Issue 1726
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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Today’s Daily Deals at Amazon.
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Today’s thought
“You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Cappuccino Day!
On this day in history: 1895 – While experimenting with electricity, Wilhelm Röntgen discovers the X-ray.
Did you see the news? Click here to read the latest issue of the Sunday News for RVers.
Tip of the Day
14 little-known (but helpful) uses for aluminum foil
By Gail Marsh
We saved it, cleaned it, and reused it. That’s right, aluminum foil was that precious when I was a child. We rarely called it by its full name, mostly because as a kid I had real trouble saying “aluminum.” Instead, we simply called it “foil.” Aluminum foil can be used in so many different ways. Its versatility makes it still “precious” today.
Here are some little-known uses for it you may not have thought of…
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2022 Coachmen Leprechaun 298KB. As he reports, “Two big things, quite literally, are what set this floor plan apart and are big reasons why people are snapping them up.” Find out what those are, and what else Tony likes about this Class C motorhome, here.
Reviews from this weekend:
• Lance Camper Enduro overlander
• Tacozilla, Toyota’s overlanding camper
For previous RV reviews, click here.
Quit struggling with hose and cable hookups at the campsite
Are you tired of struggling to hook up your coax cables, water hoses and other connections when you arrive at your campsite? It’s a snap with Cable and Hose Grips from J Wright Concepts. Save time and frustration! Life is too short to hassle with the little stuff! Learn more or order.
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, November 8, 2021. If it’s yours you’ll win a $25 Amazon gift certificate.
Last week two readers claimed their $25 Amazon gift cards: Mark Bush of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Ali Fiddler of Reno, Nevada.
We are discontinuing the contest at the end of November. We’ll have a brand-new contest. This contest will return again after a break.
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.
Why does the fresh water tank overfill when hooked to city water?
Hi Dave,
I have a 2020 Fox Mountain from Northwood. Strangest thing – When hooked up to city water in the summer I sometimes get water filling up my fresh water tank, to the point where it actually has so much pressure it pushes back out where you put the hose in to fill it up. I actually wouldn’t have noticed if it had not come trickling back out. I have noticed though that it only happens when my outside shower nozzle is hooked up. In this rig the outside shower nozzle is like a compressed air hookup. Any ideas? Thanks so much. —Andrew
Did you miss Dave’s column on Saturday where he answered the question: Should I use fuel additives for my Cat diesel?
Stop RV Repair Bills from Ruining Your 2026 Travels
Say goodbye to rising RV repair costs when you protect your RV and your travel budget with Wholesale Warranties this new year. With 20+ years of experience, personalized coverage options, and 5-star customer support, we help RVers stay on the road. Save on costly repairs, enjoy flexible coverage including mobile mechanics, and travel worry-free all year long. Get your FREE personalized RV warranty quote today and enjoy peace of mind for every mile.
RVelectricity™ – This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session
Baby, it’s cold inside! Monitoring RV temps
Dear Mike,
We’re full-timing in a northern state and now that it’s getting colder we worry about freezing pipes under the floor of the RV. There’s access to this compartment via an outside door, and I’m thinking about hanging a 100-watt light bulb there to keep it warm (as you’ve suggested in the past). But is there an easy way to monitor the actual temperature without running wires or opening up the door and sticking a thermometer in the compartment to check the temp. Any ideas? —Chilly Cathy
Buying a rental RV – Good idea?
Dear RV Shrink:
We are in the market for our first RV. My husband thinks we should buy a used rental Class C motorhome. I am in favor of buying used, and have studied used rental websites, but they seem to want the high dollar for the motorhomes they are culling from their fleets. Are these units a good deal? Am I missing something? I want to enjoy traveling and not have to constantly worry about repair problems. Should we be considering new instead? —Confused in Cleveland
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
We couldn’t pick just one of these (trust us, we tried) to show you, so today you’re getting an entire page. But these are too funny!!
Reader poll
Have you ever been accidentally locked out of your RV?
Knock, knock! Tell us here.
Quick Tip
Quick and easy freezer defrosting
Tired of spending a lot of time defrosting your RV freezer? Here’s a tip from Leigh P.: Cut to size and install plastic cutting mats on the rear wall of the freezer, smooth side out. When it’s time to “defrost,” simply pull the ice-encrusted mats, shake them off, and reinstall. Thanks, Leigh!
“Why I love my RV”
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, RVtravel.com readers tell in their own words why they love their RVs.
From our very own Nanci Dixon
2017 Tiffin Phaeton
“Above all, I love the lifestyle our motorhome allows us, no matter if it is our old truck camper, the homemade Class C or our newer Class A. It has always been about traveling and camping. I love, love, love the dishwasher, washer and dryer, two sinks in the bathroom, and having tile floors. Lots of storage and slide-out bay trays are also very nice. 900 watts of solar and a big bank of batteries makes this not just a home away from home, it is our home!”
