Issue 2355
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
“Courage isn’t having the strength to go on – it is going on when you don’t have strength.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Read A Road Map Day!
On this day in history: 1792 – United States President George Washington exercises his authority to veto a bill, the first time this power is used in the United States.
Tip of the Day
How to manage allergies while RVing
By Gail Marsh
It’s spring! At least that’s what my sinuses keep telling me. Springtime brings flowers, warmer weather, and allergies too! Springtime is the perfect time for some tips for managing allergies while RVing. Here are some practical solutions to do just that.
Choose allergy-friendly campsites
Research RV campsites before booking. Look for sites away from sources of allergens such as high pollen areas or locations with excessive dust. Choosing campsites with fewer trees or grass nearby can also help reduce exposure to outdoor allergens.
Pack allergy medications
Always carry essential allergy medications and supplies with you while RVing. This includes antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops, and epinephrine injectors for severe allergic reactions. Make sure medications are easily accessible and check expiration dates regularly.
Consider allergy-proof bedding
Invest in a hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers to create a barrier against dust mites and other allergens. Wash bedding regularly in hot water to kill dust mites and effectively remove allergens.
Ask Dave
Why does the RV refrigerator work on LP but not on 120-volt power?
Dear Dave,
The RV’s fridge (Norcold 7) will not cool on electric, but works fine on gas. —Rodney, 2019 Thor Chateau 22B
RV Reviews
2024 Forest River Ibex 19BHEO – Getting back to the essentials
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the new-for-2024 Forest River Ibex 19BHEO travel trailer. This is yet another example of RV companies going back to their roots or decontenting or just offering less-expensive models. Don’t take that sentence like I am opposed to this. I’m actually in favor of it.
The way Ibex has done it really makes me happy. With their “Essentials Only” features and options, this smaller trailer essentially keeps the core quality features that Ibex is known for without some of the gingerbread, cheesecake or frilly stuff. That makes a lot of sense.
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Why we recommend RV slide toppers
By Dustin Simpson
Pros for slide toppers
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- They protect slide out wiper gaskets and seals from sun damage.
- Protect the top of the slide out when twigs, leaves, nuts, seeds, etc., fall on the RV.
- Protect the slide out from snow and ice.
- Adds protection from rain, shielding the seams, joints and moldings.
- Saves time when leaving the campground (don’t have to climb onto the roof to clear slide top of debris).
Continue reading more pros and cons
Video of the day
The best RV inverters, from simple to complex
By Cheri Sicard
[This] invaluable video from Jared Gillis and All About RVs, one of the winners of our 2024 Best RV Video Awards, involves a discussion of all things RV inverters, including the best RV inverters, and how to install them.
Click here to read more and watch
Life expectancy calculator gives me sobering number: 16.9 years left to live. What to do with that precious time?
By Nanci Dixon
Back in 2021, I wrote an article about using a tape measure as a metaphor for measuring my life. It examines how much time I have spent living and the statistics about how much time is left. Using the Social Security Life Expectancy Calculator, it looks like I have 16.9 years left. That is pretty sobering. Continue reading.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Around the Campfire: The worst advice RVers have ever received
- Campground worker explains the 10-year rule and why campgrounds enforce it
- The Brinkley RV Model Z Air 285 is built right, including its top-notch plumbing
- Baltimore bridge collapse sparks propane travel questions across U.S. tunnel and bridge network. Know where your RV can (and can’t) go
Reader poll
Have you ever been rushed to the hospital after being injured in an auto/RV accident?
Quick Tip
Handy, and considerate, night lights
LED “tap” lights near fifth wheel stairs, in the bathroom, and other places where a light is needed during the night can keep you from stumbling, or fumbling for light switches. They’re also easier on your partner—the low level of light doesn’t disturb sleepers.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Maximizing the efficiency of your camping cooler
- Ask Dave: No power is coming from my RV’s onboard generator. Why?
- Video: 9 special challenges of renovating Airstreams
- Featured article: Unusual souvenirs across the U.S. prompt one question: Why?!
