Issue 1830
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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Page Contents
Today’s thought
“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” —Laura Ingalls Wilder
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Sit Outside Your RV In Your Underwear Day! April Fools! It’s April Fools’ Day…
On this day in history: 1918 – The Royal Air Force is created by the merger of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service.
Tip of the Day
RV Gadget: Why your RV needs a Water Bandit!
By Dustin and Ashley Simpson, California RV Specialists
Camco’s Water Bandit™ is one of the handiest RVing accessories you can buy. Why? Well, there are few things more annoying than trying to screw a hose onto a water spigot that’s dirty or has broken or missing threads.
It eliminates headaches from broken spigots and helps stop leaking hose connections.
You can also attach your hose to water sources you wouldn’t otherwise be able to. The Water Bandit can attach to broken spigots, other hoses that are damaged, spigots with stripped threads, and more.
Today’s RV review…
2022 Coachmen Freedom Express Ultra Lite 294BHDS
Tony writes that this is “…a larger bunk model with some really nifty features. In fact, the more I look at these Coachmen travel trailers, the more I like them for a number of reasons.”
See what those reasons are here
For previous RV reviews, click here.
????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
People died who would be alive today if only they had this $5 product handy! Keep this in your RV or car. Always! You never know.
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.
How can I restore my RV’s dull fiberglass end cap?
Dear Dave,
I have a 2015 Excel and the end cap is starting to dull. What is the best product to restore shine? I hand wax the unit twice a year with Turtle Wax. —Kenneth
A neat trekking pole that helps light your way
By Tony Barthel
When a manufacturer actually goes camping you can tell. For example, SylvanSport sent me their WayLight Multi-Functional Camping LED Light and Trekking Pole. You can tell that these folks camp. The WayLight is an LED device, among other things. Essentially this is a walking stick with two different USB-rechargeable LEDs on the top: a round ambient light and a more focused beam-style flashlight. Continue reading. (Note: Tony really loves this gadget!)
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
• 10-Year Rule is rare at most parks, but stay tuned
• Fuel-saving gadget is being promoted everywhere you look. Good thing or rip-off?
• RVelectricity: Should RV parks meter power? Please take our survey (Look for Part 2 in tomorrow’s RV Travel Newsletter)
• RV boo-boos: Oops! Bad parking job: “How do I get out of this mess?”
Reader poll
Do you wish your RV were five feet longer or five feet shorter?
Quick Tip
Dinette cushions sliding around?
Here are two possible solutions to slippery dinette cushions: Apply “lines” of silicone caulk in a pattern across the underside of the sliding cushy. Let the caulk dry before setting back into place — the dry caulk acts as a snubber. Or attach sticky-back hook-and-loop tape to both the cushion and the surface it should “stick” to.
“Why I love my RV”
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, RVtravel.com readers tell in their own words why they love their RVs.
From Ron N.
2022 Bigfoot 25B21RB
“I love that it doesn’t have outdoor speakers. I can’t understand why people brag about the fact that they have outdoor speakers. In a campground, there is no wall between the sites to protect me from what should be a peaceful and relaxing experience. I don’t want to listen to someone’s ‘hillbilly’ music while I’m peacefully reading my book. I also don’t want to listen to someone’s outdoor television watching until 10:00 p.m. These people must only be thinking about themselves.”
Tell us about your RV. Come on, do a little bragging! Click here.
Website of the day
Want to Become a National Park Ranger? Here’s What It Takes
This informative article from Thrillist tells you everything you need to know about becoming a National Park Ranger. We think it would be fun!
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
Grilled Salmon, The House Special
by Greg Appel from Sunderland, MD
Salmon tends to be a little on the strong side, but the marinade really mellows out the flavor in this recipe. Slightly sweet and tangy, it’s really good! We think this salmon recipe could convert even people that don’t care for salmon. Grilling outside added a little smokiness, but cooking it on an indoor grill is great too. You can definitely make this simple salmon recipe year-round.
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Trivia
Horse lovers, close your ears! The first canned dog food in America was created to dispose of excess horse meat. Once upon a time, we relied on horses for many things, including transportation. But with the invention of cars… what happened to all those horses? Well, dogs were hungry so… The first canned dog food was made from horse meat and some vitamins and was introduced in 1922 by the Chappel Brothers. The dog food became so successful that within a decade, they were raising and slaughtering 50,000 horses a year for the food. Later, they sold the successful business to Quaker Oats. Eventually, during World War I we stopped eating horse meat (thank goodness) and by World War II rationing had put an end to most canned dog foods. That’s when kibble was introduced.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Link is our five-year-old Boxer that was abandoned in the desert and rescued by Boxer Luv in Phoenix, AZ. He has really taken to the RV lifestyle.” —Theodore Farmer
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!
