Issue 2138
Welcome to RV Travel’s Daily Tips Newsletter, where you’ll find helpful RV-related tips from the pros, travel advice, RV videos, product reviews and more. Please tell your friends about us.
Page Contents
Today’s thought
“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is World Caring Day.
On this day in history: 1929 – The Lateran Treaty is ratified, bringing Vatican City into existence.
Tip of the Day
Solo camping: Tips for staying safe while RVing alone
A while ago, we ran a survey asking readers: “Couples: Would you likely keep traveling with an RV if your partner died?” The majority, 74 percent, answered, “Yes, I believe I would.” Many men seemed not worried in the least.
That got me to thinking. What would it take for me to feel comfortable (read: “safe”) when solo camping as a woman? After a bit of research to see what other women do (or have done), this is what I found:
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
RV window seals shrank, exposing opening. How to fix?
Dear Dave,
The outside seal on one of my RV’s windows has slipped, exposing part of an opening in the corner. The molding is hard and will not move. Do you have a suggestion as to how to fix this? Thanks for your attention to this and your help. —Lewis, 2005 Coachmen Leprechaun
In the RV shop with Dustin
Where to find your RV’s awning model and serial numbers
An RV owner in one of my Facebook groups asked, “Where can I find the awning model number and serial number?” You can find your awning model number by opening the awning. Then, on the right-hand side, facing the camper, there should be a small tag with the serial number and manufacturer’s model number.
Video of the day
RV DIY Project: Tow vehicle water storage for boondocking
By Cheri Sicard
If you are a boondocker, you know that having enough water along can be a challenge.
Tony and Tina from TNT RVing are about to upgrade their water storage system for boondocking in the video below.
So what did they do?
Click here to watch and find out
Traffic stops in Mexico: What to expect if stopped by the police
By Cheri Sicard
Seeing the flashing lights of a police car in your rearview mirror is always stress-inducing. But traffic stops in Mexico, where you don’t know what to expect and you may or may not speak the language, can be even more so. Those RVing south of the border should be aware that traffic stops in Mexico are significantly different than in the United States. … Read what to expect, and about Cheri’s very interesting experiences, here.
Announcement! It’s back! The Great RV Accessories newsletter is better than ever with gadgets galore! If you love gadgets, gizmos and accessories, this newsletter is for you. Each issue, delivered to your inbox biweekly, includes gadgets that will improve your RVing life and make it so much more fun. We’ll feature tools, books, accessories, kitchen appliances, and much, much more—all tested by our incredible staff! Sign up here to receive the newest issue, coming TOMORROW!
Reader poll
What time do you usually eat dinner?
Quick Tip
Cool down that refrigerator
Hot summer days can really raise the load on your RV refrigerator. Several things can help keep the chill on your cooler. First, reduce the number of times you open and close the box. If possible, park your rig so the back side of the refrigerator is shaded. An inexpensive, 12-volt (as appropriate to your RV electrical system) “muffin fan” mounted under the condenser coils on the outside of the refrigerator will help to blast off heat from the coils, increasing the cooling ability. Find voltage for the fan from refrigerator wiring using your electronic multimeter.
On this day last year…
- Tip: RV ladder safety and an important reminder about hidden damage
- RV Review: Dave & Matt Vans—affordable and rentable
- Ask Dave: When plugged into 50-amp, why doesn’t inverter power some items?
- Featured article: Travel books that highlight weird and wacky RV short stops
- Recipe: Real Key Lime Pie From Key West
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
This made us laugh out loud! As soon as you see it you’ll know EVERY RVer needs this on their RV!
Website of the day
The 8 Best National Parks in Canada
We talk a lot about American National Parks, but of course we can’t forget about our Canadian friends. News flash: Canada is GORGEOUS!
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- Ghost Town Trails: Tunnel Camp, Nevada
- Why would a gift basket company build these trailers?
- The sad truth about why the American bumble bee is disappearing
Recipe of the Day
Cajun Butter-Basted Grilled Chicken
By Cindy Sandberg from Carlisle, IN
Know how to amp up your grilled chicken this summer? Make this butter-basted grilled chicken. The Cajun butter glaze is sweet and spicy, but the spice is not overpowering. We basted our chicken until it was gone. So good, we didn’t want to waste a drop. You can use chicken with or without skin. We tried both, and the chicken with skin did char a little between the honey and fat. It was still delicious.
Trivia
Modern nail polish debuted in the mid-1920s. By 1931, 85 percent of American college women were wearing it.
