Issue 2354
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
“I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Burrito Day!
On this day in history: 1968 – Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated by James Earl Ray at a motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Note: Did you know this motel was turned into a museum? Read about it here.
Tip of the Day
Unusual, helpful uses for chalk while RVing
By Gail Marsh
We always have sidewalk chalk on hand when RVing with the grandchildren. They love “decorating” the concrete slab on our campsite. I was surprised, however, when I learned that there are many other unusual uses for chalk while RVing.
My favorite classroom “job” during my time as a student in elementary school was cleaning the blackboard erasers by clapping them together. A friend and I would eagerly grab the dusty, black rectangles at the end of the school day and make our way outside. After testing to see which way the wind was blowing, our clapping would commence, and oftentimes last much longer than necessary.
As a teacher, I witnessed the transition from blackboards to whiteboards and, therefore, changed from using chalk to using markers. No more clapping erasers once the whiteboard was installed. The demoted and outdated boxes of chalk and their companion erasers moved to the back recesses of my classroom’s “teacher desk.”
Now years since my retirement from teaching, I recently discovered a few boxes of blackboard chalk in a drawer at home. Peeking inside, I saw that the sticks of chalk still proudly stood at attention, shoulder to shoulder inside the box, prepared to make their mark on the world. I’m so glad there are unusual uses for chalk while RVing because I happily moved those boxes of chalk to our fifth wheel, knowing that each stick could be put back to work. Here are ways to use chalk when RVing.
Ask Dave
My RV hydraulic jacks “twang” and retract overnight. What should I look for?
Hi, Dave,
First, I want to tell you how much I enjoy your daily articles in RV Travel. Thanks! I’ve learned a lot. We have a 2017 Pace Arrow 36U with a Power Gear self-leveling hydraulic jack system. After we set up and have the RV level, we can hear a popping sound with a spring “twang” and think the jacks must be losing pressure. By morning we need to relevel the coach. How do we fix this problem—bleed the system, replace valves or solenoids, or…? Thanks for your help. —Howard, 2017 Pace Arrow 36U
RV Tours
Tour the all-electric 2024 Bowlus Volterra travel trailer with a WOW price tag
By Cheri Sicard
In [this video] we join the team from Less Junk More Journey, one of the winners of our 2024 RV Video Awards, for a tour of the Bowlus® Volterra™, a most unusual travel trailer.
If the Bowlus looks familiar, it’s because it is modeled on the classic vintage Bowlus trailers of old. It’s still the most aerodynamic trailer out there with a body much like the old Bowlus travel trailers, but this trailer got some HUGE upgrades from its predecessors in that it is 100% electric, no propane at all.
Video of the day
7 tips to surviving a family RV trip
By Cheri Sicard
[This video] from RV Lifestyle, one of the winners of our 2024 RV video awards, discusses practical strategies to help everyone survive and thrive on a family RV trip.
Our hosts, Mike and Jennifer, say that not every family RV trip will be Instagram-perfect. But here are some strategies to implement to make it as good as it gets!
The story behind America’s beloved Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
By Gail Marsh
Chances are you’ve eaten there or perhaps parked your RV overnight in their parking lot. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is a favorite restaurant for folks who love homestyle comfort food. It’s also a fun place to shop for toys, clothing, snacks, and more! Have you ever wondered how this iconic business started? Me, too! Learn all about it here.
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!
Reader poll
Would you attend an RV show in the next month if it were within an hour drive of you?
Quick Tip
Don’t use non-skid pads on refrigerator shelves
Non-skid pads have their place – but not on refrigerator shelves. These can block air circulation, and make it hard to cool food. Reserve their use in the fridge for door shelves only. To keep things from falling out of the fridge and onto your toe when you open the door after driving on bumpy roads, use some expandable refrigerator bars, available on Amazon.
On this day last year…
- Tip: A look at the best portable ice makers for RVs
- RV Tours: Tour the 2023 HOST Mammoth truck camper with washer/dryer!
- Ask Dave: Can I sanitize RV’s fresh water tank without running solution through water lines?
- Video: How to sell your RV for maximum profit
- Featured article: Video: Comparison between Ford F-150 and F-250 trucks
Website of the day
Get Your Guide
This website shows you tours all around the U.S. and the world! It’s the best way to see and experience a new place! Take a Chicago architecture river cruise, go on a walking tour of Harvard University, take an Alcatraz night tour and so, soooo much more.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
If you like history, you’ll love this! Having this information in one place is ideal and the presentation here is near perfect.
And the Survey Says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 2,500 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• 23 percent say they or their partner knits.
• 18 percent would like to travel to Australia and New Zealand to RV.
• 28 percent say that listening to music is a very important part of their life.
Recent poll: When RVing, where do you most often get your drinking water from?
Recipe of the Day
Norwegian Meatballs and Rice
by Kat Ryan from Clayton, NC
We love old family recipes and these Norwegian meatballs are no different. The mix of ground beef and pork is quite tasty. They soak up all the delicious flavor of the creamy gravy. Serve this over rice or noodles for a comforting meal.
