so hard I couldn’t see the words! Thanks for the laugh today!
We’ve been on the road full time 14 years. I have journals from every campground/resort. Miles I and miles out. Price of diesel, repairs,site price, weather, friends, etc. Etc. They offer a lot of information of attractions, safety, cleanliness and whatever might be going on. We have never entertained the thought of getting off the road. We do belong to SKP and their offerings if we need them. What a journey and it isn’t over. On our second truck 350 and 2nd fifth wheel…38 foot 4 slide. Home us where we park it. Right now Rio Grande Valley, Texas for the winter. Love to all
Hopefully a few will take to heart the battery article. I killed my 2 golf cart batteries in the 1st winter. I was sure I turned everything off, but the carbon monoxide detector was running. Months of it running destroyed my new batteries.
The battery disconnect switch on our Newmar motor home did preclude our house and chassis batteries from being fully charged, while plugged into a 20 amp breaker. I did turn off the battery disconnect for 2 months while home for the holidays, last year and returned to find the house and chassis batteries dead and that the inverter had an internal breaker that opened which also kept us from recharging the batteries. Food in refrigerator – freezer ( residential) was ruined and stunk! Had to have a mobile RV tech find the problem and reset the inverter – converter breaker. Expensive lesson following guidance on turning off the battery disconnect.
Deja vu on the trivia, this morning. Heard the same thing yesterday while watching The West Wing on DVD.
RV journal writing
“The names of people and the names of their dogs you met at different campgrounds.”
My problem is, that I can remember the 🐕 dog’s name, but not the owner’s name!
The Wonky Donkey!! I love the video. Thanks for posting – and the Amazon link. Yep – I purchased the book this morning on Amazon. It will be here tomorrow. We’ll read it to our first granddaughter when she gets here on Saturday. Two weeks old!! Yay
Stay safe, Joe
I’m unable to download the RV Trip Diary app.
Nevermind; I got it. I had to reboot.
Website of the day, RV Trip Diary, seems like a fun thing to do. However when reading further in the disclosure, it does keep all your information on their server. Why would anyone want all that info kept on their server (protected or not) when there’s so much hacking and fighting over where to go, and complete info about yourself and rig. I think a document works best, maybe old school, but allows you to look at it anytime without someone taking it. There’s several downloadable online. With all the technology out there grabbing campsites in seconds, and filling up instantly, no wonder we’re having a hard time going places. I love technology more than most, just going to be a little more cautious on what and where I do things! 🤓
My wife started an RV diary when we purchased our camper. We both add comments and thoughts each day. Fun to read what each other had to say about the day, trip etc. We also have any family member or guest add a comment or two.
We use a manual battery disconnect on our towd’s battery. Keeps it from being discharged while under tow.
Lights and towd braking system are all operated from RV.
Only minor problem, the towd radio must be reset, using the radio code.
You need to buy a inexpensive data saver which is simply a 12V male plug with a 9V battery connector attached that you use the 9V battery to save you radio presets when you disconnect the 12V battery. Plug the 12V plug into your accessory plug in and the 9V battery will provide enough power to save your radio plus car computer info.
Most battery disconnect switches do NOT disconnect all parasitic loads. Only physically disconnecting a battery cable (or adding an aftermarket cut-off switch, probably at the battery terminal) will do that.
Protect your battery during storage – If you’re plugged into shore power when in storage your battery disconnect switch should be in the ON position to allow your multi stage convertor or inverter/convertor, if equipped, to keep your batteries fully charged and healthy.
That’s exactly what I do also. ON position, plugged into shore power.
Stay safe, Joe
The AVIA trailer is really nice and well designed for normal sized people. However, at six foot four inches tall, I am the same height as the ceiling. There seems to be a lot of trailers out there with low ceilings, or, maybe it’s just me.