Issue 2065
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
“If you never did you should. These things are fun and fun is good.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Tortilla Chip Day!
On this day in history: 1854 – A Penny Red with perforations was the first perforated postage stamp to be officially issued for distribution.
Tip of the Day
Use these six words when buying an RV
By Gail Marsh
Six words. Yes, all it takes are six words that will help you purchase a great RV that meets all your needs. If you can follow this important advice, you’ll soon be enjoying the perfect camping setup for you and your family.
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 my RV’s air conditioner hum but it won’t start?
Dear Dave,
My RV’s front roof air conditioner only hums when I turn it on. The fan will not come on to blow the air. —Rhonda, 2008 Fleetwood Flair
Video of the day
How to train dogs to stop barking at everything
By Cheri Sicard
Thankfully, my current dog does not have an excessive barking problem, but I sure could have used Zak George’s “How to train dogs to stop barking at everything” video countless times in my life with other dogs. Especially when RVing in close quarters to others!
Zak George is my favorite dog training expert, but I just discovered he and his wife are also RVers!
For Lovers Only…
To: Gramps
From: Nana
“As we celebrate our 52nd Valentine’s Day I continue to be grateful for this awesome adventure we are on! Love you more today than yesterday but not as much as tomorrow xoxo.”
To: Danger Haze
From: Babe
“Happy Valentines Day! As soon as I saw you I knew a grand adventure was about to happen. Love you to the moon and back!”
Tomorrow is the last day of this feature. We have enjoyed reading all your sweet messages. We’ll bring them back next February. Thank you!
Why so much confusion on tire inflation?!
By Roger Marble
Why is there so much confusion on tire inflation versus max inflation versus my consistent recommendation of +10%? Here’s a question posted on an RV forum: Tom said, “So, I see some who are saying to set pressure to max cold pressure recommended, and others talk about ‘minimum +10%.’ … I’m confused.” Roger explains here.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Noticing changes as I travel: Sales lots are full and campgrounds are empty
- Campers forcing vulnerable communities into ‘complete destitution’
- RVs vs. hotels: We put affordability and convenience to the test
- Sophisticated metal detectors, now capable of discovering gold, are changing the game
Reader poll
Have you ever ordered a pizza delivered to your RV?
Quick Tip
Size does matter
Is your vehicle licensed properly for its size? Some jurisdictions will move you from personal class to commercial class simply because of your licensed GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight). Be sure this doesn’t happen to you as the rules change significantly. Being classed commercial may limit your hours of driving, keeping log books, having restricted routes, need to carry specific equipment, etc. Thanks to George B.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
This is too funny! EVERYBODY can relate to this (and everybody will laugh at it!).
On this day last year…
- Tip: The things you must do before every RV trip
- RV Review: Coachmen Northern Spirit 2659BH bunkhouse travel trailer
- Ask Dave: Why won’t my RV’s water pump prime?
- Featured article: I just spend $106 on a $3 shower replacement part…
- Recipe: Crock Pot Southwest Beef Chili Stew
Website of the day
Raptor rehab centers in the U.S. and Canada
We think there’s a pretty good chance you point out raptors (birds of prey) on your RV travels: “Look at that huge hawk, Honey!” This list shows you raptor centers across the U.S. and Canada. Most of them you can visit, which we think would be pretty neat!
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
Southwestern Chicken & Rice Skillet
by Kathy Cromer from Cincinnati, OH
An easy and delicious chicken and rice skillet. It’s filled with veggies and Southwest flavor. The seasoning is just right, not overpowering at all. We loved the bits of sweet corn and the hearty black beans. We sprinkled a little cilantro on top of the melted cheese at the end to add a pop of freshness. Great for a weekend meal.
Trivia
According to the USDA, a sandwich is defined by the presence of… what? If you guessed meat, you’re correct. So the next time you eat a grilled cheese, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you can’t call it a sandwich! The USDA says that in order to qualify for a sandwich to be a sandwich, it must have at least 35 percent cooked meats and be no more than 50 percent bread.
**When are poison dart frogs not poisonous? Yesterday’s trivia tells you when you could be around these frogs and not have to worry!
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Ruby is a 6-year-old female German Shepherd. She loves hiking and being outdoors. This picture is hiking in the Maple Valley area in Washington state.” —Shannon O’Connell
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!
A “cool tool” indeed: The Magnetizer/Demagnetizer
This gadget, recommended by Dave Solberg and Dustin Simpson, instantly magnetizes or demagnetizes steel tools and other small parts. You can convert any tool blade to a magnetic retriever of things like screws, nuts, and metallic particles. No batteries or electricity required. Never lose a screw again! Read more about it here, or buy one for yourself 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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This newsletter is copyright 2023 by RV Travel LLC.
“Size does matter”. What a nonsensical article. Please post one jurisdiction that has classified an RV as a commercial vehicle. Was this article written by one of those artificial intelligence app? Geez….
Hi, Engineer. No, it was not written by AI. In fact, it was written by a retired RCMP, although it was awhile ago. But here is an article from The RV Geeks which was updated in June 2022 which offers more information: https://www.thervgeeks.com/class-a-rv-license/ Have a great day. 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
“Size does matter”
RV’s are not commercial vehicles even if they have commercial plates.
The commercial plates are for the issuing state to collect more in weight fees, Taxes.
