Issue 2268
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 question is not what you look at, but what you see.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Miners Day!
On this day in history: 1884 – The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., is completed.
Tip of the Day
See new sights and save with Groupon while RVing
By Gail Marsh
Traveling around the country, we’ve seen many special events, attractions, and museums. We’ve also undoubtedly missed many interesting sights along the way. But not anymore! I’ve found a way to make sure we see more and still save while RVing. And you can too!
You may have heard about this company or even used it in the past to get discounts on goods and services. (I used it years ago and had forgotten about it. You should know that I’m not a paid promoter of Groupon. I recently rediscovered the company and wanted you to know about it, too.) Groupon, a Chicago-based company, launched back in 2008. Today, Groupon is a global e-commerce marketplace that offers coupons, discounts, and cashback on purchases by folks around the world.
On Groupon, you can find discounts for a wide variety of activities and services—along with products you may need while RVing.
Continue reading for great deals
Ask Dave
After repair to RV’s slide roof, something is sticking up under new roof membrane. How to fix?
Dear Dave,
Last year a tree limb fell and punched a hole in my RV’s slide and awning. Insurance paid for most of the new roof and awning. When I went to winterize the camper I discovered a nail or screw sticking up under the new roof membrane. It has not poked through yet. I had issues with the repair shop about the awning after picking it up. I do not want to go back to this repair shop. My question is, can I cut a small hole and remove or push the screw in and repair the incision I make? —Joe, 2017 Z-1
RV Reviews
Forest River Surveyor Legend 203RKLE—You can count on that counter
Today’s RV review is of the Forest River Surveyor 203RKLE travel trailer.
Overall if given the choice of this, the East To West or Grand Design models with this same floor plan, the Surveyor is hands-down the winner. While it was already a model I liked, the changes made for 2024 just absolutely seal the deal. I think this is a trailer worth seeking out if you’re thinking of something smaller and useful.
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Cool Tools: A cheater plumbing vent cap
By Dustin Simpson
It is common to have items on your RV roof become sun damaged and then eventually break or go missing. A common one would be the plumbing vent. There are many times that you can get away with replacing just the cap and not the entire vent—where you have to remove the roof sealant and putty tape.
I want to introduce you to a cheater plumbing vent cap.
- RV stocking stuffers: Awesome inexpensive RV gifts under $20
- The best holiday gifts for RV DIYers
- The best holiday gifts for RVers in 2023
- The best holiday gifts for RV cooks
- 15 camping games and puzzles that make the perfect gift
- 14 of the best RV Christmas sweaters for this holiday season
Video of the day
7 awesome affordable camping gadgets that SHOULD be expensive but aren’t!
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, the team from Playing with Sticks has compiled a list of seven affordable camping gadgets that deliver big benefits beyond their small price tags. In fact, our hosts say they deliver so much value, they should be more expensive than they are!
Our host stresses that you should not equate a low price tag with subpar quality either. The camping community has rigorously tested each of the items on the list. Besides representing great economic value, most of them pack down small to save you precious cargo space too.
Talkin’ RV Tech video: Basics of lithium batteries
Watch a recording of a live Talkin’ RV Tech program with Dave Solberg and Dustin Simpson. Before a live virtual audience they discuss whether lithium batteries are right for all RVers. After all, it doesn’t make any sense to pay $1,000 to $2,000 for these high-technology products for RVers who do not dry camp or boondock. Read more and/or watch the program.
Reader poll
Will you/did you put up a Christmas tree this holiday season?
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.
EVER WONDER HOW shopping on Amazon can help support us here at RVtravel.com? Here’s how.
Quick Tip
Drive straight and slow over speed bumps
Try to hit speed bumps straight on (both wheels over at the same time) and very slowly. If you drive over them at an angle (one wheel over slightly ahead of the other), your coach will rock back and forth, from side to side, especially in the back. Even going dead slow (creeping), driving over the speed bumps at an angle may cause the coach to rock enough to actually cause things to fly out of the upper cabinets! This is true with the small speed bumps, too. —From Ron Jones, About RVing.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
This would look so beautiful at night in your RV! We want this as we curl up with a good book!
