Issue 2303
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
“We shouldn’t be looking for heroes, we should be looking for good ideas.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Compliment Day! We like your shirt!
On this day in history: 1984 – Apple Computer places the Macintosh personal computer on sale in the United States.
Tip of the Day
Electric power: Learn to read the meter at your campsite
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Spend any amount of time at all in a commercial RV park and you’re apt to get a power bill. Since power is expensive anywhere, it’s a bitter pill for RVers when they’re likely to be presented with a bill for rates higher than the locals pay. We’ve all heard the “cost of reading the meter,” “administrative overhead,” and “Huh?” excuses.
How do you know if you’re actually being billed for what you’ve used? In many parks, old-style clock-type electric meters are used, and many folks just don’t have a clue as to how to “read” them. Digital meters are a lot easier, but not nearly as common.
Ask Dave
Why do RV slides only work when plugged into tow vehicle, not with shoreline power?
By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
My slides will only work when plugged into my vehicle. They will not work with shore power or battery. Is there a switch I’m missing somewhere? Thanks in advance. —Richard, 2015 Wildwood 32KQBTS
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RV Reviews
New Horizons Majestic is a highly customizable premium fifth wheel
By Tony Barthel
Today’s review is of the New Horizons RV Majestic fifth wheel. Typically I look at how any one particular model of a brand is built and share what I perceive would make a difference over time based on my experience in this industry spent focusing on RVs. But, in some ways, I almost encourage you to ignore this review while also taking it to heart. What in the wide, wide world of sports am I going on about?
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Be careful what you wash your rubber RV roof with!
By Dustin Simpson
A few months ago we had a customer schedule an appointment for their 2015 Grand Design Solitude 305RE to have a roof coating completed. Upon inspection, we found that the roof membrane was sticky and tacky—we could rub the membrane with our finger and the membrane would simply wipe away. Obviously, we were unable to complete a roof coating on a roof membrane that we suspected was damaged by chemicals.
Video of the day
24 inspection tips when buying a used travel trailer
By Cheri Sicard
If you are in the market for a used RV, you are going to want to check out these 24 inspection tips from Drew of Playing with Sticks, a YouTube channel devoted to RVing with small camper trailers. The video title promises 25 tips, but I only counted 24, but there is some good stuff here.
Experience has taught our host a lot. He says that had you asked him for these tips five years ago, he probably would have said to check for water damage and make sure everything looks good. He has a whole lot more to say today after living the full-time RV lifestyle.
RV Engineer answers: “Is silicone sealant the worst thing ever for your RV?”
By Andrew Herrick
If you like poking bears, stirring up hornets, and awakening sleeping dogs, then you’ll love the question, “Should I use silicone sealant on my RV?” Many RV owners would rather swallow a live June bug than spread silicone caulk over their rigs. “Silicone is the worst possible product you could use,” they warn. “It will peel, and nothing will ever stick to it again!” Should you believe these fireside horror stories of silicone gone awry? Find out here.
Reader poll
How well do you sleep?
Never lose your glasses or sunglasses again—always keep them nearby
This glasses holder clips to your car’s or RV’s visor so they’re always easily accessible to you. The glasses clip is closed with a magnet, holding it strong enough so that it won’t ever fall out, but is still easy enough to open with one hand. If you find yourself losing your glasses often, or have a hard time keeping them organized, this is for you. We love this! Learn more or order.
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.
How much money do you need for retirement?
Most so-called “experts” plug your numbers into a formula to tell you how much money you need to retire. Unfortunately, the conventional approach, says author Todd Tresidder, is flawed. If you fail to learn how retirement savings truly works, then you’ll either underspend and be miserable or overspend and run out of money. This book will help.
Quick Tip
Another way to ease new fittings onto sewer hose
Putting new fittings onto your sewer hose? We’ve all heard the idea of dipping the hose in hot water to make the fittings slip on easier. Here’s the polar opposite: Stick the new fittings into your freezer for a few minutes—they’ll contract and slip in the hose easier.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Make Welcome Centers your first stop when you cross state lines
- Ask Dave: How long can my RV’s residential fridge run before generator takes over to recharge?
- Video: RV fitness equipment: Staying in shape on the road
- Featured article: Don’t change the channel! Visit three famous TV sites and relive your favorites
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
We already love this (seriously, it’s one of our favorites!), but we like this version even more. It’s like it was made for campers or something…
Website of the day
From Covered Wagon to Winnebago: The Evolution of the RV
This article from Cheapism walks you through the history of the RV. It’s easy to read and fascinating!
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- Is new RV composite building material a game changer?
