Issue 1693
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
“If you don’t have peace, it isn’t because someone took it from you; you gave it away. You cannot always control what happens to you, but you can control what happens in you.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Elephant Appreciation Day! It’s also the first day of fall!
On this day in history: 1789 – The office of United States Postmaster General is established.
Huge Keystone RV recall for propane fire danger
Keystone RV has an issued a recall that affects potentially more than 95,000 towable RVs equipped with a certain Winntec propane regulator. The regulator may fail, causing an increase in propane pressure which can enlarge the flames in gas appliances, increasing the risk of a fire. Read more.
Collapsible water jug is very handy
This inexpensive water jug is made with environment-friendly materials, so enjoy the sweet taste of water without any plastic odor. But best of all, it collapses when not in use to fit in a tiny space. Carry it in your backpack when off on a day hike. Learn more or order.
Tip of the Day
Make a safe U-turn when the road goes the wrong way
By Greg Illes
Things that you never even thought about when you were traveling in a car become major events when you’re managing a seven-ton rig that’s thirty feet long — like turning around.
It seems no matter how carefully we plan and navigate, sooner or later we have to reverse a previous decision — and our direction. In many locales, this is not a big deal. Just go around the block or find a big parking lot.
But sometimes those opportunities just don’t exist. Continue reading.
Yesterday’s tip of the day: Carrying an extra water hose can save frustration
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2022 Jayco North Point 310RLTS, a luxury fifth wheel. As he reports, “A combination of Jayco’s warranty and reputation along with really nice appointments and some features that I truly do believe are real safety benefits means this would absolutely rank high on my list if I were looking for a premium fifth wheel.” Learn more.
Did you read Tony’s preview yesterday of the 2022 r-pod RP-201, a no-slide two-axle 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 22, 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 two readers claimed their $25 Amazon gift cards: Preston Tempero of Liberty, Missouri, and David Nestor of Sanford, North Carolina.
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. 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 the GVWR higher than the combined GAWR?
Dear Dave,
I have this question regarding just about every 5th wheel RV manufacturer sticker I see. Why is the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) allowed to exceed the combined weight rating of the axles supporting the 5th wheel? For example, my GVWR is 12,600, but my two axles are rated at 6,000 lbs. each. I can only surmise that the tongue weight of the 5er is always going to be supported by either the front jacks or the tow vehicle. If true, I’m curious how they arrived at the GVWR of 600 lbs. over the combined axle rating. —Ray
Read Dave’s explanation (this is important info to know!).
Did you miss Dave’s column yesterday where he answered the question: My fridge doesn’t cool. Can I fix it myself?
Penetrating oil can save the day!
It can be a bad day on the road if you break down and need to loosen a screw or bolt and it won’t budge. Here’s help: This rust eater, deep penetrating oil will penetrate rust, scale and corrosion to free parts and assemblies instantly. It will free up rusted machine screws, bolts, nuts, clamps for mufflers and tail pipes, locks and more. You need this! Learn more.
Need a new place to walk? Try this trail-finding trick with Google Maps
By Emily Woodbury
What’s one good thing that’s come out of quarantine for me, an avid hiker? I’ve found dozens of trails close to home that I never knew about! I thought I had walked every trail within a walk or short drive from my home, but boy, was I wrong. So, other than looking up “trails near Seattle” repeatedly on Google, I found a new, easier trick. Read more.
Yesterday’s featured article: An RV rental horror story: “I was ripped off by an RV rental scam!”
Reader poll
Do you prefer to sleep in the dark or with at least a nightlight on?
Tell us here, please!
????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
This is completely unnecessary but WE WANT IT… and we want it bad!!!
Helpful resources
• CURRENT WILDFIRE REPORT
• CURRENT SMOKE AND FIRE 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
Protect yourself from kingpins at night
A cheap set of rope lights around the pin box of my 5th wheel keeps me and others from walking into the kingpin, especially at night. I turn them off at bedtime in respect of my neighbors. I use two sets and run them along the side of the RV. Thanks to George Bliss for this pain-free tip!
A tape that’s better than duct tape!
Duct tape is the greatest thing for on-the-fly repairs of all kinds. But you may want to add Waterproofing Repair Tape to your tape deck. The manufacturer claims this stuff is so good that it’ll stick to almost anything, and it’ll do it even underwater. Read more about this handy tape here. Trust us: It’s sticky, durable, and you’ll want some for yourself. You can order it here.
“Why I love my RV”
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, RVtravel.com readers tell in their own words why they love their RVs.
From Gene Sannes
2018 Grand Design, Reflection (Fiver) 303RLS
“It’s easy to tow, gets reasonable gas mileage, is good looking, has three slideouts, and makes living really easy. After about 40,000 miles we’ve had very few and inexpensive problems – the AC and heat work great. It’s a far cry from 30 years of tenting while traveling on our motorcycles to all parts of the country.”
Tell us about your RV. Come on, do a little bragging! Click here.
Website of the day
20 Trips, 10 Cities, 1 Tank of Gas
You read that right! Travel Channel has planned out perfect day trips using just one tank of gas from 10 major cities around the country. Happy exploring!
RVtravel.com Podcast Episode 25
How good is that RV dealer? Josh the RV Nerd has a method you can use, this week on 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.
Check for gas leaks often by using this!
Russ & Tiña De Maris write: “We keep our natural gas leak detector tucked in the door pocket of our tow vehicle so we can check for leaks when we reconnect an LP bottle after filling. We also use it whenever we make up a new connection on a gas line, or ‘think’ we might have a leak. Here’s one you can pick up for a good price with lots of good reviews.”
