Issue 1825
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.
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Today’s thought
“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Lobster Newburg Day!
On this day in history: 1995 – WikiWikiWeb, the world’s first wiki (user-editable website), and part of the Portland Pattern Repository website, is made public by Ward Cunningham.
Tip of the Day
Phantom electrical loads can spoil your boondocking adventure
By Bob Difley
Phantom loads are electrical connections to your batteries that continually draw power, however small. Loads that are run off the house batteries will not be a problem as they are slight. Since you will be charging your house batteries with solar panels or a wind turbine, generator, or by running your engine to keep up with the drain of boondocking, these phantom loads are inconsequential.
The problem is with those phantom loads connected to your starter battery, such as the dashboard clock radio, or anything else that is powered by the starter battery.
Today’s RV review…
Hero Camper Ranger, a teardrop from Denmark
Tony writes, “Today we’re looking at the Hero Camper Ranger, a teardrop trailer that is built and imported from Denmark. There are a lot of similarities between what we’re already seeing here and this trailer, but there are enough unique features that it’s well worth giving it a look.”
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.
Do absorption refrigerator coils develop cold spots as they age? No, but…
Dear Dave,
As our absorption refrigerator coils age, do they build up cold spots in them? If so, is there a way to restore them to complete function? —Donald
Every RVer should have one of these portable air compressors
By Nanci Dixon
As full-timers, we gradually accumulate gear. After a rear dual tire lost its valve stem and the tire had to be replaced, we purchased a TireMinder® TPMS system. I diligently watch the tire pressure as we are driving and have come to dread the low-pressure alarm. Airing up our tires on the motorhome has always, always been a hassle. Read more to find out why Nanci thinks they “bought one of the best” air compressors.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Does Camping World refuse to repair older RVs?
- Lawmakers want answers; claim new USPS trucks will get 8.6 mpg
- Campground Crowding: Parks take advantage of canceled reservations and get paid twice
- This is what we were talking about last week with “obnoxious outdoor screens.” Yikes!
Reader poll
How often do you cook outside (grill, BBQ, campfire-cooking, etc.)?
Quick Tip
Easy and fun window coverings for privacy
Hate the curtains on some of your windows—like the one in the bathroom or the “relite” in the entry door? Ditch the curtains and simply pick up a chunk of privacy screen contact paper window film. Cut the stuff to size, pull off the backing sheet, and carefully apply to a clean window. Or go wild and try the “stained glass” versions. Many internet sites carry the stuff, and there are hundreds to choose from on Amazon.
“Why I love my RV”
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, RVtravel.com readers tell in their own words why they love their RVs.
From Susan Ruzzamenti
2021 Mesa Ridge MR2410RL Travel Trailer
“My husband is disabled and in constant pain. We really didn’t want to upgrade from our easy-to-tow 20-foot trailer, but he couldn’t take the teeny tiny bathroom or the uncomfortable couch anymore. It was a chore to get into the bed. I had to do a lot of convincing to get him to go camping. So we bought this new RV. It has recliners with massage and heat and they are very comfortable for him. Plus we now have a dinette instead of eating off of a couch. It has a large bathroom that you can get dressed in without having to open the door, and the shower is nice and roomy. It has a full-size queen bed in a separate bedroom that you can walk around instead of having to dive onto. I now have no problem getting my hubby to take long trips as he is happy to go camping again in our nice comfortable trailer.”
Tell us about your RV. Come on, do a little bragging! Click here.
Website of the day
festivalnet: Find Festivals In the U.S. & Canada 2022-2023
This website is great! Click on your state, or a state you’re headed to, and you’ll see all the fairs and festivals coming up. You’ll find so many fun things to do.
Roadtrippers makes trip planning fun and easy
It’s the #1 road trip planning tool for a reason! With Roadtrippers, RV trip planning is a breeze! Make your own itinerary or view pre-made trip guides, find local things to do including roadside attractions, parks, scenic viewpoints and more, see how much fuel you’ll need and what it will cost, collaborate with friends and family, see live traffic conditions and much, much more. Sign up and receive $5 off with code BTR5QTP. Learn more here.
