Issue 1973
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
“Everything must be made as simple as possible. But not simpler.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Seafood Bisque Day!
On this day in history: 1789 – John Jay is sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the United States.
Tip of the Day
Taking care of RV batteries, high-tech style
By Greg Illes
Sometimes batteries seem ridiculously simple—we tend to see them as either working or dead. But there is way more than meets the eye in this 2,000-year-old technology.
RV batteries are made with lead plates interleaved with lead-dioxide plates. The plates are immersed in sulfuric acid, and the electrochemical reaction creates the battery effect. The whole bundle is wrapped up in a big plastic box with the electrical terminals on top.
Today’s RV review…
Reminder: Tony is stepping back from his daily RV reviews for now. Here’s a note from him:
I want to share with you that I am stepping back from my daily RV reviews. I will still review a new model RV in every Saturday’s newsletter, highlighting the best of what I see. I will also continue writing regular gadget reviews and editing the Great RV Accessories newsletter. And I’ll have some other contributions here and there.
For previous RV reviews, click here.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Even though Tony is irreplaceable, we’ll bring back RV reviews on a daily basis beginning soon, and, of course, Tony will have a review every Saturday.
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.”
What advice would you give to someone buying a used RV?
Dear Dave,
We are about to purchase a Starcraft Launch Ultra Lite travel trailer to go full-time. We’re in our 60s. We need alllllll the information on what to know before buying this used unit, please. What are the most important things to check out in order to buy this RV? Thank you! —Lynn
Today: Live video chat
Open Mic: Dave and Dustin answer your questions
On today’s live Talkin’ RV Tech, our two tech experts will answer your questions from our online video studio about RV Repair and Maintenance from 4-5 p.m. Pacific time (7-8 p.m. in the East). So join them and pick their brains via chat. Ask questions or just lurk and soak up all the valuable information.
Watch here. RV Travel on YouTube • RV Travel on Facebook • California RV Specialists on YouTube.
Video of the day
DIY RV sink cover and cutting board—Useful RV kitchen accessory
If you have to buy a custom-made and custom-sized RV sink cover, the proposition can get pricey. However, in the video below from the folks at Living Life in Between, they teach you how to make your own for less than $50. Either way, if you need food prep space, you’ll find this invaluable RV kitchen accessory to be priceless.
Customize your RV: Start with the lighting
During the past three years, Kate Doherty has queried numerous RVers about what they’d like to change in their home on wheels. Comments like, “I didn’t know you could do that!” or, “I’d like to replace the couch but don’t know what to replace it with…” occur often. … This is a series of minor to major customizing projects showcasing many RVers’ dreams, which may inspire you to update or customize your own rig. This first installment deals with lighting and ceiling upgrades. Continue reading to learn more and get inspired.
Reader poll
Do you spend more time on the Internet on Saturday or Sunday?
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 ??
This would look pretty cool on your RV’s windshield! You’d get a lot of…. looks. Wouldn’t you agree?
Quick Tip
Check your battery shutoff switch
From reader Joe Brignolo: “If you have a battery shutoff switch, as I do, make sure that switch is ON. More than once I have started the troubleshooting process only to find that switch in the OFF position. Inadvertent operation of that switch when looking for the compartment lights could leave you in the dark.” Thanks, Joe!
On this day last year…
- Tip: What to do about a sticky slideout
- RV Preview: Cercle Touring Bike
- Ask Dave: Why did the lithium battery explode and flame up?
- Featured article: Revised RV refrigerator safety device protects against fires
- Recipe: Game Day Fire Cracker Shrimp
Website of the day
National Parks Quiz And Trivia
This is fun! This page from National Parks Trivia will get your brain working and teach you new things about our beautiful parks.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• What to do when your RV breaks down: Everything you should know
• Are “phantom” campers stealing your campsite?
• Why go big? The case for owning a king-sized RV
Recipe of the Day
Crab Bisque Soup
by Carolyn Parke from Idaho Falls, ID
Creamy and velvety, this crab bisque soup recipe is divine. Everyone will think it took all day to make, but really it’s ready in no time at all. Serve as a first course for your holiday dinner or for a special dinner. The delicate flavor of the crab, mixed with the complementary flavors of the creamed soups and a hint of smoky sherry, makes this bisque special. We added oyster crackers for a touch of crunch and loved the added texture.
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Trivia
Today, “freelancer” refers to a person who works on their own terms and completes contract work for one, or multiple, companies. The original freelancers weren’t writers, though. In the early 1800s, the term referred to medieval mercenaries, “free lances.” They were soldiers free of commitment to a particular country and instead worked for whoever offered the best pay.
*What kind of vehicle do we have to thank for our paved roads? Yesterday’s trivia answers that question!
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Pita and Chip (a Corgi/Jack Russell Terrier and a Chihuahua) love traveling. Pita has a booster seat in the back but big bother, Stutz (not pictured), jumped in it first. Pita felt Chip had room for her in his booster seat.” —Liz Cashdollar
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
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Contact information
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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Looks like Mr Ed had the last laugh.
As for the poll question, my wife and I are usually in church on Sunday. Then, go to lunch with friends. And is a day of staying off our cell phones, laptops, etc. and the Internet. May not read Sunday’s RV Travel till later in the week. Give back to the Lord His day as He has blessed us all with so much. Always enjoy seeing others comments as well. Thanks
Tried to join Talkin RV Tech live chat on YouTube. Saw video, no sound, and no way to ask question.
That’s not a Photo Bomb. He was just horsing around.
😆 Have a great day, Kelly. 😀 –Diane
On the quick tip check your battery cutoff switch to be sure it doesn’t have a corrosion spot in the contacts.I had lost 12v power and while troubleshooting discovered the round switch had a spot in the on position that had corroded and no longer allowed power to go through. Had to replace the switch.
Now I know where the secret place is. Problem though my hitch fills the spot.
Oak is a very poor choice for cutting boards as it is an “open grain wood” with relatively large spaces between the wood fibers that can trap food particles and possibly lead to health problems. These open grain features can even be felt with a fingernail dragged across the grain and are nearly impossible to fill with the chopping block treatments and/or washing.
A far better choice is Maple or Cherry, “closed grain woods with very small spaces between the fibers that do respond well to appropriate treatments. Never use top coats such as polyurethane, varnish, laquer or shellac as they will eventually chip and allow meat juices
Bamboo is another good choice
We shop Amazon and we place the link first so we can help RVTravel. Every little bit helps.
Great photo for the laugh of the day! All SMILES Around.
Talking about the SMILES, it’s wonderful to see the adorable pups comfortable and safe.
Our Furbaby has her harness seat belt always on when in any vehicle.
Love the leave here with a laugh, shows the intelligence of animals, when a camera is pointed in their direction they pick up on humans smiling for the pic.
Love the Pets of the day. So darn cute.
Plus, they are secured in their own booster seat. Much safer than having them on the dash or the drivers lap or just wandering around the RV.
This is a real animal lover!
“Free lances” still exist. Ask the Ukrainian people.
The modern term is mercenaries for hire.