Issue 2376
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
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Beverage Day!
On this day in history: 1915 – Babe Ruth, then a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, hits his first major league home run.
Tip of the Day
Organization and storage tips for RVers: Using the “zone method”
By Gail Marsh
It seems there’s never enough storage space in an RV. Of course, you don’t want to overload your rig, but some items are essential. To identify usable and convenient storage space, check out the following storage tips for RVers: The “zone RV organization method.”
First, a definition. A “zone” is a dedicated area identified by its function or task. You may already use a zone method of organizing your RV. For example, you store pots and pans near the stovetop where they’ll most likely be put to use. The real trick is to maximize each zone so that it accommodates the items you need on a regular basis. As you establish zones, pay attention so that individual zones do not overlap in a way that reduces productivity. Read on and you’ll see what I mean.
Ask Dave
Can I install two 250-watt solar panels on my 1964 Ideal travel trailer?
Dear Dave,
I am looking to install two 250W Rich Solar panels on the roof of my 1964 Ideal trailer. I have installed panels on trailers and vans alike dozens of times and feel comfortable with the process, but never on a vintage one like this. …
Read the rest of Michelle’s question and Dave’s answer
RV Reviews
New Grand Design Momentum 27G – It has wide-open flexibility
Today’s RV review is of the 2024 Grand Design Momentum 27G. Unless you’re a fan of Grand Design products, you might not realize that what we’re looking at is a toy hauler. But I also think that term tarnishes this trailer in a lot of ways.
Yes, it can haul toys. In fact, it can haul some pretty sizable toys. But many toy haulers really have a stark feel to them—and this one absolutely does not.
Stop RV Repair Bills from Ruining Your 2026 Travels
Say goodbye to rising RV repair costs when you protect your RV and your travel budget with Wholesale Warranties this new year. With 20+ years of experience, personalized coverage options, and 5-star customer support, we help RVers stay on the road. Save on costly repairs, enjoy flexible coverage including mobile mechanics, and travel worry-free all year long. Get your FREE personalized RV warranty quote today and enjoy peace of mind for every mile.
In the RV Shop with Dustin
How to prevent damage to your RV furniture
Why is my RV furniture CRACKING, PEELING, or looking terrible?! Most RV furniture isn’t necessarily known for its durable, long-lasting construction. In fact, it carries quite the reputation for flaking, peeling, and tearing—even after minimal use.
I was recently approached by one of the top RV furniture manufacturers. They asked me to carry their products in our store. I asked them, “Have you seen your furniture after it’s been in an RV?” My shop sees around 25-35 units a week. It doesn’t matter the year, make or model, most of them have damaged or blemished furniture after time and use.
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Video of the day
Police officer shares the best RV security tips and gear
By Cheri Sicard
In today’s video, we join Izzy from Endless RVing, one of the winners of our 2024 RV Video awards, as he shares his favorite RV security tips.
While Izzy has done other RV security tips videos in the past focusing on firearms and personal safety, this one focuses on gear and gadgets he says will increase your overall RV security and prevent theft.
The latest news for RVers
- Some RVers likely part of $1.1 billion CPAP settlement
- Automatic braking systems on the way; benefits in question
- More than half of campers “no-shows” at campsites they reserved
- Look out for the E-ZPass scam
To read more recent news, click here.
RV Business: Should you form a formal business entity?
By Randall Brink
With the rise of remote work and the desire for a more flexible lifestyle, more and more people are living and working from an RV. While the freedom and adventure that comes with this lifestyle are certainly appealing, it’s important to consider the myriad legal and financial aspects of running a business from the road as well. One key consideration is forming a business entity, such as an LLC or corporation, which can offer a range of benefits for RV entrepreneurs. Learn about them here.
Reader poll
Generally, would you rather camp by the ocean or in the mountains?
Quick Tip
Easier backing in during daylight
If you are guiding someone backing up in the daylight, it is much easier for the driver to understand if you point in the direction the wheels need to turn. Making large turning circles with your arm and flapping like a chicken are next to impossible to understand! We have found that pointing in the direction the wheels should turn, spreading our hands out to the distance left to back up and slowly bringing them together until at the right distance and putting up two closed fists to indicate stop have helped to eliminate the flapping bird syndrome. It also performs better with the campers that inevitably congregate to watch someone back into a particularly tight spot. —Thanks, again, to Nanci Dixon
Website of the day
The Most Iconic Food in All 50 States
There you have it! This list from the Food Network is pretty spot on (in our opinion). Visiting a new state? See what you’ve just got to try!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
What if you could chew your favorite drink? Well, now you can! Nope, not lying, we’re serious!
Recipe of the Day
Asparagus Chicken Wraps
by Paula Collier from Taylorville, IL
Oh my, these are so yummy! The sesame ginger marinade really gave this chicken great flavor. We made sure to add it to the chicken while cooking, like Paula suggested, and basting it just added to the great flavor. The bacon had a nice smoked flavor and the asparagus is tender yet still had a nice crunch. Delish!
