Issue 2285
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 advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Pepper Pot Day! Read today’s trivia to learn more about it.
On this day in history: 1937 – The Irish Free State is replaced by a new state called Ireland with the adoption of a new constitution.
Tip of the Day
A quick, easy trick to keep your sewer hose clean
By Nanci Dixon
I had a chance to attend a seminar on all things black and gray tanks and learned a new dump technique. After all these years of RVing, I had never heard of or thought about this sensible tip to keep your sewer hose clean.
When planning to dump the black tank, first pull the gray water valve for about three seconds, then close it to allow the gray water to run through the sewer hose.
Ask Dave
My GFCI outlet will not reset but all circuit breakers are good. What gives?
Dear Dave,
My GFCI outlet behind the TV that powers five outlets, including the residential fridge, won’t reset. I do not have AC voltage coming to the GFCI. I checked all the circuit breakers and all are good with 120 VAC at the circuit breaker panel. Those outlets lost power all of a sudden. I’m trying to find a wiring schematic for this trailer. I’m not sure what to do next. Please help. Any advice would be great. Thank you. —Ron, 2022 Montana 3231CK, 400i SolarFlex
The best product for holding tank sensor maintenance
Dustin Simpson writes, “I’m sure at some point you’ve emptied your tanks only to find that your sensors are reading full. Over time, holding tank sensor probes build up with sludge/scum and this is what causes incorrect readings. Thetford’s Level Gauge Cleaner is specially formulated to dissolve tissue, waste, sludge and soap scum buildup and works with both black and gray water tanks on all RVs. It prevents buildups and restores level sensor operation fast.” Read more about it here.
In the RV Shop with Dustin
MORryde CRE3000 suspension issues explained
By Dustin Simpson
Join me “In The RV Shop” as I talk about suspension issues that we continue to see both online and in the shop. Below are some examples of MORryde CRE3000 suspension problems and how to avoid or fix them.
Video of the day
How to make a $10 DIY “Solo” stove from thrift store parts
By Cheri Sicard
If you love the idea of a Solo Stove smokeless fire pit but you don’t love the price tag that comes with this popular RV accessory, the video below from GreenShortz DIY is for you. It’s actually a remake of an earlier DIY “Solo” stove video they did with viewer-suggested improvements that include reusing thrift store materials instead of using cheap Chinese-made aluminum pots.
Is there an “optimal inflation” for RV tires … or not?
By Roger Marble
Is there an “optimal inflation” for RV tires? Many think the number in an RV sticker (aka tire placard) or in tire Load & Inflation tables is an “optimal” inflation or pressure. In fact, it is oftentimes just the MINIMUM pressure needed to support the GAWR (gross axle weight rating). Learn more.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Court orders Washington RV park to pay nearly $1 million in penalties
- Court says a Montana KOA owes Blackfeet Nation $1.7 million
- RV buyer heads elsewhere after notice of $2,500 dealer prep/walk-thru charge
- High gas prices biggest complaint among RVers; and Love’s overnight stops too expensive
Reader poll
Have you ever flown in a small private jet?
Quick Tip
Easy way to keep a flashlight handy for an emergency
By Greg Illes
Everyone needs a flashlight at some time or another. Sometimes it’s almost an emergency. That’s why we all have one ready and handy — right? But lying in the back of the junk drawer is not the kind of ready/handy status we’d like.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Every RVer has several of these and we use them often. But how do we store these? They get tangled and take forever to find… Not anymore! This will help you a lot!
On this day last year…
- Tip: 10 clever ways to reuse holiday gift wrap
- Ask Dave: What HD TV antenna/Wi-Fi combo do you recommend?
- Video: Can you make 3D-printed RV parts? YES!
- Featured article: America’s shortest National Scenic Byway is only five miles long!
Website of the day
Camping & RVing in BC
If you plan to RV around British Columbia, this is a great resource. Find the best driving routes, campgrounds and much more.
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
Awesome Maple-Balsamic Blue Cheese Pear Salad
by Sher Bird from Bellevue, WA
I really love the dressing for this salad. You have a hint of sweetness from the maple syrup balanced out by the acidity from the white balsamic. There are so many textures in this salad, your taste buds will be so happy. Crunch from the candied pecans, sweetness from the pears, chewy dried cranberries and creamy blue cheese. This is so good!
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Trivia
Since today is National Pepper Pot Day, here’s some trivia about this soup: During the Revolutionary War, while camped at Valley Forge on December 29, 1777, George Washington asked the chef to prepare a meal that would warm them. The chef took peppercorn, meat, tripe and other ingredients and made a soup, Pepper Pot Soup. The soup kept the troops warm and boosted their morale, and it was later nicknamed “the soup that won the war.”
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Bailey, our Cocker Spaniel, is the reason we went full-time. ‘If this is what a couch can do, I’m going camping.'” —John Owen
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.
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.
Leave here with a laugh
I was visiting my daughter last night when I asked if I could borrow a newspaper. “This is the 21st century. We don’t read newspapers! Here, use my iPad,” she said.
I’ll tell you one thing. Neither the fly nor the iPad survived.
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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
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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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I’m not sure the mystery product of the day would be a good product to use. It appears that the bungee cords would be held in place under tension. Bungee cords under constant tension eventually lose their elasticity. In my experience, it would be better to store them by hanging them over a stable object or in a box. The idea that untangling them is a hassle seems to me to be overstated.
Small LED flashlights everywhere. Plus, Maglite. LED pucks. Small solar-powered on butt of coach.
Bailey is one sophisticated pup. You could say he’s a (road scholar).
Flashlight holder. I use a piece of PVC pipe about 1 inch long and the diameter of the light barrel, cut an opening that the flashlight will snap into.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 Today’s funny was funny. 🙂 Happy new year! 🙂
Thanks, Neal. We hope you and yours have a very happy and healthy 2024!🤗 –Diane