Issue 2193
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 mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Cuban Sandwich Day!
On this day in history: 1904 – The automobile tire chain is patented.
Tip of the Day
How to choose the right RV storage facility
By Gail Marsh
Soon we may need to choose a new place to store our RV. The company that currently provides space for our rig has just announced that it’s raising monthly fees. I suppose it’s because demand is up. Way up! We should have seen this coming. With more and more RVs purchased in recent years, more and more folks need a place to keep their rig when they’re not traveling. It’s the “supply and demand principle” in action. We have one month before our current lease expires. So, we have 30 days to choose an RV storage facility.
When searching for an RV storage space, there are several important things to consider. Here are the top considerations for us as we search.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
Are cleaning, reconditioning and spot sealing part of state safety inspection for RV?
Dear Dave,
After simply asking for a Virginia state inspection for my RV ($20), a “reputable” RV service center gave me an estimate for replacing the (2 axles) bearings – $650, roof cleaning and reconditioning – $1300, and spot seal – $800 (whatever that is). All I asked for was a yearly inspection for $20. What should I actually expect for a state inspection for my 2017 Winnebago Fuse with 22k miles? I researched and these are some of the things on the VA Inspection list: wear in bushings, kingpins, ball joints, wheel bearings and tie rod ends… among the usual check of lights, horn, driver seat, etc. —Bobby, 2017 Winnebago FUSE 2017 (Ford Transit 350 HD Turbo)
RV Reviews
A more affordable Super C—Coachmen Entourage 330DS
By Tony Barthel
One of the fun things about attending the FROG International Rally in Goshen, Indiana, is that many of the divisions of Forest River bring out their latest and forthcoming models for people to check out. Included in the units on the floor was a Coachmen Entourage 330DS, a “Super C RV” that Coachmen’s rep, Nick Venice, described as specifically targeting the more affordable side of that market.
In the RV shop with Dustin
RV entry door basics and damage prevention
No matter what manufacturer, year, make, or model your RV is, your RV’s entry door is widely used in the industry. Today, I’m inspecting the entry door of a 2019 Grand Design Momentum RV. We’ll be looking for any signs of water damage, leaks, or other issues with the exterior of the RV.
Join me below as I explain more about the door, the door frame, the screen and some basic info that all RV owners should know.
Video of the day
How to do emergency canine CPR and save your dog
By Cheri Sicard
The short video tutorial below, demonstrated by Dr. Erica W. Tinson, BSc, BVSc (Hons), MVSc, could possibly save your dog during an emergency, by teaching you when and how to properly perform canine CPR.
Black tank horror story averted: Our RV almost flooded!
By Nanci Dixon
At about two in the morning my husband gets up to use the bathroom and steps into a flood plain. After catching himself from slipping on the wet tile floor, he turns on the light and sees an abundance of water running past the door. Unfortunately, he wakes me up, too. It has been pouring outside nonstop for six hours and our first thought was that the vent was open or it was coming in the air conditioner vents. Nope. Then, I notice that the black water tank was at 100%. It has never been at 100%! Find out what caused the near-disaster, and maybe save yourself from a similar fate.
Reader poll
What flavor milkshake do you like best?
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
Find those hidden ticks before they find you!
If you’re RVing in tick country and like hiking in the brush, you want to give ticks the “brush off” before they can latch onto your skin. Of course, you’ll have already doused yourself liberally with tick repellent before you set out, but on your return, the nasty critters can be hiding out on your clothing. Here’s the ticket: Use a lint roller over all clothing surfaces to snag the blood-sucking beasties before they can move.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Keep this product on hand for easy RV underbelly repair
- RV Review: Thor Vision Vehicle concept EV motorhome
- Ask Dave: Can I move my RV’s toilet?
- Video: 9 motorhome driving tips that make it easy for ANYONE
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Are there measures you can take to determine if someone is left-handed? Well, we don’t know, but this is cool!
Website of the day
The 10 best U.S. national parks to see wildlife
Ready to see birds and snakes and alligators? Bats and porpoises and sea turtles? Then this list from National Geographic is for you!