Trivia
Inside every astronaut’s helmet you’ll find… Velcro! Yup. What’re you going to do if you’re in a bulky space suit and your nose itches? Well, since the Apollo missions, astronauts have attached a small piece of Velcro to a point inside their helmets just where their noses can reach. Scratch up against it and problem solved!
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Pepper and Mint ride in the back seat in their cat tree. Pepper (top) keeps an eye on the camper and Mint watches the traffic.” —Dale Terry
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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Cross your arms, chest high, to indicate a “stop”. Closed fists might be hard to see.
Standard NATO hand signals for guiding (marshaling) aircraft. Anyone can do it, and easy to understand. 11 years in the Air Force and I can do it in my sleep.
Backing in during daylight:
I have found it easier to have the spotter point in the direction the back end of the trailer needs to go. This also goes along with the practice of turning the bottom of the steering wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go.
I agree. DW points in the direction the MH back end needs to go; I determine the best way to accomplish that!
After over 30+ years of towing a pop up, bumper pull, and two 5th wheels….. now we are in a motorhome. we find it very easy(!) to get in and out of tight spaces with hand held radios’s. We use easy verbal directions such as bring the back end of the RV toward the driver or passenger side. These radios have kept us married for 48 years…..LOL!
We use our cell phones…stops me from yelling directions at the top of my lungs while amused neighbors take bets on how much longer our (also 48 year) marriage will last.
Regarding use of hand held radios–my uncle’s late partner called those “swear boxes”. LOL
Those radios are great especially when cell service is spotty or not at all. Between the rear view camera and the similar voice commands you described, we do ok for a nearly retired couple. Sometimes have to refresh the look up concept though…
One word. CAMERAS!
After years of trying to teach DW hand gestures for backing instructions, I have concluded that in her mind, if she can see it, I must be able to see it too.
BTW; She has mastered two; wildly flailing arms, and I’ll let you guess the other (hint; it’s a one digit gesture, and it ain’t a thumbs up). =:O
Sven,
My sister has vocal commands to go along with that gesture. (Hint- they may not have anything to do with camping.)
Pepper & Mint traveling with their cat tree is a very unique and crafty idea. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Keep on traveling!
The cat TREE is buckled in, but a sudden stop will send those cats flying.
That’s what their claws are for! 🙂
That’s why they have 9 lives!
Nothing worse than an audience watching someone park their RV while arranged in rows on a lawn chair…goes for the old bitties peeking through the curtains also.
No cost entertainment!
When backing, the person guiding you may not have a clue which way to turn the steering wheel. It’s different with a trailer than without a trailer. I have them simply point where I need to go, and I know which way to turn the wheel.
Watching someone or a couple coordinate parking their RV is cheap entertainment.
Almost as much fun as watching people launching and retrieving their boat at a public boat ramp.
OMG, SO TRUE. Watching the launch ramp on Friday afternoons and then again on reload Sundays from the safety of our houseboat in the marina for years, seemed at times like the most obvious place for divorce attorneys to advertise. It was entertainment beyond compare. Just like RV parking tho, not a great place to offer unsolicited advice. Always kept the life-ring handy tho because the consequence on the water was more than just some body work.
My backing ‘spotter’ has problems understanding the physical dynamics of which way the trailer moves vs. the two vehicle front wheels. She now better understands that I’m not able to make the travel trailer go sideways! She also better understands that if I can not see her or she can not see me in the mirrors, then signals go ‘unseen!’ She gets better each time.
My spotter helps by staying quiet and out of the way
My spotter goes to the head
We use the common “walkie-talkie” radios with easy to understand statements.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 The cats keeping their vigil were cute. The laugh was funny, but all too accurate of the “average” U.S. citizen. 🙁 Thanks again, have a great week, and safe travels! 🙂
I don’t ask my spotter to guide me…I can back up just fine…but rather keep me clear of obstacles.
Only two choices for favorite camping place???? I would add “desert” as my fave (depending on the time of year, of course!)
My wife and I tow RVs commercially delivering them to campsites. We just recently passed the 1000 deliveries mark and do all the parking with hand signals. My wife does all the backing as I can see much better outside of the vehicle and high, overheard branches are not visible in the mirrors. We get many comments including, “wow”, “we’d be divorced if we tried that” and once “if my husband and I tried that one of us would be bleeding”. A tip on using radios is move the vehicle only if you hear the other person’s commands. Batteries can go bad at the worst of times and the driver might not hear “STOP”. As well, the one directing must always be able to see the driver in the mirror and vice versa
Wow! 1,000 deliveries! That’s amazing, Impavid. Ain’t retirement grand?😉😅 Have a good night.🤗 –Diane