Issue 2318
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
“When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” —Paulo Coelho
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Valentine’s Day, of course!💗
On this day in history: 1849 – In New York City, James Knox Polk becomes the first serving President of the United States to have his photograph taken.
Tip of the Day
Believe it or not, tennis balls come in very handy for daily tasks around the RV
By Gail Marsh
Perhaps you play tennis, perhaps you have a tennis ball-obsessed dog, or perhaps you find an old tennis ball at the campground. Well, don’t toss them out! Try these tips for reusing tennis balls while RVing or in and around your home.
Note: For most of the tips, you’ll need a box cutter or similar cutting tool. Carefully cut an “x” on one side of a tennis ball. Be sure to keep the ball steady as you cut to prevent injury.
Here are several ways to use tennis balls around your home or RV…
In case you missed it…
70 years of love: How one couple saved their marriage with 36,000 love letters
By Nanci Dixon
This good-news story is about how longtime RVtravel.com readers Joe and Helen Hesketh, from Bellevue, WA, saved their marriage with tenacity, commitment and more than 36,000 love letters. As they celebrate 70 years together (70th wedding anniversary coming up this June), they share a very special tale of finding love again. Read their beautiful story here.
Camping with the Corps of Engineers
Many RVers consider Corps of Engineers campgrounds to be the best in the country. This guide is just for RVers – boat-in and tent-only sites are not included. Of all the public lands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has some of the best parks and campgrounds available. In fact, it’s the largest federal provider of outdoor recreation in the nation. Learn more or order.
Ask Dave
At times my slideout only retracts partway and stops. What should I do?
Dear Dave,
Our large slideout sometimes goes in 1/4 of the way and stops. I can push on it and sometimes this helps. This happens about half of the time. Other times it goes in OK. I was told that it is low voltage, but the batteries are charged. I am wondering if the relay contacts are the issue and if I should replace the relay. Two years ago the screws under the slideout backed out and the slideout was removed and screws replaced. What can I do to help? What type of lubricant can I use that won’t get on the carpet when the slide is in? Jeff, 2007 Fleetwood Bounder
RV Reviews
The Swiss Army knife of trailers—The Jumping Jack “Jump Up” tent trailer
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the Jumping Jack “Jump Up” tent trailer. Now, to be very honest, this trailer barely qualifies as an RV. However, I could see it serving a lot of RVers very, very well.
Essentially, this is more than one trailer. At its core, this is sort of a utility trailer with folding sides. But the company has also configured a tent that fits into the trailer, which can be removed. That means you now have a utility trailer and a camper in one.
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.
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Small components, big RV safety role: Checking your RV axle dust caps
By Dustin Simpson
Embarking on an RV adventure involves more than just hitting the open road. Ensuring that your RV is in top condition is crucial for a safe and trouble-free journey. One often-overlooked but critical aspect is checking the axle dust caps. These small components play a big role in protecting your RV’s wheel bearings, and their loss during travel can lead to potential damage.
Video of the day
RV inspector reveals the top 5 RV buying mistakes
By Cheri Sicard
Our favorite certified RV Inspector, Duane, from the RV Inspection and Care YouTube channel, has produced an excellent video to help RV shoppers avoid the five most common RV buying mistakes that he sees people making. If you are in the market for an RV, whether new or used, this video is for you!
The RV buying process can be filled with pitfalls that could make you end up regretting your decision. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Listen to Duane!
Around the Campfire: Surprising campground rules you must follow
By Gail Marsh
Do you always read the campground paperwork? That was the question posed during a recent night around the campfire. What followed was a conversation about surprising campground rules that folks around the campfire had experienced. Read them here, then add in the comments any that were missed.
WHAT SAYS TRUE LOVE like a shared meal? Check out the best food specials and deals for Valentine’s Day today!
Reader poll
Will you do anything today to celebrate Valentine’s Day?
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.
Never lose your glasses or sunglasses again—always keep them nearby
This glasses holder clips to your car 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.
Quick Tip
Quick way to sanitize the public water hose connection
Worried about what the last guy may have done to the water hose connection at your site or at the filling area? Get yourself a bottle of “spray Clorox” and spritz the water tap threads before hooking on your own hose.
For Lovers Only…
To: Pargie
From: Bobby
“To the love of my life, thanks for our 55 years of loving each of us. Let’s keep on loving for many years. 🫶🥰”
To: Tang
From: Trin
“You are my world and I love this life we have. Here’s to many more years of love and adventures together.”
On this day last year…
- Tip: Follow this step-by-step guide to visiting RV shows
- Ask Dave: Can two 6-volt house batteries run a 2,000W inverter?
- Video: Cheap and easy DIY RV curtains and rods
- Featured article: A very, very wet Valentine’s Day in Borrego Springs
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
What’s something everyone always wants? Chocolate. Right. And what’s another thing everyone always wants? A romantic campfire. And what’s something else? This! Everyone definitely wants this (especially if you forgot to get your special someone a special something for Valentine’s Day…)
Website of the day
45 Fun Things to Do on Valentine’s Day To Help You Celebrate
Stuck on what to do today? This list from Good Housekeeping has some great ideas. We saw another one we liked on another list, too: Re-create your first date. How fun!
