Issue 2220
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 greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is International Happy Goose Day. The celebration goes way back to the 5th century. But today, it’s celebrated by eating goose (etc.). So maybe it’s a good day for humans, but not for the fowls.
BTW, it’s also National Coffee Day. [Emily, I can’t believe you missed this!😲–Diane, a non-coffee drinker] Click here (USA Today) for tons of specials regarding coffee today.
On this day in history: In 1829, England’s first professional police force, London’s Metropolitan Police (often called Scotland Yard, which was the site of its first headquarters) was founded. It became a model for future police departments in other countries, including the United States.
Tip of the Day
Tips for storing those bulky water bottles while RVing
By Gail Marsh
They crowd our RV countertops and can cause chaos in the RV cabinets. They are a necessity for us but seem difficult to store. I’m talking about reusable water bottles or insulated sports hydration bottles. We take hydration bottles whenever we RV, and they can be a nuisance to store in our small space. Add in the grandkids’ water bottles and I’ve got a big storage problem in a small RV space. If you struggle with this, too, perhaps you can use one of the tips that I share below for storing water bottles while RVing.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
My Class C has a leak and I see water in the bunk window track. What should I do?
Dear Dave,
I noticed a leak in one of the overhead windows a while ago and caulked the top and sides outside and thought this cured the problem. On our way home the other day, through heavy rain, my wife started getting dripped on. When we got home, I climbed up in the overhead and found that the window tracks were filled with water, and it was dripping down onto the sill and down the wall. On the bottom of the outside of the window are 4 slits. Are these drains, and is there a way to clear these out? Do I need to remove the window and reseal it to the body? Or do I need to replace the window? —Steven, 2019 Sunseeker 3010
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Front cap removal and replacement from start to finish
This is a real unit, with a real problem, and it’s in our real shop. This series was created in hopes of helping you better understand your unit and how to best maintain it. This episode shows you how we removed and replaced a front cap—from start to finish!
Video of the day
Boondocking truck camper captures Bigfoot evidence on camera?
By Cheri Sicard
Hannah Straight, Pharm.D., of the Dr. Hannah Straight YouTube channel has a strange encounter while out boondocking in her popup truck camper. Here’s her bigfoot evidence story and sighting…
She was awakened from a sound sleep to the sounds of someone rummaging through her truck cab, and when she peeked through the window she saw a large hulking shape too big to be human.
Click here to watch (and be convinced!)
Make your RV’s bed more comfortable without buying a new mattress
By Nanci Dixon
Finally! I had a good night’s sleep on an RV mattress! RV mattresses are notoriously bad. All you have to do is visit any RV-related Facebook group and read the comments to learn that! We started out with a “premium” factory-installed foam mattress. It was so soft we automatically curled into the fetal position when getting in for the night. It was so uncomfortable that we turned it over to the hard base side. … Read about Nanci’s long search and what she finally found for a good night’s sleep here.
These were our most popular stories this summer…
- Reader suggests campgrounds should be split: one part for “campers” using amenities, another part for “travelers”
- How to choose a watermelon: 3 things to look for in perfect melons (Are you as surprised as we are that this is our second-most-read article this summer?!)
- Campsites suddenly available. Are RV parks too expensive now?
- “Campground rates are so high we put our RV into storage.” More RVers throw in the towel
Reader poll
Did you end up working in a career you dreamed of as a child?
3-in-1 NOAA radio, flashlight and phone charger must-have for RVers
This emergency hand-crank radio is a necessity for RVers. Keep it somewhere safe, you never know when it will come in handy. The 3-in-1 radio is also a bright LED flashlight and a smartphone charger. The radio can be charged via solar charging, hand cranking or a USB plug. You’ll want to buy one here.
Quick Tip
Best order to hook up utilities at campsite?
Beginning RVers often ask if it matters in what order they hook up utilities at the campsite. The answer is, not technically. But it’s a good idea to start with the electrical hookup while your hands are dry. Then hook up the fresh water while your hands are clean. Finally, hook up the sewer lines. And then wash up. From the ABCs of RVing.
On this day last year…
- Tip: How to help prevent winter RV roof damage
- RV Review: 2023 Keystone Outback 271UFK—front kitchen debut
- Ask Dave: Can we just open RV’s drain valves to winterize?
- Video: RV organizing with Dollar Tree and IKEA items
- Featured article: Camper’s death could have been prevented with a satellite messenger. Don’t let it happen to you!
Website of the day
Fall Foliage Prediction Map
Planning on peeping at some leaves this year? This map shows you when leaves will be at peak color in your area. Simply move the slider bar across the bottom dates to see what’s ahead.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
This is high on our list to get because we’ve heard such wonderful things. Are you familiar with it?
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
Potato Chowder Supreme
by Laurie Lott from South Williamsport, PA
Meat, potatoes, corn, and great taste… all rolled into one supreme chowder recipe. This is a hearty soup filled with smoky flavor from the bacon and pops of sweetness from the corn. Super creamy, the shredded cheese and green onions on top are a delicious final touch.
Trivia
According to Guinness World Records, the longest and heaviest dog ever recorded was Aicama Zorba of La-Susa, an Old English Mastiff owned by London resident Chris Eraclides. In 1987, Zorba weighed 343 pounds and measured 8 feet, 3 inches from nose to tail.
