Issue 2313
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
“Open a book this minute and start reading. Don’t move until you’ve reached page fifty. Until you’ve buried your thoughts in print. Cover yourself with words. Wash yourself away. Dissolve.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Fettuccine Alfredo Day!
On this day in history: 1940 – The second full-length animated Walt Disney film, “Pinocchio,” premieres.
Tip of the Day
Can you dump your holding tanks in your home septic system?
We often see RVers give advice that dumping holding tanks at home is not a problem—even into septic systems—rather than a city sewer system. Here are a couple of points to keep in mind:
Home septic systems are generally tasked to handle a relatively low flow of sewage over a period of hours. Dumping a large amount of RV waste at once could lead to disturbing the layer of sludge in a home septic tank—possibly causing it to break up and move out into the leach field. That can lead to an expensive clogged system….
So can you dump your tanks in your septic system or not?
Ask Dave
My trailer’s underbelly was full of water. Dealer said I overfilled the freshwater tank?
Dear Dave,
I got my trailer new last season and used it one trip. The underbelly was full of water when I got it home. I took it to the dealer, thinking it had a water leak. I got it back a couple weeks later and they told me it’s just because I overfilled the freshwater tank. Is this possible? —Ryan, 2022 Starcraft Autumn Ridge 26BHS
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RV Reviews
New-for-2024 Grand Design Imagine XLS 24BSE—Have a seat, would ya’?
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the new-for-2024 Grand Design Imagine XLS 24BSE. What we have here is a true couple’s camper that has quite a bit of seating space and also a very large countertop. You could hold those rainy-day get-togethers here quite easily.
Grand Design, more than any other company, seems to be good at coming out with floor plans ahead of the pack that really break new ground and serve buyers well. The company does a great job with this along with keeping in contact with and serving buyers. There’s a reason they’re very popular. But I also feel that they cut some corners that buyers should be aware of—some of which aren’t that big of a deal and others really are, to my way of thinking..
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Shortcuts RV manufacturers take in RV cabinet hardware and installation
The RV industry continues to take shortcuts that can cause owners to become frustrated. I see RVers complaining often in our Facebook groups, especially when it comes to RV cabinetry and cabinet hardware problems. Have you ever had a rear-mounted drawer socket that had come loose or even broke? It’s not uncommon.
Click here to continue reading
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.
Video of the day
WOW! 24-hour van build from bare-bones cargo van to beautiful RV
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, the team behind Sandy Vans, a group of seasoned van builders, engineers, carpenters, and adventurers who build custom camper vans, set out to do something they had never attempted before. They challenged themselves to do a 24-hour van build.
That’s right, they completed the van build in the video below in just 24 short hours, from a barebones empty cargo van to a fully outfitted camper van ready to hit the road. [You gotta see this to believe it!]
How it Happened: The history of the Coleman Company
By Gail Marsh
When you hear “Coleman” what comes to your mind? A tent or lantern? That green cooler? It’s no wonder that Coleman has become practically synonymous with camping and the great outdoors. This company has been around for more than 123 years! And here’s how it happened…
Reader poll
How often do you participate in potluck gatherings while RVing, whether with friends and family or other social groups?
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.
Quick Tip
Safely plugging into shore power
A quick reminder: When plugging your RV into the power pedestal at an RV park (or anywhere), make sure the breaker switch is in the “off” position. Switch it on after you have plugged in.
For Lovers Only…
To: T-Marg
From: Irish Red
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Lover! Love you always and forever. 😍”
To: Mily
From: Pily
“Our 37 years together have been the best years of my life. I pray we will have many more years together. God has certainly blessed us!”
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.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
You’ve cooked for another person, right? Well, we bet you wanted to have this while doing so! It made us laugh out loud. Oh, we can relate!
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: How can my RV’s roof air conditioner run more efficiently?
- Video: RV generator safety tips you NEED to know
- Featured article: Historic markers along the road: Standing where Teddy Roosevelt got inspired
Website of the day
Our favorite place to visit in every Northern California county
Everyone knows it’s hard to believe that Northern California and Southern California are part of the same state, they’re so different! Get yourself up to Northern Cali and explore some of these beautiful and interesting areas.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- Video: How to inspect your RV for water damage
- You may change your mind about RV rentals after seeing these RVs
- Incredible art along the Enchanted Highway should not be missed
Recipe of the Day
Crock Pot Caramelized Onions, Beer & Cheese Bisque
by Nancy Manlove from Texas City, TX
This is a really tasty and hearty soup and perfect for a cool night. This soup reminds me of a French onion soup… a GOOD French onion soup. I can’t wait to serve this one at my next dinner party.
