Issue 1661
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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As seen in yesterday’s Sunday edition:
90 seconds of wisdom from our podcast host. Click to play.
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Page Contents
Today’s thought
“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Rice Pudding Day!
On this day in history: 1910 – The first complete, self-contained electric washing machine is patented.
Did you see the news? Click here to read the latest issue of the Sunday News for RVers.
Tip of the Day
The importance of tire and wheel balancing
By Steven Fletcher
To get optimum tire performance from your RV tires, the weight of the tire and wheel assembly must be balanced. Out-of-balance tires tend to cup and wear excessively at the heavy spot. Wheel balancing should be performed when:
• Tires are mounted on wheels;
• A tire and wheel are moved to another position; or
• A flat has been repaired or replaced.
Tire rotation patterns
Every motorhome and trailer is unique, so consult your owner’s manual for rotation recommendations for your vehicle. If the tires on your vehicle show uneven wear, ask your tire professional for advice.
Read more about wheel alignment, routine tire inspections, cleaning RV tires and step-by-step cleaning instructions. Click here.
Three most popular articles from yesterday’s newsletter:
• Are RVs really in short supply? We have some answers.
• RV Review: 2022 Grand Design Transcend Xplor 231RK
• First mileage towing tests with the F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid
+ VERY POPULAR IN PAST WEEK: Gray water can smell worse than black tank
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new Black Series HQ21 overlanding trailer. He says, “There are absolutely things on this rig which I wish American travel trailer manufacturers would copy. …These trailers are very interesting to me and I like some of the components used here, obviously.” Learn more.
Reviews from this weekend:
• 2022 Grand Design Transcend Xplor 231RK
• 2021 Heartland Big Country 3703RK Fifth Wheel
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 9, 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 $20 Amazon Gift Cards: Michael Hampton of Salt Lake City, Utah, Frank Aiello of Danvers, Massachusetts, and Wayne Kinstad of Sioux Falls, 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.
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.
Winterizing the RV’s water system
Dear Dave,
There’s a lot of confusion over winterizing. What’s the true danger of damage from freezing pipes?
– Some just drain and blow out the water supply pipes with compressed air.
– Some add antifreeze to traps, others don’t because there’s room for water to expand in the trap.
– Some fill the water supply pipes with antifreeze after draining and/or blowing them out. …
Continue reading the reader’s question and Dave’s tips for winterizing the RV’s water system here.
Did you miss Dave’s column on Saturday where he responded to a reader with this concern: “I have constant problems with my Schwintek slide out. Help!”
Tired of dragging along a big, heavy generator?
Why drag around a heavy generator and smelly gas cans if you only need extra power occasionally? Use your vehicle anywhere for portable power with a lightweight CarGenerator! Runs quietly, like your vehicle idling. Similar fuel consumption as a portable gas generator. Works just like the new Ford Pro Power (non-hybrid) onboard generator but using the vehicle you already own! Read Mike Sokol’s comparison of Ford onboard generator versus CarGenerator or learn more and get a special RVtravel.com discount at CarGenerator.com.
RV Electricity – This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session
“Ball of Confusion” – new USB-C connectors in cars
Dear Mike,
I know you’re a computer guy in addition to being an electrical guy, so here’s a quick question for you. I just bought a Volkswagen ID.4 Electric Vehicle exactly like the one VW loaned you, so perhaps you’ve figured this out already. How do I plug in my Apple cell phone to charge? I’ve asked the sales guy at the dealership and he seemed clueless. I did find a cigarette lighter port all the way in the back by the hatchback, but my cell phone charger won’t reach. So how do I make this work? —Larry the cable guy
• Join Mike’s Facebook group, RVelectricity.
• Read more of Mike’s articles here.
Downsizing The Family Home: What to Save, What to Let Go
Whether you’re downsizing to RV full-time or for other reasons, this best-selling AARP book will guide you through the process, from opening that first closet, to sorting through a lifetime of possessions, to selling your home. The author helps you create a strategy and mindset to accomplish the task quickly and rewardingly, both practically and emotionally. Learn more or order.
A tow vehicle that seats 18 – You haven’t seen this before!
It’s a school bus … it’s a fifth wheel … it’s a bus-wheel! Ever seen anything like this before? We found this on the CampingRoadTrip.com Facebook page, but we’d love to know who owns this. Now the real question … Can the fifth wheel sleep all 18 bus passengers? See it here.
Reader poll
Which seat on an airliner do you prefer?
Get your boarding pass ready and tell us here.
????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
The amount of good reviews this has is impressive. And this could save you literally hundreds of dollars… and hours! Check it out.
Quick Tip
A few short miles can save $$$ on gas or diesel
Prices on gas and diesel vary among states depending on tax rates. If you’re planning an interstate drive or live or are traveling close to a state border, check gasprices.aaa to see if fuel is cheaper just across the border. For example, filling up for $2.92 a gallon in Arizona instead of $3.71 in California would save you $15.60 on 20 gallons.
