Issue 1855
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
“The best moments in reading are when you come across something – a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things – which you had thought special and particular to you. Now here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out and taken yours.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Nurses Day! Thank you, nurses!
On this day in history: 1889 – The Eiffel Tower is officially opened to the public at the Universal Exposition in Paris.
Tip of the Day
Our staff recommends this portable induction cooktop for cool-RV cookin’
One of our writers, Greg Illes, a “retired systems engineer who loves thinking up RV upgrades and modifications,” sent this to us. Greg didn’t know that our own Tony Barthel had recently done a review on the Duxtop portable induction cooktop.
Since we have two RV experts on our team who love this product, we thought we’d share what Greg wrote with you.
Oh, and before or after reading this, make sure you check out Tony’s review of it, too, if you haven’t already.
Greg writes…
Today’s RV review…
Northwood Nash 18FM travel trailer
Tony writes, “Today’s review is of the company’s second-smallest travel trailer and one that fits into the category I’ve been seriously looking at for my own next RV. I am an admitted fan of Northwood products, in general, for a variety of reasons. So this was high on the list. But there were enough factors, in my personal method of choosing, that it didn’t make the cut.”
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.
Two of our RV’s outlets are not working. How can we fix them?
Dear Dave,
We had an electrical problem with our Alpine 3250RL 5th wheel. My husband, John, found most of the problem and fixed it, except for the outside receptacle and the kitchen island receptacle. Those two outlets still don’t work. —Linda
Here’s why diesel pusher radiators overheat… Don’t let this happen!
By Kate Doherty
Last summer, our ’08 diesel pusher with a rear-facing radiator kept overheating, especially when climbing small hills. Initially, we rationalized that the two-speed fan wasn’t shifting from low to high, so we changed the fan relay – to no avail. We didn’t want to climb the Rockies with this problem, so we queried a local radiator shop and were instructed to spray the radiator at the back with low-pressure water from a garden hose. Continue reading.
For about $13 this could save your life. We absolutely guarantee it!
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- California generator ban ignites comments from our readers
- An easy, cheap DIY fix for RV mouse infestation
- All RVers own a “whiskey stick,” but we bet you don’t know its history!
- Homeless RVers on street ruining RV park
Reader poll
Do you own stock in an RV manufacturing company?
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
We SO want to tell you that this is a silly, stupid invention… but there’s just no way we can deny that they might actually come in handy.
Quick Tip
Unhooking a “stuck” toad
Jim Riley passed along this hint: “When it’s time to unhook your towed vehicle and it won’t break free because it’s not level, restart the toad and turn the wheel sharply to the right and/or left and it should release the tension and enable you to pull the pins easily.” Thanks, Jim!
“Why I love my RV”
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, RVtravel.com readers tell in their own words why they love their RVs.
From Jamie Sharp
2010 Coachmen Catalina 20RD
“We love our 20-foot trailer! We bought it used and it was pretty yucky. Along with deep cleaning and quite a few repairs and replacement parts, we did a cosmetic makeover. We painted walls, got new cushions, made curtains, recovered the headboard and installed new vinyl flooring. My husband is 6’4” tall, so the short queen just didn’t work. He built an extension and we bought a queen-size 10-inch memory foam mattress. We made it so pretty inside that we use it as a guest room for company and it’s my ‘she shed’ for coffee when my neighbor comes over. I love the big dining area window because we always have a view, especially when we land a site that backs up to a lake or forest. It can feel cramped sometimes when the weather is bad and we are stuck inside with our dog. However, we feel so fortunate to be able to maneuver into sites that are too awkward for something bigger. We have been out for as long as a month and we still love our camper, Sir Creaksalot.”
Tell us about your RV. Come on, do a little bragging! Click here.
Website of the day
America’s Eeriest Gold Rush Ghost Towns
If you’re a ghost town lover, or a lover of American history, check out this list from Love Exploring.
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
Bonnie’s Chile Rellenos Casserole
by BonniE! From Cottonwood, CA
This is a fabulous casserole with a Tex-Mex flair. It’s super cheesy and packed with flavor. The mixture of meat and chiles is the base of flavor. Seasoned perfectly, the few dashes of hot sauce add a slight kick. The egg/flour mixture holds everything together and has a fluffy egg-like texture. Serve as Bonnie suggests for a hearty dinner. This would be great for brunch, too.
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Trivia
In old England, 10 families equaled a tithing. 10 tithings equaled a shire. Each shire elected a reeve. That “shire reeve” eventually became known as a “sheriff.”
*Which of these states is known for an architectural detail called a “witch window”? South Carolina? Vermont? Indiana? Massachusetts? Take a guess then look at yesterday’s trivia for the answer.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Our 18-month-old Mini Goldendoodle, Saylor, loves riding in the ‘big car’! Here she is helping my husband, Carl, ‘drive’ the ferry to Okracoke. She’s up for any adventure.” —Karin Reilly
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
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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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Today’s “Why I Love My RV” is an excellent article. It’s comforting to see someone buying used and fixing it up to their liking. I’ll bet it’s better now than when it came from the factory. Kudos!
We bought an older class C eight years ago for $300. Had to do a some mechanical repairs and interior makeovers but it has been a very enjoyable rig for us.
Thank you! It was a pretty fun project most of the time.
I like Jamie Sharp’s Coachmen Catalina 20RD. Too bad they don’t still make them. I’m leery buying a used RV. With the poor quality of appliances and construction with some materials. My 1st travel trailer was used and I had a nightmare with getting the RV fridge repaired. Plus one of the ceiling panels and underside cabinet panels started falling down. Even the outdoor stove fell off the panel securing it. Since most dealers don’t warrenty used RV, makes you think twice.
Your add for the “For $8.99 this could save your life. We absolutely guarantee it!” is the case for the life straw, not the Life Straw itself. I’m not sure a case will save my life. 😉
It might look like a case but it’s the LifeStraw! The filter is at the bottom (the flat part) and the “straw” is at the top. LifeStraw’s are incredible little gadgets. Thanks, Russ! –Emily
Those ghost town pictures are amazing. It is incredible how resilient and persistent these miners were. A very tough breed. If only some of those walls could talk. Thanks for sharing.
Today’s Laugh…..What is the last thing to go through a bug’s mind just before he smashes into your windshield? Yup, it’s his posterior.
Can’t get my daily fix on Tony’s RV Review. PAGE ERROR appears.
try reload, it worked a second time for me
Same for me. Had to go to previous RV reviews.
Sorry, all! We fixed it. Should be working now for you. –Emily