Trivia
Ski-related emergency room visits in California rose 50% from 2016 to 2022, according to data from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information. Some Los Angeles news outlets, including local news station KTLA, blame the use of three products for the rise in injuries on the slopes: marijuana, Fireball whiskey and selfie sticks. [Editor: No comment.🤣]
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Sophie (Miniature Australian Shepherd) just can’t wait for the shades to go up in the morning to be looking for dog walkers. She is 9 months old and has so much love and energy.” —Cheryl Hollingsworth
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.
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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The quote of the day. “I think there should be a rule that everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their lives.” ―R.J. Palacio. Only if they deserve and have earned it. If not it just becomes another meaningless participation ribbon.
Everybody….Let’s give a big hand of applause to Bill!!!! 😁
I tried the magnetic door stop and it would not hold the door in a wind. Buyer beware.
But magnetic door stops DO work wonderfully for interior RV doors. Many RV interior doors have a high floor clearance for better airflow, (and/or a low ceiling clearance for same). Rather than clunky big door stops (trip hazard) the magnetic door stops, if mounted high, can also work as a temporary place to put a clothes hanger.
Broken link on Ask Dave.
Diane, what Bob said. I tried an end-run by going to the website and then going into “Maintenance/Repair,” but the most recent linked article was yesterday’s. Maybe the internet ate it? 🤔😯
Yep, same here.
Sorry, Bob, Neal and Bill. It worked last night when I checked it, and it worked this morning for me, even when going in “anonymously” (i.e., so it’s not connecting to something in my cache). I copied in the URL again, so hopefully it will work for you now.🤞Weird. Must be those danged gremlins again. Please let me know if it’s still not working for you and I’ll try it again. Thanks! (I talked on the phone yesterday with Dave about this article, and we both agreed that “Shania” popped into our heads with the reference to “twang”.😅) Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Nope. Just tried it and still getting a 404 error code..thanks “y’all” for your efforts..🤭
Thanks, Bill. I think I got rid of the gremlin. It should work now. Sorry! Take care, y’all. 😀 –Diane
Thank you, Diane! It worked! 🙂 Odd, but I guess the gremlins had their fun and finally released the article. 🤔😉
I’m glad it worked this time. Thanks for letting me know, Neal.👍 Have a great day! 😀 –Diane
Me, too! I really wanted to see what Dave said because my knowledge of Newton the (Newmar) New Aire’s components is so limited; it’s narrow and shallow. You’re very welcome, Diane! 🙂 Thank you, and you, too! 🙂
👍😄 –Diane
Just tried it and it worked.
Thanks.
Yep, it’s up and working !
Good! Thanks, Bill.👍 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 Sophie is adorable and very pretty. The funny today was hilarious. I wonder if dog #3 thinks the same thing if either of us sings with the radio while we are in the car with him? Thanks again! Have a great day and safe travels! 🙂
I am not allowed to sing with the radio in the car. Something about stepping on a cat’s tail. I don’t hear the connection at all.
Me, too, Jesse, unless it is just me in the car. I guess I’m the only one who doesn’t mind my “singing.”
I love this newsletter and read it religiously. I must say however (as a paid subscriber) the ads are getting out of hand. I have never seen so many ads in your newsletter. I know you need the revenue to survive so I wish more people would realize that if they contribute monthly it could reduce the amount of ads needed to support this newsletter
Have you tried Duck Duck Go? And view it on your laptop instead of on your phone if you hate the ads. I view it on both and find even on my phone I can read the complete newsletter even with the ads. Life is way too short to complain of the ads. Especially when there is a solution.
Yes it works!!
Firefox works too.
The magnetic door holder article was posted a few issues back. I bought a set because I have a similar product that I purchased several years ago and they’re advertised as being made of Stainless Steel. Unfortunately when they arrived I determined that only a small part was Stainless Steel. Most of it was chrome plated tin which would be unacceptable in the marine environment that we visit frequently.
Fortunately Amazon has a great return policy.
Sure am tired of people complaining about ads. Complain about the state of the world. Something meaningful.
Yes the state of the world and our country are more important than complaining about ads. And the thing is people there IS A SIMPLE SOLUTION use Duck Duck Go and ads will not show up! Try it you’ll be surprised
Yes, instead of complaining about ads, complain about people who complain about ads
Oh, ads. I thot they were complaining about having ADDs.
What ads?…I just ignore them now that they aren’t in the middle of an article.
I hold the entry door on our Rv open with a compartment hold open; chrome – about 1″ long by 1/2-3/4″ wide; spring loaded. I also have one on the propane door to hold it open as needed. works great.
Also, if you need a bumper stop for the door – I found a stainless steel, grey rubber centered stop pad at Walmart (etc.) designed as a wall protector to prevent door knob damage. About 2″ – 2/12″ in diameter. Been on the outside sidewall for 8 years now.