Issue 2005
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
“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness. It’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” —Brené Brown
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Mutt Day! We love mutts!
On this day in history: 1867 – At Tremont Temple in Boston, Charles Dickens gives his first public reading in the United States. Oh, and did you know that Charles Dickens’ son, Francis Dickens, was one of the first 300 members of the North West Mounted Police, which later became the Royal Canadian Mounted Police? Yep.
Tip of the Day
Avoiding “mysterious” RV battery deaths
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
A dead RV battery is always a frustration, and oftentimes a mystification. Why did it die? RV batteries are good for a limited number of use/charge cycles. As we’ve often commented, the “deeper” you draw a battery down, the fewer use/charge cycles you’ll get out of it. We try (emphasize “try”) not to let our batteries get down to less than half a full charge before we see to it they’re charged up. That’s a big part of the battle right there.
There are “things” that happen, and we’re all familiar with them. Like the time we found our truck camper battery flat for no good reason – until we did a little investigating and found that the clothes closet door latch wasn’t latching right, and the door was open just a skosh. That skosh was big enough to allow the closet light switch to activate, illuminating the empty hanger rod until the battery went south.
But even with everything in its place, there are mysterious causes of battery failure. We’re not talking about UFOs landing on your RV roof and taking a jump-start for their warp drive. We’re talking parasites.
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.”
How do I keep my RV’s black and gray tanks clean?
Dear Dave,
Good morning. Other than the Thetford gauge cleaner, what is a good routine to get into to keep black and gray tanks clean and not smelly? Thanks. —Julie
Video of the day
How to build a smokeless campfire
By Cheri Sicard
Is it possible to learn how to build a smokeless campfire? The short answer is YES!
John from Intense Angler is here to help with the problem in the video below. John’s tips will significantly reduce, and in many cases even totally eliminate, the smoke from your campfire.
Boondocking gadget: Venture Wipes – Better than baby stuff
More and more people are considering boondocking as a way to combat running into the “no vacancy” sign at RV parks. However, two challenges continue to plague us boondockers: power and water. Solar systems have improved markedly in just the past few years such that you could literally power anything in your RV with a sufficient solar and battery system. Water, though, remains an ongoing challenge. At an FMCA rally in Gillette, Wyoming, the goodie bags that we were all given contained a sample from Venture Wipes. … Find out what Tony Barthel thinks about them here.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- New campers not very interested in “camping”
- Two options to refill propane; one is a rip-off
- Our staff and writers’ favorite RV gadgets of 2022
- RV Service Centers and Repairs Report: They told me my A/C was brand-new, but it was from 1984!
Reader poll
Do you read in bed when you retire for the night?
Quick Tip
It’s very important to keep your RV sealants fresh
The most frequent cause of damaging RV water leaks isn’t the roof itself – rather, it’s the sealants around vents, trim, windows, etc. Sealant doesn’t last forever, and your RV warranty requires you to keep sealants fresh.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
We’ve seen a few different kinds of these, but we like this one the best. And it’s bigger than the others. Stay warm and cozy, everyone!
On this day last year…
- RV Review: Coachmen RV Nova 20RB – a top notch Class B
- Ask Dave: Can I just replace my house battery with lithium?
- Featured article: Instant Pots aren’t your mother’s pressure cooker
- Recipe: Pepper Steak on Rice
Website of the day
The Ultimate East Coast National Parks Road Trip
This list from Outside guides you up and down the East Coast and tells you what National Parks to stop at, and what to see in them, along the way.
Clubs and useful organizations
PLEASE NOTE: We may receive an affiliate commission if you join any of these.
• Harvest Hosts: Stay free at farms, wineries and other scenic and peaceful locations for free. Save 15% on membership.
• AllStays: The best website for RVers! Your membership will become your RV-bible.
• Boondockers Welcome: Stay at homes of RVers who welcome you in their driveways, yards, farmland or other space on their private property. Modest membership fee.
• Escapees: Best Club for RVers: All RVers welcome, no matter what type of RV, make or model.
• RV LIFE Trip Wizard: Make your RV road trip planning easier than ever.
Recipe of the Day
Steak Kabobs
by Aurora McBee from Great Falls, MT
This steak kabobs recipe is super simple and delicious! Marinating the meat and veggies overnight is what gives these babies a lot of flavor. The meat becomes super tender and the veggies are delicious. Great for a cookout, picnic, or easy weeknight meal!
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Trivia
According to NASA researchers, the perfect amount of time to nap is between 10 and 20 minutes (power naps). How does this compare to your usual nap time(s)?
*Speaking of sleep… How long does it take the average American to fall asleep at night? Take a guess then find the answer in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“This is Rudy, our two-year-old Whippet. He knows he’s not allowed on the table but sometimes we let him get away with it in the motorhome.” —Gary Smith
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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Your leave here with a laugh was really funny, brightened my whole day!
Sounds like you could save a lot of money by staying in your camper while visiting the parks of the east coast
We’ve been to Acadia, Shenandoah, Great Smoky and Everglades, all with our 5th whl. Best way to go for us!