Issue 1952
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.
Today’s thought
“I’ve got the guts to die. What I want to know is, have you got the guts to live?” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National String Cheese Day!
On this day in history: 1870 – Old Faithful Geyser is observed and named by Henry D. Washburn.
Tip of the Day
Brake failures and the importance of a wheel bearing pack service
By Dustin Simpson, California RV Specialists
Here I’ll explain the importance of a wheel bearing pack service and will show you what we found on a unit recently on our lot. When was the last time you inspected your brakes and bearings?
During a recent wheel bearing pack service we found the following items on an RV unit:
- The brake shoes were worn down on three out of four brakes. This also caused damage to the drums.
- The roadside rear brake magnet wiring was cut in half and the backing plate/shoe and the drum were rusted.
- All bearings were burnt and loose in bearing cages due to lack of lubrication.
Today’s RV review…
2023 Jayco White Hawk 24MRB debut
Tony writes, “Today’s RV review is of a 2023 Jayco White Hawk 24MRB, a new floor plan from Jayco. For campers who want a lot of interior space in a couple’s camper, this might be a great choice for them. Might.”
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.”
My RV’s vinyl floor is loose and puffed up. How can I fix it?
Dear Dave,
The center of my RV’s solid vinyl linoleum floor is loose and puffed up. I’m thinking of using a blade to cut along the center of the puff, along the “grout” line, and injecting glue, then somehow walk it in. But I’m now afraid of imperfections in the feel. Your suggestion? —Clarence, 2014 Winnebago View
Video of the day
That Rusty Bus Wrap: Cousin Eddie’s RV… in real life!
By Cheri Sicard
Meet TJ of GCI Digital Imaging, as unique an RVing character as you are ever likely to find. TJ’s RV, “That Rusty Bus,” has been garnering a lot of attention. The 2014 Fleetwood Discovery 40G is a common enough rig. But what makes TJ’s Fleetwood Discovery so unique is its custom wrap, aka “That Rusty Bus Wrap,” around the internet and social media RV circles.
“Camping is therapeutic for military veterans”
By Louis J. Finkle
Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology
“Camping is therapeutic for military veterans.” That is the conclusion reached after many years of observing hundreds of my “brothers and sisters.” As a researcher specializing in handicapping conditions, I find that the benefits of veterans experiencing and sharing recreational activities with other veterans become therapeutic! Continue reading.
Reader poll
How often do you shop on Amazon?
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?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
18 across: Something you’ll like. 30 down: this.
Quick Tip
Battery safety
RVers are rightly concerned about having enough battery power. But with batteries come dangers—some not easily recognized. Charging batteries produce hydrogen gas, a highly explosive byproduct. Hydrogen is not something to fear, but respect. To keep safe:
- Always have plenty of ventilation in the battery compartment. Make sure that hydrogen gas can easily vent to the outside atmosphere.
- Never operate RV batteries inside the coach. The living quarters of the rig is no place for an explosive atmosphere.
- Don’t set up equipment in the battery compartment that could spark. That includes power inverters, like the one shown in the accompanying photo.
On this day last year…
- Tip: It’s time to clean your RV’s roof. Here’s how to do it and what you’ll need.
- RV review: Northwood Arctic Fox North Fork 22G
- Ask Dave: Why is the sidewall on my trailer “crinkling”?
- Featured article: Is moisture in tires a bad thing? What about in RV tires?
- Recipe: Traci’s Famous New England Clam Chowdahhhh
Website of the day
The 50 Best Campgrounds Across the US, According to Campers
This list from The Dyrt shows you the best campgrounds in each state across the U.S., according to campers in 2019. See if you agree.
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. Learn more or order.
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:
• When buying peas, the majority of our readers, 64 percent, buy them frozen. 23 percent buy them canned, and 4 percent buy them fresh.
• 57 percent store their RV on their own property when they’re not using it.
• 65 percent are considering or would consider buying a truck camper.
Recent poll: Has a sewer valve or hose ever broken or malfunctioned while you were dumping?
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Recipe of the Day
Ziploc Baggie Omelets
by Christine Kalmbach from Lubbock, TX
This terrific technique is a real winner and has been used by clever campers for years. I sure had never tried it before seeing this recipe, though, and now I want to throw an omelet party! Everyone can prepare their own creation, and each omelet will finish cooking at the same time so you can all enjoy breakfast together! Love it.
