Issue 1679
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
“Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you, and start moving your life in that direction. Every decision you make, from what you eat to what you do with your time tonight, turns you into who you are tomorrow, and the day after that. Look at who you want to be, and start sculpting yourself into that person.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Blueberry Popsicle Day!
On this day in history: 1912 – Arthur Rose Eldred is awarded the first Eagle Scout award of the Boy Scouts of America.
Tip of the Day
A spot for a spare fuse could brighten your day
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
We had a peculiar problem come up. It was after nightfall and we were preparing to make a foray to the Land of Nod, and the wife had already shuffled off to the bedroom. I was busy brushing my teeth when I got one of those “Honey, something’s wrong here” shout-outs. “The light just went out here in the bedroom.” One more thing to do with my spare time. Happily a spare fuse helped in the end. Continue reading.
Yesterday’s tip of the day: 18 things to know about avoiding collisions with an animal while driving
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new CrossRoads Redwood RW3951WB Fifth Wheel. This fifth wheel has won awards for its design, so what makes it so special? Find out in today’s review.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the Northstar Campers 600SS Pickup Camper for midsize trucks? 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, September 2, 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.
We bet those one-million people in Louisiana without power wish they had a car generator to power to their home. For one, they could keep the food fresh in their fridges.
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!
Why is a fan blowing air around inside the AC?
Dear Dave,
Regarding air conditioners on most RVs with a six-blade fan: The fan is set about halfway into the shroud. When it’s running, I feel air blowing out the side of my unit near the rear of the inlet slots. It seems wasteful to be blowing air around the inside of the AC instead of through the condenser. Shouldn’t most of the blade be located past the shroud? —Michael
Did you miss Dave’s column yesterday where he answered the question: Is it necessary to level a travel trailer?
Oh, the horror! Sewer tank overflows while RVer is away
Here’s proof you need to pay attention when you are dumping your holding tank, or in this case flushing it. If you don’t … well, this can happen. Be warned, the photos are pretty darn disgusting! But it is worth reading this and seeing the pics for a reminder, so you never do this.
Yesterday’s featured article: Products we tested – and which later failed
Reader poll
Did you choose your RV, at least in part, to accommodate a pet?
Be honest, your pet will understand. Answer here.
Quick Tip
Safe following distance driving tip
Reader Myron B. commented on a reader suggestion about gauging safe following distance by using a vehicle length for every 10 mph of speed. Like some readers, Myron finds it hard to gauge a vehicle length: “Tractor trailer or Smart car?” He uses a landmark the vehicle ahead is passing, then counts the seconds until he reaches the same spot. “The usual count is four seconds,” writes Myron. “When I drive my motorhome, I increase that time to six or seven seconds because of the extra weight I’m carrying and the distance I want between me and the next guy.” Thanks, Myron!
Website of the day
15 Fascinating National Monuments Everyone Should Visit At Least Once In Their Lives
These National Monuments are incredible. Maybe you didn’t even know some of these are National Monuments! Check out this list and see how many you’ve been to.
RVtravel.com Podcast Episode 22
Beat the bad guys of tech at their own game, 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.
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:
• 84 percent say they usually buy their RV fuel based on price, not brand
• 22 percent eat at a fast food restaurant at least once a week, if not more
• 50 percent say they’d love to RV around Iceland if they had the chance!
Recent poll: Should drivers with RVs 40 feet or longer need a special driver’s license?
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
We’re not lying when we tell you we just purchased this for ourselves. It’s brilliant, we tell you!
Recipe of the Day
Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup
by Kim Wiese from Rockwall, TX
The aroma of this chicken soup while cooking makes you practically giddy to fill up your bowl and give it a try! It’s creamy and filled with Southwest flavor. Easy to make, this is guaranteed to warm ya up.
The nights are getting chillier, and this sounds like something we’d like for dinner! Get the recipe here.
See yesterday’s recipe: Yam Biscuits
Trivia
You’ve watched the Oscars, right? You know that long, beautiful red carpet they put out? Well, that red carpet takes 18 people about 900 man-hours to put out. Wooooow.
*If cash money seen on TV or in a movie isn’t real, but it’s not counterfeit either… what is it? We told you about it in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Both of our fur babies are Hungarian Vizslas and we adore our ‘Velcro’ dogs. Bella is 12 years and Graham will be 2 years in May.” —Michelle Gottfred
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!
