Issue 2242
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.
Today’s thought
“The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” —Eden Phillpotts
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Halloween! Need we say more?
On this day in history: 1913 – Dedication of the Lincoln Highway, the first automobile highway across the United States.
Tip of the Day
Tips for removing that musty smell from RV towels
By Gail Marsh
You grab a towel to dry your face and it hits you. Ugh! That horrible, terrible, no-good, musty smell! Gasping for air, you quickly drop the stinky towel to the floor as you try and figure out what just happened. That towel came from the cupboard. It’s clean! So, what’s up with the smell? And, more importantly, what can you do to get rid of that stink forever?
Your RV towels may smell musty occasionally. Here’s why. Over time, detergent and fabric softener residue builds up within the fabric of the towel. This buildup can prevent your towels from drying completely. Then, bacteria develops on the towel, causing mildew to form.
Ask Dave
What maintenance does my RV roof air conditioner require?
Dear Dave,
What is involved with maintaining my RV’s air conditioning unit? Thank you! —Randy
Camping with the Corps of Engineers
Many RVers consider Corps of Engineers campgrounds to be the best in the country. This guide is just for RVers – boat-in and tent-only sites are not included. Of all the public lands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has some of the best parks and campgrounds available. In fact, it’s the largest federal provider of outdoor recreation in the nation. Learn more or order.
RV Tours
2024 nüCamp TAB 400 luxury tiny trailer
Being on the road these past few years I have run across several nuCamp TAB (or T@B) owners. They all shared one thing in common. When asked about their RVs, they could not sing their praises enough.
OK, it’s anecdotal evidence, but I have yet to meet a TAB owner who didn’t love their RV. After watching the tour from Eddie Gape of Veurink’s RV Center in the video below, I can see why.
Our top 5 most popular articles in October
- He accidentally tore off his awning. His RV insurance company gave him a brand-new RV for it!
- Disabled Army officer writes: ‘Enjoying our parks helps with PTSD’ but ‘Americans are being farmed for money; can’t even escape to the outdoors’
- RV sneak peek—Grand Design Serenova single-axle travel trailer
- Look out, Camping World. Blue Compass RV is in town!
- RV engineer answers: Is maximum towing capacity just smoke and mirrors?
Video of the day
The most haunted campgrounds of the Northeast and Southeast
By Cheri Sicard
Join the team from Holly’s Lore, a YouTube channel that explores paranormal phenomena, for their list of the most haunted campgrounds in the Northeast and Southeast United States.
Camp Rutledge, Georgia
This campground is located in Hard Labor Creek State Park (now, that sounds fun), between the towns of Bostwick and Rutledge, Georgia. You’d never guess by the bucolic vistas in the two group campsites here that they come with a gruesome bloody history. Watch the video for a concise history of the Morgan County Massacre that occurred here in 1813.
Click here to watch (and be spooked!)
Is new RV composite building material a game-changer?
By Ross Regis
The alchemists of ages past sought to transmute common, basic elements into that most prized of possessions: gold. (They weren’t much different than today’s crypto miners, those digital chemists bent on transforming 0’s and 1’s into cold cash.) Anyway, Material Science engineers of the modern era have accomplished something similar. Weaving together the humble elements of polypropylene and fiberglass, a company called Hanwha Azdel has created a unique construction sheet material: Azdel. And Azdel in RVs has taken the industry by storm. If you haven’t heard of it, just turn around. … It might be listening in your walls. Learn more.
Reader poll
What will you do tonight to celebrate Halloween?
RV’s leather furniture cracking, peeling or looking dull? Here’s a fix
Dustin Simpson writes, “Everything from the oil in your skin, the products we wear, sun exposure, moisture in the RV, and storage temperatures can cause the materials on your RV furniture to break down. Do regular cleaning: wiping off furniture with 303 Leather 3-In-1 Complete Care to regularly remove sand, dirt, and other grime. The best way to maximize the longevity of your furniture is to keep it clean because when oils, dirt, and other residues have time to soak into your furniture, the quicker those materials break down.”
