Issue 2171
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 world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Drive-thru Day! It’s also International Self Care Day, so we say you go get yourself a milkshake at a drive-thru!
On this day in history: 1847 – Richard March Hoe, American inventor, patented the rotary-type printing press.
Did you see the news? Click here for the latest news for RVers.
Tip of the Day
Make your RV pantry really work
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
A commonly heard expression in our household is this one: “RV designers—They must all be men!” This is frequently heard in connection with storage ideas. Shirt closets that aren’t long enough for a shirt. No hanging space for a dress. Under-sink spaces that are best described as “wasted space.” And the perennial favorite, the RV pantry. Frequently designed with too few shelves, and far too deep. We finally found a way to rework our RV pantry in a way that makes things more accessible.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
Can I tow a 2023 Coachmen Catalina with my F-150? Show me the math
Hi Dave,
I have a 2019 Ford F-150 Lariat, 145 wheelbase, 3.5L V6, 4×4 super crew, 3175 lbs. GVWR. Can I tow a 2023 Coachmen Catalina Legacy Edition 263FKDS, GVWR 9718 lbs.? Can you break out the math? —Lorena, 2023 Coachmen Catalina Legacy Edition 263FKDS
Video of the day
Easy step-by-step DIY RV toilet seal replacement
By Cheri Sicard
Brian, from RV with Tito DIY, one of our reader’s favorite RV repair how-to YouTubers, has produced a handy video that most RVers are going to need at some point. That’s because after a while your RV toilet seal is bound to wear out. I know I am at that point; how about you?
If your RV’s toilet won’t hold water and you can hear a steady drip and water is in the bowl, your RV toilet seal might also need replacing.
An easy, cheap DIY fix for RV mouse infestation
A while ago, Chuck Woodbury wrote an article about an RV he saw for sale at an RV show. If you missed it, check it out here. He couldn’t believe what he saw… This RV was practically begging for a mouse infestation! Is your RV designed as an invitation to mouse infestation? Here’s a cheap, easy, DIY fix (from Nanci Dixon) with dollar store placemats and Velcro.
Reader poll
Do you own a pickup truck?
Quick Tip
Let your A/C get a jump on the heat
“Even before it starts getting hot outside, turn on your air conditioner to cool the walls, floors and ceilings of your coach. It’s more beneficial to do this than to try to cool a hot RV.” From alwaysonliberty.com. (Yeah, we know a lot of you are sweltering 24/7. But maybe this will help some others who are where it actually cools down overnight, or you can use this tip when it cools down again … soon, we hope!)
Website of the day
RVupgrades.com
Once you’re on this site, click on “Menu” at the top of the page. Did you just gasp? Yeah, so did we. This online store has everything (eeeeeverything) you need to repair or upgrade your RV. You may be able to find these products somewhere else for less money, but here they’re all in one place to see and compare. Happy shopping!
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- This man’s injury is proof you don’t want to camp near a hawk’s nest
- We met a celebrity while waiting for our RV to be serviced
- How it Happened: How Buc-ee’s convenience stores got so famous
Recipe of the Day
Summer Squash & Rice Boat
by Becky Ratermann from Camas, WA
Looking for a new way to cook summer squash? Try these squash boats. Onions caramelize in bacon drippings and are combined with rice, squash, and crumbled bacon for the filling. When baked with a pat of butter, these are savory and delicious. Serve as a very hearty summer side dish or a main meal.
Trivia
When you think of camels, you probably envision them in a Middle Eastern desert, right? Well, surprisingly, Australia has the largest population of camels in the world. Between 1860 and 1907, about 10,000 camels were imported to Australia from India, North Africa, China and Mongolia—they were much better suited to life in the outback than horses. That original group of 10,000 has grown to 300,000 over the years, and now Australia is the country exporting camels to the Middle East, mostly Saudi Arabia, to help the countries keep up with the demand for camels and camel meat.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“My best friend, George, goes with me everywhere or I don’t go. In Norway, Norwegian Elkhounds are used to hunt moose. They are fearless hunters above all else and need a big fenced yard or leash outside of it. They are at home in cool weather. He is my eighth of his breed over 47 years and is/was a champion show dog. We camp where there are trails to walk, and we have trails at home. He knows that I will keep him safe wherever we are, and likes the trailer bed and my pillow. He only gets noisy when humans come too close to me.” —Lorelei Vaughn
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.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
If you knew something might save your life someday, you’d want it, right? Well… you may want to keep this handy.
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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“Leave here with a laugh” Can’t stop laughing 😆 🤣 😂 😄 😅 😭
I was a little nervous when my toilet would not hold water. Repairman said $100. Went to the Unv of Youtube for research. I found another guy who showed a easier way to fix the problem: 1) Remove bolts on back of toilet. 2) Quarter turn the bowl and lift. 3) Remove seal and replace with new one. 4) Quarter turn back. 5) Replace bolts. No need to unhook from water supply and mess with bottom of toilet. Also advised me to start using some toilet seal lube. Worked well with my Thetford. I never heard of toilet seal lube, wonder what else I haven’t learned in past 5 years?
Our coach is always plugged into 50 amp service when shored at our Florida winter home. I keep the thermostats set for 75F unless I am working inside doing repairs or upgrades then it goes down to 70F. I like to be comfortable.
George looks like he will be an absolute best friend always! What a beautiful dog!!!😀👍🏻
We crack the windows, turn on the ceiling fan, and also plug in the RV to house.
We leave our RV plugged in at home with the AC set at about 78. For the 40 to 50 more it cost us a month in electricity it is well worth it. We have no mold or other problems from the Florida heat.
With the RV plugged in a home, we always run the A/C to cool the interior before we leave.