Issue 1668
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!).
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Page Contents
Today’s thought
“Your greatest self has been waiting your whole life; don’t make it wait any longer.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Fajita Day!
On this day in history: 1868 – French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovers helium.
Tip of the Day
Guidelines for RVing with pets for a safe and pawsitively fun experience
So, you have your first RV and are excited to hit the road? Congratulations! Have you thought about what to do with Fido and Fluffy? Your pets won’t be happy if you leave them behind. Boarding can be expensive and, face it, you’d miss your furry friends! Here are some things to consider before heading out on a long RV trip…
Yesterday’s tip of the day: Avoid disaster – Tighten those valve stems correctly!
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new Alu-Cab Canopy Pickup Camper. As he reports, “There’s not a lot to tell about these campers other than they’re a blank canvas that can turn mid-size pickups, including the Jeep Gladiator, into off-road campers. The combination of build quality and lightweight along with the ability to customize the camper to one’s preferences is a good combination.” Learn more.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the Lance Camper 1985 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 18, 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!
What’s the cost to repair a water-damaged floor?
Dear Dave,
The floor in our bedroom has rotted out due to moisture. The problem was fixed but we need the floor repaired. What is a ballpark figure cost-wise on doing this? Thanks. —Connie
Did you miss Dave’s column yesterday where he answered the question: Why won’t the furnace burner light in our Minnie Winnie?
A rewarding way to RV: Volunteer along the way
By Tim Slack
Growing up – and as grown-ups – my wife and I relished the outdoors: the mountains in California or Colorado, deserts in the Southwest, grasslands in the middle American states. Wherever we lived, we loved getting outside, whether day-hiking, backpacking for days or traveling with a small RV. As we planned our retirement, we wanted to continue to roam this country while giving back as an expression of our joy and appreciation of our public lands. Read more about this rewarding lifestyle.
Yesterday’s featured article: A four-story tall RV… literally
Reader poll
Do you carry a 30-amp or 50-amp extension cord in your RV?
We’re ex-static to hear your answer. Please tell us here.
????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
This is something that would make a great gift. After looking through it you’re going to want one for yourself too.
Helpful resources
• CURRENT WILDFIRE REPORT
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
• LATEST RV RECALLS
• DIRECTORY OF RV PARKS WITH STORM SHELTERS
Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.
Quick Tip
Keep your dogs away from wildlife
Harassment of wildlife by dogs is becoming an increasingly impactful issue. Wildlife will generally flee when chased by a dog, wasting precious calories at best, losing young to a dog, or being killed by the dog at worst. If the dog chases a moose, there is a good chance the moose will fight the dog or severely injure the owner as the dog comes running back to the owner. You may think that if your unleashed dog jumps a deer it is no big deal, but this has a cumulative impact on wildlife, due to increased disturbance during critical time periods, particularly winter and when animals give birth. There are many more people with dogs off-leash in parks, open space and national forests, so please keep your dog on a leash to minimize those impacts. — Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer Scott Murdoch
“Why I love my RV”
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, RVtravel.com readers tell in their own words why they love their RVs.
From Ron Seidl
“When I go into my RV, the best thing is all the memories of places we have gone and things we have seen. Our RV makes it so easy to travel and get out in the world and away from all the pressures and needy things around the home. Of course, it has a great bed, all the creature comforts we need to live, and all the flexibility to go wild or stay in a high-end park. But just sitting in it makes me relax and feel great.”
Website of the day
9 Scenic Canada Road Trips Within 2 Hours of the U.S. Border
Woohoo! Canada is open! Celebrate by taking a day trip (or a several-night trip) to these beautiful places within just two hours of the border. Sounds pretty nice, eh?
Firearms laws guide updated for 2021
The 2021 updated edition of the Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States has recently been published. The book is always a best-seller among RVers, many of whom carry a firearm. The annual guidebook helps ensure they stay out of trouble when crossing state lines. What’s legal in one state may be a felony in another. More than 100 updates from last year. Learn more or order.
RVtravel.com Podcast Episode 20
How an impending divorce led to a full-time RV journey for the RV Odd Couple, 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.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• A positive spin on our Crowded Campgrounds feature
• Video: Terrifying collision between snowplow and truck
• Are toxic chemicals in your RV making you sick?