Popular articles from last weekend:
- Reader suggests campgrounds should be split: one part for “campers” using amenities, another part for “travelers”
- Washington state Attorney General issues Cease-and-Desist Order in RV park dispute
- RV inspector picks the best 4-season trailers for year-round fun
Recipe of the Day
Cheesy Italian Ricotta & Beef Pie
by Michaela Boers from Copley, OH
We love that this easy dinner recipe had so much flavor. It reminded us of an upside-down pizza. The cheese layer seriously adds so much cheesiness to the recipe. Crescent dough, brushed with garlic butter and fresh Parmesan cheese, is an excellent topping. We were a little concerned when we opened the oven that we overcooked this. The butter really browns the top, so don’t be concerned. It was perfect. A great recipe to whip up after a busy day of work.
Trivia
Groceries represent half of Walmart’s sales, while Target grocery sales are closer to 20 percent.
*What was the very first aerosol can invented for? Take a wild guess then see if you’re right in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Finn is an almost-4-year-old Great Dane who loves to spend time in our 42-foot 5th wheel and travel with us. He’s a couch potato who enjoys hiking. Gus is a 4-month-old Labradoodle who is enjoying learning the RV lifestyle and who will hopefully be a good 5th wheel guest when he has some training under his belt.” —Patrick Porter
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.
Sewer fitting grip help! Gadget to the rescue!
If you find the bayonet mounts for your sewer hose connections are getting a bit hard to twist off and on (hate to say it, but it sometimes comes with age), here’s a tool that might help. An adjustable oil filter wrench, made to get a grip around automotive oil filters, can also provide a handy grip and plenty of leverage on the bayonet fitting of your sewer hose, and the termination cap as well. Here’s one we recommend.
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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In the late 60’s my dog Sally (a Fox Terrier), started running in tight 15’ circles as fast as she could. Then she would just fall over not breathing. My Scout training took over and I gave her mouth to snout breathing. 3-4 breaths would usually start her breathing again. There after we would intervene if she got the notion to run in circles. Altogether we had to revive her 10-12 more times through the years. It didn’t seem to have any lasting effect on her as she lived to be 20. Boy did it scare me the first few times.
What a very interesting, but kinda strange, story, Calvin. Thank you! I’ve heard Fox Terriers were hyper, but never realized they would take it to this degree. I’m glad Sally was fine after you revived her each time. Have a good night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Seems like the laugh of the day is a repeat/rerun?
Thank you, Emily. Fixed? I didn’t know it was broken. I guess being late to the party has its benefits from time to time. 🙂
Laugh of the day just proves that any old dog can get on the internet and create content using AI.
I bought one of these WORKPRO 12″ Adjustable Oil Filter Pliers for disconnecting my sewer hose couplers. This thing is awesome and makes a tight fitting easy to uncouple. So much so every time I use it at a dump station I get questioned about it. I definitely recommend it.
Sorry, all! The milkshake poll link is fixed. And now I want a milkshake… –Emily
Yes it’s fixed! And order me a strawberry one 😋
Thank you for the canine CPR video. I’d prefer never to have to use it on my pups or anyone else’s.
The National parks to see animals, never mentioned Yellowstone or Tetons. There are birds, plus Bears, Buffalo, Antelope, Elk, Deer, Mountain Goats, Wolves, Moose, Big Horn Sheep, Beavers, Otters, and all the furry animals that run around.
Right?!? Denali, Yellowstone, Tetons, Everglades……
I like milkshakes and antique shops so maybe there is some new business model to be considered.
If I’m going to get a milkshake, I want a FRESH butter scotch one, not an antiqe one!!! HA HA LOL
I have not been able to get a chocolate shake at most antique shops.There was 1 in parsonsfield Maine that had an ice cream shop in front a few years ago.
Who wants to go to a antique shop when they can stop for a milkshake. Someone screwed up on today’s poll.
Poll still links to visiting antique shops. Anyway I like a vanilla malt!
Strawberry shakes
The poll for this newsletter, which was to be on the flavors of milkshakes, actually links to a poll on visiting Antique Shops.
Be careful it’s not nice to question a journalist’s article.
Be nice Bob, and have a great day!