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Trivia
Kocs is a town in northwest Hungary where craftsmen once built the best wagons of their time. From the name of their community came our word “coach.”
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Our animals, Jax (dog) and Grace (cat), have always gone camping with us! Here they are enjoying the view.” —Jeff Waggoner
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!
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Leave here with a laugh
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Quick Tip-ADD ON. Always turn the pedestal power switch OFF before removing your cord.
Quick Tip
Safely plugging into shore power
I would add: turn the breaker OFF before unplugging your RV power cord/EMS/Surge Protector. As a workkamper I find more 30/50A breakers left in the ON position after guests have departed the site. It’s a matter of safety. Safety of people and equipment. I’ll also add, when unplugging (after you’ve turned the breaker OFF, of course) pull the cord out straight. I also discover and replace a lot of receptacles that have been broken due to the cord being pulled out at an angle. This damages the receptacle. Often it causes the receptacle to become loose and the next cord doesn’t fit tight which can cause issues/problems. BE SAFE OUT THERE!
Yes. I see this a lot too. I also see receptacles covered with dirt, webs, mud and bugs. I see 50 year old receptables with chunks broken out of the plastic, if I mention this the campground will never deal with it.
I always turn the breaker off, and treat the equipment with care. Is it so much to ask that campgrounds inspect posts once a year, clean them enough to prevent scorching incidents, and replace worn parts every few decades?
Since I use 30 amp power, I test the receptacle with a plug in circuit tester and 30 amp adapter.
I also have a hang tag on both ends of my cord “TURN OFF POWER”.
I test the 30-amp receptacles too before turning on the circuit breaker. If my 30-amp plug falls out of the receptacle onto the ground, I ask for another site. Too many 30-to-50-amp dog bone adapters are destroying 30-amp receptacles in RV parks and campgrounds. I applaud RV parks and campgrounds that do not allow 50-amp RV’s to use a dog bone adapter in a 30-amp site.
We stayed at a park that didn’t allow us to turn the pedestal switch off, and they had it in a way you couldn’t turn it off. Their excuse was that the constant on and off would break it faster. Yeah, but it’s much safer too. They didn’t care.
You said ‘we stayed’ – I would not have stayed!!
Sounds like they were pinching pennies. Breakers don’t cost that much, but the damage that can occur does.
I’m sure the receptacle had burned contacts.
Which way is cheaper.replace breaker from on off wear or replace out let because of a load on it and burn terminals? If it tripped could you reset it?
Easier and quicker to replace the breaker instead of the receptacle. The labor alone more than makes up for any parts price difference.
If turning off your own main circuit breaker, then there would be no electrical load (arc) when plugging-in or plugging-out. Just watch that your fingers are not on the plug pins or a very nasty life-threatening electrical shock could be experienced.
I’m lovin’ “Emma’s plan”
Todays MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY is spot on for my wife, but she doesn’t say anything but I bet she is thinking it!
Snoopy
I have a Coleman stove that I have used for over fifty years. Still works great, great product. I cannot imagine how many pounds of bacon and dozens of eggs it has cooked.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 I read today’s funny to DW and she agrees with Emma. 😉 I do follow the admonition to always be sure the breaker is “off” before plugging into a power-pedestal outlet. Additionally, I have adopted a suggestion by the YouTubers “Our Journey in Myles” and spray each of the contacts of the power receptacle with a deoxidizing solution to clean the contacts before plugging into the receptacle. The suggested brand, and the one I now use, is DeoxIT (https://a.co/d/fC2052U), but I’m sure there may be other brands and sellers too. 🙂
Emma Knight is an old soul~ loved it!
I decided to not wait until I was 100.
Breakers: treat all the equipment like it is your own, maybe? Just my 2 cents.
I’m with you Emma!!
No mention of what a horrible company Coleman is to work for. They took over Stearns Manufacturing, maker of worldwide known Stearns lifejackets and other products. Stearns for years had contracts with the Feds to make cold water survival suits for the military. They had to be American made.
Coleman took over the plant, cut back on benefits, stunted wages, and made working conditions worse than before. The result was big turnover of employees. When production suffered because of the way they treated employees, they dumped the lucrative Fed contracts. closed the plant, and reportedly sent the rest to China. Great American company, I don’t think so.
My wife was lucky to retire beforehand.
Dear Emma, thats why I moved from Michigan to NC, took my inheritance and bought myself a small house and live alone with my 3 dogs. Much nicer to be alone then deal with the crap people dish out. IMO not yours. Life can be crazy sometimes.