Issue 2253
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
“Sometimes I wonder if there’s something wrong with me. Perhaps I’ve spent too long in the company of my literary romantic heroes, and consequently my ideals and expectations are far too high.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day! Read today’s tip below for a few bits of advice…
On this day in history: 1806 – Pike Expedition: Lieutenant Zebulon Pike sees a distant mountain peak while near the Colorado foothills of the Rocky Mountains. (It is later named Pikes Peak.)
Tip of the Day
Tips for getting a stinky RV fridge smelling new again
By Nanci Dixon
To avoid a stinky RV fridge, when unplugging your RV from power and turning off the propane to your fridge it is important to remove all food, wash and dry out the refrigerator and freezer, and leave the door ajar. This is important for winterizing your RV or preparing it for storage, but it’s also important to do if you plan on selling your RV.
What can you do if you didn’t properly prepare the fridge before storage or something really stinky has penetrated its walls? What can help get rid of those terrible scents?
Ask Dave
Why does RV furnace cycle on and off until the temperature inside gets warm?
Dear Dave,
Hi. My furnace burner cycles constantly. It starts up, burner kicks in, and after 15 or so seconds the burner shuts off. The fan keeps running and the burner kicks back in after maybe 30 seconds, then shuts off again after 15 seconds. This repeats until the rig gets up to temperature, then the furnace and fan shut off as if everything was normal. So while eventually I do get enough heat, it takes forever and causes the fan to run way longer than it should. This happens whether on battery, shore power, or when running the generator. Maybe it’s the thermocouple, but it seems like that would shut the burner off immediately and not after 10 or 15 seconds. Thank you! —Greg, 2017 Thor Windsport 34J
RV Reviews
Wow windows—Keystone Arcadia 246SLRK fifth wheel
By Tony Barthel
Recently I got to review the new-for-2024 Keystone Cougar 260MLE fifth wheel at the behest of a friend of mine who’s shopping. A lot of the comments focused around the optional paint scheme on these. More than a few of you wrote to me saying you really like this floor plan, but the lack of camp-side windows is an issue.
As if Keystone anticipated your request, today’s RV review is of the Keystone Arcadia 246SLRK fifth wheel. This is another new floorplan from the company under their newer Arcadia brand and one that addresses a lot of the issues some of you had with the Cougar that we looked at.
Click here to read and take a tour
In the RV Shop with Dustin
A reminder to clean your RV’s fresh water tank every six months
I always refer to your RV’s fresh water tank as a dirty fish tank. Think of all the slime and bacteria growing in tanks and water lines. Whenever you go camping you’re getting water from a bunch of different sources. Well water, private land or even city water all have different chemicals and minerals in them. This is just another reason to clean and sanitize your RV’s fresh water tank and associated fresh water lines.
Video of the day
4 appliances under 700 watts to use with a portable power station
By Cheri Sicard
The video below from the Avian Mariner YouTube channel is a handy one for anyone who owns a medium-sized portable power station. In it, our charming hostess details electric appliances under 700 watts that can be run by one of these power stations.
Why fall is the best time to vacation in your RV
By Gail Marsh
Summertime! The word itself evokes visions of vacations. After all, the summer months are the time when most folks venture out for travel and exploration. Just because the summer is traditionally vacation time doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best for everyone. If you can travel in the fall, you may find more enjoyment than you ever imagined. Here are a few reasons why fall just may be the best time to vacation in your RV.
Attention Heat Pump Owners
A SOFT START ISN’T JUST FOR SUMMER COOLING!
The most efficient way to heat an RV is with a heat pump that’s part of a rooftop air conditioner. And by adding a SoftStartRV™, more appliances and other electric-powered devices can be used at the same time by freeing up more amps. Learn more here or order a SoftStartRV™ at a big discount.
Reader poll
Will your next passenger vehicle be powered by electricity?
If you drink wine, and you are an RVer, it is simply not right that you do not have one or more of these. See if you agree.
Helpful resources
• NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION
• ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION
• WEATHER ALERTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
• LATEST RV RECALLS
• DIRECTORY OF RV PARKS WITH STORM SHELTERS
• THE BEST RV TRIP PLANNER APPS AND TOOLS
Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.
