Issue 2265
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
“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? It’s December! It’s also National Rosa Parks Day, National Eat A Red Apple Day, National Pie Day, and National Bartender Day!
On this day in history: 1913 – Ford Motor Company introduces the first moving assembly line.
Tip of the Day
Disaster readiness, RV style!
By Janet Groene
After surviving the bullseye of Hurricane Idalia, I realized there is disaster readiness, and then there is RV disaster readiness.
At home, you’re prepared for the most likely disasters according to known risks at your home latitude, topography, seasons, and infrastructure. When traveling in an RV, it’s smart to be aware of emergencies that are new to you such as the flash floods in canyons out West or storm surges in coastal campgrounds.
Ask Dave
My RV’s electric water heater trips the main breaker. Why?
Dear Dave,
My electric water heater is causing the trailer to lose power. The LP heater can be on. My question is what would be the top three causes of this? It has been fine until now. Just tripped. I replaced the 30A breaker in the camper thinking that would do it. —Skip, 2022 Grand Design Transcend XPLOR 245RL
Rub on stain remover laundry stick and stains are gone!
Cheri Sicard loves the Cadie Stubborn Stain Remover Laundry Stick. She writes, “What is so great about a laundry stick stain remover? It’s the consistency of a stick deodorant. You just rub it on the stain and toss the clothes in the hamper until laundry day, when you wash as usual. Presto! No more stains.” Learn more about it here.
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Applying a roof coating to your RV: How to do it and why you should
Join me in the RV shop as I explain more about applying a roof coating to your RV. Doing so can offer several benefits, helping to protect and extend the life of your RV roof.
Here are some advantages of a roof coating on your RV
Video of the day
Boondocking for beginners: How to camp without hookups
By Cheri Sicard
Robin Barrett of Creativity RV, one of our FAVORITE RV vloggers, has produced a terrific video on boondocking for beginners. If the concept of camping without hookups is new to you, you will want to check it out. (And I know from the comments in RV Travel’s Facebook groups there are a lot of would-be boondockers out there looking for info on how to get into it.) In this video, Robin covers the why, the where, and the how of boondocking.
Who was the little girl in the tent trailer talking to?
A reader wrote: “It was more than 50 years ago, while we were camping in the wilds of Colorado in a fold-down tent camper, soft sides and all. My daughter, who was 4 years old at the time, woke me in the middle of the night. She was standing at the open door of the camper, which I thought was locked, calling ‘Come on boy, come in here, come on.’” Read more to learn who she was talking to.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- 6 cheap and easy small RV hacks with BIG results
- How do I get RV black tank sensors to work with correct readings?
- A blocking burro leads embarrassed RVers on a long “walk” of shame
- Questionable RV design: Fancy dinette makes no sense
Reader poll
If offered a hot dog, hamburger or pizza, what would you most times choose?
Sewer fitting grip help! Gadget to the rescue!
If you find the bayonet mounts for your sewer hose connections are getting a bit hard to twist off and on (hate to say it, but it sometimes comes with age), here’s a tool that might help. An adjustable oil filter wrench, made to get a grip around automotive oil filters, can also provide a handy grip and plenty of leverage on the bayonet fitting of your sewer hose, and the termination cap as well. Here’s one we recommend.
Quick Tip
Basic RV buying advice
When you set out to buy an RV, never buy the first one you like, at least right away. Take your time. Do plenty of research. Just because it’s pretty doesn’t mean it’s good—or good for you. Never buy a rig without thinking about a salesman’s offer overnight. And for tall people, never buy an RV without stepping into the shower to make sure you fit while standing straight up. And for everyone, never buy an RV without sitting on the toilet and making sure the bathroom door will close. In rare instances it may not. Never assume that all RV designers are geniuses. (Understatement?)
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: Why is my truck’s combined GAWR higher than the GVWR?
- Video: Incredible stylish DIY RV shower rebuild
- Featured article: Replace your RV’s annoying two-cavity sink with one large one
Website of the day
The best Christmas markets in the U.S.
‘Tis the season to go Christmas shopping, fa la la la laaaaa… Check out Time Out’s list of the top 10 Christmas markets to visit in the U.S. Have fun!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
No butter, no fat, just… just… pure cheesy magic! How is it possible? You’ll see. We’ve gotta get this!
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
Grilled Chicken and Tortellini Salad
by Peggy O’Brien from Avon Lake, OH
The ingredients in this recipe combine to make one fabulous dish. With the grilled chicken and tortellini, it’s hearty enough to be a light dinner. The frozen tortellini adds just enough cheese to the salad. Sun-dried tomatoes and Italian dressing give the salad a ton of flavor. It’s a universal meal everyone will love. Leftovers make a great lunch.
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Trivia
How long does it take you to fall asleep at night? If you said about 7 minutes, you’d be like the average American.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Clover (Dalmatian mix) thinks she can drive our C Class RV and curls herself into the driver’s seat. She is a rescue from Mexico and loves it here in Tucson, hanging out in her RV with her loving pet parents.” —Suzanne Bell
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
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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Clover! You look like you have mastered the “C” Class. Happy RVing and Merry Christmas! Don
The Mystery product of the day. I have one and it doesn’t come anywhere near a real grilled cheese done the old way. But, I am not good with instructions.
Second time I’ve seen this ad in this newsletter and I still don’t know why I would want to put an ice cube on my hamburger while grilling it.
I know… I flipped through 75 tips and never did see the ice cube/hamburger tip…. WTH?
Hi, Betty. That must be an auto-inserted ad from Google. Different ads show up for different people based on their location as well as what they have looked at on the internet before. There’s not much that we can do about it, unfortunately. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
How do you know when you’re asleep? Have your partner ask every minute “ are you asleep?”
That is about the stupidest question I’ve heard
I set my alarm to go off every 10 minutes just so I know I got a good night’s sleep.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Clover is adorable! Looks so sweet!