Issue 1694
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
“The shell must break before the bird can fly.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Great American Pot Pie Day!
On this day in history: 1913 – Roland Garros of France becomes the first to fly in an airplane across the Mediterranean (from St. Raphael in France, to Bizerte, Tunisia).
Tip of the Day
Your RV’s roof vent and fan are dirty! Here’s how to clean them
By Nanci Dixon
I looked up yesterday to see if the fan vents were open and YUCK! The screens and fan blades were filthy! They were so dusty I was surprised the fan was drawing air out at all. In all fairness, we had just spent six months in the desert and the vent does have a decorative slotted wood trim piece covering it, so I really had to look through it to see the screen…
It was certainly time for a deep cleaning. The dirty screen could only hinder airflow and be harder on the fan motor.
Here’s what I did to clean it.
Yesterday’s tip of the day: Make a safe U-turn when the road goes the wrong way
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2022 Colorado Teardrops Mount Massive trailer. He writes, “One of the six offerings from the company is the Mount Massive. While the name might imply that this trailer is huge, it’s really not, compared to most trailers. But it does offer quite a bit of space from the standpoint of a teardrop.” Learn more.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the 2022 Jayco North Point 310RLTS, a luxury fifth wheel? 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 23, 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 can’t the RV industry conquer the issue of leaks?
Dear Dave,
I read everything I can about RVs and maintenance. One thing that is constant – leaks. Why is it that the RV industry cannot conquer this problem? I read all the time why it happens, but no one seems to have the right way to build an RV so it doesn’t happen. The exception is the two-piece fiberglass units. I’m curious why this consistent problem can’t be conquered. Thank you for your response. —Sharon
Did you miss Dave’s column yesterday where he answered the question: Why is the GVWR higher than the combined GAWR?
Control board not working? Replace it!
Perhaps some of the most mysterious of RV technical issues surround electronically controlled appliances. “Back in the old days,” as some of us recall, we didn’t have fancy control boards on refrigerators, furnaces and water heaters. … Nowadays, the trouble is when things start getting “buggy” it can be difficult to track down the problem. But here’s a great resource that will come to the rescue. Learn more.
Yesterday’s featured article: Need a place to walk? Try this trail-finding trick with Google Maps
Reader poll
What type of alcoholic beverage do you drink the most?
Come have a pour and tell us here.
We need your help! We’re working on a story and could use your input. If your rig is 10 years old or older, have you ever been turned away from a service center or campground because of its age? We’re especially looking for stories regarding service centers. Please take our poll and leave a comment describing your experience. Thank you! Click here.
Quick Tip
An easy way to control food costs and save time
Keeping food costs down can also result in keeping time spent in the galley reduced, providing more time for other pursuits. Here’s a tip for the rolling chef: When preparing meals, consider if your menu choices can be prepared in larger portions and reprised at a later date. Can you make double or triple portions, and put the leftovers in the freezer? You’ll save on time, often on ingredients, and later, after a long day on the road, your frozen meals can be popped in the microwave or gently reheated while left in the bag and warmed up in a pan of water.
????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
This is so unnecessary but so fancy and we SO want it.
Website of the day
10Best: Urban Campgrounds
If you’re RVing near a major city, you don’t need to stay in a hotel. Here are the 10 best urban campgrounds to stay at instead!
RVtravel.com Podcast Episode 25
Industry insider shares his secrets to buying a used RV, 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.
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:
• 9 percent of people say they could never give a speech in front of 100 people, even if it was on a subject they were passionate about!
• 18 percent video chat with friends and/or family on a regular basis.
• If offered top dollar for their RV right now, 37 percent would jump at the opportunity to sell.
Recent poll: Would you attend an RV show in the next month if it were within an hour drive of you?
MAKES A GREAT GIFT!
This wonderful, nostalgic book should be your next read…
“Don’t Make Me Pull Over!: The Informal History of the Family Road Trip” by Richard Ratay is a wonderful, nostalgic story of the golden age of family road trips. With the birth of America’s first interstate highways in the 1950s came the rush of the family road trip. Ratay and his family were a part of that packed-back-seat, souvenir-shopping, attraction-seeking era, and he’s here to tell you about it. Read more about it here.
