Issue 1662
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.
If you shop at Amazon.com or Target.com please use these links. We get an itty bitty commission if you buy something, but they add up and help us pay our bills.
[activecampaign form=34]
Page Contents
Today’s thought
“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious” —Albert Einstein
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National S’mores Day.
On this day in history: 1960 – NASA launches Discoverer 13 satellite, the first object ever recovered from orbit.
Tip of the Day
Everything you need to know about cleaning your RV awning
Cleaning your RV’s awning is essential if you want it to look good and last a long time. If you clean your awning often, pull it in during bad weather, and fix small rips or tears right away when you notice them, you’ll extend the life of your awning. Awnings are expensive to replace, but if you take care of yours, it might last as long as you own your camper.
Follow these steps to clean your RV awning, protect it from damage, get rid of stains, and more.
Yesterday’s tip of the day: The importance of tire and wheel balancing
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2022 Off Grid Trailers Switchback series adventure trailers. As he reports, “Off Grid Trailers is a line of four trailers designed very specifically for the off-road community. … The ability to customize and configure these combined with the extreme off-roading design make this a very capable rig for those who really do live in the world of adventure.” Learn more.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the Black Series HQ21 overlanding 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 10, 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 enthusiast.
Advice needed about devices that repel rodents
Dear Dave,
We have rodents in the engine compartment and wonder if you have ever heard of or used Grid Guard or RatMat. —Linda
Read Dave’s reply, including tips for keeping critters out of the RV.
Did you miss Dave’s column yesterday where he discussed winterizing an RV’s water system?
What to do if your propane tank gets overfilled
By Heidi Bodette
Loving the RV Life
Has your RV propane tank ever been overfilled? Well, it happened to us in January. Here’s what we learned so you can help ensure it doesn’t happen to you. Read more.
Yesterday’s featured article: A tow vehicle that seats 18 – You haven’t seen this before!
Reader poll
Do you most often eat a big breakfast, light breakfast or no breakfast?
Put down your fork and tell us here.
What do RVtravel.com readers think?
“Have you ever been stuck in your RV during a storm so violent you feared for your safety?” That’s what we asked our readers recently. Of the nearly 1,900 readers who responded, how many would you guess have feared for their safety at such a time? 21 percent, 39 percent or 52 percent? Find out by clicking here.
Quick Tip
Buy cheap wiper blades
Experts advise that windshield wiper blades should be replaced every six months. If you agree with them, then when buying new blades, buy the cheaper $8 brands instead of the top-of-the-line brand at $20. In a year’s time, you’ll save $24. If you have extra large blades, the savings can be even bigger.
Website of the day
16 seriously cool art installations across the USA
These really are seriously cool, that’s for sure! Some of these don’t even look real…
RVtravel.com Podcast Episode 19
This week on the RVtravel.com podcast: a good start to the never-ending list of gripes, pet peeves, and annoyances … or are you “that guy?” 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.
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:
• 11 percent chew gum all the time
• 37 percent play Solitaire every day (or almost every day)
• For those in relationships, 50 percent say they are more adventurous than their partner (and only 15 percent say their partner is the more adventurous one).
Recipe of the Day
Salmon Fillet With Herb Pesto
by Marian Arbour from Newcastle, ON
The instructions and cooking time for this salmon are perfect. The final result is tender and juicy. We loved the flavor grilling adds to the salmon, but this could easily be baked in the oven. On top is a pesto that’s sweet and tangy. We opted to use pine nuts for the pesto but walnuts would be great too. You can use this pesto with any fish, chicken, or meat.
This sounds delicious and fresh! Get the recipe here.
SEE YESTERDAY’S YUMMY RECIPE: Rice Pudding
→ SIGN UP FOR THE RV KITCHEN group on Facebook.
????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
Wow, it’s not often you see something like this with SO many good reviews. If these are a problem in your RV, you surely need this.
Trivia
The average American throws away 70 pounds of clothes each year. And that’s just the average!
*According to national pest control company, Orkin, which U.S. city has the most mosquitoes? Betcha can’t guess! Find the answer in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Marley. Never knew how much joy a pet could bring in my life. She is absolutely amazing.” —Donald Fleming
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!
A thing that does all things!
This large silicone pad can be used in your microwave under hot bowls to pick them up, or on top of a dish as a splatter guard, on your table as a hot plate, a drying rack, or even as a jar opener. When it gets messy just toss it in the sink for a wash, or even put it in the dishwasher. Its affordable price makes it a great deal. Talk about a great multi-tasking gadget for your RV (or home) kitchen. Learn more or order.
Leave here with a laugh
What did the judge say to the dentist? “Pull my tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth.”
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.
Become a Member!
