Issue 2366
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 am thankful for small mercies. I compared notes with one of my friends who expects everything of the universe, and is disappointed when anything is less than the best, and I found that I begin at the other extreme, expecting nothing, and am always full of thanks for moderate goods.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is Earth Day!
On this day in history: 1876 – The first National League baseball game is played at the Jefferson Street Grounds in Philadelphia.
NEW: Concise recap of last week’s news about developments at existing campgrounds and RV parks and about new ones just opened or coming soon.
Tip of the Day
Important tow vehicle tip for first aid while traveling
By Gail Marsh
It was a lot like a slapstick movie! Or so my husband says. All I wanted was an aspirin for my niggling headache. It wasn’t a full-blown migraine—yet. I just needed to take an aspirin and I’d be good to go. Getting to the aspirin is the unlikely impetus for this important tip.
I pride myself in being a highly organized person. I’m the gal with the mantra, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” So why hadn’t I ever considered that I might sometime need a simple aspirin while on the road? I can’t tell you. But after my recent struggle, my husband agreed. We needed tips for accessing first aid while traveling.
Ask Dave
When I use a dogbone adapter to connect to 120-volt power, are both battery banks charging?
Dear Dave,
I have an ’03 45-foot Travel Supreme motorhome (dual inverters). If I use a dogbone [electrical adapter] down to 120v for charging purposes, does charging the batteries go to both banks of batteries through power sharing, or is it limited to just one bank? —Jim, 2003 Travel Supreme Select
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RV Reviews
RV review: 2024 Grand Design Transcend Xplor 24BHX—Affordable but not “cheap”
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the new-for-2024 Grand Design Transcend Xplor 24BHX travel trailer. We’ve all been talking about de-contented rigs and how RV companies are starting to focus on making their offerings less expensive.
Well, this is sort of the superstar of that race.
In the RV Shop with Dustin
RV roof replacement from start to finish; the worst roof we’ve ever seen!
Let this post be your reminder to keep up on routine maintenance, especially when concerning your roof. You do not want to have to do a full RV roof replacement, so be sure to keep up with its maintenance. This includes keeping up with your roof sealants, side seams and insert moldings at the roof line. The below video shows the dangers of not keeping up on RV routine maintenance.
Video of the Day
Editor’s note: Don’t skip past these “videos”! Did you know that Cheri’s “Video of the Day” isn’t JUST a video? Cheri writes an article to go along with each video, summarizing the whole thing. Don’t like videos? You can read the article and skip the video! Don’t skip past these!
RV Buying advice: How to spot quality RVs
By Cheri Sicard
If you are in the market for a new RV, [this video] can help. In it, Duane, our favorite RV Inspector from the RV Inspection and Care YouTube channel (a nominee for one of our 2024 RV Video awards) shares what to look for to spot a quality RV as opposed to one that is cheaply or poorly made.
The latest news for RVers
- RV market update: Mixed wholesale prices signal uncertainty. Expert offers crucial repair advice
- NASA unveils moon version of RV
- Changes to traffic camera laws. Be careful where you’re headed
- RVer says, “Campgrounds have forgotten their mission as campgrounds… The RVIA has failed campers as a whole”
To read more recent news, click here.
Are you aware of the radiofrequency (RF) radiation levels of your RV?
By Randall Brink
RVs are more than just an increasingly popular way for people to travel and explore the great outdoors. While these vehicles provide a convenient and comfortable way to travel, they also present some potential health risks from exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation. In this article, we’re going to look at what RF radiation is, the potential health risks it presents, and how you can minimize your exposure while RVing. Continue reading.
Reader poll
Have you ever stayed the night in your RV in a Cracker Barrel parking lot?
Quick Tip
Nighttime blackout help
“Day and night” shades not giving you enough “night”? One RVer sews up dark cloth panels with a pocket across the top, sized to fit the window. She attaches the panel, via the pocket, to a tension rod across the top, hidden under the valence.
