Issue 1595
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.
LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS.
[activecampaign form=34]
Today’s thought
“Consider it: every person you have ever met, every person will suffer the loss of his friends and family. All are going to lose everything they love in this world. Why would one want to be anything but kind to them in the meantime?” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Military Spouse Appreciation Day!
On this day in history: 1952 – The concept of the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, is first published by Geoffrey Dummer.
Tip of the Day
Caring for these is the easiest thing you can do to stay safe while driving
By Gail Marsh
One very important RV maintenance project is keeping your windshield wipers in good working order. If it’s not already on your maintenance to-do list, consider that the American Optometric Association reports that 90% of all driving decisions are based solely on visual cues.
Here are some do’s and don’ts to ensure a clear view no matter what weather Mother Nature throws at you.
Do you have a tip? Submit it here.
Yesterday’s tip of the day: How to kill lingering RV refrigerator smells
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2021 Coachmen Spirit 2557RB Travel Trailer. As he reports, “I’d say this is a usable floor plan with a few very positive surprises that will make a worthwhile difference over time when you’re using them. It’s definitely one to put on your shopping list.” Learn more.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the Forest River Wildwood FSX 260RT? 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 time today, May 7, 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 no readers claimed their $25 Amazon gift card.
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.
“Does the propane tank have to be empty before refilling?”
We bet you know the answer to this question. But some people don’t. And that’s what editor Chuck Woodbury discusses in this essay.
Yesterday’s featured article: Your fifth wheel: Leave it hitched or not?
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- The Walmart of the future may not include overnight RV parking
- Campground Crowding: “I sold my trailer 15 minutes after listing it for sale!”
- Just how bad is it? Are boondocking locations getting crowded?
- RV Tire Safety: Are ST-tires better because they have a higher “speed rating”?
Reader poll
When you go out to eat, which meal is it usually for?
Please tell us here.
Quick Tip
Ups and downs on RV ladder safety
Many RVs have a built-on roof access ladder. Here’s Tony King’s take on the situation: “I don’t trust those flimsy RV ladders anymore. I bought a collapsible ladder rated for my weight. I put it along the side of the flimsy ladder and use it to hang onto as I climb up. When I get head high to the roof I stop and twist a piece of Romex copper wiring around both ladders before I proceed up on the roof. Knowing the ladder can’t shift sideways going up or down makes all the difference in the world. I spent a whole career building freeway bridges working on ladders. But at my age now I feel I can’t afford to have an accident as it would surely interrupt my RV fun/travels!” Thanks, Tony!
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
We don’t have this one, but we’re about to change that. This looks great!
Website of the day
Best summer road trip destinations state by state
This list has tons of great stops on it! If you’re struggling with trip planning, consult this list for some must-see places along your route.
Doing Good. . .
Over the past 80 years, trails have been a fundamental part of Alabama State Park’s mission. Because of this, it created its Dirt Pass Trail Crew Program, a way for park users to voluntarily donate $35 per year to help support the park’s trail system. The money goes directly to the park trails’ maintenance, enhancement and planning. All Dirt Pass membership donations are made online and each donating Dirt Pass member will receive a cool, Trail Crew T-shirt to show their pride in the program.
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.
• 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
Honey Mustard Shrimp on the Bar-B
by Darci Juris from Scottsdale, AZ
What a light and fresh grilled shrimp recipe. They are slightly sweet with a touch of tang. This shrimp recipe is great on a hot day when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen. The marinade is super easy to whip up and the shrimp take no time to cook on the grill. Serve with a fresh green salad and you have a quick and easy dinner or a great cookout snack.
We’re going to make this at our next BBQ! Find the recipe here.
SEE YESTERDAY’S YUMMY RECIPE: Grilled Chicken Cordon Bleu
Camping with the Corps of Engineers
Many RVers consider Corps of Engineers campgrounds to be the best in the country. This guide is just for RVers — boat-in and tent-only sites are not included. Of all the public lands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has some of the best parks and campgrounds available. In fact, it’s the largest federal provider of outdoor recreation in the nation. Learn more or order.
Trivia
Dublin is home to Ireland’s National Leprechaun Museum. Check out their website – it looks like a fun (and mysterious) place to visit.
*Who is the first person in all of Earth’s history whose name we know? We told you yesterday.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Zoe is an 11-year-old Sheltie who loves to travel with us year-round in our Winnebago Sunstar. She is the first to enter the RV whenever we start a trip and loves to sit and watch the roadside through the little doggie window.” —Katie Woodall
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!
