Issue 2227
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
“Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Walk to a Park Day!
On this day in history: 1913 – U.S. President Woodrow Wilson triggers the explosion of the Gamboa Dike, completing major construction on the Panama Canal.
Tip of the Day
What to do about a sticky black tank valve
By Chris Dougherty
Chris Dougherty is a certified RV technician. Here is a letter he received from a reader while he was serving as RVtravel.com’s technical editor.
Dear Chris,
Pulling the black water handle on my 2012 Entegra is getting more difficult compared to the gray water side. Is there any way to ease this or prevent the sticky black tank valve from getting even more difficult? —Ed
Dear Ed,
This is a common issue that black tank valves have over time and with repeated use. Lubrication wears off and material can get trapped in the track for the knife valve.
The best way to fix this for the long haul is to service the valve.
Ask Dave
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and author of the “RV Handbook.”
The check engine light in RV came on and it needed three oxygen sensors. Really?
Dear Dave,
The check engine light in my RV came on. I took it to the mechanic and it needed three oxygen sensors. How does this help the RV? Can they just be cleaned instead of replaced? What else is necessary for the good of my Allegro for the winter season? Thank you. —Elle, 1997 Allegro Star
RV Tours
Tour an amazing vintage 1987 Airstream 345 Classic motorhome!
By Cheri Sicard
Patrick Botticelli normally does Airstream tour videos for Colonial Airstream in Lakewood, New Jersey. They are of new Airstreams the dealership is featuring. But in the video below he changes pace and takes us back in time to revisit an Airstream that has long since been discontinued, the Airstream motorhome. In the video, we get to look at the massive 1987 Airstream 345 Classic Class A motorhome.
NEW FACEBOOK GROUPS
RVing Widows and Widowers: Moving on after losing your spouse.
Southeast RV Travel: Where to go, what to see, what to do.
Video of the day
Size matters! Best size RVs for RVing in national parks
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, the team from Camper’s Report discusses an important topic that many new RVers may be unaware of. When it comes to RVing in national parks and state parks, size matters!
Our ambitious host, Jim, made a spreadsheet from state and national parks around the country to determine what the best length RV would be for someone who primarily wants to stay in these kinds of campgrounds.
Here’s what he discovered as to RVing in national parks and campsite size…
Presidential history buffs, add these places in “flyover country” to your travel plans
By Gail Marsh
Here’s something you may not know: Many people in the Midwest actually like our region being known as “flyover country.” Why? Because it keeps our beautiful parks, regional attractions, and great RV campgrounds readily available for those of us who love to live here. Here in “flyover country” we are proud of the folks who called the Midwest “home” and then they each went on to become one of the most powerful and well-known people in the entire nation: the President of the United States. Read about several of those presidents and places to visit here.
Reader poll
How often do you buy a lottery ticket?
Quick Tip
A few gas saving tips from AAA
Here are a few quick tips from AAA about how to stretch some extra miles from a tank of gas. (1) Minimize your use of air conditioning. Even at highway speeds, open windows have less effect on fuel economy than the engine power required to operate the air conditioning compressor. (2) Plan ahead to accomplish multiple errands in one trip, and whenever possible travel outside high-traffic times of the day. (3) If you own more than one car, use the most fuel-efficient model that meets the needs of any given journey.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Yep, you can use your salad spinner these 7 other ways
- RV Review: Alliance Paradigm 310RL—2023 updates
- Ask Dave: Slide room works, then doesn’t, then works, then doesn’t…
- RV Electricity: Flooded lead acid battery safety reminders
- Video: Removable and easy DIY short bed truck camper version 2.0
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Okay, now this is hilarious. If you have someone you share a bathroom with, you absolutely need to have this!
Website of the day
The Weirdest Roadside Attraction in Every State
This list is way too much fun… and way too weird! We want to visit all these places! How many have you been to?
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:
• 45 percent say that hotter weather will deter them from traveling to traditional snowbird destinations.
• 20 percent of couples say they get along better while traveling in their RV than they do at home.
• 9 percent admit to being totally addicted to their cell phone.
Recipe of the Day
Cincinnati Chili
by Linda P. from Cincinnati, OH
This is not your typical Tex-Mex chili. They do it differently in Ohio and this is pretty authentic Cincinnati chili. Adding cocoa, allspice, and cinnamon to typical chili spices sets this apart. It looks like your typical chili with meat and big chunks of onion, but after one bite you know the difference. At first, you taste the chili and cumin. As the chili lingers in your mouth, there’s a hint of chocolate and cinnamon. Serve over spaghetti and choose your favorite way to enjoy this hearty chili.
