Issue 2305
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
“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Spouses Day!
On this day in history: 1838 – Tennessee enacts the first prohibition law in the United States.
Tip of the Day
An easy way to convert kilometers to miles
By Ron Dalby
Driving to Alaska means you have to first drive through a large part of Canada, a real treat. However, Canada is a separate country with differing customs, and, for about 47 years now, uses the kilometers of the metric system instead of the miles that Americans are so familiar with.
The basic thing to remember is that kilometers are shorter than miles so there are more of them. The ratio is approximately 100 kilometers equals 60 miles.
Decades ago my father taught me a fairly simple way to convert kilometers to miles in my head.
Ask Dave
Beeping sound in bedroom quits when light is turned on. What is it?
Dear Dave,
Upon entering my RV just now, I heard an alarm sound (a constant beep) coming from the bedroom area. Our bathroom sink vanity is in there. When I turned on the light above that sink, the alarm sound stopped. When I turned off the light, it resumed again. I have no idea what it is. Do you? —Michael, 2007 Terry RLDS 5th wheel by Fleetwood
At last! A directory of where to camp on public lands!
The 2023 edition of the Bureau of Land Management Camping book describes 1,547 camping areas managed by the BLM in 14 Western states. Details for each camping area include the number of campsites, amenities, facilities, fees, reservation information, GPS coordinates, and more. You’ll want this book if you camp or are interested in camping on BLM land. Learn more or order.
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Cool RV Tools: DeWalt impact driver
Join Dave, Zach and me as we share what we like to call “Cool RV Tools.” These are tools and gadgets that we actually use in the RV industry! We also believe they will be helpful to you when you need to make repairs while out on the road.
In today’s video, we’re looking at the DeWalt impact driver. So what exactly does it do?
Video of the day
Camping World dispute: TX Camping World tries to arrest customer
By Cheri Sicard
The video below from Lackluster Media shows a shocking incident of RV-related law enforcement overreach prompted by a Camping World dispute with an allegedly wronged customer.
Jason, an RVer who brought his RV to Camping World in New Braunfels, TX, for repairs, had a confrontation over free speech with local law enforcement.
This is the time of day you’re most likely to hit a deer
By Dale Wade
It’s a nice evening. Not much traffic on the road. You are a bit tired after a long drive and looking forward to that next RV park for the night. Suddenly, a deer darts across the road followed by two more. You saw the “deer crossing” sign, so you are alert. You brake and, thankfully, no collision. As an RVer, you most likely have seen your share of critters on the road. Hopefully, you have avoided any unpleasant critter collision(s). However, be aware. There are certain times when you are more likely to encounter a deer crossing the road. Learn more.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Camping World takeover turned down – Wyoming dealer says “No thanks!”
- “Not-In-My-Backyard” lawsuit filed against proposed Tennessee RV park
- RVer suggests “multi-level” campsite fees and says some RV resorts are “definitely NOT” resorts
- Readers’ RVing Mistakes: “My neighbor reported a waterfall coming out my entrance door”
Reader poll
Do you use email more, less, or about the same as, say, two years ago?
Groove gap cleaning tool keeps bugs, dirt and grime out of windows and doors
This small, handheld groove gap cleaner cleans windows, sliding doors, shower door tracks, oven and sink gaps and more. This two-part gadget has a scraper, for scraping up debris and dirt, and a brush, for brushing it away! The elevated handle has finger grips for an easy hold. If it gets dirty, wash it with soap and water and it’s just like new. Learn more or order.
Quick Tip
Easy way to get water out of sewer hose before storage
Putting away a recently used sewer hose can make a wet mess. After rinsing the hose, leave the “output” end of the hose connected to the drain, and starting at the RV end of the hose, push a couple of feet of hose toward the output end. This forces the water out of the pleats of the hose. Wait a moment, and then repeat the process until you’ve pushed the hose together, and the water out. Now store your hose without the watery mess.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Getting your rig safely to the bottom of that long grade
- Ask Dave: RV’s underbelly filling up with water. How do I find the source?
- Video: 8 essential camp knots and hitches ALL RVers need to know
- Featured article: What to do if you smell marijuana at the campground. Can you complain? Can you partake?
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
If you like our “On this day in history…” feature, you’ll love this! We should get this to use!
Website of the day
America’s Most Loved City Parks
You can tell why some of these are on the most-loved list—they’re beautiful! Go for a walk, hop on a bike, pack a picnic and get out there and explore!
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
Pulled Pork Nachos
by Tonya Conca from Warwick, RI
The pulled pork alone in these nachos is full-flavored and delicious. Once it cooks in the slow cooker, it falls apart beautifully. Mix that with BBQ sauce, cheese, and toppings and you have amazing pulled pork nachos. These are restaurant-quality nachos you can make at home. If you have extra pulled pork, it will make a yummy sandwich.
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Trivia
Have you been able to keep your New Year’s resolution so far? If not, you are not alone. Researchers at Ohio State University suggest that only 9% of Americans who make resolutions complete them. In fact, research goes on to show that 23% of people quit their resolution by the end of the first week, and 43% quit by the end of January.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Ollie and Max (Morkie and Schnoodle) love the RV life because, amongst other benefits, they get to meet new neighbors almost every day.” —Ken Diebold
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!
Test the RV park water before you drink it!
How pure is the water at the RV park you just entered? Is it pure enough to drink or full of contaminants? This TDS meter provides an inexpensive and convenient way to instantly check your overall water quality. Don’t risk drinking bad water! Use this hand-held device to check the condition of your water filter, too. Every RVer should have one of these! Learn more or order.
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 New Years resolution each year is to live to see the next 1 January if I don’t die first. So far, so good.
Same here. But as I age the New Years Days seem to get closer together.
It is the ‘downhill’ run, or as my dad said, “Slide”
Dan, you can say that again!!
My new years resolution doesn’t even start until December 1, 2024 so I’ll let you know at the end of the year if I did eat less sweets this coming Christmas season, on December 27.
“Going camping” photograph. That’s a tough little truck.
It may have been. Now it’s sitting on the side of the road.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂
The Camping World dispute incident is 4 years old. It seems you are becoming a bit vindictive toward Camping World lately, and finding a 4 year old incident would seem to support that leaning. I am getting a little tired of everything you write about Camping World being so biased. I have always appreciated your fairness over the years, but you clearly have overstepped with them for whatever reason. I personally have had good results with a few different Camping Worlds, but I guess I will never see anything positive written by you regarding them.
Agreed. When I am in the US, I frequent Camping World for parts & accessories and customer service has always been great. I cannot speak to repairs as I have never had them do any work on my RV.
Just wait, it’ll happen.
RV Travel is not replying against CW. They stated that the customer was dissatisfied and what poor service the customer received. It goes both ways but there appears to be more dissatisfied then approved. Free speech doesn’t hurt anyone. It’s their opinion.
I have had good work done and very high prices for work done.
Camping world thrives on people who don’t do their research 1st.
Divide kilometers by 10 first and then multiply by 6. A lot easier math that way.
My luck ran out with a deer at 6am on the way to work. Because I worked with the school system the police came fast and took the report. I hit a deer and the police are on the scene within 10 minutes how wild is that. Got the car fixed and lucky to hit a small deer. But yes I have heard evening is the worse.