Issue 1741
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
“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.” ―
It’s CYBER MONDAY, which means you’ll get the best deals of the year! Shop now.
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Electronic Greeting Day! Send someone you care about a thoughtful email or text!
On this day in history: 1963 – “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, recorded on October 17, 1963, is released by the Beatles in the United Kingdom. It became the group’s first American number 1 hit. It was number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on January 18, 1964, and the British invasion into the American music industry had begun.
Did you see the news? Click here to read the latest issue of the Sunday News for RVers.
Tip of the Day
Getting creative: How to cook like normal in small RV kitchens
By Lisa Adcox
When we first decided to go full-time I thought, “Oh boy, how do I cook in a smaller kitchen with smaller appliances?” I love to cook and I thought, “Well, I have my small kitchen appliances that I know I can make work.” So I did!
Continue reading to learn more about these life-changing-for-cooks appliances!
A question for you…
Your favorite books?
Here at RVtravel.com, we’re big readers. We love reading, and we love learning about new books!
As RVers, we have a lot of time to read. We listen to audiobooks as we drive; we read under our cozy blankets as the rain pitter-patters on the roof at night; and boy, reading with ever-changing beautiful views from our camp chairs… What could be better?
Do you have an all-time favorite book (or two or three)? We’d like to know! Please click here to tell us.
Today’s RV review…
In today’s column, industry insider Tony Barthel reviews the new 2022 Entegra Coach Odyssey 26M Class C. As he reports, “Entegra has a good reputation within the RV space and there’s a lot to like about this coach in general. I think this layout, in particular, balances interior space and features well within a smaller outside diameter.” Learn more.
Reviews from this weekend:
• 2022 Springdale 202QBWE
• Rockwood Geo Pro 15TB
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 29, 2021. If it’s yours you’ll win a $25 Amazon gift certificate.
Last week two readers claimed their $25 Amazon gift card: Norm Burgess of Frisco, Texas, and Marty Gauthier of Crossville, Tennessee.
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.
Gross! Why did the black water flush valve erupt?
Dear Dave,
I have a 2020 Host Everest truck camper. I connected the black tank sprayer and sewer drain. I turned on the water supply to the sprayer and opened the drain valve. Somehow black water erupted into the bathroom. I’m not sure where it came from. Have you ever heard of this happening? If so, how do I avoid it in the future? It is a disgusting mess! —Jeremy
Did you miss Dave’s column on Saturday where he answered the question: Why does the gray water tank still leak after replacement?
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. Click to visit Dave’s forum.
RVelectricity™ – This week’s J.A.M. (Just Ask Mike) Session
How much energy does is take to make pork and sauerkraut in a slow cooker?
Dear Mike,
We’re planning on boondocking this summer because finding a campground with available spots is a nightmare. I love the idea of boondocking without using a generator, but I wonder if this would be practical for my wife’s cooking style. She loves her slow cooker (not an Instant Pot), and so we would like to know just how much battery power one would need to do this. Can I power it from one of those portable battery boxes? How about adding more solar panels to my RV? Hey, I’m serious about good food while boondocking. Any ideas on how to make this work? —Sam and Edna
• Send your questions to Mike at his new RVelectricity forum here.
• Mike’s Saturday column: A deadly “RV hot-skin condition” can spread to other RVs
• Read more of Mike’s articles here.
Birds build nest on RV. RVers must stay put or face $15,000 fine or jail!
By Terri Nighswonger
What’s odder than a bird building a nest in your RV ladder? A bird building a nest in The RV Odd Couple, John and Mercedes Condon’s, RV ladder. Make that bird a protected species and you’ve got fodder for a great story and a life lesson as well. Continue reading this story.
Reader poll
Have you canceled a campground reservation in the last 60 days?
Think about it, then tell us here.
MAKES A GREAT GIFT!
The funniest book for the kids (you’ll laugh too!)
If you haven’t seen the video of the grandmother reading her grandson the hilarious book “The Wonky Donky,” watch it here. You’ll laugh through the whole thing, we promise! If you want a copy for yourself, or your kids, grandkids, or your favorite campground neighbor, you can buy it here for a great price.
Quick Tip
Help your slideouts’ rubber seals seal tight
- Do the rubber seals around your slideouts tend to curl – making a great entry point for water infiltration? Vincent H. has a suggestion. He carries a plastic putty knife in his set-up gear, and after the slideouts are extended, he simply runs the putty knife under the seal flaps, bringing them out flush and ending the opportunity for rain water to go where it shouldn’t. Thanks for the suggestion, Vincent!
