Issue 2157
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.
Thank you for joining us on Independence Day, when we celebrate the birthday of the United States of America!
Before we go on, a word from Miss Kate Smith
(from Nov. 11, 1956)
Today’s thought
“You don’t have to explain why you want what you want, do what you do, love what you love, need what you need. You are allowed to live a life some people don’t understand.” —Laura McKowen
On this day in history: 1831 – Samuel Francis Smith writes “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” for the Boston, Massachusetts, July 4 festivities.
Tip of the Day
RV awnings: Everything you need to know
By Tony Barthel
An awning seems so simple, especially on newer RVs where it opens at the touch of a button. There are a few basic tips to keeping your awning in top shape and looking great.
There are armless awnings, manual awnings, and many other styles, but virtually all the mainstream RVs come with the power awning with the arms on the side of the coach. That’s the one I want to focus on today.
Continue reading this very in-depth article
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
What is the best option to connect six 6-volt batteries for RV?
Dear Dave,
I wonder about the best way to configure six 6-volt batteries. I have the traditional method of connecting two 6-volt batteries in series and then connecting them parallel to two additional pairs. But I wonder about the option of connecting the first three batteries in parallel and a second set in series. Does either setup provide a better, stronger, or longer-lasting power supply? Or do both configurations yield identical results? —Colin
Quit struggling with hose and cable hookups at the campsite
Are you tired of struggling to hook up your coax cables, water hoses and other connections when you arrive at your campsite? It’s a snap with Cable and Hose Grips from J Wright Concepts. Save time and frustration! Life is too short to hassle with the little stuff! Learn more or order.
RV Tours
Couples campers? Heck no! 3 trailers with less than ideal features
By Cheri Sicard
Today Mike from RVBlogger will take us on a tour of three couples campers. In other words, travel trailers perfect for a couple.
Well, that’s what Mike says. I actually do not agree with his assessment at all, as I outline below. I’m not sure what is up. Mike has produced good videos in the past, but in my opinion, he was WAY off his game with this one.
There is a whole lot NOT to like about these three trailers.
Video of the day
Natural pest control: How to make flea, tick, and mosquito repellent
By Cheri Sicard
The team from That 1870’s Homestead has produced a handy DIY video about all-natural pest control and how to make flea and tick repellent. Judging from the comments on the video it not only works, it smells nice too!
Even better, according to our hostess, this spray will even keep mosquitoes off!
RVer’s death could have been prevented with a satellite messenger
*Editor’s note: This is a recycled article from last summer, but the information is still just as important!
By Dave Helgeson
In April of last year, my wife and I were traveling through central Nevada on the way to Death Valley when we learned about the death of a camper who became stranded there. … It inspired me to write an article on how the camper’s death could have been prevented with a satellite messenger. Sadly, less than a year later and a hundred miles or so northwest from where the camper perished last April, tragedy struck again as an RVer died after his motorhome got stuck in soft sand due to a navigation error. Continue reading.
Reader poll
What are you eating today?
Quick Tip
Motorhome entry door rattle
At the end of the day are you finding yourself dingy from the rattling of your entry door? One RVer reported his near-case of insanity after a cross-country tour. Since the adjustment screws on his aging RV were rusty, and he feared stripping them, he stopped at a Camping World store for advice. Their solution was a roll of weather stripping—and only $69, install-it-yourself! A nearby Lowe’s yielded a roll for under $6. Put the sticky side of the weather stripping to the metal on the door, with the spongy side coming into contact with the already existing rubber strip. A little more “oomph” is required to close the door, but the rattle will be history.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Last-minute tips to stretch your vacation dollars
- RV Review: Adventure Truck celebrates independence
- Ask Dave: How should the RV’s 6-volt and 12-volt batteries be wired?
- Featured article: Make-ahead foil packet meals. Warning: You’ll drool
Website of the day
Best U.S. Fireworks Displays
There’s still time to plan an evening full of fireworks! If you’re near any of these areas that the Travel Channel suggests, go enjoy the show!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
‘Tis the season to be _____, yum yum yum yum yum… yum yum yum yum! Hint: It WILL make you jolly. Click here.
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:
• 84 percent say they usually buy their RV fuel by price, not brand
• 22 percent eat at a fast food restaurant at least once a week, if not more
• 50 percent say they’d love to RV around Iceland if they had the chance!
