Issue 2073
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
“Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is International Women’s Day! It’s also National Proofreading Day and we’d like to thank our incredible proofreader, Diane, for all she does! (Well, that’s not all she does, trust us!) [Aww, shucks. 😊 Now I want to hide under my desk. But thanks. —Diane aka Ms. Persnickety]
On this day in history: 1817 – The New York Stock Exchange is founded.
Tip of the Day
Easy tips to help your pet adapt to the RV lifestyle
By Lucinda Belden
We don’t need a lot of statistics to tell us that pets are good for our health. They keep us active by taking care of them, and they can spark conversations between owners and lead to new relationships. Pets can also operate as protectors or warn us of dangers.
If you want a couple of stats, The Washington Post reported Americans adopted millions of dogs during the pandemic. A connection is there whether we understand it or not. The University of New Mexico studies revealed pet owners had 30 percent fewer visits to doctors, higher serotonin levels, lower blood pressure and less depression. But we already know this as pet owners!
What we may not know is how to adapt to the RV lifestyle with pets.
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 GasStop shut off the LP when the furnace turns on?
Dear Dave,
This question came up during last week’s Live “Talkin’ RV Tech,” so I called GasStop to get an answer. My GasStop shuts off the propane when the generator starts but it only happens when the furnace or water heater starts, so I believe it just “thinks” there’s a leak. Do you agree? —Robert Remus
In the RV shop with Dustin
Use MORryde X-Brace Stabilizers to prevent your RV from moving or wobbling when parked
A common concern I hear from my customers is in regards to the movement of their unit when in a parked position. Whether it’s the movement from someone walking inside the unit or from strong winds, there are many consumers who can benefit from a stabilizer. MORryde offers three different options in their X-Brace line of stabilizers.
Live today: RV repair and maintenance advice
Dave, Dustin and Zach answer your questions about RV repair and maintenance
Dave, Dustin and Zach answer questions from viewers about RV repair and maintenance in this one-hour program from 4-5 p.m. PST time (7-8 in the East). Ask questions or just sit back, relax and soak up all the helpful information from these RVing experts. You will learn soooooooo much!
Watch and ask questions here. RV Travel on YouTube • RV Travel on Facebook • California RV Specialists on YouTube • RV Travel on Linkedin
RVelectricity: A reminder of open neutral dangers
This photo and story recently showed up on the RVelectricity Facebook group. It’s a great reminder of why you need an advanced surge protector on your RV (commonly called an EMS or Total Power Protection). Read all about it.
Video of the day
Washing dishes in an RV: Save water and gray tank space
By Cheri Sicard
Washing the dishes in an RV can eat up a whole lot of your freshwater tank, plus prematurely fill up your gray water tank, too, depending on how you do it.
In the video below, Robin Barrett from Creativity RV (one of the picks on our Best of YouTube RV channels roundup) is here to demonstrate how to get the job done using a minimum amount of water.
Robin says her dishwashing technique is one of the reasons she can boondock off-grid for two weeks or more!
Time to downsize? Here’s how to find a smaller RV that works best for you
Have you worked your way up to having “too much RV”? Is it a struggle to find parking, storage, or campsites with large enough spaces? Has keeping that 40+ foot diesel pusher in showroom condition become a full-time job? Perhaps it’s time to downsize your RV. Here is a lot of great advice from our own Randall Brink from his experience when downsizing.
Reader poll
Did you go on family vacations with your parents as a child?
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 ??
We’re not quite sure what this man is doing with his hands (preparing for a quick draw?), but this gadget could really be useful for some of you…
Quick Tip
This will leave you agitated (and your jewelry clean)
Camping, gardening or just daily living will, over time, leave grungies in the small crevices of jewelry like rings, watches and watch bands. Instead of investing $150 or more on an ultrasonic cleaner, take an old electric toothbrush after the bristles are worn out, put the items in a glass of water (make sure everything is waterproof, e.g., watch), turn the toothbrush on and stick the bristle end (only) into the glass. You could even add a drop or two of dish soap. Length of time will be determined by how much cleaning is needed. For $5 you could even buy a new toothbrush to use. Thanks to George B.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Get the most out of your RV’s closet with these easy organizational hacks
- RV Review: ProCamp™ is a Class B you can rent, build or buy
- Ask Dave: Why is my gray water tank leaking and how do I fix it?
