Issue 1983
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
“Sorrow is how we learn to love. Your heart isn’t breaking. It hurts because it’s getting larger. The larger it gets, the more love it holds.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Deviled Egg Day!
On this day in history: 1920 – In the United States, KDKA of Pittsburgh starts broadcasting as the first commercial radio station. The first broadcast is of the results of the 1920 United States presidential election.
Tip of the Day
10 smart ways you can use toothpicks while RVing
By Gail Marsh
My uncle always had a toothpick hanging from his mouth. As a child, I was fascinated by it. Why? Because he could talk around it, laugh, and even sneeze without dislodging it! That toothpick stayed between his lips no matter what! I kinda wish my uncle was still alive so he could learn some of the following tips and hacks for using toothpicks while RVing. I think he’d like them!
Using toothpicks in the RV kitchen
- Cake decorating. Yes, you’ve probably used a toothpick to test a cake for “doneness.” (If you poke a toothpick into the cake and it comes out moist, the cake needs to bake longer. If the pick comes out dry, the cake is done.) But check out this tip! After you frost that birthday cake, use a toothpick to first lightly draw or write your message. That way, if you need to redo it, simply smooth the frosting and try again. Once you’re satisfied with the result, follow the toothpick line with a decorating gel pen.
Continue reading 9 more toothpick tips
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.”
Quick RV Tech Tip: Do some of RV’s drains go into the black tank? Is it legal?
Dear Dave,
I have read articles stating that gray water from a kitchen, bath or shower might be routed to the black tank rather than the gray tank. Is that legal? I would think that there should be a check valve of sorts if it is. Do you know if my rig has that design? —Frank, 2022 Nash 18FM
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
How to stream movies and TV in your RV from your phone or tablet
By Cheri Sicard
Have you ever wondered how to stream movies, TV shows, and YouTube in your RV? Yes, it can be done and even if you are not all that tech-savvy! The video below from Patrick McCormick from Travels with Delaney will show you how.
When it comes to watching TV in your RV you actually have a lot of options. Patrick briefly covers them all.
Don’t take a break on your brakes!
Every RVer needs one of these!
Wonder what it would be like to have your brakes go out while you’re going down a long, steep grade? You might find out if your brake fluid is moisture-contaminated. Water in brake fluid boils and can wipe out your braking ability! Buy yourself a brake-fluid tester for about $10 that warns you if there’s too much water in your fluid. Simply dip the tester into your rig’s brake fluid and you’ll be able to see where you stand. Learn more or order.
This RVer forgot to unplug the electric cord and drove away. A reminder for all RVers
By Kate Doherty
One motorhome owner began driving away while the electric cord was still plugged into the park’s electrical pedestal. It damaged the bay door hinge and destroyed his electrical bay. At this writing, it was not determined if the park’s electrical pedestal sustained damage. Forgetful? Perhaps. “It happens” is the famous saying from the Forrest Gump movie that morphed and remains prevalent in our lingo today. Mishaps occur. Continue reading this important reminder.
Reader poll
Some National Parks no longer take cash to enter, just cards. Good idea or bad?
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 ??
Are you having fun yet? Are you?? Well, after a couple of these you will be!
Quick Tip
Help prevent LP gas leaks in cold weather
Storing your rig in below-freezing weather? LP gas regulators have been known to freeze up and crack. Shut off the valve(s) on your LP storage containers so if a break does happen, you won’t have gas running away.
On this day last year…
- Tip: This affordable, effective device will track your RV or other items if stolen
- RV Review: 2022 Cherokee Alpha Wolf 28FK
- Ask Dave: Why am I not getting 120-volt power to the water heater?
- Featured article: Use the NADA Guide when buying a used RV
- Recipe: Buffalo Ranch Deviled Eggs
Website of the day
17 mysterious shipwrecks you can see on Google Earth
Have you ever seen a shipwreck? There are many places around the country (and world) where you can see what remains from shipwrecks, but this article is neat because you don’t have to leave your current location to do so! The photos from Google Earth are amazing!
