Issue 2009
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
“The earth has its music for those who will listen…” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day!
On this day in history: 1980 – Former Beatle John Lennon is murdered by Mark David Chapman in front of The Dakota in New York City.
Tip of the Day
RV extended warranties: Worth the money?
To RVtravel.com:
“Hi. I would like your opinion on an extended warranty for a used RV. I realize that this may not be appropriate to ask of you, and I know it is my decision to make, but as a long-term subscriber I trust your opinions. If there were any articles related to this subject, I missed them.
“I own a 2016, bought new in 2017, Winnebago View on a Mercedes Diesel. It has 59,000 miles, which includes three trips from Coeur d’Alene to the East Coast. Our last trip covered 39 states with 9400 miles, so we do a lot of highway driving. Anyway, it has been serviced where we purchased it and Mercedes for diesel maintenance. I try my best to perform preventive maintenance. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and take care.” —Tony D.
Tony Barthel’s response to Tony
This is a terrific question, Tony. As someone who sold a lot of these while I worked at a dealership, I can provide this information and hope that it works for you, and our other readers interested in this topic.
Continue reading this very informative article
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 and writers 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 long will 100 W solar panel and two batteries run residential fridge?
Dear Dave,
When I purchased my RV from Camping World they never told me anything about the solar panel on the roof and the inverter. I know now that the residential refrigerator runs off the two batteries that are charged from the solar panel or shore power, but the inverter is in the off position and has to be turned on manually, I assume. I would think that if we lost shore power it would automatically switch on the inverter. I’m trying to understand the solar system and the RV, and if I should upgrade the 100 W panel to a bigger panel. I heard that there’s a 300 W or 350 W panel available now. —Joseph, Cedar Creek 38ftk 43’
Video of the day
8 tips to improve and preserve your RV propane system
By Cheri Sicard
Nathan from Access RV has a terrific video for people who have questions about, or who have been struggling with, their RV propane system.
Nathan breaks it down to eight simple things everyone should do to keep their RV’s propane system running smoothly and to prevent potential issues and problems.
Not wearing gloves while dumping? Big mistake!
In this day of fastidiousness and the injection of antibacterial chemicals in nearly every product, there’s a strange movement out there: Dumping holding tanks with your bare hands. A survey at RVtravel.com revealed that nearly one-third of our readers never or seldom use gloves. Our opinion: big mistake. Learn why.
Reader poll
How often do you watch a movie at a theater compared to five years ago?
Quick Tip
RV journal writing
A journal is not a diary with your innermost thoughts. It’s a chronological list of what happened in your life. Not everything of course, just the things and events that you think you might possibly want to know a year from now. Here is a partial list of the kind of things and events that you should consider recording: What went wrong with your rig. What you did to fix the problem with your rig. What date you installed that new refrigerator. When you replaced that tire that blew out and how much you paid for it. (Of course, if you keep a maintenance log for your RV, you don’t need to put this information in your journal. There’s no need to list things in two places.)
When you bought that new keyboard and how much you paid for it. The names of the camp hosts where you stayed when you were in AZ. The names of people and the names of their dogs you met at different campgrounds. Nothing impresses people more and makes them feel like you really remember them than knowing their dog’s name. Basically, jot down anything you think you might possibly want to know a year from now. Three to five minutes a day is all it will take, and you will be surprised how much you will use and appreciate this information.
From: RVing: Less Hassle—More Joy: Secrets of Having More Fun with Your RV—Even on a Limited Budget Available on amazon.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Don’t forget to clean those dirty RV AC and heat pump filters. Yuck!
- RV Review: Airstream Bambi vs. Caravel – Two 20FBs compared
- Ask Dave: I’m not getting power out of my WFCO 8274 “inverter.” Why not?
- Featured article: Tips from a pro: Digitize your family photo albums
- Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Acorn Squash
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
We love that we can learn how to do this “without dying”! This no-dying-allowed activity is perfect for RVers. See what we mean, and don’t die!
Website of the day
42 Famous Houses From Movies and TV Shows You Can Actually Visit
Visiting sets where movies and TV shows were filmed is always fun, and it would be so neat to see some of these houses in person along the road. Don’t you agree?
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:
• 11 percent have stayed in more than one National Park campground within the past year. An additional 9 percent have stayed in one.