Roadside Emergency Assistant Kit – Every RVer must have one!
This 110-piece Roadside Emergency Assistance Kit should be a requirement for all RVers to have. The kit is for cars and RVs, so you’ll always be safe. The kit includes a 64-piece First Aid Kit, Heavy Duty Jumper Cables, Heavy Duty Tow Strap, Emergency Blanket, 11-In-1 Multi-Tool, Flash Light, Bungee cords, Magnesium Fire Starter, Roadside Warning Sign, Roadside Emergency Tools and much more. Learn more or order (seriously!).
Leave here with a laugh
The greatest back-to-school photo ever taken!
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.
RVtravel.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
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Well as the photo states today is National Lazy Moms Day and I guarantee I will be lazy all weekend long.
Tough cheese on my spouse if he doesn’t like what I decide to sculpt myself into. Life’s all about MEEE! BTW, the soup recipe looks yummy.
If you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all!
It’s a shame we can’t totally avoid big cities when we travel. That’s where the trouble is. If possible, we find the “loops” that go around cities, even if it adds ½ hour, and even then it’s no fun.
In the advertisement for the Aztec RV Resort – Class A MotorCoach Only why does it show a class c MotorHome in the background??? Did anyone else catch tha?
Advertisements are customized based on your browsing history. That one doesn’t show up when I read the newsletter, but lots of others that I’ve seen before do.
“Leave here with a Laugh”, PRICELESS!
I laughed out loud!!!
In theory, it’s a good idea to leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front. However, that leaves enough room for someone to pass you and squeeze in between and then slow down because they didn’t want to follow you. Happens all the time.
Exactly!
……. and that’s why I have a big air horn! I’m sure it results in the need to change underwear sometimes.
Not a problem. Just relax and slowly back off. In the scheme of things over a day’s driving, it’ll cost you a few minutes. Sure beats tail gating and ending up ramming someone. That’ll definitely ruin your day.
Try to keep the distance down to too small for a crazy in a small car to fit. I cannot stop on a dime, but I can try.
Dash camera, anyone?
My dash cam is on all the time, records time and speed. Perfect proof if an incident happens. I’ve had numerous close calls with idiots trying to squeeze in front of me only to slow down. Defensive driving only goes so far.
I also use a HD Dash Cam plus my twin air horns are immediately blaring at them so they realize that they just pulled a brainless stupid ignorant maneuver.
Lol on the back to school photo. Too funny!
The accepted safe following distance for cars is TWO seconds. You might want more in a bigger rig, but good luck maintaining it if there’s any traffic. Other drivers will see SIX seconds’ distance as an open invitation to jump in ahead of you.
That’s what I told the instructor when I was in training for my CDL. If you leave that much space you’ll have 3-4 four wheelers jump into it. At that rate you’ll never make your delivery because before long you’ll be in reverse maintaining your safe distance. Just kidding but it’s true, and if you can believe it a car will pass you and immediately go down the exit ramp. That happened to me in PA, a woman in a Saturn passed me and immediately turned down the exit ramp. My view over the hood was 20’ before I could see the pavement, when she cut in front of me I couldn’t even see her trunk lid, all I could see was a baby and toddler strapped in their seats in the back seat of the car, I hit the brakes and grabbed the airhorn lanyard to let her know how serious her stupid move was. I doubt it did any good.
She probably had a baby on board sign in her rear window to make her driving moves ok.
So what? You’re not on a delivery schedule in your RV. You’re on vacation. Relax and back off. What’s a few minutes lost compared to ramming someone and dealing with that?
That’s right on Roger. The only times I was really sweating running into someone was a vehicle cutting in front of me while everyone else is hitting the brakes! Give yourself lots of room! It only amounts to seconds or minutes. Same thing with pull-outs. Does it really matter if you let someone by when it only takes ten seconds? Courtesy driving is safe driving.
When I was a working man almost every day while returning from work at the end of the day a woman would pass me at a high rate of speed on a 2 lane road with kids not buckled in and jumping around in the back seat. It did not matter to her if it was a passing zone or not she was going around me, it got to the point that I contacted the police to describe her car and give a time frame. I also would watch for her in the rear view mirror and pull over to let her fly by. However one day I came upon a head on accident on that stretch of road and it was her and the kids, it was not pretty! I slow down and drive defensively, it usually only takes a few minutes out of my day!