Issue 2199
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
“Time is the longest distance between two places.” ―T
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Eat Outside Day!
On this day in history: 1897 – Thomas Edison patents the Kinetoscope, the first movie projector.
Tip of the Day
How to diagnose your RV’s air conditioner health
Certified RV technician Chris Dougherty shows you a way to diagnose the health of your RV’s air conditioner (or air conditioners) using an infrared thermometer. It’s a simple process, but one most RVers have likely never thought to check. Chris recorded this video while he was the technical editor of RVtravel.com.
Continue reading and watch the helpful video
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
How can I tighten up my RV’s lock mechanism?
Dear Dave,
The deadbolt lock (top lock on the door) is sloppy and I have a hard time locking and unlocking it with the key from the outside. What can I do to tighten up the lock mechanism? —Bob, 2007 Fleetwood Fiesta LX
RV Tours
First look! 2024 Rockwood Geo Pro 20BHS Travel Trailer
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, the team from Rousseau’s RV Walkthroughs is here to give us a first-look tour of the 2024 Rockwood Geo Pro 20BHS travel trailer. The new 2024 model has some exciting changes over previous years’ Rockwood Geos.
The 20BHS model features a dinette slide and bunk beds. I like how all three windows in the slide open in order to provide some nice cross-breezes. You don’t often see that in slides, especially on small rigs.
Video of the day
How to choose a perfect pineapple in 3 easy steps
By Cheri Sicard
Earlier this year we did a post about choosing the perfect watermelon. It proved so popular we thought it would be a good idea to feature another fruit that can be incredible, or lackluster, depending on which one you choose. To keep you from ever serving lackluster fruit, the video below from HealthNutNation will show you how to choose a perfect pineapple. Not just any pineapple, but a sweet, juicy, flavorful, amazing pineapple.
For good measure, the video also shows you how to cut a fresh pineapple. For some reason, a lot of folks are unnecessarily intimidated by this task.
Around the Campfire: To grease or not to grease a trailer’s hitch ball?
By Gail Marsh
To grease or not to grease a trailer’s hitch ball? That was the question around the campfire a few nights ago. Everyone seemed to have an opinion about greasing the trailer’s hitch ball, and were eager to share in the discussion. Read more.
HEY, FULL-TIMERS! You didn’t miss yesterday’s Full-Time RVer Newsletter, did you? And, guess what? It’s not just for full-timers—all RVers will enjoy it! Read it here.
Reader poll
Do you let the water run while you wash your hands?
Quick Tip
Taking the chill off bedroom walls
Tom P. writes about a problem—and a fix: “In our motorhome, we were always rolling against the cold walls in the bedroom. I went to one of the big box stores, bought some very thin carpeting and double-sided taped it to the wall. Problem solved, no cold wall.” Thanks, Tom!
On this day last year…
- Tip: What’s In The Shop? RV suspension inspection and upgrade
- Ask Dave: What batteries do you recommend for both chassis and house?
- Video: Amazing time lapse DIY truck camper build
- Gadget: Finally! A phone mount for car or RV that works and keeps us safe
Website of the day
Could you survive a run-in with a bear?
Well, could you? Take this fun, interactive quiz and see what it says. Learn some useful tips to be bear-prepared!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
You’ve never going to believe it… but this is what came up when we typed in “helpful RV tool.” You can see proof in the search bar! Don’t hate us for showing you this—you’ve got to have a sense of humor!
And the Survey Says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 2,500 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 38 percent bought their first RV more than 30 years ago
• 69 percent say they always or mostly always turn the lights off when they’re leaving a room at night
• 63 percent say they prefer to be constantly moving when in their RV. They say it’s about the road trips – moving often, exploring, sightseeing, etc.
Recent poll: If a stranger asked to use your RV bathroom, would you let them?
Recipe of the Day
Grill Chicken Thighs w/ White Barbecue Sauce
by Missy Wimpelberg from Franklin, TN
Tender and juicy, these grilled chicken thighs are an affordable meal. The seasoned skin is perfectly crisp while the meat stays juicy and tender. We loved the white barbecue sauce. It’s slightly tangy with just a little bite. It’s delicious alongside the grilled chicken thighs.
Trivia
The first European travelers in a hot air balloon were a sheep, a duck and a rooster. Joseph and Jacques Montgolfier, the French brothers who invented the hot air balloon, made this first successful launch and eight-minute flight in 1783 in the presence of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. All three animals survived.
*What type of alcohol is the most popular worldwide? Take a guess, then check yesterday’s trivia for the answer.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Lily and Mabel, a Bichon and Toy Poodle. The girls love to travel to see and smell new places. Always on the lookout for people that may want to pet them.” —Sally Summerfield
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!
Book is a must-have for state park campers!
This book, “50 States: 500 State Parks,” is a must-have for all state park campers and explorers. The book is a beautiful visual journey through America’s best state parks. Whether you’re looking for stunning vistas, rare wildlife, a dose of history, or an enjoyable hike, the state parks offer an array of experiences. Learn more or order.
Leave here with a laugh
A ghost walks into a bar and orders a whiskey. The bartender says, “Sorry, we don’t serve spirits here.” (groan)
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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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When our daughter came home from bible camp she sang a song I am not sure what the original lyrics were but we went camping a while later and some how the lyrics we changed them after we let our dog out of the car at the campsite and he went from tree to tree to tree. The lyrics we came up with was I am so free to pee on every tree….and it stuck for years after. Sadly our Teddy passed away last year but we have a another male dog that does what he did. So free to pee on every tree…..
The only thing I’ve ever lubed my hitch ball with is blood from my shins!
In no way do I want that plastic ram wrapped in TP any where near me and what’s up with the smiling people? Looks like the old toilet bowl cleaning wand…re-purposed!
Reader poll doesn’t account for whether you are hooked up to water and sewer or if you are boondocking with no hook ups. Two entirely different approaches to washing hands.
Therefore …sometimes? That’s how I sorted it out…agree with your analysis, yes the situation dictates.
Anyone else having a problem with links producing the “Shopify” page – and no way to get it set up?
Good idea for cold wall in the bedroom now for the bigger problem, the cold walls in the shower!
Indoor outdoor carpeting??????
Wow, that mystery product of the day is a laugh! What will they think of next!
Apparently the Romans used a sponge on a stick in their public baths