Issue 1676
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
“Rules for happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Toasted Marshmallow Day!
On this day in history: 1916 – Ernest Shackleton completes the rescue of all of his men stranded on Elephant Island in Antarctica. (There’s a wonderful book about this incredible story.)
Did you see the news? Click here to read the latest issue of the Sunday News for RVers.
Tip of the Day
Campground neighbors too close? Create privacy with a DIY screen
By Nanci Dixon
This week I came across an RV decked out with a portable DIY privacy screen, lights, and a decorated patio. It goes way beyond a mat and a lawn chair at your average campsite!
The owner had just sold her house, bought a trailer, went full-time and brought her plants with her. She has created a private spot that not only offers privacy but also makes the site her very own. The screen is laced with artificial vines (find these here) and folds flat for easy storage in a bay. The other plants are all real and ride safely in the trailer during transport.
Decorate your site with a DIY privacy screen, add lights, plants and a patio mat to create your own unique space.
Read more and see photos of this amazing setup. You’ll want to create one for yourself!
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2022 Newmar New Aire 3543 Class A Diesel Pusher. The full paint and interior of this rig are exquisite, but is it worth owning a diesel pusher for? See what Tony thinks in today’s review.
Reviews from this weekend:
• 2021 K-Z RV Durango Gold 391RKQ Fifth Wheel
• Ford Transit Connect Nugget
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 30, 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: Ruth Ann Foore of Toledo, Ohio, David Needham of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Greg Allen of Pasco, Washington.
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.
• TEARDROP SHOP, your one-stop resource for parts, gear and accessories for small travel trailers including T@B and Little Guy. Click here.
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 addresses a reader’s technical question with his expert advice. You’ll learn a lot!
LP stove and oven won’t light. Why not?
Dear Dave,
I have a problem with the oven and top burners in my Imagine travel trailer. Neither will light, either by sparker switch or manually by use of a lighter. No gas is reaching the oven pilot either. All other gas appliances are normal and work fine. Could there be a valve behind the stove in-line blocking the gas supply? —Leon
Did you miss Dave’s column on Saturday where he answered the question: All our lights keep going out, but our appliances work! What gives?
RVelectricity – This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session
with Mike Sokol
Emergency generator CO poisoning reminder
Just in the last few days I’ve received a ton of emails about how to connect a portable generator to your bricks-and-sticks house during a power outage. Of course, this is due to Hurricane Ida, which will have struck in full force by the time you read this on Monday.
While I’ve been covering all the electrical issues surrounding powering your house with a portable generator, CarGenerator, your RV’s built-in generator, or even a Ford F-150 PowerBoost’s generator, this JAM session will be about the dangers of CO (carbon monoxide) poisoning due to running ANY generator nearby or even inside of your house. Continue reading this important reminder.
• Sign up for Mike’s monthly RVelectricity newsletter. Watch for the next issue this Thursday.
• Join Mike’s Facebook group, RVelectricity.
• Read more of Mike’s articles here.
All bottled up! A hilarious story of an RVing newbie…
Steve Korsvall posted this hilarious story on our RV Advice Facebook page. We’re sure you’ll chuckle as much as we did. Here’s what he wrote: “We were jetting out the holding tanks of a 5th wheel of a guy that just got this RV six months earlier. He complained it was compacted. Well, in cleaning it, all of a sudden a 6 oz. bottle comes out with the cap still on it….” Read the rest of the story.
Reader poll
How long has it been since you took a hike five miles or longer?
No walking involved, just click here to tell us.
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
OK, these seem a little silly, but every. single. time we see someone in one it just makes us want one! What do you think?
Quick Tip
Prevent wear between king pin plate and fifth wheel plate
This tip comes to us from George Bliss, long-time RVer and professional RV transporter. For 5th wheel trailer owners, you should grease your fifth wheel plate before hooking up your trailer, or use some type of plastic disc to prevent wear between your king pin plate and the fifth wheel plate. Sometimes the commercial discs are just thick enough that your king pin won’t lock into the fifth wheel plate. You have two options. One, go without a disc and grease the fifth wheel plate. That can be messy and the grease will attract dust and dirt that will cause wear on both surfaces. The option that works really great is to take a thin sheet of plastic and cut out a disc to fit your needs. What I use is a chunk of Crazy Carpet (aka roll-up sleds) that kids use to slide on in the snow. Crazy Carpets are available on Amazon and you can make several discs from one carpet. —What a slick idea! Thanks, George!
“Why I love my RV”
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, RVtravel.com readers tell in their own words why they love their RVs.
From Steve Hart
2016 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8244WS fifth wheel
“Perfect length (26’9″) for most National Park and Forest Service campsites. Lightweight enough (8645#) to tow with an HD-payload, max-tow 1/2-ton truck. Sufficiently large tanks to boondock for 3-4 days. Good living area/bedroom separation to allow individual TV viewing/privacy. Comfortable enough for several months of travel or snowbirding for a couple (without children).”
