Issue 2173
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
“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, but only saps today of its strength.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Coffee Milkshake Day! We like the sound of that!
On this day in history: 1947 – Cold War: U.S. President Harry S. Truman signs the National Security Act of 1947 into United States law creating the Central Intelligence Agency, United States Department of Defense, United States Air Force, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the United States National Security Council.
Tip of the Day
You can do laundry in the RV even without a sewer hookup
By Nanci Dixon
We are lucky to have a washer and dryer onboard. We use it frequently when connected to full hookups. This year, due to poor planning and crowded campgrounds, we moved frequently and seldom had full hookups. Most of the time we had electric hookups, but only sometimes did we have water.
As I watched the laundry basket pile grow taller and taller, I knew we definitely needed to wash at least a few things. We were hooked up to water and I realized that there was enough room in the gray tank to run a load or two of clothes.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
RV roof air conditioner efficiency – Teaching an old dog new tricks
Recently I posted a question from an RVtravel.com reader and my response regarding RV air conditioner troubleshooting (see below). I suggested that the typical unit could only cool the incoming air down 16 degrees. I got quite a few comments from readers that had experienced a difference of 20 degrees or more and wondered where I got my data from.
Stop RV Repair Bills from Ruining Your 2026 Travels
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In the RV Shop with Dustin
Slide out service tips and tricks
For RV slide out service, a trick I like to do is take my 12-volt/18-volt air blower and a long swiffer-type sweeper and blow out and dust underneath them. I do this by running the room about 95 percent out and blowing from the inside out. You could also use an air compressor with a blow gun.
Here is a link to what I use for the underneath cleaning of your RV’s slide outs.
Video of the day
Creative and cozy van conversion is like a cabin in the woods
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, the team from Tiny House Giant Journey [1.6M subscribers, more than 221M views!] take us on a tour of one of the most unique van conversions I’ve ever seen. Most van lifers opt for sleek, streamlined, modern designs, but not this one! It makes you feel as though you are in a cozy, rustic cabin.
The best wind apps all RVers should know about
We need the best wind apps when wrestling the wind so we know what reservations to cancel. I never thought that after hours and hours of making detailed travel plans and campground reservations, I would be canceling them. There is a point when it is just not safe to keep traveling and bucking the wind in an RV. Read what wind apps Nanci Dixon uses here.
Reader poll
Did you have your RV independently inspected before you bought it?
Quick Tip
Motorhoming: To toad or not to toad
From “A Beginner’s Guide to Living in an RV: Everything I Wish I Knew Before Full-Time RVing Across America.” (Updated 2022.) Available on Amazon.
Our first year RVing, we drove our 1994 Class C motorhome to 48 states without a tow vehicle. This meant Heath drove our rig through cities like Austin, Los Angeles, New York City, Cleveland, San Francisco, and many others.
What we liked about NOT having a tow car: We saved a couple thousand dollars by not having to buy a tow package or tow dolly. Driving without a tow car was one less stress factor as a new RVer. We saved a few minutes of time when leaving campgrounds and arriving by not having to hook up a tow car. Better gas mileage. The ability to visit more places. For example, if we towed a car, we wouldn’t have been able to take the Pacific Coast Highway all the way from LA to Portland because of the 30-foot limit.
The downside of not towing a car: If we wanted to visit major cities, we had to drive our RV into downtown areas. Trying to find a 29-foot parking spot was always stressful. Our RV was our only vehicle for errands. If we wanted to make a quick run to the grocery store, we had to pack everything up and move.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Now this is one smart invention! And it’s great for us RVers who spend a lot of time outdoors in the summer. *adds to cart*
On this day last year…
- Tip: Slide out seals, Part 2: What can happen if you don’t maintain your slide out roof
- RV Review: Hiker Trailer makes some interesting “square drops”
- Ask Dave: How do I fix a crack on my RV’s gray water tank?
- Video: RV organization ideas: Find ANYTHING in your RV in 15 seconds or less
- Featured article: RVer suspects sewer tank leak, but where is it?
- Recipe: My Hot Diggity Dog Mac & Cheese
Website of the day
Travel Nevada – Road Trips
There’s a lot more to Nevada than just Sin City. It’s a beautiful state! This page on the Travel Nevada website tells you about amazing road trips you should add to your to-travel list.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- Newport Car Museum owners’ private collection is a joy for the public
- New RV shopping tips from a former RV salesperson
- Hold down summertime holding tank stink
Recipe of the Day
Strawberries and Cream Cobbler
by Lisa Boger from Winston-Salem, NC
Fruit cobblers are a go-to summertime dessert and after one bite you’ll be making this strawberry one again and again. A strawberry cobbler is always wonderful with its buttery sweet cake and a dollop of whipped cream on top. This version has cubes of cream cheese baked in. The tart and sweet strawberries are delicious with the bites of cream cheese. Easy to make, this summer dessert just melts in your mouth.
