Issue 2070
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
“Do you think that I count the days? There is only one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Cold Cuts Day!
On this day in history: 1891 – Shoshone National Forest, in Wyoming, is established as the first national forest in the U.S. and world. It covers nearly 2,500,000 acres, with 1,300 miles of trails and 32 campgrounds.
Tip of the Day
Pay attention to passing motorists’ warnings of trouble
On the road, most of us have experienced looking out our window to see a car passing by with someone waving frantically and pointing toward our vehicle or behind it. Most of the time these are Good Samaritans who have spotted something wrong with our vehicle or the one we’re towing. This message and the ensuing responses were posted at our RV Advice Group on Facebook and we believe are worth passing along.
And thanks to those of you who care enough about others to flag them down when there’s a problem!
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 can I get scratches out of my RV’s solid surface countertop?
Dear Dave,
How can we get rid of minor scratches on our RV’s solid surface kitchen countertops? —Rick, 2022 Newmar Dutch Star
Video of the day
New RV delivery: What you should expect
By Cheri Sicard
Not all RV dealers are created equal, but when it comes to new RV delivery experiences there are certain things that you, as a customer, should demand.
It does not matter if you are buying a new camper van, Class A, B, or C, travel trailer, popup camper, or any variation thereof. If you are taking delivery of a brand-new RV, you should expect the things outlined in the video below by That RV Tech.
How to get your motorcycle delivered to where you are going
By Gail Marsh
I could probably write the book “Motorcycle Transporting for Dummies.” Maybe someday I will. Here’s how it all began: Hubby really wanted his motorcycle in Florida. Having wintered in the Sunshine State for the past two years, Hubby knew how much we’d use and enjoy the motorcycle there. … The only problem was how to get the motorcycle from our home in Missouri to the RV camp where we stay in Florida, 1000+ miles away. Read more.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Lawsuit could upend operations of Recreation.gov
- Not every RVer uses their RV’s toilet the same way… Wait, what?!
- Southern Arizona’s ‘best-preserved’ ghost town
- RV park tenants evicted after court ruling
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 campgrounds 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.
Reader poll
Do you bring a musical instrument with you on your RV trips?
Quick Tip
Check the drip tube in the back of your fridge
It’s a good idea to occasionally take a peek in the back of your RV refrigerator. It has a drip tube that channels off water from evaporation. Sometimes this tube leads to a drip container (often near the chimney) that evaporates off this water; others may “port” the water out of the rig harmlessly. In any event, if the tube gets loose and starts dripping water onto your RV framework, it can lead to damaging rot.
On this day last year…
- RV Review: 2022 Cedar Creek Champagne 38EBS
- Ask Dave: Can my RV have soft floors even without a water leak?
- Recipe: Seafood Pasta in Lemon Butter Sauce
Website of the day
RV Service Reviews
When you break down in your RV, we’d hate to see you go to a bad service shop. This website shows you reviews of good service centers near you.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
These would definitely make you laugh if you saw one (or more) on a passing RV or other vehicle.
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
Taco Mac & Beef with Nacho Topping
by Kathy Williams from Rock Hill, SC
You may have all the ingredients for this easy dinner casserole in your kitchen! It’s a crunchy cheesy pasta mixed with a zesty cheesy taco meat mixture. Then it’s topped with more cheese and crushed taco shells. Add your favorite nacho toppings, and you have a simple weeknight meal.
Trivia
The chocolate chip cookie was invented by Ruth Graves Wakefield. She owned the Toll House Inn, in Whitman, Massachusetts, a very popular restaurant that featured home cooking in the 1930s. Her cookbook, Toll House Tried and True Recipes, was first published in 1936 by M. Barrows & Company, New York.
