Issue 2155
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
“If things start happening, don’t worry, don’t stew, just go right along and you’ll start happening too.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Meteor Watch Day!
On this day in history: 1936 – Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone with the Wind,” one of the best-selling novels of all time and the basis for a blockbuster 1939 movie, is published. Did you know that Mitchell did not write the book from front to back, but in random chapters and then stitched them together later to form the book? True!
TOMORROW MORNING
Join us in our cyber studio tomorrow (Saturday) morning by chat from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Pacific time. Members of our staff and guests will talk about RVing from our cyber studio. It’s informal. Ask questions or just lurk. If you want to join us on camera, let us know once you join the crowd. Here’s where to find us: Our RVtravel.com Facebook page • Our Facebook group • On our YouTube Channel. Be there or be square!
Tip of the Day
You replaced your RV dinette with what?!
By Gail Marsh
Remember the days when teens tried to see how many people could fit inside a phone booth? (Gosh! Do you even remember phone booths?!) Back then, the goal was to set a world record. (I think.) “How many people can comfortably fit around your RV’s dinette table?” was the topic of an RVtravel.com poll. (You can see the poll results in this article.)
Just like squeezing folks together in a phone booth, it’s certainly possible to squish a family of four into an RV dinette, but that doesn’t mean they can actually eat a meal there. Or even enjoy a hand-held snack, for that matter—at least not “comfortably” in our dinette. And I know we’re not alone. Comments from RVers who took our poll demonstrate why so many folks are removing their RV dinettes and replacing them with … well, other things that make more sense.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
Can my RV’s air conditioner filter out wildfire smoke?
Dear Dave,
We are planning to replace the air conditioner on our class B Sprinter Leisure Travel van. My question is: To what extent will an RV air conditioner help to filter out wildfire smoke? It seems to me that the air conditioner would need to be able to have a recirculation mode and a fresh air intake mode. Is there a clear choice out there for one that does a better job than others in keeping the interior relatively smoke-free? Thank you so much for your help with this. —Leslie
In the RV shop with Dustin
Inverter vs. converter – What’s the difference?
In this video, Dustin and Zach discuss RV electricity basics—specifically, the difference between an inverter vs. a converter. They also cover what items run off of 12 volts (DC) and what items run off of 110 volts (AC). Knowing the difference will not only help you manage your RV electricity, but can help you troubleshoot problems when you are out on the road.
Video of the day
Every dog owner should know these 5 signs of heat stroke in dogs
By Cheri Sicard
As the weather heats up, we humans are not the only ones to feel its effects. If you are a pup parent, it’s important to know the five signs of heat stroke in a dog. The team from McCann Dog Training is here to help in the video below. They reached out to Dr. Alex Avery of the Our Pets YouTube channel to get his expert opinion.
How to be an RVer and still pursue your hobby
By Gail Marsh
Can you travel in an RV and still pursue your favorite hobby? I didn’t used to think so. But now I know better! My husband has many hobbies. … The best part? My husband can pursue many of his hobbies as we travel in our RV all around the country. I used to envy Hubby. “So many hobbies. So little time.” That seemed to be his motto. And then there’s me. … Find out how Gail learned to travel without giving up her hobbies here. Do you have some tips to offer on your hobbies while RVing?
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- RV inspector’s picks: 3 best RV brands and models for travel trailers
- RVer quoted $30,400 for repair, looked elsewhere, got it done for $1,200
- Campground prices have hit an all-time high
- California generator ‘ban’ fizzles – Cummins new generators on the way
Reader poll
Are you a member of Harvest Hosts?
Quick Tip
Trailer tow ball height
If your tow vehicle is too low or too high, the trailer weight isn’t distributed evenly on the axles, which can lead to damage. Adjust the height of your tow ball so that the trailer is level when hitched to the tow vehicle and on level ground. Your trailer axles will love it, and so will you—much easier walking about in a level rig.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Sparkling clean RV window screens without water
- RV Review: ATC Game Changer PRO 4023 fifth wheel—appropriately named
- Ask Dave: Why are many RV ovens so tiny?
- Recipe: Steak-n-Cheese Stuffed Biscuits
Website of the day
The 30 Best Drive-In Movie Theaters in America
Drive-in theaters have made a comeback! And hey, who says you can’t park your RV in the back row (well, maybe some theaters have rules against it… but not all of them!). And if you happen to be in the Midwest, here are the best ones.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Forget the view out the front dash, you’re going to want to sit in the back with this! This is great (and we’re so happy to be learning about it now instead of later!)
