Issue 2103
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
“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” —William Shakespeare
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Banana Day!
On this day in history: 1987 – The Simpsons first appear as a series of shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show, first starting with Good Night.
Tip of the Day
Tips to keep you out of trouble when boondocking on public lands
By Bob Difley
Most boondockers know about the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVA) near popular snowbird locations in Southern California and Arizona. But boondocking (aka dispersed camping) is also permitted on most BLM land, even if it is not a designated camping or dispersed camping area.
The rule as it now exists allows you to camp/boondock anywhere on BLM land unless expressly prohibited by signs or fences.
But that doesn’t mean you can just go tearing off across the desert mowing down cacti and smashing wildlife burrows – not that too many RVers would do that in their expensive rigs. To keep the rangers off your back, and to set a good example for RVers and RVing in general, follow these common sense tips – not only to avoid trouble with authorities but also to keep yourself out of trouble.
CONTEST! Is this your RV?
Win a $25 Amazon gift certificate if today’s RV photo shows your rig
Every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday 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.”
My RV has major delamination. Where can I find DIY repair information?
Dear Dave,
Unfortunately, I have a sizeable delamination project on my RV to tackle. Do you have any tips or referrals to articles or other sources of information for this project? Thank you. —Jeff, 2002 Winnebago Vista
In the RV shop with Dustin
Take care of those insert moldings. Here are the products to use
This is a real unit, with a real problem, and it’s in our real shop. This series was created in hopes of helping you better understand your unit and how to best maintain it. This episode shows you the danger of not keeping an eye on your RV insert moldings. In my experience, one of the most missed items is the insert molding screw cover. This protective plastic covers the screws at the roof line edges as well as the vertical and horizontal side seams of all RVs.
Video of the day
Open Roads diesel fuel discount program for RVers
By Cheri Sicard
If you drive a diesel and don’t know about the Open Roads fuel discount program, the video below will tell you all about it.
Not just for truckers, the program is available to any diesel vehicle owner, as long as the vehicle can accept high-flow nozzles.
How it Happened: You can thank the military for the drive-thru window
By Gail Marsh
I’m always curious (and in awe) about inventors. You know, the folks who see a problem and come up with a creative and workable solution. What amazing minds! Sometimes the most common daily convenience was born out of a real need. Take for instance the fast-food restaurant drive-thru window. Find out how the military fits in here.
Reader poll
Do you suffer from allergies in the spring?
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
Having trouble with a stuck-on decal?
Trying to get rid of an unwanted (or worn out) RV decal? Use a “vinyl eraser” mounted to your corded electric drill. The rubber disc erases the sticker without damaging the rig’s finish. Search for these on the internet using the keywords: vinyl eraser, arbor.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
We love things that are practical, but also funny. This is definitely one of those things. (Thank us later.)
On this day last year…
- Tip: We got our flush wand stuck in our water heater!
- RV Review: 2022 Adventurer 86FB pickup camper
- Ask Dave: Interior wood trim pulls off when slide room is extended
- Featured article: App Review: Roadside America—Don’t miss a thing!
- Recipe: Grilled Pepper Jack Bacon Burger Sandwich With Jalapeños
Website of the day
Grief.com
If you or someone you know is grieving, this is an incredibly helpful resource. Find articles, resources, grief groups and more.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- You need a jump starter. Seriously.
- It might be time to consider earning big money by renting out your RV
- How I scored a National Park campsite on a weekend
Recipe of the Day
Best Ever Banana Pudding
by Krys Furniss from Chillicothe, OH
This is definitely not your more traditional Southern banana pudding (with meringue) but it’s just as good. It has all the flavors – banana, creamy custard, and vanilla wafers. But, in this version cream cheese is whipped into the pudding and whipped cream. It changes the filling texture slightly and adds a hint of tang that offsets all the sweetness. Thick, creamy, and full of banana flavor, this banana pudding is very easy to make and quite delicious.
Trivia
The British government originally spread the idea that eating carrots improves night vision. During World War II, British pilots began downing a large number of German aircrafts. Their secret, of course, was their development of radar systems. When the press questioned their precision and success, the British government and the Royal Air Force responded that it was because of all the carrots their pilots were eating. They did such an excellent job with this lie, that the idea of carrots improving vision, especially night vision, stuck and we still believe it to this day! [Clarification: Carrots have beta carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A, which helps us to see at night. Vitamin A helps keep our vision healthy, but does not improve vision.]
