Issue 1908
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.
Page Contents
Today’s thought
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Hot Dog Day! (In yesterday’s poll there’s a hot dog surprise you’ll want to see…)
On this day in history: 1903 – The Ford Motor Company ships its first automobile.
Tip of the Day
Don’t be a carbon monoxide victim
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Nearly every new home built in the U.S. has them: carbon monoxide detectors. These little units can save your life. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and often deadly gas, the byproduct of incomplete combustion. The combustion source in an RV could be anything from an improperly operating furnace, water heater, oven, generator, or any other device that burns fossil fuels.
Small amounts of CO can make you sick. In fact, it’s the leading cause of accidental poisoning in the U.S., with approximately 50,000 cases heading into ERs every year. Larger amounts can kill you. More than 400 Americans a year join that statistical tragedy.
Today’s RV review…
2022 Jayco North Point 373BHOK fifth wheel, with a surprise room
Tony writes, “While the obvious customer for this fifth wheel, which is technically a bunkhouse, is a family, this isn’t such an in-your-face bunkhouse that it wouldn’t serve a couple well, too, or someone who brings other campers occasionally. Further, that bunk room could very easily be used as an office. No matter what, this would be a nice place to spend some time.”
For previous RV reviews, click here.
Photo Contest
The sixth 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
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.”
Why did my brand-new LED lights stop working?
Dear Dave,
I have replaced all my ceiling lights with LED bulbs and they don’t last! They quit working within one outing. What’s wrong? I bought them at an auto supply store. —Ken, 1986 Cobra w/Ford chassis
NEW! Video of the day
RV awning replacement the easy way: You CAN do it yourself
By Cheri Sicard
The YouTube video below personally saved me a lot of money, time, and headaches. It shows just how easy RV awning replacement can be. Or, I should say how easy replacing the RV awning fabric can be. This video assumes your RV already has the RV awning hardware installed.
The video features Dometic or A&E manual awnings, very common types of RV awnings that will be familiar to many of you.
Replacing your RV awning yourself can save you HUNDREDS of dollars over paying someone to do the job for you.
Towing FAIL! These people hitch their fifth wheel backwards!
OMG! Our eyeballs nearly popped out of our heads when we saw this short video. Can you believe this is real? These people hitched up their fifth wheel backward. We can only imagine the damage this will cause!! What would you do if you were pumping gas and saw this person drive away like this? We sure hope someone ran up and told them to stop driving… Check this out!
Reader poll
Do you read more fiction or non-fiction books?
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
Cool, crispy, refreshing… and weird. Reallllly weird. Would you try them?
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
Many uses for Velcro in your RV
Erinn Myers wrote in with a sticky suggestion: “I Velcro just about anything I can to the walls and countertops of our motorhome. Why? So I don’t have to take down everything on the walls, and put everything away, each time we travel anywhere! Examples? (1) Our clock, as well as all of our photos/wall hangings. (2) Also in the bathroom, I’ve Velcroed the towel holder, tissue dispenser, soap dish and hand sanitizer dispenser to the counter (they only require a very small piece of Velcro, to stay in place). Then, when I clean, I just pick them up, then reattach everything after cleaning. (3) In the kitchen, I’ve also Velcroed salt and pepper shakers, a hand sanitizer dispenser, and a basket that we keep napkins in. (4) I’ve even attached small items to the insides of cabinet doors (to save space), such as flashlights, remotes, and even hairbrushes on the inside of the medicine cabinet. (5) Last but not least, I Velcroed a basket containing our dogs’ harnesses, leashes, and poo bags to the floor, right near the door – now super convenient!” —Thanks, Erinn! Stock up on Velcro here.
On this day last year…
- Tip: The glowing gadget with many uses. You’ll want it for your RV
- RV review: Storyteller Overland Beast MODE 4X4 Class B
- Featured article: “Redneck” house boat? Good idea or not?
- Recipe: Southern-Style Hush Puppies
Website of the day
Eight Spots in the United States Where You Can See Petroglyphs
It’s amazing to look at things such as petroglyphs and try to even begin to grasp the history behind them. This article from the Smithsonian shows you eight spots around the country to view them.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Just how bad is it? Are boondocking locations getting crowded?
• Portable washing machine saves weight for RV. YUP.
• Blowing in the wind: Truckers’ tips for safe driving
Recipe of the Day
Corn and Sausage Frittata
by Nelda Carnley from Jack, AL
Nelda’s corn and sausage frittata recipe is something you can enjoy for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. We love versatile recipes! It’s creamy with bits of corn throughout. The sausage adds a nice savory flavor with just a hint of heat from the cayenne. Once baked, the bread crumb/butter/cheese topping gives the frittata a crunchy texture. Delicious!
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Trivia
The last surviving member of any species is known as an endling. In the April 4, 1996, issue of Nature magazine, commentators proposed the new word and it stuck ever since.
*The very first U.S. dollar bill was issued when and who was on it? Find out in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Franklin is a rescue Chihuahua. He is about 4 years old. He is rather quirky. He only eats his kibble. We have not found any treats that he will eat. He loves to trail walk but hates walking on man-made surfaces, even if they are shady and cool. He is quite pampered, as he should be. He likes long naps in the sun and endless scratching on his lower back.” —Wallace Blackstock
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!
Something better than duct tape? Yup.
Duct tape is the greatest thing for on-the-fly repairs of all kinds. But you may want to add Waterproofing Repair Tape to your tape deck. The manufacturer claims this stuff is so good that it’ll stick to almost anything, and it’ll do it even underwater. Read more about this handy tape here. Trust us, it’s sticky, durable, and you’ll want some for yourself.
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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I LOVE Franklin! I too have a rescue Chihuahua (she has something else too, maybe a terrier?) She will be 9 on Christmas Day 2022! Chihuahuas are super easy to spoil and ours is certainly that!
Velcro has it’s uses, but for a more stable and stronger hold, 3M Dual Lock is the way to go. I have a motion activated step light mounted on my trailer with dual lock and it has held even when I forget to remove it when pulling out. Plus, yo do not need two different pieces The Dual lock is designed designed to attach to itself and has much better holding power than velcro and the adhesive holds in every warm conditions.
Where are the past photo contest winners listed?
The “popular” article on whether boondocking is getting crowded is nearly 18 months old. This would be a great article to get an update! Thanks!
One of our four rescue cats thinks the cheap dry cat food from Walmart is her special threat. She will only eat dry cat kibble. The other three will eat anything. One enjoys corn husks and celery leaves.
re: corn husks
Years ago we had a cat that loved corn. She’d steal corn on the cob off the counter.
Once she brought a whole stalk of corn home from some neighbors garden–roots and all.
Looking at the ads for the “Luxury Teardrop Camper” I don’t understand how preparing my meals standing in the rain would be luxurious. Lol
You’ve got THAT right! Those are just a tent with harder sides.
Kind of like how some people will gut their inside Trailer kitchens to get more space and cook with their outdoor kitchen. Not very Luxurious either.