Trivia
In 1919 it took an army convoy 62 days to drive from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco. The convoy showed that not only was the American highway system inadequate for moving goods and people, but also for national defense. Lt. Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower was on that trip, one he never forgot. As President, he signed the 1956 Federal Highway Act to create our interstate highway system. Today those 47,000 miles represent only 1 percent of all roads, yet carry 20 percent of all traffic, including 40 percent of all truck traffic.
*What was the very first metal ever used by humans? Yesterday’s trivia tells you.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Niles (Shetland Sheepdog) is an ex-show dog who likes to camp and travel or eat. Yep, that’s his favorite hobby.” —Dean Fickbohm
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!
Pet First Aid: The basic kit you should carry with you at all times. This is important!
The best trash can for your car or RV
Don’t let trash litter your car or RV! This small trash can is made for cars and can be attached to either a headrest or the center console with adjustable straps. When it’s not being used, it collapses flat. The trash can is leakproof and waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about anything spilling. This could also be used as a storage container for drinks, snacks or even pet toys. Learn more or order.
Leave here with a laugh
“I’ve got to get rid of our new chauffeur,” Arthur complained to his wife, Mirabelle. “His driving is terrible. He almost killed me three times!” “Oh,” pleaded Mirabelle, “just give him one more chance.”
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
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Editorial (news): chuck@rvtravel.com
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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.
I get 14mpg towing my 9500lbs trailer with a 2005 Chevy Silverado, 2500HD with Duramax diesel. When not towing, I get about 18mgp.
The best fly over for me was when president Fords body flew over my house. They stopped in Willow Run and after take off flew over my house low enough for me to see the presidential seal. I waved at the plane and you won’t believe this but the pilot used the wings as a wave. So cool I will never forget this.
That is really cool, Jillie. Goose bumps for you when that happened, I bet. Have a good afternoon. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I get a solid 9.5 to 10.2 mpg on my Chevy 6.0L Class-C by setting my cruise to 62 mph. These readings on trips from Ohio to GA and from OH to WY
What readings?? Only accurate way to get the real average mpg is by dividing the miles driven by by the gallons used…..over many, many fill ups.
The description of Roswell is pretty right on. As a lifelong destination dream, I was finally able to spend a couple of nights in Roswell at a quaint little RV park. We had a ball visiting many of the “alien-themed” stores and attractions. We also had made friends with a couple who was stuck in Houston for the same reason we were, who lived in Roswell. We met up with them and got a whole lot of Roswell history explained to us. All in all, outside of the near-unbearable heat we encountered, Roswell was a fun place to visit. I would go back again, but at a different time of the year. 😉
Great picture of Shetland Sheepdog Niles. We also have a Sheltie but seldom see the breed anymore when travelling. Niles is definitely a gorgeous champion.
According several mpg tests modern vehicles actually get better mpg’s using A/C than rolling down the windows as manufacturers design the cars to run with the windows closed.
Yup, the facts don’t lie. As counterintuitive as things may seem, the tests results are clear. As well, in a pickup truck, better mileage is achieved with the tail gate up, not down. Some people remove or open tailgates believing it reduces drag and improves mileage, but they are wrong. It hurts mileage opening the tailgate.
Absolutely true as to the pickup truck tailgates staying up…
Actually, like many things in life, the answer is not a simple yes or no. At speeds up to about mid-40’s, it is better to go with the open window. Once speeds get above that (as, for example, on the highway), the use of A/C is more efficient. Of course, if you are sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, use of the A/C is much better for your comfort!
Quick Tips on fuel mileage.
Why not state the obvious one, which is to simply SLOW DOWN! I pull our 35′ 5th wheel at no more than 55 mph. Fuel savings are close to 25% vs. pulling at 65-70 mph.
One part of your “quick tip” is false: opening your car window hurts gas mileage more than running the air conditioning. Maybe back in the 50’s to 70’s it may have been the reverse, but air conditioning is much more efficient now.
You are correct Gordon. Also the aerodynamics of vehicles today are so much better, it’s been proven that windows up and AC on is best for fuel mileage.
Weirdest roadside attractions. I have been to several on the list, but one stands out.. It was the Bordello Museum in Wallace Idaho. In my working days I was in Wallace at least twice a year from 1982 until I retired in about 2007. the man that started the Bordello Museum was a friend of mine, who was one of the mine maintenance crew.
I must admit that during all those years my inquisitiveness got the best of me and I did visit all four of the operating bordellos at the time. Not for the reasons many of you might think. Drinks were cheaper in the bordellos than in any of the 14 bars in that town of about 1400 people.
haha. Yes true story. It was the most fascinating area I went to.
Niles is gorgeous. Happy he is retired and enjoying camping 🐾