Recipe of the Day
Fajita Dip
by Karen Sills from Harrisville, MS
Next time you’re going to make a seven-layer dip, think again. Try this fantastic fajita dip. The fajita seasoning mixed with chopped chicken and veggies really tastes like fajitas from a Mexican restaurant. A cool and creamy cream cheese layer adds an element of tanginess to the dip. Guacamole and cheese make everything better. This is going to be a huge hit at your next gathering!
It’s National Fajita Day, and we like this twist on a classic recipe! Get it here.
SEE YESTERDAY’S YUMMY RECIPE: Canned Salmon Patties (The Best)
Pocket-sized pain and bug bite itch relief balm is good to have!
This small anti-itch and pain balm is good to keep in your pocket or purse any time you’re around pesky mosquitoes. It’s an all-natural balm made with essential oils that helps relieve pain and reduce swelling. It also helps with spider bites and bee stings. Learn more or order. And see other bug-bite relief and prevention options in this article.
Trivia
The 10 activities that contributed most to U.S. lightning fatalities between 2006 and 2020 were: 1: Fishing; 2: Beach activities; 3: Camping; 4: Farming and ranching; 5: Riding a bicycle, motorcycle or ATV; 6: Boating; 7: Social gatherings; 8: Roofing; 9: Headed to and from or waiting for a vehicle; 10: Yard work.
*What’s the secret behind not getting a Post-It note to curl? We told you in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Sadie was rescued from a shelter in Mississippi on our first RV trip south, and was housebroken in the camper. She likes to hang out in the cushy inflatable kayak on land, but wouldn’t be caught dead on an actual canoe ride.” —Rebecca Niese
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!
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 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.
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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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Our folding bikes are stored in 40 gallon totes. Easier to put in the truck, also store chargers, helmets and other accessories in there.
I learned two important things this morning, I learned why a lot of journalists seem to write about things they known nothing about and don’t bother to research the topic, they’re half drunk. And being an old farm boy and dealing with domesticated animals who give birth in the spring, I learned from a CO Ranger that wild animals give birth in the dead of winter so the young prove how tough they are. DUH!! (This could be another one of those journalist stories) lol!
The ranger’s words were ‘particularly winter AND when animals give birth’, not ‘winter WHEN they give birth’. Might be a good idea to ensure your critique is valid before you post.
Can’t recall ever seeing any occupied bird nests in the dead of winter. But hey, you talked with someone, so I guess I’m just not looking hard enough.
👍👍 up for the Waggle Pet Monitor! It was a little bit worrisome leaving our dog alone in the rig but not with Waggle. A loss of power triggers a text message and as soon as power is restored another text message. Any rise in temperature (above our preset high temperature) triggers a text message. A little piece of mind goes a long way!
I do not own a dog, and generally I do not care for the barking at everything and everyone.
However, I like the fact that dogs need to be walked, and that gets campers out of the RV’s for a while, turn off the TV get out of the lounge chair. The other fact i learned at Mesa Verde campground is where there are dogs, the bears stay away. The deer and other critters visit, and will not go away.
Donald N Wright I know for a fact that not all dogs bark at anything and everything. Those dogs are NOT the norm and I wish you non-dog owners (and maybe haters) would quit blaming ALL of us for the FEW!
Wow, his post offended you? I’m a dog lover and it didn’t bother me a bit. That is the problem in our country today, it seems something is offending somebody all the time.
How IS “Pooky” this morning?
As is often said, blame the owner, not the breed. Dogs need training, discipline and a steady hand to prevent them from barking their heads off. Our Dutch Shepherd is very well behaved, but our 16 month old German Shepherd, well…. he’s still in that Velociraptor stage – but we are working on him.
We were there for a few day and saw no wildlife at all and we had 3 dogs with us. We keep ours leashed but still nothing but a bright and blue clear ski and weather brilliant.
We love all animals. Most of our travels revolve around seeing wildlife.
Pets are not the issue, it’s the owners.
We were in Estes Park for July. Two neighbors had multiple dogs that started barking while owners were getting into the car to leave, never stopped until they returned, hours later. Never barked while their folks were home. “Oh, MY dog never barks!”
Several times in RMNP we saw people jump out of their car to view a roadside animal, with many other people around them, with a dog on a leash, that immediately started barking at the wildlife.”Oh look, Pooky, at the pretty moose!”
I’ve had owners stand before me and talk(Yell) over their dog barking without any corrective action, or apology.
Who raised these people?
“Who raised these people?” Their dogs, of course.