Issue 1580
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
“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Clean Out Your Medicine Cabinet Day! Well, c’mon, get to it!
On this day in history: 1910 – The oldest existing indoor ice hockey arena still used for the sport in the 21st century, Boston Arena, opens for the first time.
Tip of the Day
Should you keep your RV freezer full?
By Chris Dougherty
Chris Dougherty is a certified RV technician. Here is a letter he received from a reader while he was serving as RVtravel.com’s technical editor.
Dear Chris,
I know you should keep your fridge full but leave space around items. But what about the freezer? Does the same apply – keep it full but the food spaced? I know in the home fridge it’s good to keep the freezer fully packed. Thanks! —Nancy
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 Cougar 357UMR Fifth Wheel. Peek inside this fifth wheel with a mud room, which includes a pet-friendly utility shower, and read Tony’s review here.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the new 2021 Wildwood FSX 178BHSK? 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, April 16, 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 two readers claimed their Amazon gift certificates: Karl and Jennifer Z. of Belton, Missouri, and Ed D. of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
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.
Azuki the hedgehog goes camping
Emily Woodbury believes these pictures of Azuki the hedgehog (a real one) will provide you with your daily dose of cute. We agree. Click and get ready to smile.
Yesterday’s featured article: RV begins tearing apart, sinks into septic tank
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Campground Crowding: They counted, and 70% of reserved sites were empty!
- National Parks want darkness; RV makers say, “Let there be light”
- Are “bots” stealing your campsite? Answer: Yes!
- Teardrop trailers: The only RVs to have seen combat!
Reader poll
Do you find yourself always wanting more, or are you satisfied with what you have?
Think about it for a moment, then respond here.
We just debuted our new Full-Time RVer Newsletter. Read the first issue here, and sign up if you like what you see!
Quick Tip
Electric water heater
Many of our RVs are equipped with gas/electric RV water heaters. This refers to the fact that the unit has both a gas heating side and an electric element. As we forge toward spring in many parts of the country, it is important to remember to turn the circuit breaker for the water heater OFF if you have an electric water heater. A dry electric element will burn out within seconds of being turned on. By turning off the breaker, you are assured that it is actually off and that it will not be damaged while you get the coach ready for the season!
From Chris Dougherty, Certified RV Technician
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
This one made us laugh out loud. You’ll know when you see this if someone you know needs it.
Website of the day
The best place to camp in every state
Scroll through this list of the best places to camp in each state, put together by Condé Nast, and see how many you’ve stayed at. You’ll want to stay at some of these!
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.
Recipe of the Day
Slow Cooker Fajitas
by Melissa Lewis from Romney, WV
Fajitas are an easy dinner option and this slow cooker version is fabulous. The meat is tender and absorbs the flavor of the spices and jalapeno. We opted for steak, but chicken or shrimp would be super tasty too. These Crock Pot fajitas are great if you’re busy and figuring out dinner. The slow cooker does all the work for you. Just set out your favorite toppings and each family member can assemble their own fajitas.
Mmmm… Get the recipe here.
SEE YESTERDAY’S YUMMY RECIPE: Bruschetta Caprese With Balsamic Vinegar Reduction
Airstream lovers need this!
Have you ever seen anything so cute? This adorable salt and pepper set sits inside a mini Airstream. We don’t own an Airstream, but we want these for our dinette anyway. Boy, they come up with the cutest stuff these days… Click here to learn more or order.
Trivia
The world’s tallest tree and the world’s largest tree both reside in California. The tallest tree can be found in Redwood National Park, and the largest can be found in Sequoia National Park.
*What percent of the time is a baby born on its predicted due date? We told you yesterday.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Cash loves camping. She is a Vizsla and traveled well last summer almost 7,000 miles cross-country.” —Tim Brown
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. No blurry photos, please! Please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!
Stay free on private property across America
Boondockers Welcome is a great alternative to expensive, crowded RV parks or even Walmart parking lots. With a membership, you can stay for free at more than 1,000 private property locations across America. And, wow, will you meet some great people! Learn more or sign up.
Leave here with a laugh
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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.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
This newsletter is copyright 2021 by RVtravel.com
Yes Devil’s Lake the best campground in WI. Just keep going there people and leave the actual best campground available for me. 😏
Quick Tip, Those of us in Texas who enjoyed the Blizzard of 2021 have learned to drain the water heater and leave the rod out, no matter what the sign says. Repair shop I use has ten RV’s waiting for replacement propane/electric water heaters.
Class A Motorhomes may be glamping, however for those who don’t enjoy tents, cramped spaces or just want creature comforts, they are wonderful. That is what makes camping to RVing great, those who feel closer to nature can enjoy their passions, those who want more of a home away from home, then that can be enjoyed! The enjoyment of lakes, rivers, oceans, mountains and deserts can be visited and enjoyed by all choices available! Being a healthy 70’s couple, we enjoy taking grandchildren, and our doggie, and our Class A works well for our enjoyment:))
The world’s oldest tree is called “Methuselah” and is 4,851 years old. It lives in a secret location in the White Mountain range of eastern California.
True, although a scientist cut down the oldest (“Prometheus”) at Wheeler Peak, NV early 60s. Got his borer stuck; found over 5000 rings once tree felled! Never surpassed to my knowlege.
Sorry but counting the growth rings is not an accurate way to tell the age of a tree. They can grow more or less rings per year based on the weather it was exposed to.
If only Albert Einstein could have seen today’s politicians in DC.
Yes, he would deem them the exception, or maybe arrested growth!
The one time we hit the “Hoh Campground” in WA there had been drought conditions and hiking through the ‘rain forest’ was an experience of crunching footsteps with every step. Kinda like our home state of NV , , ,
Hi, Tommy. About 50 years ago, my then-husband and I went to the Olympic Peninsula and followed a dirt road as far as we could go, then set up our tent in a cleared out area next to the Hoh River, and surrounded by the rainforest. Got up in the morning … surrounded by a herd of (free-range) cows. (No houses/farms for miles.) Interesting experience. 😆 Have a great day! 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
“The Best Campground In Every State” is nice but not for us with big Motor Homes. Most of the campgrounds listed were tent sites in remote areas. I noticed that few had RV sites. I agree, these are nice campgrounds and may be of interest to a few on here but for the majority? Bahia Honda is a beautiful place but be careful, an RV like mine will not fit under the bridge to get to the ocean side.
I did enjoy the article and have been to some of the campgrounds mentioned in my younger days when I packed the car and kids and went tent camping.
I agree. The list doesn’t work if you have a big rig.
Big rigs aren’t camping, they’re “glamping” and need a “ glampground”. Had one for 15 years and decided to downsize so we could get into those campgrounds. Enjoyed it while we had it but don’t really miss it. We do enjoy the increase in possibilities of places to stop, places to camp, ease of parking etc. They each have their place and just depends on what you want to do.
You get the best of both worlds.