Issue 2275
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 surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day! Don’t have one of your own yet? Here are 14 amazing RV-themed “ugly” Christmas sweaters.
On this day in history: 1933 – The 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution officially became effective, repealing the 18th Amendment that prohibited the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol.
Tip of the Day
A road food trick: Ask the locals where NOT to eat!
By Barry Zander
“Where shouldn’t we eat in town?” I’ve asked the same question in a thousand towns around the country during our travels, far too many times for my wife, Monique, to endure.
That contrary question almost always gets the right reply. After a blank look, the store clerk proceeds to name a greasy spoon to avoid, and then adds, “… But while you’re in town, the best food is at [fill in the blank]. And, while you’re here, you don’t want to miss [such-and-such] Park, just up the hill from the old guitar factory.”
Ask Dave
RV decals are cracked and curling. What works best to remove them?
Dear Dave,
I bought this RV from a dealer “as is.” How do I remove the decals and adhesive? The decals are split vertically every 2 inches and curling. We tried an “eraser wheel” and it just gunked up the wheel while only removing a 10”x5” area of decal. I’m 68 and on a very low fixed income. This is my “Plan B” when I can no longer afford rent, but it has to look nice to be allowed in. —Deb, 2007 Keystone Cougar fifth wheel
Take an extra 10% off a GhostBed luxury RV mattress!
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In the RV Shop with Dustin
Improperly tightened grease zerk fittings can cause wheel hub failure
Join me “In The RV Shop” as I talk about wheel hub failure due to an improperly tightened grease zerk fitting. This can lead to a wheel coming off of the axle, increasing the chance of injury or crash.
According to Lippert, the supplier of the axle assembly, the grease zerk may not have been tightened properly on several axles supplied to Grand Design RV.
Video of the day
7 tips for camping with a cat
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, we join Ashley, aka The Tennessee Wanderer, for some handy tips about camping with a cat. Ashley and her cat, Rupert, (and a dog too) travel in a tiny restored fiberglass U-Haul trailer. If she can make camping with a cat work in that tiny space, I think anyone can. In the video, she shares some things that worked for her and some that didn’t.
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!
What I learned writing for the National Enquirer
By Chuck Woodbury
What I am about to tell you is a secret only a few of my closest friends know. It’s this: I once wrote for the National Enquirer. No kidding! It was back in the early 1980s, when the Enquirer was incredibly popular—its circulation was about six million (it’s now down to about 265,000). Continue reading Chuck’s great essay.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Oliver Travel Trailers: Too good to be true?
- Are cross-country road trips becoming a thing of the past?
- A few great tips for low-cost, no-crowds camping, including a cheap snowbird trick
- Be careful driving in these cities with the most aggressive drivers
Reader poll
Do you eat sushi?
Quick Tip
Emergency preparedness for the whole “family”
Is your RV your bug-out vehicle in case of an emergency? Many RVers keep a stock of non-perishable food, medications, etc., ready on board in case of an evacuation. But do your plans and preparation include Fido and Fluffy? The U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests:
- Stock at least a one-week supply of food and fresh water on hand for your pet, as well as a one-week supply of medication, if your pet takes medication.
- Include copies of your pet’s vaccination records and other medical records in your pet preparedness kit. Include information about your pet’s insurance policy, if you have one.
- Experts suggest that you also include photos of your pet to help others identify them in case you and your pet become separated.
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: Should we replace the water supply hose going to toilet?
- Video: 7 reasons to RV in Quartzsite and 3 reasons not to
- Featured article: You’ve heard of sleepwalking, but what about sleep-driving?
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
If you haven’t already seen this you’re missing out. We recommend it to everyone (and we mean everyone!) we know. It’s laugh-out-loud hilarious! You will love it!
Website of the day
Histography
This website is so neat! It combines sounds, animations and visuals so you can “relive” history through an interactive timeline. There are 14 billion years of history here. The information comes from Wikipedia and new events are added every day.
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
Macaroni & Cheese Comfort Bake
by Monette Peralta from Pacific Beach, CA
Want a fancier macaroni and cheese recipe? Make this the next time you need mac and cheese to serve alongside barbecue, at a holiday event, or just when you want comfort food for dinner. Torn pieces of bread give this casserole a nice buttery and crunchy top. The sauce is so creamy. Smoked gouda adds a smoky flavor and makes the sauce taste like there may be bacon. Rich, savory, and very filling, this will feed a lot of people.
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Trivia
Avocados do not ripen on trees. They have to be picked first.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Bailey and Biscuit (both Jack Russell Terrier mix rescues). These two love to travel and have adapted to life on the road.” —Barb Hauck
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 wildest multi-tool gadget…
This wild, elusive, totally unique multi-tool carabiner is perfect to keep on your key ring or backpack. When someone asks you for a screwdriver, wrench, can opener, bottle opener, cord-cutter, or ruler, tell them Sasquatch can help! Every camper and outdoor enthusiast needs one of these! It’s cool, but it will also come in handy at the campsite! Learn more or order. (Hurry, before he disappears again!)
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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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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Re: The wrapping paper laugh. Is that a clue to what’s in the package or who gets the package?
Not sure, but I’ll take it.
I’ll take 2….😊
Where can I buy that paper?
Best wrap job ever. OMG that’s funny.
I didn’t even know journalists had paper to write on 14 billion years ago. Did they scratch their recordings of history in the dust and hope the rain wouldn’t settle it. Where are these recordings of history kept. I’d like to see recorded history from 14 billion years ago, wouldn’t you?
Thank you, Emily and Diane!
Yes, and you too, Chuck!
Clicking on “Oldest first” doesn’t work. Stays on “Newest”. Glitch?
I disagree with the article on where not to eat.
Don’t insult the locals. Always be upbeat. Ask where the best place to eat is.
Better yet. Look for the diner or cafe that has the most cars around it and people in it.
Especially in the morning. Usually that’s the best breakfast and coffee around.
Super Size my order please..