Issue 1869
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
“We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Paper Airplane Day!
On this day in history: 1927 – The last Ford Model T rolls off the assembly line after a production run of 15,007,003 vehicles.
Tip of the Day
Fix that leaky RV roof
Courtesy Dicor Corporation
Got a leaky RV roof? If you’ve found your roof has a hole in it, you probably won’t drown—but don’t just pray the rain stops. Take a bit of action to stop the leaks and the resulting damage. Here are a few tips (with occasional addendum) from the Dicor Corporation.
Today’s RV review…
RV Review: Which RV did the RV reviewer choose?
Tony writes, “For those who read this column regularly, you’ll know that I totaled my previous travel trailer and have been waiting to pick up its replacement. I’ve also been pretty cagey about what we’re picking up. In fact, I’ve been purposely obtuse about the whole thing. I’m sure you have other things to worry about, but for those of you who were curious, I am writing this from Shipshewana, Indiana, inside our new….”
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.
Slideout has a short to ground error code. Should I be concerned?
Dear Dave,
Our Schwintek slideout monitor blinks red 9 times, goes green and repeats. The code says it is “Hall Pwr Short to Gnd.” The slide works fine. Does this problem need immediate correction? And exactly what is the problem? —Robert, 2019 Rockwood 2608 BS
12 of the weirdest campground rules – You won’t believe these!
By Nanci Dixon
Almost every campground hands out a packet, sometimes a full book, of rules when checking in. There are a lot of rules that make sense: keep your dog on a leash; pick up after yourself, dogs and children; control your children; abide by the quiet hours; follow the speed limit; etc. Those are the rules you wish everyone would read and adhere to. But some campground rules I have come across seem just plain weird. Read these 12 hilarious, weird rules here.
Reader poll
What would you prefer? A great steak or great piece of seafood?
Yesterday we released the latest issue of our Full-Time RVer newsletter. If you missed it, read it here.
Quick Tip
“Manly” stove backsplash
If you have a rugged RV and want to maintain the look-and-feel while you keep grease off the wall behind the stove, here’s a tip for a do-it-yourself backsplash: diamond plate. Cut some thin diamond plate to the correct size, then use automotive door edge strip to finish out the raw edges, if necessary, for safety and appearance. Mount to the wall behind the stove with heavy-duty double stick tape, if it’s not self-adhesive.
“Why I love my RV”
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, RVtravel.com readers tell in their own words why they love their RVs.
From Wayne Ramsay
2017 Newmar Dutch Star 4369
“The quality is excellent. We live in it full-time. It is an all-electric coach. The customer service is excellent. It has everything we need to live comfortably. I installed electric dump valves myself so I can dump black and grey tanks from inside the coach. No problem with def heads because the coach was made in 2015; read that def problems began after 1/1/16. We usually spend six months on the beach in St. Augustine, FL, and six months in the mountains in Lake Toxaway, NC.”
If you’d like to see this feature continue, please tell us about your RV. Come on, do a little bragging! Click here.
NEW! On this day last year…
- Tip: Using reference points helps you safely drive your rig
- RV Review: 2021 Cherokee Alpha Wolf 26RB-L Travel Trailer
- Featured article: Weighing an RV—4-corner or CAT scale?
- Recipe: Upside Down Blueberry Pie Cheesecake
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
Can we offer you some shrimp cocktail? Or some carrots and ranch? How about some olives? Cheese, anyone? Come on, help yourself.
Website of the day
The Happiest States—And How To Be Happy No Matter Where You Live
This is an article, not a website, but we think a lot of the things they say hold true for RVers. It’s good advice! And it’s fun to see which state(s) ranks the happiest. Perhaps it’s time to go reserve a campsite there… *Note: You can also listen to this article. Click the play icon at the top.
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:
• 90 percent have not installed a lithium battery in their RV.
• 6 percent say they’ve had their RV’s black water tank professionally cleaned.
• 14 percent pay to get their RV’s exterior professionally cleaned once a year.
