Issue 1824
Welcome to RV Travel’s Daily Tips Newsletter, where you’ll find helpful RV-related tips from the pros, travel advice, product reviews and more. Thanks for joining us. Please tell your friends about us.
If you shop at Amazon.com we’d appreciate you using this link. We get an itty bitty commission if you buy something, but they add up and help us pay our bills (most importantly our hard-working writers!).
[activecampaign form=34]
Page Contents
Today’s thought
“If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Cocktail Day! Cheers!
On this day in history: 1882 – Robert Koch announces the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for tuberculosis.
Tip of the Day
This RV is in the shop for slide-out damage. Don’t let this happen!
Our friends Dustin and Ashley Simpson down at California RV Specialists shared this video on their YouTube channel. This RV has some serious slide-out damage.
Give it a watch and take notes! You do not (we repeat: do not!) want this happening to your RV.
Today’s RV review…
2022 Keystone Montana 3813MS fifth wheel
After listing lots of features that he likes, Tony adds, “If I were full-timing in a fifth wheel this might be a really good choice, what with all that closet space upstairs. With so many advantages, I can see why Montana continues to be the best-selling brand of fifth wheels out there.”
For previous RV reviews, click here.
CONTEST! Is this your RV?
Win a $25 Amazon gift certificate if today’s RV photo shows your rig
Every day we post a photo of an RV either submitted by its owner or by our editors as they move about the country.
Click here to see if your RV made it into today’s issue.
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.
Water heater works on 120-volt but not on LP. What to check?
Dear Dave,
I have a Suburban water heater with dual 120-volt/LP. It works fine on electric. However, when I try to use the LP, the pilot light lights and stays on. But when I try to turn the valve to “On” for the burner to light, the pilot light goes out. What should I check out? Thanks. —Virgil
10 tips for staying safe while hiking or walking in the desert
When snowbirds migrate to the Southwest, the desert and mountains beckon with the promise of amazing hikes and glorious sunsets. As alluring as a quick, easy walk in the desert may seem, it is always wise to put safety first before putting on the hiking boots. Here are 10 tips for safe desert hiking.
Reader poll
Do you usually buy Girl Scout cookies each year?
Quick Tip
This may save the toad car battery from dying while being towed
Toad car battery go dead from leaving the switch on to keep the steering wheel unlocked? For some tow cars this may work: Turn the ignition switch all the way ON, then all the way OFF, but leave the key in the switch. For some vehicles this will still leave the wheel “free” but eliminate the power drain. Check to make sure your steering wheel remains UNLOCKED before towing!
Website of the day
Top 10 Gay Campgrounds in America
For our LGBTQ+ readers out there, check out some of these fun campgrounds and resorts.
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:
• 64 percent are current members of the Good Sam Club.
• 61 percent are so comfortable, no worries at all, driving or towing their RV.
• 12 percent are caregivers for at least one parent.
Recent poll: How satisfied are you with your present RV?
Recipe of the Day
Bruschetta Caprese With Balsamic Vinegar Reduction
by Tammy T. from Phoenix, AZ
We absolutely loved this bruschetta recipe. It’s a creative twist with the flavors of a Caprese salad. The classic flavors of the tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil are so refreshing. It reminds us of a summer garden. The toasted baguette makes this bite-size appetizer easy to eat. Where this gets special is the balsamic reduction. When it cools it really thickens up. Lightly drizzled onto the cherry tomato mixture brings all the flavors together. This is a filling appetizer or snack.
[do_widget id=custom_html-21]
Trivia
If you’re experiencing somnambulism, what are you experiencing? Sleepwalking! Yup, that’s the medical term for it. Did you know that sleepwalking is thought to be genetic? If both parents are sleepwalkers, there’s about a 60 percent chance their children will experience it too.
*What do you call kernels of popcorn that have been popped? Hint: It’s not popcorn! Find the answer in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“At 14, Barney is our ‘senior citizen’ camping companion. He loves the camper. After a day of doggy adventures, he’s usually the first one to turn in in the evening. No campfire s’mores for this guy.” —Jamie Sharp
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!
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
Sometimes we wish we were the inventor of some of these products. This is one of them. It’s brilliant and a wonderful way to spark creativity!
Photo from a reader
Stu Neilson sent us this photo and wrote, “This morning I was tidying up the last few dishes when I glanced out the window. The light was perfect on the houses across the lake. I grabbed my phone to catch the moment. We have hundreds of sunset photos of our piece of heaven, but this was a new perspective. From the beach, in front of our boathouse, I worked to capture the best angle. Just then, seven cormorants photobombed my perfect shot!” Nice, Stu!
