Issue 1967
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
“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Sausage Pizza Day!
On this day in history: 1910 – Piloted by Arch Hoxsey, Theodore Roosevelt becomes the first U.S. president to fly in an airplane.
Tip of the Day
Reseal your RV with the BEST caulking gun!
By Dustin Simpson, California RV Specialists
Completing repairs and maintenance is a whole lot easier when you have the right tools on hand. Reseal your RV with the BEST caulking gun! This is not only my “go-to” caulking gun but it is also favored by my team of RV technicians.
If you have ever resealed a complete RV roof or body, you know the level of pain your hand will endure from squeezing a traditional caulking gun trigger. This caulking gun boasts a “gator trigger grip,” which offers more comfort and less fatigue.
Coming tomorrow: Live video chat
RV Quality: What RV manufacturers don’t want you to know
Most RVers buy their RV based on the “Bling” — what it looks like. “Oh, I just love the floor plan,” she says. “I love that it has a Cummins engine,” he says.” And (with stars in their eyes) they talk about how they can manage the monthly payments if they’re careful. But wait: They may be cruisin’ for a bruisin’ because of all the secret ways that RV manufacturers cut corners to keep the price of their RVs down. Don’t miss this live webcast. Join Dave Solberg and Dustin Simpson and RVT readers (by chat) in what will be a fascinating discussion. Learn more.
Today’s RV Preview…
Incredible Riverstone Signature 41RL fifth wheel
Tony writes, “Today’s RV review is, again, of a prototype. This time we’re looking at the Riverstone Signature 41RL, a very large and very nicely equipped fifth wheel that rivals high-end motorhomes for appointments and overall feel.”
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.”
Why aren’t my solar panels charging the house batteries?
Dear Dave,
I have solar panels to help charge the house batteries while boondocking, but after a couple of days the house batteries are dying. I turn on the engine to recharge the house batteries, but often it won’t charge them, even if I let the engine run for 15 minutes or more. Sometimes it charges as soon as I start the engine. What’s going on? —Brian, 2017 Leisure Travel Van (Unity)
Video of the day
Unusual space- and weight-saving multi-tasking camping gear
By Cheri Sicard
Why pack multiple items in your RV when you can save space and weight by packing multi-tasking camping gear instead?
The team at Playing with Sticks has come up with a list of some of their favorite camping gear that does double or even triple duty.
Take your ice cream cone out of your pocket! It’s illegal!
We received many interesting comments on a story we published about birds nesting inside a motorhome’s slide-out. … Many comments centered around the legality of destroying bird nests rather than taking precautionary actions, and that got me thinking… What other kinds of interesting or funny laws exist and how might they affect RVers? Read what Gail Marsh discovered. You’ll laugh at a lot of these!
Reader poll
Who cuts your hair?
If you enjoy this newsletter, please help us spread the word! Learn more here. It’s fun!
Quick Tip
A trick to expand your shower
Feeling “closed in” in the shower? If your shower is equipped with a shower curtain, get a curtain tension rod, mount it a few inches outside the existing shower rod. Run the curtain over the top of the new rod, then back into the shower stall. Gives a few extra inches of space for your shoulders.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Financing or refinancing? RV loan calculator can give you the info you’ll need
- RV Review: EarthCruiser EXP – the ultimate world traveler
- Ask Dave: What can be done about two AC units that are behaving badly?
- Featured article: Want to RV around Canada, eh? Our readers suggest their favorite routes
- Recipe: Asparagus and Mushroom Quiche
Website of the day
Swimply
This is the Airbnb of swimming pools. In other words, people list their pools on Swimply and you can rent them out by the hour, day, etc. If you like to swim, this could be great for you while you travel around!
Amazon is having two days of special holiday deals
Find amazing offers on all your favorite items. Two days only and going on now! Check it out and get ready to save big.
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:
• 20 percent say they or someone they know has been charged extra for kids at a campground.
• 17 percent carry a portable automatic ice maker with them on their RV travels.
• 80 percent have not spent a night at a rest area in their RV within the last year.
Recent poll: How many years did you own your previous RV?