- Featured article: 13 tips about work camping that will point you to success
- Recipe: Toasted Coconut Grilled Fruit Skewers
Website of the day
The Best State Park Campground in Each State
See if you agree with Campendium’s list of the best state park campground in each state.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- Modern prospecting equipment: The Blue Bowl
- What is the best RV window insulation?
- Why many more Americans will choose RVs as permanent homes
Recipe of the Day
Spanish Pork Chops
by Thea Pappalardo from Queens Village, NY
This simple pork chop recipe is full of flavor. The tomato sauce is zesty, a little sweet, and slightly salty from the Spanish olives. Browning the pork chops seals in their juices. Once simmered in the sauce, you can eat them with just a fork. So tender, no knife is needed. This is a pork chop dinner that will be repeated often at your dinner table.
Trivia
After peaking at 470,000 ATMs in the USA in 2019, the number of machines has declined annually over the past few years to 451,500 at the end of 2022. One reason: Many people quit using cash during the pandemic and haven’t gone back, said Kendrick Sands, a consumer finance manager at Euromonitor International. —Wall Street Journal
*Where is the longest suspension bridge in the world? Yesterday’s trivia tells you!
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Jeter the Yorkie is the best friend, pet, and companion we could ever ask for.” —Ray Tindall
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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I’m also a somewhat silent proofreader and listener. And word usage too. Like using “both” or “all” when the author meant “each”. The author writes “They both had a drink.”. The trouble is they were enemies not lovers. I doubt they were sharing one drink. I see this in many, many books by well published authors. What is the author’s editor doing to earn their money?
Hi, Bobkat. Some other frequently misused words are “between” and “among,” and “bring” and “take.” There are lots more, and so many people misuse words that they probably think they’re correct. Eventually, they probably will be. Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Ok Ms. Persnickety – since no one else mentioned it – I am compelled to wonder what about the lack of a space after “does!”? Sorry Di. Just had to observe the obvious. Thanks for your outstanding results with a virtually error free newsletter. Proof reading your own work is not an easy task. Must be the legal background!
OMG! Thanks, Doug and Joan. I can’t believe it!!! That was at the end of the line when I was proofing it so I couldn’t tell that there was a space missing. Figures! 😯 BTW, I got a T-shirt a couple of days before we had an in-person meeting scheduled three years ago. COVID hit and we didn’t meet in-person for those three years. Luckily, I was able to find the T-shirt to wear to our next meeting (three years after I thought I would be wearing it to the meeting in about three days!). It says, in big white letters on a black shirt, “I’m silently correcting your grammar.” 😆 (Everyone got a kick out of it. I haven’t worn it since.) Have a great day. 😀 –Diane, who does miss things sometimes
dyean iffin yu git to personikty i coud bee afrad too coment any moor
You’re messin’ with my brain, Kelly! 😆 😆 Have a great day. 😀 –Ms. Persnickety
The English language has messed with my brain for a very long time. I learned to speak it and then I was sent to school to learn that it has RULES and that every rule has an EXCEPTION. I before E, except after C – give me a break! I have questioned every kind of rule ever since. Anyway, thank you for preserving the English language.
I try. Thanks, Kelly. Take care. 😀 –Diane
I’d have to wear that T-Shirt EVERY day! I DO correct everyone’s grammar (sometimes not so silently which gets me in trouble!).
😆 Hi, Lindalee. I got it specifically to wear as a joke to one of our staff meetings, and I’ll probably never wear it again. (Good thing it was inexpensive!) Yes, I’m constantly holding my tongue, especially with one of my neighbors (whom I have known for 50 years). She reminds me of the late comedian Norm Crosby, who constantly, and hilariously, used incorrect words. I learned long ago to just keep my mouth shut (because she’s “never wrong”). Have a good night. 😀 –Diane
re: “Diane – aka Ms Persnickety”
I’ll believe you will find that the correct term is pernickety … without the ‘s’
OMG, Warmonk! You almost caused me to have a panic attack! 😆 So I had to look it up since I’d never heard of “pernickety.” But that’s the British version, so I don’t think I’ll get fired over that “typo.” Whew! Have a great day! 😀 –Diane aka Ms. Persnickety aka Ms. Nitpicky
Thanks Diane for all you do! Yup, many times us journalist are just plain normal people! LOL!
