Issue 2288
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
“I regret that it takes a life to learn how to live.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day!
On this day in history: 1957 – The Hamilton Watch Company introduces the first electric watch.
Tip of the Day
Can you both drive the RV home?
By Bob Difley
Though becoming more balanced among couples, more men still drive their RVs than women. If you are the female half of a couple, imagine if you were out in the boonies and the driver were to become ill.
You would have to learn how to drive the rig quickly—and at a most difficult time while under extreme stress. Don’t wait for that moment to happen. Start learning to drive the RV now, and then share the everyday driving to stay in practice.
Ask Dave
RV batteries aren’t charging while driving. What should I look for?
Dear Dave,
While towing, it doesn’t seem that the truck power is charging the RV batteries. After driving for hours, there frequently isn’t enough juice to drop my front jacks. One battery came with the RV, the other was added last year. Thanks. —Jim, 2021 Keystone Montana 3761FL
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RV Reviews
Brinkley Model Z Air 295—a new travel trailer from Brinkley
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the Brinkley Model Z Air 295—Brinkley’s first travel trailer offering. Know that what we’re looking at here is a prototype and some things will change by the time you can order one, but it’s very promising what’s going on here.
First, I have to share that the mere mention of Brinkley caused concern to many in the RV industry that I spoke with. The company has made an impact in so many ways—and they’re still just getting started.
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Installing Roadmaster Tow Defender for ultimate towed vehicle protection
Join me “In The RV Shop” as I show you how to install the Roadmaster Tow Defender and explain what it does.
The Tow Defender’s all-weather, heavy-duty screen deflects rocks, gravel and road debris down and away, protecting your towed vehicle’s finish, headlights and windshield against chips and dings.
Installing the Tow Defender involves a straightforward process.
DECEMBER’S BEST-SELLER! Book for cheap city and town park camping
In most cases, camping in city and town parks costs less than nearby private or other better-known public camping areas. In many cases, the overnight fee is $10 or less, with many sites still free. Some even include free or inexpensive utility hookups. Now, our friends at Roundabout Publications along with The Ultimate Campgrounds Project have published a directory of these under-publicized parks. The first edition of its “Camping in America’s City & Town Parks” is now available. Continue reading about this great new resource.
Video of the day
RV repair tech reveals the worst RV slideout system and why he hates it
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, Jacob Rigor from Rigor RV Repair shares his least favorite RV slideout system. Of course, this is one RV professional’s opinion. Yours may differ. But in his job, Jacob says these RV slides consistently present the most problems.
So what is the RV slideout system Jacob says is his least favorite?
That stink in your RV is probably the unsuspected gray water tank
By Nanci Dixon
The tech kept telling me, “That might just be the gray water tank. It can smell as bad as the black.” Actually, at least three or four techs told me that every time I brought up how BAD it smells inside the motorhome when we are traveling. Three of them said to add Pine Power to the tank. I am diligent about flushing out the black water tank. Over and over again until the water runs clear. I am the “flusher” in the family. My husband would not have the patience or perverse delight to watch “it” all go down the drain. Keep reading Nanci’s stinky story.
Reader poll
Do you have a favorite place to camp that you return to often?
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.
Did you enjoy RVtravel.com in 2023?
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Quick Tip
RV “dog runner” system
Need a tie out system to allow your dog to run a bit, yet not get into trouble? Here’s Jeff’s RV Page and their take on how to clip a cable to each end of your RV for a tie-off for Not-So-Rover. “I drilled a 1/2″ hole at the edge of the bumper for a dog tie out. I added another 1/2″ hole at the front frame rail.”
On this day last year…
- Tip: Just a few of the many uses for WD-40
- Ask Dave: All RV outlets work except the galley top and bottom. Why?
- Video: Visiting National Parks: Expert tips for planning the perfect visit
- Featured article: Is the Blackstone Griddle worth all the hype? Oh, yeah, it is!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Pedal your way through 2024 with this amazing thing. This is a brilliant way to (maybe) lose weight like magic—and you don’t have to step foot outside!
Website of the day
Exercise Plan for Seniors
Even if you’re not a senior, this page from healthline.com has a great, easy-to-follow workout plan everyone can benefit from (plus many more exercises as you scroll down the page).
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- Dear inconsiderate campers—Know your check-out time!
- Think you’ve been there, done that? Find new perspective by going back
- Roadblocks to RVing: What stops us from getting out more
Recipe of the Day
Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs
by Vanessa Marie Milare from Hilo, HI
You can’t get easier than these chicken kabobs. They marinate in a simple bottled teriyaki sauce that adds tons of flavor. The chicken has that classic flavor, but a slightly sweet flavor. They grill to perfection in about 15 minutes. A quick and easy meal.
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Trivia
In Venezuela, where the Catatumbo River meets Lake Maracaibo, you’ll find one of the most electrically active places on Earth. About 300 nights out of the year, lightning strikes across the sky almost continually all night. Lightning flashes occur more than 500 times per square mile per year! Wow!
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Beebe is a fat, lazy girl. She gets cold and lays in front of our little heater. She also likes to sit and watch it rotate. We just started RVing in August. She gets nervous at first, but she’s getting the hang of it.” —Vicki Newby
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!
CAT HAIR, DON’T CARE? Yep, that’s how it goes! You’ll love this!
Leave here with a laugh
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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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My wife drove our 40′ Diesel Pusher – once – and declared herself totally un-interested in any further attempts, for which I can’t blame her. But that’s a complete non-issue for us. We are members of the Family Motor Coach Association (available to any self-contained RV) and our annual membership fee includes “get you home” insurance. If anything happens to me, she’s taken care of. This alone is well worth the low price of FMCA membership, but there are many other advantages. Check it out…
Same. The peace of mind is well worth the price!
Ditto. 🙂
Agree ! We have the same.
I have subscribed to this newsletter a dozen times in last few years. For some reason I get un-subscribed. I really like it and it is nice to get it every morning in the mailbox but I guess it is not meant to be.
I was having the same problem…. and with the advice from Gail, I found out my rvtravel newsletter was going into my scam folder. Check yours and see if this is happening to you..
Hi, Bob, I’m so sorry! We want it to be “meant to be!” I took a look at your account and it looks like a few emails from us have bounced. We’ve been having this issue lately with Microsoft emails (like your @twc.com one) and unfortunately, there’s not much we can do about it on our end–it’s a Microsoft problem. If you report us as a safe sender, that could help. In the meantime, I’ve re-subscribed you, but there’s no saying this won’t happen again. If you have a @gmail or @yahoo account you could switch to receive our newsletters, that would be best. And remember, you can always visit our homepage every day (www.rvtravel.com) to read the latest issues of all our newsletters. –Emily
RE: RV dog runner… I add cargo D rings at strategic points*. The D-rings make it easy to add a dog tie out, but they also work well for on-site security. Just run a bicycle cable lock through chair frames, cooler handles, etc. and a D-ring. *use self-tapping screws to secure to the frame, folding step box (great for dog), tongue, etc. Do not put screws into the hollow bumper if you store your slinky in that location.
That’s a big flat tire on the laugh Roger! 🙃