Issue 2150
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.
Today’s thought
“Stuff your eyes with wonder. Live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Hydration Day! Go drink some water! (Please.)
On this day in history: 1960: The first contraceptive pill is made available for purchase in the U.S.
Tip of the Day
Gray water tank can smell more than black. Here’s why and what to do about it
By Nanci Dixon
Who knew I could get so excited about flushing the gray and black water tanks? Okay, I know it is a bit odd, but as the designated tank flusher I am happy when the “gunk” comes out. While I am diligent about flushing out the black water with the built-in flush system, there was no built-in system for the gray water. When I complained to our RV tech about the smell when driving, he said that the gray water can smell worse than the black.
Why?
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
RV’s step doesn’t retract when I close the door or start the engine. What to do?
Dear Dave,
My RV’s step no longer retracts when I close the door or start the engine. How can I fix it? —Ray, 2001 Triple E Signature
In the RV shop with Dustin
Beat the summer heat and keep your fridge running smoothly with this fridge fan
My RV repair shop receives a common complaint from customers, and that is their RV refrigerator is not cooling well in the summer months. Today, I’ll talk about RV refrigerators’ poor air circulation, which causes a lengthy cool-down period and can spoil food. This is important to know as summer heat quickly approaches. The best solution? A fridge fan.
Rent a fifth wheel for your next trip. Click here (affiliate)
Video of the day
10 delicious ways to use canned biscuit dough in your RV
By Cheri Sicard
Canned biscuit dough can be an RV kitchen essential. There is so much you can do with it. While the video below by Nicole McLaughlin of My Recipes was not specifically created for RVers, the recipes in it are perfect for RVers because they use one of our favorite convenience foods. Give the short video a watch and you’ll discover some delicious and creative uses for canned biscuit dough.
Click here to watch (and maybe drool–Yum!)
Campground community centers are hidden gems
By Gail Marsh
The next time you go camping, be sure to check out the campground community center. Over the past few years, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these facilities closed down for health reasons. But it’s time to rediscover this often-hidden gem. … Continue reading about all of their benefits here.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Campsites suddenly available. Are RV parks too expensive now?
- Will the Camping World acquisition spree spell an end to local RV shows?
- RVers spark debate about homelessness and homeless “campers”
- “Something is wrong with the ENTIRE RV industry”
Reader poll
What is it for you, butter or margarine?
Quick Tip
Can’t find the awning pull loop?
Time to open your awning? Sometimes finding the awning pull loop at the end of the strap can be difficult. Get a large, colorful carabiner like those used by climbers and sailors. The “snap lock” hardware makes it easier to find the end of the strap, and you can grab it with your awning hook. Find them at most big box stores. (Or, hey. How about at Amazon.com?)
On this day last year…
- Tip: Mod your RV for comfort
- RV Review: East to West Alta 2600KRB Travel Trailer
- Ask Dave: What is the best method to insulate my Class C RV’s front cap?
- Recipe: Blueberry BFF Coffee Cake
Website of the day
20 Best Trail Mix Recipes
Trail mix and summer go hand in hand, and now that it’s summer, it’s snack time! Check out these 20 recipes from The Pioneer Woman’s website for making trail mix at home. They’re easy and delicious!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
We’re not going to tell you which one of our staff members uses this, but let’s just say this thing will forever change the way you use the bathroom… (in the best way possible).
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
Grilled Squash With Balsamic Drizzle
by Sherri Williams from Crestview, FL
This summertime summer side dish is easy to make and so tasty. Grilling the summer squash and zucchini adds a slightly smoky flavor. The balsamic sauce, though, gives them a sweet and tart punch of flavor. It’s a delicious way to jazz up zucchini and squash.
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Trivia
The cost of living in the United States is more expensive than in 89% of countries in the world (11 out of 92), according to the website Expatistan.com.
*How many hot springs are there in the U.S., and which state has the most? Yesterday’s trivia tells you.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Lucy (mixed breed) loves to camp and explore every new campground we go to. Loves people but squirrels not so much. Definitely enjoys nap time on Mama’s lap!” —Eric Fernette
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.
Leave here with a laugh
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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
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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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Not to sure of your quick tip as I would think that the carabiner would bang and bounce against the coach when traveling down the road and cause damage to the paint.
My identical immediate thought. Or if the strap is short enough, it won’t bang the RV side but will increase wear flopping against the rolled up awning.
We just tied a loop of non-abrasive clothesline string to ours.
I’ve never had a problem with mine being to short that t couldn’t hook it with the tool provided as long as I roll it up straight.
As for the RV Parks getting to expensive, yes, many are. I can see some rates a bit higher for the parks that have every imaginable amenities and water rides, but for a plain Jane like we were in a few months ago in TX. Our lit rent, as they call it, went up $100.00 a month, and all they have there is laundry. No shower no nothing. With your own rig, you’re paying for your electricity (monthly) so why so expensive? We even trim our own site, just to keep critters away. We don’t go to the big RV Parks with all those activities, as full timers, we can’t afford them. It’s nice t like we are staying in a cabin, where they maintain them, taxes on them for permanent structures or even paying for someone to clean, we have our own. Know they need to make money, but really, $1200.00 and up a month, I can buy a house for that.
Laugh if you will, the Amazon Mystery product worth a cool $175M. But I’ve yet to try it.
RE: today’s mystery product. Gee you folks must have much more floor space in your RV than we have in ours
The Trivia says “The cost of living in the United States is more expensive than in 89% of countries in the world (11 out of 92)…”
While that may be true, the U.S. median (mid point, not avg) income is the 5th highest in the world, according to metrics tracked by the World Bank. Luxemburg, UAE, Norway, and Switzerland, in that order, have the highest median incomes. The U.S. is 4th in mean (average) income and 6th in GDP (value of all goods & services produced) per capita.
“Cost of Living” all by itself is a poor measure, as is income all by itself. Better for legitimate comparisons would be the ratio of the two.
It’s such a disingenuous statistic that would only be offered without context to promote a political ideology. It’s an anti American trope that can only be used by the Marxists to promote division.
Thank you for giving context to that tiny tidbit of American hate.
The awning strap is easily secured with a loop of Velcro. Just loop is thru the pull strap and attach to the awning arm. I have the center support arm on our 18′ awning, but it could be to a side arm as well. No damage from a metal piece flying around in the wind either.
That carabiner idea is just plain bad, as ideas go. It could cause tremendous amounts if damages.
Be careful you may step on someone feelings.
Yes. I don’t think people from the Caribbean are any more dangerous than anyone else.
LOL
No doubt Bob P, someone from the “Speech is Violence” contingent may need a hug after that blatent slight. I’m going to try and use only my indoor voice this weekend and not offend anyone from the Caribbean, per KellyR, or from anywhere else this weekend. Let’s hope no one with an, “I❤️Cuba” shirt joins in or I fear my good faith attempt at only posting innocuous platitudes will surely fail. 😉
There you go again, calling the Platitudes innocuous, who valiantly fought against the Philistines. And what is wrong wit Cubes? I suppose you prefer egg-shaped.
Thank you, Emily! 🙂