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Trivia
Half of America’s dogs come running just from the sound of a treat bag, a new poll suggests. According to Clif Pet, 47% of the 2,000 dog owners surveyed reported their dog reacts instinctively to the noise made when a treat container is opened. Fifty-two percent are also likely to run over when they hear words like “treat” or “cookie,” while only 37% consistently respond to the sound of their own name.
*How many shoplifters were apprehended in 2021? Yikes! Find the number in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“We’re full-time RVers. Meeko the Husky is five years old and has been RVing since a pup. He’s nervous when we travel and likes to lay behind the captain’s chairs. He’s always ready to get out when we slow down and stop. Loves to talk and visit with everyone. He’s usually tied on a retractable tie-out and lives to lay in the sun and sleep. He’s really a great travel companion and always ready for a walk.” —Dallas and Tammy Thompson
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!
Pet owners: Here are a few excellent resources to find a veterinarian while on the road. Keep this handy!
Leave here with a laugh
Somebody should make a beer called “occasionally.” That way when someone asks me if I drink I can say, “I only drink occasionally.”
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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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Leave with a Laugh brought to my mind a memory from college days. Near the University in Knoxville TN there is a pub/bar/student hangout located next door to a laundromat. The owners named it The Library so students could tell anyone who called them that they were at The Library.
I knew of a bar named “The Office”
We have a bar in my home town called “My Cousin’s Place”.
There is/was a strip club in Tampa and a bar in Deer Creek, IL named the Library.
There was a bar in Tallahassee, Florida near Florida State University called “The Late Night Library.”
Cats also respond to the sound or sight of the treat bag. I get reminders daily.
Trivia “Fifty-two percent are also likely to run over when they hear words like “treat” or “cookie,” while only 37% consistently respond to the sound of their own name.” I would suggest that maybe name your dog “Treat” or “Cookie”
Who needs a treat, my Beagle responds to the fridge door opening, even when sound asleep & snoring!
Snoopy
That Rusty Wrap Motorhome is different, but I would be surprised that any of the high-end RV parks would even let him in with it.
I’ve seen many husky’s and that doesn’t look like a husky, my first thought was a German Shepard.
I met someone with a white German Shepard and it looked exactly like this dog.
Web site of the day. A better title would be best state parks in each state. These are definitely not the best campgrounds. Just an observation.
“…dog reacts instinctively to the noise made when a treat container is opened.”
That’s a learned behavior, not instinct. Somehow ours have learned times or apparently even some other cue such that they head for the “treat area” before the treat bag is even touched! 🙂
Spike, my dog, AND cats begin the “hey it’s treat time” every evening at the same time that we started giving treats! Each cat (3) has her own place to receive her treats and that is where they’ll go AFTER vocally reminding us it is time!! The dog takes her place too but is less vocal!
Something tells me that cooking anything in plastic is not healthy.
Thank you. I was thinking the same thing.
Agreed.
Agree also
All I have to do is jingle my keys and my dog comes runny to me thinking we are going somewhere
Battery Safety
This applies only to lead acid batteries, should say that.
Recipe of the day is excellent! Easy, and easy clean up. And every omelet is customized!
Trivia – Dog treats. We have had dogs and our experience is that the Trivia is true. However, our daughter has cats and when we take care of them we have found that cats hear the treat bag from “miles” away and can get there faster than a Greyhound and be in your face faster than a spider. AND they know their names better than any of our dogs. I still prefer dogs, but have become amused by cats.
Cats are amusing but I love dog snuggles when they want them.
A couple of things:
1] No matter where they are on my acreage, my 2 labs can hear the rustling of their treat container in the house.
2] I live in the Rocky Mountains. I would be rich for every time I followed a trailer whose brakes were not adjusted right – smelled them first, then saw smoke following them downhill [I back off at that time] and at the bottom of the grade when they let off the brakes an explosion of smoke comes out. I will never get in front of this unit the rest of the trip.
Mine get jealous when only one gets a different treat then what the others get. So I make sure they are all the same. It does not bode well to trick our one dog.