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: Quick RV Tech Tip: A new twist on why GVWR does not match GAWR
- Video: Easy RV freshwater hack for safe drinking water
- Featured article: Campground etiquette: PLEASE turn off that noisy generator!
Website of the day
The Best Diners in America
It’s hard to beat a good diner. It’s even harder to beat a huge plate of melt-in-your-mouth pancakes, or ham and eggs if that’s more your thing. Here’s a list from Food&Wine of the best diners in America.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- Do you need to weigh the RV and adjust tire inflation each trip?
- Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in Wisconsin
- This is what your RV says about you
Recipe of the Day
Healthy Chicken Tacos
by Sena Wilson from Lake Jackson, TX
This guilt-free taco is yummy! The avocado salad is fresh and creamy. Tomatoes add a pop of sweetness. Lemon pepper seasoning really adds a lovely citrus flavor to the salad and chicken – it’s a must. We loved lightly frying the tortillas. It adds a crisp texture to the tacos that pairs with the creamy filling. Add your favorite toppings and you have a tasty, healthy weeknight meal.
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Trivia
7-Eleven stores were originally called “Tote’m Stores.” Back in the 1920s, the Southland Ice Company operated a chain of ice houses around Dallas, TX, where customers would stock up on ice for their ice boxes. An employee at the time, John Jefferson Green, got permission to start selling basic kitchen goods such as milk, eggs and bread at one of the 16 stores. The model was very successful and, eventually, all other stores adopted selling other kitchen and food products. The stores were renamed “Tote’m Stores,” which was a nod to the fact that customers “toted” away their purchases. However, also at this time, one of their employees had brought back a large Inuit totem pole from a trip to Alaska and erected it outside their store. This is another reason it was named “Tote’m.” This pole was so eye-catching that pretty soon there was a totem pole in front of every store.
Today, we know “Tote’m Stores” as 7-Elevens. The stores were renamed in 1946 to reflect their new and expanded hours of operation.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“This is Layla (a “teddy bear” Shih Tzu/Bichon mix) in her booster seat ready to travel. Always secured to the seat for safety. A great companion who loves people and other dogs. A real sweetheart.” —Larry Fuchs
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.
Stay warm and cozy in RV slippers!
These adorable trailer-themed slippers are just what your favorite RVer needs to get them through the winter months. They’re ultra-soft, warm, and comfortable and have nonslip soles so you won’t slip and slide across your RV’s floors. They come in two sizes S/M and L/XL so every foot will be happy! Check ’em out here.
Leave here with a laugh
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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
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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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We put up an artificial tree, outside lights and blowup figures BUT never before Thanksgiving! As we get older the amount of decorations we put out gets less.
Me I enjoy the labors of everyone else, I thank y’all.
Yep. My wife and daughter told me that this year “YOU WILL NOT” get up on the roof of the barn to install my 5 foot lighted star or any lights along the roof line of the house.
The list of diners, specifically Florida, states that La Teresita is perhaps the most famous Cuban restaurant in Tampa. This is absolutely not true. The Columbia restaurant in Ybor City (the cigar rolling district of Tampa) holds this honor.
Carl, thanks for straightening that out.
My 1975 GMC Motorhome, because of it’s superb tandem rear wheel suspension, could easily take speed bumps at speed. Never even really felt them.
No wonder- those things were tanks.
Absolutely love the mystery product of the day. For our son who has almost everything
The “Healthy Chicken Tacos” sound good, but when frying the torts in oil, is not so healthy! You can do the same by heating on the stove top fire for hard shell, or in a tortilla warmer in microwave for soft tacos. As most of us get older, salt is bad for our blood pressure too! Now I’m hungry!
Absolutely loved the trivia story today. Whodda thunk?
I thought it had to do with the rate of inflation what used to cost $7 now costs $11.
Frank’s Diner in Spokane is a classic passenger rail car experience with great traditional fare. There are two locations. Very cozy on winter mornings.
Learn something new every day. I could post four dogs and really get the phone calls. What were you thinking.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! I’m still grinning as I recall today’s funny. 🙂