Issue 1717
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
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Pumpkin Day!
On this day in history: 1936 – The first electric generator at Hoover Dam goes into full operation.
Tip of the Day
5 easy ways to make your own campfire starter
By Gail Marsh
You can feel it in the air! Fall is here. The days and nights are getting cooler. It’s perfect weather for a campfire! Do you want to spend time getting the fire going or would you rather spend more time enjoying the campfire with your family and friends? That’s an easy one for me. I’ve never been great at getting a campfire started, so I was happy to discover these simple, inexpensive ways to make my own fire starters at home. All that’s left is to take them to the campground and get ready to enjoy a fire.
Here are 5 simple campfire starters.
Yesterday’s tip of the day: One of the best tips we’ve ever heard. Read this – It could save your life
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2022 Keystone Cougar 24RDS and compares it to the 2021 Cougar 24RS, which he reviewed a few months ago. As he reports, “The single most popular model in the most popular brand of fifth wheels is the Keystone Cougar 24RDS. This smaller, lightweight and well-designed fifth wheel has been a consistently popular model for some time. I caught wind of the updates to the 2022 model – which make the popular unit even better.” Learn more.
Did you read Tony’s review yesterday of the 2022 Entegra Anthem 44B Class A diesel pusher? 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, October 26, 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 card: Karen Bates of Smyrna, Tennessee, and Mark Cason of Palatka, Florida.
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.
In Dave’s column Monday-Saturday he addresses a reader’s technical question with his expert advice. You’ll learn a lot!
Does trailer length matter when choosing a TPMS?
Dear Dave,
I am a widow, and no children to help advise. The TireMinder TPMS-TRL-4 says it is for 25 ft. or less, but I have a 26-ft. Jayco Eagle (1997). I would like to know if I could use this monitor system. If not, I have been unable to find one that says it’s for a longer trailer. Would one foot make a dangerous difference? Thank you. —Shirley
Did you miss Dave’s column yesterday where he answered the question: How do I check the drip tube on my Everchill fridge?
Deep cleaning your RV for a quick sale
By Silvana Clark
“When we listed our Alante Class A motorhome for sale on Craigslist, we had numerous potential buyers look at the RV. I expected that. What I didn’t expect was how many people said, “This RV is so clean! We’ve looked at lots of RVs and none are as clean as this one.” … It’s easy to believe a clean RV has also been well-maintained mechanically. So if you are planning to sell your RV, here are a few tips.
Yesterday’s featured article: Ten most popular vehicles towed behind motorhomes
Reader poll
How was the experience of your first romantic kiss?
Pucker up! Tell us here.
Quick Tip
Save your knees with these!
“Have you ever parked on a gravel lot? Hard concrete? Yep, me too. But I have a secret weapon against bruised knees while setting up or digging through my lower storage compartments on the ol’ RV. Not that I am getting old or anything! But I always have a set of knee pads on hand. Don’t leave home without them! So, on your next stop at a home store, get some and save your knees.” Thanks to Good Ol’ Chris N.!
????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
If you’ve been to the place that this is from, you’ll know this is something you’re going to want to make at home!
Website of the day
Why Are Black and Orange the Traditional Halloween Colors?
Even if you’re not celebrating Halloween, this article is still a fascinating look at why the holiday is celebrated with black and orange colors. Learning a little history never hurt anybody!
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:
• 50 percent say they eat less red meat than they did 15 years ago (only 3 percent said they eat more, and the other 47 percent said they eat about the same).
• 6 percent think a person’s astrological sign affects a person’s personality
• 60 percent say a mouse, rat or squirrel has at one point taken up residence in their RV – 31 percent of those people say it has happened more than once.
Recent poll: Have you ever turned away from an RV park because its entrance looked junky or otherwise unappealing?
Recipe of the Day
Cinnamon Chip Pumpkin Muffins
by Laurie Sanders from Seattle, WA
Soft and sweet, these moist pumpkin muffins have just the right amount of spices. Cinnamon is front and center while the other spices linger in the background. The cinnamon-sugar topping is just enough to put these over the top. They are what you would expect to find at a coffee shop. A delicious muffin alongside morning coffee or to enjoy as an afternoon treat.
Since it’s National Pumpkin Day, making these seems like a fitting way to celebrate! Perhaps bake some for your campground neighbors? Get the recipe here.
See yesterday’s recipe: Hearty Herb and Cabernet Beef Stew
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Trivia
What is the standardized unit of smell measured as? An “Olf!” Danish professor P. Ole Fanger created the smell measurement, “Olf,” which is derived from the Latin word “olfactus” meaning “smelled.” So what’s an Olf unit of measurement? Well, 1 Olf is the strength of the smell produced by a healthy adult working a sedentary job in a climate-controlled environment with the hygienic equivalent of 0.7 baths per day and a skin surface area of 1.8 square meters. Using that as a base for measurements, other smells can be determined. A heavy smoker generates 25 Olfs, while an athlete generates 30 Olfs.