Website of the day
10 Legendary Road Trips to take in North Dakota
The least visited Dakota still has so much to offer. You can take an expert-led paleontology fossil dig (how fun is that?!) or go on an ice-fishing excursion. Check out this list then plan your trip!
RVtravel.com Podcast Episode 22
“Phantom reservations” … the damage they do, and some workarounds you can try, this week on the RVtravel.com podcast. Brought to you by Clear20 water filters, TearDropShop.com, Campgroundviews.com, RVTravel’s Who Makes What guide to manufacturers and RV brands.
Listen to a 20-second clip of the episode.
Listen to the full episode here.
Hitch Ball Lubricant extends the life of your hitch mount!
Protect hitch balls and receivers from corrosion with this high-film strength and waterproof grease. Formulated to stay where you apply it, this lubricant reduces friction, wear, rust, water corrosion and noise. Compatible with any variety of trailer applications like receiver hitches, ball mounts, hitch balls, locks, couplers, jacks, and more. Learn more or order here.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• True or false? Popular vehicle myths explained
• Want to camp for free? All it takes is a little work…
• Three RV parks where you can fish without a state license
Recipe of the Day
S’mores Brownies
by Crystal Young from Danville, IL
These brownies are a s’mores lover’s dream! This is rich and gooey and has all the flavor of a s’more – just in brownie form. Putting graham crackers on the bottom adds the flavor of the crackers. The warm gooey brownie in the center combines perfectly with the melted marshmallows. This super-rich and easy dessert reminds us of summer, bonfires, and camping.
Are you drooling? We’re DEFINITELY drooling. It’s National Toasted Marshmallow Day, but these will do just fine to celebrate! Get the recipe.
Recipes from this weekend:
• Jalapeno Popper Burgers
• Slammin’ Pork Fried Rice
Reusable Bamboo paper towels – good for the environment and wallet!
At first glance, you’d have no idea these weren’t regular paper towels! But these “paper” towels are made from bamboo and are 100% reusable. They’re unbleached and chlorine-free with no added dyes or fragrances. One roll will replace almost 85 rolls of regular paper towels! Buy a two-pack for a great price and save money for months (even years!) to come.
Trivia
Wondering why eating chicken noodle soup actually does make you feel better when you’re sick? Science says it really does relieve symptoms, especially those of the common cold. There’s a whole description of why here (but it’s in pretty intense medical terms – good luck!)
Introducing our new Pet Vet, Dr. Karel Carnohan! Read Dr. Karel’s first column and ask her a question about your pet here.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Thelma and Louise are rescues and were never tamed so live in their cage. We get them outside when able. Seem to enjoy traveling with us. Thelma has an in-your-face voice and Louise a softer chirp.” —Cheryl Lumley
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!
Here’s everything to do if you lose your pet. This is an excellent resource!
Camping activity and puzzle book perfect for summer fun
Even though this activity and puzzle book is meant for children, we bet you’ll have fun with it too. All the puzzles are camping-themed. It’s perfect to bring along in the RV to have fun around the campfire or at the picnic table (or maybe inside on a rainy day). Inside you’ll find word searches, mazes, scavenger hunts, animal tracks, hidden pictures, word scrambles, hiking logs and much more! Learn more or order.
Leave here with a laugh
What’s the difference between a literalist and a kleptomaniac?
A literalist takes things literally.
A kleptomaniac takes things, literally.
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 editors: 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.
Honorary Correspondents: Loyal readers who regularly email us leads about news stories and other information and resources that aid our own news-gathering efforts.
Tom and Lois Speirs • Mike Sherman • George Bliss • Steve Barnes + others who we will add later.
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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Check the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating gcvwr for the rig described above and I think you will be over or so near as to make taking anything with you dangerous. Common sense and quality of load leveler, sway bar and tires will part of the equation.
“On this Day In History,” how ironic…….Unfortunately, today’s attempt to rescue Americans stranded in Afghanistan will not be as successful..
I highly support your recommendation noted in “On This Day in History.” Lansing’s “Endurance” is one of the best documentaries of Shackleton’s 1816 attempted Trans Antarctic Expedition and everything that led to the incredible challenges they endured. It also led to the theories derived later from Shackleton’s approach to leadership and management.
And that’s why chicken soup is called “Jewish penicillin.”
I am fairly new to R V ing! Purchased a 24′ 1998 Artic Fox 2 years ago. I’ve been concerned as to the weight of the travel trailer and the combined weight of our truck & trailer. There is a County land fill which is open and FREE to dump, so I pulled my truck & travel trailer in and the trailer weighed 4,700 lbs and combined its 10,260 lbs. This is a big relief to know how close to my 12,000 lbs max, as I still needed to add my 2 30 pound gas tanks, food, clothes, bbq, chairs!!! Its amazing how fast the weight increases.