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Campground neighbors too close? Create privacy with a DIY screen
• RV Tire Safety: My first-ever recommendation for a tire to buy
• RV Gadget: Testing the GasStop gas safety device
Recipe of the Day
Pulled Pork and Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
by Tammy Brownlow from Dallas, TX
If you have leftover pulled pork, have an open mind and give this grilled cheese sandwich a try. It sounds unusual but the combination of flavors is wonderful. The baked cinnamon apples are a delicious complement to the pulled pork. When grilled, the sharp cheddar cheese gets nice and gooey. This sandwich has so much flavor that you cannot wait for the next bite. We served ours with sweet potato chips for an easy meal.
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Trivia
220,000 is the average number of wedding proposals on Valentine’s Day each year.
*Is the U.S. population getting older or younger? How much older or younger, and in what amount of time? Find all those answers in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Snickers was a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever rescue, and the sweetest boy ever! He would race to the truck when it was time to go camping. He loved long walks, riding in the canoe, was very sociable, and his silky tail was ‘like a screen saver’ mesmerizing as it gently wagged. He camped all over the country for over 12 years. Pictured here at Wellesley Island State Park in NY on the St. Lawrence River.” —Sarah Stranz
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!
It’s time to clean your CPAP machine!
One of our past surveys told us that 53% of you (or your partner) use a CPAP machine. Wow! When was the last time your machine was cleaned thoroughly? They get very dirty! This highly rated cleaning kit will get out all those yucky germs and bacteria. The extendable brush will expand to 7 feet, but folds up into a small plastic bag so as to not take up too much room in your RV. If you use a CPAP, you’ll want to order this here.
Leave here with a laugh
A little snail was standing at the corner waiting to cross the street. He heard two turtles coming down the street from the opposite direction. They both ran their stop sign and crashed at the intersection. The police responded and when the officer arrived he saw all the turtle parts strewn about the road and knew there were no survivors. Looking around he saw the little snail standing at the corner. He walked over and looking down he asked the snail if he saw the accident happen. The little snail looked up at the officer and said, ”Oh officer, it happened so fast!”
Thanks to reader Ron Speidel for the joke!
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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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Regarding entrance to National Parks, I have a pass, so it’s quick and easy. And while cashless prevents robbery, it seems like it takes longer for the credit card to be processed and then a signature. If you’re only one or two back in line, not too bad. If there’s a big line…
Laugh editor needs a break.
How does a snail “stand” on a corner?
Is a coincidence that Ron Speid-el sent in today’s joke? 😉
Good one Spike. I got an email yesterday that said “I paid for the whole speedometer, I’ll use the whole speedometer.”
If you ever were a school bus or just a bus driver the rule of thumb was always walk around your bus. This way you know if you are going to have a problem or not. I do this when hooking up the trailer. Always. Saves me the time of having to not go OMG what was I thinking. And to see if I let anything hanging. I don’t do the Forest Gump thing. Stupid is as stupid does. Stay safe and always walk around your rig.
Always did a walkaround, but one day I forgot to look UP
ANTENNA!
Thankfully a fellow camper did
From that day forward, keys hang from the antenna crank.
My RV Tips did not arrive in today’s email. Not in the spam junk folder either
Same here yesterday and today. Had the same problem last month. Seemed it was fixed for about a week. Now no notifications again.
Today is All Soul’s Day, Honor The Deceased
Uhh … What??
Since you asked, All Souls Day November 2 is a solemn celebration in the Roman Catholic Church commemorating all of those who have died and are now in Purgatory, being cleansed of their venial sins and the temporal punishments for the mortal sins that they had confessed, and being made pure before entering into the presence of God in Heaven.
Snoopy
Wow … Well, thanks for that.
I’m not Catholic, so big deal…..