Issue 1657
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
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” —Dali Lama
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Grab Some Nuts Day! [OK. Have at it, but keep it clean. 😆 ]
On this day in history: 1949 – After a damaging three-year battle to win both players and fans, the rival Basketball Association of America (BAA) and National Basketball League (NBL) merge to form the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Tip of the Day
17 unusual uses for dryer sheets in your RV
Yes, you use dryer sheets in your dryer. They help keep clothing soft and static-free. But there are many other ways to use those same dryer sheets, especially when traveling in the RV.
Try using dryer sheets these 17 different ways. You’ll be impressed at all you can do with them!
Yesterday’s tip of the day: RV bathroom often underrated in buying process
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new Airstream Pottery Barn Special Edition Travel Trailer. As he reports, “To me, the interiors of Airstreams are a bit industrial, but that’s also what’s so unique about them. However, the folks at Pottery Barn have taken that interior feel and really added warmth to it that I think would make even RV DIYers stand up and take notice.” Learn more.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the 2022 Rockwood Geo Pro 20BHS Travel Trailer? 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, August 3, 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 three readers claimed their $25 Amazon gift card: Donna Roye of Colonial Heights, Virginia, Steve Hansen of Nashua, New Hampshire, and Lindy Kolthoff of Pittsburg, California.
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.
AMAZON DEALS OF THE DAY! BIG SAVINGS! CLICK
New column: Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook” as well as the Managing Editor of the RV Repair Club, a one-stop go-to online resource for RV enthusiasts. He is also the owner of Passport Media Creations, which has developed several RV dealer and safety training programs.
In Dave’s new column Monday-Saturday he’ll address a reader’s technical question with his expert advice. You’ll learn a lot!
Air conditioner unit works, then doesn’t. What gives?
Dear Dave,
We have a 2004 Jayco 5th wheel trailer with an air conditioner that cools and then waits a long time before it starts up again, leaving us cool then hot. We have asked our local RV dealer to help, but they say there is nothing they can do. Do you have any suggestions, or is this just the nature of the beast? —Gayle B.
Read Dave’s answer.
Did you miss Dave’s column in yesterday’s RV Daily Tips newsletter where he answered the question: Is it better to have the front of the trailer a bit too high or a bit too low?
How to add an instant bathtub to your shower
Some people are just plain creative. They see opportunities where others see obstacles (or more likely don’t see anything special at all). If you have a shower in your RV that doesn’t double as a bathtub and you crave a bath, then here’s a quick, simple way to allow your shower to do double-duty. This is so cool!
Yesterday’s featured article: This RV has its very own fire truck
“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 Rob Lewis and Rick Kiersey. Click on the link at the bottom of that page for a form where you can tell us why you love YOUR RV! Click here.
Reader poll
Have you had fewer colds since the Pandemic began?
Don’t cough, don’t sneeze! Tell us here.
????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
‘Tis the season where we could all probably benefit from this…
Quick Tip
Keep out the bad water, pardner
Before filling your rig’s fresh water tank, do what the old cowboys did before leading in the cattle: Take a sip and see what the water tastes like. You can put bad tasting water in your tank easily, but getting that bad taste out is a tough job!
Website of the day
Six unique places to camp in Florida State Parks
Florida is a beautiful state, and that means it’s a beautiful place to camp! Here are some of the best, and most unique, places to camp in Florida State Parks.
RVtravel.com Podcast Episode 18
Do you really need nitrogen in your tires?
That’s one of the topics on the RVTravel.com podcast this week. The RVtravel.com podcast is brought to you by SoftStartRV power management, Clear20 water filters and TearDropShop.com.
10 Best-selling products from Amazon on RVtravel.com in July
Here at RVtravel.com we recommend a lot of products to you. If we know something works for our RV or someone else’s RV, we tell you about it. Just about every Amazon ad you see on our website has been tested by one of our staff members or someone we know. If we think something doesn’t work, is poorly made, or is just boring, we won’t recommend it. We like cool stuff, exciting stuff, neat stuff! Here are the top 10 best-selling products on RVtravel.com from Amazon for July.
And the Survey Says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 1,500 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 70 percent never, or almost never, use a printed dictionary
• 73 do all, or almost all, their banking online. Only 5 percent do not have an online banking account.
• 20 percent shop at thrift shops very often
Recent poll: Did you hire an RV technician or inspector to check your RV before you bought it?
Recipe of the Day
Crock Pot Mango Chicken
by Sue L. from Cincinnati, OH
We love an easy Crock-Pot dinner recipe and this is a delicious one! The chicken is super juicy. Pouring the mildly sweet mango sauce on top adds a lovely flavor to the chicken. There’s a hint of curry flavor throughout but it’s not overpowering. We loved how it pairs with the mango. A simple meal.
Mmm! We want this for dinner! Get the recipe.
SEE YESTERDAY’S YUMMY RECIPE: Citrus & Feta Salad, Homemade Honey-Lime Dressing
Trivia
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports there are 15,150 RV technicians currently employed in the United States. While certification is not currently an industry requirement, fewer than 4,000 technicians hold a certification. And with many current technicians approaching retirement, the industry will continue to see a shortage of qualified workers.
*What does a 16th-century romance novel have to do with California’s name? The answer is fascinating. Find it in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“We just started camping Labor Day weekend of 2018. Ginger, the Brittany, was 9, and O’Malley, the Windsprite, was 4. They do very well in the camper and love the attention they get from people we meet while walking them.” —Marie Dalzell
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!
