Issue 1565
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
“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Spinach Day!
On this day in history: 1934 – The United Kingdom driving test is introduced.
Tip of the Day
Tax Corner: Tax credit for solar panels on an RV?
By Neil Seidler, CPA, CMA
Question: I installed solar panels on my motorhome in 2020. Does that qualify for the Solar Tax Credit?
Answer: According to the U.S. Department of Energy you can claim a Residential Energy Credit for solar equipment in both your principal residence and a second home. Therefore, your motorhome, in fact most RVs, should qualify for the Residential Energy Credit (Solar Tax Credit). The tax credit is valid for any RV that qualifies as, or has been accepted as, a second home for tax purposes. 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 Airstream Basecamp 20. He writes, “The Basecamp is Airstream’s single-axle trailer that is marketed to outdoor adventure folks. What attracted me to the trailer was the flexible space in the back and the large windows in the front.” Learn more.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the 2021 Jayco Eagle 25.5REOK 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 Daylight time today, March 26, 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.
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.
Avoid smacking low bridges with the 2021 Road Atlas
The 2021 edition of the premier guide to off-limit highways for large RVs is a must-have for every RVer. While it’s designed for big rig truckers, all RVers who travel in unfamiliar territory with recreation vehicles over about 11 feet tall will find it incredibly useful. Learn more.
Yesterday’s featured article: Tip for RV park owners: How to make more money at the expense of RVers
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- EZ Lynk being sued. EPA says no more “rolling coal” and modifying emission controls!
- Values of used RVs doing something hard to believe!
- Forest River plant on FIRE – Building goes up in thick, black smoke
- Ten safest and ten most dangerous states for driving
Reader poll
How important to you is listening to music?
La la laaaaa! Sing your way over here.
Run your RV’s air conditioner with only normal household power or a small generator. It’s now possible!
Quick Tip
Don’t sweep this one under the rug!
Not sure if your slide-out is gonna hit that tree or your next door neighbor when you extend it? Get a broomstick, hold one end flush with the coach and mark how far out each slide extends. Then, when you’re in a tight spot pull out the broomstick to see how far your slide goes out. Saves a lot of angst when things are tight.
Thanks for the tip, Kern Stump!
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
These have a pizza our hearts! We love seeing creative products like this!
Website of the day
Midomi
Speaking of music (the poll above), this website is so neat! If you have a song stuck in your head but can’t remember what it’s called, open this site, turn on your microphone, and sing or hum into the computer. The software works its magic and will tell you the name of the song within seconds. Give it a try!
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.
Trivia
If you suffer from omphalophobia, you’re afraid of bellybuttons. Ahhhh!
*Yesterday we told you the sweet story of Harold Hackett, who has pen pals around the world because of what unusual object? Read yesterday’s trivia to find out.
ACT NOW! ONLY FIVE DAYS LEFT TO SAVE!
Harvest Hosts membership fee increasing – join now and save!
Harvest Hosts NEW member prices are going up to $99/yr. in April 2021. If you buy a membership now, it’s only $67.15 a year after our 15% discount. This link will lock in this rate forever, regardless of how much the prices increase in the future. Use HHFRIENDS15 at checkout. Save over $30 off the new price on a whole year of unlimited overnight stays. Learn more.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“This is our baby, Zoee, watching us and guarding our rig!” —Hank & Shirleen Smith
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 went furniture shopping the other night and really hit it off with the sales associate. She was so pretty and so nice! It didn’t work out though. She was looking for a serious relationship but I was just looking for one nightstand.
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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 2021 by RVtravel.com
And while on the subject of music, trying to listen to a TV program or a movie lately I find the back ground music is drowning out the actors voices to the point you cannot hear what they are saying. Does no good to turn up the volume as it just makes the background music louder. It’s like the music has to set the drama of the program.
The story lead above, “Avoid smacking low bridges with the 2021 Road Atlas”. My first thought was,… People are smacking low bridges with their Atlas now? I know, I know… I’m tired, and it struck me funny. 😏
Based on my online news feeds, I think headline writing is a lost art, but it is hilarious at times.
