Issue 2297
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
“Everything must be made as simple as possible. But not simpler.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Nothing Day! Wow!
On this day in history: 1909 – Ernest Shackleton’s expedition finds the magnetic South Pole.
Tip of the Day
Getting sick, or worse, while RVing: Steps and precautions to take
By Nanci Dixon
What are some ways to battle illness on the road? Getting sick is bad enough when cuddled up in a warm bed in a sticks-and-bricks house, but it can be even worse while you’re traveling on the road. We full-timed for almost eight years and we half-time now. We have had our fair share of colds, minor and major surgeries, and a bout of Covid. So what are some ways to battle getting sick while RVing?
Follow these steps and take these precautions in case of illness or medical issues while RVing.
Ask Dave
Electrician added 50-amp receptacle in garage. Why don’t RV outlets work?
Dear Dave,
We just had an electrician wire an RV plug at our daughter’s garage. He pigtailed off an existing 30-amp outlet. (He knew not to use 220v.) However, he did use a 50-amp receptacle because that’s what our plug is. Our surge protector shows correct wiring. The problem is the outlets won’t work unless I turn on the inverter. They will work on generator power. Is this because of the 50-amp receptacle on a 30-amp line? GFCI breakers also won’t reset when plugged in but will on generator. Thanks. —Dan, 2012 Winnebago Sightseer 33C
Quit struggling with hose and cable hookups at the campsite
Are you tired of struggling to hook up your coax cables, water hoses and other connections when you arrive at your campsite? It’s a snap with Cable and Hose Grips from J Wright Concepts. Save time and frustration! Life is too short to hassle with the little stuff! Learn more or order.
RV Tours
Tour the 2024 Airstream Pottery Barn® Special Edition 28RB—Stylish but no cargo carrying capacity!
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, Patrick Botticelli from New Jersey’s Colonial Airstream takes us on a tour of a much-anticipated new release, the Airstream Pottery Barn® Special Edition 28RB travel trailer, a unique collaboration between the two iconic brands.
Video of the day
RV inspector’s top 4 RV slide out tips
By Cheri Sicard
RV slide outs—you either love them or hate them. Either way, if your RV has one or more slide outs, you’ve probably discovered already that they need maintenance and care, so much so that many RVers avoid them entirely (I am firmly in that camp). In the video below, certified RV inspector Duane, from the RV Inspection and Care YouTube channel, shares his top 4 RV slide out tips. Put Duane’s tips into practice and properly maintain and protect your RV’s slide outs, and avoid a lot of potentially expensive repairs.
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE in the 2024 RV Video Awards! Click here to cast your vote.
New and improved Dump Buddy is a must-have gadget for RV dumping
Dump Buddy® will change the way you empty your waste tanks. It securely fastens your waste hose to the waste pipe, preventing a spill. Whether you’re doing a simple dump at the end of a trip or need a secure hookup for a long stay, Dump Buddy is there to assist. Read Tony Barthel’s review of it or click here to find it on Amazon.
Around the Campfire: RVers share their “RV envy.” Is bigger more desirable?
By Gail Marsh
What a discussion around the campfire a few nights ago! A gal with a small RV admitted she sometimes experiences “RV envy.” From there, the discussion exploded. Read more, then share your thoughts in the comments.
Reader poll
Be honest: Do you wash your hands after EVERY time you use the bathroom?
Quick Tip
Protect yourself from kingpins at night
A cheap set of rope lights around the pin box of my 5th wheel keeps me and others from walking into the kingpin, especially at night. I turn them off at bedtime in respect of my neighbors. I use two sets and run them along the side of the RV. —Thanks to George B.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
This is not just for kids; this is something we adults would have fun with too! In fact, we may have already done this… Check it out, it’s pretty cool!
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: My RV’s water pump doesn’t work, but I can’t even find it!
- Video: RV keyless entry: Which RV keyless door lock should you get?
- Featured article: A bad hitch can leave you in the ditch—or worse
Website of the day
Free Texas Camping Guide
Howdy! If y’all are headed to Texas soon, check out their official interactive camping guide. Tons of useful information! Happy trails!
And the Survey Says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 2,500 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 69 percent say they would gladly pay $20 a night to stay in a Walmart parking lot with electric hookups.
• 76 percent have continuously worked for an employer for 20 years or more.
• The majority of voters, 56 percent, say the person they feel closest to is not a blood relative.
Recent poll: Have you ever had something expensive stolen from your campsite?
Recipe of the Day
Cindy’s Turkey Bacon Feta Wraps
by Cindy Dutton from GP, OR
Your family won’t say “another boring sandwich” after they try these wraps. Stuffed with turkey, this wrap is crunchy from the coleslaw, juicy from the tomatoes, smoky from bits of bacon, zesty from crumbled Feta cheese, and has a little zing thanks to the sweet purple onion. It’s a great flavor combination and sure to satisfy your hunger.
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Trivia
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House was deliberately built on the U.S.–Canada border. The opera stage resides in Canada, but most of the opera seats are in the U.S., and the library books are on the Canadian side. Because of this, the Haskell is sometimes called “the only library in the USA with no books” and “the only opera house in the USA with no stage.” The library has two different entrances (one from each country) and, hence, two different addresses. Exiting the library through the opposite entrance requires one to report to the country’s customs.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“T Dog and Matilda. Sworn enemies roughing it in the wilderness.” —Walt Wardzala
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.
New 2024 guide helps keep gun-carrying RVers out of trouble
Through the years, this book has been our all-time best seller. And now, the 2024 edition is hot off the press. For RVers who carry a firearm with them when they travel from state to state, the Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the 50 States is considered an essential reference. It is an easily readable narrative designed to unlock the complexities of state firearm laws. Readers agree it is indispensable for staying on the road and out of jail. Learn more about it here.
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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After an unplanned leg surgery on the road ,we were fortunate enough to have famiy that was friends with the local fire department! They brought a chair lift to the RV and lifted my husband up the steps …easy peasy! Thank you St. Tammany!
With a bear on his tail…not a good time for a flat tire or chain coming off.
Hence, the fist bump!
Concerning the quick tip about using rope lights to mark the kingpin. They make a stick on, glow in the dark tape that absorbs energy during the day and glows faintly at night. I use it to mark the edges of the steps of my trailer. The glow is faint enough not to disturb your neighbors.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Did you get Nanci’s typo fixed? The Lego van and camper is an awfully expensive three-dimensional puzzle. I cannot understand the attraction of buying sets designed to be some particular thing. I thought that they developed creativity by allowing all kinds of creations rather than one “right” one. 🤔
I just replied to your previous comment about Nanci’s “typo,” Neal. I was busy on other things today (including our weekly meeting) so am now just catching up on today’s comments. Thanks for the inquiry. Take care. 😀 –Diane
Thank you, Diane!
You’re welcome, Neal.👍🤗 –Diane
I use solar powered motion detection lights – one each side of the hitch. They only come on when within a few feet of the obstacle and stay on just long enough to see your safe path. Recharge themselves on most days.
My last TT was a 20’, I bought a set of 4 motion sensing lights on Amazon and put one on each side. The front provided light for unhooking and shin smashing, on street side allowed dumping a full gray tank before over filling during a shower, the rear where my generator would need refilling always at night, camp side was great if we we’re somewhere and came home after dark. Security all the way around from uninvited visitors both 2 legged and 4 legged.
Thanks to everyone for today’s edition, it’s been a very enjoyable morning read..
I find your trivia today very interesting however it does not say where the Haskell Free Library is located. My research confirmed that it is on the Quebec/Vermont border. I always enjoy the trivia posts.