Issue 2023
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
“Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard, are sweeter” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Card Playing Day!
On this day in history: 1895 – Wilhelm Röntgen publishes a paper detailing his discovery of a new type of radiation, which later will be known as X-rays. The achievement earned Röntgen the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.
Tip of the Day
Use the off-season wisely to get ready for next season’s trips
By Gail Marsh
When is the best time to think about camping? When the temp drops, winter winds howl, and the thought of another dreary day is making you stir crazy! The “off-season” can be the perfect time to prepare for the upcoming camping months. After all, there are trips to plan, an RV to organize, recipes to research, and more!
Plan that trip
- Even if you are a full-timer, you may want to think about traveling to a new-to-you place this year. Never been to the mountains? Maybe this is the year to go! Haven’t seen the East Coast or Maine? Put it on your “To-Do list.” Want to attend this year’s family reunion or see the old home place in the Midwest? Now is the time to plan.
- Use your favorite app to plan your trip. Many apps offer not only preferred routes to take but also provide information about campgrounds, scenic views, and special places along your way. Here’s an in-depth article about the best RV trip planner apps and tools.
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.”
Why does RV’s rear furnace work but front one blows cold air?
Dear Dave,
My RV has two propane furnaces. The rear one works fine, but the front one blows cold air only. Any suggestions? Thanks. —Ray, 2001 Triple E Signature
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Kwikee Entry Steps repair diagnosis and critical maintenance tips
My repair facility recently worked on a 2019 Entegra Vision. The customer had one issue for us to fix: their Kwikee Entry Steps.
Complaint
Customer states that the entry steps were intermittently not going in and out and progressively got worse. The steps finally quit working altogether and have remained in the same position. Check and advise.
See the cause, steps to repair, costs to repair, and much more here
Video of the day
6 places to find RV water on the road
This useful video below from Robin Barrett at Creativity RV contains great advice for all RVers, but is especially important for those of us who try to avoid commercial campgrounds as much as possible.
In it, Robin shares her six most important tips for finding water to fill your RV’s tanks, no matter where you roam. Most of her sources will even give you potable water free!
Where should you camp next? Find out!
This 50-state guide will show you the best campgrounds across the U.S. It gives you a regional, state-by-state breakdown of amazing outdoor accommodations, from campground to RV resorts. It also breaks campsites down by your personality and desired amenities. Now that’s cool! It also highlights regional cuisine, attractions and activities. Learn more or order.
This app lets you read historical markers without even stopping
By Chris Guld, GeeksOnTour.com
From the Oregon Trail in Wyoming, to George Washington’s boyhood home in the Chesapeake, we’ve driven by a lot of historical markers in our motorhome this summer. I’m always curious when I see the sign, but rarely enough to pull over. So, I use the app called “Explore Here.”… I’ve been impressed with how complete it is. Read all about it here.
Reader poll
How often do you use swear words?
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.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
These might seem silly at first, but we can actually think of quite a few ways these may come in handy…
If you enjoy this newsletter, please help us spread the word! Learn more here. It’s fun!
Quick Tip
Tip on fridge temps/temperature sensor
By George Bliss
I’ll not start with “Do you travel with your fridge on or off while you’re driving down the road?” That’s another campfire question that can never be answered to everyone’s satisfaction. Much like if you’re a hunter, then, “Which is the best deer rifle?” Either way, anytime of day, when you’re traveling it’s nice to be able to determine that your fridge is staying cool enough so the contents don’t spoil. Many of us use a wireless indoor/outdoor thermometer when we camp. I place the sending unit for mine on the frame rail of my 5th wheel behind my entry steps. It’s out of the way of direct sunlight and I see it when I fold in my steps before heading down the road. I move that from the frame rail and put it in the fridge. I then take the receiver part, which hangs just inside near my camper door, and place that in my truck. This allows me to monitor the fridge temperature all day long.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Maneuvering big RVs in tight fuel stops
- RV Review: 2022 OBI Dweller overlanding trailer
- Ask Dave: My slide room squeaks when retracting. Can I use WD-40?
- Featured article: How would you answer, “Do you have any regrets?”
- Recipe: Ultimate Avocado Toast
Website of the day
Travel Wyoming: Things to Do
The official Wyoming tourism website is great for finding things to do, trip itineraries, food and drink options, and much more.
Beginning RVing: The Basics
Do most RV parks allow dogs? Most do, but there are rules to follow. Here’s the scoop.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• Residential-type vs. absorption refrigerators in an RV
• 14 little-known (but helpful) uses for aluminum foil (plus more from readers)
• My phone got me into “Siri-ous” trouble with the cops! Don’t let it happen to you
Recipe of the Day
Bread and Butter Pickles
by Barbara Alden from Bolivar, MO
Homemade pickles are delicious on a burger, a sandwich, or even just to munch on. We loved the pleasant, tart taste of these. They’re crunchy, sweet, and sour. You taste a slight hint of apple cider vinegar. Easy to make, these bread and butter pickles will be a staple in your fridge. The longer they sit in their juices, the better they get.
[do_widget id=custom_html-21]
Trivia
Mount Rushmore is predicted to erode 1 inch every 10,000 years.
*What percentage of German adults are considering taking an RV trip next year? Find out in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“We adopted Sophie from Proverbs 12:10 Pet Rescue and away we went on our first trip! What a great little traveler and she loves the RV life! She is a social butterfly and loves meeting all the people and pets!” —Karen Bates
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
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the latest Sunday News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.
Will you help support us?
This newsletter is brought to you Monday through Friday by RVtravel.com and is funded primarily through voluntary subscription contributions from our readers. Thank you! IF YOU APPRECIATE THIS NEWSLETTER and others from RVtravel.com, will you please consider pledging your support? Learn more or contribute.
If you shop at Amazon.com we’d appreciate you using this link. We get an itty bitty commission if you buy something, but they add up and help us pay our bills (most importantly our hard-working writers!).
Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): chuck@rvtravel.com
Advertising: Advertising@rvtravel.com
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.
RVtravel.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of this potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
This newsletter is copyright 2022 by RV Travel LLC.
For those who can’t cook? That would be fish and chips.Great photo.
I bought two small battery powered black digital thermometers (about 1/2″h x 1″w x 1/2″ d) and mounted them in a cut hole in the refrigerator and freezer doors. I drilled a small hole in the liner and run the sensors down the inside of the door taping in place. Work great on watch batts which last about 1 yr. or so. Total cost about $12.00 on EBay and 4-5 years ago.
Sophie is a very pretty girl and her sweet personality is beams!
LHWAL Fish & Chips Great Idea too!
Sophie is such a delightful doggie and looks so happy!
Suggestions for indoor/outdoor sensor for temps as in the quick tip?
Amazon has tons of them. Just search through them until you find one that meets your budget and desired features.
Where is the TARTER SAUCE?
Our RV refrigerator is always “on.” We have an all-electric DP. We do have small propane tanks for a portable Weber grill, but that’s all the propane we have on-board.
Love the fish and chips idea. No cooking, just open a couple of bags, dump into a bowl, and it’s done. We’ll do this at our next open house or the next time we have people over to our RV. Great idea; thanks!
Sophie is a pretty girl, good for her to be rescued.
Our sheltie would love the fish and chips!
Fish’n’chips, great idea for a party!
The article by Chris Guld was very interesting, can’t wait to use it. Hard to pull rig over to read those historical markers. Thanks Chris. Well done.