Issue 1979
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
“Morning is wonderful. Its only drawback is that it comes at such an inconvenient time of day.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Navy Day! (Yes, there was the U.S. Navy Birthday on Oct. 13. Read about these two Navy holidays here.)
On this day in history: 1904 – The first underground New York City Subway line opens, later designated as the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line.
Tip of the Day
What is the cost of replacing my RV refrigerator?
By Dustin Simpson, California RV Specialists
Last week, our RV repair shop received the below voicemail from Bob:
Hi, my name is Bob. I have a refrigerator that is leaking yellow fluid by the burner. I’ve been told by another shop that the fridge is bad and needs to be replaced. Can you provide an estimate to replace the unit?
I have also watched videos online about replacing the cooling part on the back. Is that an option? I currently have a Norcold 1200.
Thank you, guys, and I look forward to receiving a call back.
Join me in this video as I sit down with my Service Manager, Zach. We share our thoughts and experience replacing the RV refrigerator’s cooling unit compared to replacing the full RV refrigerator unit.
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.
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Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
Why does water I add to fresh water tank drain into black tank?
Dear Dave, (not proofed)
My 2005 Pace Arrow motorhome with a Tecma toilet has been sitting for about 3 months. I added water to the fresh water tank and it all drained into the black water tank. Any ideas as to why? —Del, 2005 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 36D
Video of the day
Towing: Safely descending steep grades
Sean and Kristy Michael, aka the team from the Long Long Honeymoon, have put together an extremely quick but useful video about the downhill side of towing steep grades.
Beginner RVers are definitely the audience this particular video is geared towards. After spending five minutes watching these tips, you should feel more confident about towing steep grades with your travel trailer or fifth wheel. And even though the video is geared toward those towing, the tips can also help those driving motorhomes in the mountains too.
That’s just not true! 13 common myths about RVing
By Gail Marsh
A myth is a common statement or belief, widely known and even accepted as truth, but based on false notions or supposed ideas that have not been proven to be factual. Now that’s a definition mouthful! But I think you’ll agree that the following statements are RV myths (or at least partial myths). This is very interesting.
Reader poll
Do you prefer coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks?
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Quick Tip
Boondocking solar lights for indoors at night
In order to save our batteries, we use solar lights which you find in lawn and garden centers. We have a couple of pots of petunias outside with a solar light and we bring them in at night and put one in each room. The flowers make our camper smell so nice! A couple of solar lights without the stake can be placed on the table to play cards by or you can put one in the bathroom and one wherever you need a night light. Thanks to Ray Burr at Love Your RV!
On this day last year…
- Tip: RV fridge door pop open? Here’s a “quick and dirty” fix
- RV Review: Flagstaff Micro Lite 21FBRS
- Ask Dave: We have an old woodbox-mounted TV. How do we upgrade it?
- Featured article: Keeping your water filter upright
- Recipe: Crock Pot Caramelized Onions, Beer & Cheese Bisque
Make sure you read yesterday’s brand-new issue of our Full-Time RVer newsletter. For full-timers and those that are thinking about becoming one! Click here.
Website of the day
U.S. Naval Institute – Naval History Magazine
Since it’s National Navy Day we thought we’d share a fascinating Navy website with you! This Naval History Magazine is a part of the U.S. Naval Institute and has wonderful articles to read if you’re interested in Navy history.
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:
• 3 percent of people never send text messages.
• 76 percent own an RV that is 30 feet or longer.
• Only 28 percent say they bought an RV to “be with nature.” The other 72 percent say that wasn’t part of why they wanted to RV.
Recent poll: Did you buy an RV in 2020? Are you happy or unhappy you bought it?
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Recipe of the Day
Turkey-Pumpkin Meatloaf
by Mikekey from Seattle, WA
If you are looking for a unique meatloaf for dinner, then look no further! Who would have thought to add pumpkin in turkey meatloaf? The pumpkin flavor is subtle but makes this meatloaf really moist. This meatloaf recipe is so easy to make and your family will love it.
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Trivia
George Washington made whiskey! Our first president had his own whiskey distillery, Mount Vernon, in Virginia. At the time, it was one of the largest whiskey distilleries in America, producing 11,000 gallons of the stuff! You can read more about it here (and plan your visit to the distillery, which is still brewin’!).
*At what angle does sunlight need to strike water to create a rainbow? Take a wild guess at the number then see if you’re right in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Tango (left) and Murdock are Great Danes that we had prior to traveling full-time in our motorhome. We got Tango as an eight-week-old puppy and one year later took Murdock in as a rescue when he was given up by his family when he was five months old. We were only supposed to be his temporary foster home but Tango liked having another dog his size to play with so we ended up adopting Murdock. They are now six and seven years old and have been traveling full-time with us for two years. Yes, they are large travel companions but we never considered leaving them behind when we took off! And honestly, they lay around on their bed most of the day anyway, so they really aren’t in the way. We have met many people in campgrounds because they come over to meet the dogs!” —Kris Steiner
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 ??