The best lights you’ll ever have
This 6-pack of tiny, battery-powered LED “Button Lamps” is just what you need for your RV’s closets and storage spaces. The tiny lamp is ultra-bright and has all the power of a normal-sized lamp. Backed with a strong adhesive, these little lamps will stick to any surface. They’re waterproof and good to have in case of an emergency. Learn more or order.
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.
Become a Member!
This newsletter is brought to you Monday through Friday by RVtravel.com and is funded primarily through voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you! IF YOU APPRECIATE THIS NEWSLETTER and others from RVtravel.com, will you please consider pledging your support? Learn more or contribute.
Join us: Facebook • Twitter • YouTube
Need help? Contact us.
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
I for one hate the Blue folding ladders hanging on the back of a Beautiful RV. I’ve seen at least one busted laying in the road or in the ditch on as many highways. A couple of years ago a female state trooper was hit and killed on interstate 25 just north of Albuquerque trying to get a ladder off the road. If you have one hanging on the back of your RV please check it often
Website of the day put Glacier National Park in both Montana and Wyoming. It’s only in Montana. Heads up: this year you can’t drive the Going To The Sun Highway unless you get a permit first and you better have it before you travel here. Just too many people want to see the wonderful sites of Glacier.
When it comes to ladders attached to the trailer, Lance puts on a very heavy duty ladder. No problem getting on the roof.
What collapsible ladder do you all like?
We use a GPLogistics Aluminum Folding Ladder. It fits on the upper shelf in our through-bay storage area. About 7’ long and 5” a side. Gets me to the top two steps of the attached ladder. It is pricy but worth it.
I love the concrete one. OMG Well at least you can’t say you won’t have a designer flaw with this one. Right?
Once again, this was not (bleeped) by Diane. 😕 So I don’t even know what jillie had written in there. Maybe gremlins are doing this. 😀 —Diane
If not gremlins it could be Smurfs.
The thing about the factory installed ladder on the back is that they are flimsy. Usually only attached with self-tapper screws into the fiberglass. I always set up my stepladder and climb it so I only have to step on a couple of the top rungs of the factory ladder.
Part of maintenance should be to look at those mounting screws. They can work loose over time from the rig bouncing down the road.
And my pet peeve, don’t attach your Blue Boy or your chairs or your stepladder to that ladder on the rear!
👍 👍
The duck prints are much better than boring old plain concrete 😉
I agree, Kamwick. Plus, they probably give a little extra traction if it’s slippery! 😀 —Diane
I’ve never had a problem on my RV ladder because no TT yet has had one… however, when I HAD to get on my roof following a branch punching out my skylight, i collected picnic tables from the entire row of campsites and (yep!) built a very sturdy pyramid 12′ high. Ever since, I carry a folding ladder,and while more portable, it’s still not as solid as 20 picnic tables.
I hope you took pictures of that 12′ high picnic table pyramid 🙄
Anyone check on the ducks’ feet? Hope it doesn’t weigh them down.
I have somewhat the same distinct markings in my front walkway courtesy of our flock of chickens.
Road Atlas would be a great idea. I hope it has topographical information as sometimes the perfect looking road become the highway to hell when you are towing a trailer.
I guess the duckprints is funny to us but certainly not to the crete finishers. Nice, well cared for sheltie.
Pet of the week brought tears as I lost our sheltie a few years ago and still miss her.
Since when is Glacier National Park in Wyoming???????????
At last—The Big Lie!!
In the laugh of the day at least in the winter traction should not be a problem, however if you like skate boarding it may not be the best place for that. Lol
Love the “Is this your RV?” newsletter segment – appreciate this personal connection to readers.
On the quick tip my son didn’t do the proper thing like tying of the ladder. Since he weighs about 280 he didn’t trust the ladder on his 5th wheel so he got his extension ladder and set on the side of the 5th wheel, going up no problem, coming down the ladder slid sideways and he fractured 2 vertebrae. Always secure the ladder to something solid or have someone holding the ladder.
I tie the ladder off to the installed RV ladder and also to something secure at the bottom to keep it from kicking out, especially while using it on a hard surface such as concrete. But equally important is extending the ladder at least 2-3 feet above the roof, that way you are stepping off the ladder and not crawling off it. Also the ladder has a weight limit and includes the individuals weight and any tools or equipment they may be using.
Luckily, I haven’t had any trouble using the attached ladder to our travel trailer. I use it every time we set up ‘camp’ whether one night for a quick overnighter or a longer stay. I put our Dish Playmaker up there.
I use my attached ladder on EVERY stop with our 5ver also. Sweeping off slides before departure and occasionally placing the Dish unit on the roof. It’s pretty easy to watch those mounting screws as you climb. They pass right before your eyes going both up and down.