Issue 2260
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
“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” —Eckhart Tolle
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Flossing Day!
On this day in history: 1932 – In Washington, D.C., the FBI Scientific Crime Detection Laboratory (better known as the FBI Crime Lab) officially opens.
Tip of the Day
Holiday decorations for the RVer: These fit into a shoebox!
By Sandi Sturm
I have been searching the internet to get some ideas for holiday decorations for the RVer. I saw page after page of lights and trees and pillows and rugs and – and – and… The truth is, I have no dedicated space to put holiday decorations, especially for multiple holidays. One page suggested you mail your decorations back home – or someplace – after you were done.
Really?
There may be space for a very small box, such as a plastic shoe container, in our “garage” storage area. That is all the space I am willing to give up. So that is my challenge.
The solution may be to use natural materials that can be returned to nature, composted, or eaten by local wildlife. Did I mention I am also quite frugal?
Ask Dave
How do I get RV black tank sensors to work with correct readings?
Dear Dave,
How do I get the RV’s black tank sensors to work with correct readings? —Ray, 2021 Columbus
TODAY IS BLACK FRIDAY! Get the best deals of the year!
- Click here for the best Black Friday automotive deals
- Here are the best deals under $25
- The best electronics deals are here
- Here are the best sales for women’s clothing and men’s clothing
- All other Black Friday deals can be found here.
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Why should you install RV insect screens to protect your appliances?
By Dustin Simpson
RV insect screens can protect your refrigerator, furnace, and water heater from being damaged by bugs and other pests. Propane has a garlic byproduct in it that attracts the bees, spiders, mud daubers, birds and small rodents into your appliance chambers and burner areas. I want you to think of it like us having a barbecue. Critters (and the debris that comes with them) in your appliance can cause serious damage to them or even cause a fire.
Video of the day
6 cheap and easy small RV hacks with BIG results
By Cheri Sicard
The video below from Chris of Why Wait (one of my new favorite RV YouTube channels) shows some quick, easy, and inexpensive RV hacks that yield BIG functionality results.
Let’s dive right in and explore Chris’s RV hacks.
15 camping games and puzzles that make the perfect gift!
Wondering what to give to the families on your holiday gift list this year? Face it! The kids already have too many toys, and gifts for teens can be rather tricky. Most adults buy what they want when they want it! So, what’s left? The perfect gift: the gift of time together. Check out these 15 games and puzzles that will be a blast for everyone!
RV Tire Safety: RV weighing worksheet and selecting the PSI for your RV
Tire expert Roger Marble explains in detail about RV weights, where and how to get your RV weighed, and what to do with the information regarding your RV’s tire pressure once you get the weights. Learn all about correct tire inflation. It’s all spelled out for you here.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- RV industry insider sees tough times for RV dealers—What’s ahead for RVers?
- RVer warns “not to buy anything from 2020-2023 due to manufacturer defects”
- Starlink “Roam” news of interest to RVers
- How to fix stripped-out screw holes in your RV: 3 simple methods
Speaking of missing things… You didn’t miss Wednesday’s new Full-Time RVer newsletter, did you? If so, make sure you read it here!
Reader poll
Will you be eating Thanksgiving leftovers today?
Device keeps fresh water tank clean
Tony Barthel writes: “The RV Inline Sanitizer is the simplest of solutions. It’s essentially a reservoir in which you put bleach and then use a source hose and a delivery hose to fill your fresh water tank. The sanitizer effectively adds the bleach as you fill the tank. It is truly that simple.” Read more about this nifty device here.
Quick Tip
Trailer towing on icy roads
If you are towing a trailer on icy roads, go slowly, especially downhill. Use the lower gears. You may be able to gain additional traction for the tow vehicle by moderately releasing the tension of the load equalizing hitch. Always readjust the hitch after the icy road condition has passed because vehicle stability may be affected during normal driving conditions. —From California DMV
**We’d like to add: When towing on ice or wet roads, loosen or remove friction-style sway controls.
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: I lost the water heater tank rinser inside the tank. Help!
- Video: How to make Dutch oven biscuits and sausage gravy
- Featured article: Cornhole meets bean-bag basketball in this game for RVers
Website of the day
Road Trip USA
Warning: You will want to road trip after looking through this list of classic American road trips. Click on any one of the road trips listed for detailed information.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Sometimes these can be pretty tacky (maybe you agree, or maybe you love them), but this one would give us a good laugh if we drove past it. Spread the holiday cheer, why don’t ya?
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
Holiday Croquet
by Jean Abram from Dalhart, TX
If you have a bit of this and a bit of that leftover from your holiday meal, reinvent them and make these holiday croquets. Not only are they easy to make, but they are also delicious. Stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and turkey meat are formed into a patty and then fried. Once fried golden brown, the crispy outer shell is a lovely contrast to the warm, soft center. Drizzle with turkey gravy when serving for a tasty lunch or snack.
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Trivia
The days between today, Black Friday, and Monday, Cyber Monday, capture 20 percent of all holiday online shopping. Wow!
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“I rescued Huey (Labradoodle) when he was one year old. He’s been my traveling buddy for 3 years and loves camping and riding behind me on the bed and being a backseat driver.” —Daryl Bortel
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.
The best holiday gifts for RVers in 2023
Are you looking for the best gifts for RVers this holiday season? This list can help with suggestions for all tastes and budgets. Starting from the least expensive to the most, there’s something for every RVer on your list! Check these out.
Leave here with a laugh
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Oh, and if you missed the Latest News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.
Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): chuck@rvtravel.com
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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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Years ago, I had to drive on a highway after freezing rain. I drove so that the right-side trailer wheels were on the rumble strips. That kept me a bit more in control. Still, no fun at all.
Hope you guys had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Glad you took the day off!
After driving a school bus on ice I would never in my right mind ever drive with a trailer on ice. I like living.
100%!!
Thanks for Todays thought. I appreciate what I am enjoying right now.
Huey is a happy doggie and it is so wonderful he is loved by a nice RVer! Good life😊🐶
One rule of thumb to live by: If you have to drive on ice…. DON’T!
No place is more important to get to, if it cost you or someone else their life.
I live in a snowy climate. My advice is to not tow period if there is ice or snow. It might take another day, but the sun will come out and the roads will get plowed. It’s just not worth the risk to you or others to tow a trailer through the snow or ice.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Safe travels! 🙂
You’re (always) welcome, Neal. And backatcha. (That’s showing this persnickety proofreader’s “wild side.”🤣) Have a good night. 😀 –Diane