• 74 percent say they would continue traveling in their RV if their partner died.
• 54 percent say they put in a lot of effort to make sure they recycle.
Recent poll: Did your parents take you camping as a child?
Recipe of the Day
Shrimp Kabobs
by Terrie Hoelscher from Harpers Ferry, WV
Need a quick and easy meal? Give these shrimp kabobs a try. The hardest part is waiting for the shrimp to marinate for an hour. After that, you’ll have dinner on the table in 10 minutes. Once grilled, the shrimp are sweet and tangy with a slightly smoky taste. Full of flavor, we love how easy this was to throw together.
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Trivia
Moon dust smells like gunpowder, according to all the Apollo program astronauts (even from different missions!).
*What do an atomic bomb and a bikini have in common? The answer is much more interesting than you’d think! Find it in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“7-year-old rescues from the same litter, one long-hair (Molly), one short-hair (Max). Both love RVing. This one is Molly.” —Dorrin Birch (See Max in yesterday’s newsletter.)
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!
The cutest ornament we’ve ever seen…
This adorable little camp stove is the perfect addition to your, or a family member’s or friend’s, Christmas tree this year. Makes the perfect gift for an RVer, camper, hiker, fisher… well, anyone! Learn more or order here (and see some other equally cute RV-related ornaments here).
Leave here with a laugh
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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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Leave here with a laugh could get you in cuffs in some locations.
Hi, Roger. It reminds me of many years ago when I was driving home from working in downtown Seattle. The freeway was jam-packed, but I noticed an older truck ahead of me that had no brake lights working. We got separated by traffic a couple of times, but after a few miles I was able to pull up on the passenger side and rolled down my window. The passenger rolled down his window and I yelled, “You have no brake lights!” “What?” “You have no brake lights!” Driver said, “I didn’t hear what she said.” Passenger said, “I did.” He thanked me and I dropped back a little to let them in front of me. They got off the freeway a few blocks further on, where there was a full-service gas station next to it. Oh, yeah. They were from Canada, so I really wanted to get the message to them so they wouldn’t get rear-ended somewhere between here and home. Have a good evening/night, Roger. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Diane, the key words in your story “many years ago” well defines a ‘full service gas station’. The station probably even had a Superman changing room too! ring ring
I think you’re correct, Larry. 😆 Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Today’s Trivia just proves the Big Bang Theory!
I spelled my last name wrong, Frank Niehus
The picture of the camper in this issue is mine but I can’t download it because it says it’s too large so I can’t submit it, what next, where can I send it ?
Sorry you’re having a problem, Frank. I’ve forwarded your comment to Jessica, who is in charge of our contests and also is very savvy regarding IT stuff. She’ll respond fairly shortly, I’m sure. Congratulations! (BTW, nice rig, et al.!) Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Hi, Frank. Jessica says all you need to do is fill out this form (which is linked on the contest page): https://www.rvtravel.com/is-this-your-rv/ That should be sufficient, i.e., don’t worry about trying to upload the picture again. Take care. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
“Leave Here with a Laugh” Strikes a cord with me. The people with brake lights or running lights out must never drive at night. It is a simple idea when reversing even in a parking lot to see the reflection against the car behind. It is not rocket science yet the ending result could do more than ruin your day. The “I Know?” Like are you stupid should be a response but I just shake my head. Yes it can happen were the light fails but get it fixed.
People should know that relying on your daytime running lights (DRL) can be VERY dangerous as in many vehicles the tail lights do NOT come on with the DRLs.
Not just cars, I’ve seen trailers hooked up and pulled out without anyone checking the lights. I’ve also let drivers know that a brake or tail light is out. Normal response is usually
“I know”.
Today’s Laugh is a great response, but it also shows how most people don’t, even occasionally, walk around their vehicle to do a safety check. With all of the sensors and warnings built into today’s vehicles, it probably isn’t as necessary, but for those older vehicles it really is. (I have a ’68 MGB and a ’36 Hudson Terraplane, so I check the lights before most trips).
Yes, when I travel solo and walk around my rig, the brake and signal lights automatically test themselves. Great tip.
Website of “Movie houses you can visit” 42 houses but not the one from my favorite movie “The Big Chill” (located in Beaufort SC).
That’s my favorite movie! I would love to see that house!
Can’t list all of them, that ones not my favorite. Lol