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Issue 1479
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 a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.” —Frank A. Clark
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Jukebox Day!
On this day in history: 1864 – American Civil War: A group of Confederate operatives calling themselves the Confederate Army of Manhattan starts fires in more than 20 locations in an unsuccessful attempt to burn down New York City.
If you are a member of an RV club or are affiliated with an RV-related event would you please let us know if its gatherings, meetings, etc., are cancelled or postponed because of the coronavirus? We’ll pass along the info to our readers. We appreciate any news related to RVing that’s being affected by the virus. Please submit it here. Thank you!
Tip of the Day
Tow ratings are lower for 4-wheel than 2-wheel drive
By Mark Polk
RV EDUCATION 101®
A tow vehicle that is four-wheel drive will have a lower tow rating than an identical vehicle that is two-wheel drive. The reason for this is, the transfer case in the four-wheel drive vehicle adds additional weight to the vehicle (usually several hundred pounds), which lowers the tow rating by that same amount. Keep in mind, any weight you add to the tow vehicle takes that same amount away from the tow rating.
ONLINE TRAINING COURSES BY MARK POLK
• Tow your Travel Trailer Like a Pro
Do you have a tip? Submit it here.
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2021 Keystone Outback 324CG Travel Trailer. This trailer is designed for people with disabilities and has many thoughtful details. Learn more.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the 2021 Wildcat 368MB Mid-Bunk Fifth Wheel? 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 (send a photo for comparison), tell us here by 9 p.m. Pacific Standard time today, Nov. 25, 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 (if you haven’t already) for a chance to win in future issues.
THIS WEEK, ONE READER RESPONDED and claimed a $25 Amazon gift certificate. Congratulations to Dave Adamski of Pasadena, Maryland.
We’ll have another photo in tomorrow’s 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 extend the life of an RV battery
The life of RV batteries varies. Factors include how they’re used, maintained, discharged and recharged, and how they’re stored. A battery cycle is one complete discharge from 100 percent down to about 50 percent and then recharged back to 100 percent. Learn more.
Yesterday’s featured article: You’ve heard of sleepwalking, but what about sleep-driving?
Go back to school! Attend the RVers Online University!
Just getting started learning your RV? RV Foundations – Operation, Safety, and Maintenance is the class for you! Keep your RV out of the shop and on the road! This six-chapter course has 34 lessons to teach you everything you need to know – all from the comforts of your home, er, RV! It’s fun, easy-to-follow and, of course, informative. Learn more.
Reader poll
Has anything worth $100 or more ever been stolen from you?
Please tell us in the poll here.
Many people will be hungry this Thanksgiving, including many children. If you are financially able, please donate $20, $50 or $100 to a local food bank. This year it’s especially important to help, with millions of normally hard-working people out of work because of the pandemic. You will feel so good if you contribute — knowing you helped people who are struggling now go to bed on one of America’s most cherished holidays without the pain of an empty stomach. Here’s where to donate.
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.
Traveling with your RV soon? Here’s a firsthand look by one of our writers at what it’s like to travel by RV right now with no reservations.
Quick Tip
When shopping for an RV, do a “livability test”
Shopping for a new RV? Don’t forget the “livability factor.” It’s best to do a walk-through of an RV without the salesman present. That way, you should feel free to sit on the pot to check leg clearance, lay on the bed to determine comfort, stand in the shower to confirm you’ve got room for your elbows and shoulders. Have one person stand in the kitchen in front of the sink or the stove – can the partner get by without imitating a fertility dance? Open the fridge – you’d be surprised how many times the door swings the wrong way! Can’t shake the salesman? Do all the aforementioned tests and whatever else you can anyway.
Website of the day
The top 100 camping blogs
Have endless hours to explore the Internet? Start here. These 100 blogs have everything (literally everything) you need to know about camping all around the world.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Is your RV theftproof? Here are some tips
• RV Tire Safety: Things to do with your RV while not traveling
• What happens when freedom is taken away from RVing nomads?
#944F
Trivia
Haha! There is a book titled “Everything Men Know About Women” written by Dr. Alan Francis. The entire 120 pages are blank. If you know someone with a good sense of humor, you can buy a copy of the book here.