Thanks, Ran! I absolutely love what I do. Was raised by my dad to get things right, and always thought it would be fun to be a proofreader/editor. After 43 years as a legal secretary/paralegal, here I am at RVtravel.com for the past 10 years. Couldn’t be happier! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Know now why I like you so much Diane – I was raised by an attorney and a legal secretary! My mother thought grammar and proper English were important so I got them at home EVERY DAY!!!
Thanks, Lindalee. Sorry I missed your comment last night. I was raised by a very critical dad who insisted on everything being perfect. So, that upbringing of being so detail-oriented worked out very well working for attorneys for more than 40 years. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Since we’re discussing editing, here’s one for you, Ran: …many times WE journalistS are…
US may simply be one of Ran’s preferred pronouns, in which case it is perfectly acceptable. I doubt it but if so, I sure hope you don’t get canceled Glenda.
The Mystery Product is a nice product. Too bad they had to advertise it as a BEER holder instead of a DRINK holder.
Looks like you would spill throwing bags unless you start with only half a drink.
Agreed. You would be soaked with beer on your hip and side, all the way down your leg chuckin’ bags. Silly product.
I had a surge guard surge protector that was hard wired in the motor home. The park shut down power to do some electrical upgrades. When they turned the power back on, it fried my surge guard and the automatic transfer switch. I wasn’t the only one that had damage. We are trying to get the park to pay for the damage. Apparently the surge guard didn’t protect the transfer switch.
Interesting! I would be interested in knowing which model Surge Guard you had?! Apparently it failed! Tx
A hardwired surge protector is normally installed near the converter, downstream of the ATS. That’s one of the benefits of a plug in or pedestal mounted unit.
I understand that. I have a Surge guard and am aware of it’s capabilities. Mine is used at the pedestal (portable) but same type system. I was wanting to know the model of his Surge Guard. Thanks for your clarification.
Surge guard model 34560 240v 50amp
I too have a hard wired Surge Guard protector with an internal ATS mounted in my utility bay. Which model number do you have?
34560
Lost the built in MW oven, coffee maker and few other things in the old rig during a lightning storm a few years back. When we got the new rig, it came with a built in surge protector. Not fully trusting the “OEM” protection of the built in one, and never wanting to replace the home style refrigerator instead of just a micro, I also put a good one on the cord at the pedestal. Double the protection and if one fries, I’m hoping it is the one at the pedestal that is protecting the protector.
I am pretty sure Surge Guard will replace your surge protector FREE of charge!
Thank you, Ms. Persnickity! It gets really old working through all the stuff that’s not proofread these days. Keep it up!!
Thank you very much, Alan. I’m just glad my brain is still somewhat functioning at 76 years so I can catch 99.99% of the typos, etc. And I really love what I do, and the wonderful folks I work with, and our (mostly) wonderful readers, so I’m a very happy camper! Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Even spell check misses words sometimes.
That’s true, Don. But it doesn’t make me feel any better. I’m very hard on myself (“mortified”?) when I miss something I should have caught. I’ve even found typos in dictionaries. And I have a book on proofreading that I bought when I started working at RVtravel.com 10 years ago, just to answer some questions. I found more than 100 typos in that book! (I was going to send it back to the publisher with all the mistakes marked but never got around to it.) Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I used to HATE reading paperback (romance) novels after my mother. They were always marked up with ALL the mistakes! (I’m 75 by the way.)
That would drive me nuts. I couldn’t do it. I borrowed a book from my sister one time and she hadn’t corrected typos in it, but she had jotted notes to herself in it. I’ve never borrowed a book from her since. But I do see typos in paperback books (some publishers are much worse than others), and I just move on as quickly as possible. 😆 Take care. 😀 –Diane
There is one grammar mistake in War and Peace. Up for the challenge?😊
Hi, Larry. I’ll bet I could find it, if there is one, since those things jump out at me. I’d just have to find the time to read it. 😯 Maybe I’ll put it on my to do list for if/when I retire. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane