Issue 2270
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 earth has its music for those who will listen…” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day!
On this day in history: 1980 – Former Beatle John Lennon is murdered by Mark David Chapman in front of The Dakota in New York City.
Tip of the Day
Tips for using five-gallon buckets for the RV and campsite
By Gail Marsh
You may have one or two five-gallon buckets stacked in your RV basement right now! There are so many different ways these buckets (and lids) come in handy when camping. You need to check out the following tips and hacks for RVers for five-gallon buckets because they can make RVing easier. Check these out and see for yourself.
Ask Dave
When using solar panel, should I turn off inverter when plugged into shore power?
Dear Dave,
I have 300 watts of solar on my rig. I would like to use this solar-generated power in lieu of 120-volt shore power while I’m plugged into shore power. Does this occur automatically, or do I need to turn off the inverter somehow? Thanks. —Fermor, 2017 Coleman 185RB
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!
In the RV Shop with Dustin
About custom RV tow hitch modifications
Join me “In The RV Shop” as I talk about custom tow hitch modifications that came through the shop. You can enhance the towing capabilities and overall functionality of your RV by modifying your tow hitch. However, it’s important to approach any modifications with careful consideration of safety, legal requirements, and compatibility with your RV and towed vehicles.
The owner in these photos wanted to increase and reposition the bumper to gain hitch height, as we upgraded the hitch capacity and left room for a spare tire carrier.
Here are some potential custom tow hitch modifications you might consider.
Video of the day
Tour this amazing luxury DIY stealth camper from box truck
By Cheri Sicard
The video below from the Techno Barbarian shows the end result of more than nine months of planning, execution, engineering, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and persistence. That’s what it took to build this DIY stealth camper and toy hauler. I think it was worth it, as the results are pretty darn spectacular!
The Barbarian builds RVs for a living, so he began by asking his client what was needed and desired. The client wanted a comfortable, stealth tiny home that was also a toy hauler. OK!
Why you should have road hazard tire insurance
By Roger Marble
Are you prepared for the cost of tire failure? When buying new tires for your RV, one thing to consider is road hazard tire insurance. That is especially true for ST-type tires you put on a trailer or fifth wheel. If you have a failure, it could be blamed on some impact or cut which would not be covered by any manufacturing warranty. But with road hazard insurance any failure would be covered. Even something unusual, as seen here. [You have to see this.🤣]
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- The time has finally come: I’m disenchanted with RVing
- EV charging prohibited at 50-amp campsite pedestal, sparks debate on remote charging challenges
- Dealer charges for RV walk-through. Regarding quality, says, ‘That’s the way the RV industry is these days’
- Dangerous driving—scary stats say more than half of drivers are doing it
Reader poll
In what decade were you born?
Give the most patriotic RVing gift of all time
If you’re going to be patriotic, why not do so with an American flag made out of motorhomes? How cool is this shirt? It comes in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes, so you can match with the whole family. And it’s 100% cotton so you know it will be soft! This is so neat! Get one for yourself here.
Quick Tip
Save money when dining out
By Jerry Minchey
When you want to go out to eat, search out little mom-and-pop restaurants. The big fancy restaurants where all of the tourists go are usually overpriced, and I find that most of them are not unique. They are just cookie-cutter tourist restaurants. Fellow campers sitting around the campfire will tell you where the hole-in-the-wall little restaurants are in the area that serve great local food at non-tourist prices. Tourist restaurants don’t give you a flavor of the local area anyway. And, of course, don’t go out to eat very often. Going out to eat should be a special event. Treat it that way and you will enjoy the experience a lot more. —From Secrets of RVing on Social Security. Available on Amazon.
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: How long will 100 W solar panel and two batteries run residential fridge?
- Video: 8 tips to improve and preserve your RV propane system
- Featured article: Not wearing gloves while dumping? Big mistake!
Website of the day
42 Famous Houses From Movies and TV Shows You Can Actually Visit
Visiting sets where movies and TV shows were filmed is always fun, and it would be so neat to see some of these houses in person along the road. Don’t you agree?
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
We love that we can learn how to do this “without dying”! This no-dying-allowed activity is perfect for RVers. See what we mean, and don’t die!
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
Shrimp Kabobs
by Terrie Hoelscher from Harpers Ferry, WV
Need a quick and easy meal? Give these shrimp kabobs a try. The hardest part is waiting for the shrimp to marinate for an hour. After that, you’ll have dinner on the table in 10 minutes. Once grilled, the shrimp are sweet and tangy with a slightly smoky taste. Full of flavor, we love how easy this was to throw together.
[wbcr_snippet id=”337364″ title=”AHM Video Recipe Widget”]
Trivia
According to The Street, hackers can use your stolen personal information to make a profit by selling it to the dark web. For example, Social Security numbers can sell for roughly $1 each, according to an estimate from Keeper Security. Complete medical records are the most profitable for cybercriminals as they can sell for up to $1,000 each.
YOU DIDN’T MISS yesterday’s brand-new Great RV Accessories Newsletter, did you? It’s filled with RVing winter gadgets, gifts, and much, much more. Read it here.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“We decided to buy an RV specifically so we could travel with our dogs, Rubi and Ceniza (both mixed-breed rescues from Mexico). We all love the woods. Friends were curious how the dogs were taking to the travel. This photo assured them all was okay for their traveling doggie friends.” —Debi Kuhn
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!
Rubi, Ceniza and all your other dogs need a gift, too! Check out these Christmas gifts for dogs (and dog parents).
Here’s an idea for you: Record your history
Record your family history on your iPhone or video camera. If you want some inspiration, we recommend you get the book To Our Children’s Children. It will prompt many ideas of what to talk about. Your children and grandchildren will appreciate this when you are gone. Think about it – wouldn’t you love it if your parents had done this for you?
Leave here with a laugh
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the Latest News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.
If you shop at Amazon.com we’d appreciate you using this link. We get an itty bitty commission if you buy something, but they add up and help us pay our bills (most importantly our hard-working writers!).
Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): chuck@rvtravel.com
Advertising. Information here
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.
RVtravel.com is a participant in many affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of the potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers.
Mail us at 9792 Edmonds Way, #265, Edmonds, WA 98020.
This newsletter is copyright 2023 by RV Travel LLC.
I will never, never, never, never, EVER pick my own mushrooms!
Nope !!
I’m the same way, Tommy, and I have dozens of types up at my mountain property–especially in the rain forest-type portion of it. Orange, purple, you name it. I have every color, shape and size of mushrooms and fungi. Very interesting and fun to take pictures of, but that’s it for me. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane aka Mountain Mama
You only pick the wrong one once! I really don’t care to eat mushrooms even if they come out of a can, I don’t necessarily trust the caliber of mushroom pickers today if it’s like anyone else in the labor market.
Ditto!
“Fellow campers sitting around the campfire will tell you where the hole-in-the-wall little restaurants are in the area that serve great local food at non-tourist prices. “
This will work, but also will driving to the small town “Court House Square” and asking the ol’Timers setting around the Square, in bench seats, “the best place to get lunch?’!
Thank you, Emily and Diane!
“Today is National Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day!”
I already did that next week.
🤣Good one, Bob! Have a good yesterday. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com