Issue 2358
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
“Nobody gets everything in this life. You decide your priorities and you make your choices. I’d decided long ago that any cake I had would be eaten.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Farm Animal Day!
On this day in history: 1916 – The Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) is created in New York City.
Tip of the Day
Road vibrations cause damage to RV interior. Watch out for these things!
By Gail Marsh
I thought I knew how to pack for RV travel days. I dutifully cushioned breakables inside our RV cabinets and diligently bungee-corded opposing cupboard handles together to keep cupboards closed while in transit. I made sure there were no obstructions in the way of our RV slides as they retracted. The microwave turntable was safely wrapped in dish towels and place inside a cabinet. I did everything I knew to do. I thought I knew how to pack for RV travel days, but I quickly learned that I needed to go beyond the basics of RV packing!
As you travel over rough roads, change traffic lanes, and turn sharp corners, everything inside your rig is rubbing, bouncing, and bumping against something else. That’s why you need these tips beyond the basics of RV packing.
Ask Dave
I have PEX water lines in my RV. Why do I need a pressure regulator?
By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
I have been RVing for 35 years via motorhomes and I have always been perplexed by the need to regulate water pressure in the RV. All the units that I have owned have used PEX plumbing, which is identical to the product used in all of the stick-built homes that I have owned. So, why the need to dial down the pressure, which provides the less-than-ideal amount of water coming through the faucets in RVs. This water restriction forces people to buy faucets and shower heads to improve performance and simulate your home experience. —Michael, 2022 Thor Aria 3901
RV Reviews
inTech O-V-R Navigate – Not the aluminum trailer you expected
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the inTech O-V-R Navigate. This is a newer model from inTech, which is a company that makes more than travel trailers. And that’s sort of where this originated from. Kinda sorta. … The company makes a wide variety of towables, but the common thread is that they utilize a lot of aluminum in the construction as well as other high-quality materials—so they have a reputation for building good stuff.
Click here to read why this is on Tony’s shopping list
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Why is my RV outlet not working after using a space heater?
I recently got asked the question, “Why is my RV outlet not working after using a space heater?” It could be that the outlet has failed, the heater has become defective, or that the circuit breaker cannot be reset. In this article, I’ll show you examples of the outlets so you can see and understand the design a bit more.
Video of the day
Amazing cargo trailer conversion into surfer’s toy hauler RV
In today’s video, we join Mondo from the financial YouTube channel Life Under the Sun for a tour of a unique cargo trailer conversion. In it, a humble, ordinary, boxy cargo trailer gets transformed into an amazing toy hauler RV!
Lately, I have been noticing more and more cargo trailer conversions on the road. If you have any kind of building skills, they make a lot of sense. The trailers are inexpensive to pick up and are usually sturdily built.
Click here to read more and watch
Around the Campfire: RVing-with-kids rules, and should-be rules, discussed
By Gail Marsh
A recent topic around the campfire began when Stan asked, “Remember back when TV news anchors would announce: ‘It’s ten o’clock. Do you know where your children are?’ Well, I wish RVers with kids would think about that and keep track of their children.” Click here to read.
New and improved Dump Buddy is a must-have gadget for RV dumping
Dump Buddy® will change the way you empty your waste tanks. It securely fastens your waste hose to the waste pipe, preventing a spill. Whether you’re doing a simple dump at the end of a trip or need a secure hookup for a long stay, Dump Buddy is there to assist. Read Tony Barthel’s review of it or click here to find it on Amazon.
Reader poll
Will you plan a special outing (or drive) this month to view flowers?
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.
Quick Tip
Stop the microwave turntable rattle
Randy C. has this great tip: “I’ve seen many strange ways to stop the rattling of the microwave turntable while going down the road in an RV. What works the best for me is to cut a piece of the non-skid rubberized shelf liner (has holes in it) to full width of the bottom of the microwave, place under the turntable, then replace the turntable upside down on top of it. Works great. You won’t forget to remove it, since you always open to put something in it before starting the unit. No more rattles, safe, effective and lightweight. Thanks, Randy!
On this day last year…
- Tip: Home is where the campsite is, so make it home-y!
- Ask Dave: Is it better to have the front of the trailer a bit too high or a bit too low?