*What was the initial price of sending mail with the Pony Express? You won’t believe it! Find out in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Noah, my Shih Tzu, was going to be euthanized as a puppy due to illness because owners could not afford treatment. They eventually surrendered him over to the vet and she treated him. After he was on the mend, she contacted me to see if I would adopt him. Today, he has many dog sport titles and loves camping!” —Cathy Consla
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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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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People have so many excuses for not wanting to take care of a dog. A dog is not a piece of furniture you get and decide not to keep it for what ever reason. So glad to hear this little precious gift got a second chance at life. Bad karma to the one who gave him up. BTW I love the photo. I hate to say our one dog buried herself inside a blanket and I didn’t realize it and well yes I found her but never knew she would go under cover. As for the chocolate chip recipe? It is mentioned in a Betty Crocker cookbook that my mother had from the early 50s.
Cathy Consla,
You didn’t say how old Noah is now but he sure is a handsome devil!!
Thank you for taking him and, thank your vet BIG TIME for saving him! Y’all are great people in my estimation!
I have 3 cats and 1 dog ALL rescues in one way or another.
Has anyone successfully entered a review on RV Service Reviews? I have tried several times in the last year and could not get my review to post. The newest review I can find on the site was written in 2019. I believe the only support this site is getting is the daily date change in the update area! This is really a shame as this site used to really be an asset when help was needed when located in an unfamiliar location.
I play the Autoharp. Only for our own entertainment, Just a relaxing instrument.
Leave here with a laugh wouldn’t be funny if you found that bear!!!
Quick tip :
the more common result with the fridge drip tube / container is if container gets full the water has no exit, doesn’t drain the inside of fridge causing water to pool & run out of the front . High humidity can add to this. For me sponging out the drip tube container is regular maintenance and gets done every few days. Only takes a flat blade screwdriver, small sponge and a couple minutes.
Drill a hole in the drip container for a tight fit flexible hose and route out side the refer door to drip outside. Many RVs have got wise and vented the hose outside this way.
Thanks for the quick tip. I never really thought about it and now will verify that it’s still in working condition.
How many people use Harvest Hosts to stay for free without leaving a donation? I see two ads in this newsletter, proclaiming that you can stay for free.
We have stayed for “free” a few times using Harvest Hosts. But we also shop at the wine store and on a couple of occasions when they had a menu we purchased food. So you can stay free but if no one purchased wine or food how long do you think the service would continue? I have also stayed “free” at Elks Lodge (I am a member) but have had great food and a few beers too. I usually include a generous donation to that lodge when I use their facility.
LHWAL- good one! Had to look twice myself!
ditto
Let the user beware if using the “Website of the Day” in an emergency. I just looked at repair shops in the Denver area. Camping World in Wheat Ridge, Nolan’s, and Steve Casey no longer exist. And any shop with only one review and an excellent rating is suspect. Does anyone order a product from Amazon that has five stars, but only one reviewer?
Yes, and I have verified that the one person that rated the facility was one of the owners! Still a list of places in the area if you get in a pinch. As always, use good common sense!
I looked at the list. My dealer is shown and the 3 reviews show POOR. I have never had a problem with this dealer. If you scan through the dealers listed, most only have a few reviews.
That’s the problem. Most people comment on bad service but not good. As a consumer you have a responsibility to be equitable on both sides.
Then write a positive review.
I’ve actually used that site a few times, once in an emergency, and it was a godsend, I found an excellent shop that helped me that day. It also helped steer me to an excellent fridge repair outfit when all the local dealers were ‘gee, I dunno’. Another time, yes, it was out of date info, but still helpful.
It’s not well promoted, is not a deep-pocket corporate site with banner ads urging millions to post. It relies on people contributing reviews. Perhaps we should beef it up with more reviews.
Valley RV Center in McMinnville OR went out of business 8 or so years ago.
Noah is a Handsome and Proven Talented Pup! Very pleased the Vet believed in Noah to see him to be Healthy and most of all followed through to ask if you wanted to Adopt him. Thank you for being Rescued Furparents and big APPLAUD to your Vet.