Issue 1898
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
“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” —Aristotle
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Fried Chicken Day!
On this day in history: 1942 – Anne Frank and her family go into hiding in the “Secret Annexe” above her father’s office in an Amsterdam warehouse.
Tip of the Day
Easy ways to make your RV’s entry steps safer
By Gail Marsh
A fellow camper recently fell and broke her arm. It happened on her RV entry steps at night. She simply tripped over the bottom step and the next thing you know, she’s on her way to the local ER. The incident got me thinking about tips for safe RV entry steps.
Stair types
RV entry steps come in various configurations. There are three main types.
- Platform step. This is basically a small step stool that gives you a step up into your RV. Some platform steps feature fold-away legs for ease of storage.
- Foldable or scissor steps. This kind of RV step is housed underneath the entry door. You pull them out for use, and tuck them away when you’re on the road. Some foldable steps are manual, while others are electric.
- Pull-down solid steps. This stair type locks into the door frame of your camper. When you open the entry door, you unlock the pull-down steps. With a gentle pull, the steps extend out of the camper to the ground. Some pull-down steps can be adjusted to allow for uneven terrain.
…
So what are the best entry steps and how can you keep yourself safe while using them? Continue reading to find out.
Today’s RV review…
2022 Coachmen Chaparral 336TSIK Fifth Wheel
Tony writes, “Today’s review is of the Coachmen Chaparral 336TSIK fifth wheel. This is a fifth wheel you might just brush over as being another of what is the most common fifth wheel floor plan. But it actually has some features that make it worth looking at, if this is what you’re in the market for.”
For previous RV reviews, click here.
Photo Contest
The second edition of our photo contest is here. Click to see if your photo made the cut, then vote in our poll for your favorite photo. Remember, the winner wins a $50 Amazon gift card! Read the contest rules and/or submit your photo here.
Click here to vote for your favorite
Congratulations to Saturday’s winner, Kevin Read! See Kevin’s photo here.
The tire gauge favored by RVtravel.com
The Accutire MS-4021B digital tire pressure gauge has an easy-to-read LCD display with readings from 5-150 PSI. It’s ergonomically designed with an angled head and rubber-coated easy-grip handle. The included lithium battery never needs recharging or replacing. Automatically shuts off, too. Our publisher relies on this gauge. Learn more or order.
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.”
My holding tank gauges never work. Is there another option?
Dear Dave,
Since the holding tank gauges that detect the levels in the various liquid tanks are so error-prone, what exactly is the gauge? What does it look like? How does it work? How is it replaced? Are there other systems being investigated/researched to make better gauges? Thanks. —James, 2020 Coleman 2515RL
Selling your RV: How to prepare it before listing it for sale
Tony Barthel gives you an insider look at how you can prepare your RV before you list it for sale. How many photos should you take? What time of day should you take photos and what angles should you take them from? Why is lighting so important? What story are you trying to tell with your RV? Who are you selling it to, and why does that matter? All this, plus common mistakes sellers make. If you’re thinking of selling, you’ll want to read this.
Trending on RVtravel.com right now…
Around the Campfire: To grease or not to grease a trailer’s hitch ball?
By Gail Marsh
To grease or not to grease a trailer’s hitch ball? That was the question around the campfire a few nights ago. Everyone seemed to have an opinion about greasing the trailer’s hitch ball, and were eager to share in the discussion. Read more.
Reader poll
Do you take naps at rest areas?
POPULAR SURVEY (asked last Saturday)
Have you canceled any camping reservations due to high fuel prices?
Yes, indeed, some readers say they have. But how many? Find out here.
Helpful resources
• CURRENT WILDFIRE REPORT
• CURRENT SMOKE AND FIRE REPORT
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
• LATEST RV RECALLS
• DIRECTORY OF RV PARKS WITH STORM SHELTERS
• THE BEST RV TRIP PLANNER APPS AND TOOLS
Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.
If you enjoy this newsletter, please help us spread the word! Learn more here. It’s fun!
Quick Tip
Annual clean out
The more “stuff” you carry in your RV, the more fuel your motorhome or tow vehicle needs to haul it. Once a year, go through your drawers and cupboards and remove things you haven’t used in the last year. With current fuel prices, we need all the help we can get to save on that expense.
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
You’d win so many points if you gave this to someone as a gift. Maybe you’d even… get a strike?
