Issue 2183
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 glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Book Lovers Day!
On this day in history: 1910 – The first complete, self-contained electric washing machine is patented.
Tip of the Day
How to get rid of rust spots on a stainless steel sink
By Gail Marsh
Silly me! I thought stainless steel meant no rusting—ever! Well, that’s not the case for our RV sink. At first glance, I couldn’t believe it. With closer inspection, however, the evidence was clear. Help! My RV sink has rust spots!
Turns out, all stainless steel contains some iron. Because iron will rust, a layer of chromium is added to keep the iron from rusting. The higher the percentage of chromium, the better it will be at preventing rust formation. Needless to say, our RV’s sink must not contain a high percentage of chromium.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
RV’s sinks are plugged but the shower drains, P-traps not clogged. Now what?
Dear Dave,
My RV’s kitchen sinks and bathroom sink are plugged, but the shower drain works fine. The P-traps are not clogged. I sealed the drains with their stoppers, except the main kitchen sink. I then used my shop vac to push air thru the pipes. The result was water came out my gray and black tank vent at the top of my RV. My gray tank stays pretty empty except for the shower water. —Lynn, 2003 Lazy Daze
RV Reviews
HE’S BAAACK! Tony (Barthel) is back with all-new RV reviews. His reviews will appear in the Monday and Wednesday editions of this newsletter (RV Daily Tips) and the Sunday edition of the RV Travel newsletter. Make sure you’re signed up for the newsletters to read the RV reviews.
Rockwood Geo Pro 20BHS— small trailer with big heart
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the Forest River Rockwood Geo Pro 20BHS, a smaller trailer that might fit some family’s camping styles very well. However, it’s also very different from most small trailers in some very important ways. Know, too, that this and the Flagstaff E20BHS are the same trailer with different stickers.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Preventing a leaking slide out motor from causing roof damage
This process describes the repair where, under certain temperature conditions, the slide cable system gearbox may leak oil/grease on the slide roof membrane. The following describes how to install a drip pan to prevent damage to the roof membrane, and how to make basic repairs if necessary.
If a leaking slide out motor has affected the roof membrane, use one of the following three options…
Video of the day
Trail cam footage: What happens when you leave a watermelon in the woods?
By Cheri Sicard
Have you ever wondered what happens in the woods when nobody is looking? Below is an amusing video of trail cam footage from the team at Ace Vlogs who asked the question: What would happen if you left a watermelon in the woods?
To find out, they set up a trail cam and offered up some delicious watermelon for their experiment and waited to see what would happen.
Installing Safe T Plus and KONI shocks. Is it worth it?
By Nanci Dixon
Today we had Safe T Plus Steering Control and KONI shocks installed on our 40’ Tiffin Phaeton motorhome. Is it worth it? The jury is still out, but so far we haven’t bottomed out on the potholes, and my husband didn’t feel the sway when the semis passed. Continue reading.
Reader poll
When traveling with your RV, do you visit antique shops?
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.
Quick Tip
Save insurance money when your rig is off the road
If your motorhome, tow vehicle or truck camper is stored on private property for long periods of time, you may be able to save money by canceling the liability, collision, medical and uninsured portions of the policy until you head back out on the road (provided your insurance carrier allows this practice). But keep the comprehensive coverage active. If you allow this coverage to lapse and your rig is financed, your lending institution will likely send you a nasty note and then tack on its own expensive coverage to your monthly payment. Before making any changes to your policy, check with your insurance company.
On this day last year…
- RV Review: 2023 Jayco Jay Feather Volare prototype
- Ask Dave: Should adjustment brackets on slide rail be adjusted?
- Video: RVing with cats: How to train your cats for RV life
- Featured article: AirLight insulates your RV–Keep the cool or warm air inside!
- Recipe: Shrimp in Buttery Garlic Sauce
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Is it hot outside right now? If it is, this may help keep you (and your RV) cool.