Website of the day
The Best Camping in Oregon, From Crater Lake to the Oregon Dunes
If you’ve never camped in Oregon, there’s no way you won’t plan a trip after reading this and seeing these photos. It sure is a beautiful state…
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Will you win a million dollars next year? Will you lose those 50 pounds? Will you finally discover the Fountain of Youth? Will you finally get that golden retriever puppy you’ve always longed for? Well, here’s how to find out…
Recipe of the Day
Grilled Cheese Pizza Supreme
by Cara J. Mastrangello from Albany, NY
This grilled cheese is like a supreme pizza in a grilled sandwich – a fantastic idea! We loaded our sandwich with all the suggested toppings and fell in love. But tailor the sandwich with your favorite pizza toppings. Buttery grilled sourdough holds in the gooey cheese, hearty pepperoni, and salty prosciutto. Fresh basil adds a pop of flavor. We added a little sauce inside the grilled sandwich and served some on the side for dipping. If you don’t have a panini press, these can be grilled in a skillet.
Trivia
North Dakota’s Lake Sakakawea has more shoreline than the California Pacific Coast.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Fluffy (Maine Coon) was a rescue. She showed up at our house two years ago. No collar or ID. I took her to the vet, had her checked, she received her vaccinations. She took her first trip that year and has been going along ever since. And she loves to watch TV.” —Timothy Stitzel
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
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Editorial (all but news): editor@rvtravel.com
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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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A feel good story
https://www.9and10news.com/2024/04/04/california-dog-missing-since-last-summer-has-been-found-in-michigan/
This is a heart warming story. I’m glad she was reunited with her family.
Tap lights and small sensor lights are inexpensive at Ikea. Amazing how many useful products for the RV are in their product lines.
The life calculator is quite sobering. According to it I have 15.9 years to live. I just retired so now I have the time to enjoy the time I have left. I will not dwell on this fact but instead make it my priority to enjoy my wife, family and our travels much more. I believe we only get one life to enjoy so I plan to enjoy our next 15.9 years. Satisfying to know everything (trust, will, power of attorney, investments, etc.) are all set up for distribution should I get called home early. #enjoylifenow
God’s man in the center of God’s will is immortal until God has finished with the man and what he intended for him. Calculators are of no value then.
The tap lights are also great for inside cabinets. We have them for the pantry and the cupboards under the sink.
There are two technically correct answers for Today’s Trivia question; Lake Superior, and Lake Michigan. While Lake Sakakawea also has more miles of shoreline than California’s coastline, it is technically a reservoir.
Sorry to nit-pick, but that’s how I roll.
From a Yooper- the key difference is California is one State. Lakes Michigan and Superior border multiple States – and for Superior, two countries. Nonetheless, you are not going to circumnavigate either in a day. And for Superior, not likely to complete the drive in less than several days.
Hate to nitpick Sven, but the Trivia was a statement, not a question. It simply states that the shoreline of Lake Sakakawea is longer than the shoreline of California. No mention of reservoirs or natural lakes or anything but the length of shore for the lake and the state.
Cheers!
I had the old school Mystery Product growing up. It was a lot of fun to play with when I was still in single digits. I discovered that there is a key chain version of it an Amazon (of course).
The Pet of the Day description made me chuckle, as we had a cat, Camo, who also really liked to watch TV. We watched old Gunsmoke reruns in those days, and he was a real fan of the show. Camo was a special cat in so many ways. He’d go with us on all our camping trips too. We miss him still, lost him in 2020.
Lake Powell (dammed) has more shoreline than all of the US ocean shoreline
Just Curious, what was the first bill vetoed by Washington???
Hi, Larry. This is from Wikipedia: “The presidential veto power provided by the 1789 Constitution was first exercised on April 5, 1792, when President George Washington vetoed a bill outlining a new apportionment formula. Apportionment described how Congress divides seats in the House of Representatives among the states based on the US census figures.” Thanks for asking. I was curious, also, but just hadn’t gotten around to looking it up. Have a good evening/night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I’m still laughing over the “accident diagram”.
I had an accident just like that!
I’m getting todays Mystery Product to see if it gives me a better answer than the Social Security chart.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! The funny was funny (albeit recycled). 🙂 Have a great evening and weekend! Safe travels! 🙂
Hi, Neal. Yep, it was recycled all right. Some of our newer readers may not have seen it before, some of our more seasoned readers may not remember it from before, and the rest of us can just enjoy it again.😅 Take care. 😀 –Diane
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 Yes, we can and do. Good jokes (even visual ones) can stand to be retold. 🙂 🙂 🙂