Recipe of the Day
Grilled Corn On The Cob
by Amanda Klich from Wroclaw, Poland
Elevate fresh corn on the cob this summer with this grilled corn recipe. Amanda’s seasoned butter mixture soaks into the corn while grilling. The blend of spices pairs well with the flavor of the corn. Little sweet kernels of corn pop in your mouth with every bite.
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Trivia
Americans spend about $1.5 billion dollars on fireworks on the 4th of July each year. They also spend about $1.4 billion dollars on alcohol, specifically beer and wine.
*What do the healthiest, longest-living people around the world eat a lot of? Find out in yesterday’s trivia. You might just eat some today!
Random Act of Kindness
“We were recently camping at Rafter J in Custer, South Dakota. I had put my wet load of laundry into the dryer, loaded my quarters, pushed start and noted the time it would take. I returned when the dryer should have been done and saw it had three more minutes. Two young women saw my perplexed look and said, ‘Your laundry wasn’t quite dry so we put in an extra quarter to finish it.’ And no, they wouldn’t let me return the quarter. I was very touched by their kindness.” — SOURCE UNKNOWN
How pure is your drinking water? Find out!
This handy, affordable, digital water tester will tell you your overall water purity level, which will be displayed on the screen in ppm (parts per million). Just stick it in about 1 inch of water and instantly you get the reading. It’s compact and doesn’t need any maintenance. It includes a protective carrying case with a belt clip. This is handy for all RVers to have.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Miss Zoe the Black Lab is 18 months old and new to RVing, and is beginning to enjoy being off-leash occasionally.” —Pete A.
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
Well, maybe this will make you cringe more than it will make you laugh. This is definitely one of a kind, wouldn’t you say?
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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.
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Happy birthday America. 🎂💥🥩🌭🍦
Have wonderful and safe independence day everyone. 🎆🎇🎈🇺🇲
From the Proofs.
Re Random Act: Not a surprise; made my home base in Custer for 12 years.
To all you Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coasties who are on duty today, Thank you. Been there, Done that.
It’s always sad to hear any fellow campers getting hurt or passing. It’s nice that IPhones (newer ones) has that option for satellites now, but you need to see that there are things you can do to avoid what had happened.
We are having all American Hamburgers with fries.
Not surprised about how many eat out , we have RVing friends that eat out more than once a week. If we have an appointment or go out of town, then we eat out, not often.
Chris Stapleton has a great version of God Bless America too!
Happy 4th, thank you to all military, ones we lost, Veterans and now fighting for our freedom, be safe.
I love your intro picture with doggie in sunglasses! Looks like a Boston, love them! Thank you!
Happy Independence Day! Thanks for the Kate Smith! Loved her as a kid and remember watching her TV show. The Ed Sullivan clip was an iconic memory of yesteryear!
🎆 be safe everyone!
No one has ever sang that song better than Kate!
Yes Best rendition ever.
Leave here with a laugh…looks like that poor truck is about to break in half !
Right
At least it is a dually !
FYI, the link is broken for “What is the best option to connect six 6-volt batteries for RV?”Thanks for all the great newsletters!
Bob
It’s been fixed. Sorry, Bob. Those darn gremlins! Have a fantastic Fourth! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I have to agree on the video review… an east/west bed is a deal breaker for me too.
Go out and watch the fireworks
Just got a text from my daughter. Her husband’s uncle blew off most of his right hand last night when a mortor tipped and he tried to right it. He’s still got part of his ring finger and his pinky. Luck guy got a ride in a helicopter.
Oh, that’s terrible, Thomas.😲 I hope everyone else has a safe and fun Fourth. Take care. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
A woman near Grand Rapids died and injured not sure how many after some fireworks they were shooting off went off and well the rest is history. Very sad day indeed.
Thanks to all the men and women, past and present, that have made this day possible!
On our recent cross-country trip, we had our issues with Ms. Google and Ms. Apple maps. On one occasion we overruled a route only to find ourselves on a 70+ mile detour to get back to base. Should have taken Google’s advice. But, on two other occasions, we would have been in serious trouble had we followed the recommended routes. For us, the rule is, know your roads , use good sense, and keep a paper map, just in case. Most of the time, though, the satellite guidance is a great asset. Just reserve the option to question it.
The “Leave here with a laugh” editor should do a little research. This rig has been touring the country for over a decade. Met the owner. We’ve come across it several times in our travels. Innovative. Skillful. Proud. Not laughable though.
I would love to RV around Iceland. I guess I just added to the bucket list.