Issue 1736
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 thought
“My tastes are simple: I am easily satisfied with the best.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Cranberry Relish Day!
On this day in history: 1995 – Toy Story is released as the first feature-length film created completely using computer-generated imagery.
Did you see the news? Click here to read the latest issue of the Sunday News for RVers.
Tip of the Day
Despite what some say, RVs don’t drive like trucks. Know these rules of the road just for RVs
By Gail Marsh
The RV salesman boasted, “If you can drive a truck, you can drive an RV.” But, I wondered, can you do it safely? Here’s the truth: RVs require special handling that differs from trucks. In order to stay safe, you need to know and follow these special road rules for RVs.
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new Keystone Montana High Country 377FL fifth wheel. As he reports, “This is a big momma of a fifth wheel with a living room over the pin box up front and sleeping out back, with some rather unusual features even for this floor plan.” Intriguing. Learn more.
Reviews from this weekend:
• 2022 Coachmen Apex Remote 16R
• Whale-shaped travel trailer
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, November 22, 2021. If it’s yours you’ll win a $25 Amazon gift certificate.
Last week three readers claimed their $25 Amazon gift cards: Fred Cwynar of Punta Gorda, Florida, Terri/Claud Hugley of Elbert, Colorado, and Daniel Carter of Martinez, California.
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.
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.
What batteries do you recommend for boondocking?
Hi, All,
We are purchasing a new travel trailer that comes with a 12V DC fridge. No propane option for fridge. Dealer has recommended installing a pair of GC15 6V batteries instead of the normal 12V deep cycle batteries, because we intend to use the camper mostly for boondocking/remote camping. I am concerned about running out of power overnight.
We will have a gasoline generator, but I am concerned about how long we will have to run the generator to recharge the batteries every day. Do I need to install solar panels to keep the batteries charged up during the day? Or will the GC15 batteries and generator work well for us? Other power draws on the 12V system will be lights, furnace fan, water heater ignition.
Thanks for your help! —Phillip
Did you miss Dave’s column on Saturday where he answered the question: What air compressor do you recommend?
HAVE A QUESTION FOR DAVE?
We have started a new forum link for Ask Dave. Please be as brief as possible. Attach a photo or two if it might help Dave with his response.
RVelectricity™ – This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session
My most memorable Thanksgiving meal, in 1971
Dear Readers,
At first blush there doesn’t appear to be a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. But as long as we have family and friends and coworkers, there is a lot to give thanks about. So, here is my 2017 article about a very memorable Thanksgiving when I was 17 years old. Yes, hard to believe, but that would be 50 years ago this Thanksgiving. So, read on about one of my most memorable Thanksgiving feasts I had while working alone in a service station on Thanksgiving 1971, pumping gas for all the holiday travelers. Read it here.
[Note from editor: This is one of Mike’s most heartwarming stories from his Road Signs series.]
• NEW: Send your questions to Mike at his new RVelectricity forum here.
• Mike’s Saturday column: Dear Santa, I really want/need a surge protector…
• Read more of Mike’s articles here.
Video of the day
Full-timers alone in the RV for the very first time
We can spend days, or weeks, traveling and cohabitating with the one we love. Then one day they decide to venture out on their own for a few hours and you opt to stay home. This short, funny video shows how some of us might celebrate that alone time. Click here to watch.
YOU DO NOT (repeat: DO NOT) want to drive on this road
What’s the scariest road you’ve ever driven down? There are many of them across the U.S., but the road in this photo might just have them all beat… Check it out.
Reader poll
Do you plan to celebrate Thanksgiving in your RV?
Gobble gobble! Tell us here.
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
Every RVer should have some of these. It may help you out during an emergency, or just come in handy when you’re outside working on the car or RV.
Quick Tip
A doormat that does its proper job!
If you have an entrance mat just inside your RV’s entry door, it makes a big difference what type of mat it is. For years, I used a piece of rubber-backed, short pile, commercial carpet, but was still frustrated that sand and dirt were still getting on the hard floors. I realized that the vibration of travel was causing the dirt to migrate off the carpet. I then bought a textured carpet mat with crosshatch lines and a rim around the edge that traps the dirt within the mat. What a difference! I now get less than 10 percent of the dirt migrating to the hard floors. This mat is available on Amazon for about $21, or I bought the same one at Menards for $9.
Thanks for the tip, Fred Burns!
