Issue 1929
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
“Don’t compromise yourself – you’re all you have.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Fajita Day!
On this day in history: 1868 – French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovers helium.
Tip of the Day
Performing RV walkarounds can save time and money
By Gail Marsh
Just what is an RV walkaround, anyway? Who should do it? And how often? RV walkarounds can not only save time, but they can save you money, too! And sometimes a lot of it!
Here are some things we check before even hitching our fifth-wheel RV to our truck:
RV inside walkaround
Methodically walk around the interior of your RV. Check the following…
Today’s RV review…
No RV review today, folks. Tony has a lot going on right now. (But the good news is that he’s out touring tons of RVs to write about!) He’ll be back soon!
Ever wonder what Tony’s most popular review was in the last year? Well, this is it!
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.
SPEAKING OF CONTESTS… Don’t forget to vote in yesterday’s photo contest! Voting ends tonight at midnight Pacific time.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
Can I install a ladder on the back of my RV? Where and how?
Dear Dave,
Our RV didn’t come with a factory-installed roof ladder. I’d like to install one to be able to see and clean off the tops of the slideouts before closing them, and also to clean the roof. Heartland says they didn’t provide a ladder as the roof isn’t walkable. However, two men weighing about 200 lbs. each were on the roof at the same time installing a SoftStart on one of the A/C units, and it was very sturdy. How can I tell where to drill in the rear wall to hit at least a couple of solid anchor points? Heartland doesn’t have (or won’t provide) a build sheet showing the wall construction and layout. —Mike, 2021 Heartland Milestone M-1 28RL 5th wheel
COMING LATER THIS FALL: A new weekly newsletter: RV Tech Talk. The nation’s leading experts on RV repair and maintenance will discuss, both in writing and in live online discussions, what you need to know to keep your RV in top condition, and to troubleshoot problems. Edited by Dave Solberg. Sign up.
Video of the day
A VW Bug and motorhome mash-up: The super-cool Super Bugger RV!
The VW Bug motorhome video below from Barcroft Cars answers the question: What would happen if you married an RV and a Volkswagen Beetle? The answer? You’d get The Super Bugger!
The video highlights arguably one of the most unique RVs and unique Volkswagen Bugs ever.
The Super Bugger RV is definitely an attention grabber. The owners claim people flock to it wherever they go. It’s so darn cute, it’s easy to understand why.
The best smartphone case for RVers, hands down
By Mike Gast
I’ve had a smartphone since they invented the things. My previous employer wanted me in touch 24/7, so the phone was always on and always at my fingertips. That meant the actual phone took a lot of abuse as it came along on hikes, meetings, bike trips and vacations. Where I was, it was. The constant companionship of a smartphone led me to become an expert in phone cases. Find out what brand Mike highly recommends here.
Reader poll
Have you ever eaten snails?
?????? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??????
Have you ever wanted to appear like you go to the gym every day? Well, if you carry this around the campground with you, everyone will think you’re the strongest person around!
If you enjoy this newsletter, please help us spread the word! Learn more here. It’s fun!
Quick Tip
Not-so-tasty water hose?
It could be you’ve developed a layer of slime in your water conduit. Disconnect the hose from both the supply and the RV. Coil it up, as you would for traveling. Pour a cup of bleach down one of the ends, and connect both ends together. Roll the hose about to thoroughly distribute the bleach. Hook the hose back up to the water supply (not the RV end!) and thoroughly blast fresh water through the hose to liberate the bleach—and the blech!
On this day last year…
- Tip: Guidelines for RVing with pets for a safe and pawsitively fun experience
- RV Review: Alu-Cab Canopy Pickup Camper
- Ask Dave: What’s the cost to repair a water-damaged floor?
- Featured article: A rewarding way to RV: Volunteer along the way
- Recipe: Fajita Dip
Website of the day
9 Scenic Canada Road Trips Within 2 Hours of the U.S. Border
Woohoo! Canada is open! Celebrate by taking a day trip (or a several-night trip) to these beautiful places within just two hours of the border. Sounds pretty nice, eh?
Pocket-sized pain and bug bite itch relief balm is good to have!
This small anti-itch and pain balm is good to keep in your pocket or purse any time you’re around pesky mosquitoes. It’s an all-natural balm made with essential oils that helps relieve pain and reduce swelling. It also helps with spider bites and bee stings. Learn more or order. And see other bug-bite relief and prevention options in this article.
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:
• 28 percent believe that reservations should be required to enter National Parks every day of the week, and another 28 percent believe reservations should be required but only on weekends.