Website of the day
How To Create an RV Container Garden
It’s springtime, and if you have a green thumb it’s probably tickling with excitement at the thought of planting new flowers and plants. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t garden with an RV! This article is proof you can!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
What if we told you there was a way to stay in shape without getting off your couch? Well, there is!
Recipe of the Day
Loaded Breakfast Burritos
by Marie Peralta from Washington, D.C.
These loaded breakfast burritos are hearty and full of so much flavor. They’re very filling. While traditionally breakfast, you can really have these for dinner, too. The seasoned hash browns aren’t only tasty, they add so much to the burrito. We loved the cheesy eggs with bits of crispy bacon. Top with salsa and sour cream for a breakfast burrito with a Southwestern flair.
Trivia
Which U.S. president popularized the use of rocking chairs? If you guessed John F. Kennedy, you’re correct. In 1955, his doctor recommended the use of a rocking chair as therapy to ease his pain from a prior injury. The recommendation was effective, and Kennedy was sold on the idea of using a rocking chair to engage muscles and ease pain. He bought rocking chairs for all his estates, and even gave them as gifts to friends and family. His rocker is on permanent display at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston. And, if you’re in the market for a new rocking chair, the company that made his is still in operation.
Readers’ Pet (??) of the Day
“Sadly, Josh outgrew the cage and we couldn’t take him along anymore.” —Paul Sansaver
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, 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. RVtravel.com is a participant in many affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless of the potential revenue, unless stated otherwise, we only recommend products or services we believe provide value to our readers. This newsletter is copyright 2024 by RV Travel LLC.
Two bad comments on staying in Cracker Barrel’s lot. #1 most are very narrow and if you need to put out slide to reach bed, it’s tough. #2 You gain five pounds.
Hahahaha!
Too bad…
Very inappropriate to show child in a cage for any reason.
Wah! Thanks Diane and company for not bowing to this kind of “snowflake ” pressure. IT’S A JOKE! Get off of your high horse Larry. Jeez.
We often stay overnight in CB lots. Our 21′ campervan doesn’t even need to use the long RV spaces. We can get as far away from traffic and the 5am dumpster pickup as possible. Perfect! Hate to see people with big rigs setting up with slides, jacks and in a couple cases even disconnecting their 5’ers to go driving around town. Seems to be happening more and more. That kind of abuse is going to get this great privilege banned.
On the window coverings: In our previous trailer, my wife made up cloth blackout panels with velcro around the bottom and 2 sides. Laid them down on the bed (bottoms still attached to velcro under windows) during the day, and stuck the edges up at night.
Breakfast Burritos: My wife makes them in the toaster.
Hmmm, I’m betting there’s a group of folks interested in how your wife does that. How about sharing?
Snoopy
With the way people are these days someone might misconstrue that photo. Otherwise I agree. Lock up the children until they cooperate. Maybe.
When my 18 month old comes to visit we can’t keep him out of dog kennel!! Both he and dog curl up and nap together!!! 😂
The Pet?? of the Day is hillarious! I can just see a toddler seeing a nice foam pet bed and blanket in a cage as a fun place to hang out! 🙂
Paul Sansaver and RVTravel still have a sense of humor about such harmless things! That’s something the world needs more of. Thanks!
Pet off the day~ I swear that little one looked like our son 36 years ago…I did a double take! To his parents, I will let you know how handsome & sweet mine grew up to be, your will too.
Josh is our grandson and just turned 21! He is a handsome young man and doing well. As a life guard at our local pool he saved a child and was recognized for his competency under stress!
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 We, too, found our night shades didn’t work quite enough when we went to Alaska in 2019. DW solved the conundrum by attaching hook and loop fastener strips on the wall and bottom of the night shade. It worked very well. The “pet” of the day was pretty funny. 😆😅😂 Energy is not only one of my childhood memories, but, thankfully, I still find some from time to time, when needed. 😉 Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
To simplify the blackout situation, I find a sleep mask does the job quite well.
Screaming dogs and barking kids, yuck. That kid does look like a swell one, I hope he gets out soon.
Then again, he seems to like it there, maybe safe from his older brothers and sisters?