Issue 2331
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 you think that I count the days? There is only one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Pound Cake Day!
On this day in history: 1789 – In New York City, the first Congress of the United States meets, putting the United States Constitution into effect.
Tip of the Day
Tips for using cabinet sides for RV storage solutions
By Gail Marsh
Many folks complain about the lack of usable storage space inside their RVs. I’ll bet that if you scan your RV interior right now, available space will look you right in the eye! Not convinced? Here are some tips for using cabinet sides for RV storage.
Note: Every RV is different, with different floorplans, varying materials, and a multitude of cabinet configurations. While you may not be able to use all of the following tips, I hope you’ll discover at least one or two that are helpful.
Utilizing the sides of cabinets is a great way to free up drawers, cupboards, and other storage spaces for other necessities. Once you’ve identified usable spaces at the end of cabinets, think about how you typically use that area of your RV. Then add hooks, shelves, or other items for storage solutions.
Ask Dave
Why won’t two 6-volt batteries run my CPAP machine overnight?
Good morning, Dave,
We have been boondocking for six weeks and have another month to go. I have four 6-volt batteries and charge them up with a Yamaha 2000 gen. As far as I can ascertain, all four are good. Two are brand-new and the other two are two years old. I have gone overnight with one set, and then again with the other set, in an effort to try and figure out why they will drop from 12.6 to 12 overnight (6 hours) by just running my CPAP via an inverter. I plug the CPAP directly into the inverter, so that is the only thing the inverter is running. Then I run the gen for about 4 to 5 hours a day! —Wayne, 2009 Cedar Creek TS34 fifth wheel
RV Reviews
2024 Forest River Vibe 19RB—No slide room necessary
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the Forest River Vibe 19RB. In many ways this reminds me of my first new travel trailer in that it’s a smaller trailer with a Murphy bed and the bathroom across the back. The kitchen’s over on the road side, the dining is on the camp side.
But that first trailer was nowhere near as innovative as this one in terms of how things were put together. So, when I saw this Vibe, I had to look deeper.
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Repairing a frame flex issue uncovered after RV dropped off for other service
In the world of RVs, unforeseen challenges can emerge. My team at California RV Specialists recently encountered a concerning issue while maneuvering a Forest River Wildcat around our service yard.
The owner of the unit had been unaware of the potential danger lurking beneath the surface—pin box frame flex.
Click here to learn more and watch the video
Small blind spot mirror good for all vehicles
If you don’t have one of these on your RV or tow vehicle, you need one! These small 2″ round glass blind spot mirrors easily stick onto your current mirror—no hard work is needed! They’re waterproof and rust-resistant and can rotate and sway to be adjusted for the best visibility. They’re affordable and could save you from an accident. Learn more or order.
Video of the day
Affordable RVing—10 ways to save money on the road
By Cheri Sicard
RVing can be expensive, but in the video below from the Happily Ever Hanks, winner of one of our Reader’s Choice awards for 2024’s best RV YouTube channel, you can discover ten surefire ways to save money on the road.
If you are not familiar with this channel helmed by a couple of traveling nurses who live full time in their RV debt-free, it’s terrific. It’s that last part that’s important here. Unlike a lot of young couples mired in debt, these two live a life of freedom, both financial and otherwise, as they travel from job to job while enjoying the country.
The latest news for RVers
- Is an RV considered a “home” in a bankruptcy proceeding?
- Grand Design RV’s future hangs in the balance amid serious safety concerns
- Thieves steal RV dealer’s identity, sell non-existent RVs with phony website
- RV sales report: Motorhome prices still down, towables up first time in months
To read more recent news, click here.
RVers discuss propane safety tips and tricks
By Gail Marsh
It was chilly around a recent campfire, but the conversation heated up rather quickly as folks shared their thoughts about propane safety. Chet began. “I just got a dressing down,” he said. “I took my 30 lb. propane tank to fill it up and was told I needed to transport my filled tank upright. That’s impossible in my small vehicle. I put it in the backseat and as you can see—I survived.” Continue reading all about propane safety here.
Reader poll
Do you bring a musical instrument with you on your RV trips?
Quick Tip
Think about where you’re stepping…
From reader David B.: “The cement around the dump station is horribly contaminated. I would never walk inside my motorhome wearing the shoes I just walked through urine and feces with. I keep a pair of rubber boots with my dumping supplies that are only used at a dump station. I put them on before I start dumping and remove them before entering the motorhome.”
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
What if we told you that you’d want to drink out of this toilet bowl? Would you believe us? Heck, we’d drink out of this toilet bowl! See for yourself and you won’t think we’re so crazy!
Website of the day
RV Service Reviews
When you break down in your RV, we’d hate to see you go to a bad service shop. This website shows you reviews of good service centers near you.
Popular articles you may have missed at RVtravel.com
- Cockeyed ceiling lights – cockeyed RV industry?
- Why you need an electric bike
- Campground characters: The inspiring story of ‘Five-mile Denise’
Recipe of the Day
Taco Mac & Beef with Nacho Topping
by Kathy Williams from Rock Hill, SC
You may have all the ingredients for this easy dinner casserole in your kitchen! It’s a crunchy cheesy pasta mixed with a zesty cheesy taco meat mixture. Then it’s topped with more cheese and crushed taco shells. Add your favorite nacho toppings, and you have a simple weeknight meal.
Trivia
The chocolate chip cookie was invented by Ruth Graves Wakefield. She owned the Toll House Inn, in Whitman, Massachusetts, a very popular restaurant that featured home cooking in the 1930s. Her cookbook, Toll House Tried and True Recipes, was first published in 1936 by M. Barrows & Company, New York.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Bailey (white Mini Labradoodle) and Rip (black English Lab). These two sweet babies love our camping adventures!!” —Nancy Cannon
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.
RVer compares black tank treatments: These two work!
Joshua from the YouTube channel RV Gear & Far tests eight different black tank treatments to see which ones work and which ones don’t. Spoiler alert: Liquified and Unique RV Digest-It+ were the big winners when it came to breaking down the waste. Read the story and watch the video to compare. (We’re buying some Liquified right now!)
Leave here with a laugh
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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
CONTACT US
Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
Editorial (news): chuck@rvtravel.com
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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Thank you, Emily and Diane! The funny is hilarious! Thank you for brightening my morning, and, thereby, my day! 🙂
I have a Artic Fox trailer 2004 21’, the internal dump valve on the black water side is not opening and closing properly. What is the best approach to repair?
You should submit your questions to one of the two RV Repair/Maint guys who write articles here daily.
Yes, either Dave or Dustin. They’re the best !!
Hopefully someone with greater knowledge than me chimes in. Myself, if the valve is 20 years old, I would likely replace it. Many use four small bolts to hold them in and if not so rusted they can be removed, it should be possible to take them out, slide out the old valve, slide in a new one and install new stainless-steel bolts. Nothing lasts forever.
I have a seasonal rv and more cabinet space then I absolutely need. Guess I am not a hoarder some are. Minimal is my style. IMO not yours.
I’m disappointed that Gail Marsh posted a story about Dale JR getting an RV and giving him a floor to push advertising for Camping World with as much as RVtravel posts negativity about them. JR is doing business with them because they are a NASCAR sponsor and that gave him a better deal than most of us could get if we went to them.
Hi, James. So, you’re saying Gail can’t report anything about Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s new RV because he and Camping World are both connected to NASCAR, therefore he’s doing business with CW and so we can’t say anything about his new RV?🤔 That sounds a little narrow-minded to me.🤨 Have a good night. –Diane At RVtravel.com