Issue 1915
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
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Lasagna Day!
On this day in history: 1958 – U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs into law the National Aeronautics and Space Act, which creates the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Tip of the Day
Coffee-can your sewer odor away
If your RV is connected to a sewer drain most of the time, you probably keep your gray water valve open. This can lead to a smelly problem. Sewer gases rise from the sewer hose into your gray tank and slowly migrate up through the tank and out the roof vent. At times those same evil essences can somehow infiltrate your RV with a negative impact on your olfactory organs.
Worse still, if there are any “vague” connections in your gray water venting system, those nasty little essences can also make their creepy way out, carrying not just the odor of gray water (as bad as that is!) but with a direct connection to the city sewer (or local septic system), that really horrific scent of black water can invade your premises.
What to do? Enter the Folgers P-trap solution. If you leave your sewer hose connected and the dump valve open, stick a P-trap between the sewer and you. Simply obtain a coffee can (or a large rock) and make a bend in your sewer hose. Gray water will advance over the bend, but the water trapped in the hose on the “rig side” of the coffee can will prevent the odoriferous fumes from crossing over.
Mind you, when you dump your black water you’ll want to temporarily remove the coffee can to allow a free-flow of black water, et al., to make the trip down the sewer unimpeded. One more thing: If your travels take you to the cold country, don’t use this lash-up in below-freezing weather—you’ll get more than just stink back!
Today’s RV review…
2023 Keystone Springdale 293RK travel trailer
Tony writes, “This is a couple’s larger camper but in Keystone’s most affordable range. For the base price of this camper you really do get a lot. But the overwhelming thing, to me, is that it doesn’t feel like a more affordable rig. … Overall, a decent package with huge living space at a price that’s lower than many things I’ve been seeing lately. No wonder Springdale campers sell so well.”
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.”
How do I clean my RV’s slideout top without getting on the roof?
Dear Dave,
How do I clean the top of the slideout without getting on the roof? —Deborah, 2022 Sunseeker
Video of the day
10 of the coolest, grooviest retro RVs you’ve ever seen. Which one do you want?
By Cheri Sicard
The video below is so much fun to watch! It features the top 10 coolest, grooviest, most retro RVs from the 1940s, ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.
They sure don’t make them like this anymore, but we can reminisce and dream!
[Another] Video: How to avoid burning food in your RV oven
Many RVers complain that their factory-installed ovens do not cook evenly. RV technician and well-known journalist Chris Dougherty has a quick tip about a simple way to help avoid hot spots in an RV’s oven that can cause what’s being cooked or baked to heat unevenly or even burn. Watch the 2-minute video here.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- End of the line for Lazy Daze, a one-of-a-kind RV builder
- Trailer magically appears on remote Ohio River sandbar
- Good Sam Club: Going, going (almost) gone
- Around the campfire: Who’s to blame for lack of quality RVs?
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
Put this on the back of your RV and when other motorists pass they will look at you, trying to see the very cool person who displayed it. We love this!
Reader poll
How many pairs of shoes do you have with you on your RV trips?
If you enjoy this newsletter, please help us spread the word! Learn more here. It’s fun!
Quick Tip
Mini can opener is perfect for your keychain
If you served in the military, you’re probably familiar with these ingenious can openers — they were included in ration kits. Nowadays they’re popular with campers, but trust us, if you attach one of these on your keychain there will come a day when a can needs opening and nobody has a can opener — except you. The publisher of RVtravel.com has carried one of these on his keychain for decades, and it saved the day more than once. You’ll find them at sporting goods stores and Amazon.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Use a Ford Taurus (and other things) to tenderize steaks (really!)
- RV review: Flagstaff Super Lite 524BBS—big deal in a little 5er
- Featured article: Pipe thread tape: Use the right color, the right way
- Recipe: Chili Dog In A Log!
Strengthen your hands, fingers and forearms
Here’s a great, easy way to build up the strength in your hands, fingers or forearms. Perfect for RVers. If you suffer from arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis or tennis elbow this is for you. It’s also great for simply building up the strength of your grip. This is a best seller and costs about $10. Learn more or order.
Website of the day
Smokey Bear
Only YOU can prevent forest fires. It’s true! Smokey would love it if you would visit his website and spend a few minutes learning about how you can be fire-safe this summer.
