Issue 2168
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
“There was another life that I might have had, but I am having this one.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Hot Dog Day!
On this day in history: 1977 – The world’s first Global Positioning System (GPS) signal was transmitted from Navigation Technology Satellite 2 (NTS-2) and received at Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at 12:41 a.m. Eastern time (ET).
Tip of the Day
No mess, no hassle RV sewer hose storage tips
By Gail Marsh
We’ve had several “adventures” with our sewer hose. In our first RV, the previous owner stored the hose in the RV’s hollow, rear bumper. We did the same. It seemed like the perfect place, and so convenient. The hose stayed far, far away from our other RV equipment. No worries about cross-contamination or lingering odors. It was perfect. That is, until on our third trip out the bumper cap came off and the sewer hose vibrated completely out of the bumper! Clueless, we arrived at the campground without a sewer hose. Worse, we were hours away from a store that sold them. The experience cured us of the bumper storage idea.
Another time, we arrived at a campground only to find that our sewer hose would not reach the dump port. Only after demonstrating our predicament were we given an alternate site.
Another time we forgot our sewer hose completely. Still relatively new to RVing, our hose was stored inside a solid green container. Because identical containers were also in our garage at the time, we overlooked the sewer hose storage box and arrived at the campground without it!
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
Dealer did a hack job on my furnace during PDI. Wonder what else is wrong?
Dear Dave,
This is my RV’s heater. The dealer said they found a bad board during Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI). This is what I found when l removed the interior vent and heater to address other issues. Is it normal to cut away sheet metal to replace board? Does the service manual have warnings about not modifying the heater cover sheet metal? —Dave, 2023 Jay Feather Micro 166FBS
In the RV shop with Dustin
Make sure this important part of your RV doesn’t come loose!
An RV owner in one of my Facebook groups wrote, “I noticed this separating. Can this be repaired or should I just apply caulking to it?”
Routine inspection and maintenance are so very important when it comes to inspecting the exterior of the units. In this example, we had actually released a YouTube video advising owners about this same issue. The video looks at what a Z-Lock is on the side wall of the RV and how to check to see if it’s been secured properly.
Video of the day
15 easy griddle recipes for your next RV trip
By Cheri Sicard
Johnny Brunet of Griddle with Johnny has produced a terrific video highlighting 15 quick and easy-to-make camping griddle recipes.
I know that griddles are among our readers’ favorite RV kitchen accessories as they allow you to make all kinds of great foods and easily cook for a crowd. Plus cleanup is simple, too.
Why would a gift basket company build these trailers?
By Paul Lacitinola
Quite possibly the holy grail of the trailer world is the Geographic Model X, produced by Harry & David, better known for their mail-order fruit and gift baskets. Looking for a way to keep workers busy during the January to July off-season, the president of Harry & David, David Holmes, decided to have his workers build a new travel trailer. Continue reading.
Reader poll
How much of your clothing do you buy on Amazon?
Helpful resources
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
• LATEST RV RECALLS
• DIRECTORY OF RV PARKS WITH STORM SHELTERS
• THE BEST RV TRIP PLANNER APPS AND TOOLS
Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.
If you enjoy this newsletter, please help us spread the word! Learn more here. It’s fun!
Quick Tip
Dress up your rig’s screen door
Looking for a short but cute “dress up” mod for your RV? Here’s an interesting one—stencil your screen door. Yep, with an easily obtainable stencil, a bit of paint, and a few minutes, you too can make your RV unique. And as our source, Mrs. Padilly, found out, not only does your new screen spruce-up look good with the front door open, if you have the typical door relight glass, it’ll welcome visitors even with the door closed. Click here for detailed instructions.
On this day last year…
- RV Review: 2022 Flagstaff Classic 8529RKSB fifth wheel
- Ask Dave: Should we be concerned about full-body RV slides with appliances?
- Video: Gas vs. EV: Who wins? This is one epic RV towing showdown!
- Featured article: New (or any) RVers—There is hope! You CAN find campsites!
- Recipe: Loaded Nacho Dip
Website of the day
Alaska.org
Heading to Alaska soon or thinking about planning a trip? (Come on, it’s a DREAM RV destination!) Start your planning here.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Can chopping vegetables be “cute?” Oh, you betcha! And this is how!
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- Gorgeous 1962 Streamline Countess trailer has vintage style but modern amenities
- RV boo-boos: Rip off rear wall for ventilation?
- Installing Safe T Plus and KONI shocks. Is it worth it?
Recipe of the Day
Honey Baked Chicken
by Muna Escobar from Knoxville, TN
Need a new way to prepare chicken? Try this honey baked chicken. Very easy to make, once baked the chicken tastes similar to a General Tso chicken. There’s a bit of sweetness and spice. Simmering the sauce and pouring it over the baked chicken punches up the flavors when serving.
Trivia
The very first U.S. dollar bill was issued in 1862 and featured a portrait of Salmon P. Chase. Chase was the then-sitting U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. He remained on the dollar bill until 1869, when his portrait was replaced with the first U.S. President, George Washington. However, years later Chase reappeared on the $10,000 bill, a certificate used to trade currency between banks. Huh!
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Valerie has been a full-time camper since the day we picked her up at 8 weeks. Now at 2, she is quite the seasoned camper.” —Darla VanAlphen
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.
Don’t take a break on your brakes!
Every RVer needs one of these!
Wonder what it would be like to have your brakes go out while you’re going down a long, steep grade? You might find out if your brake fluid is moisture-contaminated. Water in brake fluid boils and can wipe out your braking ability! Buy yourself a brake-fluid tester for about $10 that warns you if there’s too much water in your fluid. Simply dip the tester into your rig’s brake fluid and you’ll be able to see where you stand. 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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Last night I watched the interview with Curtis Coleman, candidate for FMCA president. A little disappointed with his answer about advocacy. The RV community needs an organization that would advocate for better and safer products! An organization that will raise those issues at the State and Federal level. He kept talking about the “benefits”. Education? There’s plenty of FREE information on the social media about “education”. Purchasing power for buying tires? Not a great benefit. How often do you buy tires? All the so called RV groups offer the same thing. I was hoping FMCA would be different. Very disappointed. I doubt I will renew my membership.
Mario, FMCA membership got me 6 new tires for my class A at a great price. Saved over a 1k.
But yes a voice for owners is definitely needed.
Valerie looks like my Daisy that passed away last Dec. I miss her. Bought a Havanese pup named Cuddles in Feb after getting screwed by dog adoption agencies. She’s part dog, cat and Tasmanian devil. While I love her. Never had a dog that can get into so much trouble and harasses my senior Bichon.
Looks like my 12 yr old Casper except he’s missing his left front leg.