Issue 1633
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
“I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man I keep his house.” —Zsa Zsa Gabor
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Meteor Watch Day!
On this day in history: June 30, 1936 – Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind, one of the best-selling novels of all time and the basis for a blockbuster 1939 movie, is published.
Tip of the Day
Roof air conditioner leaks during a heavy rain
This reader letter was received by certified RV technician Chris Dougherty while he was technical editor of RVtravel.com.
Dear Chris:
I have a 2011 Keystone Copper Canyon 5th wheel and have had trouble with a water drip from the air conditioner when we get a heavy rain. Air conditioner is not on. Is there anything that we can do other than a pan to catch the drip? —Duane
Dear Duane,
Yes, you can fix this. It could be because the air conditioner bolts have loosened up, releasing the compression on the air conditioner gasket. To retighten you have to remove the ceiling assembly cover completely which will expose the metal ceiling plate. There are four bolts, one at each corner. EVENLY tighten the bolts to a torque of 40- to 50-inch pounds. This will compress the roof gasket to approximately 1/2 inch. Make sure the gasket is evenly spaced all the way around. Reinstall the ceiling assembly and you’re all set!
Yesterday’s tip of the day: Defeat the slope! RV leveling tips from the experts.
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2021 Keystone Passport SL 219BH. As he reports, “‘The Swiss Army knife of travel trailers’ is how Keystone describes the Passport SL 219BH. I don’t disagree with that. This is a relatively small, no-slide travel trailer that offers a lot of functionality at a price below $30,000.” Learn more and peek inside.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the Forest River Cherokee 284DBH? 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, June 30, 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 $25 Amazon gift cards: Warren May of Tallahassee, Florida, and Scott Kosa of Sedro Woolley, Washington.
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.
Reader poll
As a student did you do better in math or reading/writing classes?
Respond here and see how other readers responded.
Helpful resources
• AAA MAP OF COVID-19 TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS (U.S. and Canada)
• 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.
Idea: Listen to the RVtravel.com podcast while you’re a passenger in an aeroplane.
Quick Tip
WiFi myths
RV parks will advertise that they have free WiFi. But don’t be a sucker and think the WiFi actually works. Our experience is that more often than not, it’s worthless for anything more than receiving and sending email. It’s not always the park’s fault. It may be located in a remote area with limited options for Internet service. If you really, really need good WiFi, be sure to read reviews about the park and pay attention to what previous campers say about the service. You can call the park, but the person who answers may consider what’s “good service” a lot different than you!
Website of the day
U.S. Drought Monitor, Western states
This is alarming — a map of nine Western states showing drought conditions in each. This is more than just alarming, it’s frightening.
Tiny LED button lamp perfect for RV’s small, dark spaces
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.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• What’s a Super Bugger? A VW camper conversion, of course!
• SoftStartRV – Run an air conditioner with a small generator
• Casino campgrounds not always a bargain
Recipe of the Day
Bruschetta Pasta Salad
by Mikekey, from Seattle, WA
Fresh tomatoes and basil give this pasta salad a fresh flavor and mimic the flavors of a Caprese salad. Yum! It’s different than most pasta salad recipes. Boiling the pasta in the seasoned water adds a ton of flavor to the pasta. There is not a ton of dressing in this salad – just enough to coat the pasta and give everything a nice tang from the balsamic dressing. We loved the nuttiness and slight crunch toasted pine nuts give the pasta salad. You can serve this as a light summer dinner or a BBQ side dish. If you chill this salad, we recommend mixing in a little more oil and vinegar. The pasta really soaks up the dressing.
The perfect summer “salad”! Get the recipe.
SEE YESTERDAY’S YUMMY RECIPE: Lemon Poppy Seed Waffles With Blueberry Sauce
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
No ifs, ands or butts… everyone will laugh at this!
Trivia
The yo-yo is an ancient toy with proof of existence since 500 BCE. In 1933, yo-yos were banned in Syria because many locals superstitiously blamed the use of them for a severe drought. The Duncan yo-yo was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 1999.
*How long does it take for someone to form a first impression of you? The answer is surprising. Find it in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Tori says, ‘Dad, it would make a great pool!'” —Mitchell Dennett
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!
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.
Leave here with a laugh
Check out all these hilarious dog toys! Click here.
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.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
This newsletter is copyright 2021 by RVtravel.com
Ok guys all of these suggestions about leaky AC units are great. But what about the leaks from the vents? My AC unit doesn’t leak but recently when were in a thunderstorm in the sierras our AC vents leaked… suggestions?