Recent poll: Would you like to own and operate an RV park if given the opportunity?
If you enjoy this newsletter, please help us spread the word! Learn more here. It’s fun!
Recipe of the Day
Orzo Salad
by Lindsey McCue from Los Angeles, CA
Don’t forget to pack this orzo salad for your next picnic. With no mayo and loads of flavor, this is a perfect picnic pick. The mixture of fresh basil and tomatoes makes it taste like pure summer sunshine. Poured over the orzo salad is a wonderful dressing that’s a little tangy and a little sweet. It complements all the fresh ingredients. Full of flavor and texture, it’s easy to make and ready to serve immediately.
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Trivia
When the U.S. struggled with gasoline shortages back in the 1970s, the Federal Highway Administration ran a study that revealed that allowing cars to make a right turn on red reduced waiting time by about 10-30 percent, which made a significant dent in the time drivers spent idling. By early 1980, all 50 U.S. states had adopted right-turn-on-red regulations. Can we get a new rule to help us out with these gas prices, please?!
*Hidden cameras in ____ helped the U.S. gain access to Soviet secrets during the Cold War. Can’t fill in the blank? Find the answer in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“This is Miss Kitty’s first camping experience and she did wonderful! Examining outdoors from her favorite spot.” —Karen Talley
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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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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We need to cut back on unnecessary idling of engines if we are serious about saving fuel. I think NYC actually pays a bounty to people who turn in big trucks idling for more than 5 minutes.
Too many people leave their trucks/cars idling while they run into a convenience store (and get hung up with an old friend chatting for 15 minutes), stop in the road to talk to a friend, fuel up (that’s actually illegal but they don’t care), pick up burgers, do paperwork, etc. Especially guys who work out of their trucks–leave it on at all times, it’s not their fuel bill but the company’s. Guys in rural Colorado do it the most, apparently to raise ozone levels in what would otherwise be pristine air, and pi** off John Denver and the other environmentalists: hey guys, he’s dead, get over it! When will we stop wasting fuel from sheer carelessness; when it’s $10 a gallon?
Whoops, I forgot about us RVers! Seriously, do not start your engine first and then stow all your gear, say goodbye to all your friends, rig down, hitch up, blah blah blah. It’s ridiculous. Nobody wants to hear that or inhale it.
How much fuel would be saved if there were no drive thru lanes
North Dakota – YES! (PS: Bring your boots, mittens and parka and those “long johns”!) You Betcha!
I live in a rural area where you can sit through an entire red light cycle, with no traffic in any direction. Places like this (and most places) should have lights that go to blinking red instead of solid red. You should be able to go in any direction if the traffic (or lack there of) allows you to safely do it. Imagine how much time and gas that would save.
Almost all the new signal systems are computered. They would know if there is no traffic and make your light green. They even do it for left turns. Yours may be older and don’t have that system. Get in touch with your City or State road folks and ask “what’s up?”
Reduced waiting time at the red light is great. It didn’t mention approximately how much gas was saved, but how about speed. Let’s slow things down a bit. Accidents galore and a lot could be avoided by slowing down.
It was during that same 70s gas shortage that major highways did change the max speed to 55mph. I believe even the interstates. Somehow it crept back up.
Contest. Is this your RV?
“No posts to display”
Just a heads up to broken link.
No, not a broken link.
It’s showing the future RV for all those families that just can’t make up their mind on what to get!!
Yep. Just trying to be helpful. Harder for them to be stolen when they’re invisible, also. 😆 It’s been fixed. Take care, Jeff. 😀 –Diane
I should send in a blank image and claim to be the winner. 🙂
Too late, Snayte. (Hey, that rhymes!) The link has been fixed. Have a great day! 😀 –Diane
Thanks, Glenn. It’s been fixed. Have a great day! 😀 -Diane
Product of the day is cheesy, no pun intended. As a true Italian, only wood would be used for an Antipasto.
How can there be no posts on the “Is this your RV?” section? I sent my pic in the first or second day it started; haven’t seen it yet. Do I need to send another?