• 43 percent have a sibling or siblings that they never speak to.
• 39 percent own an ATV or another off-road vehicle.
Recent poll: Did you fall in love at first sight with your spouse/partner?
Recipe of the Day
Slow Cooker Fajitas
by Melissa Lewis from Romney, WV
Fajitas are an easy dinner option and this slow cooker version is fabulous. The meat is tender and absorbs the flavor of the spices and jalapeno. We opted for steak, but chicken would be super tasty too. These Crock Pot fajitas are great if you’re busy and figuring out dinner. The slow cooker does all the work for you. Just set out your favorite toppings and each family member can assemble their own fajitas.
[do_widget id=custom_html-21]
Trivia
The 10 activities that contributed most to U.S. lightning fatalities between 2006 and 2020 were: 1: Fishing; 2: Beach activities; 3: Camping; 4: Farming and ranching; 5: Riding a bicycle, motorcycle or ATV; 6: Boating; 7: Social gatherings; 8: Roofing; 9: Headed to and from or waiting for a vehicle; 10: Yard work.
*The Great Pyramid of Giza was the tallest man-made structure for how long and until what other building took the title? Find the answer in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Hiking with my Australian Shepherd in Idaho on a trail overlooking Lake Pend Oreille. In our 14 years together we hiked over 3,500 miles of trails all around the U.S.” —Ralph Nottelman
*Editor’s note: Ralph submitted this photo to our photo contest, but we thought it was better suited here.
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
René Descartes, the philosopher, is known for his most famous maxim, “Cogito, ergo sum,” which means “I think, therefore I am.” One night Descartes was in his favorite bar. Closing time rolled around, and the barkeep said, “It’s closing time, Mr. Descartes. One more for the road?” Descartes replied: “I think not.” POOF! Thanks, Russ De Maris!
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.
Will you help support us?
This newsletter is brought to you Monday through Friday by RVtravel.com and is funded primarily through voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you! IF YOU APPRECIATE THIS NEWSLETTER and others from RVtravel.com, will you please consider pledging your support? Learn more or contribute.
If you shop at Amazon.com we’d appreciate you using this link. We get an itty bitty commission if you buy something, but they add up and help us pay our bills (most importantly our hard-working writers!).
Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): chuck@rvtravel.com
Advertising: Advertising@rvtravel.com
Help desk: Contact us.
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.
RVtravel.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
This newsletter is copyright 2022 by RV Travel LLC.
This is late, but I couldn’t resist. Your snail food article reminded me of the snail that bought a new car and had a big S painted on the side. Then when he drove it around everyone would say “wow, look at that S car go!”
😆 It’s never too late for a good joke, Lil John. Thanks! Have a good night. 😀 –Diane
Poof! Ya just gotta laugh. Especially at those who don’t get it. Sorry.
Was there supposed to be something funny, today’s joke wasn’t?! Poof?
Sorry, Brian. “I think, therefore I am.” But then he said, “I think not.” POOF! In other words, he no longer existed. 😀 –Diane
I loved it! I forwarded it on to some other weird people who also thought it was hilarious.
Have an Older Sister. Just the 2 of us. Speak to her twice a week now that she on her own & is in a Retirement Home. You know I get much pleasure in doing so!!
WOW! Deep humor in the laugh today. Didn’t see THAT coming. Thanks! 🙂
The mystery product of the day sure looks convenient doesn’t it . . . 🙂
To Ralph Nottelman: my dog, Barney and I have walked hundreds of miles in the last 10 years. He is now 15 years old, deaf and arthritic. I miss those days so much. Hiking a mile now days is really pushing it. I hope he doesn’t grieve the loss of his boundless energy like I do. Dogs are one of God’s best ideas.
In the Trivia listing — golf didn’t make it into the list? So I guess golf IS safer than yard work!
The list only covers productive, necessary activities.lol
Agreed, so why isn’t golf there?
😆 Good one, Impavid. And I think golfing isn’t on the list because golfers go into the clubhouse to have a drink or two and wait out the storm. Hmm? Have a good night. 😀 –Diane
As Lee Trevino said after being nearly hit by lightning during a tournament – “If you are caught on a golf course during a storm and are afraid of lightning, hold up a 1-iron. Not even God can hit a 1-iron”
You go, Ralph
This comment is not on the walk around but on the leaf blower, I use my leaf blower to blow out my clothes dryer vent, to clean out the lint. I remove filter, stick leaf blower tip into vent and cram a towel on each side of tip. The towels keeps the dust from coming back at me.( Remove vent cover on the exit end of vent before starting blower)
Good idea!