Issue 1549
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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Page Contents
Today’s thought
“As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.” ―
NEW RV TRAVEL PODCAST ON THE WAY
P.S. – On April 4, we will debut a weekly RV Travel podcast. My bets are it will be the most informative and entertaining program of its kind about RVing, and one of the most popular. If you would like insider information about the podcast and a chance to be invited to special live recording sessions, promotions, etc., sign up for our RV Travel Podcast Insider Newsletter.
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Pound Cake Day!
On this day in history: 1913 – The United States Department of Labor is formed.
Tip of the Day
Tax Corner: Is interest on an RV loan tax deductible?
By Neil Seidler, CPA, CMA
Is interest on an RV loan tax deductible? Like most areas of taxation, the answer to this question is: “It depends.” But it’s entirely possible you can deduct the interest on your RV’s loan.
You can take a deduction for home mortgage interest for your main home and for a second home. So the question is: “Does your RV qualify as a second home?” Continue reading.
Do you have a tip? Submit it here.
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2021 Grand Design Reflection 150 Series 295RL Fifth Wheel. See how this half-ton towable fifth wheel compares to yesterday’s reviewed Keystone Cougar. Which one better suits you? Read about it and take a peek inside here.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the 2021 Keystone Cougar 24RDS Fifth Wheel? If you missed it, you can read it here.
For previous RV reviews, click here.
JUST GETTING STARTED RVing? Read our editor’s book The ABCs of RVing for free with Kindle Unlimited.
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, March 4, 2021. 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.
Last week one reader claimed their $25 Amazon gift card: Debra Lewallen of Cincinnati, Ohio.
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.
Can you guess what the most-visited paid monument is in the world? The answer is below in today’s trivia.
Two inexpensive survival tools every RVer should have
Nobody who heads away from their campsite ever intends to get lost. But it happens and it can prove deadly. Here are two products that an RVer or other outdoor enthusiast should have along whenever away from a camp, whether in the wilderness or in a Forest Service Campground that may not seem to pose any threat of getting lost. Learn more.
Yesterday’s featured article: Funny oil change instructions for men versus for women
Reader poll
Have you ever replaced the carpet in your present RV or one you owned before?
Keep an eye out for the new AcquaTap® system. This portable device makes water from air – really! Read about it here.
Quick Tip
Save the shower (and other) glass doors!
Frequently the glass in a shower door has to be replaced because it gets broken, usually because it flies open going down the road. Most shower doors have some type of positive latch on them. Locking this door, as well as any other glass door like a mirrored glass closet door, should be on your pre-trip checklist.
Website of the day
maps.stamen.com
Turn any map into a watercolor painting! Or, see what each map would look like if it were on Mars. This website is fun to play around with.
And the Survey Says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 1,500 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• When paying for groceries, 54 percent of readers pay with a credit card. Only 2 percent pay by check.
• 53 percent are either smokers or ex-smokers
• For those who play Solitaire, 11 percent play with a physical deck of cards (as opposed to the 86 percent who play on some sort of device)
Recent poll: Do you wish your RV were five feet longer or five feet shorter?
Trivia
Can you guess what the most-visited paid monument is in the world? If you guessed the Eiffel Tower, you’re right! About seven million people visit the Eiffel Tower each year.
*If you were to drill a tunnel straight through the Earth (Yeah, yeah, we know. There’s gravity and hot stuff that’ll kill you. But theoretically…), how long would it take you to get to the other side? Yesterday’s trivia tells you the number.
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
This is similar to yesterday’s totally weird kitchen gadget, only this one is totally cool (and perfect for campers!). Check it out.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Westerlee, a 1-year-old Springer Spaniel. Loves her RV time at camp.” —Pamela Jobson
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.
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 2021 by RVtravel.com
Can’t believe everyone missed the point on the ‘Product(s) of the Day’ – you put the sliced hot dog in the egg cooker for a ‘Hot Dog Omelet’.