New, innovative way to explore campsites virtually
Now, “drive” through campgrounds virtually — just like with Google Street View. Explore campsites from all angles. See one you like? Click and reserve it right on the spot. Watch a demo. Learn more.
Leave here with a laugh
Thanks, Jean and Doug!
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
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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
I remember when we adopted our pom chi Lady. She was I believe 8 at the time. We took her on her first camping trip and was like what the blank is this? She hated it. Every time we got home she would jump on the sofa and curl into a corner looking at us like this is home not that metal box. She got over it and now loves it. The other 3 love it. Yes, we take 4 dogs camping. Seriously.
You are better than me. We have two dogs and had to sell our RV and get a bigger one. The dogs still lay where we need to walk, wake us before five and don’t want to go back to the house.
Today (Aug 3) is National Watermelon Day!!!
LOL. Must be great to have a simple world view. Good luck finding anything that’s not either made in China or contains parts made there.
500K Americans died primarily through our society (and unfortunately too many state leaders) being too selfish to mandate and follow simple public health protection measures.
Freedumb, ya know?
Your opinion obviously…..
You can find stuff not made in china. So here is a thought. That kidney diet your vets put them on? Only two can be found by the vet? Not true. There is forza 10 made by a vet in Italy and the wet stuff is made in Iceland. Hills and Purina have been on the recall list. So if you want your pets to die later? Get this stuff. IMO not yours.
Can I say AMEN!! From Texas and we have one of those “state leaders”! More dying every day cause of the anti-vaxers! Just don’t get it! Vax or die – which do you prefer??? Was an easy choice for this 73-year-old female!
Because of our Texas leader, you have a choice!
My brother in law is now on life support from issues caused by COVID-19. He was careful and avoided people but did not get the vaccine. It is possible if he had he could have still gotten COVID but may not have been as bad. But we just don’t know. No political agenda here. Just stating.
We’re so sorry to hear about your brother-in-law, Lynn. We wish him a complete recovery. And we wish you and your family strength and courage as you go through this very difficult time. –Diane
Sorry, you are giving false info .. my iZIP DS was assembled in California with a German made motor and controls as well as a a Panasonic Battery. Frame and rear drive made in U.S.
Yes, electric bikes should be made in the USA. But, let’s get real. MOST of the consumer goods in this country come from China. Do you folks not know this? Next time you’re on your walmart trip, look at the labels on EVERYTHING you buy. A few ebikes are the least of our worries.
Yes, for more proof, take a close look at the window sticker price sheet on any new “American” truck … Ford, Chevy, Ram, etc. It will list where the engine and transmission came from .. likely not the U.S.
My American made Anthem has a Cummins engine…..made in India
Agreed! Also, Rad eBikes are “made” (aka designed) in Seattle (Ballard!) but also manufactured in China. My Tern folding eBike is made in Taipei and you can’t get a better eBike anywhere. But the price is ridiculous.
I dont agree with your opinion on ‘what’s a few ebikes from China’
I was going to buy a Rad until I found out they come from China. They are expensive, and I would rather invest that money in USA made products.
The problem, as I see it, if you don’t buy stuff from China, you won’t be buying much.
How do you drain the swimming pool in the shower stall and not get water all over your camper? Shower drain is completely covered.
Dam, I was sold on the ” LECTRIC” bikes until I read where they were made! Just watched the video’s , read all the info. , was ready to buy, sad we can’t make here in the USA for a good price.
My problem with E-bikes is they are supposed to assist the rider, hills or getting home after time away exploring. Trouble is, folks are getting lazy, and forget to pedal their bikes.
Most legal ebikes are “pedaler” which means you have to give anywhere from some to a lot of pedal assistance. Some ebikes have throttles but are not allowed in most areas that have regulation.
I wish most of the commenters would actually speak with more than one ebike owner to get help make a fully informed decision.
Bill ~ you are correct. And there are other reasons for E-Bikes. My wife’s MS has left her with a permanently weak right leg, which meant she eventually had to give up bike riding . . .until E-bikes. She does fine on flat level but needs the extra assist on hills. It has nothing to do with being lazy.
We LOVE our ebikes from LECTRIC.COM. They also fold and easy to transport in our toad. They are made in Phoenix too! I am 68 and my husband 69. So much fun and has opened a new world for us.
We have the Lectric E bike coming as well, however, they are made in China and redistributed in AZ! Just an FYI.
True. Made in China. We love ours!
Did not know they were made in China. I am not happy.
Please name 10 everyday use items that were fully made in U.S. and then tell us the percentage of China made you own. I know in my case it is lower than 10% fully U.S. made. If you have a Dollar store near you .. look at where all the non-food items came from.
What is the answer to Saturday’s brain teaser? I missed it.
It was Re-Entered later in the day in Sunday’s edition. Go back to Sunday’s edition and scroll down to find the answer. I will tell you though, the answer is not white.
From the Sunday Newsletter: Black. The man in front knew he and the middle man aren’t both wearing white hats or the man in the back would have known he had a black hat (since there are only two white hats). The man in front also knows the middle man didn’t see him with a white hat because if he did, based on the tallest man’s answer, the middle man would have known he himself was wearing a black hat. So, the man in front knows his hat must be black.