If you enjoy this newsletter, please help us spread the word! Learn more here. It’s fun!
Quick Tip
How hot are your wheel bearings?
Your axle wheel bearings will need occasional attention. Feel with your hand at the hub to check for one that may be running hotter than the rest. Note: If the bearing is adjusted too tight or is running without grease it can get VERY hot! You must pay immediate attention to a hot bearing. They will either need more grease or adjustment, but replacement may be necessary. This is an excellent application for an infrared thermometer that will indicate the temperature at whatever it is pointed. — From “So, you want to be an RVer? And Enjoy the RV Lifestyle? [Revised].” Available on Amazon
On this day last year…
- Tip: 5 tips to increase (optimize) RV kitchen storage space
- Ask Dave: “I found the cause of the cold water line trickle!”
- Featured article: Academy Award winner and Airstreamer Matthew McConaughey’s exclusive interview
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Oh, you know we love a good pun! And an RV-themed pun? Even better! You’ll love this too.
Website of the day
Smart911
This is a free website that could very well save your life! It allows you to create a profile that is instantly shared with 911 if you ever call – this includes medical information and allergies, pet info, common addresses, phone numbers, photos and more. Sign up!
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- What decades of RVing have taught me
- You gave us the “good, the bag, and the ugly” on road service plans
- Help from a popular auto parts store gone wrong—battery bust!
Recipe of the Day
Green Bean Casserole Stuffed Mushrooms
by Liz Owen from Oklahoma City, OK
Two holiday favorites combined into a tasty appetizer. These stuffed mushrooms are a delicious and different appetizer. It fuses classic green bean casserole ingredients and stuffs them inside mushrooms. A tasty twist to a holiday classic.
Trivia
New York City has its own species of ant. The “ManhattAnt” appears to exclusively live in New York City where Broadway meets 63rd Street and 76th Street. The ant may have evolved on its own due to isolation in the city, and has adapted to a warmer, drier, concrete-covered environment.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Bella is 7 years old and loves to travel with us in the RV… ‘Where is my margarita?'” —Dave Craswell
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.
Forget single-use hand warmers, these are better
If your hands are always cold, this is for you! These rechargeable hand warmers are a perfect gift for anyone who spends time outdoors in the cold. The hand warmers have three levels of temperatures and warm up on both sides quickly. The warmers are charged via USB and can even be used as a power bank to power your cell phone and other devices. Stay warm with these.
Leave here with a laugh
A burglar enters a home. All of a sudden a voice pipes up, “I can see you, and so can Jesus!” Startled, the burglar looks around. No one is there, so he gets back to business. Soon, the voice repeats, “I can see you, and so can Jesus!” The burglar jumps and takes a longer look around the room. Over in a corner, partially obscured by curtains, is a caged parrot, which pipes up again, “I can see you, and so can Jesus!” “So what?” asks the annoyed burglar. “You’re only a parrot!” To which the parrot replies, “Maybe, but Jesus is a Rottweiler!”
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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! Bella is a cute puppy. The funny is an oldie but goodie.
National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day – If the entire Nation cleaned out their refrigerator today, what a stink and oh my! – the poor garbage men.
On the quick tip the way it is written someone will grab a very hot hub and get burned. You know there are people that will do that, the same kind of person that walks upon a wild animal to get a picture of them next to it.
Good laugh for the day 😄
Yep!
Just a note on the “Quick Tip”, do not touch the hub of a wheel bearing with the palm side of your hand if you think it is hot! Use the back side as the skin on the back is more resistant to heat. Better yet, just use the infrared thermometer.
SMART911 sounds like a good place for hackers and identity thieves to target. I have no idea why people put so much of their detailed personal info online, especially with foreign gov’t hacking programs targeting U.S. business & government systems.
Mystery product?? I made this sign for my pull behind motorcycle camper 30 years ago. Had it on the rear bumper.
Another good one I saw was the truck license plate that said “WE GO” and the trailer plate
“I GO TOO”
The “Dump Buddy” looks like a good idea but at $43 not so much
I agree
Me too.
Me three.
Add one more.
I picked up a hot water bottle (bag). Fill it with water when needed and lay over the stinky at the connection point….better than a rock.
Looks like I could make one out of an old face shield.