Website of the day
Podcast: National Park After Dark
For those that love true crime, mystery, and the beautiful U.S. National Parks, we think you’ll enjoy this podcast. Two friends, Cassie and Danielle, host this podcast about the dark things that go on in our parks… and the people that never leave…
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- Your RV trip needs a CHO–a Chief Happiness Officer
- 7 of the most unusual, must-visit Midwest tourist attractions
- Our country must find hope within the Survivor Tree
Recipe of the Day
Chicken, Bacon, and Ranch Pasta Salad
by Aleta Hepp from Louisville, KY
This chicken, bacon, and ranch pasta salad could be a light summer meal or a hearty side dish. Crumbled bacon adds a nice smoky, savory crunch to the colorful and refreshing salad. Ranch dressing is the perfect choice because its flavor works well with the mixed vegetables, chicken, and bacon. Using store-bought rotisserie chicken means the only real cooking that has to happen is boiling the rotini pasta and frying the bacon.
Trivia
If you ever find yourself in Japan in the fall, specifically in the Osaka region, you may be treated to fried maple leaves! That’s right, it’s a long-standing tradition to eat the beautiful fall foliage. Every fall, people gather the leaves of Japanese maples, clean and dry them, then coat them with a sweet tempura batter before deep frying them. Take a look at these pictures—it looks delicious! Would you try it?
*You know that piece of cloth on the back of airplane seats? Do you know what it’s called? Find the answer and the fascinating story behind it in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Remi was acquired at 3 years old by my wife for me when I was recovering from cancer treatments. He was my constant companion and when my wife retired and we started traveling the country he was in hog heaven visiting 37 states. He loved sitting between us in the tow vehicle, his place in the camper and he had his own chair which had to be placed between us. He protected us from a coyote silhouette, a metal goat and other statues. He was a brave protector to the end. After 14 years with us his health took a turn for the worse while I was in Mexico and on June 24 he left us.” —James A. LaGasse
Sorry for the loss of your best friend, James. We’re so glad he was there for you all those years—and you for him.
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.
Fire-resistant bag keeps valuables safe!
This silicone-coated fire-resistant bag will save your money, documents, jewelry, passport and other valuables from a fire. Its two layers of supreme fire retardant fiberglass material make it resist fire and heat up to 2000℉. It’s waterproof, too, so when the hoses arrive, your valuables won’t be harmed. Learn more or order.
Leave here with a laugh
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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
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It is good to read about pets who have traveled the country and had a great life even though it was their time for their eternal rest. I had same who was 15 traveled all over the country even stepped into all of the great lakes. It was a great life for him and a year ago last May it was his time to forever rest. I love reading about how pets bring enjoyment to their pet parents even after they have long gone on to their eternal home. Pass the kleenix…..
It makes me sad when the pet of the day has passed. I wish people would leave that part out of their article. The articles are so good until the sad part that the pet has passed. I hope future writers leave out if the beloved pet has passed.
I totally disagree. The love, of our very short lived dogs, doesn’t stop with their passing. Our respect for that love, expressed through photographs, is important and certainly viewed as was intended, that love never ceases. By all means we should accept that loss as it was lovingly told to us in the photograph.
True. Thanks, Brian. And our readers’ empathy for the loss of the beloved pet is probably appreciated by the grieving pet owner, i.e., “We’ve been there and know what you’re going through. We can see that your pet aka family member was loved and they loved their humans right back. Hang in there.🤗” Take care, Brian. 🙂 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Next time I’m in Japan I will definitely try the deep-fried maple leaves. 🙂
Hey Tommy, you don’t have to go to Japan. I have 2 sugar maple trees in my front yard in Colorado. For every one you eat, it’s that many more I don’t have to bag up!
I am definitely so there to try that as well. Sounds interesting to say the least.
Shall we meet at Scot’s in CO and eat some of his fallen leaves? 🙂
LOVED the laugh of the day! Made my morning, thanks!!
Sorry for the loss of Remi. Sounds like he was a good protector, and camp buddy!
I’m really impressed how you guys add a little commentary to various articles that you publish. It just adds a little personal touch that you won’t find in any RV forums or other RV newsletters/publications, be it good or bad. For instance, the little comforting reply to the pet of the day. I’m sure the readers appreciate it. We do anyway.
Totally agree!
Thanks, Bill and David.👍 We sincerely care about our readers and we’re glad to hear that “it shows.” Also, this is just more proof that our articles and newsletters are human-generated and not AI-generated. (A year ago I would have said, “What the heck is AI?”🙄) Have a good afternoon/evening. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
We had Safe T Plus installed and Koni shocks and we are very SATISFIED!! Highly recommend the folks at Tallapoosa. Tiffin 38KA
Yes, I would try fried maple leaves.