Same with me, and some months ago they were going to discontinue the contest but by popular demand they kept it going. Does that mean we need to send in another picture
I was wondering the same thing. Been checking literally every day for 2+ years. Not that the $25 is such a big deal, but it would be a little day-brightener
Hi, Rebecca, Frank, David, and everyone else. Some stats for you: We’ve run this contest 550 times (365 times per year), but we have more than 3,200 entries (with more arriving every day). So, since there are soooo many entries, and since this is a contest, there is no guarantee that your picture will be randomly picked. Even if we stopped accepting photos now, that’s more than 7 years to get through the ones we have. So, hang in there, keep checking, and good luck! 😀 –Diane
Seems to me someone is driving around taking pictures to post. Not submitted by readers. It says so in the small print. Also, they used to say how many win and where they are from. Hummm…. I would also like to resubmit.
Please see my response to Rebecca, Frank and David. We receive several photos every day from our readers, and very few from our writers, actually. The photos that have been submitted are still in our files, so please don’t send more in if you’ve already submitted a photo. And, yes, we do post on the contest page who has won in the previous week. Have a great day, Forest. 😀 –Diane
I think roundabouts would save gas over 4-way stops and traffic lights..IF people understood how they worked! (Traffic IN the circle has right-of-way)
Roundabouts might save gas if it is used at intersections with equal traffic in each direction. Personally I have came upon a roundabout where I had to stop and wait on traffic and when an opening finally appeared I had to accelerate rapidly to merge into traffic which goes against all the fuel saving tips known to mankind. In that situation a 4 way stop would be better for fuel saving.
I agree on everything you said.
Don’t agree with you or Bob P. Number 1 it is not a merge lane as traffic flows the vehicle on the left has the right of way this contravenes the rules where at a four way stop the vehicle on the right has the right of way. Many have no clue and stop as they have a Yield sign and they think it is for the vehicle to their right slowing the flow of traffic and confusing others that learn mistakes along the way from what they see. Roundabout work no traffic lights to maintain or install. It is all about education to those who drove before roundabouts became mainstream.
I disagree. If an unbalanced roundabout was replaced by a 4 way stop it might save YOU aggravation but not much fuel. It would waste a HUGE amount of fuel making every vehicle stop and start (thousands of vehicles x stopping and starting 10 20 or more time just to get up to the line for their turn.
Several have been installed in my upstate NY area over the past several years. The traffic flow is much better and the accidents in them really aren’t much higher than in traffic light controlled intersections.
We have encountered roundabouts so tight, our truck and TT had to go up on the curb.
Right turn on red, after stopping, does indeed save some fuel. Too many people just roll through these intersections though.
The biggest problem is with traffic signals that do not change within a reasonable amount of time. I have sat at many red lights that do not change even when there is no cross traffic coming. Some are 3-4 minutes before they change. The in ground senors are the worst. Paving over these sensors causes them to not work effectively. With the technology today , there is no reason for this to happen.
On a motorcycle, the left turn sensors often do not pick up the smaller vehicle. In Virginia, for motorcycles, it is legal to go through a red left turn arrow on a motorcycle IF: 1) you have waited two cycles of the light, or two minutes; and 2) if it is safe to do so.
Right on red to save gas improvement:
In NZ shortly after right on red was adopted (ok in NZ everything is flipped because they drive on the wrong side of the road, but the concept is identical just opposite), they also adopted ‘left first’.
Left first means if two vehicles are approaching each other at an intersection and one is turning right and the other is turning left (both on the same side street), the right turning vehicle politely waits and lets the left turning vehicle go first. This is true at all times (controlled intersections, uncontrolled, multi-lane etc).
It has worked very well for 40 years and it clears congested intersections much faster and safer (the same reason so many arrow controlled intersections do this now). The final reason is if all the left turns don’t make it (which is holding up the righties) the right turn vehicles can still use right on red during all the other light cycles so they are not delayed as long.