On this day last year…
- RV Review: Airstream Flying Cloud 25FB with office
- Featured article: Motorhome sideswiped truck. Video captures it all. Ugly!
- Recipe: Parm Crusted Chicken My Way
Website of the day
The Most Epic Dog Parks in the U.S.
You heard it here, pups! It’s time you put on that leash and take Mom and/or Dad out to the dog park (and make them buy you a treat too, while they’re at it!).
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Beat the heat: How to keep your RV cool this summer
• Scare away thieves: Paint your cat!
• 15 uses for plastic grocery bags in your RV
Recipe of the Day
Awesome Avocado Dip
by Debbie Sue from South West, FL
Cool and creamy, this avocado dip is awesome! Don’t confuse this with guacamole… it’s nothing like it. You can taste the cream cheese base that gives this dip a richness. The avocados add flavor and more creaminess. They also give this easy dip a nice light-green color. Red onions add a nice bite and a little texture. We opted to add the jalapeno and cayenne for a bit of a kick. A fantastic dip to serve at a party or add this to your next taco night.
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Trivia
A whopping 14.95% of Ohio drivers report having a speeding ticket, the highest rate in the USA. That’s 75% above the national average. Residents of Connecticut are apparently more law-abiding: a mere 4.74% of drivers there have received a speeding ticket, the lowest rate in the country. SOURCE: Insurify
What was the very first city in the world to reach a population of one million? Guess, then see if you’re right by finding the answer in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Tucker was an abused rescue when I got him 6 years ago. Today he is a happy-go-lucky, well-adjusted pup. He loves going camping and is right at home wherever we go.” —Bruce Byrd
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
Tim Conway is The Oldest Man
This will surely brighten your day. A businessman (Harvey Korman) doesn’t know what he’s in for when he stops for a hot dog and a milkshake at a shop run by The Oldest Man (Tim Conway). Comedy doesn’t get much better than this skit from the Carol Burnett Show. Click the video to watch.
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the latest Sunday News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.
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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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Tim Conway. There will never be another comedian like him. If today is National Fried Chicken Day then why didn’t you folks hold off on the photo of the KFC guy? Just a thought. I know on one of the app channels you can watch all 10 years? I think of the Carol Burnett show. Think I know what I might binge on today.
Tucker is one lucky and very cute pup! I’m a rescue mom too – mine will be 9 on Christmas
Day this year!
While I agree with the Quick Tip to annually clean out your RV of unused items. I do so to regain storage space. But I wonder how much you really gain in fuel mileage? I hadn’t noticed any real gain when I was RV’ing but my “junk” tended to be small light items.
Yeah wind not weight is the biggest factor in your mileage. I got a trailer that was a full 1500 lbs heavier and get the same 8-9 MPG as I did with the old one.
I have a toy hauler. When the 800lb bike is loaded the mileage only drops about 1mpg. Not really a significant difference.
Not one of Tim and Harvey’s best, but still funny.
One of the BEST comedy teams ever……
Regarding yesterdays report on ancient cities / populations.
Rome may be the winner for first to a million pop, but for sure, Baghdad reached 1m before being destroyed & rebuilt several times. It may have reached 1 million more than once between Rome & London and I don’t know, perhaps it pre-dated Rome as well.
I remember reading once that Baghdad was over 1 million population before being over run and destroyed by the Mongols.
I am no history expert but I don’t thing the Romans & the Mesopotamians & the Mongols knew about each other for at least a few centuries…
Going along with the trivia my son just got a speeding ticket in Leesburg, FL. He said his radar detector never sounded and it’s sensitive to all the radar bands, it must be LIDAR they’re using watch yourselves.
He needs to upgrade to a radar detector that also detects laser, although it’s usually too late by then. They make laser jammers….
ND uses 2 way – from and to radar and also airplanes! Don’t know if they’re using LIDAR yet!
Many years ago, I was in a courtroom where the defendant used the excuse that his radar detector didn’t go off. The judge said to him “radar detector- sir, I consider you a professional speeder, $500”. That was a lot of money 40 years ago.
Tire gauge that’s perfect! Except it requires 3 replaceable LR44 batteries.
Do you know of any power source that works “forever”? Without power how would you display the pressure? Even a non-powered “stick” gauge will not hold it’s reading if it is bumped.
I think he was referencing that the gauge uses 3 batteries. Your description says a lithium battery is included. The Accutire page says it requires 3 LR44 batteries.
I have one for my car but the Accutire will not work with the duallys in my MH