Issue 2003
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
“Stay away from negative people. They have a problem for every solution.” —Albert Einstein
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Mississippi Day!
On this day in history: 1954 – In Sylacauga, Alabama, the Hodges meteorite crashes through a roof and hits a woman (Ann Hodges) taking an afternoon nap. This is the only documented case in the Western Hemisphere of a human being hit by a rock from space. She survived, with just a large bruise on the side of her body.
Tip of the Day
Heading to the desert? Read these tips
By Bob Difley
If you are planning to head south to the deserts this winter for the first time, here are a few tips to help make your winter escape comfortable, safe and stress-free.
• Add a few desert guidebooks to your library, such as can be found on Amazon. Audubon’s “Deserts” is a classic on desert geology, climate, wildlife, plants and trees, and wildflowers, with color plates to help identify them. And don’t forget (shameless plug) my “Snowbird Guide to Boondocking in the Southwestern Deserts.”
• Be prepared for desert winds—dry, but not necessarily hot in the winter. …
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 doesn’t the tow vehicle charge RV’s batteries?
Dear Dave,
The car does not charge the battery to the RV when traveling, but the battery charges when hooked up to shore power. I’m wondering what could be the problem? All the fuses and the 7-point plug on the vehicle are good. —Matt, 2019 Forest River R-Pod 191
Today: Live video chat
Open Mic: Dave and Dustin answer your questions about RV repair and maintenance
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 and ask questions here. RV Travel on YouTube • RV Travel on Facebook • California RV Specialists on YouTube.
Watch-only below starting at 4 p.m. (Pacific):
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.
Video of the day
RV Towing: 8 common towing mistakes and how to avoid them
By Cheri Sicard
Over the years the folks at the Trailer Parts Outlet have heard endless stories of RV towing disasters. In order to help RVers stay safer on the road, in the video below they compiled the eight most common towing mistakes and how you can avoid them. Using these tips will help you to haul better, more safely, and more efficiently.
Hey, you! Yes, you! Check out our new feature! At the bottom of this newsletter and every article on our website you’ll see a box with some stars that says, “Did you enjoy this article?” If you loved the article or newsletter, give it five stars! If you thought it was just okay, give it three. If you thought it was a terrible article, give it one (though we hope not!). Thanks! Don’t forget to scroll down and look for those stars.
“The Fire Hydrant Capital of the World” and other weird “world capitals”
Because of their proud self-proclamation, “world capitals” often offer the traveler a chance to experience interesting regional quirks, traditions, lore, and history. Remember that the next time you see one of those signs. Perhaps the place is worth a short detour; a moment to revel in some local color or strangeness. Or even just buy a T-shirt. Read more.
Reader poll
Do you plan to ski this winter?
Take an extra 10% off a GhostBed luxury RV mattress!
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Helpful resources
• 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!
Quick Tip
Take it easy when dumping your RV’s tanks
Dumping tanks? Don’t “slam open” the dump valve – ease it open, and make sure the hose doesn’t horse loose from the dump station port. It could save you a real mess!
Video RV Review
2023 Jayco Precept motorhome likely appeals to part-time RVers
Josh the RV Nerd reviews the 2023 Jayco Precept 31UL Class A gas motorhome with three slides, a king bed, and an auto generator start system. At 33 feet, it is halfway between a huge motorhome and a small motorhome. But it’s got all the amenities. It’s probably too small for full-timing, but for part-time or seasonal RVing, this might do the job well. Learn more and tour the RV with Josh.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Sometimes we only share things that apply to certain people… but this?! EVERYONE will love this! Seriously. You’ll love it. Click here.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Give your RV’s medicine cabinet a makeover with these easy tips
- RV Review: 2022 Jayco Redhawk 24B
- Ask Dave: My RV’s entrance steps only work intermittently. What’s the problem?
- Featured article: Will Irish Spring soap repel rodents from your RV?
- Recipe: Colorado Cowboy Casserole
Website of the day
The 60 Most Scenic Drives in America
As you start to plan your 2023 travel, take a look at this list from Town&Country and see if you can squeeze in one (or more) of these incredibly beautiful drives!
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• We just crossed into Mexico in our RV – and it was easy!