We stopped on our way home in Bismarck and discovered that since it was 4th weekend and we wanted to see the fireworks, happened upon an abandoned church on a hill. What a way to see the fireworks from all four corners. Will never forget that experience nor do I think we will ever find that church again. But ND is one place if it did not get the snow it does would move there. As for chicken soup? My daughter swears by mine. So if there is a sniffle? On the stove goes my pot and my chicken to cook all day. When it gets cooler I usually make it on a Sunday morning. I make a lot.
We recently went thru North Dakota (website of the day) and I was totally surprised and impressed with what I saw. We had 3 stops(17 days) starting at Theo. Roosevelt NP and heading east, not too far off the I94 corridor. I had no idea the state had so much to see and enjoy. If you have never been there, it is worth the trip, in my opinion.
My bucket list in two years, soon as wife retires.
On my bucket list too. Hopefully, next year!
Same here, what a great place, at least in summer! Hope to go back and spend more time there.
I am deeply saddened to see the hate filled rhetoric in the comments section! We hold different views on many things, I am sure, but we all love rving, so leave the politics out and enjoy the adventure !
it is what it is people nowadays are very hateful especially toward politicians, bring a group of people together for a cause against something and before long it turns into a shouting match and sometimes law enforcement has to get involved. People have lost all compassion for each other and every day it gets a little worse, and sad to say there is no end in sight to people feeling justified to spew hatred toward one another, this country is so divided along politics, religion, virus, science that as I said it is what it is and there is no end in sight
As long as you have one political party trying to destroy this great country you’ll have these arguments. I can’t believe so many people can’t see the destruction that’s taking place, and the junk they’re teaching our children, wake up America before we are living In communism.
man left to his own devices will destroy himself right before our eyes this is happening and no one can stop it, it really is meant to be, every single day we slip farther into destruction of mankind
As long as you have this kind of unhinged rhetoric and accusing people who are problem solving, seeking to better their communities, or proposing solutions that will make America a more inclusive society of “destroying” the country, we will have these arguments… and it cuts both ways.
America is a better country when we give each other the benefit of the doubt and go on the assumption that we all love our country and want to better it. I may not agree with the proposed solutions or the way citizens in other towns and communities decide to govern themselves or who they elect to represent them, but I can appreciate that they just want to make a better world for their families and communities. IMHO America is always at its greatest when it’s citizens and leaders put their heads together to make a safer and better world for our children instead of immediate gratification.
If we dial down the anger and accusations, start listening instead of shouting, and start having conversations that acknowledge there are both Democratic and Republican good ideas that are worthy of consideration, we can be part of the solution instead of the problem.
As long as you have this kind of unhinged rhetoric, accusing people of racism, calling “privilege” of everyone of a certain SKIN color, schools all across the USA teaching children to hate. seeking to erase history by removing/changing names, books, & monuments, or proposing destructive skin color based ideas that will make, America, the most tolerant, charitable, inclusive society on earth, less so, as they are “destroying” the country,Then, I, will have these arguments…
John, as I said and am the first to acknowledge, the rhetoric and accusations cuts both ways and is not helping us move forward as a country. Perhaps we can start by agreeing on that. I’m happy to have a respectful conversation on race anytime with anyone. (Obviously not here.)
I don’t know your life experiences, where you grew up, or where you live now, so our perspectives and journey may be quite different. But my journey has opened my eyes to things I was not aware of and I still struggle with old prejudices because of where I grew up and what was passed down to me. 15 years ago I would had a visceral reaction to the same things you mention. But living in different places and sharing my life with a person of color has been eye opening for me. I can no longer pretend there are not hurts and past grievances to be talked about, healing to be started, and acknowledging that we still have a way to go if we want to be the America we profess to be. I’m convinced the answer lies in empathy and open minds, and not allowing talking heads on the extremes to turn us against each other and lock us in our partisan corners.
I would bet there is at least one thing we both want. A return to a government where our leaders treat each other respectfully, work together, listen to each other, and try to live up to those values we profess to, have as Americans instead of having a 24-7 focus on the next election cycle. Let’s hold them to that standard.
Thank you .. Agreed on all points.
Thank you Joseph! You said it perfectly. I hope many are listening.😉
Maybe your glasses need adjusting. Lots of good people everywhere I go.
Should have seen the fire storm that was created by the one newsletter that stated a campground had gone vaxx only campers. Talk about politics.
politics are going the way of my way or highway hence a form of dictatorship then ….. see I’m right because I say so….sad
I find it interesting that two guys that just happen to be sitting together on a bench in the mall, waiting for their wives, can have a great conversation if they do not use the words “Republican, Democrat, Left, or Right”.