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- Around the Campfire: Which to purchase first, the truck or the RV?
- How to stay free overnight in your RV in a small town
- How far do you travel in a day? One man’s perspective
Recipe of the Day
Awesome Oven-Baked Rib Eye Steak
by Andy Anderson from Wichita, KS
Andy’s method for preparing a rib eye is spot on. The steak forms a great crust. When sliced, the meat is juicy and tender. Mushrooms add an extra layer of flavor and texture. Using your favorite steak seasoning guarantees the flavors will be perfect for our taste buds. And don’t skip the pats of butter on top … they melt into the steak making it taste even better.
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Trivia
Americans purchase about 145 million Valentine’s Day cards each year. It’s the second-largest holiday for greeting cards after Christmas.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Jasper (Landseer Newfoundland Doodle) loves to go for a ride. Whether it is around the corner or around the country, he is good to go! He likes everyone and everything, except cats. His bark is huge, and so is his heart. He is a big fellow, weighing in at around 125 pounds. His favorite pastime is nap.” —Kathryn Campbell
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.
Penetrating oil can save the day!
It can be a bad day on the road if you break down and need to loosen a screw or bolt and it won’t budge. Here’s help: This rust eater, deep penetrating oil will penetrate rust, scale and corrosion to free parts and assemblies instantly. It will free up rusted machine screws, bolts, nuts, clamps for mufflers and tailpipes, locks and more. You need this! Learn more.
Leave here with a laugh
This video of Paco the parrot has us crying of laughter—you will too! As you watch, know that it’s Paco you hear laughing, which is causing the staff to laugh, too!
If you have trouble viewing it below, here’s the link to it.
@petlandnhtPaco came in for a wing and nail trim today and had us crying from laughing!♬ original sound – petlandnht
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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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We never use the camp water line for human and animal use. Carry bottled water for that purpose.
Me, too!
Same here. We start our trips with frozen jugs to cool the refrigerator as we are driving. Then use that for drinking.
We don’t use bottled water. It’s a waste of money and the bottles are a source of plastic pollution.
We fill 3-4 gallon sized jugs with water before we leave. These can be reused many times. Also have a couple frozen in the fridge and freezer when we leave. Takes a few days for them to thaw to be used later.
You can buy the initial water jugs at a dollar store or Walmart. Some of the Walmart’s also offer purified water to refill your containers.
We buy bottled water at Costco. Refill for one month. Change to new bottles from Costco. recycle old bottles to get our dime deposit charged back.
After reading about all the winners in the various categories (YouTube Channels), I want to plug a young, and VERY fun couple…”Wild RV Life” Great personalities, fun to watch, showing both the good & bad of RV living. Watching Victoria & Craig learn as they move around the country is something I look forward to every week. Their honesty & humor is positively infectious! 26K+ followers & growing. Give them a try!
“Americans purchase about 145 million Valentine’s Day cards each year.”
At a cost of $5 to almost $10 each, that’s a chunka change! At $5, that’s about $72,000,000!
Unless I messed up on the math anyway.
Maybe that number includes the boxes of little Valentine’s Cards that the kiddos get to give to their friends at school.
Stop at Dollar Tree…Hallmark Expressions for 1.00 or 2 for .50… and they are ok cards..they are going in the trash anyway…unless you’re my husband.
Hahahaha.
Indeed you did mess up the math. If you pick the $5 price, it’s $725 million.
Well, math was never my strong point in any classroom – 😀
Need a few more zeros.
Thanks for the RED highlighted captions on most of the articles I read! Was that just for today St. Valentines day? Hope you continue using it. Seemed like a lot of pop up adds!
Happy Valentines to all
Snoopy
Hi, Snoopy. I think Emily put in the red highlighting just for Valentine’s Day. I’m not sure about the number of pop up ads.🤔 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
The only real places I have found where decent water is fit to drink is in mountain areas where RV parks and state parks have access to mountain sourced water. At least it doesn’t have chemicals from industrial runoff and farming. Using good water filters will usually ensure some of the best water to drink. Any water in plastic is subject to cross contamination.
Like our plastic fresh water holding tanks!
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂
Thanks, Neal. Happy Valentine’s Day to you, as well.💟 –Diane
I started spraying not only the threads of the camp spigot, but the whole spigot outside and up inside after watching some inconsiderate lady let her large male dog lift its leg and urinate all over the empty site’s spigot next to us. Just as bad as people allowing pets to walk on the picnic tables or people rinsing their sewer hoses under the spigot then laying them out to drip on the picnic table. We always assume the last people to use a site contaminated it and take appropriate precautions.
We use emptied juice jugs. Fill, freeze and let thaw in the cooler. Leftovers can be re-frozen.
After our 1st winter in Tucson, we had an RO system installed and have never since had to be concerned about water quality. The sediment filters are inexpensive and the RO elements average a year between replacements. And the RO water is so clean it removed the calcium deposits from our faucets and water heater. Been full-timing for 20+ years, never had to buy water. Even wintering in Yuma!
Valentines day is one of the most over rated holiday ever. So stayed home and entertained myself.