- Saga of the Newbie: Why it’s so important to find a reputable, reliable service “guy”
- Around the Campfire: What makes for the best RV trip—the people or the place?
Recipe of the Day
Cheesy Cream of Cauliflower Soup
by Heidi Hoerman from Hingham, MA
This cauliflower soup is a beautiful creamy white and shows really well in a dish with some bright color. Serve it hot with crumbled bacon and chunky croutons… maybe even a little extra shredded cheese and you have a winner! Be sure to make the croutons. They make the soup extra special with their crispy crunch and flavor.
Click here for the recipe
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Trivia
The iconic Coca-Cola bottle is shaped to look like a cocoa pod. Even though the drink doesn’t have anything to do with cocoa pods, the bottle designers were fascinated by the symmetry, curves and ribs on the pods and used them as inspiration.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Toby (Terrier and Maltese) and Molly (Terrier and Poodle) have been the best dogs we have ever owned. They are smart, lovers to all, enjoy every part of camping, are dedicated, cuddle bugs, and are best of friends. Toby was found abandoned when he was 2 months old in a church parking lot. Molly was purchased at a County Fair when we were eating corn dogs and returned home with a real dog. After owning many pedigree dogs of various kinds, they had many expensive health issues to deal with. Both of these rescue mutts have had little illnesses and are very sturdy. Just saying that a rescue dog may be the best way to save a pet and your wallet at the same time.” —Ken and Loretta Boone
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.
Thetford’s toilet seal isn’t crappy!
Nobody wants to talk about a yucky toilet, but nobody wants to actually have to deal with a yucky toilet either… Enter Thetford’s Toilet Seal Lube and Conditioner. It works on all RV and boat toilets and protects the seal from drying out. If your toilet’s seal dries out, it can prevent it from sealing and holding water. You don’t want that! This is one of those products you should really use, even if dealing with your toilet isn’t your all-time favorite thing to do. Check it out.
Leave here with a laugh
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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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The article on “Be sure what you clean your roof with” I completely disagree with the conclusion of this article. While it is important to be careful to use the correct cleaners, the Solitude 305re roof is a manufacturing default. It should not deteriorate and become sticky based on a cleaner. Grand Design knows of the problem and will correct it if contacted. Ask me how I know.
I agree with you about the GD problems…I unfortunately owned one a few years ago and had nothing but problems with it…especially the roof.
It seems like Grand Design’s reputation still stems from the days when it was privately held. While I have not owned one, my wife and I have looked at many brand new units at dealers and most have stuff falling apart already! One dealer in Texas said, “Well you should expect that…these units have come 1200 miles!” Yep…should expect a new RV to be falling apart just traveling to the dealer! 🥴
In fairness, the competition is no different, for the most part.
I want to thank Ken and Loretta for rescuing those two cuties. Rescue dogs, by far, make the best pets. They are very appreciative and loving to find a new home. And each one has it’s own personality. We have rescued many in our lifetime.
My daughter is involved in ACDRA (Australian Cattle Dog) rescue. She transports them to new homes and fosters them until they find a new owner. She has five of her own.
No need to spend big money on a ‘fashion’ dog.
Rescue dogs are the best!
Amen!
My daughter rescued an Australian Cattle dog a few years back and he was a wonderful rescue dog. He crossed earlier this year but the memories of an amazing friendship are many. Smart dog, big energy. Bless your daughter for putting in that work. Labor of love.
Rerun a shallow Chomsky quote? Really? Like the writings of that Marxsist makes more sense the more often you read them?
Thousands of years of wisdom and philosophy to draw from and we get that socialist nonsence twice in year with the identical and still ridiculous idiocy.
Just sayin. That’s my comment. Some will agree, some may not.
Relax! There will be a new quote tomorrow. All will be well.
I couldn’t be more relaxed T. Which is why i closed it the way i did. “The agree or disagree” part of my comment. Did you miss that? Seems you must agree with the Marxist positions of Chomsky or maybe it’s just someone commenting on his marxist ravings. For me, throw in a passage from Mein Kampf and get a similar comment from me. Bring a little more Leninism and boom, same comment. God bless our freedoms, paid for with blood.
I do notice you comment on the commentor, not the comment. Very telling.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Toby and Molly are adorable. Today’s funny is way too accurate to truly be funny. Perhaps amusing is a better way for me to describe the exact portrayal of me awaiting warm water issuing from our RV shower head while I attempt to endure the onslaught of chilly water. 🙂
What a very idiomatic quote! If it wasn’t for heroes, making the opportunity for ideas, where would we be? I would rather know a hero.
Depends on point of view. Maybe the guy with the ideas ends up the hero. Don’t look for heroes, be the hero!