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
Strawberry Cobbler
by Shery Adams from San Antonio, TX
Fresh strawberries make this easy cobbler wonderful. It’s a light and refreshing summer dessert. The crust is sweet and crunchy. When combined with the macerated strawberries, it’s a wonderful bite. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple strawberry dessert.
Trivia
Want to know how big your brain is? Make a fist with each hand, then put them together, knuckle to knuckle. That’s the size of your brain. It weighs about 3 pounds.
*What machine is in the secret laboratory beneath Paris’ Louvre Museum and what does it do? Find out in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“While helping our friend on his ranch in Tombstone, Arizona, a cat appeared and was in dire straits of needing medical help. He was lucky he found his way onto the ranch because of the coyotes and javelina that roam this area in packs. He was emaciated, had a broken leg, fever, and a severe urinary tract infection. The vet said he just had several days of life left in him. After surgery and several weeks of rehabilitation, medicines and loving care, he became our travel cat. He gives us a lot of love and affection and walks on a leash and harness. Cowboy goes to work with me every day as I do my ranch chores. He loves to ride in the ranch’s Kawasaki Mule. He loves to be vacuumed too!” —Angela Klinger
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.
Here’s everything to do if you lose your pet. This is an excellent resource!
Make sure to have this First Alert EZ Fire Spray in your RV
The First Alert EZ Fire Spray portable fire extinguisher is easier to use and discharges 4 times longer than traditional fire extinguishers. With an aerosol nozzle and portable size, it’s suited for the kitchen, car, garage, boat or RV. The formula wipes away with a damp cloth and is biodegradable. Learn more or order.
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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I ended up getting a new travel trailer with a u shape dinette with a slide out and love it. A couch for others to sit and watch the telly. Can remove the table to make it into a nice sitting area. My old rv well it was too tight to sit anyone and we tried to make it a sitting area but nope did not work. So now I have two trailers. One I can’t use and one I love using as a seasonal. Some day the old one will be used again. Maybe.
You missed a great Drive In. The Calvert Drive In at Calvert City, KY draws people from all around the area. Same family owned it for 50+ years, recently selling to a young couple. The burgers are a big draw as well made on an ancient grill, some folks come just for the burgers.
Pet of the Day is one of my favorites! Cowboy is so handsome and sounds like a really cool cat . . . walks on a leash and harness and loves to be vacuumed? WOW! I love it 🙂
I’m not a cat lover, but I think I would love Cowboy! And Leave Here with a Laugh is genius!
Todays “Leave here with a laugh” was the best one I have seen in a while.
One of the best pet stories and picture ever!
Great story about “Cowboy” the cat. I’m surprised the vet took on the case after his diagnosis.
What a cute picture of Cowboy reading a cat 🐈⬛ magazine!!
Mystery Product – fan… I use fans similar to this one. One is clipped to a ceiling handle in our SUV to keep air moving for our pets – it starts and stops automatically with the car ignition. We have a couple others inside travel trailers. The USB power input makes it easy to use in multiple locations by simply changing the source of USB power (many vehicles now have USB power ports, 12v automotive socket to USB, 120v phone charger, external USB rechargeable battery pack) Sits on a surface, clips to an edge, or by drilling a hole in the foot plate, even hang on a wall via 3M Command hook.
My guess on why RV’s usually have a smaller oven is due to many don’t use one and if they do, not for anything big. Our Road Warrior has a good size one, and I love to bake. Ours just went, tho didn’t like the way our Furrion had to lite, so we won’t replacing it with another. We are looking at the airfryer ovens. Love my Ninja Foodie and if I can get the oven to bake and do it as well as my ninja foodie, I’ll be glad. I bake in my ninja now, and doesn’t heat up the kitchen like the oven. We will see. Many don’t care as they don’t use them, and replace the area for storage or even a dishwasher.
Now I like the idea of replacing the oven with a dishwasher as I’m the dishwasher in all of my RV’s. It’s only fair DW cooks and that keeps us from possible food poisoning if I cooked, and up the mess. Less chance of poisoning that way. Lol
Three huge drawers in place of oven. Silverware/utensil drawer on top, 2 deep drawer below for kitchen items/dish towels/pots & pans. Convection option in our microwave when we need an oven. Works great.