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
Parmesan Asparagus
by A Q from Pensacola, FL
We are always looking for new ways to prepare asparagus, and this is a super easy and tasty way. The garlic butter sauce is packed with flavor and coats the asparagus while cooking. Shaved Parmesan adds a nice flavor with a bit of savoriness. You can’t go wrong when something is topped with cheese!
Trivia
Escalators in various forms were invented by different people all over the world in the late 19th century. In England, french manufacturer Piat gets the escalator inventor title, and their first escalator was installed at the Harrods store in Knightsbridge, London. The experience for new riders was apparently so exhilarating and so disorienting that Harrods employed an attendant to stand at the top of the escalator and sell brandy to help the riders stop, take a sip, and regain their composure.
*What was duct tape originally invented to seal? The answer is very interesting. Find it in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Mazie, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, is our loving foster dog who was rescued from a puppy mill. She is blind and deaf, but her nose still works! She loves sitting in the sun and loves exploring the smells at the campground and begging fellow campers to give her some love.” —Rachel Smith
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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The book is for Dreamers. Would make a great “bucket list.”
The beer idea is really great, cause when you’re done, you can still use it for the original purpose!😉
@Rachel Smith, please consider joining our friendly Facebook group called Camping Cavaliers. We would love to see more of Mazie.
I just want to thank Rachel Smith for getting Mazie in the first place and keeping her when she is blind and deaf. And, yes, their noses still work (REALLY WELL)!
Imagine using the Laugh of the Day to drink beer from! 🙂
And furthermore, if the black tank doesn’t have enough water in it when the gray gets full fill it up and dump it too. That way you always have enough in the gray to flush out the hose.
Quick Tip: I’ve been carrying one of those can openers in my wallet for the past 56 years. You never knew if one of your C-rations would come without a can opener. Now it may come in handy if a hurricane hits to open our emergency stash. Yep, was a Boy Scout too – always be prepared. (I had to do the math to get the 56 years – how did “yesterday” turn into 56 years?)
re: yesterday, MY favorite term is “day or two ago…”
Terry, ain’t that the truth. Heck, I don’t even feel 56, no less the previous added years. I am so glad I don’t do math in my head, or I might feel old all the time. Yep, those 56 years were just a day or two ago.
Quick Tip it has a name it’s called a P-38!
You are 100% correct. Every G.I. has at least one. Even with MRE’s, you still run into a can somewhere that needs opening. Coffee cans come to mind.
A Canadian company is making a copy that is about 50% larger, equals better leverage. I switched.
And it’s nick name is John Wayne can opener.
When I was single, I had a nice shiny stainless steel flower holder ’til somebody pointed out what it was…
Coffee can P-Trap?!…. You should always keep your drain valves closed until you’re ready to drain the tanks. This is the recommended way by the manufactures, eliminates tank clogging, and toxic vapors from entering the rig.I only hook up my stinky slink when it’s time to DUMP the tanks! That way you keep all those critters from crawling inside your rig up the hose. Of course, this is my opinion based on years of Rving, which works for me. Keep an eye on your tank gauges…..Your neighbors will like you more too!
It seems to me I have seen numerous articles in this forum advising to keep tank valves closed when hooked to sewer dumps. When the black and gray tanks approach full, open the black valve and whoosh, you get a flush. Then open the gray valve and whoosh, you get a rinse. Too bad those sharing advise in these articles dont sing from the same hymnal. I’ll stick to the old way ’cause I’m betting ya get a better flush.
Yes, you HAVE seen such articles before, and yes, you should keep those valves closed.
This works great if the grey tank will hold enough that you don’t have to go outside in your PJs before bedtime to dump it after two showers and washing dishes after supper.
Most of us pay attention and plan ahead so we don’t get in that situation.
99% of articles say to keep both valves closed until dump time. The force of the water helps remove any sediment in the tanks. Keeping the grey tank open allows food particles, grease and soap scum to accumulate in the bottom of the tank. Open black tank first and use grey water to flush your hose and valve bodies.
Exactly! Keep them closed & then dump just as you said.
I always opened my grey water first just long enough to check connections and possible leaks. I much rather find out any problems and make any needed corrections with grey water in the hose. You can still flush with grey after opening black.
100% agree with you.