*You know those cute little boxes that Nabisco’s Barnum’s Animals animal crackers come in? Do you know what they were originally designed to be? Yesterday’s trivia tells you.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Raven the Rig dog. People see her voluptuous size and are afraid, but then quickly see she is the sweetest bag of love on the planet! As a single woman traveling alone in our RV, Raven and I have come up with a way to scare off would-be unwanted gentleman callers. If they heard a FIERCE, scary, snarling dog it might scare them away! Fortunately, this particular incident was just the wind; however, I took the time that night to download several audios of said ‘fierce, scary’ dog sounds, as my 80-pound dog was hiding under the covers with me! So, when people see Raven the Rig dog, I let them know, ‘She may seem friendly, but don’t you mess with her mama!’ And now we have the sound effects to back that up if we need them!” —Cami Baker
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!
Easily check the tire pressure on your inner dual tires
Do you have trouble reading the tire pressure on your RV’s inner duals? This dual head tire pressure gauge with an extension steel shaft will reach where a standard gauge won’t. Be sure you know the pressure of all your tires, or risk a potentially dangerous blowout. No batteries required. Learn more or order.
Leave here with a laugh
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Editor: Emily Woodbury
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Actually on the carrot information I heard was that blueberries were given to pilots before going into combat. Carrots contain natural oil that can help moisturize your skin and protect it from sun damage. The oil is high in linoleic acid, which is a type of omega-6 fatty acid that can also help reduce inflammation. Carrots also contain beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body and helps improve skin health.Strawberries, cranberries, blackberries and blueberries are great superfoods for healthy functioning eyes. Berries are packed with nutritious vitamins and minerals and are of particular benefit in maintaining eye health. I also read that buttermilk is good for anti inflammation and arthritis. Just a daily nutrition info thing.
Raven, the Rig Dog and Mama Cami – great story and beautiful picture. Your idea of downloading scary Dog sounds is entertaining and smart. How does Raven like & react to those sounds especially since he would rather be under the covers, LOL. HAPPY SAFE TRAVELS Always!
DAILY LOL – Awe that really made us LOL!!! TY placing a smile on our faces.
Careful with an eraser wheels on gelcoated fiberglass. The abrasion can damage the gelcoat. Better to use a heat gun to soften the adhesive and peel it but only enough heat for the job. The wheel will work on a metal surface. If in doubt try in an inconspicuous place first.
“Leave here with a laugh” really IS funny!
Totally!! I laughed out loud 🤣 😂
Yes, agreed!!
I got such a kick out of it (being the dog lover that I am) that I copied and sent it to my sister last night. She also got a good chuckle out of it. Have a great day! 😀 –Diane
Your “mystery product of the day” is a bad idea. Much better to use a “password manager” app on your devices.
I suggest you reconsider. Password apps are convenient but can be hacked. Google the Lastpass hack. Password books are less convenient but also don’t provide a database of all of one’s passwords online. Combined with many other users’ passwords, it’s makes for a juicy target for hackers. Keeping passwords off the internet is a continuous effort. Browsers like to save passwords too and must reminded periodically (after updates i.e.) not to save your passwords.
Been using 1Password app for a long time, no issues! BUT, you are never safe these days with anything you use on the internet, especially those dam cookies!
Snoopy
👍 to 1 Password. Been using it for years. The Master Password is not stored anywhere but on your device.
Whether a physical book or a password manager app is better will depend quite a bit on your situation. I personally would never carry my passwords on my person not so much out of fear of theft but more out of fear of loss as I am always losing things. I remember several passwords directly and use a password manager for the rest. If someone was to hack the password manager application they would likely only take the passwords not destroy them and while two-factor authentication (the “we are texting you a code” process) is annoying, I use it where ever I can for the added security.
If you only ever use your passwords in one place and you have a way to securely lock the book then go for it.
Evernote is free, can only be used on two devices at a time (a phone and a PC), you can use a code that only you know for your passwords as a description (I use it in a sentence by the sites name – so it could be any word to anyone else) and they have a low chance of being hacked (who wants to get your grocery or vehicle maintenance lists??).
If something happens to me, my family can still access all my accounts because I have a sealed envelope in our safe with instruction to my password system so they can access and shut down my digital life when my corporeal one ends.
Good article by Tony on jump starters but a recommend capacity would be helpful