Issue 2200
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
“As it has been said:
Love and a cough
cannot be concealed.
Even a small cough.
Even a small love.” ―Anne Sexton
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Burnt Ends Day! (These are those smokey “burnt ends” of brisket BBQ. Yum, yum, yum!)
On this day in history: 1897 – The Tremont Street Subway in Boston opens, becoming the first underground rapid transit system in North America.
Tip of the Day
We recently ran this in our Full-Time RVer newsletter, but we’re running it again here so everyone can see.
Our gas was stolen! Tips for protecting against fuel theft
This was a first for us: The first time someone stole fuel from our truck. We’d taken our fifth wheel to an acreage in the country approximately three hours away from our stix-n-brix home. In exchange for full hookups and fresh country air, we were helping friends build their new house. The beautiful Ozark Mountains provided a wonderful backdrop to their home site and things were progressing at a steady pace on the build. The furthest thing from our minds in this peaceful setting was protecting ourselves against fuel theft.
It must have happened during the nighttime hours. We didn’t hear a thing. When we fired up the truck a few days later, we noticed that our fuel level was significantly lower than before. We’d been robbed! If we were going to continue working here, we had to figure out some ways to protect ourselves from further fuel theft.
Here are ways to prevent fuel theft we’re considering…
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
My RV’s absorption fridge quit. Can I replace cooling unit with 12-volt model?
Dear Dave,
I am the original owner of a Jayco Eagle 308RLS travel trailer. The Norcold fridge (N611RT) has finally given up. The freezer still freezes well, but the refrigerator portion does not cool at all. I have been thinking about a replacement cooling unit, especially one that is just 12 volts. I have 900 watts of solar on the roof and 400 amp hours of lithium batteries. Your thoughts on doing this myself? I am fairly mechanically inclined, and I have several buddies that I camp with that are very mechanically inclined. —Seann, 2009 Jayco Eagle 308RLS
In the RV shop with Dustin
How to clean and prep RV roof sealants and surface before resealing
An RV owner in one of my Facebook groups posted the below photo and wrote, “Can I get some info on the product needed and tips for fixing this, please?” She wanted to know how to clean and prep RV roof sealants before beginning the resealing process.
Video of the day
Travel Nursing 101: Is travel nursing right for your RV lifestyle?
By Cheri Sicard
Are you a healthcare professional thinking of getting into travel nursing? Travel healthcare is on the rise and in today’s connected world, it’s easier than ever to take your profession on the road.
The video below is the first in a 12-part series from the team at No Ordinary Path, who credit travel nursing with giving them the opportunity to live a nomadic full-time RV lifestyle while maintaining a way to make a decent living.
Bicycle modification helps mobility-challenged couples
A reader sent us this photo. How wonderful! This would be a great way for two people of widely different physical abilities to explore the outdoors. Check this out!
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Travel trailer stolen with RVers sleeping inside
- RVers and their RV awning woes
- A quick, easy way to make sure your RV stays cool at the next campsite
- Norcold fridges keep failing—I’m done! New Amish fridge is a winner!
Reader poll
For couples: How many times a day do you kiss your partner?
Your hands won’t be tired or in pain with this caulking gun
Completing repairs and maintenance is a whole lot easier when you have the right tools on hand. Reseal your RV with the BEST caulking gun! This one is favored by RV technicians. If you’ve ever had to reseal any part of your RV, you know how tired your hand gets. This relieves that hand pain and makes the job easy. Learn more in this article, or buy one here.
Quick Tip
RV storage ideas? Think outside the cabinet
The folks at Home Is Where We Take It came up with this unusual but fascinating idea. When looking for RV storage ideas, think outside the box. Can you use the end of a cabinet for something? “We added this can storage to the side of our cabinet near our stove. We got ours from Walmart and it was super easy to install. Since Glynn has gone on a plant-based diet, we usually stock up with cans right before a trip. This side cabinet is perfect for the cans, though, as it’s an otherwise unused space. If you don’t use cans, I could easily see using this space for shoe storage or maybe a great place for kitchen wraps/Ziplocs. If you have small kids, this would be a great place for activity containers. There’s no need to waste space when you don’t have it to waste!”
On this day last year…
- Tip: Keep your RV drinking water safe
- RV Review: Keystone Arcadia 3940LT—better bunks
- Ask Dave: Indoor lights only work when ignition is on. How come?
- Video: SUPER RARE VW bug gooseneck trailer, parts I and II
- Featured article: Work camping tips from the experts
Website of the day
The most breathtaking view in every U.S. state
We have to say, we do agree with many of the views on this list. Of course, it’s hard to choose just one in each state though!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Are you a snacker? Well, what’s the one snack you’d NEVER eat? Is it this? We bet it is! Or would you?
Clubs and useful organizations
PLEASE NOTE: We may receive an affiliate commission if you join any of these.
• Harvest Hosts: Stay free at farms, wineries and other scenic and peaceful locations for free. Save 15% on membership.
• AllStays: The best website for RVers! Your membership will become your RV-bible.
• Boondockers Welcome: Stay at homes of RVers who welcome you in their driveways, yards, farmland or other space on their private property. Modest membership fee.
• Escapees: Best Club for RVers: All RVers welcome, no matter what type of RV, make or model.
• RV LIFE Trip Wizard: Make your RV road trip planning easier than ever.
Recipe of the Day
Mamma Ang’s Cavatini
by Angie Webb from Centennial, CO
This cavatini recipe will make your house smell like a pizzeria! We loved using whole wheat pasta, ground turkey, and turkey pepperoni. It helps to make this recipe a little healthier. The contrast of the meat sauce mixed with the creamy meat mixture is perfectly balanced and divine. Butter some garlic bread and toss together a green salad for a completely delicious meal.
Trivia
Did you know each of those red/orange and white sections meant something? If not, now you do!
*Who was it that took the very first hot air balloon ride? Did they survive? Bet you’ll never guess… Find out in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“We have had Pink (American Pitbull Terrier) since she was born and that was 13 years ago this past February 20th. She travels with us on our trips and is just a loving sweetheart. She is our family!!” —Gilbert Ibarra
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.
Don’t take a break on your brakes!
Every RVer needs one of these!
Wonder what it would be like to have your brakes go out while you’re going down a long, steep grade? You might find out if your brake fluid is moisture-contaminated. Water in brake fluid boils and can wipe out your braking ability! Buy yourself a brake-fluid tester for about $10 that warns you if there’s too much water in your fluid. Simply dip the tester into your rig’s brake fluid and you’ll be able to see where you stand. Learn more or order.
Leave here with a laugh
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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
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Help desk: Contact us
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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I love this newsletter and look forward to reading it each morning with my morning coffee, even when I’m just sitting at home in my office…
Thanks for the kind words, Don! We appreciate them, and we appreciate YOU! Take care. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
No Michelin?? 🙁
I read a bunch of the reviews of the ‘snack’ spiders. Even a video. I’ll be passing even though the NWO thinks we should be moving in that direction. Yuk. My cousin showed up one day (back in the 50’s) with a can of chocolate covered ants. I think they might have been chocolate covered raisins but the can said “ants”. We gobbled them up!
But they can KEEP these spiders! Where’s the chocolate?
That table design could really get some traction.
I get soooo tired of these designs
Yep, and I used to do all of my grilling over charcoal until I discovered firestone was much less messy. 🤣
Had to read it twice
Me, too
Same here. That’s why I added the caption under the picture.😅 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Me, two !