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Trivia
Back in the 1930s, the “cool” thing to do was get your social security number tattooed on you! What a thought! When the Social Security Administration was formed, there were no worries that someone would steal your identity or anything of the sort—it was just a way for you to apply for jobs, get your money… and that was pretty much it. While some people memorized their numbers, a large number of people ran out and got them tattooed on their bodies. Some people got their numbers engraved on a piece of jewelry, which, if you spend time in antique shops, you may be lucky enough to find today.
*What mammal needs the least amount of sleep? A giraffe? A horse? A goat? A hippo? Guess, then see if you’re right in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Hunny (Shepherd/Lab) is a rescue dog who has Cerebellar hypoplasia. She does not let that slow her down. She loves camping and playing at the river!” —Melissa Cooper
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.
Small blind spot mirror good for all vehicles
If you don’t have one of these on your RV or tow vehicle, you need one! These small 2″ round glass blind spot mirrors easily stick onto your current mirror; no hard work is needed! They’re waterproof and rust-resistant and can rotate and sway to be adjusted for the best visibility. They’re affordable and could save you from an accident. Learn more or order.
Leave here with a laugh
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That just about sums up pros and cons of towd.
Not that long ago you had to have your social on your checks before they would be accepted. My, how the world has changed.
We’ve gone from no toad to Bicycles, motorcycle (Honda Trail 90), to E Bikes, and then Toad! Now we always take our Ebikes to get around or shop, and sometimes take our toad in addition to the bikes. We also considered if traveling without anything outside of our Class A Motorhome, renting a car if needed. Most rental companies will deliver and pick up. Fortunately, we never had to rent a car!
Yes, there are pros and cons to both! We get our exercise regardless!
Actually if you calculated the cost of renting a car compared to towing a car and you didn’t need a car at home such as a full timer renting probably is the cheap way to go. But if you’re not a full timer and need a car when at home towing a toad would be more economical. i.e. if you are a vacation RVer and need your car when commuting to work a toad setup wouldn’t be that expensive. In our style where we go for the winter a rental car would be expensive for the 5 months we’re gone. That would eat up the savings of not owning a car fast at $100 a day. Also if your MH is a class A in the mid to late 30’s size, maneuvering through cities would not be my favorite drive.
Rental companies are usually only located near larger towns or cities. If you like to camp/RV away from big crowds, they’re not a viable alternative. We used to toad with our 35’ motorhome. That gave us portability once camped at the cost of additional fuel. It sometimes limited our chances for a campsite because of our total length…..55’. We downsized to our 25’ rig which is now our daily driver, and is very easy to maneuver. It really is a matter of choice…..there’s no wrong or right.
We ate our toad.
Found a Class A toy hauler and we travel with our LSV in the garage. Yum.
I did my own inspection of the motorhome we bought, but I previously had been a certified RV inspector.
Have you looked at the costs to rent a car lately – especially in busy areas? It’s ridiculous! Recently tried to get a one-way rental from Newark Airport to Richmond VA thanks to the air travel meltdown. They all required a minimum 7 day rental at just over $600!
Sometimes different airports are more expensive to rent a car than others. Found that out years ago when I rented a small SUV in WB Scranton airport, Pa. Than on the way back rented one in Phila Airport for return trip and was very expensive from Phila, Pa
You are correct. But IIRC, if you drop it off early, you are only charged for the time you use it.
I think just having a second vehicle reduces some stress just knowing you will not be stranded. The new motor homes of the last few years have had so many issues no telling where they will leave you; due to problems with parts, labor and being able to get an appointment for repairs.
Handsome dog. Love the color.
You dont take a 42 foot DP to church.
No parking
You can come to our church for the 9:30 am traditional service. There’s always plenty of room to park until the kids that come for the 11:00 rock n roll service show up.
Now I love rock music, just not on Sunday morning 🙏😊
In my house, sunday mornings are reserved for polka music.
We have been tow-less since June 8 when I wrecked our toad in BFE Mn. It has added new challenges as in the remote areas we prefer there are no rental companies. Bemidji Mn happened to have an airport which was great and gave us the luxury of a car for the time we were there. Picking one up in MI UP for a few days to save our sanity and marriage..lol. On another note…know your insurance…the rental clause may not be what you think! First rodeo with car claim and it’s nothing like I thought…I didn’t have a plan B for this instance!
For those wondering
The primary symptoms of cerebellar hypoplasia in dogs include:
Intention tremors, which look like head bobbing or shaking and occur when the dog is trying to focus on an object like a food bowl
Clumsiness and unsteadiness
Wide stance
High-stepping or “stilted” appearance when walking (may walk like a toy soldier)
Falling frequently and misjudging distances
Limb tremors
When I look at my shoes I wonder if that is where the muppets came from. Otherwise that bump in the night might be something your shoes are up to.