- Robbie S. adds to the above tip: “The awning stick with the hook and loop on it works best. I hold the stick by the hook side and slide the loop side up the seal against the wall. I can easily reach the top of the seal. The seal just pops into place.” Thanks, Robbie!
- Tim S. adds a thought on ensuring that slideout seals are in the right position. “I have used the awning pull rod to clear my slide-out seals, but one additional point is to be careful of scratching or marring the finish of the slide, since you’re putting metal to metal. A wooden dowel or piece of thin but sturdy lathe would be safer.” Thank you, Tim!
“Why I love my RV”
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, RVtravel.com readers tell in their own words why they love their RVs.
From Rhonda Brodbeck
1997 Dodge Roadtrek Popular 170
“It’s easy to park and easy to drive at 17′ long, yet it has everything I need – a comfortable bed, a toilet and shower, a kitchen (sink, stove, fridge, microwave), a closet, a television and DVD player, and plenty of storage.”
Tell us about your RV. Come on, do a little bragging! Click here.
Website of the day
Festivals in December 2021
This list from Everfest shows you just about every festival going on around the country in December. You’ll surely find something festive and fun you’ll want to attend here.
????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
OMG! Can you imagine the whole family (including the pets) in these?! What a fun way to ring in the holidays!
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Ways you can help “newbie” RVers – You were once one, too!
• National Parks want darkness; RV makers say, “Let there be light”
• 27 ways to use zip ties you probably haven’t thought of
Recipe of the Day
Cheesy Parmesan Potato Pancakes
by Rose Mary Mogan from Sauk Village, IL
Rose Mary’s potato pancakes are a delicious and great use of leftover mashed potatoes. They are crispy outside, with a warm, creamy, and cheesy center. Adding Parmesan cheese and garlic gives these potato pancakes tons of flavor. Yum!
These sound way too good. We’re going to have to make them! Get the recipe.
Recipes from this weekend:
• Caprese Salad With Quinoa and Brown Rice
• Turkey Salad
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Trivia
When Sears and Kmart merged in 2005 there were 3,500 full-line Sears stores. But the percentage drop in stores since the company emerged from bankruptcy in February of 2019 has been steep. Today, once recent closings are eliminated, there will only be 21 full-line Sears stores left in the mainland United States, and two more in Puerto Rico. And by the end of the year there will be only six Kmarts left in the mainland United States, along with six more in Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Minnie is a 7-year-old Havanese. She is the queen of everything. She loves humans and couldn’t care less about other dogs. She is happy on a lap or snuggling next to people on a couch. We take her everywhere.” —Lloyd Gardner
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!
Build your own gingerbread camper with these adorable kits!
Get into the holiday spirit with these two easy-to-make, no-bake gingerbread camper kits. Share the fun with your kids or grandkids, or savor on your own. The campers are an adorable, festive way to decorate a table or even the RV dashboard! Everyone in the campground will want to know where you got it and how you made it. These are so cute!
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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I know the last remaining K Mart store in Michigan closed its doors at the end of November. The last remaining Sears in Michigan I believe closed it final door at the end of July. My husband got a brand new suit for half the price. I felt bad buying stuff at Sears knowing it was closing and getting ridiculously priced merchandise he needed. I miss Sears and K Mart. End of an era.
I have a 22H ArticFox, 1998. The only way I could flush the black tank is to drain it, drag the hose in and through the trailer to the toilet, turn the water on stand there watching, fill it with water, drain and repeat twice. Then if clear, shut the valve and add the chemicals. Now with Brand: Valterra
4.6 out of 5 stars 2,119Reviews
Valterra 45 Degree Hydroflush Attachment with Removable Anti-Siphon Valve for RV, Camper, Trailer -F02-4100: $20.00!! Its CLEAR so you know you are good.
I drain, then while at the valve, turn on the hose and wait for approximately 4 minutes, drain, and repeat twice. Then drain the gray.
This is very easy and I work from one position.
Another method for rubber slides on your slide out. I use either 2″ or 4″ anti slip tape that you can buy at the big box stores. Just cut strips long enough to fit your slide horizontally. You can put 4 or 5 strips on each side of the slide. When the gasket goes over the rough strip it forces it to fully open it.
What a great idea. Think I’ll give it a try.
George Burns was a very wise man.
Wow, there are some Sears stores still open ? Where ?
https://www.sears.com/stores.html
I know of one in Ohio but is a drive for us. Nothing in Michigan and that includes K Mart. End of an era. Now I have no idea where to buy clothes for me. Sears and K Mart were the only ones that had clothes I liked.