Issue 2013
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 most certain sign of wisdom is cheerfulness.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Bouillabaisse Day!
On this day in history: 1903 – The Wright brothers make their first attempt to fly with the Wright Flyer at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
Tip of the Day
Finding extra storage space on your RV’s ceiling
Wait. What?! Store things on the CEILING of my RV? What could possibly go up there?! Well, it’s true, your RV’s ceiling has plenty of storage space. Read on to discover where… and how.
First, a few tips…
Before purchasing supplies always check to see that your ceiling storage solution isn’t going to become a “head thumper.” Even the very best ceiling storage trick isn’t good if it impedes people’s movements within the RV.
Use a stud finder to ensure that you are fastening into a secure spot in the ceiling and walls near the ceiling. After all, you don’t want everything to suddenly fall on your head!
Be careful about weight and weight distribution. Balance the load and do not overload your ceiling storage solution.
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.
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.”
Will a ‘trickle charge’ ruin lithium batteries?
Dear Dave,
I replaced my lead acid batteries with two Ampere Time 200-amp-hour lithium batteries. I replaced the converter with a Progressive Dynamics converter, and 14.6-volt output that goes down to 13.6 when charged. The manufacturer says not to trickle charge them. Any advice would be great. —Rodney, 2022 Twilight Signature 3100
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Cool Tools: Cord hangers from an inner tube
Every Wednesday we meet for a livestream called Talkin’ RV Tech. We not only answer technical questions, but we also share what we like to call “cool tools.” These are tools and gadgets that we actually use! We believe they will be helpful to you.
Here’s a clip of one of our latest videos where we discuss cord hangers made from inner tubes.
Today: Live video chat
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.
Missed last week’s program? Watch the recorded program here.
Video of the day
RV Christmas decorations—Easy tips for festive fun!
By Cheri Sicard
Do you plan on spending Christmas in your RV? The Happily Ever Hanks are here to help you keep things festive with some easy RV Christmas decorations and ideas.
Yes, it is a small space, but that does not mean an RV Christmas can’t be merry and bright. The video below will help show you how.
A praying GPS, a marinated possum, a few bad omens… and a wonderful story
By James Swickard
It was a day most any RVer who is worth his salt would recognize. Six hours on the road, assuming the word “road” is accepted as valid terminology for lanes, rutted trails and cow paths. We had reached the ends of our proverbial ropes, maybe even at the end of the earth as we know it. Our patience was worn to the quick and we were desperately in need of a campsite for the night. This day had started to go bad early on, apparently preparing to punish us for ALL of our past sins, with what appeared to be a simple construction detour. … Yes, this is a wonderful and very funny story. Y’all oughta read it here (and y’all will shorely end up with a Southern drawl).
Reader poll
How often do you FaceTime with someone?
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
If your New Year’s resolution is to eat healthier and/or smarter, this absolutely eggcellent gadget will speed up the process!
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
Trailer rocking?
If your trailer rocks, even with your stabilizers engaged, check your leaf springs. Worn leaf springs can create quite a seismic disturbance!
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).
On this day last year…
- Tip: 9 bad things to eat while traveling in your RV
- RV Review: Highland Ridge Open Range 19BH
- Ask Dave: Why so many cables and connections, but only one coax on the TV?
- Featured article: Don’t forget to tow your… helicopter?
- Recipe: Eggnog French Toast
Website of the day
Fodor’s Travel: National Parks Directory
Fodor’s Travel lists all the U.S. National Parks. Click on whichever one you’re most interested in, and every article and guide they’ve ever written about that park comes up. Very handy for park trip planning!
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Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Visit the two incredible highways in the U.S. that sing to you as you drive! It’s true!
• RV Tire Safety: All about tow vehicle tire wear and TT tire inflation
• Do you need an RV buyer’s inspection? Here’s how to find one
Recipe of the Day
Easy Butterscotch Pound Cake
by Teri Dunaway from Auburn, AL
If you want to bake with your kids or grandkids, this butterscotch pound cake is a wonderful recipe to make. It’s rich and buttery with a hint of caramel flavor. Leftovers remain moist for days.
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Trivia
The New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority set a pandemic-era subway ridership record Thursday, December 8, with 3,925,280 passengers. The last time the subway system carried more than 3.9 million riders was March 12, 2020.
*How much more trash do Americans throw out during the holiday season? 10 percent? 25 percent? 50 percent? Find out in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Bandit, a Boxer/Hound mix, was a foster fail. He is such a comforting presence and loves his hugs as much as we enjoy giving them! He has to be a co-pilot to help my hubby watch the road.” —Sharon Branson
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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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
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Help desk: Contact us.
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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Looks like Bandit found the “perfect” Dad & Mom 🙂
The advertisement “Free Cremation cost guide”. So, if the cremation is free, what is the cost guide for? Urn, shovel ?
Hi, Donald. That’s one of those auto-inserted ads from Google. We have nothing to do with what goes into those ads, or who sees which ads. But that’s a very good point! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
The guide is free. Your humor is priceless
Thinking of getting an electric bike. You have a lot of ads in your newsletters. Could you have someone do an article about the do’s and don’ts, along with the good and bad? I think it would really be helpful to a bunch of us.
Hi, Lil John. Go to our homepage at rvtravel.com and in the search box type in “electric bikes”. Several posts will come up about them. There’s quite a bit of info in them, so I think they will help you and others considering getting an ebike. Take care. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Bandit is sooo cute!
Thanks to all at RVTravel.com for another great newsletter!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you so much, cee! We appreciate your kind words and very much appreciate YOU – and all of our other wonderful readers. Thank you all! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
IKEA snowman. What a clever mind. I’m still laughing.
Bandit is in the right spot to be a “foster failure” because you kept him! Bandit a terrific co-pilot, loves hugs and Best of All Bandit decided you both are his Furever Furfamily!!!
Beautiful Furfamily 😍
I will remember that next time I walk into an IKEA