Issue 1667
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 we’d appreciate you using this link. We get an itty bitty commission if you buy something, but they add up and help us pay our bills (including our hard-working writers!).
[activecampaign form=34]
Page Contents
Today’s thought
“Most people die with their music still locked up inside them.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Thrift Shop Day!
On this day in history: 1807 – Robert Fulton’s North River Steamboat leaves New York City for Albany, New York, on the Hudson River, inaugurating the first commercial steamboat service in the world.
Tip of the Day
Avoid disaster – Tighten those valve stems correctly!
By Nanci Dixon
I was adding air to the motorhome tires and was turning and turning the valve stem cap when I realized the cap wasn’t coming off. The stem itself was unscrewing! I figured it out just in the nick of time before I unscrewed the stem all the way. I hurriedly turned it back in, held the stem and got the cap off and added air. Continue reading this brief but important tip.
Yesterday’s tip of the day: Unlimited uses for coffee filters in your RV.
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new Lance Camper 1985 Travel Trailer. As he reports, “I was surprised just how many features there were on this trailer, considering the size. … Lance products are not inexpensive but they are one of my favorites. For a lot of really useful features in a small package, this is a tough one to beat.” Learn more.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the 2021 Grand Design Solitude 310GK series 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 17, 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: Donna Ziegler of Mt. Vernon, Indiana.
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. He is also the owner of Passport Media Creations, which has developed several RV dealer and safety training programs.
In Dave’s column Monday-Saturday he’ll address a reader’s technical question with his expert advice. You’ll learn a lot!
Why won’t the furnace burner light in our Minnie Winnie?
Dear Dave,
We own a 2020 Minnie Winnie and pretty much love it. First couple of AZ winter uses the furnace worked perfectly. Now we are on an extended cross-country road trip and while in Colorado at high altitude we attempted to take the morning chill off with the furnace. The thermostat and blower fan seem fine but the burner does not fire up. Because of the young age of this unit I am wondering if it has a recall or bulletin on the furnace. TIA for any insight. —Don
Did you miss Dave’s column yesterday where he answered the question: Gray water tank gurgles. What’s wrong?
A four-story tall RV… literally
Ever wonder what it would be like to live in a treehouse? What about a treehouse-RV combo? Or what would it be like to live in a four-story RV? Well, whoever built this doesn’t have to wonder anymore. Check this out!
Yesterday’s featured article: Warning! Don’t park in a wash!
Reader poll
How often do you send a text message?
Text us, er, tell us here.
Quick Tip
Save money on propane
Here’s an easy way to save money on propane from the “So tight he squeaks when he walks” department: Turn off your oven pilot light when not in use. Save propane = save money.
10 Best-selling products from Amazon on RVtravel.com last month
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.
Website of the day
The best thrift store in every state
Since it’s National Thrift Store Day we thought you should celebrate! This list from Insider shows you the best thrift store in each state, and some of them look incredible!
RVtravel.com Podcast Episode 20
Colorado’s governor Jared Polis rolls out the welcome mat for RV travelers 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 30-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:
• 56 percent own a record player and use it sometimes or often.
• Out of a list of options, the highest number of voters, 33 percent, said American cuisine was their favorite, followed by Mexican (25 percent), Italian (20 percent) and Chinese (9 percent).
• When washing their hands, 60 percent say they first wet their hands before adding soap.
????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
Oh, jeez. These are cute. These are reallllll cute. And, also, could be quite useful…
Recipe of the Day
Canned Salmon Patties (The Best)
by Nancy J. Patrykus from Spokane, WA
We really liked this salmon patty recipe. It’s super easy to make, which is always a bonus. Fresh veggies add flavor and a bit of texture to the patties. The flavor of salmon is really the star, so if you love salmon this recipe is for you. No one will ever guess it was canned. We loved the crust and flavor frying in butter creates. Nancy gave several serving options. We opted for fresh lemon and a little bit of dill. Yum!
We want one of these as a burger – Mmm! Get the recipe here.
SEE YESTERDAY’S YUMMY RECIPE: Asparagus Chicken Wraps
Trivia
If you peel a Post-It note horizontally it won’t curl up. Most people peel a Post-It note straight up, causing the paper to curl. Don’t do that. Try peeling it off horizontally – it works!
*What’s so special about dragonflies killing other insects? An amazing statistic, that’s what! We told you in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Rocky is 14 years old and has been traveling with us since he was a baby! We go on extended trips and he’s always ready to jump in his carrier and get in the truck!” —Sue Heyde
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!
Make those wheels sparkle!
When was the last time you actually noticed your wheels and hubcaps? Probably not recently because we’re guessing they’re covered in dust, dirt, oil and grime. This amazing Sonax Wheel Cleaner will make them sparkle again. Its acid-free, ph-balanced formula won’t damage a thing. Just spray it on, watch it clean right before your eyes, and wipe it off. It’s that easy! Learn more or order for a great (and worth-it) price.
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.
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.
Join us: Facebook • Twitter • YouTube
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 Solberg, Dave Helgeson, Janet Groene, Julianne Crane, Chris Guld, Machelle James, James Raia, Kate Doherty, J.R. Montigel, Clint Norrell, Darian Armer 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
Four story camper. HIgh wind, un-secure cables, too small a footprint for the wood, etc. etc. What could go wrong?
Do propane appliances even have pilot lights anymore? Looking at several manufacturers sites, they all seem to have ‘Electronic/DSI/Pulse’ ignition. My 2007 Georgetown Class A has one pilot, in the oven. The range top used a ‘click’, BBQ style ignitor (which I’m assuming is the Pulse type’) and since we rarely use the oven, we never light the pilot. If you are going to be boondocking in a cooler clime, I can see leaving the oven pilot lit, as the space stays a bit warmer and may keep the furnace from cycling on as often.
Pilot lights, on any appliance will account for about ten percent of the usage.
We have finally done some remodel with the trailer but now we are planning on getting a new water heat thing that is electric and propane. I know the jayco has the atwood and we have the suburban which sucks because we have to wait on the water heater to get a good shower in. With the jayco we had endless hot water. So that is the last thing we need done and good to go for the next summer. Otherwise looking at the end of summer and one more camping trip and done. Sad….
Save money on propane…
Fill at a full service home delivery supplier not ‘convenience’ places like truck stops, campgrounds, or the 2nd best (usually) TSC.
Current prices (filled last week)
TSC $3.89 gallon
My fav home supplier $1.79 gal
Saved almost $40. Shout out to Hamilton Propane Ortonville MI.
Note: make sure your local uses the cleanest grade propane. My experience has been some suppliers propane burns much cleaner than others. Just ask them. Some will tell you it is all the same, others will tell you what sub grades are available in your area.
“Go camping, they said”. Even following the Bear-Muda triangle at Philmont, a bear dumped his load in the night over near our tents, reminding us it is his forest !
Who has a pilot light?
Yep, had to chuckle at that one.
Had a “huh, what” moment. Thought that sounded funny, lol!
We do on a Wedgewood Vision. If you’re that cheap not to run a pilot light you must have a stroke to fill up your gas/diesel tank.
My 1999 Winnebago had one for the oven!
Snoopy
Rocky is a pretty boy!