Issue 1835
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
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Zoo Lovers Day!
On this day in history: 1913 – The 17th Amendment to the United States Constitution, requiring direct election of senators, becomes law.
Tip of the Day
Dueling dual batteries? Here’s a fix for your tow vehicle
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Many diesel tow vehicles have dual starting batteries—it takes a lot of muscle to turn over that starting motor and fire up the glow plugs. But how do you take care of dual batteries?
The routine as far as physical care is much the same as in taking care of a single battery. Keep an eye on the electrolyte levels, keep the terminals clean and tight, and don’t leave the headlights on or you’ll run down your batteries.
Nevertheless, when it comes to doing a voltage check to see if your batteries might be getting a bit weary, babysitting the twins can be a bit different.
Today’s RV review…
East To West Alta 1900MMK – counterpalooza
Tony writes, “Today’s review is of the East To West Alta 1900MMK, a smaller travel trailer with really terrific use of space. … There are a lot of pluses in this floor plan in general, and the way East To West has implemented them, specifically. But a few things are worth noting, by my observation.”
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.
Slideroom flaps not working properly, don’t flip to squeegee. Why?
Dear Dave,
We have a 2016 Keystone Raptor Toy Hauler with three slides. The two larger slides have a bulb seal on the sidewall trim and a slide room flap or squeegee that is supposed to wipe the side of the slide room as it retracts. Problem is, that the flap does not flip the other direction when extending. I have to use a fireplace poker to pull it out. Any suggestions? —Doug
Ingenious rat trap. Make it yourself. Easy!
VIDEO: You have got to love this rat trap! If you’re not into squishing the rodents with a traditional trap, this might be your answer. The basic equipment is a simple cable tie, a bit of string, a sheet of sturdy paper and some sort of weight, in this case an adjustable wrench. Oh, you’ll need some bait – cheese or another tasty treat. A piece of a Snickers bar works great. Read more and watch the video.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- California RV generator rules already having impact
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- Starlink: And just like that—we’re roaming
Reader poll
On a typical day, how far do you usually walk?
Quick Tip
Watch your step (literally) at night
For just a few bucks at your local Walmart or home improvement store, you can buy a “spotlight” style solar-charged patio light. Put the stake into the ground near your RV and you have a no-batteries nightlight to guide your feet. Here are some 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 Richard Gaudet
2020 East to West Alta
“In my RV experience, this is one of the best built and designed towables on the market. From the ground up to the roof, this is a very solid unit. The fact that a woman is the CEO of this subsidiary of Forest River may explain its very well-designed and appointed interior, as well as the sufficient outside storage. Does it have things that could be improved? For sure, but overall the quality of build for this unit is outstanding. I would not expect to be able to tow this trailer with a half-ton since it does weigh more than similar trailers of its size, which speaks to its ruggedness. We are very happy with our purchase.”
Tell us about your RV. Come on, do a little bragging! Click here.
Website of the day
The 16 best zoos in the U.S.
When was the last time you visited a zoo? Well, since it’s National Zoo Lovers Day, perhaps today should be the day! These 16 zoos across America are so much fun to visit, even if you’re not with kids!
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
Crock Pot Ham
by Lisa Swarm from Indianapolis, IN
An easy way to cook a holiday ham when you’re on the go and don’t have time to do a lot of preparation. The ingredients are placed in the slow cooker and the hard work is done. Your ham will turn out juicy. If you don’t love cloves, we suggest cutting back slightly. But we liked the flavor of the spices that soak into the ham along with the pineapple bits and raisins.
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Trivia
The icy dwarf planet Pluto has an average temperature of negative 387 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s home to mountains, valleys, glaciers, plains and craters. If you were to stand on its surface, you would see blue skies with red snow.
*Which of these prolific authors is actually composed of a group of ghostwriters? Ursula Bloom? Nora Roberts? R.L. Stine? Carolyn Keene? Find the answer in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Sissy loves to ride in the truck when we go on our camping trips. She’s a 4-year-old Shih-tzu/Maltese and she is one spoiled puppy dog!” —Sharon Koby
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 ??????
How cute would these look all around your campsite?! We’d come over and give you a compliment, that’s for sure. Just remember campground etiquette, folks. Nobody likes to be kept awake by bright… well, you’ll see.
Leave here with a laugh
A man went to a job interview. He was being interviewed for a big sales position at a pretty large company. The sales manager said to the man, “I want you to sell me this laptop.” The man put it under his arm, left the building and went home. Later that day he got a phone call from the manager: “Bring my laptop back now! You can’t steal it like that!” The man responded, “Okay. $1,000 and it’s yours.”
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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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Oh, just release the rat in city hall, they will feel right at home.
Is dwarf Pluto a planet? I think it is still up in the air! ;~)
I think the rat trap would cause internal injuries that would cause suffering. Best be done quickly and positively.
Taking out to a farm. The farmer doesn’t need a rat.people tell me they trap rabbits and take it out in the country and release them. I tell them I trap rabbits and take them into the city, and they get mad at ME.
Rabbits are good to eat.
Love the Easter lights. I don’t think they would keep any neighbors awake at night.
Love the Mystery Product of The Day, always nice to spruce things up and show a little spirit during holidays as I am a bit of a traditionalist. I love the variety and boundaryless selection of gadgets. Thanks for sharing. OK HATERS , get ready, set, go!!!!
Not a hater, here, because I’m certain you respect your RV neighbors and turn off all outside lights at bedtime. Thank you for doing that.
Wanna bet 50 cents on that, I’ll bet he’s a ME ONLY!
The rat trap is an interesting contraption, but unless it could kill very quickly, which is suspect in a mid-section hold, a rat would simply chew through the zip tie and release itself. And “release it in a farmer’s field?” If it is alive and still in the trap, just how does one get it out of the zip tie without being bitten???
Even if the rat did not chew through the zip tie, now what do I do with it? I guess that’s what the gun is for!
Where do you get some of the things posted in?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY??????. I wouldn’t put these on my home let a lone my RV.
It is a mystery!
Hey editors make sure you get John’s approval before you post your mystery product. 😉
Great for a 4 year olds room.
A great idea worth copying. Saw a solar light installed on the rear of a very large RV. It has a motion sensor, when approached, it went from dim to bright. Nice to see where your feet are going.
Same type is now on my RV.