Issue 2146
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
“The best portion of a good man’s life: his little, nameless unremembered acts of kindness and love.” ―
Today is Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S.
On this day in history: 1865 – More than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, slaves in Galveston, Texas, are officially informed of their freedom. The anniversary was officially celebrated in Texas and other states as Juneteenth (June nineteenth). On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday in the United States.
Did you see the news? Click here for the latest news for RVers
Tip of the Day
Moochdocking 101: How to score free camping and get invited back
By Cheri Sicard
Moochdocking: Verb.
The act of staying in your RV in a friend’s driveway or on their property. May or may not include electrical and/or water hookups.
Moochdocking can be a wonderful way to not only save money on campgrounds but also to connect or reconnect with friends and family for memorable and meaningful interactions.
When on the road, I always try to intersperse moochdocking with other camping options along the way.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
Soft spot on RV’s roof from broken vent seal. Can I just leave it?
Dear Dave,
I bought this unit used. There’s a soft spot on the RV’s roof where a seal around a vent was broken. Can I leave it, and will it stay “as is” if I keep it all sealed now? —Shawn, 2004 Newmar Mountain Aire
In the RV shop with Dustin
How I inspect RV windows and clearance lights
In this video, I’m sharing how I inspect RV windows, lights, and clearance lights. Maintenance is KING with keeping your RV in tiptop shape. By inspecting these areas, you can avoid potential problems down the road. This video will show you how to perform these inspections and help you avoid any potential problems with your RV.
This inspection and advice will apply to all RV manufacturers, makes, and models—especially those with frameless windows.
Video of the day
Don’t fall for these 10 pop up camper myths and misconceptions
By Cheri Sicard
The team from It’s Poppin’ – Pop Up Campers have produced an interesting video to dispel the 10 most common myths and misconceptions about pop up campers.
These myths pop up (pun intended) on the internet all the time. Seasoned RVers already know most, if not all, of these things. But if you are an RV newbie, or someone considering a pop up trailer as your first RV, this video will likely answer a lot of the questions.
You need a jump starter. Seriously.
By Tony Barthel
You should have a portable jump starter. Seriously. But why, you ask? Many reasons. I have had a portable jump start device that lives in my truck for years. The most obvious reason to have one is to jump start a vehicle with a dead or weak battery. But it can serve a lot of other purposes as well. Read about some of them here.
Reader poll
Do you like having your photo taken?
Quick Tip
Simple way to fill your coach battery cells
Are your coach batteries difficult to reach to fill the cells? Head off to the drug store and pick up a water bottle with an “enema” hose and fitting. Fill the water bottle with distilled water, hook up the hose with the shut off clip. Now lead the “business end” of the hose to each cell and use the shut off to open/close the fill-up flow.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
You said yoga class? Ohhhh. We thought you said pour a glass! We’d rather pour a glass. Thanks.
Website of the day
PopPhoto
Whether you’re an experienced photographer or not, this website has a little something photography-related for everyone. Lots of good articles and information here.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- Fight RV crime! Install a GPS tracker in your RV—It’s easy!
- Adults-only and other RV park restrictions. What do you think about these?
- An easy, cheap DIY fix for RV mouse infestation
Recipe of the Day
Fresh Pico De Gallo Mexican Dip For Your Crowd
by Jannette Dellanos-Poland from Islamorada, FL
This is a fantastic layered dip with a fresh pico de gallo right in the center of it. Homemade pico adds a fresh pop of flavor that gives this a Tex-Mex vibe. The beans on the bottom are mixed with taco seasoning for texture and flavor. Mixing cream cheese with chopped chilies gives the creamy layer flavor. A delicious dip for a taco bar or any large gathering. Guacamole would be great with this, too. We piped the sour cream on top so it would be even for optimal dipping.
Trivia
Want your kids or grandkids to do a better job at their chores? Put ’em in a Batman costume! A study from the University of Minnesota shows that kids aged 4-6 performed better during boring tasks and chores when dressed as Batman.
