Issue 1687
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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ATTENTION! We had some technical difficulties with yesterday’s (Monday) newsletter. If you couldn’t read the newsletter, catch up here – double the RV-fun for your Tuesday!
Today’s thought
“That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed but that our power to do has increased.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Eat a Hoagie Day!
On this day in history: 1959 – The Soviet probe Luna 2 crashes onto the Moon, becoming the first man-made object to reach it.
Tip of the Day
What should I do when I have to leave the RV behind for a few days or weeks?
By Nanci Dixon
When leaving the RV behind for a few days or a few weeks, a checklist comes in handy to make sure everything is good when you go and, most importantly, when you come back.
We live in our RV full-time and were needing to leave it for a week-and-a-half. How hard could that be? Just lock the door and go, right? Not quite.
On the road with the first drops of rain falling on our car windshield, we both asked simultaneously, “Did you close the vent?” After a rather unpleasant discussion about who actually opened the bathroom vent, we both said, “I don’t remember. Do you?”
I decided right then and there to create a checklist for when we need to leave the RV behind. Here it is.
Yesterday’s tip of the day: Amazing Dawn Powerwash uses less water – a huge benefit to RVers
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new Rockwood Mini Lite 2109S travel trailer. How does this small rig compare to yesterday’s, and if Tony had to buy one, which would he choose? Find out in today’s review.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the 2022 Coachmen Freedom Express Ultra Lite 192RBS 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, September 14, 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.
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.
Finally! This incredible mug can be yours!
Wow! What great news!! This RVtravel.com coffee mug not only holds your favorite beverage, it shows everyone you’re a proud RVer and a proud fan of RVtravel.com. And, as we always say, we guarantee your coffee will taste better in this. If not, well, okay, we’re wrong about that! Design is on both sides. Learn more or order your very own mug!
Email us a photo of you with your mug (editor@rvtravel.com). We’ll post it!
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. 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 do my RV’s entry steps extend when engine is turned on?
Dear Dave,
Our 2017 Renegade has an issue with the entrance steps. The steps function properly as the door is opened and closed. However, when the engine is started, the steps extend. This is opposite of what it should do as an override feature. We have disconnected the electrical wire underneath so it stays retracted all the time for now. —Mark
Did you miss Dave’s column yesterday where he answered the question: Should I cover my RV when stored outside?
Rain coming? Shut off that cruise control!
Everyone’s heard the story of the man driving his motorhome down that long, lonesome highway. Feeling the pull of a “call of nature,” the story goes, he sets the cruise control, climbs out from behind the wheel and heads off for the bathroom. It’s a silly tale, but one that does have a bit of moral to it. Besides “Don’t drink too much coffee before you hit the road,” there’s the corollary: There are times when you should not use cruise control. One of those times may not be what you think: in the rain. This is important.
Yesterday’s featured article: Husband says “No” to danger; wife says, “Let’s go!”
Reader poll
Have you ever written a letter to a printed newspaper that was published?
Respond here, please.
Quick Tip
Don’t kill the good bacteria in your RV’s black tank
Reader Mike B. advises: “When cleaning your RV toilet, be careful what you clean with. Any cleaner than contains bleach, peroxide or germicides of any kind will not only kill surface bacteria, but will also kill all the good bacteria that is contained in your waste water treatment. It’s that good bacteria that is eating up and breaking down that solid waste.” He adds, “If you want to kill surface bacteria, use a disposable germicidal wipe such as Lysol and dispose of it in your regular waste.” Thanks, Mike!
Website of the day
New England vacations: 11 charming coastal towns in Maine, Massachusetts, and more
If there’s a time of year to plan a trip to beautiful New England, it’s now. The leaves are changing, the historic taverns have their fireplaces lit, beef stew is simmering… (well, OK, in another month those things will be true!). Visit this page then plan your visit.
RVtravel.com Podcast Episode 24
Forest River recall! You’ll want to protect yourself, and those behind you … on this edition of the RVtravel.com podcast. Brought to you by Clear20 water filters, TearDropShop.com, Campgroundviews.com, and RVtravel.com’s Who Makes What guide to manufacturers and RV brands.
Listen to a 10-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:
• 52 percent say fall is their favorite season (they’re in luck!). Followed by spring, 26 percent, summer, 17 percent, and winter, 4 percent.
• 37 percent say they are very capable of making minor repairs on their RV – they say they can fix almost everything!
• When reading, 42 percent say they prefer reading fiction more than non-fiction, 22 percent say non-fiction more than fiction, and 24 percent like both about equally. The other 12 percent? Well, they never read books.
