Issue 1653
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
“There isn’t time, so brief is life, for bickerings, apologies, heartburnings, callings to account. There is only time for loving, and but an instant, so to speak, for that.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Waterpark Day!
On this day in history: 1896 – The city of Miami, Florida, is incorporated.
Tip of the Day
Why does RV’s engine battery keep dying in campground?
By Chris Dougherty
Chris Dougherty is a certified RV technician. Here is a letter he received about an engine battery from a reader while he was serving as RVtravel.com’s technical editor.
Dear Chris,
Why does my under-the-hood engine battery keep going dead when I am hooked up to an electric post at campgrounds? I have a Class C Jayco 32-foot motorhome with a V-10 450 gas engine. Funny thing also, I find this out when my propane detector starts screaming. It is wired to the engine battery, too. Oh, and there is a metal bar on the battery that I can lift up to disconnect the power to the one post or leave down and connected. Not sure what that is for; heard lots of opinions. —GiGi
Yesterday’s tip of the day: Mini stick-on button lamps are perfect for RV’s dark spaces
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2021 Keystone Cougar “Half-Ton” 32BHS Fifth Wheel. As he reports, “The Cougar 32BHS is a unique trailer in that the main bath is downstairs. I could see this as being a great choice for a traveling family or someone who wanted to set up a ‘home’ office.” Learn more and peek inside.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the 2022 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 7 195RB Travel Trailer? If you missed it, you can read it here.
For previous RV reviews, click here.
NEW! “Why I love my RV”
Every Monday through Saturday, RVtravel.com readers tell in their own words why they love their RVs. Today, we hear from readers Rhonda Boul and Ray Leissner. 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, July 28, 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: Tom Westerfield of Box Elder, South Dakota.
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.
The importance of a good RV water filter
Clean water. Every RVer wants it and needs it. No sane RVer would consider embarking on a trip of any length without clean water onboard – or a way to generate it. In fact, clean water may arguably be the most important item for your RV, next to your keys and a full tank of gas. … Therefore, depending on what you’re using the water for, the question is: How clean is clean enough? Read more in this very informative article.
Yesterday’s featured article: Readers’ favorite RV parks and campgrounds. Stayed at any of these?
Reader poll
Do you have an automatic ice maker in your RV?
Go get an icy cold beverage then tell us here.
Thinking of installing solar panels on your RV? In parts one and two of this article, learn about the best solar panels for your RV and how many you’ll need.
Helpful resources
• CURRENT WILDFIRE REPORT
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
• 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.
Video Quick Tip
Choosing the best RV house battery for your rig
Dave Solberg explains the basics of choosing a house battery for your RV.
100 Drives, 5,000 Ideas. Adventure awaits…
If you like to explore off the beaten path, this book is for you. Inside are 100 epic journeys through all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces offering thousands of sites and roadside attractions along the way. There’s something here to satisfy every passenger. Filled with expert tips, tons of activities, and plenty to see and do as you drive, you’ll want to order a copy for yourself here.
Website of the day
Top U.S. Water Parks
Since today is National Waterpark Day we thought it only fair that we share with you Travel Channel’s list of the top water parks in the U.S. Let out your inner kid and go have fun on these hot summer days!
RVtravel.com Podcast Episode 17
This week on the RVtravel.com podcast, Peter and John, the RV Geeks, share some of the most popular topics on their YouTube channel and how to solve common RV problems. The RVtravel.com podcast is brought to you by SoftStartRV power management, Clear20 water filters and TearDropShop.com.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• We had our RV custom painted. Here’s what the process was like…
• New to RVing or want to improve backing up hand signals? Read this.
• Campground crowding: Are monthly renters filling up spaces?
????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
Dogs do it. Millipedes do it. Dinosaurs did it. You do it. I do it. Octopuses don’t (nor do octopi). Spiders might do it: more research is needed. Birds don’t do it, but they could if they wanted to. What the heck are we talking about? Have a laugh and click here.