Recipe of the Day
Crock Pot Chicken Pot “Pie” & Dumplings
by Rene Palmer from Shreveport, LA
Never has comfort food ever been so easily done! This “pot pie” requires adding ingredients to the slow cooker, turning it on, and letting it simmer for the day. Chicken thighs add a richer flavor to the dish. It has all the flavors of a chicken pot pie, but instead of a pastry crust diced refrigerated biscuit dough is sprinkled on top. They plump up into delicious little dumplings. A filling and comforting meal that’ll warm you up on a cold day.
We like this twist on a classic! Get the recipe.
See yesterday’s recipe: White Chicken Chili With Salsa Verde
Trivia
Florida has always held the title for the most lightning strikes per square kilometer, but early this year Oklahoma surpassed Florida’s numbers and now holds the title for the most lightning-struck state.
*What is the most annoying word or phrase in the English language? We told you yesterday. Read yesterday’s trivia and see if you agree.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Best co-pilot ever. Tor is a Pit bull mix.” —Debbie Vinge
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 First Aid: The basic kit you should carry with you at all times. This is important!
Want a boat but don’t have space? Try an inflatable one!
Inflatable boats became quite popular among RVers and outdoor enthusiasts this year. They’re affordable and fold down small so they can be stored in car trunks, on cargo racks, in RV underbelly storage or in a closet! If you’re skeptical, just read the reviews (or visit a nearby lake and ask someone in person!). Here’s an inflatable rowboat, and here’s a Kayak (single and tandem).
Leave here with a laugh
Speaking of preparing extra food and storing it in the freezer to save time and money:
Thanks to George Bliss for this “tip.” He thinks it might be especially handy for boondockers. 😆
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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I hate to say it but a few of you out there would do this. Boil water for emergencies. Can’t wait to see some dupe fall for this one.
The statement about boiling water for pasta and the freezing it to save time, is a waste if time. You just have to boil it any way to thaw it out. This is ridiculous and uses space in your fridge you can use for other items. Why boil water twice for a meal?
It was a joke!!
The boiling water thing sounds like a blond joke.
Hmmm. I don’t think that’s “politically correct,” Drew. 😆 Have a great day. 🙂 –Diane
I didn’t know being Blonde was political. What about Bald?
Probably same category. I just looked up the term “politically correct,” for my own edification. Here’s what Wikipedia says: “Political correctness … is a term used to describe language, policies, or measures that are intended to avoid offense or disadvantage to members of particular groups in society. In public discourse and the media, the term is generally used as a pejorative with an implication that these policies are excessive or unwarranted. Since the late 1980s, the term has been used to describe a preference for inclusive language and avoidance of language or behavior that can be seen as excluding, marginalizing, or insulting to groups of people disadvantaged or discriminated against, particularly groups defined by ethnicity, {bleeped}, gender, or sexual orientation.” So, yeah, blondes and balds would fit in. (Or should I say, “follicly challenged”?) 😆 –Diane
I have dozens of “Blonde Jokes Diane, and they are ALL in fun. Do you remember the Elephant jokes? Why does an elephant paint it’s toenails red? So it can hide in the Strawberry patch! 🙂
Thanks, Lil John. I’m a natural blonde (being mostly Swedish), but it’s getting more white these days (years?). I tried putting blonde jokes in the newsletter before (I think they’re hilarious), but Chuck nixed them — they’re not PC, and all of that. 🙄 Have a good night. 🙂 –Diane
Another tip to speed up the boiling water tip. You can speed up the process and save space in your freezer by simply using dehydrated water.
Another excellent tip, Kenn. That would save a lot of weight, too. Thanks! 😆 Have a great day. 🙂 –Diane
Laugh of the day. Very practical for when you get those boil water alerts and power outages to keep your fridge cold. 🙂
I imagine the “boat” link is sponsored, so whatever. But if you’re serious about an inflatable boat that is not a toy, that will work well and safely and last many years, look into offerings from NRS and AIRE, among others.
Thanks for the tip, I will check them out.
Hi, Scott. The boat ad is not sponsored, per se. It’s an Amazon product that we chose to insert in the newsletter, so we will get a tiny commission if any are sold through our link. Have a great day. 🙂 –Diane
Boy, there’s a hair split right down the middle!
😆 Good one, Richard! And, at least at last check, your comment was still politically correct. 🙄 Have a good night. 🙂 –Diane