Issue 1963
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
“There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Do Something Nice Day!
On this day in history: 1970 – The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is founded.
Tip of the Day
What’s the most important RV trip prep? Your personal health
By Gail Marsh
Getting ready for an extended RV trip usually involves making reservations, packing the RV, checking RV systems, and making arrangements for your stix-n-brix home while you plan to be away. You probably have preparation checklists (like this one). Don’t forget to include the most important part of RV trip prep—you and your health! Face it! If you get sick or feel tired as your trip begins, you may compromise your entire adventure. That’s why you need to consider some personal health prep before your RV travels begin. Here are some tips to help you do just that!
Today’s RV review…
Coachmen Catalina Summit Series 7 model 184BHS
Tony writes, “Today’s RV review is of a small, affordable bunkhouse trailer—the Coachmen Catalina Summit Series 7 model 184BHS. This is a trailer that’s closer to the affordable end of the price spectrum that has some really good features. However, for some campers, it may have some deal breakers.”
For previous RV reviews, click here.
Have you been affected by Hurricane Ian?
Hurricane Ian may just be one of the largest blows to ever hit the U.S. mainland. Have you been affected by this gigantic, devastating storm? We’d love to hear about your experiences. Please click here to share your experiences.
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.”
RV is plugged into 30 amp in a heated garage but engine batteries still die. Why?
Dear Dave,
My RV is plugged into a 30 amp that is located in a heated garage. Today and earlier this year the starter batteries were dead. I left the bay lights on for about 24 hours. I boosted the batteries with the house batteries, started the engine, and then shut the engine down. Then I connected a battery minder to the two starter batteries. After a couple of hours, the red light went out on the minder or tender. I was surprised that it went out so soon. —Denny, 2011 Monaco Camelot 43DFT
Lithium Batteries – Are They Right For You?
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Video of the day
Incredible ambulance RV conversion has amazing features
By Cheri Sicard
Steven Stolp from Stolp Solutions, a custom RV and van builder, has designed an amazing ambulance RV conversion that has to be seen to be believed. You’ll never look at an ambulance the same way again.
Why young veterans do not integrate with older ones
By Louis J. Finkle
Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Clinical Psychology
The number one problem of nearly all military-oriented groups is trying to determine how to attract younger veterans to participate in activities with older ones. For years I have been trying to determine its effects on the RV lifestyle we enjoy. No matter the age of people I question, the answers to my questions come down to “social” differences between older and younger-minded veterans. There are more factors expanding the chasm than connecting the parties. Continue reading.
Reader poll
Do you have security cameras that monitor your home or RV?
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!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
What if you could charge yourself with a battery? A human battery! Well, it’s pretty accurate… You’ll see.
Quick Tip
Garden kneeling pads—good in and around the RV
Garden kneeling pads, made out of foam, are great for kneeling in the garden. But pick up a pack of them and you’ll have uses for them around the RV. Some RVers keep one with a box of disposable gloves so their knees don’t get wet when dumping holding tanks, or putting down manual stabilizers. But here’s another one: After bouncing down the highway, you park, go inside, open a cabinet door and hey, presto! Stuff jumps out of the cabinet! These neat pads fit right across the opening of a cabinet door (tucked inside) and act as a barrier, keeping items inside the cabinet. And if you hit the bleachers at your favorite athletic or sporting event, they make a great cush for your tush. Here are some on Amazon.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Here’s how to better organize your RV. It’ll make a huge difference
- RV review: 2022 Wildwood FSX 270RTK
- Ask Dave: Can a water leak be fixed without a whole new roof? Is it even worth fixing?
- Featured article: A wonderful, nostalgic book about the history of the family road trip
- Recipe: Yummy Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Website of the day
10 Coolest Museums in America
Some of these museums look like they’d be a ton of fun to explore. Check ’em out and plan a trip if you’re nearby.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• The “other Grand Canyons” are worth a stop too. Check these out
• Here are some ways RVers are making money on the road. You can do these too!
• Part 1: What is the best solar panel for my RV and how many do I need?
Recipe of the Day
Chicken Taco Soup
by Vicki Wacasey from Greenville, TX
A delicious chicken taco soup made with pantry ingredients. Sometimes canned chicken can be a bit overpowering. The key is to drain it very well and it soaks up the lovely seasonings in this taco soup. Cream cheese makes the soup creamy and adds a slight tang. Serve with cheese and tortilla chips for an easy soup on a cold evening.