Tell us about your RV. Come on, do a little bragging! Click here.
Wow! Prevent costly mistakes with these RVminders
Check out these RVminders and easily prevent costly mistakes! These bands wrap around your steering wheel and remind you to check things before you drive away. Never leave the steps or ladder down again. Antenna or satellite down? Slide locks in place? Doors, vents and windows closed? Compartment locks locked? Hookups disconnected? These are so easy to use they should be in every RV! Check ’em out.
Website of the day
What 25 historic battlefields look like today
This article is neat because it shows you the “then” and the “now” of each battlefield – they look pretty darn different! Check it out.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• A heartbreaking story, and a reminder to you
• RV awnings: Everything you need to know
• The 1973 Ford Explorer pickup – A wacky RV concept!
Recipe of the Day
Ham & Cheese Low Carb Breakfast Muffins
by Paula Todora from Granbury, TX
These low-carb ham and cheese muffins may not be the prettiest, but man are they flavorful! The combination of all the cheeses is fabulous. They’re almost like a mini crustless quiche. The savoriness of the Swiss cheese and ham is the perfect complement to the spinach. The best part is these heat up wonderfully. No excuses to not grab a healthy breakfast. An easy make-ahead breakfast so they’re a perfect meal prep recipe.
We like the sound of this! Get the recipe and make them with us!
Recipes from this weekend:
• Turkey Tortilla Soup
• Elaine’s Homemade Healthy Granola
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Trivia
Which famous pop artist’s stage name is the result of an auto-corrected typo? Can you guess? It’s Lady Gaga! In 2006 Lady Gaga teamed up with her music producer who compared her vocal harmonies to Freddie Mercury and made her get in the habit of singing the Queen song, “Radio Ga Ga.” One day while they were on their phones, his phone auto-corrected “Radio Ga Ga” to “Lady Ga Ga” and the name stuck (with a minor adjustment, of course).
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Lili loves the RV lifestyle. She can’t wait to be on the road. She’s an 11-year-old Goldendoodle. Just waiting for mom to make us all lunch.” —Cheri Hassett
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!
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 tailpipes, locks and more. You need this! Learn more.
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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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury.
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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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“God is dead”:Nietzsche.. “Nietzsche is dead”:God…
Haha! I saw that quote in a 1970s issue of National Lampoon. Thanks for the reminder
So true, Plus, as RV owners, we are very aware that there are a LOT of things that have to be done 1 way, the correct way, or else it is a disaster. This is true of so many important facets of life.
Made my heart hurt to scroll through the battles the country has gone through. Thank you to all who have served.
Well, you know it’s the people that eat salad, and exercise all the time that get run over by some drunk. You’ll go when it’s your time. So enjoy it, eat a steak.
I agree, with what I did in Vietnam and the worst thing that happened to me was a severe razor cut from a rocket attack while in the shower, I developed the theory that unless you do something stupid like killing yourself, you’ll die when your name is called and not before.
Tony wonders in today’s RV review why class B campers cost more than class C but offer much less space and comfort…same question I’ve had for years.
I won’t get into why I like my B better than a C. That is all a personal preference thing. I did not pay more for my new B than for a new C, but I know you can. My question is the A, B, C thing. If A is the biggest, how did the smallest become a B and the medium size become a C? Shouldn’t B and C designations be swapped? Then they stuck a B+ in there somehow??
Les, you and I both deserve answers to both of our questions before we leave this RV life. This bothers me more than the price of gasoline.
It was good to put a face to one of the contributors to this newsletter, Nanci Dixon. Great picture of her and her husband and their Tiffin Phaeton. We are full time in a 2012 Tiffin Phaeton and love it. Hopefully we will meet one day on the road.
Thanks, Mark. I’ve just gone in and linked their photo to our media file (didn’t realize it wasn’t linked when I proofed the newsletter). So you can now click on the image and get a closer look at our beautiful and talented Nanci and her handsome (and, I’m sure, talented) husband. Have a great day! 🙂 –Diane
Today’s Thought by Nietzsche is troublesome. This is moral relativism.
Today’s thought
“You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, is God’s way”
Then God should get their butt down here and actually DO the job. Otherwise, we have to do what we can.
Jeff, would suggest you not go outside when lightening is in the area for awhile!
Yep!
And which “God” would that be? Yours, or mine?
God, politics and the nature of the language coming out of my mouth are not for discussion when I am the one DOING the task at hand
Well, there is the wrong way, the right way and the Air Force way! (As I was told many times!)
Nah the right way wrong way and Marine Corps way. Lol
When I was growing up, the rule in our family was whoever was doing the work got to do it their way. If someone else didn’t like it, they were certainly welcome to redo it their way. Needless to say, that rarely happened.