Recipe of the Day
Beef Tips and Noodles
by Gary Hancq from Port Byron, IL
These are delicious beef tips and noodles that would be terrific for a cozy night in or for serving to party guests. It’s not the basic beef tips you think of. Rib eye gives great flavor and the drippings make a fabulous gravy. We think this should be called beef tips and gravy over noodles, since that’s what it is. You’ll find yourself using the yummy gravy in other ways (like dipping a roast beef sandwich). With the rib eye, it’s a little pricier to make but well worth it.
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Trivia
The English word “panic” traces its roots back to the Greek God of nature. It comes from the French word “Panique,” which the French got from the Greek word “panikon,” which translates to “pertaining to Pan.” Pan is the Greek god of nature and wilderness, and was considered responsible for the mysterious and unidentifiable sounds one may hear when out in the wild. As such, the rustle or animal noise that sends your heart into a flurry when you’re out in the wilderness in fear is “of Pan” and is therefore the source of your panic. Interesting, huh?
*Why did President Eisenhower sign the 1956 Federal Highway Act to create our highway systems? We share the story with you in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“The newest addition to traveling family. Sadie is a 9-week-old Chihuahua and is ready to roll. Heading to North Carolina to show her off to the rest of the family!” —Edward Thomas
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!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Which came first: the chicken, the egg, or the lightbulb? This will make you laugh (we did!)!
Leave here with a laugh
Joe and Jenny drove for miles in silence in their new motorhome after a terrible argument in which neither would budge. After many miles had passed, a frustrated Joe pointed to a mule in a nearby pasture. “A relative of yours?” he asked Jenny. “Yes,” she replied. “By marriage.”
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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): chuck@rvtravel.com
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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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As one Chihuahua mom to another – I love Sadie!!
If things in life go left, go right!
Leave here with a laugh: Must have been a misprint. Not JOE and Jenny. Should have been JACK and Jenny. A double entendre would have tied it up.
In “Leave Here With a Laugh” it would be even funnier if “Joe” was named “Jack”.
General comment: I read stuff, I read Tony’s reviews even though I am not in the market. I read Chuck’s articles, and all the other things in the newsletter, but if it links to a video I keep on scrolling. Not complaining, just curious, how do you balance video vs. words at the editorial level?
Today’s Thought is very thoughtful. Worth keeping in mind for me.
Why isn’t the reader pole not there like it’s been in the past?
Or am I missing something?
Hi, Mel. The poll is there! Here’s a link to it just in case: https://www.rvtravel.com/poll1967/ –Emily
The article on the caulking gun was good but I have arthritis in both hands and squeezing a caulk or staple gun I always dreaded. That was until one of my sons, who is on a Habitat for Humanity team, told me about Ryobi’s battery powered caulk gun. I checked it out and bought one and will never go back to a manual gun. It has variable flow adjustment and cutting the end of your cartridge nozzle just right gives a excellent bead control. I’ve also got their battery powered staple gun and both have been priceless in helping on our 5th wheel rebuild!
Riverstone Signature 41RL review link still not working.
Uh oh. 404 on Tony’s review. Looked this trailer up and it’s fantastic!
The link to Tony’s review gives a 404 error. I found the review on-line here:
https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-preview-riverstone-signature-41rl-rvdt-1967/
Sorry, all! We fixed the link to Tony’s review. Thanks for including it in your comment, Galeyn. –Emily
Yup – mystery product made me laugh
DW just shook her head in a no fashion.
Part 2 – I sent it to my friend who said “I can’t stop laughing!!!!!!And then I ordered it for my husband. I even asked my boss to come see what you sent me!”
Maybe it’s only funny if you raise chickens
“Maybe it’s only funny if you raise chickens” – Exactly. Many people believe in the myth that Edison invented the light bulb. And as all of us know we get eggs from the supermarket. “Fake News” has been around for a long time.
Actually Edison did NOT invent the light bulb. He made it work better and last longer. Look it up.
Hi, lil John. That’s exactly what KellyR said. Have a good night. 😀 –Diane
Had I attempted to quote the total history of the light bulb, there would not have been enough space here and my attempt at humor would have really really failed. You see, there is the chicken with the light bulb and there are eggs and …… Oh, heck, who cares?
Me. Take care, Kelly. 😀 –Diane
Some days people understand me and some days my attempt at humor just lays an egg.
😆 Have a great day, Kelly. 😀 –Diane