Issue 2061
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
“Laughter is wine for the soul – laughter soft, or loud and deep, tinged through with seriousness – the hilarious declaration made by man that life is worth living.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Presidents Day! It’s also National Pet Day and National Cherry Pie Day!
On this day in history: 1792 – The Postal Service Act, establishing the United States Post Office Department, is signed by United States President George Washington.
Did you see the news? Click here to read the latest issue of the Sunday News for RVers.
Tip of the Day
RV lighting: Get it right!
By Janet Groene
On the first night in a new RV, most RVers will be in for a few surprises. They’ll probably find that some of the RV’s interior lights are too sharp, too dim, in the wrong spots, too yellow or hot or sickly blue. The lights may highlight the wrong things while leaving work areas, such as the sink or stove, in the shadows. Sound familiar?
The lights may work only when the RV is plugged into 120V power, or they may suck your 12-volt batteries dry. Harsh overhead lights are fine on cleaning day but are too harsh for dining, visiting, and TV watching. Is the bed lighting in the right spot for reading? Are the light switches easy to find and quiet to use?
Continue reading for some excellent lighting tips
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.”
Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) batteries: Who is telling the truth?
I received the following question from Bob regarding Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) batteries. I was not very familiar with them so did some research and found information from Trojan Batteries and others that were not very kind regarding the TPPL technology. Here was the initial question and response.
Video of the day
Safe towing speed—How fast is too fast for towing?
By Cheri Sicard
What is a safe towing speed? How fast is too fast to tow? The team at Keep Your Daydream wanted to cover this topic for a long time. That’s because they say they frequently get passed by all sorts of RVs, from massive Class A’s to SUVs towing single-axle trailers.
That led them to the question, “Is there a right speed to tow?”
For Lovers Only…
To: Beautiful
From: Macho Man
“You are the love of my life. It’s been a wonderful 40+ years being with you. I love you so so much.”
To: Honeybun
From: Sweetcheeks
“These past 50 yrs have been one adventure to another, non-stop! I love you for choosing me to be your better half!”
Even though Valentine’s Day is over, we’ll continue this feature throughout the month since we got so many submissions. No more new submissions will be accepted, though.
15 camping games and puzzles that are fun for everyone and make the perfect gift
Even though we published this around the holidays, this gift list applies year-round! Face it! The kids already have too many toys, and gifts for teens can be rather tricky. Most adults buy what they want when they want it! So, what’s left? The perfect gift: the gift of time together. Every family can use it and you need not worry about getting the correct size or color. Take a look and see what we mean here.
Reader poll
How do you feel about spending a week without access to social media?
DO YOU REMEMBER? Between 1965 and 1972, a draft provided 2,215,000 service members to the U.S. military.
Quick Tip
Drafty motorhome?
Motorhome got a cold draft you can’t account for? After eliminating an open window or roof vent, check your dashboard environmental controls. Vacuum-operated intakes left in the open position when the engine is shut down may well stay open, allowing cold air to infiltrate. Turn the engine on, close the vents, shut engine off. Shut eyelids.
RVers who carry a firearm should pack this along to save them from trouble
The new 2023 edition of the annual Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States is hot off the press. It covers all the basics for armed travel. What is legal in one state could be a felony in another. This book should be used as a reference before entering a new state to avoid trouble. Read more about the book here.
Website of the day
The History of Presidents Day
Ever wonder where Presidents Day came from or how it came to be? This article, along with many interesting links, from History.com is fascinating.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
• RVs reach cargo carrying capacity with just two passengers. Is your rig dangerously overweight?
• Wonder what an RV production line worker thinks about today’s RVs? Read this!
• Around the Campfire: How old is too old to RV?
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Thou shalt not laugh… Just kidding, thou can laugh. And laugh ye will!
Recipe of the Day
Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese Potatoes
by Jill McEachern from Mobile, AL
These easy-to-prepare cheesy potatoes are the perfect side for a holiday meal or a weeknight chicken dinner. Once baked, the potatoes have a delicious crispy crust. Parmesan cheese adds a savory flavor and helps with the crust. Buttery and tender, melting mozzarella cheese on top make these potatoes gooey and very creamy. If you want to elevate a potato side dish, give these cheesy potatoes a try.
