Issue 2099
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
“Life is a mirror: if you frown at it, it frowns back; if you smile, it returns the greeting.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Scrabble Day! This is our favorite version of Scrabble.
On this day in history: 1960 – The United States launches Transit 1-B, the world’s first satellite navigation system.
Tip of the Day
Readers say THIS is the worst kind of road to drive on. We offer tips
By Nanci Dixon
Back in 2021 we asked our readers, “What kind of roads do you dread driving down the most?” Of those who voted in our poll, the highest percentage answered that they dread driving down icy/snowy roads the most, followed by city/urban roads, windy roads through mountains, dirt roads and, finally, flat boring roads. We weren’t surprised that most people dislike icy and snowy roads the most. Winter driving, particularly driving on ice or snow, can white-knuckle even the calmest driver.
Continue reading for tons of driving tips
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
Can I swap my gravity toilet for a macerator toilet to help with dumping?
Dear Dave,
My fifth wheel has a typical Thetford gravity-style toilet, the kind that drops the stuff straight down to the tank. Are there any macerator toilets that would be a direct replacement? I am hoping to grind up the solids and paper before it enters the black tank. I am aware of the macerator options at the black tank drain but would like to make it easier for people renting my RV to drain the black tank. Thank you! —Craig, 2004 Keystone Sprinter 297BHS
NEW! RV Video Tour
It’s ba-ack! Take a look at the 2023 Aliner Grand Ascape ST
By Cheri Sicard
If you have been shopping for an Aliner Grand Ascape, you might have noticed that they have not been in production for about three years, but that has changed!
The ST stands for (can you guess?) shower and toilet. That’s right, this teeny tiny 14-foot-long travel trailer has both. It can be towed by most small to mid-sized SUVs.
This little trailer packs a lot into its diminutive package. And it seems pretty well thought out.
Video of the day
Learn about roadkill: 6 surprising facts about nine-banded armadillos
By Cheri Sicard
If you have ever traveled to the Southeastern United States you have likely seen them, nine-banded armadillos, or Dasypus novemcinctus. In all likelihood, you saw them as the sad by-product of America’s roads and highways, i.e., roadkill.
Why not expand your knowledge and learn a little more about these weird prehistoric-looking creatures?
This RV toilet doesn’t require water—It makes the process cleaner, easier and freeze-proof
By Tony Barthel
What is the best portable toilet on the market? There’s a lot of debate over that and it’s a popular topic of discussion. Since everybody goes, we all have some thoughts on this. Recently we had a chance to look into the Laveo™ toilet by DryFlush and came away with an interesting take on that device. I mentioned this toilet a few months ago when I reviewed the Imperial Outdoors XploreRV XR22, which has no black tank since it has the Laveo. Continue reading. (You know if it’s by Tony, it’s entertaining reading. And what does Bigfoot have to do with this?!)
Reader poll
How many countries have you visited outside the North American continent?
Quick Tip
Safely store aerosol cans
After the cap came off one of my spray cans and emptied its contents into a storage bay, I decided to see if I could find a better way to store them. I found that the popular plastic bicycle water bottle cage works for most of my cans. Just mount the cage(s) to any appropriate surface, then stuff the otherwise-runaway aerosol cans in the cage. Our thanks to Jim A. for the “canny” idea.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Even more incredible tips for reusing Pringles cans in your RV
- RV Review: Ember RV Overland 170MRB Travel Trailer
- Ask Dave: New LED lights are causing weirdness on my TV
- Featured article: What are the best cars to flat tow? We review some good options
- Recipe: Amaretto Fruit Dip
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
This could so easily save your life or that of a loved one! This is no joke! We are dead serious. (Oh, bad pun. Sorry.) Get this for yourself or give it as a gift.
Website of the day
20 Hilarious One-Star Yelp Reviews of National Parks
This should really be under our “Leave here with a laugh” section. You’ll laugh out loud at these! Some people just don’t get it…
And the Survey Says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 1,500 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 57 percent say their current RV mattress is a replacement for the original mattress.