“Why I love my RV”
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, RVtravel.com readers tell in their own words why they love their RVs.
From Sue Riddle
2015 Roadtrek 210 Popular
“I love the versatility of a Class B van. It is small enough to keep in our garage and easy for both of us to drive. It’s compact and very cozy for two people, and it takes us everywhere we want to go.”
Tell us about your RV. Come on, do a little bragging! Click here.
Website of the day
Facts You Didn’t Know About National Historic Landmarks
As the headline says, these are fascinating things you probably don’t know about places you’ve probably been. See if it’s true!
Makes a great gift!
Keep your beer, soda or other canned beverages cold… in style!
How cute are these incredible puffer jacket can coolers? Acting like mini coolers, they won’t let your beverage get warm or your hand get cold! They’re perfect for sitting outside around the campfire. They’d make a perfect gift for the beer and soda lover in your life, especially if they love the great outdoors! Learn more or order.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Rent out your RV? It might be a great time to give it another look
• Casino Camping: 3 casino RV resorts where you’ll want to stay
• An easy trick that’ll make RV dumping a lot more sanitary
Recipe of the Day
Chocolate Kahlua Pecan Pie
by Bailey Jane Sherry from Kansas City, KS
Oh, yes! How can you make a pecan pie recipe even better? Add chocolate and Kahlua – it’s a flavorful combination. This pecan pie is very rich and amazing. The filling in the pie is not as firm as a traditional recipe, but that shouldn’t stop you from making this dessert. A perfect ending to a holiday dinner.
Oh, wow, wow, wow! This takes pecan pie to a whole new level! Get the recipe.
Recipes from this weekend:
• A whole lot of Thanksgiving recipes you’ll want to take a peek at. Scroll down here for three on Saturday, and scroll down for another three here on Sunday.
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Trivia
Vanilla beans are not beans at all. They’re seed pods from a family of flowers called Orchidacea, which you know as an orchid! Most vanilla beans grow in Mexico and Madagascar on a vine that can grow up to 100 feet long.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Suki loves to watch the birds and squirrels from her perch in the RV.” —Paula Daly
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!
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.
CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): mikegast@rvtravel.com
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Help desk: Contact us.
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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“Leave here with a laugh” that was cute. Another one for kids say the darndest things.
It was cute yes but it might be a warning sign that your kid is watching too much TV.
Regarding the DANGEROUS ROADS article…….my only thought is “what the heck were they thinking?”, especially towing a travel trailer.
They were thinking to get “eyeballs” on their website. It’s a shame that it is even posted here as it just adds to this prevalent behaviour elsewhere.
That road is not really as bad as you think, so long as you pay attention to where your vehicle and trailer are relative to the edge of the road. And there are many places to pass where the road is wider than in this picture. And also important to take it slow.
They were thinking like I did in my younger years. “I wonder where this goes?” Back roads to Leadville and Cripple Creek come to mind. Some worse in Kentuck and Tenn. All in a 36 to 40 hp ’63 or ’68 VW bus. I even had to do some backing up to get out of some places because reverse was a lower gear than first. Gosh, it was great to be young and dumb and full of adventure. If I had the guts to do it again today, I would not be able to take my wife along. lol
The why I love my RV, they must have a very tall garage and door as most of these are at least 9’ tall.
Hi Bob P – YES we have very large and tall garage – with 11 ft ceiling and 10 ft garage doors and it is long enough to back the RV right in.
Yep, Bob. I have one like it. I raised the entrance of my attached carport 6″ to accept it. The van is 8′ 6″ to be exact. But, I will not go under a clearance sign less than 9 feet.
No kidding, who drew that picture, wrote those names.
Probably the teacher wrote them after asking her student. I have several pictures like that from my kids when they were young.
The cat is so well placed- between the fruit bowl and the coffee maker.
I don’t think that’s a coffee maker, it looks like a Berkey water filter.
On this day in history 1963, for some of us, November 22 will always be remembered as the date JFK was assassinated. We remember it as vividly as our parents remembered Pearl Harbor day.
Nov 22 jumps out at me every year because of that event.
Also the date C. S. Lewis died
The doormat article reminded me of the funniest one I’ve seen. “Text when you get here, let’s not get the dog involved.”
“Is this my RV?”
you would go broke if you put an Airstream’s picture there
Netflix….
That kid shows the power of an effective marketing campaign.
Ah Net Flix. The one true source of keeping family arguments at bay.