Issue 2311
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
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Shower With A Friend Day… and it’s also National Weatherperson’s Day. We’ll let you decide which one you feel like celebrating.
On this day in history: 1971 – Astronauts land on the moon in the Apollo 14 mission.
Did you see the news? Click here for the latest news for RVers.
Tip of the Day
Awning tear? Don’t despair—fix it yourself!
By Gail Marsh
After almost a week of overcast skies, the sun finally appeared. I was excited to finally unfurl our RV awning! Out, out, out it went. And then … you guessed it! An awning tear. Sunlight glinted through the small rip, confirming my distress. A tear. Now what?
Well, you have to find the right fix for your awning…
I knew that the small tear had the potential to become a bigger rip and also a bigger problem. So, I got right to work.
Ask Dave
My RV awning is leaking. Is there a waterproofing product I can use?
Dear Dave,
I have a standard Dometic awning and it has started to “leak thru” the fabric. What do you recommend as a water repellent? I would also like to know your recommendation for hydraulic fluid (slides/stabilizers). Thanks. — Mike, 2017 Forest River Georgetown
The best book for National Forest Camping
The U.S. Forest Service manages nearly 193 million acres of public land in 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands. These areas provide many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Forest Service areas offer some of the best camping experiences in the United States. In this directory, you’ll discover 4,108 select camping areas at 141 forests in 42 states. Learn more or order.
RV Reviews
RV Review: Captivating couple’s camper—Keystone Cougar 25FKD
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the 2024 Keystone Cougar 25FKD, a travel trailer that’s under 30 feet in length but is one of the better designs of a couple’s camper that I’ve seen. Like many RV floor plans, this isn’t a dramatically new floor plan whatsoever, as RV companies take things that work and massage them to accentuate features or functions.
In fact, we’ve looked at other RVs with this floor plan, including the Rockwood Mini Lite 2516S and the Cherokee Alpha Wolf 28FK. So what makes this one different?
In the RV Shop with Dustin
RVer asks, “Should RVers treat the black tank with anything other than ‘normal chemicals’?”
An RV owner in one of our Facebook groups wrote, “We had the unfortunate experience of our black tank being full when we were at a site. Figured we’d just hook up, go dump and resume our stay… Unfortunately, the gremlins blocked up our black tank sensors, and we couldn’t dump, so we figured the weekend was over and took our baby home. Once it’s cleaned out, is there anything I should be treating the tank with besides the normal chemicals?”
RV Electricity
Is reverse polarity on a 30-amp outlet dangerous?
Dear Mike,
What happens if I have reverse polarity on a 30-amp pedestal? Can I still use it? My surge protector said there is reverse polarity, which is how I know there’s a problem. My electrician says it’s doesn’t really matter and to go ahead and plug in. Is that true? Thank you so much for your answer and making these videos!!! —Hosh
Click here to read Mike’s answer
Video of the day
The history behind Wall Drug – America’s favorite roadside attraction
By Cheri Sicard
If your RV travels have ever taken you anywhere even remotely (really remotely) near the town of Wall, South Dakota, you have no doubt seen roadside signs, LOTS of roadside signs, for Wall Drug.
In the video below, the team from Less Junk More Journey takes a look at the fascinating history behind Wall Drug, the tourist attraction that almost wasn’t.
Two options to refill propane; one is a rip-off
By Gail Marsh
It’s cold! For RVers who love to travel in the cold and snow, propane is a necessity. … In some cases, you may need it to stay alive! The cost of propane that fuels your RV furnace has increased significantly over the years. That’s why it’s important to know about the propane refill rip-off. You need to know the difference between paying a flat rate for propane or paying only for the propane drawn. Learn about it here.
Reader poll
What will you have for breakfast today?
Our top 10 best-selling products for RVers in January
These best-selling gadgets and books are RVers’ favorites for a reason! See what products we sold most of last month in January. If you’re looking for a way to clean your holding tank sensors, test and see how clean your drinking water is, learn how you can camp in city/town parks and county parks, how you can safely RV with a firearm, or get out that stubborn stain on your favorite shirt… this list is for you.
Quick Tip
Dinette cushions sliding around? Tips to try
Here are two possible solutions: Apply “lines” of silicone caulk in a pattern across the “back” of the sliding cushy. Let the caulk dry before setting back into place – the dry caulk acts as a snubber. Or attach sticky-back hook-and-loop tape to both the cushion and the surface it should “stick” to.