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Nifty device tells you if your RV is dangerously overweight
• Check out the funky Tropiclassic – the Ford Super Duty/sedan mashup
• Here’s why diesel pusher radiators overheat… Don’t let this happen!
Readers’ Speak Out
Reader Tammi Vaughn sent us this poem she wrote and we thought we’d share it with you:
Campers Daydream
by Tammi T. Vaughn
I really want to go camping…
I see my reflection in the lake water.
I hear the conversing animals.
I smell the brisk, fresh air.
I see the campfire dancing to the weight of the wind.
I see the squirrels playing an energetic game of tag.
I feel the leaves crunching under my socked feet.
I hear the roar of the gas water heater doing its job.
I see the glimmer and shine of the awning LED lights.
I see Mother Nature hitting the dimmer knob slowly turning down the daylight.
I feel the cool air massaging my face, tickling my nostrils, and trying to whisper sweet nothings in my ear.
Y’all… I really want to go CAMPING!
Recipe of the Day
White Chicken Chili With Salsa Verde
by Reta Smith from Liberty, MO
This is an amazing white chicken chili recipe. It’s no wonder it was a big winner for Reta! The white chili is on the lighter side. While it may not have any cream, it’s full of flavor. Cumin really gives it the Southwest flavor you expect from chili. The salsa verde brings the chili to the next level of goodness. Fresh and full of flavor, the salsa is award-worthy in and of itself, and when paired with the bean soup it’s simply unbelievable.
Yum, yum, yum! Get the recipe.
See yesterday’s recipe: Sour Cream Pumpkin Coffee Cake With Pecan Streusel
Trivia
According to a poll conducted by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, “whatever” has been found to be the most annoying word or phrase. After “whatever,” voters said “No offense, but…” was the second most annoying phrase, followed by, “I know, right?”
*How do you calculate how far away lightning strikes from your location? Yesterday’s trivia gives you the formula.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Well, isn’t this nice. Reuben, our Catahoula/Great Dane mix, will not share. He’s tired from walks, swimming, tree climbing… all before lunch!” —Tim Connors
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!
By RV Travel publisher Chuck Woodbury
Book for newbie RVers a must-have!
If you are planning to buy your first RV or are just getting started with your first rig, this book by RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury should be a must-read. The ABCs of RVing answers important questions that newbie RVers don’t even know enough to ask! Read this, and you’ll save countless hours of research and avoid making costly rookie mistakes. It’s available in both a Kindle version and printed edition.
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 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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Rueben is a beautiful, magnificent dog!!! Great wonderful companion😀👍🏻
It was the end of June 2011. There was a lot rain and flooding when we headed west to our first stop in South Dakota near De Smet. They never called us to tell us the campsite was flooded and our rsvp was cancelled. We headed down this dirt road in the dark and all we could hear was water on either side of us. This is when we realized we were on a dirt road that was pretty much almost an island. We had a pop up at the time and when I think about it now so glad we did not have the trailer then. We found a road to turn around with but O wow. What a scare and glad we got back to the main road. We were told in De Smet that the back roads were flooded. Sadly a part of our pop up broke and ended up in a motel room. Got it fixed but wow. We got lucky. We learned then that we got lucky and this was a huge learning curve for all of us.
Loved your poem Tammi! Thanks for sharing it😊
About the laugh- Maybe your husband had an idea of your throwing abilities
I really liked Tammi’s poem. I sort of included some of those thoughts when I sent in my “Why I love my rv” piece.
“Reach out”….very funny. These things must make learning English almost impossible.
I have one of those ‘Product of the Day’ items I got several years ago from Sharper Image. They are worth every penny! I just wish I could find one that was smaller and rectangular so it would fit in my rigs bathroom.
“There’s no question about it”, every sports announcer on TV uses a phrase that REAL people rarely use.
Here’s a fun essay on the pervasive use of crutch words:
https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2012/09/literal-epidemic-crutch-words/323683/
But my all time favorite was when I worked at a Houston area Steak and Shake as a teen in the ’70s. A dishwasher there used the phrase “well, sheeeeeeit” as an introduction for most of his sentences. He seemed to have no clue about this verbal habit. Cracked me up everyday.
“No problem” from a service provider. This indicates once again that the focus is all about them, not you the recipient (No problem for ME, so it’s OK). Proper/polite response is “You’re welcome”.
Right? my first impulse would be to say “oh, so there COULD be a problem serving me?”.
I love it when a service provider responds ‘my pleasure’. Such a nice thing to say.
I just realized that I used another ‘most annoying phrase’ .
The other one after “no problem” that I got was “you’re golden”. -Funny.
‘you know’ or ‘ya know’ Drives me nuts! Seems to have replaced um, ah, and er in every conversation!
Watch a NFL or NBA player being interviewed, you know, it’s like, you know, to complete a sentence, you know. For sure
“Can I be honest with you?”……….no. lie to me ,please!!
That’s mine too!! Makes me cringe when i hear it.
“Don’t get upset, but…” has my blood boiling.
??????
Reuben is a good looking pup!
Re: Trivia. I wonder if the institute considered one of my favorite dismissive phrases “no problem”, especially when I thank someone for something.
One of my most disliked phrases is “ya, no”.
A friend I worked with 50 years ago and I recently reunited after being apart the last 40 years had a habit of using the words “take and” before everything he said, don’t know why. At our reunion during our conversation he was still saying it. I doubt if he even knows he’s saying it. I’m sure I have quirks I don’t realize also. We all seem to pick up something in our normal talking to use as a crutch for not knowing immediately what we’re going to say, like a lot of people have a habit of using “uh” in their sentences.
“It’s fine” and in that rare moment when it’s not, “Oh, well”