(This goes along with today’s laugh, too…)
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Lacy, the Standard Poodle, likes to travel. Four years old. She was a surrender dog. Her owner passed and my 14 lb. toy poodle also. So here we are now.” —Gary Boser
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.
Find campsites at sold-out campgrounds with brand-new Dyrt features
Want to stay at a specific campground but see it’s sold out for your dates? Fear not! The Dyrt Alerts, free for PRO members, continually checks for cancellations and will text you as soon as one becomes available. It’s that easy! Learn more about new Dyrt features and start your FREE 30-day trial here.
Leave here with a laugh
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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
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Thank you, Emily! I really enjoyed the funny for today; no laughter, but a big smile. 🙂
I use a baster to fill the battery cells. It has to be held inverted after squeezing the bulb to fill the baster but is easy to use.
Save a trip to the drug or grocery store and use a ketchup bottle for filling battery cells. You already paid for the ketchup bottle! Also, it has a 1/4″ hole in the cover, just fill with distilled water and insert a 1/4″ plastic tube into the water. Squeeze gently. (Pull the tube out of the water to prevent spills). Darn- you have to go to the store to buy the plastic tube! Oh well, you recycled the bottle anyway!
The note requiring crackers be placed in the photo indicates those kids are dealing with a pretty smart cookie.
Lacey was totally invisible.
Lacy, the Standard Poodles is beautiful. That breed is awesome! I’m so glad she found a good second life. Happy travels!
I just read the pop up article. Uh huh. Here is my take on it. Depending on who you are and what your strength is you can get it popped in under 10. But if you are not that athletically fit then it might take more time. Also one thing you forget is that once popped you still have beds to make crap to take out and get organized and that could take 30 minutes or more. Normally pop uppers use like we did to store clothes, food and other items to make it a home storage bins. It took me an hour to get organized. After 10 years I sold it and got a travel trailer. OK some things went flying or it took me a bit to get organized but at least I was able to back it in, hook it up and enjoy myself. So glad not to do that again. A pop up is great for those who want to know what camping is like and not have to do it with a tent. And you are really glossing over the whole truth of owning a pop up. We had so many issues that they were more nightmares then happy. So good luck.
My oldest daughter’s family has been using a Jayco popup for nearly 20 years. My wife’s aunt and uncle over 50 years.
Jillie, you are correct…no such thing as ten minute setup. And yes, a number of totes packed in to get out and organized. And if it’s raining when they arrive it may be hours before they are setup.
Their popup has been a good unit for a low cost and they’ve had great family adventures in it and very few issues. But people thinking about one have to understand the reality.
I remember a lot of times having to either set up or set down the pop up and being soaked doing it. And a lot of times if you were not paying attention lock it up and finding you can’t find something and realize you just damaged the pop up because of the rain and lack of attention. We had a lot of pop up issues which is why I went rv travel trailer. Pop ups are great for beginners but not a long term thing.
If it is raining when you pack up and leave, you have to set it back up when you get home to keep the “canvas” from molding and dry out or your going to have troubles later on. When I had pop-ups before I had a garage big enough I could set it up inside to dry out.
We had a popup for about 10 years and loved it. Only went to something bigger because we were becoming snowbirds for a longer period. Set up for getting it leveled, feet down, ends pulled up and braced etc was probably only 10-15 minutes for DH and I working together. Making bed, setting up table etc another 10 or so. No totes for us–guess we were more minimalistic. Food was in refrig. or in under seat storage before leaving home. Clothing in a duffle and stayed there.
My husband uses a gallon sprayer he got at home improvement store. It’s used with distilled water and easy to use.
Lacy, the lucky and beautiful dog.
Why do they cut all the Poodle’s hair off? Never have understood that. Would be a much better looking dog if it had hair. Annnnd…. why mutilate a dog by cutting it’s tail off and trimming ears (not poodles, but other breeds). Just don’t think they should be treated that way.
I agree. Poodles are much cuter without being trimmed. Also, cutting tails and ears makes no sense to me. Would their owners want their ears or other body parts cut off or reshaped?