Clubs and useful organizations
PLEASE NOTE: We may receive an affiliate commission if you join any of these.
• Harvest Hosts: Stay free at farms, wineries and other scenic and peaceful locations for free. Save 15% on membership.
• AllStays: The best website for RVers! Your membership will become your RV-bible.
• Boondockers Welcome: Stay at homes of RVers who welcome you in their driveways, yards, farmland or other space on their private property. Modest membership fee.
• Escapees: Best Club for RVers: All RVers welcome, no matter what type of RV, make or model.
• Road Trip Wizard: Make your RV road trip planning easier than ever.
Recipe of the Day
BBQ Oven Pork Ribs
by Audra LeNormand from Liberty, TX
If you want BBQ ribs but don’t feel like going outside to barbecue, try this pork ribs recipe. Once baked, they are fall-apart tender and super juicy. Perfectly seasoned, this may be our new favorite way to prepare BBQ ribs.
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Trivia
In the U.S. Air Force, it is a good luck tradition for new pilots to break their wings. As soon as they complete the Air Force’s Undergraduate Pilot Training program, they are given their first pair of wings. The tradition of breaking them dates all the way back to the days of the Army Air Corps. They give one half of their broken wings to their spouse, friend or relative for safekeeping and good luck, and keep the other. To preserve good luck, the halves should not be brought together while the pilot is alive. Upon the pilot’s death, the two pieces are brought back together to bring the pilot good luck in the afterlife.
*If you’re experiencing somnambulism, what are you experiencing? Take a guess and see if you’re right in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Jake is a rescue cat and our bestest bud. He loves to go for walks with us on his harness and leash. He is will be 7 this year. Most people who meet him know his name and remember it before they do ours.” —Diane Baty
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 ??????
We really don’t understand this. What… what is it? But you know what, we’re pretty tempted to try it… whatever it is.
Leave here with a laugh
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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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Susan, I’m so glad you found an RV that your husband can enjoy! My father had rheumatoid arthritis and it was so hard for him to get comfortable. They had a houseboat with nice accommodations that helped him take his mind off his chronic pain.
Thank You!
“Quick Tip” – We do this with bubble wrap in the winter for insulation. Sometimes it remains on the bathroom window. In the salon I leave a seam at eye level for viewing.
“Jake” – We often joke with ourselves that we always remember a pet’s name first, then the parents. Sometimes the couple is only known as “Jake’s parents”.
Yes, he is our full time travel buddy.❤️
Jake looks like a great travel buddy to have with you! And, he is a beauty!
Hi, Diane. Jake is a true beauty of a cat, for sure. Thank you for adopting him. I do have one question though, how on Earth do you teach a cat to a) put on a harness in the first place and b) teach him to walk on a leash? I have three rescue kitties (all females) and would love to be able to take them outside for walks. Any advice is truly appreciated. I also remember the pet’s names before the parents!
My dad and mom never broke a pair of wings during WWII. When Dad received his wings, he was given a tiny pair of “wife wings” to pin on Mom. She wore them on her blouse or lapel to show that she was married to a pilot in the Army Air Corps. I still have both sets of wings in a shadow box hanging on my family room wall.
Got my wings in 75 and immediately broke them. We called them our Blood Wings.
My Dad then pinned a set of his sterling silver wings from WWII on me. I cherish those wings. My brother also got a set of his wings.
Glad the Ruzzamenti’s have a new and comfortable rig for camping!
Hero camper nice. Tony, to gain access to car top camper, is there a ladder outside or a passage from the inside of the Teardrop to the camper?
Jake is adorable, looks like a great traveling cat!
Yes, he is our full time travel buddy.❤️
Not really funny or a joke. Just a statement.
Sorry didn’t get the laugh a day.
Hey, you know the small talk rotation: “What about that weather yesterday!” “Hey that was a lousy call during that game last night!” “God, what about the price of gasoline!!!” etc,etc. Hope that helps.
Thanks, Dennis, I didn’t get it either.