Next time you drive by a truck scale the signage clearly states NO PICKUPS NO RV’s
Be careful what you complain about. Maybe everyone who drives a class A motorhome should be required to carry a log book and have tax stamps like trucks and bus’s. While we’re at it maybe require 90 day inspections.
I am always amazed at where conversations go. One of the most entertaining parts of the newsletter .😁
Amen to that. Sheesh!
The sign “Everything is Figureoutable” is the title of a book by Marie Forleo. It’s worth reading.
This note is wrong. You will not be licensed commercial or required to have a CDL to drive your RV due to weight. Some states require medical certification and a different class of RV license but not commercial (except Hawaii).
‘Is your vehicle licensed properly for its size? Some jurisdictions will move you from personal class to commercial class simply because of your licensed GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight). Be sure this doesn’t happen to you as the rules change significantly. Being classed commercial may limit your hours of driving, keeping log books, having restricted routes, need to carry specific equipment, etc. Thanks to George B’
Concerning “Size does matter”, there are no more log books. Just ELDs, which are electronic logging devices. Not sure how they could make RV’ers get involved with those. And I don’t think restricted routes would be a problem either. I’ve never read about any of this stuff being an issue. Oh, and the “cool tool” really IS cool! I’ve had one for years and have used it many times. In fact, sometimes I just play with it for fun. “Easily entertained” is how my wife describes it. Ha.
Not exactly true, paper logs do still exist and are in use by certain drivers that are running older trucks. I believe that age truck is 2000/early 2000’s but not certain.
Your right Truckman. In California if your pickup is over 10,000 GVW you are considered a “common carrier”. That means you have to register as one, carry a logbook, (Paper logbooks would be the only choice here) put your back license plate on the front, have $750,000 of insurance and have the weight sticker on both sides. How many do all that? Probably not many, especially if the truck is used for RV purposes.
A common carrier must carry cargo or persons for hire.
Their is no weight limit.
You can have a car or half ton truck and be required to have commercial plates if you carry cargo or persons for hire.
So are you saying if you only use your F-350 p/u for hauling your RV, somehow this means you need a commercial permit, plates, license, etc? Man am I glad I got the heck out of there 35 years ago! My guess is, NOBODY does that. Delicately put, that is pure nonsense.
I wasn’t aware that vehicle age played into the ELD/paper log debate. Age WILL play into the game in CA when they officially ban trucks older than xxxx year.
That USDA definition of a sandwich is full of baloney!
I agree! But the real question: is a hot dog a sandwich?
Probably if you have it with bread, not when using a roll ( it’s not bread) 🤔🤣
And a hotdog is only marginally able to be called “meat,” if you’ve ever seen how they’re made.
All beef is not meat?
You mean as a Vegan I don’t eat sandwichs?
Years ago, Johnny Carson said “Hot dogs are made out of the inedible parts of the cow” just like some dog foods.
Took a glance at the raptor rehab centers article. The rehab center in Sequim, WA has a website that is linked to a Russian gambling website (I think). I realize rvtravel is not responsible for the article’s content.
The raptor rehab center article does not have the rehab center in Sequim, WA listed that you mentioned in your comment, so maybe it was removed from the article.
That’s very possible, Stephanie. I see the website that’s linked was just updated today. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
We had to say good by to our 15 year old German Shepherd just before last Christmas. She was the do everything, go everywhere. absolute best friend ever. Left a huge void in our home, our hearts. our life. When I think of her I smile and cry at the same time.
Sorry for your loss
Sorry for your loss!
Unless you are commercially transporting for hire you will not be subject to commercial regulations. I formerly lived in IL where pickup trucks are licensed as commercial no matter the size. I had a ‘73 Chevy Luv that weighed 1987lbs, I had to go into Chicago to the VA, it’s located on a Blvd. no trucks are allowed on Blvd’s and I almost got a ticket because my license plate said truck. Talking to the officer I told him I wasn’t as heavy as that Buick 225 that just passed us. I had to take side streets to get back to the expressway to go home. That’s another example of why you should never vote for a lawyer to represent you. No common sense.
Stop with the insults…think before you type!
I’m not sure what the insult is you’re referring.
The implication is: lawyers do not have common sense, which is totally wrong, but that was the implication.
Possibly cat is a lawyer ?
A man walks into a bar with a crocodile and asks the bartender, “do you serve lawyers here?” The bartender replies, “yes sir, we do serve lawyers here”. The man says, ” Great, then bring me a beer and the crocodile will have a lawyer.”
Relax Cat, it’s just a Joke.
If that was an insult, it’s a pretty minor one, as well as very, very common. I.e., lawyer jokes.
It was a slur. Plain and simple. How about if I were to say all RV owners had no common sense? That would not be nice nor would it be true. I do, however, know of some that would fit the moniker.
Hmmmm. Let me try that.
A man walks into a bar with a crocodile and says to the bartender, ” do you serve RV owners here?” The bartender reply, “Yes, we serve RV owners here”. So the man says “great, I’ll have a beer and bring the croc an RV owner”.
Nope, sorry Impavid, not the same effect.
Q. What do you call 6 lawyers on the bottom of the ocean?
A. A good start.
Did you mean like that Ed?
What’s difference between a dead possum on the road and dead lawyer on the road?
Skid marks in front of the possum.
Are you a lawyer by chance? I personally don’t see where Bob was insulting.