Recent poll: Couples: Would you likely keep traveling with an RV if your partner died? (about 50 comments at press-time)
????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
We use this. We love this. If you use this, you’ll love it too. And, hate to break it to ya but… you’re going to need it soon (sorry).
Recipe of the Day
Hoagie Bake
by Kathy Cromer from Cincinnati, OH
Part pizza, part sandwich, this hoagie bake is 100% delicious. The combination of meat and cheese gives this an Italian feel. We served with a little marinara sauce and it was delicious. Warm, gooey, and extra hearty, this can be a quick meal or a delicious grab-and-go appetizer.
It’s National Hoagie Day so we’d like to request one of these, please! Get the recipe.
Yesterday’s recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread
Trivia
During World War II, the United States experimented with bat bombs. The idea was that incendiary devices would be attached to bats, which would then be released in Japan where they would roost and later blow up, igniting fires. Well, this never amounted to anything. It was apparently a very bat idea.
*When looking at or into a large crowd, how many faces do you think your brain can recognize? The answer will surprise you! Find it in yesterday’s trivia.
This is a must-have for state park campers!
This recently published book, “50 States: 500 State Parks,” is a must-have for all state park campers and explorers. The beautiful book takes you on a journey through America’s best state parks. Whether you’re looking for stunning vistas, rare wildlife, a dose of history or an enjoyable hike, state parks offer an array of experiences. Learn more or order.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Sophie, my 11-year-old black Lab, enjoying the sunshine while camping at Saddle Mountain BLM.” —Michael Morris
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!
Here’s everything to do if you lose your pet. This is an excellent resource!
Leave here with a laugh
An RVing grandmother visiting her daughter in her fifth wheel was preparing pancakes for her young grandsons, Kevin and Ryan. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their grandmother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.’ Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus!”
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, 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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Love the the twist with “Leave Here with a Laugh” but I am sure it will bring out the haters!
Today’s “Leave here with a laugh ” tells a sad story, indeeed.
Absolutely. If she had the wisdom of Solomon she would have made two pancakes.
I think it’s really funny.
Kind of like those old bumperstickers: “Jesus is coming. Look busy”.
I’d like to think Jesus has a sense of humor 🙂
Regarding today’s quick tip: If you fill your fresh water tank from a source that uses chlorine, then aren’t you killing the good bacteria? I prefer to use public sources that take the precaution of choline over untreated well water.
Black water tanks are not “waste water treatment systems”! They are holding tanks and any beneficial bacteria do not normally have the residence time to do any breakdown action.
Totally agree and that’s why we only use a liquid laundry detergent in our black/gray tanks. All these so-called tank treatment chemicals are just a waste of good $$.
How much per tank? Thanks
Steve,, your are 100 % correct.
Today’s Quick Tip has me puzzled. I guess that makes sense if you don’t dump your black tank often, if you’re full timing I suppose. But ours has never gone more than about 3 days without dumping. It only holds so much you know and I prefer the scent of the treatment over that of the poop. I DO wish that I could route my gray water to flush through the black tank,
I’ve said it before, your black tank is a holding tank not a septic tank. Stuff isn’t there long enough for bacterial decay even be quantifiable.
Dan,
This may not be a flush, but if you have a blade valve attached to your waste outlet you can then open both your black and gray valves. This allows the gray water to go to the black tank and greatly dilutes it (be sure the valve at the outlet is closed). Since you always have more gray water than black you shouldn’t have any black traveling to the gray tank. This is a good boon docking tip as well since it gains you some gray tank capacity.
You can route your soapy gray water to your black tank if your two drains are connected in a “Y” with the stinky slinky attachment at the bottom of the “Y”. Simply purchase a 3rd gate that will attach to the bottom of the “Y” that will allow you to close off the stinky slinky. When you get ready to dump, open and drain the black tank first and once empty, close the black tank valve and the new 3rd valve and open the gray tank valve. Once the “Y” has filled with gray water (about two seconds or so), open the black tank valve. The two tanks (if on equal height) will equalize with the gray water. Close the gray valve and open the 3rd valve and drain the black tank once more. I do this procedure two or three times (depending upon how much gray water I have). I only use a liquid laundry detergent and never any black tank treatment chemicals and I never experience odors, stoppages, or sensor errors.
Agree that average 30 gallon black tanks usually have three, four days of “autonomy” and are dumped accordingly. But I am amazed that Ron hasn’t experienced sensor errors. We’re on our 4th trailer and have never experienced “sensor accuracy”…must be awesome!!!
You’re not going to get very far ahead of kids!