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 1471
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 on Amazon, please click here to visit through our affiliate site (we get a little commission that way – and you don’t pay any extra). Thank you!
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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 World Kindness Day!
On this day in history: 1851 – The Denny Party lands at Alki Point, before moving to the other side of Elliott Bay to what would become Seattle.
Tip of the Day
Wiring diagrams can save your sanity
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
It wasn’t but a few minutes after we’d been doing a little roof work on our “camper project” that another problem surfaced: All the fluorescent lights and the bathroom light “quit” working. What happened here – let’s see. Ah, yes! The luggage rack seemed a little wobbly, as did the roof access ladder, and a new set of lag screws had been introduced to try and shore up the situation. Did one of those new screws sabotage the circuit? (Word freaks, stick around. We’ll discuss that old origin of “sabotage” question at the end of this entry.)
Poking around in the fuse panel revealed a definitely “blown” fuse, but was this the whole story? If only we knew just where the wires ran, it would make the whole job of trying to resurrect the lights much easier. Since the rig is an “orphan” – it’s manufacturer having gone out of the camper business long ago – we despaired. Continue reading.
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 new farmhouse-style 2021 Keystone Outback 260UML Travel Trailer. As he reports, “This is a tasteful, very usable, and quite pleasant travel trailer floor plan for a couple.” Learn more.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the $190,000 Bowlus Road Chief Travel Trailer? If you missed it, you can read it here.
For previous RV reviews, click here.
Don’t buy a portable generator
Use your car’s engine instead. Save money. Save hassle. Learn more at cargenerator.com.
Is this your RV?
If it’s yours and you can prove it to us (send a couple of photos for comparison), tell us here by 9 p.m. Pacific Standard time today, Nov. 13, 2020. If it’s yours you’ll win a $25 Amazon gift certificate.
If this isn’t your RV, send us a photo of your RV here (if you haven’t already) for a chance to win in future issues.
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). Some of these photos are submitted by readers while others were taken by our editors and writers on their travels around the USA.
How to snag a campsite in Arches NP even when “Campground Full”
No one needs to remind you that unless you have a reservation for some of the most popular National Parks you are unlikely to find a campsite. But Leslie and John don’t always follow the general consensus and sometimes the payoff works. Here’s how they scored a campsite at Arches NP.
Yesterday’s featured article: Corps of Engineers campgrounds among RVers’ favorites
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- RV “vloggers” fined, threatened with arrest for taking video in National Park
- Dolly Parton takes you on a tour of her RV
- The most beautiful, tiny, van-camper RV you have ever seen!
- We had our RV custom painted. Here’s what the process was like…
MAKES A GREAT GIFT!
Travel off the beaten path…
Off the Beaten Path spotlights more than 1,000 of the United States’ most overlooked must-see destinations. In a state-by-state A-to-Z format, this budget-friendly planner reveals the best-kept secret spots so that no matter where you live, you can plan an unforgettable local vacation. Revel in nature, science, art and culture, and encounter the unexpected as you explore undiscovered gems. Learn more or order.
Reader poll
Have you ever stayed a month or longer in an RV park in one stretch?
Think about it, then respond here, please.
Quick Tip
Overzealous LP detector?
Sometimes RVers complain that their LP detectors alarm for no obvious reason. While these electronic sniffers are designed to alert when they sense LP gas, there are other things that can cause them to launch into that ear-irritating behavior. Hair spray, cooking odors, even dog farts can create “false alarms.” Try opening a window when you blast the hair spray, and be sure to run the range fan when cooking. As to Bowser? We’ll leave that one to our readers to make a suggestion.
Website of the day
The 33 best chili recipes
Epicurious is at it again, and this time they’ve got some mouthwatering chili recipes to share. It’s that time of year, so get cookin’!
Clubs and useful organizations
PLEASE NOTE: We may receive an affiliate commission if you join any of these.
• Harvest Hosts: Stay free at farms, wineries and other scenic and peaceful locations for free. Save 15% on membership.
• AllStays: The best website for RVers! Your membership will become your RV-bible.
• Overnight RV parking. Directory of more than 14,000 locations where you can stay for free or nearly free with your RV. Modest membership fee.
• Boondockers Welcome. Stay at homes of RVers who welcome you in their driveways, yards, farmland or other space on their private property. Modest membership fee.
• Escapees. Best Club for RVers: All RVers welcome, no matter what type of RV, make or model.
A thing that does all things!
This large silicone pad can be used in your microwave under hot bowls to pick them up, or on top of a dish as a splatter guard, on your table as a hot plate, a drying rack, or even as a jar opener. When it gets messy just toss it in the sink for a wash, or even put it in the dishwasher. About $10 on Amazon makes it a great deal. Talk about a great multi-tasking gadget for your RV (or home) kitchen.
Trivia
Ever driven down the part of Route 66 that plays “America the Beautiful?” On a section of the old highway between Albuquerque and Tijeras, the New Mexico DOT installed grooves on the road. If you drive over them at exactly 45 mph, your car will vibrate to the tune of “America the Beautiful.” Check it out in this video here.