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Trivia
When you’re on a hiking trail you’ve probably noticed small markers telling you you’re on the right path. Usually they’re found bolted to a tree. Those are called “blazes.” Trailblazing used to be a real occupation, where trailblazers would go out and hike routes across unexplored terrain setting “blazes” to mark their path.
*The first feature film to be completely digitally color corrected was….? Trust us, it’s not what you think. Find out in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Bunny was a rescue from a puppy mill in Alabama. We found her in Florida at approximately 6-12 months of age. She adapted fairly well to a home and has learned everything to have a pleasant life. She loves riding in the car and loves the RV.” —Robert McBride
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!
Get your kicks on, well, you know how it goes…
“The Best Hits on Route 66: 100 Essential Stops on the Mother Road” is the perfect companion for anyone traveling down Route 66 or who has ever wanted to. Amy Bizzarri, a Route 66 expert, takes you on an inspiring and entertaining journey down America’s most famous favorite road. Along with fascinating history and travel inspiration, the book also includes itineraries so trip planning is a breeze. Learn more or order.
Leave here with a laugh
Three good ol’ boys are on Death Row. They discuss how to distract the firing squad so they can escape, and come up with a plan. When the first one’s in front of the firing squad he yells “Tornado!” and the firing squad drop their rifles, run for cover and he escapes. The second man comes in front of the firing squad and at the last moment he yells “Earthquake!” and the firing squad drop their rifles, run for cover and he escapes. The third man, who’s not the brightest candle on the cake, then comes in front of the firing squad and at the last moment yells “Fire!”
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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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Bunny, you are a sweetie pie!
Stop off at a carpet salesroom and ask if they have any old carpet samples. I have used them in my motor home for years. Every bay has one in it. Also great for using in the garden.
I’ve been meaning to put kneeling pads in the RV. In the meantime I have a rag in each bay that I drop on the ground to put my knee on to get under the door.
Kneeling pads are useful, but if you use them for gardening and on ground that has been sprayed with chemicals, they can absorb the chemicals and it will come into contact with the skin. A friend became ill and they found a high concentration of pesticides. His knees were the point of contact.
Kneeling pads are something I have used for years, they are an excellent idea. I also bought a hard hat last month, and I wish I had done it years ago. Even though we have streamers and pool noodles all around the edges and corners of our RV, I am still constantly misjudging where I am in relation to the RV during setup and breakdown. It seems that no matter how hard I try I can never come away from working around our RV without at least one bump or cut on my head. The hard hat worked perfectly, not a single owie on my forehead. I think it was one of the best $20.00 investments that I purchased for use around the RV.
Bunny is the cutest thing. Love seeing peoples pets.
Also joke of the day made me giggle. Thanks. I still love reading even though no longer RVing. Let’s me still dream
I finally years ago just ended up putting a foam kneeling pad in every compartment in both of my Motorhomes. They take up very little room and definitely make kneeling down easier on my knees plus keeping my knee/pants off whatever might be on the ground. In my Class A I also keep a foam yoga mat rolled up for any other job that I might have to lay on the ground.
The ambulance-to-RV conversion is mind-blowing. This guy is a genius. If the regular RV manufacturers could put just one tenth the effort and quality………………………….. Yea, I know, it would be cost prohibitive. Just sayin’.
This is independent thinking not corporate decision making regulated by “bean counters”, that’s chief financial officer for the ones uneducated in the industrial world. Engineers come up with great ideas, then bean counters step in with their calculator in hand and start cutting costs here and there until it’s cheap enough to build but not worth having. Take GM for example, Bob Stemple was CEO and amazing cars were built, he was an engineer, then Roger Smith took over (bean counter) all the cars looked alike. A Chevy left front fender would fit a Cadillac right rear fender, saving money, but no more personality in each car. That’s what’s wrong with American products today, everything has to be approved by bean counters!
It’s called capitalism. Maximizing profits for shareholders is the top priority. Not quality or innovation.
I don’t believe the Chevy fender thing. Could you be more specific.
Remember Bunky Knutson? Head of Pontiac in the 50’s! He took that division from the little old lady in Pasadena to the race track and high style Bonneville!