Recipe of the Day
Cilantro Pesto Chicken Pizza
by Kristi Bell from North Little Rock, AR
Want to up the game for Friday pizza night? Then you need to try this pesto pizza. Our whole crew loved it. The pesto is fresh tasting packed with cilantro and garlic. A nice change from traditional pizza sauce. Taco seasoning added to the chicken helps add a bold flavor. The tomatoes and sliced red onion add even more fresh flavor. Shredded Colby jack is a delicious cheese option. A nice summertime pizza.
We like the sound of this! Get the recipe here.
SEE YESTERDAY’S YUMMY RECIPE: Grilled Steak and Veggies Tacos
Trivia
According to the online coupon platform DealDrop, during the past 12 months, Amazon has averaged 133 million U.S. Google searches per month. Walmart comes in a very distant second place with an average of 6.85 million monthly U.S. Google searches. Rounding out the top five: Home Depot (4.69 million), Target (3.31 million), and Best Buy (2.76 million).
*If you were to eat Top Ramen for every meal of the day, how much money would you spend on food per year? The answer may surprise you. Find it in yesterday’s trivia section.
Monocular telescope connects to phone, wow!
This is one of the neatest gadgets we’ve seen in a while! This waterproof monocular telescope connects right to your phone, so you can take photos of that bird waaaaaaay over there. You can now photograph anything up to 10x closer than before. Great for birdwatching, concerts or any sporting event. We already bought one! Learn more or order.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Looks like Miss Summer wants to read the paper too.” —Denise George
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!
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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RVtravel.com Staff
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Managing editor: Mike Gast. Associate editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editors: Russ and Tiña De Maris. Senior writers: Nanci Dixon, Tony Barthel. Contributors: Mike Sokol, Gail Marsh, Roger Marble, Dave Helgeson, Janet Groene, Julianne Crane, Chris Guld, Machelle James, James Raia, Kate Doherty, J.R. Montigel, Clint Norrell, Randall Brink and Chris Epting. Podcast host and producer: Scott Linden. Special projects director: Jessica Sarvis. Moderators: Gary Gilmore, Linda Brady. Financial affairs director: Gail Meyring. IT wrangler: Kim Christiansen.
CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): mikegast@rvtravel.com
Advertising: Advertising@rvtravel.com
Help desk: Contact us.
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
Loved today’s laugh. So true!
The battery video is only partially correct about the Group sizes. The Group Size refers to the physical size of the battery, group 24 being the smallest and going larger from there. So, there is some truth in his statement, in the fact the size does limit the amount of material inside the respective battery, thereby limiting the amp hour capacity. But, a larger group size DOES NOT GUARANTEE A LARGER AMP HOUR RATING.
You’re right Bill, but the most important thing you want to look for in house batteries is their reserve capacity. That’s how long (in minutes) the battery can supply 25 amperes and not go below 10.5 volts. If you find really good 6 volt batteries and hook them in series for 12 volts, you will find your reserve capacity is almost double that of a good 12 volt. Cold cranking amps is great for turning a starter, but you want the lights to last as long as possible.
If the person (and his consultants) could not figure out what the blade type battery disconnect is for, none of them should be opening the engine compartment or battery area of any vehicle. There are going to be many bad and expensive days ahead for this fellow. On the plus side he did finally ask an expert for advice, but any service garage would have answered his questions for free.
How come you don’t have a segment on RV repairs like you do for vast electrical issues ?
I can’t speak for the magazine, but I do recall them putting out a call for repair experts who wished to do a regular column. Perhaps there really is a shortage of tech experts across the board, including those who want to write about repairs?
Hi, wanderer and Pete. “Coming soon to an RVtravel.com newsletter (very) near you.” You’ll see a new feature starting this Saturday in the RV Travel Newsletter which sounds like what you’re looking for. It’ll be in our newsletters six days a week. Woohoo! Have a great day! 🙂 –Diane
Looking forward to a great addition to a great newsletter!
Thanks, Bill! Yep, I think it’s going to be very popular and very useful to RVers! We’re constantly trying to improve our content for our wonderful readers’ benefit. Have a good night. 🙂 –Diane