*Where did the word OK come from? We told you about the first time it was used in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“A favorite photo of our rescue Labradoodle, Bella, age 5, and our Miniature Poodle, Sushi, almost 13. They love camping and boating. When either the trailer or boat come out of the shop they are ready to play.” –Mark & Debbie Jenson
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
Today’s Daily Deals at Amazon.com
Best-selling RV products and Accessories at Amazon.com. UPDATED HOURLY!
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.
This website utilizes some advertising services. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
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
LMAO at the “Leave here with a laugh”.
Has anything worth $100 or more ever been stolen from you? I had a car stolen from me at gunpoint by a prospective buyer. Value of about $10k and only liability insurance. It was never seen again. I’m still optimistic about humanity, just a little more careful now.
I’ve test fit several showers & booth dinettes with a salesman looking on. As long as the sales person knows more about the coach than I do I’m happy.
Yes the liveablity test is so important.
Number 1 on our list is “can we get to the fridge and toilet with the slides in”. I saw a question in a Facebook forum that asked if it was ok to open the slides at a rest area. NO!
Was super glad for the 4×4 few years back. We got ready to leave SD for AZ one day. Drained all the water in the house, turned off the hot water heater set the cove heat to 35, hooked up to the 5er and retired to bed in the camper. Woke up the next morning to an unforcasted blizzard. With snow already deep enough that we needed 4 wheel drive not only to get TO the interstate, but needed it for an hour on the highway itself until the plows cut most of the snow and ice away. We DONT plan on cutting it that close again but since forecasting is truly more of an art than a science it could well happen even this season.
I think weather forecasts are more of a wild a** guess.
As a newbie RV buyer from a “reputable” dealer I did what I thought was a thorough inspection of all systems. It was a 40 degree day and the heater, water heater, and a/c all came on and a/c blew nice and cold on both speeds (March 15). On my 1st big camping trip to Whitefish, Mt it was 107 degrees in the afternoon (July 3, 2015). Well, no cold air from a/c, not even cool just ambient! Pulled lid and found pipe from compressor broken apart! Called dealer in Bend, Or and he said “sorry, you had your chance during pre-delivery”. (Remember that 40 degree day?)
Let the buyer beware…
Wishing all RVtravel.com contributors and readers a very Happy Thanksgiving! As rough as 2020 may have been , we still have much to be thankful for.
Thanks, Kenneth. Yes, 2020 has been terrible. Can’t get much worse so it has to get better, right? Fingers crossed. Happy Thanksgiving to you, and stay healthy. 🙂 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Yes, the livability test is so necessary. Make sure they have power going in for you before you start! Seriously. Then, make sure everything works – from the plugs in the bathroom to the overhead bunk (we didn’t and THAT was a big problem!). Even the stove, the furnace. EVERYTHING! I can’t emphasize that enough!
Tow ratings are lower for 4-wheel than 2-wheel drive
The tow ratings, that many people don’t consider when towing a Trailer or 5th Wheel, are lower on a 4 wheeler, usually by about 450 lbs., because of the 4 Wheel Drive Differential in the front of the truck. One of the main reasons, I don’t own a 4 x 4. These numbers are based on my RAM 3500!
I’ll give the extra weight for the transfer case and front differential on my Ram 3500 and be very happy driving it down the road. There have been a few times where I would have been stuck without it!! The main reason I do own a 4 X 4!!!
Agreed. I’d never be without a 4X4. Even on wet grass I’ve needed four wheel drive.
Me too! Wet grass and slight incline did me in. I was towing and when I undid the equalizer it put more weight on the rear wheels and I was just able to move. Traded for a 4wd Silverado 3500 dually and have been glad to have the 4wd aspect a few times.
By the way .. the additional weight of the dually set up also lowered the tow capacity by about 300#.
Is a dually 6X6 ?
Haha ..extra weight of the two extra rear wheels I guess..
NO, only 4×4.
yes, three times.
1- from our first apartment in 1971 (cash)
2- a few years later from our first home (VCR, CB radio, sports warm-up jacket)
3- from a campsite in a state park in Brown County, Indiana roughly 1987-88. taken was a small step ladder, heavy duty extension cord and a nice stainless steel ZipDee folding chair. we did not have a toad in those days. we were at the Covered Bridge festival on a Sunday afternoon in our MH. the low lifes missed a second ZipDee chair and a few other things.