Issue 2120
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
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Odometer Day!
On this day in history: 1941 – Konrad Zuse presents the Z3, the world’s first working programmable, fully automatic computer, in Berlin.
Tip of the Day
Tips for safely exiting your RV’s emergency window
By Gail Marsh
Several years ago, my husband and I attended an RV show. An RV salesman pointed out the emergency window exit as we toured a fifth wheel RV’s bedroom. The sales guy went on to explain how important it is to practice using the emergency exit to be prepared in case of fire. “These RVs burn like dry kindling,” he commented as he left the bedroom. I gave a quick side glance at the exit window, involuntarily shivered, and quickly made peace with the idea of dying. I didn’t see any way for me to possibly escape through the window nor survive the certain fall to the ground several feet below. Death by fire seemed my only alternative. Yipes!
I know folks today who still shudder to think about using their RV’s emergency window exit. There are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned since our first look at RVs. These tips might help allay your fears about using your RV emergency window exits.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
My on-demand water heater is not hot. Did I do something wrong?
Hi Dave,
I just brought my RV out of storage, hooked up to city water and ran out the antifreeze. I find the hot water is only warm now, not very hot. It was fine when I winterized and put it in storage. I have an on-demand hot water system. What could have gone wrong with it or have I done something wrong?
It’s a Girard Model GSWH-1M. I have noticed that the more I use it, the better it gets as far as temperature, plus the lower the flow from the tap the hotter it gets. I am wondering if there is a maintenance program that I am not aware of to keep it operating tip-top, or is there something failing? Thank you for time. —Gerry, 2014 Jayco Greyhawk RV
In the RV shop with Dustin
Learn all about RV underbelly plumbing leaks
One of the most frustrating things for an RVer is having to deal with a water leak underneath the RV in the underbelly area! And if you didn’t know, this is a dreaded repair for any RV technician. From sewer leaks, to dump valve cable failures, water lines, waste tank, gray tank, fresh water tanks, and the hundreds of fittings, all leak at any time due to use and wear and tear from traveling.
Video of the day
Beach Hazards: How to treat a jellyfish sting
By Cheri Sicard
As the weather warms and more of us head towards the oceans it’s a good time to talk about jellyfish and how to treat a jellyfish sting, as this is something many of us are likely to encounter. The team from CPR Certified has produced a useful short, albeit dry as the Sahara sands, video to help. (Hey, it’s the content, not the style, right?)
Wonder what an RV production line worker thinks about today’s RVs? Read this!
By Gail Marsh
Awhile ago I wrote an article that generated quite a bit of conversation (read it here). My article was in response to a reader who commented: “I read about so many problems with today’s RVs, I wonder if I should just forget about buying one.” Many, many of you responded with equal doses of encouragement, practical advice, and realistic cautions about owning and maintaining an RV. One reader, who also happens to work on an RV production line, offered his opinion from his unique perspective. I’m happy to share his genuine observations and heartfelt feelings with you. Continue reading.
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- Thanks for the memories, RVing. Goodbye!
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Quick Tip
A battery fill solution for close quarters
“The standard battery service bottle doesn’t work in my Bounder 38N battery compartment—too tall. I use a squirt bottle with a nozzle, attaching a length of 1/4″ vinyl tubing to the spray port. I add the distilled water by placing the tube in the service opening and pumping the spray nozzle. I use a flashlight and mirror to check the level.” Thanks to Phil A.
On this day last year…
- RV Review: Riverstone Reserve 3950FWK Fifth Wheel
- Ask Dave: Where do I reset my RV’s 120-volt outlet?
- Featured article: Dump your holding tanks from inside your RV
- Recipe: Seared Scallops & Shrimp Over Angel Hair Pasta
Website of the day
Airbnb: Airstreams & Campers
It’s the best of both worlds—you still get to “camp” in an RV, but it’s not yours, and you don’t have to worry about reservations or parking! Explore this page and you’ll find incredible Airstream and Campers to book through Airbnb.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Make yourself laugh and your wife scream. Or perhaps make yourself laugh and make your husband scream. Either way, someone will laugh and someone will scream! See why.
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
German Soft Pretzels
German Soft Pretzelsby Cherie Szilvagyi from Deckerville, MI
If you love to purchase pretzels at the mall or airport, these are super easy to make at home and just as good. They’re slightly crisp outside, while the inside is soft and billowy. Dusted with salt enhances the flavor of these pretzels. We dipped them in mustard, but a cheese sauce would also be delish. Don’t worry if the dough appears dry when it’s mixed. After it’s kneaded, the dough comes together. Make sure to eat these pretzels while they’re fresh and warm.
Trivia
In 1949, Popular Mechanics predicted that computers today would weigh approximately 1.5 tons. Wow! In the March 1949 edition, they wrote: “Where a calculator like ENIAC today is equipped with 18,000 vacuum tubes and weighs 30 tons, computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and perhaps weigh only 1.5 tons.”
*The oldest recording in the world that can be still be played today is of what? Find out in yesterday’s trivia and have a listen for yourself.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Smoky is our 4-month-old Yorkie. At his young age, he loves to camp, which totally took us by surprise!” —Nancy Shouldis
HELP keep this feature going! We’re running out of photos! Please do not submit the same photo or pet more than once. Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. We publish one each weekday in RV Daily Tips and in the Sunday RV Travel newsletter. No blurry photos, please! 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
Why couldn’t the pony sing a lullaby?
She was a little horse.
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Back in the early 80s I once shared warehouse space with a mothballed computer owned by the University of Texas. It had a console like you see in NASA films and multiple 8′ x 10′ panels on rollers for easy moving. The panels had circuits on one side and their wiring on the other. The individual wires were so tightly woven you could not see thru the mass of it.
With today’s trivia I’m reminded of what processing power they had back in 60s and 70s and how Voyager 1 and 2 are still going and sending info back to NASA.
Absolutely. The cranial computing, pencils and paper, an abacus or 2 and the pure desire needed to put a man on the moon in the 60’s is still quite possibly the greatest accomplishment mankind has ever achieved. I am amazed by SpaceX advances and reusing rockets but the foundation for all of it is still found in the 60’s.
The mystery product of the day reminds me of when my son was going through diesel school in Nashville he had a rubber copperhead he laid on his truck seat to discourage would be thieves. When his classes were over for the day as he got into his truck he would toss the snake into the bed of the truck until the next day. One Saturday he and a friend were out driving around and picked up 2 hitch hikers and told them they could ride in the bed. A few minutes later as he was pulling away from a stoplight he heard a scream and looking in the mirror saw the hitchhiker’s jump from the truck at about 15 mph, he had totally forgot about the snake back there, he and his friend laughed about that for a while. Lol
The Trivia with Popular Mechanics’ predictions made me smile. I spent nearly 40 years working for a global tech company that earns more patents each year than ALL of it’s competitors combined (no…not Apple, Google, Microsoft, Dell, or others that dominate the consumer markets).
The changes in technology are impressive. ENIAC could do 5000 additions per second. In late 2022 FRONTIER set a new record of one quintillion calculations per second. The system requires 6000 gallons of water to cool it. It is made up of 74 cabinets that weigh 4 tons each!!!
No vacuum tubes…but today’s most powerful systems are still big and heavy!
And just think, all that computing power for cat videos and pornography.
Think of the electric bill. $$$$$$
Man, I heard THAT. I spent nearly 40 years in computer engineering as well, and am rather disgusted by all of that hard work put into productivity tools wasted on video games for pajama boys in Mommy’s basement.