*Where can you find an exact replica of the Parthenon in the U.S.? Yesterday’s trivia tells you.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“This is Max, our 5½-year-old Australian Shepherd. He is 52 lbs., high-energy, and loving. He loves to sit in our lap (his upper half) and give us his warm hug.” —Carla Jean Pugh
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!
Easily check the tire pressure on your inner dual tires
Do you have trouble reading the tire pressure on your RV’s inner duals? This dual head tire pressure gauge with an extension steel shaft will reach where a standard gauge won’t. Be sure you know the pressure of all your tires, or risk a potentially dangerous blowout. No batteries required. Learn more or order at a discount.
Leave here with a laugh
Thanks for sending, Jim Jaillet!
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, Randall Brink, J.R. Montigel, Clint Norrell, Chris Epting and Karel Carnohan, DVM. 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 • Tom Hart + 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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The picture of the toilet should have the sign saying — junk mail…
To Shirley about the TireMinder TPMS, they make great systems and many have an included a Rhino amplifier/repeater. I have been using one for several years for our 37’ TT and it works perfectly.
On top of that, I had one of their transmitters fail and they are replacing it under warranty. So they also have great service & support.
Bob
we keep grocery bags for recycling, stuffing them in one hanging on the door. when full, i occasionally take one and add it to the several i have stashed to use as
1. padding for stuff
2. kneepads (use 2 to shuffle along)
3. bags as needed for more stuff
One thing is for certain. Most of the commenters on kneeling are old codgers like me!
Nice to know I’m in good company. Travel on!!!
Love the picture of Max. Handsome dog. Aussies are wonderful.
I use garden kneeling pads when I have to get into the basement of the motor coach. In fact I have several spread out in different bays so I don’t have to go searching for one. My RV mechanic liked them so much I gave him one of mine.
Knee pads are a good idea but I bought this https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=pa_sp_atf_aps_sr_pg1_1?ie=UTF8&adId=A07411391PCBVPR06XMGO&url=%2FCyanHall-Foldable-Portable-Kneeling-Gardening%2Fdp%2FB09136C6JR%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1_sspa%3Fcrid%3D27R1ZCYFGZMRO%26dchild%3D1%26keywords%3Dgarden%2Bkneeler%2Band%2Bseat%26qid%3D1635254675%26sprefix%3DGarden%2Bkneeler%252Caps%252C252%26sr%3D8-1-spons%26psc%3D1&qualifier=1635254675&id=7502783858156692&widgetName=sp_atf
Exactly what I need. When I get down I can’t get back up.
Navy destroyed my knees, and I keep a set of kneepads in my Class A, particularly for dumping the tanks.
Stop at a carpet store and pick up some old carpet samples. I have one or two in each basement bay. Saves me looking for knee pads. Also use the nice ones by kitchen sink, front door, under pet dishes, etc.
A general complaint. As an Airstream owner, once again I am fighting with hinges not designed for Recreational Vehicle use. It has to be disassembled to be reattached. Do the engineers and interior designers own RV’s ?
Yours is the first complaint I’ve ever seen or heard from an Airstream owner. Thanks for being honest.
You should reach out to Sean and Kristy of Long Long Honeymoon on YouTube, Donald. They’re Airstream experts and I bet they could help you. Here’s a link to their channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/LongLongHoneymoon/videos
Hope this helps,
Jim
I have an Airstream travel trailer and I don’t know what hinges you speak of. The only difficult hinge is the piano hinge on the bathroom door. All of the cabinet and closet hinges snap on and off so the door can easily be removed. Most complaints are that they snap off too easily. This is the solution to that – https://www.woodworkerexpress.com/grass-f072135807540-tiomos-hinge-clip-protector-steel.html
Max is beautiful. Still missing our red Aussie we said goodbye to a few years ago. Truly wonderful dogs.
I have a carpet floor mat that fits into one of my storage compartments that I put down rough surfaces. Easy to clean and easy to store. Mine came from an early Dodge Stratus rear seat floor area.
The foam packaging in our large air purifier box provided some excellent knee pads. I was planning to discard the box, etc., but ended up making knee pads (can you have too many?). The foam density is similar to big box store knee pads. I made 2 pads, 1 1/4″ thick and 14″ x 21″. Repurpose & reuse.
Stay safe, Joe
Large size “seat pads” work very well. Also, a yoga mat, for when you have to lie on the ground. I have a 40 year old Army issue sleeping pad that really does the trick. Very cheap – 50 cents.
I also use the “seat pads” for my old aging knees….works great.
In regards to the “quick tip”, I only use Knee Pads that strap to your knees if I am working on something that requires me to get up & down frequently. I carry a portable knee pad in the RV for times when I need to kneel on the ground temporarily. Here is what I use from Amazon. https://tinyurl.com/yxsus8u5