For Lovers Only…
To: Getterz
From: Honey
“Happy Valentine’s Day to the love of my life and the woman of my dreams. Love you!”
To: Batman
From: Lovey Dovey
“Happy Valentine’s Day. I love you. Ok. Enough of that. Back to cleaning the house. LOL.”
Listen up, romantics. Valentine’s Day is coming up. If you have a special someone you’d like to surprise with a secret message right here on this website (could be your wife, husband, partner, child, neighbor, friend, etc.) submit it to us here. Don’t use their real names, use a special name that only they’ll recognize. Oh, how fun it will be when they read it! You’ll make their day! We’ll feature these in our upcoming newsletters, so check back often and see if yours has been featured.
Website of the day
FBI Kidnappings & Missing Persons
We highly recommend you keep an eye on this page. As constantly traveling RVers with our eyes all over the country, we have a good chance of bringing some of these people home.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Y’all cowboys and cowgirls are going to love this! We could have used it as our laugh of the day too. It’s funny!
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- Linemen and other workers outnumbering snowbirds. RV parks are a-changin’
- Why you need to be nice to your RV dealer
- Around the Campfire: RVers question if it’s safe to RV
Recipe of the Day
Pulled Pork Tacos With Pickled Red Onions and Cilantro Pesto
by Danielle Williams from Newport, RI
My goodness, the rub recipe on this pulled pork is a real knock-out! Filled with brown sugar, Adobo seasoning, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, and paprika, it gives the meat an authentic Adobo Mexican flavor. After marinating overnight, the flavors permeate the meat. The pork is pulled and placed into toasted soft corn tortillas. Top with yummy cilantro pesto and delicately pickled red onions and you have one truly incredible bite in each pulled pork taco.
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Trivia
The Panama Canal isn’t the only body of water that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. At Parting of the Waters, deep in the Wyoming Teton wilderness, you’ll find a stream that splits in two and does, indeed, connect the Atlantic to the Pacific. Read more about it here.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Switch is a rescue totally at home in the RV. Not a fan of travel days where he rides in the truck. He will play fetch all day long better than any dog I have ever had.” —Scott Velie
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.
PERFECT VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT
RVing earrings for that special lady in your life
Name a cuter accessory, we dare you! That’s right, there isn’t one! These adorable acrylic dangle vintage travel trailer earrings are the accessory of the season and make the perfect gift and stocking stuffer for the lucky lady in your life. And yes, that lucky lady could be yourself! These are lightweight and have the design on both sides. Learn more or order for a great price, and check out the other designs, too!
Leave here with a laugh
“I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage. They’ve experienced pain and bought jewelry.” —Rita Rudner
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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
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Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): chuck@rvtravel.com
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Help desk: Contact us
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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Rescues are the best.
Quick Tip-Add on. I use the rubber shelf liner open weave mat under my cushions to keep them from sliding around.
Great tip, Ran.👍 I’ve added it to the tip in the archives for future use. Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I use Velcro to keep cushions in place and from sliding. The loop side Velcro I glue to the fabric with fabric glue. The hook side I staple to the wood. I am not recommending my method, just sharing it.
The tip about using silicone caulk to stop cushions from moving is a good idea. However, instead of putting it on the cushion, apply it to the wood under the cushion. Has the same effect and can removed and reapplied when needed.
Great tip, Bob! I’ve added it to the tip in the archives for when/if we use it sometime in the future. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I learned soooo much about propane today! Refill, trades, flat rate, per gallon prices, 80/20 rule, not to mention a bunch of new resources for said propane! Thanks again RV Travel for all the news! I learn as much from the comments as the articles!
Switch is so awesome and cute!!! Thank you for sharing with us😊
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 I thoroughly enjoyed reading the various bits of cowboy wisdom. Even though I grew up on a farm, not a ranch, I learned to do, or not do, some of those items. 😉 I guess DW got herself a bargain because I did have a pierced ear when we met. 😉
For those who like paper information, the book about the Forest Service is great. There is also a site, The Interactive Visitor Map, which covers all National Forest sites throughout the USA, including the territories. I have planned over 2,000 miles of travel using this site.
Hope this is helpful to some.