Issue 2321
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
“Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who make excuses.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Presidents Day!
On this day in history: 2002 – NASA’s Mars Odyssey space probe begins to map the surface of Mars using its thermal emission imaging system.
Did you see the news? Click here for the latest news for RVers.
Tip of the Day
The best tips and tricks for an RV driving day
By Gail Marsh
If you’ve been RVing for a while, you know the hassles of moving from one campground to the next. Here are some tips and tricks for an RV moving and driving day that you may find helpful.
I quickly tired of getting everything in place inside our RV only to have to pack it all up again for RV moving day. When moving every week, or sometimes twice a week, the set up and tear down quickly diminished my RVing joy. I didn’t want to live in a stark, plain RV interior, but neither did I appreciate the time and effort it took to put away and secure items to keep them safe as we bounced down the highway. It’s taken a few years, but now I can be ready for travel within 30 minutes
Ask Dave
Is a combination LP and CO detector effective?
By Dave Solberg
Hi, Dave,
My truck camper has separate LP and CO detectors, with the CO detector mounted high and the LP detector mounted near the floor. This makes sense to me, since CO is just slightly lighter than air and LP is much heavier than air. I know that there are detectors that combine both CO and LP detectors in one unit. Is that really a good idea? Or is this just another example of the RV industry prioritizing profits over customer safety? I don’t understand how one detector mounted at medium height can be as good as two separate detectors mounted where their detected gases are most likely to accumulate. —Arn, 2004 Palomino Maverick
Hold the door open, will ya?
Reader Cliff Thomson recommended this product and we think it’s a great idea. He wrote: “We got tired of the hook breaking on our front door and on the front cargo door on our fifth wheel. So we bought two magnetic door holders from Amazon. Last week the door stayed open in a 35 mph wind. Since the magnet is spring-loaded a push will release it.” The stopper is stainless steel, solid and rust-proof. It attaches using a 3M adhesive sticker—no drilling or tools required!
RV Reviews
Kick the generator to the curb—Forest River and Volta announce generator-free RV choices
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is more of a look at a new system from a company called Volta, but we’re going to also look at the RV that’s wrapped around it.
I got a press release from Volta touting their system that uses a very high-capacity alternator on a motorhome’s existing engine to replace the generator. This system is tied to a rather substantial battery storage system, thereby completely eliminating the standalone generator.
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Using proper heavy-duty jack stands for heavy vehicles
By Dustin Simpson
Today I’d like to stress the importance of using proper heavy-duty jack stands when lifting a heavy RV off the ground for suspension repairs and maintenance. Using the right equipment is crucial for the safety of both the vehicle and the person working on it.
Video of the day
13 essential RV tips for seniors
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, Mike and Jennifer from RV Lifestyle, one of the winners of our 2024 RV Video awards, share their most important RV tips for seniors. Spoiler alert, many of these tips apply to everyone, not just seniors.
Our hosts, seniors themselves, firmly believe that with proper preparation and expectations, seniors can live their best lives ever in an RV!
Death Valley isn’t dead: The magic of the life inside our great national park
By Chris Epting
I think that it’s time to rename Death Valley. Yes, I know the moniker has all that great foreboding mystique. Yes, the name itself is probably what draws many of the visitors in the first place. After all, when you tell people you’re going to “Death Valley” it’s a statement—a marker that says you’re interested in exploring the edge. … Death Valley teems with life of all sorts. Much of it is stealthy and subtle, but it is there, impressive and often surreal and unforgettable. Read more.
Reader poll
Have you ever eaten rattlesnake?
Say goodbye to rodents with Tomcat Rodent Repellent
The Camping Loop uses Tomcat Rodent Repellent spray to keep rodents away from his RV. Made with ingredients like cinnamon, peppermint, and garlic oils, it is safe around kids and pets while repelling rodents. Use it on the RV frame, the outside electrical connections, around (but not on) the tires, etc. As it lasts about 9 months, Tomcat Rodent Repellent provides another form of cheap insurance against a mouse infestation. Watch the video and learn even more ways to keep rodents out of your RV.
Quick Tip
Drafty motorhome? Check this possible cause
Motorhome got a cold draft you can’t account for? After eliminating an open window or roof vent, check your dashboard environmental controls. Vacuum-operated intakes left in the open position when the engine is shut down may well stay open, allowing cold air to infiltrate. Turn the engine on, close the vents, shut engine off. Shut eyelids.
For Lovers Only…
To: Superman
From: Sweetie
“We are entering into a new chapter! Exciting and scary but together there is nothing we cannot do! Love you so much!”
To: RB
From: Schnookems
“I love you very much. We will be married 52 years in May and I couldn’t have found a better partner. Thanks for putting up with me and loving me all these years. Hope we have a lot of years ahead. Love You!!!!!!”
To: Mouse
From: Rat
“Luckiest Friday the 13th ever when we got married 48 years ago.”
That’s a wrap on this year’s “For Lovers Only…” Thanks to all who submitted. We love your love! This feature will return next February.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
This isn’t just a mystery product. This is an absolutely-must-have product. We’re being serious. You MUST have this in your car or RV at all times.
Website of the day
The Coziest Restaurant in Every State
It’s February, and that means having dinner in a rustic lodge or a saloon by a fireplace sounds pretty nice, right? Well, this list from Food & Wine has you covered.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
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- Camping at this Montana campground was a pleasant surprise
Recipe of the Day
Fried Cabbage With Bacon
by Kadijah James from Washington, D.C.
We loved how this fried cabbage with bacon uses three types of cabbage (green, red, and savoy). They all taste the same, but each has a slightly different texture. Frying down the cabbage in bacon grease is a fantastic way to cook cabbage. There’s plenty of flavor thanks to the bacon and seasonings. You can serve this side dish with just about anything. It would be delicious with corned beef, burgers, steak, or roasted chicken.
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Trivia
Ever wonder why Lyme disease is called Lyme? Well, when the disease was first diagnosed in 1975, it was done so in Old Lyme, Connecticut.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Charlie Brown (Shih Tzu) is about 4 months old and he’ll be taking his first RV trip in a couple of months.” —Tim Page
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!
Brand-new book for county park camping
Roundabout Publications and the Ultimate Campground Project have published the first edition of “Camping in America’s County Parks.” The 192-page directory profiles 2,068 RV, van and tent camping areas at 1,408 parks in 42 states. Inside, maps pinpoint campgrounds with information about staying, including types of restrooms, showers, dump stations and RV length limits. Rates, contact and reservation information is also listed. Read more about it here.
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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After the quote from George Washington on excuses, your next sentence is, “Need an excuse…” 🙂
LOL!!!
Yeah, I noticed that too. Ironic.
Who knew 😉 -Funny thing about today. As a kid we were told “they” (the US Government) created this day to combine celebration for Washington AND Lincoln ‘s birthdays (If no other Presidents). Imagine my surprise when I learned just recently it is officially “Washington’s Birthday” and not “Presidents Day”. https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/facts/the-truth-about-presidents-day/ Crazy stuff that.
Good one Gail!
Saw the same sign but with a puppy 🐶
Near Williamsburg, a field of ruins of President’s heads is in ruins. Definitely worth the trip.
FYI, the article from Food & Wine (Coziest Bars/Restaurants) is dated 2017, and some of the restaurants are no longer open. Might be a good idea to vet the articles before linking from here. COVID probably did a number on many of them.
Looks like Charlie Brown is downloading some movies for the long haul. He reminds me of my baby Tarah Jane who died over 15 years ago. But since have had a lot of rescues come and go. Enjoy your new baby.