*What do pilots and co-pilots do differently on each flight? Yesterday’s trivia tells you.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Jake (Lab) was with us for almost 14 years. The sweetest dog I have ever known. At 97 pounds, he could have been a handful, but his love of people, dogs, and cats made him a campground favorite. I would walk him on a leash because of the rules, but children of all sizes would run out to pet him. When he passed last August, I posted a note on my Facebook page. I received over 300 responses of sympathy. He was that special.” —Max Hegler
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!
• RVing with Dogs group on Facebook. You’ll love it.
Fire-resistant bag keeps valuables safe!
This silicone-coated fire-resistant bag will save your money, documents, jewelry, passport and other valuables from a fire. Its two layers of supreme fire retardant fiberglass material make it resist fire and heat up to 2000℉. It’s waterproof, too, so when the hoses arrive, your valuables won’t be harmed. Learn more or order.
Leave here with a laugh
I’m going to write a book about all the things I should be doing with my life.
It’s called an oughttobiography.
Thanks for sending, Ray M.!
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.
Loved the laughs
I have been traveling on my own for most of each year for eight years. I have run into only one problem so I found Gail ‘s story far overreaching. she makes it sound like a woman traveling alone that’s really something unusual and there’s a lot of us out there and we don’t all carry stun guns.
Very sorry for your loss, Max. 🙁
When eating at home it is usually supper at 6:00pm. When going out (or dining out), it is dinner. A more formal setting with either just the two of us or with friends and usually around 7:30 or 800 pm. When traveling on Amtrak (a more formal setting) we would have dinner about 7:30pm. Breakfast and lunch remain at the usual am and noon time frames.
I live in upstate NY and the smoke has been very persistent over the past several days but a change in the wind direction hopefully by early next week will take the smoke in a different direction.
Todays Quick Tip had some great points. Here’s what I’ve learned over the years, make sure to cool your refer down before you put anything in it. Especially if you have an absorption refrigerator & only put in items that have been pre-cooled from your in house refer. As a rule of thumb I only replenish items like beverages when we go to bed in the evening. This has worked for me for a long time!
Snoopy
People camping in the North East part of the US are having their camping disrupted by the Smoke and smell from the fires in Canada. Started blowing down yesterday afternoon into NEPA. Very strong smell and visible smoke.
We are having Air quality problems here in Wisconsin from the Canadian fires also. Unbelievable how far smoke can travel.
Last year here in BC we had lots of smoke from the fires in Washington and California. Both sides like to share the smoke
During our drive into Western Canada last summer, we encountered some road closures due to the fires and smoke which was primarily out of Washington and Oregon so yes, it is a shared air space for the smoke.
Hi, Cancelproof. A lot of that smoke in Washington, etc., last year was from the Bolt Creek fire, which burned right across Hwy. 2 from my mountain property. (There were a couple of flareups on my property but they put them out quickly, luckily.) And I think it’s interesting when sometimes our smoke on the West Coast is from Siberia. So we’re definitely sharing the air (and smoke, etc.) all over the world. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane aka Mountain Mama
Our daughter is in the Black Diamond area, near you, and she called everyday last summer while we were on the road, to give us road closure updates and areas to avoid. Sent us links to check for updates. Safety First, must have got that from her mother. 😉
Yep, I’ve been to Black Diamond, but it’s been a long time. During the Bolt Creek Fire last year I didn’t know if my 18+ acres of wild flora and fauna were going to still be there for me to enjoy, but it is. Whew! I kept very close track (online) of the fire day and night, including looking at the heat radar (which I when I saw a couple spots on my property were on fire.) I wish they would catch whoever started it. When my boys were small (well, if they were ever small, since they’re both 6’8″ now) we would tent camp right where it started. Sad what happened to such a huge area and all the impacted wildlife, etc., probably from carelessness. Take care. 😀 –Mountain Mama
Headed that way in the next week or two. Here’s hoping and praying for no fires in either country..
Thanks for sharing your story about Jake.
Your question on what time do we eat each day, it didn’t have our answer on it. We normally eat what we call “Linner”. We eat anywhere from 2:00pm to 3:00pm for our big meal, unless invited out. We then will have homemade ice cream or something for dessert after. We find it helps our digestion.
We eat at almost that time. Wife has digesting problems and will get heartburn if she eats any later than 4pm.
Heartburn is not a digestion problem, it is an acid reflux problem.
“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” ―Lao Tzu
Apparently Lao traveled before the pandemic and campground crowding!!! 😉 🙂
…and didn’t have a job…
But did have a Black VISA with him…..
My motto has been: “Don’t tell me where to go or what time to get there.” Made some great adventures. Yes, however, before Covid.
The Mystery product is amusing, however it only causes the vehicle behind you to drive even closer so the can read it! Same as bumper stickers.
Good point!