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.
Won’t you help support us?
This newsletter is brought to you Monday through Friday by RVtravel.com and is funded primarily through voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you! IF YOU APPRECIATE THIS NEWSLETTER and others from RVtravel.com, will you please consider pledging your support? Learn more or contribute.
Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): mikegast@rvtravel.com
Advertising: Advertising@rvtravel.com
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.
RVtravel.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
This newsletter is copyright 2022 by RV Travel LLC.
I don’t care if you’re LGBTQ or not. That is your right. That has been around for years. But it seems that all at once it is on the for- front. It has only become a real pronounced issue, if you will, since it is “broadcast” out in the open with a lot of indiscretion by both sides.
To keep battery from dying I pull fuse.
Before going to expense of adding something to insure your toad battery won’t run down….first check the pin #4 of the 7-pin connector on the back of the coach. Most manufacturers will power this pin with 12vdc and activated by the coach’s ignition. If you have 12v there, simply make sure you have a wire running from pin #4 of your toad’s 6-pin connector up to your toad’s battery. Who ever installs your lighting/base plate/brake system should have done this. If you have 12v at the coach and no wire on pin #4 of the toad’s connector, run a #10 gauge wire along with an inline diode to the + post of the toad’s battery.
I installed a physical disconnect on my towd battery. Flip the lever and the battery is safe. Only one lesson.
What did you install?
I did, too – I put in a spare bike saddle lock on the battery for my Jeep. Turns out, I’ve never needed to unhook the battery.
Please thank Stu for sharing his beautiful picture. Thank you, too, to Emily for sharing it with us! 🙂
Would you say an article on top campgrounds with a winery is pandering? Get a grip.
Keep your bigotry to yourself please.
Would it be upsetting to remark that our favorite ocean beach-front camping area is omni-sexual? No signs, posters, flags or announcements- just quietly accepting.
Whatever that is
People need to do exactly That!
Keep their Bigotry to themselves.
No place for that on this site or in modern day America.
We used to buy Girl Scout cookies when they came to the door but haven’t seen anyone for years.
That’s because they are discouraged from doing so in today’s environment. Many times too risky.
We looked on the Girl Scout website and found locations listed where you could buy. Found some selling outside our local grocery store.
“Bruschetta Caprese With Balsamic Vinegar Reduction”. Come on you guys! Who’s gonna make that?!? I’m expecting recipes like campfire chili, fancy hot dogs, glorified bacon cheeseburgers, etc. I believe the term is lol. 🙂
LOL
I saved the recipe. Plan to try it soon. So there. 🙂
This shows the difference between staying at an RV Resort, and a Walmart parking lot. (Seriously though, you’d pay $18- minimum for this as an appetizer at a restaurant, and it is delicious. You should try it!)
I have a good recipe for Instapot Chili that I’m making this weekend that I can share if you don’t want to ‘spread your wings’.
How many mpg do you. Is it eco friendly. Any one else care to add their thoughts?
I only eat at Taco Bell when forced to by DW so I guess I miss out on low cost gas.
Today’s thought……thought provoking!
Kudos to the staff of RVT for publishing the article on LBGQT friendly campgrounds. 👏 👏
Do this mean all the other campgrounds are hateful? Never seen any campgrounds in 50 years of camping that could care less what or who you are.
Ditto
🙈🙉🙊✌️
Exactly! And, can you imagine the outcry from the LGBT+ community if a campground ‘identified’ as straight, but said to check with them to see if they accept LGBT+ persons?
No, but it does mean that the campers don’t have to worry about some ‘Karen’ or ‘Boomer’ calling the Sheriff if the ‘van starts a rockin’. Like you, I don’t care what two (or more) consenting adults do in their bedroom, but there are people who will make an issue out of anything – and thanks for proving that point Crowman.
Thanks, you do have LBGOT readers.
I agree with Brad and will respectfully disagree with those that have trouble with this type of discussion. I’m glad that Crowman hasn’t experienced or witnessed discrimination in all his/her days of camping. I do suspect, however, that if Crowman’s son or daughter had been LGBTQ, had brought along their partner camping, and were walking through the campground holding hands they would have been the target of hateful comments and perhaps even actions in some or perhaps many of those campgrounds.
I applaud RVT for generating this discussion.
What discussion? My comments have been deleted. I guess it’s hard for the editors to fanthom some one with a moral compass.
Or maybe we just have more compassion for, and acceptance of, our fellow human beings, Monty. Take care. –Diane
I don’t buy the cookies but give a donation