It’s another groaner…Leave Here With a Laugh.
If the government wants to clean the air, start with diesel locomotives. I live near a main line in Arizona and 30 or more trains pass by daily with at least 4, sometimes 6 engines spewing smoke. They could well support the added weight of something to clean the air. Next step, aircraft with hundreds if not thousands in the air at any given time.
I think I saw one of the new airstream trailers. We thought it was a horse 🐎 trailer. very pretty
I suppose that your gas/oil/cars/food and most things would go up in price considerably without trains plus waiting for whatever to make it to you. All things/ideas have consequences that are sometimes not welcome. Just thoughts.
I have nothing against trains. In fact i love seeing all the shipping containers on trains. I see hundreds in each train which means more hundreds x2 of semi tractors not on the road. Use the trucks for last mile delivery, not 50000 pounds from la to new york
For years I encouraged my granddaughter to look into audiology. All the kids driving around in cars with the volume rattling their (and my) windows are going to be deaf as door pins by the time they are thirty. Certainly a growth industry.
We use arrows to test our slide outs. Husband cut toy store arrows the width of both slideouts (really only need one for the widest slideout) then attached a suction cup. Pull up to site. I get out and stick arrow on side of slideout. Husband pulls in/backs in and I can tell when he is close enough and our slideout will clear. Especially useful at race tracks, like Daytona, where every inch gives you that much more space on camp side since we are really close to everyone.
Great idea, this way you can get in the right spot the first time without having to move again. Once you have put your slide out and find out your too close you can’t move again until you put the slide back in. 👍👍
I use my noodles to check slide clearance. I’m going to put noodles on the edge of the slide anyway so I cut them the width of the slide and use them to assure clrarence. Don’t forget to include the rollers for the slide awning in your measurements.
“Leave here with a laugh” is back on track.
If I stand with my hands on my hips with elbows extended my slide will fit. Easy peasy
My slide-out is from the tip of my fingers to the center of my chest. Never have to go get something to see if we fit.
That is my kind of measurement! Fast and easy.
On the tip of the day instead of a broomstick I use a small tape measure, it takes much less room, once you measure the slide dimension the first time it’s easy to remember.
Easy to remember, yes. But visualize, “in the moment”?
I need the visual. I for one am terrible with distances by just a number.
I used to work where I had a lot of dealings with environmental regulations. I posted a while back in another group that with the new EPA administrator, I expected more aggressive enforcement of air quality laws with the new administration, and that it wouldn’t be a good idea to make any permanent changes to vehicles disabling pollution control equipment. There doesn’t have to be any new laws or regulations passed. Instead you’ll see the EPA go after mfgs like EZ Lynk that make devices to bypass settings and controls. If you’re in a state that does annual vehicle inspections, look for the EPA to lean on those states to inspect vehicles more closely for any illegal modifications. The new EPA administrator has a background in air pollution regulation and has a reputation for being assertive in enforcement. I expect him to do the same on the federal level.
Whoppee :((
National spinach day! Doggone, I ate the spinach yesterday!
We did too!! 😂
Stay safe, Joe
Music is fine as long as the rest of us don’t have to listen to or feel your music vibrating our bodies.
Yes, I think of the damage that is done to ears by the extreme loud music. Once they are gone, they are not coming back. Hearing aids are a substitute.
Yes and no matter which brand you choose and how much you pay it seems engineers can’t come close to the sound quality that God created in your ears. I’ve worn hearing aids for several years and the clarity can’t be duplicated that your ears had before your hearing loss.
And I always wonder what the loud thumping bass, and high-pitched squealing of guitars is doing to our young people’s nervous systems, eardrums, and body organs. I cant imagine it’s any kind of good.
I certainly agree with you Bob P. I ruined my hearing as a young guy racing cars and motorcycles, along with using air tools. It sneaks up on you. Hearing aids suck. WEAR PROTECTION!
And with mine music sounds terrible.
And a poor substitute for what God gave you. I know I have two of them.
Portugal – – if the cop can hear it it belongs to them. At least 1980 it was that way.