- Video: Everything you need to know about buying an RV lot
- Featured article: Engine heater failure: What we learned when the temps dropped
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Forget using a lantern to see at night. This is quite brilliant, and we’re wondering why these don’t accompany more campers around the picnic table at night? It’s sorta perfect for that…
Website of the day
Wine map of the United States
Like drinking wine? This map is for you, especially since you’re an RVer! You’ll be able to see every wine region by state all in one place. Cheers!
Recipe of the Day
Lemon-Berry Ricotta Pound Cake
by Yve Sanchez from Philadelphia, PA
Prepare to fall in love with this lemon-berry ricotta pound cake. Easy to make, the result is a moist, tender, and delicious cake perfect for any occasion. Ricotta cheese adds a creamy texture and subtle tanginess to the cake. It wonderfully complements the fresh lemon flavor. Berries add a burst of sweetness and color to every bite. Vanilla bean paste and lemon extract enhance the pound cake and give it a wonderful aroma. This is great on its own or served with whipped cream or ice cream for a decadent treat. This lemon pound cake recipe is a keeper.
Trivia
The icy dwarf planet Pluto has an average temperature of negative 387 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s home to mountains, valleys, glaciers, plains and craters. If you were to stand on its surface, you would see blue skies with red snow.
Readers’ Pet of the Day
“Schatzie (3 y/o Standard Wirehaired Dachshund) is waiting to place her breakfast order.” —Karen Fesler
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
A man went to a job interview. He was being interviewed for a big sales position at a pretty large company. The sales manager said to the man, “I want you to sell me this laptop.” The man put it under his arm, left the building and went home. Later that day he got a phone call from the manager: “Bring my laptop back now! You can’t steal it like that!” The man responded, “Okay. $1,000 and it’s yours.”
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Contact information
Editor: Emily Woodbury
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In the microwave I store a container with cookies and bread in them and some cereal at times I have not had a problem with turntable.
And then there’s the old “cut a paper towel center cardboard to size” and slip it in there when ready to travel. But even we have migrated to your solution now!
Stop the microwave turntable rattle: we use a pool noodle cut to size that fits between the turntable and the top of the microwave. Simple and very effective.
When traveling I store my placemats, cutting board, paper towels, dish towels and small table items in my microwave. I put the cutting board on the bottom of the microwave, placemats underneath the turntable, layer dish towels on top and then put everything else on top of the dish towels; so far all good.
Too bad one cannot take home a vehicle from a stealership and try it out then sell it back to that same stealership.
You can also cut a length of pool noodle a little longer than the height above the turntable and wedge it in .
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 Have a great day and safe travels! 🙂
Microwave rattle: put a throw pillow in there when travelling, that’s what they’re for. If you think that’s disgusting, you’re not cleaning your microwave enough.
Maybe it’s the throw pillow that’s disgusting. 🤔🤣
Schatzie looks like the best taste tester to me!
My microwave turntable goes in a drawer when we travel. This is on a list we print out of all the things to do before travel. It is second nature now. Seems easier than wedging pool noodles or piling things on top of it.
The cake needs a lot more blueberries.
Hi, Impavid. That was the first thing I thought of when I saw the picture, too! Maybe because I eat fresh blueberries twice a day and each serving probably has more than this whole cake. Have a great day!🤗 –Diane
I just use the styrofoam piece that was in the microwave when it was new that had a cutout for the dish. That’s the way it was shipped from the factory, and it still works perfectly.
Whodathunk?🤔 (That’s difficult for a nitpicky proofreader like me to type…let alone leave in here.🤣) But what a sensible idea, FlyGuy. Thanks! Have a great evening/night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I saw several comments on the microwave turntable. As indicated, we also use the rubberized non-slip and turn it upside down on it. Then put back the bread on top (great storage spot for it). The reason was not so much the rattle but, the plastic shaft on the motor for the turntable once broke. Likely a combination of plastic becoming brittle and our Class C having quite a bit of side-to-side movement when exiting a business entrance onto the highway. The replacement part was cheap but took an afternoon to take the microwave down, gain access to the motor and putting everything back. Still doing it with our Class A.
We have always stored the bakery items in the microwave to keep the turntable quiet. As soon as I hear a noise from the turntable I stop at another bakery. Works for us.