Issue 1659
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
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” —Mae West
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Walk Like a Dog Day. Or, if you don’t want to look silly, it’s also National Underwear Day. You choose!
On this day in history: 1962 – Actress Marilyn Monroe is found dead in her home in Los Angeles lying nude on her bed, face down, with a telephone in one hand. Empty bottles of pills, prescribed to treat her depression, were littered around the room. After a brief investigation, Los Angeles police concluded that her death was “caused by a self-administered overdose of sedative drugs and the mode of death is probable suicide.”
Tip of the Day
Gray water tank can smell more than black. Here’s why and what to do about it
By Nanci Dixon
Who knew I could get so excited about flushing the gray and black water tanks? Okay, I know it is a bit odd, but as the designated tank flusher I am happy when the “gunk” comes out. While I am diligent about flushing out the black water with the built-in flush system, there was no built-in system for the gray water. When I complained to our RV tech about the smell when driving, he said that the gray water can smell worse than the black.
Why? Well, find out here.
Yesterday’s tip of the day: Be weight- and space-efficient in your RV kitchen
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2022 Cherokee Wolf Pup 14CC, a tiny but mighty trailer. As he reports, “Overall this is a nifty little camper. Its narrow body and light weight make it a good choice for some people who simply don’t want a larger camper or can’t tow a larger trailer. The entry door at the rear means this could almost serve as a toy hauler of sorts, able to stow a bicycle, perhaps, or other adventure gear.” Learn more.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the 2022 Alliance Avenue 32RLS Fifth Wheel? 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 5, 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.
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!
I’m looking for a sun visor for my RV. What’s the one you use?
Dear Dave,
I recently watched the video you did for the RV Repair Club about driving an RV. During the video, the angle of the camera showed a movable visor that looked like a well-designed and useful item. Can you tell us the make and model of this visor? I have searched several times for a visor for our Winnebago, but the one in the RV you were driving appeared to be both stable and flexible in its placement. Hope you can help… —Ed
Continue reading to see what Dave suggests.
Did you miss Dave’s column yesterday where he answered the question: If my slide outs are motor-driven, which parts should I lube? Click here.
A DEET-free mosquito and tick repellent … that works!
If you’re one of those people that mosquitoes love (we all know at least one person like this), this product is for you. A very impressive number of five-star reviews. This awesome DEET-free insect repellent works for mosquitoes, ticks, black flies and fleas. Keep this one handy, folks. As RVers, there’s a good chance you’ll probably need this. It’s safe for kids and infants too! Learn more or order here.
The award for the RV with the coolest paint job EVER goes to…
Wow! Have you ever seen an RV like this? We don’t know who painted it, or who it belongs to, but we want to find out so we can hire them! Pretty neat, eh? Check it out!
Yesterday’s featured article: The truth about Butt Wipes and RV holding tanks
“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 Dietrich Kanzler and Neal Davis. 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.
30-AMP AND 50-AMP RV EXTENSION CORDS! Be prepared when the power pedestal is out of reach of your built-in cord. Click.
Reader poll
How many miles would you estimate you’ve traveled with an RV in your adult life?
Count ’em up (in your head, of course) and tell us here.
Did you miss yesterday’s Full-Time RVer Newsletter? If so, catch up here.
Quick Tip
A better use for dishwater
Reader Thelma T. saw a tip about keeping plenty of water in your black water tank. Thelma says, “A tip I saw and have shared often is to place a plastic dish pan in the kitchen sink for washing dishes. When done, dump the dishwater down the toilet. This not only adds water to the black tank, it helps decrease odors and also frees space in the gray tank for showers.” Thanks, Thelma!
Website of the day
America’s 15 Best Farmers’ Markets
Get out and buy some peaches, plums, nectarines and berries while you can – they’re going to be gone soon! Here are the 15 best farmers’ markets across the country. Did someone say roasted corn?
RVtravel.com Podcast Episode 18
Has your trailer been recalled? 87,000 Jaycos were. Find out which ones, this week on the RVtravel.com podcast. The RVtravel.com podcast is brought to you by SoftStartRV power management, Clear20 water filters and TearDropShop.com.
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:
• 76 percent of people do not have any bumper stickers on their RV or tow vehicle
• 59 percent let their pets sleep on their bed with them at night
• Only 8 percent mail postcards to friends or family very often. 59 percent can’t recall mailing a postcard in years. You should – it’s fun!
Recent poll: Do you favor staying in a Good Sam RV park over one that’s not affiliated?
Fix it in Foil! Tasty Recipes. Easy cleanup!