• RVs 10 years or older are being turned away from campgrounds. Should this be allowed?
• Absolutely DO NOT try to squeeze a 40-foot motorhome into a tent site!
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Recipe of the Day
Mandarin Orange Strawberry Spinach Salad
by Marie Guaragna from Arlington, VA
What a treat for the senses this salad is. It’s fabulous to serve on just about any occasion from Sunday brunch to a holiday meal. There is just something classic about the flavors of fresh spinach and strawberries. Add in mandarin oranges and you have a yummy salad. Celery, parsley, and green onions add a bit of crunch and a slight onion flavor. We loved the candied almonds on top. The homemade vinaigrette is light and perfect to dress the salad with.
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Trivia
French Poodles aren’t from France, they’re from Germany. In fact, the word “Poodle” comes from “Pudelhund,” the German word combining “dog” and “to splash.”
*Why can’t you sell your photos of the Eiffel Tower at night? Yesterday’s trivia tells you.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
Bella Blu the Husky. I have a truck and my wife has a car. Bella has a motorhome. She enjoys RV travel and the dog parks like the one in the photo.” —Randy & Kathy Davis
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!
Stay cozy this winter in RV slippers!
These adorable trailer-themed slippers are just what your favorite RVer needs to get them through the winter months. They’re ultra-soft, warm, and comfortable and have nonslip soles so you won’t slip and slide across your RV’s floors. They come in two sizes S/M and L/XL so every foot will be happy! Check ’em out here.
Leave here with a laugh
An older guy walks into a bar and the bartender asks for ID. “You’ve got to be kidding,” he said. “I’m almost 60 years old.” The bartender apologized, but said he had to see the license. The guy showed his ID, then paid and told the bartender to keep the change. “The tip’s for carding me,” he said. The bartender put the change in the tip cup. “Thanks,” he said. “Works every time.”
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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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One beautiful dog.
Tom, you beat me to it! Bella Blu is a beautiful girl!
I always momentarily open the gray valve and close it before slowly opening the black tank valve. It much easier to clean gray water spills in case the hose “jumps” out of the dump port. Lol
I open the black first then dump the gray water to help flush it out. I’ve never had trouble with the sewer hose jumping out. Further, as a courtesy to the guy facing our backside, while in parks with tight quarters, and plans to dump only at the time of departure, we delay the deployment of the hose until it’s time to use it.
Most definitely, ask me how I know.
I’m with you Bob p, I do the same thing.
If it happens to jump out I slowly and deliberately walk over and place it back in…
The 60 scenic drives from FL A1A Jacksonville to Miami must be a shortcut if it’s only 67 miles long, according to Google that’s 345 miles. Wow!
I saw that too, Bob. ?? There must be only 67 miles of scenery the full length of Florida on the East Coast? That would upset about 300 miles of people and towns. However, if there IS a way to shrink the length of Florida, when I want to get somewhere, I would like to know how to do it. lol
I always make sure sewer connections are secure. Then I dump black tank and then gray tank to flush and clean out hose. I do not leave valves open. I only open them when leaving the campground or if they are getting full.
RE: sewer hose – want a longer life from your slinky? If you are staying for a longer term, route the hose under your rig rather than along side and shade it where not possible. Like everything else RV, the sun’s UV is horrible on the hose’s thin plastic. Our hoses now last 2-4X as long. I use rigid plastic parts from drain port to under the rig, run my hoses under the rig and use either rigid parts or an upside down gutter for the parts over to the park’s system.
Another tip. pick up inexpensive silicon O-ring goop from your local hardware store and periodically coat the bayonets and you will have both far fewer joint leaks and the parts will be easier to assemble and disassemble. Don’t overdo it. A thin film is all you need.
“Today’s Thought”: Among other things Einstein got right – today’s tho’t is right on target! So true!
I know Website of the day is not a RVTravel publication. Many of those scenic drives, while gorgeous, are not for MH or TT travels. One example is the Going To The Sun Hwy in Glacier NP. The short blurb did not mention vehicle limitations… maybe Town & Country includes more information in their article.
Any road that AAA promotes as a scenic road, I avoid. I prefer roads that semi trucks use.