*Are there really fish bladders in your wine? And hair in your hot pockets? What the heck are we talking about? Find out in yesterday’s trivia.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Bear traveled with us for 10 years but passed on early, just after his 11th birthday. He loved sitting on our motorhome dash when we were parked and would keep an eye on anyone traveling by our coach. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body. The funny thing is that every person that we camped with each winter knew his name but not ours.” —John Mitchell
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!
Here’s everything to do if you lose your pet. This is an excellent resource!
Every driver needs to keep this nearby in case of emergency
This little gadget could save your life. This emergency keychain can be used in case of emergency situations such as vehicle rollover, electrical system failure, car fire, floods, sinking and more. The razor-sharp seatbelt cutter will free you within seconds, and the tempered glass window breaker will easily break your vehicle windows. Keep this where you can reach it while you’re driving. At all times.
Leave here with a laugh
A doctor advises an elderly couple to write themselves little notes to combat their forgetfulness. When they get home, the wife says, “Dear, will you get me a dish of ice cream? Maybe write that down so you don’t forget?” “Nonsense,” says the husband. “I can remember a dish of ice cream.” The wife replies, “Okay. Would you add some strawberries on it?” To which the husband replies, “No problem — a dish of ice cream with strawberries. I don’t need to write that down.” And so he goes to the kitchen and his wife hears pots and pans banging. The husband finally returns and presents his wife with a plate of bacon and eggs. She looks at the plate and asks, “Hey, where’s the toast I asked for?”
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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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Thank you, Emily and Diane! Hmm, … so much needs saying.
The suggested order of utilities is great and extremely logical (and sanitary). Accidently, I have done it that way for years. Usually, we only need/want electric, and we are supposed to be plugged-in (on generator) to extend slides. So, it unfailingly is first. Sometimes, we also want water and it always comes second. I only connect sewer ahead of dumping, so it is always last.
The funny perfectly described my in-laws IF the two are reversed (i.e., husband instead of wife, and wife instead of husband). So, y’all have a camera or two in their house? 😉
Regarding laugh of the day when I was a child my dad told me that “ when your mind forgets your feet remember”. I am now understanding that completely.
“A Woman of No Importance” is a great book! Very interesting story – loved it!
Another great book that I read recently is “Lessons in Chemistry.” Highly recommended!
I always wanted to be a nurse. My mom kept a picture I drew in kindergarten as a nurse. I am a registered nurse , worked for 45 years and loved it.
Bear looks like a sweet boy….sorry for your loss.
He spent such a short time with you but will remain in your heart until you die.
Thank you. He was a rescue dog in that he kept us busy and stopped us from old age doldrums. We have been lucky in that 5 years later we got another small girl, and she is still with us. This morning she climbed up onto my chest and slept with me for 1 hour. A great way to start a day.
I remembered to write something but I forgot what to write, oh well I’ll have some bacon. Lol
Re: the order of hookups. As you recommend, I always put shore power on first, and water second. But we only need to dump about once a week, and there’s no point whatsoever in having a stinky slinky draped across your campsite when it’s not in use. So: I don’t bother hooking up sewer until/unless I’m ready to dump. I’ve never understood why anyone sets it up right away and leaves it in place. Maybe somebody can enlighten me?
I leave drain hose hooked up to drain my gray water the valves of which I leave open.
Agree with you Don, only put sewer out when in use and then back to storage.
I agree with it all except leaving the grey tank open. The only time I do that is when we are taking showers. There is still stuff in the grey tank that needs to washout and that requires a fuller tank.
Happy Goose Day everyone!!!! I thought that was in February.
Yay!! Goosed the wife this morning in celebration, and she threatened to hit me with the frying pan…😬
🤣🤣 Have a good afternoon, Bill. 😀 –Diane
Leave hear with a laugh sums up our marriage, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Bigfoot looked a lot like a coffee commercial to me. 🙂
Regarding what to do when you lose your pet: With a view to being proactive, we have little round tags on which we print the the campground and site number of our current location. Just go to Amazon and type in “round tags with metal rims” and you will be able to choose from a number of selections. When we move to another campground we just remove the old tag and write up a new one to put on the dogs’ collars.
That’s a great idea.
I would add a step to the ones suggested in your Quick Tip. Before hooking up the water, I spray a sanitizing spray on the water hookup. You don’t know if the person before you made the bad decision to rinse their black tank hose out under the water faucet (ewww!).
Or, as I once witnessed, a lady letting her large male dog lift its leg and urinate all over the spigot in the empty site next to me. That one convinced me to start carrying a spray bottle of bleach!!!
I agree and do the same. However, the very first thing I do is check the power pedestal, for proper polarity and volts, before hooking up the electric.
Leave here with a Laugh!!! Hilarious
Yep! I’m still smiling!…
You think that’s hilarious, we are living that, just wait, if God allows you to live into your 80’s you’ll experience it too.
Nice to see the return of the previous commenting tools – my sole complaint is the max comment size. I know I tend to be verbose, but on technical issues there often isn’t a way to shorten necessary steps to maintain context – and photo uploads are not supported.
I noticed the ‘return’ of the comment section of old yesterday. Nice.
Yep!
I like the return of comments too. It took a while to learn the other format, now I have to relearn this one again. I guess I should have written down the various steps, … on my way to the kitchen. That was RVT with strawberries, … right?
Hi, Jim. If you don’t have room for your whole comment, you can always reply to your comment to continue it right below. And, BTW, thank you for all of your good comments–always appreciated.👍 Have a good afternoon. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com