Issue 2383
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
“What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Bring Flowers To Someone Day!
On this day in history: 1905 – The city of Las Vegas is founded in Nevada, United States.
Tip of the Day
How to be an RVer and still pursue your hobby
By Gail Marsh
Can you travel in an RV and still pursue your favorite hobby? I didn’t used to think so. But now I know better!
My husband has many hobbies. He likes to ride his motorcycle and bicycle. He enjoys fishing and hiking, along with snorkeling and occasionally scuba diving. The best part? My husband can pursue many of his hobbies as we travel in our RV all around the country.
I used to envy Hubby. “So many hobbies. So little time.” That seemed to be his motto. And then there’s me. I like to read. Not too exciting, huh? Of course, while we were in our stix-n-brix home I enjoyed gardening, sewing, and crafting. When it was time to get back in our RV and head out on the road, I used to put my hobbies away. That was a mistake. Turns out, you can travel without giving up your hobby.
Ask Dave
Important follow-up to Grand Design quality and frame flex issues story
By Dave Solberg
Last Friday I posted a question from a reader regarding the quality of Grand Design and the rotten floor they had under the slide out. There were some comments, e.g., one stating that he would never buy another Grand Design, others talking about a similar repair and the technician used marine grade plywood. There was even a comment from a Tiffin owner that had a rotten floor due to skimping on material and caulking. The point is, every manufacturer can and will have a unit that develops an issue. The test is how they take care of it. …
Read more, including a message from Grand Design RV’s CEO & President
RV Reviews
Mammoth Overland Tall Boy trailer set to debut at Overland Expo
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV (p)review is of the forthcoming Tall Boy trailer from Mammoth Overland. This is a new offering from the company that is much more travel trailer and less teardrop-style, but it retains the company’s focus on overlanding.
Mammoth Overland is actually owned by Vashon Aircraft in Woodinville, Washington. Interestingly, the last time I can think of an aircraft company that made travel trailers it was the Spartan Aircraft Company, and those trailers remain collectible some 70 years after they were built. Like those vintage trailers, the ones built today by Mammoth Overland are all aluminum construction, but the intended market is vastly different.
In the RV Shop with Dustin
Reminder: Check that fridge drip tray before it floods into your RV
By Dustin Simpson
The below question was posted in one of my many Facebook groups. This one was in Grand Design RV – In The RV Shop, where we have almost 20,000 members. Members post problems and the group members and myself try and help each other out with problems, concerns, products, and upgrades.
One group member, Alan, asked this question:
“Any ideas where to start the investigation? 2022 Grand Design RV Solitude 380FL. Last night we noticed water collecting on the right side of the fridge on the flooring. The inside of the fridge is dry. …”
Video of the day
RV Electrical 101—A beginner’s overview
By Cheri Sicard
Are you an RV newbie confused about how RV electrical systems work (yes, there are two)? [This] excellent video … from the team at Home A Roam can help. It’s a short and concise overview of how RV electrical systems work, i.e., an RV Electrical 101 tutorial.
Campers share their biggest pet peeves. We bet you’ll agree
By Dave Helgeson
Camping pet peeves: What are yours? Many have written about campground etiquette in the hopes of educating new RVers. I recently saw a Facebook post asking the question, “What’s something you see while camping that makes you cringe?” Many of the nearly thousand answers went beyond standard campground etiquette, stating valid concerns worth sharing. Read some of them here and see if these are the things that bother you the most, too. [Note: This article is recycled so has quite a few interesting comments already.]
Reader poll
Do you plan to spend more or less time RVing this summer than last?
Don’t take a break on your brakes!
Every RVer needs one of these!
Wonder what it would be like to have your brakes go out while you’re going down a long, steep grade? You might find out if your brake fluid is moisture-contaminated. Water in brake fluid boils and can wipe out your braking ability! Buy yourself a brake-fluid tester for less than $10 that warns you if there’s too much water in your fluid. Simply dip the tester into your rig’s brake fluid and you’ll be able to see where you stand. Learn more or order.
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
• CURRENT WILDFIRE REPORT
• CURRENT SMOKE REPORT
Did you buy a lemon RV? Here’s more about RV lemons and lawyers who will represent you if you need help.
If you enjoy this newsletter, please help us spread the word! Learn more here. It’s fun!
Quick Tip
A cool deduction about induction (cooktop)
Regarding how to keep the inside of your RV cool when needing to cook in a pan or skillet, Rob S. puts in his two-cents: “We have been using a portable induction cooktop. It is nearly 100% efficient at heating the pan and not the surrounding air. We also use it in the cooler temperatures because, unlike propane, it releases no extra water vapor into the coach.” Thanks, Rob.
Website of the day
The Creepiest, Coolest Ghost Town in Every State
These are both creepy and cool, that’s for sure! As the weather gets sunnier and warmer, it’s the perfect time to explore these old historic ghost towns. How many have you been to?
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
It wouldn’t be a campsite without one of these on your plate or in your hand, would it? But once you use this to help with it, you’ll never go back!
Recipe of the Day
Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies
by Marcie Frazee from Jacksonville, FL
Funny story… when making the dough it was dry and a lot of coconut. We thought this may be a cookie fail. Oh boy, were we pleasantly surprised once we took a bite of these coconut chocolate chip cookies. The outside tastes like toasted coconut and the edges even get a little crisp. Inside, though, is nice and gooey. These cookies don’t spread much, so place the cookie how you want it to bake. This cookie is a coconut lovers dream!
Trivia
Ever wonder what’s actually in Spam? Spam is a canned precooked meat product made by the Hormel Foods Corporation, first introduced in 1937. The labeled ingredients in the classic variety of Spam are chopped pork shoulder meat, with ham meat added, salt, water, modified potato starch as a binder, sugar, and sodium nitrite as a preservative.
Readers’ Pets of the Day
“Our Rottweilers. Nutmeg is our almost 10-year-old camping queen; Aslan is 10 months old and learning the camping ropes from his big sister! They both love traveling, exploring, and meeting new people.” —Berni Vipond
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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Nutmeg and Asian, what a couple of great RVing buddies!
Rotties what a wonderful breed. A dog you don’t have to train to be protective. They are friendly and outgoing. They know when to be protective and when not. I do miss our rotties.
Agree 100 percent, have had two rotties M & F, both outstanding fur babies. Became frustrating being turned away from rv parks, just because of the breed.
Mystery Product of the Day. Who wants to ruin wonderful corn on the cob like that? As long as I have teeth, I’ll love corn on the cob!
Me too. My false teeth still can eat on the cob without falling out.
Leave here with a laugh. LOL. So true!
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 The doggies are cute, the laugh all too true, and the homage to Dave Helgeson’s interest in ghost town was sweet. Thanks again, happy hump day, and safe travels! 🙂
In my family we have always referred to SPAM as “Monkey meat”.
Personally, I’ve never cared for it.
I noticed a pet peeve was tenters in RV spots. I had an RV, workcamped for a while. Went back to tent camping. At almost 78, I need to be nearer than farther to the rest room and campgrounds put tents so far from the bathroom– I don’t know why they do that. I pay the full price, just as if I had an RV. Not sure why I shouldn’t be able to put up my tent.