“Why I love my RV”
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we’ll post what RVtravel.com readers tell in their own words why they love their RVs. (Please tell us what’s special about yours.)
From Paul Bostwick
2007 Fleetwood Expedition
“Our motorhome has a full side slide on the driver’s side and a bedroom slide. When parked, it’s just like a small apartment with plenty of room to move around in. But best of all, it’s paid for!”
Roll-up drying rack saves precious kitchen space
It’s almost like this was designed for RVs! This roll-up stainless steel drying rack rolls out right over the top of your sink. No more taking up room on the countertop with a bulky drying rack. This is brilliant! When you’re not using it as a drying rack, it can also be used as a colander to wash fruit and veggies, or as a non-slip trivet mat for hot pots and pans. Learn more or order.
Website of the day
OpenTable
OpenTable is the largest restaurant reservation website in the country, so there’s a good chance you already know about it. But here’s a trick you might not know: At the top, enter your desired dining date and time, how many people are in your party, and location, and every restaurant in your area with an available reservation will pop up. Now that’s helpful!
RVtravel.com Podcast Episode 19
Dog poop! And other annoyances your fellow RVers and their pets create … or do you? That’s one of the topics 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.
Listen to a 40-second clip of the episode
Listen to the full episode here.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Peek inside luxury RV storage facilities and buy a unit for $366,120
• Dirty RV windshield? Here’s a quick cleaning tip
• Video: Don’t let moose lick your RV!
Recipe of the Day
Rice Pudding
by J. White Harris from Gallatin, TN
Member’s Choice! Rice pudding is an old-fashioned dish that’s pure comfort food. This rice pudding recipe is sweet and creamy thanks to the condensed milk. It adds just enough sweetness and is the perfect combination with the cinnamon. The starchy rice and milk thicken up perfectly. IF someone says they don’t like rice pudding, serve them a bowl of this. It will convert them to a fan.
It’s National Rice Pudding Day, so make this and celebrate! Here’s the recipe.
Recipes from this weekend:
• Chili Mac My Way
• Fried Green Tomato BLT Sandwich
→ SIGN UP FOR THE RV KITCHEN group on Facebook.
Tape it to the limit…
Rather than an adhesive, this type of tape fuses to itself. It makes a totally waterproof seal that can be used to repair the insulation on electrical wiring in the field. It has all kinds of other emergency uses advertised such as a quick fix for a leaking radiator hose, so it certainly deserves a place in your RV toolbox since it’s a multi-tasking piece of equipment that could save your bacon. Learn more or order.
Trivia
Los Angeles has landed the number one spot on national pest control company Orkin’s Top 50 Mosquito Cities List, beating out Atlanta, which previously held the top rank for seven consecutive years. Three new worst cities for mosquitoes broke into the list this year are all in the West Coast — Seattle, San Diego and Fresno.
SECRET PHRASE: Willie had a duck named Bonnie.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Any time we make a trip in the motor home Henry is ready to go and will be the first one aboard. Loves to watch where we are going down the road.” —William Johnson
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!
Pet owners: Here are a few excellent resources to find a veterinarian while on the road. Keep this handy!
The perfect gift for the special RVin’ lady in your life…
If you really want to make your special someone’s day, this earring and necklace combo is the perfect gift to do just that! (Or, ladies, you can just buy this adorable combo for yourself!) We think all the ladies of the RVtravel.com staff need this… Chuck? Learn more or order here (trust us, you’ll get major brownie points).
Leave here with a laugh
A whale swims all day, only consumes fish and water, and is fat. A rabbit only eats vegetables, runs and hops all day long, and only lives 5 years. Meanwhile, a tortoise doesn’t run and does nothing energetic, yet it lives for 100 years. And you tell me to eat well and exercise! I don’t think so!
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RVtravel.com Staff
Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Editor: Emily Woodbury. Associate editor: Diane McGovern. Senior editors: 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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There is a store bought rice pudding that I absolutely adore. I have never been able to make it right myself. So I go there. I was told when downsizing create a few boxes for your children called memory boxes. So when they move out the box goes with them. Then when they are on their own going thru their things they can find something that will remind them of home. I just finished cleaning out the study. Boxes of stuff that I tossed or saved for our daughter. Who knows maybe we might start something. We will keep the brick and mortar home but travel full time. I am taking off next year by myself because hubby cannot retire yet.
I’d like to know the size of the family that tows an RV with a bus! Looks like a great rig.
If you like the rice pudding, try the Indian version – Kheer. It’s similar, but made with cardamom pods.
We actually bought the washer/dryer mentioned above for our Class A. It didn’t fit into the wash/dryer closet and the hoses were on the wrong side. We had to return it. We ended up purchasing a hand crank and a spinner.
As I age I am becoming more like tortoise, or maybe a turtle because I still love the water.