*What are nearly 163,000 pints of Guinness beer wasted on each year? We know you won’t guess this one. Find out in yesterday’s trivia section.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Kai, someplace in Florida.” —Kevin
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 made a music playlist for hiking. It has music from Peanuts, The Cranberries, and Eminem. I call it my trail mix. –Brent Terhune
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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My propane detector went off this summer when I’d plugged in my camper to charge the battery before going dry camping. I called the RV dealer’a service dept. they told me sometimes if the battery is low enough the propane detector will sound for 15-30 minutes. I left the door open just in case and sure enough, in about 15 minutes all was quiet again
You continue to put your statement about “intelligent, open minded” at the beginning of each newsletter. I just have a couple of questions. How do you define Intelligent and how do you define open minded. I suspect it isn’t the same way I define those terms and it’s kind of important. Don’t you think so?
Hi, Marvin. I think we’d describe at least 99% of our readers as intelligent and open-minded. As long as they’re not irrational (an antonym for intelligent) and close-minded, most of our readers fit into those parameters very well. Take care. 🙂 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Rule of thumb “Intelligent”- to know right from wrong and research when in question”, “open minded”-willing to consider new ideas/unpredjudiced”. Does that help.
These definitions are interesting, but opening every newsletter with that statement seems to indicate your prejudice toward those who may not be the most intelligent among us. I submit that lack of intelligence is not the problem with those who have responded in what I think you consider to be very vile ways to some of your articles. I haven’t seen those because you have gotten rid of them before I looked at the newsletters. Also, I’m pretty open minded about some things, but because of my faith I’m also very closed minded about certain other things. So I find your intelligent and open minded statement to be very offensive.
On the other hand I think you hit the nail on the head with the second part of that opening statement. We all should respond with respect for each other. Maybe you could just use that simple statement to indicate your requirement for comments. I think it says everything that needs to be said.
Those corny “Leave here with a laugh” puns have been groan-worthy lately. Maybe I’m easily amused, but I love them! I forward them to my non-RVing friends and family.
LP detectors also have a limited life cycle. Ours went off constantly even when the LP was turned off. Absolutely nothing on in the rv, did everything that I could find to do. After doing more research I found that many only last about 5 years. So we went out bought a new one, the hubby installed and tested and no more alarms.
Good day!
I did subscribe with a yearly donation and I thought that with that, ALL issues were add free. I started receiving ad free issues but they have changed to ones with advertisements and the issue on Saturday shows up late as did Sunday’s. Any ideas?
BTW, thanks for the great publications and keep on writing them!
Hi, Mike. Thank you for subscribing. The ad-free issues include the RV Travel Newsletter on Saturday and the News for RVers on Sunday. The weekday newsletters still contain ads (it would take too much time to set up 10 more ad-free newsletters every week). Sorry for the confusion. But since you have subscribed, you should have received the early edition of the Saturday newsletter. (The Sunday newsletter goes out early, as usual. Nothing has been changed with that one.) Your voluntary donation hasn’t been recorded yet, apparently. But I’ve added the Donor designation to your information (I trust you), so you should receive the early newsletter tomorrow. Thanks for letting us know. Take care. 🙂 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Regarding getting a camp site at a so called (Campground Full) campground. Most of the National Park Campgrounds must have at least 10% (could even be 15%) available as a First Come First Served. Meaning, again, if you get there early you can snag one of these sites. I’ve done it many times at Yosemite, Glacier and Yellowstone Parks. Just Google “National Park first come first served camping” you can also add the name of a specific park at the end.
So, at 65 or 70mph, would one get the “Chipmunks” version of America the Beautiful ??
😆 —Diane at RVtravel.com
No Dave, all that will get you is a TICKET!!! LOL
Ironically, at deer camp last week, with friends and family, we were discussing this very section of highway, but no one could remember exactly where it was located. None of us had ever driven it. Now that I know where to find it, I’ll correct that this Winter.
I understand the love RVers have for their pets. However, allowing a pet to perch on your dashboard or sit on your lap while driving, or even being unrestricted while traveling, is putting yourself, your passengers, other drivers and your pet at risk. Animals are still animals with animal insticts and reactions, and their actions could cause immediate problems.. The safe routine for all concerned is to keep animals caged while the vehicle is moving.
Anticipated this comment the moment I saw that beautiful cat.
Or harnessed in the rear seat of your vehicle if towing an RV. With the harness no crate needed.
I love the harness system. We have 4 small dogs and the harness has been great. Keeps all secure and they do not mind at all.
Not to mention restricting your driving view.
Pay heed to the LP detectorI was away from our RV, but I left my wife behind. She called to tell me the LP alarm was going off. I had her leave the RV and close the LP valve. The alarm persisted. A neighbor came over to help, but he couldn’t find the cause of the alarm. With all windows opened up, my wife locked the RV and came to pick me up. When we returned and opened the door we were confronted with a terrible rotten egg smell. I immediately knew the problem. I opened the basement where the battery charger is mounted and smoke rolled out. The battery charger had failed and stuck in the bulk charge mode. It had been cooking our house batteries. The hydrogen gas from the overcharged batteries had found it’s way inside the RV and set off the LP alarm. Hydrogen is even more combustible than propane. We thanked God that this did not result in a catastrophe.
What a great way to control speed on a road!
That is only on the “rumble strip” on the right shoulder, not the driving lane. We live south of Albuquerque and have driven that road a few times.
The right shoulder heading east or west? Thanks Wayne.
Heading east.