Issue 1918
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
“Successful people make a habit of doing things that unsuccessful people don’t like to do.” —Bob Bowman, coach to Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps
Need an excuse to celebrate? You may not want to actually celebrate this, but today is National Clean Your Floors Day. Okay, so maybe that’s not how you want to spend today. So go ahead and celebrate National Watermelon Day instead!
On this day in history: On this day in 1963, Allan Sherman releases the hit song “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh.”
Tip of the Day
How to know if your RV fridge is leaking ammonia
By Dustin Simpson, California RV Specialists
If your RV refrigerator smells like ammonia you need to take action. It’s not something where you can wait three or four days to finish your camping trip before dealing with the issue. Ammonia is a toxic gas and can be harmful in the confined space of an RV or camper.
While the smell of ammonia is oftentimes enough to alert your senses that something is off, there is something else you can look out for: yellow staining near the refrigerator.
Today’s RV review…
TAXA Mantis 5.1—Even more innovative than before
Tony writes, “I have liked the TAXA Mantis since I first looked at it, and the changes they’ve made for 2023 just make it that much better. The idea of using a Lagun table to make a sit/stand desk is absolutely brilliant.
“Another thing I like is that this will fit into most garages but offers a lot of functionality and usability. You can take this on a longer adventure or just a few-day getaway. With the easy flexibility of this design it would be a good choice for both.”
For previous RV reviews, click here.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Last weekend, we asked our readers if they had ever owned or currently own a lava lamp? Remember those very groovy “hippie” lights? What do you think? Do you think that about two-thirds of our readers once owned or currently own a lava lamp, or two-thirds of them have NEVER owned a lava lamp? Find out here.
Photo Contest
The 10th 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.”
I’m looking for a cold weather RV. What do you suggest?
Dear Dave,
I’m looking to buy my first RV for cold weather camping. It will be a travel trailer and I’m looking at a true 4-season RV. I am driving a 2020 Ford F-150 with towing package, 4×4, and super crew cab with 5.0 motor. Do you have any trailers that you would and would not suggest? Also, how much RV can I tow with my truck? Thank you. —Joseph
Video of the day
Pros and cons of an RV composting toilet
By Cheri Sicard
If you are considering an RV composting toilet, the video below from Stef and James from The Fit RV is a great one to watch before making that leap.
It comes with a lot of built-in credibility as the couple is speaking from personal experience after installing and using a composting toilet in their camper van over the course of a year.
The video begins on a high note by sharing some truly compelling reasons to choose a composting toilet, especially if you live in a van or a very small RV. It’s also advantageous for cold weather RVers because composting toilets use no water. Likewise, there’s no plumbing to freeze.
Scare away thieves: Paint your cat!
We recently shared with readers a news item that police in Saint Paul, Minnesota, had a free clinic to prevent catalytic converter theft. Their answer? Paint your cat! Before our feline support group has a collective heart attack, picture, please, nice policemen sliding under cars and painting – not furry friends – but catalytic converters. Continue reading.
Reader poll
How often do you have ice cream in your freezer?
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
You know you can drink out of your toilet, right? Hey, would we ever lie to you? It’s true!
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
Go for the shade in the hot summer
In summer, when the temps are high, try to camp where the hot afternoon sun will be blocked by a tree or a nearby hill or anything else that will provide shade. Ideally, position your RV so your awning can also provide shade. It will make a big difference in the temperature inside your RV.
On this day last year…
- Tip: 17 unusual uses for dryer sheets in your RV
- RV review: Airstream Pottery Barn Special Edition Travel Trailer
- Ask Dave: Air conditioner unit works, then doesn’t. What gives?
- Featured article: How to add an instant bathtub to your shower
- Recipe: Crock Pot Mango Chicken
Website of the day
Best Fall RV Camping Destinations in September, October and November
Can you believe next month is already September?! We can’t! This list from KOA will get you started on deciding where to head next for the beautiful fall months.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Top 6 reasons to love and 6 reasons to hate RVing
• Beat the campground reservation crunch: Camp with the animals
• Finally! A phone mount for car or RV that works and keeps us safe
Recipe of the Day
Baked Beans with Kielbasa
by Lisa Montgomery from Sheridan, AR
Nothing basic about this baked beans recipe. Slices of hearty, savory kielbasa sausage pair well with the sweet bean mixture. Picking your favorite BBQ sauce is what makes this side dish special. You can’t go wrong with the sweetness and spice of BBQ sauce. We guarantee everyone will gobble these baked beans up fast at summer cookouts.
Trivia
In 2019, 87% of wildfires were caused by humans.
*How many giant sequoia groves have burned due to wildfires? The answer is heartbreaking. Find it in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Sadie, a Lab/Cocker mix, loves our times at the lake in our travel trailer. But camping is hard!” —Andy Bowen
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
Mrs. Jones was reading a letter at breakfast. Suddenly she looked up suspiciously at her husband. “Henry,” she said. “This letter is from my mother. She says she isn’t accepting our invitation to come and stay. She said we do not appear to want her. What does she mean by that? I told you to write and say that she was to come at her own convenience. You did that, right?”
“Er, yes, I did,” said her husband. “But I couldn’t spell convenience, so I went with ‘risk’ instead.” —Thanks, Nelson Bailey!
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In most houses, the toilets fill with the same water that supplies all faucets. Therefore, the toilet is filled with drinking water.
I love “Today’s Thought.” What a good reminder.
The climate alarmists wouldn’t like the trivia.
Hi, James. I don’t see how anyone could like the trivia, actually. Just sayin’. Have a good evening/night. 🙂 –Diane
Sorry, but I miss the “connection” between fires started by human activities (most likely campfires and unintentional fire starting) and the fact of Climate Change aka Global warming as visualized by NASA here.
If you sit the grandkids down to celebrate National Watermelon Day, you will end up celebrating National Clean Your Floors Day anyway.
Good point, Kelly! Thanks! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
It’s amazing that some will deal with composting toilets. You’d assume that since there are so few and so few requesting them- that they’d cease to exist. I don’t see a single advantage that would make them worth it- from any point of view. Early in my life we had an out house- a form of c-toilet. They’ve found a way to have a portable version now.
I agree 100% on your comments and position on composting toilets.
100%!
Thank you for ‘On this day in history:’. Now I have the song stuck in my head. Had to sing it for my husband so he has it stuck in his too. 😁
Thanks again for a great and news-worthy edition of RV Travel. Especially liked reading about the new Air Stream. Thank you for keeping us informed.