Trivia
Some Presidents Day facts:
- James Madison was the shortest president at 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 100 pounds. Abraham Lincoln was the tallest president at 6 feet 4 inches tall (Lyndon B. Johnson was also 6′ 4″).
- The “S” in Harry S. Truman does not stand for anything.
- Andrew Jackson was shot in the chest during a gun duel, but managed to stay standing and shoot and kill his opponent. The bullet could not be safely removed and remained in Jackson’s chest for the next 40 years.
- On the day he was shot, Lincoln told his bodyguard that he had dreamt he would be assassinated.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“We rescued Tobey five years ago. We were at a winter seminar series at Wilkins RV in Bath, NY. They welcomed the Finger Lakes Animal Shelter to hold an adoption fair at the event. This little guy has so much personality and loves camping. He’s been to nearly every state and three Canadian Provinces so far. He also likes walks with our dog and stalking bugs. No mice in our rig!” —Sarah Stranz
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!
Speaking of cats…! Did you read our new column in Saturday’s newsletter called “Dr. Karel’s Krazy Kritter Korner”? Check it out, all animal lovers will love it!
Thetford’s toilet seal isn’t crappy!
Nobody wants to talk about a yucky toilet, but nobody wants to actually have to deal with a yucky toilet either… Enter Thetford’s Toilet Seal Lube and Conditioner. It works on all RV and boat toilets and protects the seal from drying out. If your toilet’s seal dries out, it can prevent it from sealing and holding water. You don’t want that! This is one of those products you should really use, even if dealing with your toilet isn’t your all-time favorite thing to do. Check it out.
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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All of our presidents have had many prophetic dreams. Many of them hire psychics to help interpret those dreams.
On this Presidents day, it is the Carter family that should occupy a little extra space in our hearts and in speaking only for my family, the Carters are in our prayers.
I doubt that any homes or housing communities have more DNA through droplets of presidential sweat than the hundreds upon hundreds of Habitat for Humanity homes that our 39th president showed up for and actually pounded nails into the framing of.
Thank you, Cancelproof. Here’s a quote from Habitat for Humanity on February 18 which I just found about President and Mrs. Carter’s incredible work with Habitat for Humanity: “Former U.S. President and Mrs. Carter first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity near their home of Plains, Georgia, in March 1984. Later that same year, the Carters joined Habitat volunteers in New York City’s Lower East Side to renovate an abandoned building in partnership with families in need of affordable housing. That trip marked Habitat for Humanity’s first Jimmy Carter Work Project (later renamed the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project). Each year until 2020, the Carters volunteered with Habitat alongside more than 104,000 volunteers across the U.S. and in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,390 Habitat homes.” Amazing people. Wishing peace and comfort to the Carter family. 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Indeed, TY. 🙏
Trivia about the trivia: because it doesn’t stand for anything there should not be a period after the S in Truman’s name.
Thanks, HappyCamper. Here’s an interesting article about why the period is used after the S in Truman’s name: https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/education/trivia/use-of-period-after-s-truman-name Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Interesting indeed. According to NPS: “The park service does not use a period. However many official documents and his presidential library all use a period. Both are correct.” So I have learned something new today.
Me too. And I love to learn something new every day. Thanks for bringing it up, HappyCamper. Take care. 😀 –Diane atRVtravel.com
My Father in Law’s birth certificate Says _ _ _ _ _ NMI Smith. No Middle Initial!
I’ve seen that before. Kinda weird, I think. Have a good night, Dennis. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Need an excuse to celebrate. When is grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup day?
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich day is April 12. National Homemade Soup Day is (was) February 4. But I would say that any day is grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup day. Brings back fond (warm) memories of my childhood. Have a great day, Impavid. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Childhood, I’m 85 and that was my lunch. Very good too.
Yep. That was one of my favorite lunches, if not my favorite. Yum! I don’t know why I don’t treat myself to it once in awhile. Hmmm. I think I’ll have it in the near future. Have a good night, Chuck. 😀 –Diane
I only use one “social “ media and it’s an RV group kind of social media. I don’t use FB, Instagram or even Twitter. So if I couldn’t get on for awhile, it would be ok.
Daily Laugh is hilarious!
What Stephanie said. 🙂
Sign in the Daily Laugh is not detailed enough to cover all the bad behavior I have seen in 25 years of RVing.
WOW! Some park
It’s photoshopped.