This newsletter is brought to you Monday through Friday by RVtravel.com and is funded primarily through voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you! IF YOU APPRECIATE THIS NEWSLETTER and others from RVtravel.com, will you please consider pledging your support? Learn more or contribute.
TODAY’S SPECIAL DEALS AT AMAZON! Click here to save.
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.
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.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
This newsletter is copyright 2021 by RVtravel.com
I just had heart surgery yesterday and to see my Marley as pet of the Day made my day.
Don F.
Wow! That’s great news, Donald! We wish you a complete and speedy recovery. We’re sure sweet Marley will take good care of you. 🙂 –Diane
Gonna have to show my wife that ‘Trivia’ section. She has an entire spare bedroom dedicated to clothes she bought that were worn a few times and she may wear again…. someday. To be fair, I have a chest of drawers full of t-shirts from places I visited in the Navy, but I can at least get those turned into a quilt.
I don’t play solitaire every day but I do indulge in Soduko every day. Both of these activities are good exercises for your brain
Found Michelin wiper blades cheap at Wal-Mart so at 8.99 every six months they get the heave ho. And carry a spare set with always.
The best wipers I’ve ever had are Piaa 95055 Super Silicone Wiper blades @$25 for 22″.
I’ll replace them when they stop working perfectly–not by some arbitrary time-based tip. AFAIK blades deteriorate from sun, heat, and smog so their life varies on where you live.
I use pipe insulation every time my motorhome is setting. It keeps the sun off the blades and they last longer. I forgot to take to pipe insulation off once when starting for a trip. I used the window washes and it cleaned the dust off to see better.
Marley is just the cutest dog. Just wanted to compliment this picture. Adorable.
Our pets bring so much joy.
RV Trip Wizard: VERY PLEASED. We have been using it for all of our trips this year. Especially pleased that it continues to work when in areas without cell phone coverage. You download to your phone the area maps.
To each their own…. I replace the wipers on my daily driver every 6 to 8 months. Yes I wash them and the car. Yes they still move water or snow. By this time they have lost the outer coating and chatter on the windshield or have micro tears leaving streaks and this drives me bonkers. It is worth replacing them at this point. I’m going a different direction as a test. Online you can buy the rubber inserts that have been precut for only a few dollars. This is what they do for commercial airliners, they only replace the rubber inserts. If it is good for a 60 million $ jet it will be good for my fleet of vehicles. So far it is working out well and I will hopefully avoid regularly tossing $30 wiper blades in the trash.
Airliner wipers are some of the worst wipers I’ve ever had to sit behind and use.
I, too, like using RV Trip Wizard. I only take a few short trips each year, but I like the way it stores the information for future use, and the way it downloads to my phone so I can use it in my truck. Along with RV Trip Wizard, I use Google Maps to get a real close, satellite look of the places where I need to pull in.
Agree with this. Also exported to Excel for an overall list. Made planning a 45 day trip much easier for fuel, stays and routes.
I disagree with the quick tip of the day. First, you get what you pay for. Secondly, if you protect the wipers when parked (covers, foam, fabric etc) then they last longer from being dried out. Lastly, for safety reasons, wipers are crucial to seeing ahead on rainy days! Cut your cost elsewhere, not on safety items. My opinion of course!
I agree, wipers are very important, not a bargain item.
Absolutely. Cheap wiper blades are false economy. My wife’s truck has expensive RainX blades that are several years old and still work just fine. We keep them clean and scrape the windshield before we use them. Clean vehicles work better, last longer.
Cheap =‘s lines skips. If you go cheap you might as well go without. Be safe. Spend the money.
$24. !!! Yikes!!! Go without lunch once a month.
Costco puts wiper blades on sale for $8.99 each twice a year. Cheap blades? Not on the west side of the Cascades.
Plus using Rain-X makes it easier for the wipers to clear the windshield.
I appreciate your inclusion of TERRO ant baits as the Mystery Product today. When my wife and I first started RVing in the 1990’s, we parked our rig on a pad at the side of the driveway, under an oak tree. The carpenter ants loved that! A drop or two of TERRO squeezed on several 3×5 cards and scattered several places throughout the RV and they finally left us alone.
Yes, they work well! We use the Terro at home also.
I agree, it’s a wonderful product. Been using it even before we were fulltime RVers.
We carry Amdro everywhere we go. When hiking we carry it. We have it in our truck and our trailer. We have it at home. The minute we spot ants we sprinkle some out – and BINGO – ants be gone!
We use the TERRO liquid only. The house style was a waste of money as the ants don’t crawl up on them. In 2 days the ants disappeared or get stuck in the liquid. We put the liquid in 3 places each time our motorhome will not be used for a week or more. they seem to not come back when we use the TERRO regularly. they must have gotten smart this is not the place to return to!