Leave here with a laugh
Police have finally arrested the World Tongue Twister champion. They say he will be given a very tough sentence.
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
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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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Finding dog food not made in China is also kind of tough especially if you do find it is pricey. But we endure to make sure China is not sponsored by us if we can help it. Support made in America items.
What a beautiful boxer. How could anybody abandon a dog.
I heard the tongue twister champion was just going to be let off easy with a good tongue lashing.
Good one, Kelly. 😆 Have a great day! 😀 –Diane
Why is it people love steaks, pork chops and all other kind of meat, until you mention horse meat?
I believe you can buy horse meat in France.
Years ago Bend, Or meat store used to sell horse meat….was good….
There is no reason not to eat horse meat if you eat cows and pigs…
Some people (and some country’s) also eat dogs ( and cats). Bunch of stuff I didn’t like too much.
I have a soft heart so I am a vegetarian.
China and Japan are the biggest consumers in eating horse meat. There was a huge brew ha years ago about these people who would come over, buy horses at auction and ship them over seas or to slaughterhouses within the US and then ship over seas. Right now there is a ban on these people coming over here and doing such. But everytime the ban starts coming up it is shut down. So beware of people who come to buy horses and they are not what they seem to be. Horses are to be free or born to roam. Not eaten. Ew.
I have those led strip lights on the front of my motorhome, have only used them to show someone what they like when on. Way too bright for me. I have had to replace them already, only because I like everything to work even if I don’t use it. (Drives the wife nuts).
Why would you select a contribution to the ‘Why I love my RV’ section that has zero to do with why they love their RV and, instead, just offers a rant? C’mon managing team, do better.
If you want solitude, (no lights, no speakers, no children, no dogs, etc.) camp in solitude. You’ll not find solitude in a public campground…… Or any other public place for that matter.
Nice camper nonetheless.
Nice reply, Glenn.
And, almost every RV known to man has outdoor speakers. This was a big deal before the advent of outdoor kitchens and outdoor TV’s.
Geez, Ron N, a chance to relay the best things about your RV and it says absolutely nothing positive. What a wasted opportunity to talk about why a Bigfoot is a great choice.
The only time an outdoor entertainment system was enjoyed by more than the owners of the RV was at Watkins Glen race track a few years ago when, on a Sunday Morning at 7 AM, the RV owners were showing a live European Formula 1 race and had put out coffee and donuts for anyone who wanted them. We had a group of about a dozen race fans watching and nobody complained.
I have outdoor speakers on my TT. May have been used once while camping. I do use them when at home cleaning and waxing the trailer. No different than using a regular radio while I’m working.
Now about all the outside underbelly and rope lights surrounding the RV’s. Trying to relax in the evening outside and being beside what looks like the Las Vegas strip next to you is just as annoying. What’s the purpose of camping with all the lights, other than trying to show off the rig?
I love the attitude that some people have about the decorative lights manufacturers put on the RVs. Several 5th wheels and DP leave their decorative LED lights on 24/7 and take the attitude “I paid for them and I’ll use them” no matter how much they might bother their neighbors. I guess manufacturers should be forced to install On at dusk and Off at 10pm. Lol
Could not agree more. My current camper has the front LED strips on it and yes they look cool and on a few occasions(Halloween camping) when I do turn them on I turn them off when I go to bed. My old camper was a hybrid and I had this one guy that would let those front LED strips on all night. And blue LED’s are intense to say the least. It would light up the inside of my hybrid like I was camping in a strip club parking lot. He seemed bothered by the fact that I asked him to turn them off when he goes to bed.
I must admit that I keep my awning lights on most of the evening. However, they have three step dimming and we keep them on the lowest setting. About as much light as a BUG candle and are mounted against the trailer under the awning. They get turned off when we go inside. I also have a small motion light beside the door to light up the steps. Only stays on for 30 seconds.
#1 close your blinds
#2 when you go to bed close your eyes.
There. Fixed that problem for ya.
The outdoor speakers on our rig are only used when I’m home on MY 7 acres washing and/or waxing our camper.
You hit the nail right on the head. They ARE thinking only of themselves. Probably act like that in all circumstances and all venues in their lives.