Easy prep, great taste, good nutrition, quick clean-up! “Fix it in Foil” includes 51 fantastic recipes to make in foil — plus instructions for cooking in an oven, on an outdoor grill, or on a campfire. Fix it in foil and forget about scrubbing pots and pans. And, with plenty of substitution suggestions, enjoy a whole new list of recipe possibilities! Great for RVing! Learn more or order.
Recipe of the Day
Wimpy Mac
by Linda Hall from Summerville, SC
We absolutely loved the ease of making this delicious macaroni and cheese in the pressure cooker. The noodles are cooked to perfection; the sweet peppers and onions become nice and tender. Browned sausage adds a lovely savory flavor and a hint of spice. Mix in the cheese and you have a perfect, gooey mac and cheese.
Jeez, this doesn’t sound wimpy at all! Get the recipe here.
SEE YESTERDAY’S YUMMY RECIPE: Homemade Chicken Hot Pockets
Trivia
TomTom’s Worldwide Traffic Index measures automotive traffic and urban congestion in 416 countries on 6 continents. The most congested city is Moscow, with a congestion rank of 54 percent. Tied for second place worldwide at 53 percent are Mumbai, India; Bogota, Columbia; and Manila, Philippines. Vancouver, B.C., ranks 52nd worldwide with a congestion level of 30 percent. Los Angeles, at 27 percent, ranks 88th worldwide. New York ranks 102nd at 26 percent, with Miami ranking 141st at 23 percent.
*What was the first year advertisers spent more on digital advertising than TV advertising?
A.) 2015; B.) 2017; or C.) 2020. The answer is in yesterday’s trivia.
????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
If you like to spend time in the kitchen, there’s no way you DON’T want one of these. And this one is RV-sized!
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Harley had never met a human he did not like. Lovable and always has a ‘happy face!’ He is 5 years old and 125 pounds of puppy!” —Howard Malpass
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!
Run your RV A/C with only normal household power. Yes, it’s possible!
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. Associate editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editor: Russ and Tiña De Maris. Senior writers: Nanci Dixon, Tony Barthel, Mike Gast. 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.
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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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Putting dishwashing water down the toilet with dish soap will kill any enzyme blackwater tank treatment that you put in to break down the waste. Bad idea.
but maybe okay if you’re about to hit the road and have a partially full tank? sloshes around, then can empty and flush when you get there? Add more enzyme stuff then?
The rankings for most congested cities must not have been in LA during rush hour; 6 lanes of traffic each way, dead stopped (except for motorcycles driving legally down the lane markers), BOTH WAYS, for miles!
Not enough liquid in the black water tank always seems to be a problem. Is there a way to divert the grey water into the black water tank when dumping the tanks?
Funny you asked…….
I have a gate valve installed on the end of my dump connection at the RV. After emptying the black tank, I LEAVE OPEN the RV black tank valve and CLOSE the external gate valve. Then I OPEN the grey valve and the water from the grey tank fills up the black tank. After a few minutes, I close the grey valve and OPEN the eternal valve, and VOILA, the grey water comes out of the black tank. I do this again, and now the black tank has been flushed with the grey water. Really easy.
Doing this can also help unplug the black tank pipe if needed. You can use the grey water several times as the two tank levels will equalize.
EXACTLY what I do…
What sized tanks do you have that you can fill up the black water tank twice from the gray water tank? The spec sheet on every RV I’ve seen lately both tanks are usually about the same size? Just curious!
Why not just put a half cup of dishwasher detergent down a kitchen drain….,turn a faucet on and fill the grey water tank then open gate valve. Been doing it this way for years. So much easier.
That’s way too simple! A capitalistic society needs to be consumer driven.
*Buy it here
; )
Leave here with a laugh. – I feel like I’ve been on that road.
Re: Today’s quick tip. Great idea. Why not? Less waste. I’ve seen where some European RVs use gray water to flush. I can’t think of a reason to not use gray water to flush, as long as it’s only water and not food scraps from a garbage disposal.
I have seen, somewhere, perhaps here or on YouTube, an RV mod to add a water pump and water line to pull water from the grey tank to feed the toilet flush. It includes a valve to switch between using fresh or grey water, for those times when your grey doesn’t yet contain enough water. Pretty slick idea. And that soapy water has to help clean the toilet and grey tank along the way.
When showering in the RV, we run the initial cold water from the hot waterline into the toilet. This is until it gets warm enough for showering. Black tank is bigger than grey tank.
Or, as a lot of RVers do, store cold water in a container to use for next flush. Saves on water usage and Black tank capacity.
We do this too and it also helps with the fact that we always seem to need more water in the black tank even after a week of camping.