Happy RVing and hope to see you down the road!
The laugh boat is awesome! But wouldn’t you know it . . . my legs are too long!
Missing out on the fun again! 🙂
On our motorhome, over time, the AC gasket had compressed to the point that it no longer served its purpose. This is normal. It was simple to replace the gasket.
The Coleman/ Airxcel uses little white tabs at each bolt as gages for tightening down the unit, they are an indicator for initial installation when tightening down. The instructions say that when the white tab is even with the inside roof area the gasket is compressed about a 1/2”. If you do not have a inch pound torque wrench they can also be used to gage retightening. I suggest going slow and even and not cranking down all the way on 1 bolt and moving to the next, a 1/8 turn at a time should work to you get to the desired tightness without twisting the AC frame, but watch the white tabs for reference
Are fuel prices jumping wildly all over the country or only here in the mountains of Colorado?
Rich,
Price gouging is all over CO….everybody comes here for vacation & they stay here., thus explosive growth & demand and less supply. Shop around on the net, pricing is all over the place. ex. Loveland vs Longmont, which are 10 miles apart, often are 8-10 cents different.
Been here since since I got out of the Army in 1971 & my wife is a CO native….have enough of the crowds, inflation and politics….gettng our house ready for sale and moving out of this state.
In north east Pa the price of gas is all over the place. From $3.05 to $3.25 per gallon at the Pilot and Petro truck stops being highest . Two reasons gas is going up is because 4th of July holiday and Biden.
The 4th I agree with the second part 👎
Tom, if you are willing to accept the facts, last Sundays newsletter said gas prices 1 year ago this week was at $2.13. This year it is at $3.06. That’s almost a 44% increase. Even if the 4th of July does increase gas prices, it’s still comparing the same weekend. (And unless I’m mistaken, they didn’t move the 4th of July weekend.) Are you willing to admit what did change though? Just statin’ the facts. 💁 44%! 😬
Pandemic = no travel = no demand for gas = lower gas prices in 2020. –Diane
The Mystery Product of the day is really tacky!
Our bedroom a/c only leaked when we ran it, several attempts to fix it by alleged professionals failed. Finally my son in law and I found a crack in the condensation tray. A tube of water proof epoxy fixed it for less than $5. I had all ready spent $95 in repair bills at the local RV rip-off dealer. I’m about convinced if you can spell RV you can be a tech.
Glad to see your comment! We have the same issue of leaking when it runs and have tried various ‘fixes’ with no success. This will be my next checkpoint!
It was very hard to find because it was only about an inch long, luckily it was in the front. Be sure the epoxy is waterproof, it never leaked in the next 2 years we had it.
Regarding the ac leaking when it rains. My Montana had the same problem. The torque was fine, still leaked. Problem resolved when the ac unit was pulled and all bolt holes were caulked. Wasn’t done when the ac was put in. Worth checking to stop the frustration.
WiFi myths is true, I was a late bloomer in the computer craze, so when I got into it I read all about WIFi on the road. I installed a WiFi booster on the motorhome to be able to get WiFi in the campground. In 2 years I never was able to use the campground system. It now sits in the garage collecting dust, we switched to a Verizon Jet Pak and have had excellent secure WiFi ever since. Once I found campground WiFi are unsecured I didn’t want anything to do with it, so their ads of free WiFi mean nothing to me.
It always irks me when people complain about their “free” WiFi and then write bad reviews on the parks like they were expecting allot more for nothing. You get what you pay for.
Also be careful of the Verizon Jet Pak. I just read in July Consumer Reports Verizon is recalling 2.5 million for those hotspots getting a little too hot with faulty batteries.
The problem stems from leaving the MIFI plugged in 24/7, my battery swelled enough to pop the back off. I found the exact replacement on eBay for 12-14$ and replaced it, now I plug it in at bedtime and unplug it when I get up, which by the way is basically what the instructions say.
RE: The leaky A/C unit. I was pleasantly surprised to see it say to torque the bolts 40-50 inch pounds. Normally articles like that will just say to not over-tighten, but what does that mean? On the other hand, most people wont have an inch pound torque wrench, even if they know what that is.
I have 4 torque wrenches. Torque screwdriver handle, measures in inch-ounces. 3/8 drive, up to 75 ft-lbs. 1/2 drive, up to 250 ft/lbs. 3/4 drive, up to 600 ft/lbs. The big boy is 4 feet long! I used to work on big diesel engines. We called torquing over 30 head bolts at 320 ft/lbs “rowing the oars”.
Do you carry all that with you?