Great idea, Jeff! It actually sounds pretty tasty! Take care. 🙂 —Diane at RVtravel.com
I can’t see wasting $10 on a hotdog slicer. A knife costs nothing, you already have it in your camper. Seems ridiculous.
RV financing can be tax deductible. We went to our bank and they suggested using home financing lower interest rates and our choice of years to pay it off. Don’t go through the place you’re buying the camper from. Get the final price and check with your bank.
The “Muppet” lady is great !!!
It produced A smile. Wonder if she ever saw the picture.
Very funny !
The best part of the “Mystery Product of the Day” is the included 20 hot dog recipes. Huh? “Recipes”?
You cook them over a fire, flop them into a bun, add mustard and onions, and you’re good. Can you tell I’m from Chicago? 😎
Hi, Tommy. The part I liked was the description on the Amazon page, which indicated that the “Target Species” for this product is “Dog.” 😆 —Diane at RVtravel.com
You forgot relish, pickle, tomato and sport peppers.
Well, I would say I forgot the tomato, and maaaaaaybe sport peppers, but relish and pickles were not something I remember from the ‘gazillion’ hot dog joints I frequented when growing up.
As an aside, the BEST Chicago style dogs and/or beef sandwiches I’ve found since leaving there in 79 would be a place called Dazzo’s Chicago Style Eatery in Wikieup, AZ
.
https://www.facebook.com/DazzosChicagoStyleEatery/
It’s located in beautiful downtown Wikieup on the main drag as you go through town on Hwy 93. There’s even an RV Park connected. No golf course or hot tub, but full hookups. We NEVER pass it up if we’re going through town.
A place opened in Reno claiming to serve “Chicago Style” grub, but I’m sorry. I only went there once, and that was enough.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago-style_hot_dog
Of course Wikipedia would weigh in, like the site does with everything. Actually, their mention of “Portillos” is a good example. I used to spend a lot of “date money” at one of these, and they’re still going strong. You have the option of toppings.
I just don’t remember there being SO many toppings that you couldn’t even see the actual hot dog through it all. It may as well be tofu at that point – ha.
Are you from Chicago too, James?
Born in Evergreen Park and Lived on south side till 14. Moved to western burbs in 1966. Still there.
Good deal, james. I was 34 before I left town. Lived on the north side (Irving Pk and Ashland, by Lakeview HS). Went to Lane. Do you remember when there was space between Chicago and Milwaukee? Ha.
That corridor north of the cheddar curtain is nuts. The only time I head this way is when I head to Door County. During the recent construction it was a nightmare while towing the camper. Finally finished it and it is great now. I afraid they will start I43 north of Milwaukee soon as this area is horrible.
Several thumbs up for your hotdog “recipe”
One thing for sure. NEVER ketchup unless you are under 10 years old.
NEVER ketchup! NEVER!
Can someone please repost the ad for the RV financing company? Or just post their URL.
Hi, Phil. I guess you didn’t see my response on Tuesday to your previous inquiry. Here’s the link: http://www.RVfinancing.com . Have a great day. 🙂 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Luv the “laugh of the day”. So funny!!!!!!
Agree! LOL!
Tony, can you “test” a couple of the smaller fifth wheel trailers like the Scamp single axle?
My wife and I watched NOMADLAND last night. What the film did not do, was glorify RV’ing. What the film DID do was dramatically point out how tough life can be for many people. The actors in the film, especially Fern, were portrayed as a caring and helpful collection of people. It had a dark side as the film focused on Fern, whose recently deceased husband had lost his job at the gypsum plant. She is down and out and takes off living in her van for a life on the road. She is a very likeable person, meets loads of friendly RV’ers at different campgrounds, but to me, the film was about “going home”. Watch it. It will make you think.
I, also watched it last night and agree Brad. The will to survive, making the most of what they have and still be warm with others.
My wife and I also watched Nomadland and thought it made RVing look like a very lonely life.