Did you ever think that something that could make you see at night would make you smile this big??
Leave here with a laugh
Last night was awful! I accidentally took my cat’s meds. Don’t ask meow!
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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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Great Danes have a good reputation as gentle giant pals.
Lucky Murdock.
Hey Boondockers! Thanks for taking your solar lights indoors when retiring at night!
Are you really boondocking if you can see solar “pack rat deterrent” lights around a rig?
In your Survey Says section you indicate that 72% of respondents said they did NOT take up RVing to be with nature. Could you do a followup question asking WHY most people did take up RVing? I would be interested in that answer.
I don’t know about others, but when our family was young and the nest was full, we did indeed have our TT to go camping and be with nature. However, now that the nest is empty, our initial goal was to travel (which we did…. canada, alaska, just about all of the western states) and now that we have pretty much exhausted our traveling wish list, we now use our motorhome to spend the summers on the Oregon coast where temps rarely exceed 70º (as opposed to 110º where we live).
I tried using one outdoor solar light as a night light in the bathroom but it was too bright! So I bought the cheapest smallest one and it is just right for getting up in the middle of the night.
I sometimes use battery operated “tea lights” from the dollar store as night lights.
We use a lit ‘wallflower’ from Bath & Body Works. Keeps the bathroom smelling good and has a built in night light.
In the piece about towing, Sean states that the tow haul mode is making use of the exhaust brake. My understanding is that the Tow haul mode is a function of the transmission and the Exhaust Brake is a function of the engine exhaust. I use these functions in combination when towing here in the Rockies.
If you’re towing with a gas engine it doesn’t have an exhaust brake. The way truckers handle it is starting at the top get into the same gear you climbed the other side, never ride your brakes, instead let the transmission and engine do most of the work. If the speed starts getting to high use a stabbing motion on the brake pedal. Step on the brake with enough force to slow to a comfortable speed and let completely off allowing the brakes to cool, if the speed climbs up again repeat the stab, this way the brakes will cool between applications.
As Bob mentioned, the exhaust brake is only on a diesel engine and I don’t think they have a “tow haul mode” which is found on a gas engine. However, the exhaust brake works in conjunction with the transmission and as soon as it is engaged it will not only restrict the exhaust but also automatically downshift the transmission to 4th gear (out of 6) and will continue to downshift to 2nd gear as soon as the engine’s rpms reach a preset rpm. Hope this helps to explain a little further.
Both my 2011 & 2020 Ford 6.7L diesels have tow/haul mode.
My 2008 Silverado Diesel Dually had both tow mode and engine brake.
Remember they are influencers not experts. There are plenty of sources of useful driving info with rv’s. A couple of them are RV 101 and the RVSEF.
We lived just up the road from the Mount Vernon distillery for 26 years. It is a fascinating place, but parking is very limited and mainly along the road beside it. Lots of construction is currently taking place adjacent to the distillery, so maybe parking availability will improve soon. Meanwhile, try to visit as off-peak as you can.
Special thanks to the US Navy today!
We just toured the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi yesterday. An incredible museum of naval history! If you are in that area, don’t miss it. But beware that the self-guided tours involve going up and down many flights of stairs that are barely more than ladders. Unfortunately it’s not a tour everyone can do. Besides the steep and narrow stairs there are many bulkhead door openings to cross. Well worth the effort if you are able!
https://usslexington.com/
There are no STAIRS on ANY Naval Vessel…..They are Ladders…..From a Navy VET….
To be blunt….u want $ for support to help u to not lie about products then u want $ so u can give it away to….is this your rv…..I have given in the past but do u see my point…just say you need $ to keep going….is this the case or not….
Huh?
👎
Say what!!!!????
Are you okay, Dan??
He took your advice and visited MT Vernon for some of the Washington’s best…drunk texting is so fun????
Do not listen to his garbage, your content is great and informative AND I will continue to financially support your newsletter
Thank you, Scott, for your kind words and your support. We appreciate them, and you, very much! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Great Danes are just AWESOME!! We have 2 female Great Danes that absolutely love to go campin with us!! They get lots of attention in the campgrounds. Seems everyone wants to pet them and they love the attention as well.
Your Great Danes are Gorgeous! Yet I have NEVER seen one that was not precious and loving!
The beautiful dogs look like Harlequins to me! Gorgeous, but too big for full time RVing IMHO
I would be one of those people coming over to meet Tango and Murdock!