Issue 2127
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 past is a place of reference, not a place of residence.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Taffy Day!
On this day in history: 1995 – The first version of the Java programming language is released.
Tip of the Day
It’s roll-out time for your RV awning. Is it ready?
By Chris Dougherty
Chris Dougherty is a certified RV technician. Here is an article he wrote about RV awnings while serving as RVtravel.com’s technical editor.
With summer almost here, you may have already rolled out your RV awning. It’s a great addition to any RV, and with a little care, it will provide many years of service. But just what kind of care does it need?
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
RV roof A/C peels decals off, is common problem for RVers, has easy fix
Dear Dave,
Can I add a gutter system to direct condensation from my A/C unit? Currently, the water runs down the front of my roof around the front window and is peeling the decals off. —Herbert, 2021 Venture Sonic Lite 150VRK
RVers with a firearm should pack this along to avoid trouble
This new 2023 edition of the Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States covers all the basics for armed travel. What is legal in one state could be a felony in another. This book should be used as a reference before entering a new state to avoid breaking the law. Read more here.
RV Video Tour
There’s a new RV brand on the market: 2024 Brinkley Model Z 5th Wheel
Brinkley is a completely new RV brand on the market. In the video below, That RV Tech gives us a first look at the all-new 2024 Brinkley Model Z fifth wheel.
Because this company is all new, the downside is there is no history and no real user feedback on them, and no way to actually gauge their longevity. This is why getting the perspective of a certified RV tech is extra valuable in this case.
He does say by looking at it, this RV seems sturdy, well-constructed and well put together.
Video of the day
#1 tip on how to maximize the life of RV batteries
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, one of our readers’ picks for favorite RV YouTubers, Josh the RV Nerd, imparts some important wisdom about RV batteries.
No matter if you are a new or experienced RVer, you probably have encountered times when it just seemed like your RV battery did not last that long. Josh regularly sees RVers who are changing their batteries every year or two!
If you have had that experience, Josh wants to share why that happening and what you can do to avoid it and thereby get a better return on investment from your RV batteries.
Truck parts and accessories: Huge selection at Amazon. Browse or order.
Be tick aware: The three types of ticks most likely to bite you
By Dale Wade
On occasion you have to walk through some tall grasses just to get to your destination, and therein lies a problem. Ticks, those nasty, blood-sucking little buggers, just hang out waiting for that innocent hiker to get close enough to hitch a ride. The worst part? There’s more than one type of tick! Learn how to deal with them here.
Reader poll
How long has it been since you traveled with your RV?
Quick Tip
Easy “leak down” test
Not sure if you may have a leak in your towable RV LP system? Here’s a simple, inexpensive way to ensure you don’t. With your LP cylinder valves open (and gas in at least one of them), shut off all appliances and pilot lights. Now shut off the valves of your LP cylinders. If you come back in an hour and the “flag” on the switchover valve between the two tank systems indicates you’re out of LP, you have a leak somewhere. Leave the gas valves shut and find that leak and fix it without delay.
On this day last year…
- RV Review: 2022 NoBo 19.8 travel trailer with power galore
- Ask Dave: Why do fridge fins ice up and then drip tray overflows?
- Featured article: Check out this incredible DIY RV. It’s a “log cabin” on wheels!
- Recipe: Grilled Citrus and Garlic Pork Chops
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
What if we told you we had a solution to saving space for one of your all-time favorite items? Maybe you could even *gasp* get more of these items? Check it out.
Website of the day
The Most Accessible National Parks in the U.S.
These parks have paved pathways, all-terrain wheelchairs for rent and more accessibility features that welcome mobility-challenged guests.
RV Fact or Fiction?
Test your knowledge some more with these previous Fact or Fiction questions:
- A propane furnace emits lots of moisture
- If you see these on your RV, do not use it in winter!
- Outside temperatures can be too cold for an RV refrigerator to cool
- Never plug in with a 20-amp extension cord
- Doing THIS is the number one cause of RV fires on highways
And the Survey Says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 2,000 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 25 percent have rented an RV. Of that 25 percent, 7 percent have rented an RV more than once.
• 52 percent of dog owners say their dog is a purebred, while 38 percent say their dog is a mutt. 10 percent have at least one of each.
• 30 percent buy Girl Scout cookies every year.
Recent poll: Have you ever done any damage to your RV while backing up?
Recipe of the Day
Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Blueberry Sauce
by Joan Link from Bristol, TN
We are in love with this delicious grilled pork tenderloin. Since it’s wrapped in bacon, its smoky flavor infuses into the juicy and tender pork. Fresh blueberries and cherry tomatoes add pops of sweet flavor and balance out the tangy vinegar in the blueberry sauce. This a great summer grilling recipe if you’re looking for a fancier meal.
Trivia
Male humpback whales produce songs that can be heard up to 100 miles away.
*What is the most manufactured drink in the world? Is it coffee? Is it tea? Is it Coke? Alcohol? Yesterday’s trivia tells you.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Trace, at 14, is still my adventure dog. He loves camping in my small trailer or kayaking in our Tucktec fold-up kayak. We can’t hike very far anymore, so camping and kayaking get us outdoors.” —Terry Cuyler
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!
Leave here with a laugh
The inventor of the throat lozenge died.
There will be no coffin at his funeral.
Thanks for sending, Ray!
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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
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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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Great idea for a place that loves its blueberries. Maine. I don’t do pork but may get a chicken roast. Yum. Great idea for trying to live frugal.
The Trivia section says the Humpback’s song can be heard for 100 miles.
Not with my ears!!!! 🙂
But have you tried it underwater, Lil John?🤔 Have a good night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Ref: Dave Solberg’s article: I couldn’t leave a comment over there. “Years ago I bought a self stick vinyl gutter which runs the length of the motor home and just at or above the roof seam on our class A. I also added gutter end spouts and extensions which eliminated the black streaks down the sides and at the corners.”
One comment on the battery charging article.
We installed solar panels on our RV.
We no longer need to worry about our batteries discharging!, T
As long as the solar panels aren’t covered with snow, they keep our batteries charged and we don’t even have to worry about turning off the battery disconnect switches. Our batteries last MUCH longer now! The next time we need to replace the batteries, we might go to lithium, but in the mean time, installing the solar system was the best improvement that we have made!
Thanks for bringing back the pictures in the RV Review.
The fact or fiction segment was fun!
Sure was got most of um wrong!!
Snoopy