Issue 1982
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
“In November, the trees are standing all sticks and bones. Without their leaves, how lovely they are, spreading their arms like dancers. They know it is time to be still.” —Cynthia Rylant
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Cook For Your Pets Day!
On this day in history: 1870 – In the United States, the Weather Bureau (later renamed the National Weather Service) makes its first official meteorological forecast.
Tip of the Day
How do I fix RV delamination?
By Dustin Simpson, California RV Specialists
Recently, our RV repair shop received the below email from Pat regarding delamination on their RV:
RE: 2016 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS … DELAMINATION
What is the correct way to fix this problem? Your opinion would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!
Join me in this video as I sit down with my Service Manager, Zach. We share our initial thoughts on the cause of this delamination and what it would take to fix it. We also share how routine maintenance can prevent RV delamination.
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.
Stop RV Repair Bills from Ruining Your 2026 Travels
Say goodbye to rising RV repair costs when you protect your RV and your travel budget with Wholesale Warranties this new year. With 20+ years of experience, personalized coverage options, and 5-star customer support, we help RVers stay on the road. Save on costly repairs, enjoy flexible coverage including mobile mechanics, and travel worry-free all year long. Get your FREE personalized RV warranty quote today and enjoy peace of mind for every mile.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
I want to clean my black tank valve but I can’t find it
Dear Dave,
I am living in my motorhome because Hurricane Ian flooded my house. I can’t find the black water tank valve. However, I know where the handle is to open and close the valve, but I want to find the valve itself so I can either clean it or replace it. I have looked all over the place for it. On another topic, I wonder if I can refill the propane tank without taking it to a dealer. Thanks for your help. —Thomas, 2017 Winnebago Vista 29E
Video of the day
Wally Byam’s White Airstream: Restoring a piece of RV history
Almost any RV restoration project involves a significant amount of time, effort, and elbow grease. But when the RV you are restoring is of cultural and historical significance, it bumps things up another notch. Such is the case in the video below from the Airstream Heritage Center about the efforts taken to perfectly restore Wally Byam’s personal unique White Airstream.
Do-it-yourself inverter repair – Important to know
If you’re away from shore power, having a power inverter goes a long way to making life better. But if your inverter takes a vacation while you’re on vacation, life can get tough. Can you do your own inverter repair? In some cases, the diagnosis and treatment is easy for the competent do-it-yourselfer. Follow these easy steps and keep this article handy!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Okay… It’s just plain ol’ unfair if you don’t own this! We didn’t own it… until we bought it five minutes ago (whoops).
Reader poll
Do you have any international travels planned within the next year?
If you enjoy this newsletter, please help us spread the word! Learn more here. It’s fun!
Quick Tip
Take care of your transmission
Don’t ignore your automatic transmission. Check the fluid level regularly. If you find the level going down, it could be a leak or (gulp!) a malfunction. Check with a transmission mechanic — and don’t hesitate to get a second opinion if the suggestion involves big money.
On this day last year…
- Tip: 9 great uses for baby powder that will have you running out to buy some
- RV Review: 2022 Keystone Avalanche 390DS
- Ask Dave: The rubber LP line runs near my trailer’s tires! What should I do?
- Featured article: Trailer hitch fail! Check this photo, then weep!
- Recipe: Tanya’s Tex-Mex Chili
Speaking of mystery products…
This was our #1 best-selling mystery product in October. And for good reason! We told you it was handy!
Website of the day
Pinterest: Remodeled Airstream Trailers
This is a page on Pinterest, not a website, but we know you’ll be entertained by it anyway (especially if you liked today’s Video of the Day!). Spend a few minutes scrolling through these incredible remodeled Airstreams. Wow!
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:
• 58 percent wear prescription reading glasses.
• 62 percent say the weather has been warmer than usual where they were this summer.
• 8 percent have visited a museum within the last week, and 34 percent have visited one within the last six months.
Recent poll: Have you ever been so poor you had to go to bed hungry?
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Recipe of the Day
“Unstuffed” Green Pepper Soup for the Crock Pot
by Angie Robinson from Findlay, OH
A super easy Crock Pot soup dinner. This tastes just like stuffed bell peppers but is so much easier to make. The texture isn’t soup-like; rice and meat make this super hearty. You get bell pepper pieces in every bite. It’s a budget-friendly meal.
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Trivia
The U.S. population is getting older. Since 2000, the national median age—when half the population is older and half younger—has risen by 3.4 years, to 38.8. So said the U.S. Census Bureau last June.
*What year was it when candy was first given out for Halloween? Before candy, what was given out? Find out in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Our Dachshunds, Zac, Meeko, and Shiloh. Meeko, the youngest, is the 10th generation of the same bloodline. She is new at camping but is learning the rules. Her mom and dad are experienced and love to camp. They’re an item at every stop. People love them.” —Wayne Braxton
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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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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In the “Take care of your transmission, Don’t ignore your automatic transmission. Check the fluid level regularly.” The newest versions do NOT have a way to check the level, e.g., dip stick.
You have to go underneath and remove a pipe plug to check it. Another way the manufacturers get you to take it to the dealer. It should be automatically checked when you have the oil changed.
…also, if able add a transmission temperature gauge! Hi-Heat, even short term, will damage an automatic by breaking down the fluid. If you have a gauge and it indicates an overheat condition – change the fluid ASAP! To determine overheated fluid check with your vehicle or transmission manufacturer. You can also check some fluids by smell and/or a brownish color – but these aren’t reliable ways! (REF: GM Rv Care manual).
I think it really depends upon “what” automatic transmission you have….don’t ya think?
Ron, you could have been a little more specific as to what you’re referring. Yes, various makes have different protocol. Remember when some transmissions had to be in park and some in neutral with tranny warmed up in order to check the level. My 2009 F150 gas engine did not have a dipstick “per se”. You had to go under the vehicle as Bob P says above. My 2011 F350 diesel did have a tranny dipstick. My 2020 F350, identical to my 2011, needs you to go under the vehicle to check it. HELLO FORD! Put the dipstick back under the hood.
Just an FYI, We did not receive the email for today’s newsletter. I’m glad I was able to remember how to get to it from earlier emails. 🙂
You can find the newsletters, I find anyway on my windows laptop, at http://www.rvtravel.com
Once there, hold down the “Ctrl” button and at the same time press the letter “D” then click “Done”. This will put http://www.rvtravel.com in your favorites list and should be easy to find if your notification to the latest newsletter goes astray.
The readers commenting on the poll today sure got up on the crabby side of the bed!
The Pets of the day are adorable. Dachshunds are such smart dogs and so loving.
We had a wiener dog as a family pet.
Worst animal in the world. Barking and biting. Worse than a pitt bull. Sad because I’ve never seen another like it. Neighbors got 2. Perfect pets.
I see two of the three are Mahogany colored. I had a Miniature Dachshund that was Mahogany and a “Tweeny” that was Black and Tan. I loved my girls who went up to the Rainbow Bridge in 2009 (both were 15).