• 36 percent say their “dream RV” would have more than one bathroom.
• 3 percent travel with three or more dogs in their RV.
Recent poll: Would you pay $20 to stay overnight at Cabela’s with an electric hookup?
Did you miss yesterday’s brand-new issue of our Full-Time RVer newsletter? Don’t miss out! Read it here.
Recipe of the Day
Blue Ribbon Garlic Shrimp Scampi and Pasta
by Jim Frigyes from Waynesburg, OH
This shrimp scampi gets a big punch of flavor from garlic and pepper flakes. The buttery sauce soaks into the shrimp and spaghetti for a wonderful bite. Shrimp scampi is usually made with butter, garlic, and white wine. This version is made without wine and uses chicken stock instead, making it a delicious option if you’re avoiding alcohol. Gather the ingredients before cooking, as Jim suggests, and this decadent seafood dish will come together in no time.
Trivia
What even is Pickleball, anyway?
Pickleball is the sport that increased in popularity from 3.4 million participants in 2019 to a whopping 36.5 million pickleball players in the United States, according to new data released in January 2023 by the Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP). … Pickleball’s unprecedented rise in popularity makes it the fastest-growing sport in the country. And no wonder! Pickleball is played and enjoyed by folks of every age and competency level. Read all about it here.
*What town is the “Pie Capital of Texas”? Find out in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
For 13 years Max the Border Collie has been in 49 states, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Canada…. and he loves every day of it.” —Danny Cram
Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in our Sunday RV Travel newsletter. No blurry photos, please! Please do not submit your photo more than once. Thanks!
Small blind spot mirror good for all vehicles
If you don’t have one of these on your RV or tow vehicle, you need one! These small 2″ round glass blind spot mirrors easily stick onto your current mirror, no hard work is needed! They’re waterproof and rust-resistant and can rotate and sway to be adjusted for the best visibility. They’re affordable and could save you from an accident. Learn more or order.
Leave here with a laugh
How do you console an English teacher?
There, their, they’re.
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.
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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.
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This newsletter is copyright 2023 by RV Travel LLC.
Re: There, their, they’re. You’d be surprised how often these simple words are used erronously in the many different rv forums and facebook rv groups that I see daily.
Like: 2,two,to,too
Your so right! (Heh!)
I thought it was: “Your so rite”
Add break and brake.
Add too much brake and you just may break.
Eye ewes them incorrectly at least fore thymes a weak. Really, Aye due.
Touché ,,, or…Two Shea
O, I no, Their they’re isn’t always there.
You’re right!! (not your rite) And I don’t understand why? English is my second language and I got those the first time.
The segment on driving tips for all kinds of roads is the best article I have read in an awful long time. That should be read by everyone every so often. Save it to your media device.
I really enjoyed the beautiful pictures of the National Parks in that ‘one star Yelp review’ article. It is sad that the reviewers could not see the beauty.
The trivia “What even is Pickleball, anyway?” Never described Pickleball. Comments how popular it is and how its popularity has grown, but, what is it? Do you use pickles instead of basketballs, ping pong, or baseballs? So my question is “What even is Pickleball, anyway?”
There is more info if you open the whole article
What is pickleball? Google to the rescue! Here’s what Wikipedia said: Pickleball is an indoor or outdoor racket/paddle sport where two players, or four players, hit a perforated hollow plastic ball over a 36-inch-high net using solid-faced paddles. Opponents on either side of the net hit the ball back and forth until one side commits a rule infraction.
The one star Yelp reviews were hilarious. And you know what? I actually agree with a couple of them. Don’t bother asking me which ones because I don’t want to get caught up in the discussion.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” But – Behold, some people just do not have “the eye”. Not referring to you, Tommy. Just sayin’
Max is gorgeous, & yes I’m partial to the breed.
tip of the day : really, tall plastic ammo boxes work much better. Spray cans, caulk,glues,1# propane,etc