Quick Tip
Measuring the height of your RV
Responding to a tip on measuring the height of your RV for safety, Terry W. writes to remind us: “It should go without saying—but often it doesn’t—in the case of 5th wheels and even travel trailers, measure the height when CONNECTED to the tow vehicle.” Point well taken, Terry. Thanks!
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: When RV is plugged in to shore power, why isn’t house battery charging?
- RV Electricity: Solar generator updates—Bring your band!
- Video: Do you dare drive these five spooky California haunted roads?
- Featured article: A historic home run: Road trip stops across the U.S. for baseball fans
Website of the day
Seasonal Food Guide
This website is very cool. It shows you what foods are in season at your location. Select your state, the month, and any type of produce (or all produce) and it shows you a list. We’ll be using this often!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
In the spirit of trick or treating, giving this to someone would be a REALLY mean treat… but mwhahaha… we love it.
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:
• 25 percent have spent the night in their RV in a Cracker Barrel parking lot at least once.
• 26 percent of “part-timers” hope to go full-time someday.
• 54 percent say their RV has at least two air conditioners, maybe more.
Recent poll: Will you watch the World Series?
Recipe of the Day
Killer White Chili
by Suzanne Mills from Huntsville, AL
We can see why this white chicken chili has won so many awards. It has the perfect balance of spice and creaminess. Each bite just gets better and better. Easy to make, whip up a batch when you’re in the mood for comfort food.
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Trivia
Candy wasn’t given out on Halloween until the 1950s. Before then, it was pieces of cake, fruit, nuts, coins and little toys that were handed out. Today, one-quarter of all candy sold in the U.S. is purchased for Halloween.
*When was candy corn invented? What was it originally called? How much of it is made each year? Yesterday’s trivia tells you all about Halloween’s favorite sweet treat.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
Rally (Border Collie) loves to travel with us. When we start packing our fifth wheel he knows it’s almost time for a new adventure. He follows us around and can’t wait to put on his harness and get in the truck.” —Stacey Coville
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.
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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Tonight we have candy, donuts. Hot cocoa, hot cider, cold cider and hot wine (for the adults). Let the fun begin.
Well prepared to celebrate. Great job.
Bah humbug! Lol
I buy candy just in case someones grandchild is visiting our resort. Then we start eating it. Hoping no more then 4 kids show up.
I am returning mine. I was told by the neighbors in years past lots of children show up. Last year and this year none. Boo hoo I miss this time of year and seeing all the great costumes. O well maybe this is the end of an era?
Boo!
To add to the measuring the height of your RV, when the factory gives the height they are measuring with the unit level. If you are towing with a 4WD truck that sits higher you definitely need to allow for that height, especially if it’s a 5th wheel that says the height is 13’4”.
Halloween is on a Tuesday, not Monday as stated in the survey. 🙂
Thanks, Larry. I forgot to click on the poll itself when I proofed it (just saw the code). It’s been fixed. Trick or treat!🎃 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I gave my daughter the Mystery Product of the Day last summer. She was so happy for about
5 minutes, until she read the back.😂
I had to see this for myself. This is not how to win friends but then again a great gag on those you really do not want to see ever again.
When I first opened today poll I suspected the day was incorrect, so I did as Rvtravel has for years suggested. “we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human!”
I closed the poll and went an independently verified today day of the week. I then returned to the poll. 🤣
I was trick or treater age in the 1950s when some handed out fruitcake and such. Those went on a mental list of who not to visit next year. However, those were the same people that had warm cocoa for me when delivering papers in the winter.
Thank you Emily and Diane! 🙂
I was trying to figure out what to do in terms of decorations for Halloween. OMG I love the photo and yes I am definitely doing this next year. Love it. My neighbors told me last year they had no children and this year same. But in years past tons of them. I really missed handing out candy to them. Guess I return the candy today.