Issue 1874
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
“I’ve been homesick for countries I’ve never been, and longed to be where I couldn’t be.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Rocky Road Day!
On this day in history: 1835 – P. T. Barnum and his circus start their first tour of the United States.
Tip of the Day
Save $$ on fresh fruits and veggies—Pick your own!
By Bob Difley
Picking your own fruit and vegetables is catching on as health- and taste-conscious consumers continue to seek fresher and healthier food.
You can find everything to pick yourself from apples and nuts to fruits, berries and vegetables.
Prices are considerably cheaper since you have eliminated the labor cost of harvesting from the farmer’s overhead.
Today’s RV review…
2022 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 8 212QB
Tony writes, “… with a couch, dinette, permanent queen-sized bed and a toilet that even includes a ceramic throne, this is not a bad package at all. It’s my favorite of the ones with this floor plan, for sure.”
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.
How to tell a house and chassis battery apart
Dear Dave,
What is the best way for me to determine which battery is the coach battery and which is for the motor? Is it better to replace it with an AGM or lithium? Lithium is so expensive and I am not sure if the cost is really worth it. Thanks, Dave. —George, 1997 Winnebago Warrior 25U
This is a must-have for state park campers!
This newly published book, “50 States: 500 State Parks,” is a must-have for all state park campers and explorers. The beautiful book takes you on a journey through America’s best state parks. Whether you’re looking for stunning vistas, rare wildlife, a dose of history or an enjoyable hike, state parks offer an array of experiences. Learn more or order.
RVSuperbag: A cozy solution for making those tricky RV beds
Making the bed in the RV usually stinks. You’re on vacation to start with (who wants to make their bed on vacation?) and most RV beds aren’t really in a place where they’re easy to make. We came across the RVSuperbag, which can be described as a fancy sleeping bag designed to replace the bedding in your RV. There are sheets that simply attach to the inside of the bag which can be easily removed and laundered. This is a nice feature and makes this feel much more like your bedding at home. Read more.
Reader poll
Do one or more of your pets sleep in bed with you at night?
If you enjoy this newsletter, please help us spread the word! Learn more here. It’s fun!
Quick Tip
Jackknife sofa need renewal?
From Russ and Tiña De Maris
If your RV is equipped with a jackknife sofa, but the upholstery looks like it came through the war, there may be a less expensive way to give it a new look—when compared to upholstery shop prices. We found a 70″ sofa cover for less than $40 which fit ours, and with a little “tucking in” looked pretty sharp. Another RVer noticed that her jackknife couch was awfully reminiscent of a futon called Beddinge Lovas, formerly carried by Ikea. She bought a futon slipcover, and with a little nipping and tucking (if you’re handy with a needle and thread) had hers looking new in no time. Here’s a search on Amazon to start you out.
NEW! On this day last year…
- Tip: Prepare early for your RV trips—You’ll be glad you did
- RV Review: 2021 nuCamp T@B CS-S Teardrop Hybrid
- Featured article: This RV can store enough water to last years!
- Recipe: Crunchy Cheddar & Onion Chicken Breast
Website of the day
The 20 Best State Fairs Around the U.S.
Many state fairs are on for the summer! Get your ferris-wheel-ridin’ corn-dog-eatin’ self ready to have some fun! This list ranks the top 20 state fairs around the country. (We apologize that the schedule for the fairs is out-of-date, but you’ll still get information about their locations, etc.)
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
We use one of these and we gotta say, we love it! You’ll use it much more than you think. Trust us.
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:
• 48 percent have never visited Yellowstone National Park with an RV.
• In a typical summer month, 20 percent say they have a campfire for at least 10 nights if not more.
• 5 percent of our readers were not born in the country they currently live.
Recent poll: Do you have a “go-to” RV shop or technician who you trust for repair work?
Recipe of the Day
Couscous Salad
by Joeyjoan K from Clarkston, MI
What a terrifically light and easy salad for summer. We loved the addition of chopped tomatoes. The fresh mint and basil mix packs a punch of fresh flavor. If you’re not able to find the spicy basil in your area (we couldn’t), just add a pinch of cayenne pepper for the perfect amount of heat. A delicious addition to any backyard BBQ or serve as a side dish alongside grilled chicken for a summer dinner.
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Trivia
In captivity, ravens can learn to talk better than some parrots. They also mimic other noises, like car engines, toilets flushing, and animal and bird calls. (Watch these videos of incredible talking ravens.) Ravens have been known to imitate wolves or foxes to attract them to carcasses that the raven isn’t capable of breaking open.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Sabu is an 11-year-old Swedish Vallhund. She is a herding breed and originated from the Vikings. Herding and ratting was her job way back when. The breed was almost extinct but brought back. Still on the rare side of the dog world. So sweet and gentle.” —Patricia Carmichael
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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My mother was allergic to cats but endured the shots and kept the animal. But after the last one passed she said no more pets. Ended up a year later a dog. Wonderful dog until he passed away. Now I have 4, one passed over the bridge last Monday due to renal failure and now we have 3. Interesting to see where Alan ends up.
I drive the RV and pick up after the dogs. I am safe. He said with complete confidence.
My pet wife sleeps in bed with me.
Jeez. Know what it is like to be Alan!!
Ikea is a great place to “look” for stuff. Many of their items are the right size for an RV.
I wanted to comment about the jack knife sofa. It’s pretty uncomfortable all around and is made with either real or faux leather. So, we bought some memory foam, sewed and covered it with National Park fabric. Works like a charm – plus made a small quilt using the same fabric for the back so we don’t stick to it when it’s warm.
How do I get “National Park” fabric? And, what does it look like and how does it differ from other types?
Sounds like a great idea!
My Quick Tip
Yes, making up a bed in my RV used to be a pain…back pain to be precise. Walls around three sides of the bed. That was until there was a paradigm shift when I realized that I didn’t have to use my fitted bottom sheet around the mattress itself. I now apply the fitted sheet to only the 4” thick mattress topper. The foam topper is light and flexible so applying the fitted sheet is easy to put on and take off! No more back pain!