Issue 2083
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.
RV Store on Amazon! Just about anything and everything you need for your RV at great prices. Visit now.
Today’s thought
“A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Goof Off Day! Have fun!
On this day in history: 1933 – Cullen–Harrison Act: President Franklin Roosevelt signs an amendment to the Volstead Act, legalizing the manufacture and sale of “3.2 beer” (3.2% alcohol by weight, approximately 4% alcohol by volume) and light wines.
Tip of the Day
Tips for dealing with unresponsive RV shops
By Gail Marsh
We never had cause to complain before. In fact, I previously had a hard time believing the horror stories my RVing friends told about their rig repairs. But then, things changed. We quickly learned the most effective ways for dealing with unresponsive RV shops. I sincerely hope you never have problems like ours, but if you do, perhaps you will find these RV tips useful, as well.
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.”
What size and type generator do I need for my RV?
Dear Dave,
What size of a generator do we need for our RV? It’s a Montana High Country. Should it be an inverter generator or just a portable non-inverter? And can we get one that is wired in to switch auto? —Debra, 2021 Montana High Country
Video of the day
Quick tour of the amazing Wildwood Heritage Glen 291RL 5th wheel
By Cheri Sicard
Josh the RV Nerd (one of our readers’ picks as a favorite RV YouTube channel) has been in the RV business for more than 14 years. But even he was surprised upon touring Wildwood’s Heritage Glen 291RL fifth wheel, featured in the short video below. Josh was especially surprised at the spacious bedroom.
Josh says this just might be the full-time rig a lot of people are looking for.
This is a very short video, yet it will give you an enticing overview of this RV that has a whole lot to offer RVers.
Live today: RV repair and maintenance advice
We have a special announcement today
Join us live today from 4-5 p.m. Pacific time (7-8 p.m. in the East). We have an announcement about the future of this program. Watch us here.
One of the U.S.’s most dangerous roads will have you bracing for impact!
By Nanci Dixon
Needles Highway is one of the most beautiful and dangerous roads in the U.S. I drove our subcompact car gently through the Eye of the Needle on Needles Highway in South Dakota, looking carefully ahead (it is a one-way road) and glancing at the scrape marks on the tunnel’s granite walls. The Needles Highway covers 14 miles of South Dakota’s Highway 87. It is breathtakingly scenic with drop-offs, mountain ridges and picture-perfect views. Continue reading.
Reader poll
Would you consider yourself an adventurous or a picky eater?
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.
Quick Tip
Check your roof
If you have not inspected your RV’s roof lately for possible leaks, do so now. Allowing water into your RV can result in large repair bills if not attended to quickly. Do not take a chance. Inspect soon or have a professional check.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
We’ve always wanted this but never bought it. Since it’s spring and raining a lot, now is the perfect time to use it! You’ll like it.
On this day last year…
- RV Review: 2022 Roadtrek Chase Class B
- Ask Dave: Why is there a sewer smell in coach after leaving a campground?
- Featured article: The most beautiful, tiny, van-camper RV you have ever seen!
- Recipe: Cajun Sauteed Salmon With Rainbow Carrots and Potato
Website of the day
The Best Ice-Fishing Road Trips in America
We know you probably have spring on your mind, but if you’ve ever wanted to try ice fishing, put these incredible places on your list for next year! We think this would be so fun! Did you know there’s an RV designed for ice fishing? Yep. Check it out.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- Relax Sauna: A portable sauna for your RV. Goodbye aches and pains!
- Outdoor markets in Yuma
- Will your tire blow up if you inflate it above its “Max PSI”?
Recipe of the Day
BBQ Sloppy Joe Sliders
by Virginia (Ginger) Dean from Toomsboro, GA
We really enjoyed these quick and easy bite-sized sloppy joes. It’s a tasty variation on a slider recipe. Sweet and tangy, store-bought barbecue sauce is jazzed up with ketchup, mustard, and onion flakes. The hardest part of this recipe is browning the ground beef. They’ll be great for a party. Set it out and let everyone make their own. We served ours with mini pickles and chips.
Trivia
Speaking of sloppy joes… Ever wonder where such a strange, messy sandwich originated? Well, we did too.
One theory states the sandwich’s origin can be traced back to 1917 Havana, Cuba, where a bar owner named José “Sloppy Joe” Abeal y Otero created a sandwich consisting of ground beef stewed in tomatoes, possibly his version of the ropa vieja. This bar was frequented by Americans and Britons, including famous personalities such as Errol Flynn, Ernest Hemingway, and Graham Greene. However, Marilyn Brown, director of the consumer test kitchen at H.J. Heinz in Pittsburgh, says that research through the Carnegie Library suggests that the sloppy joe’s origins can be traced back to Sioux City, Iowa, in the 1930s, where a cook named Joe created the “loose meat sandwiches” that were sold at the time.
*When did the sales of Girl Scout cookies begin? Find the origin of our favorite cookies in yesterday’s trivia (and the original recipe, too!)
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Missy Ojo was a stray Heeler who adopted us. We had her for 11 years. She loved to RV… especially if water was involved.” —Jack Fetterman
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 News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.
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
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 2023 by RV Travel LLC.
After reading that joke I am reminded of the new sprite commercial where someone drones on and on about something and they open up a bottle of sprite to tune out the person. Gotta love that expression though. I have been asked several times are you still listening? And I go yes I am repeat the last thing they say so I am not accused of anything. Can you hear me now?
Missy Ojo, such a beautiful dog, must have really enjoyed her adopted family and RVing so much!!!!
Also regarding Ralph, it must really be tough to be an Emotional Support Dog for some owners for sure!
The Heeler is wonderful dog as long as you have the time and patience for an energetic dog.
My daughter is involved with Australian Cattle dog rescue. It’s the same breed. She has five of her own and they are a handful. Twice daily walks and lot’s of room to run.
Definitely not your typical lap dog.
I sometimes see something in the RV Travel Daily Tips and wonder why you included it. Today I reflected on that thought and realized that it must take tremendous thought and effort to create this newsletter 5 days a week for years and years. I admire the work you all do, but I don’t think that I consciously considered how much effort it must take to populate each issue with stories. I am sure that I still don’t understand how much effort goes into each issue, but my level of thankfulness, admiration, and respect has grown; thank you one and all! 🙂
Wow! Thanks, Neal! 😊 We appreciate your very kind and generous words. And, of course, we’ve told you before that we sincerely appreciate YOU! Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Regarding the Tip to check your roof:
Start by washing your roof. This will not only greatly aid in the inspection process but help keep filthy rain water from the roof from streaking the sides of the RV. Also, while you are up there, pull the AC cover(s) and gently/carefully clean built up crud on all the fins and other surfaces.
I am not cut out to be an emotional support animal either!
Hi, Steven. I sent that joke to my sister yesterday. She made the same comment regarding herself and one of her always-complaining friends. 😆 Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
RVTravel is my emotional support newsletter. RVT is lucky in that it does not have to sit in the passenger’s seat next to me. (Don’t you look at me with that side glance.)
🙄 (That’s not quite a side glance, but it’s the closest I could find.) 😆 Have a good evening/night. Kelly. 😀 –Diane