Issue 2395
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
“A laugh is a smile that bursts.” —Mary H. Waldrip
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Utah Day!
On this day in history: 1790 – The United States enacts its first copyright statute, the Copyright Act of 1790.
Tip of the day
Genius charging cord trick that makes RV life easier
By Dave Helgeson
If you are like me, you have many electronics that require a charging cord in your RV. Cell phone, jet packs, satellite messenger, tablets, heated garments—just to name a few. Of course, none of them use the same USB connection nor are they compatible with one another. There are so many options; Type A, Type C, Mini B, Micro B — Ugh! I can’t remember which cord fits which item!
When I do find the correct cord, I want to keep track of it and have the “working end” of the cord readily available when I want to charge something. What to do?
Ask Dave
How can I make RV’s central A/C work better when it’s 115 out?
Dear Dave,
My RV has a “central air”-type system with only one 15000 BTU Coleman Mach unit doing the cooling for the entire RV. It appears that the unit is nowhere near big enough to cool the RV. Where I live right now is way south Texas, where the temp is already pushing 100 degrees with a heat index of 115 plus. In the afternoon the temp in the RV gets well above 80 degrees. Very little air is coming out of the ducts. I had the unit cleaned this spring. Is there a way to increase air flowing out? Would changing it from a central unit to a single air outlet help? Can I increase the airflow by adding a larger fan? —Chris, 1996 38-foot Travel Supreme
RV reviews
Outdoors RV Backcountry Series 20BD—a winter-ready “tank”
By Tony Barthel
What kind of features are in your RV? I’m sure yours has a strap to hold an axe. No? How about one to hold a shovel? Wait, still no? A gun safe? Geez, Louise. At least does your RV company make their own chassis? Oh, right. These are all things that we find in today’s RV review of the 2024 Outdoors RV Backcountry Series 20BD travel trailer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
RVer baffled by chipping paint on her RV
By Dustin Simpson
The below question was posted in one of my many Facebook groups. One group member, Lizzie, asked this question:
What is causing the chip pops and the touch-ups to repop? It goes on one side from the top to the bottom, back right side and above the storage covers.
Click here for Dustin’s answer
Video of the day
How to survive boondocking in 100-degree heat
By Cheri Sicard
In [this video], the team from Less Junk More Journey (one of the winners of our 2024 RV Video awards) discusses the topic of boondocking in the heat, and specifically how to survive temperatures of 100 degrees or more!
One of the couple’s recent trips took them through Wall, SD, at a time when temps were expected to be in triple digits.
Featured article
Tour the oldest, richest and most famous gold mine in southern Nevada
By Dave Helgeson
In this edition of Ghost Town Trails, we will travel to the Techatticup Mine about 45 minutes south of Las Vegas, Nevada. … The oldest, richest, and most famous gold mine in Southern Nevada, the Techatticup Mine awaits photographers and history buffs in stunningly scenic Eldorado Canyon, just 45 minutes outside Las Vegas. (Per Travel Nevada) Continue reading about this very special location.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Why you should use RV slide-out stabilizers and locks
- RV buyers change mind, will not buy RV — ‘No place to camp’
- 2024 Leisure Travel Vans Unity MBL Class C motorhome in big demand
- Forest Service wants to cut hundreds of trees in popular campground
Reader poll
Do you have a dash camera on your RV or tow vehicle?
Quick tip
Fifth-wheelers, beware hitch chucking!
Because fifth-wheel hitches are anywhere from 14 to 18 inches above the truck bed, they can be susceptible to chucking, where the coupler jaws grab the kingpin. This is mainly a problem with less expensive setups. If you spend more on a better fifth-wheel hitch that adjusts to keep a tight grip on the kingpin, chucking is all but eliminated.
—From “So, You Want To Be an RVer? And Enjoy the RV Lifestyle? [Revised].” Available on Amazon.
On this day last year…
- Tip: 26 practical uses for Mason jars in your RV
- Ask Dave: Another toad car detaches from motorhome! Plus, follow-up on braking systems
- Video: New concept trailer: Porsche and Airstream collaboration
- Featured article: Relax Sauna: A portable sauna for your RV. Goodbye aches and pains!
Website of the day
See Jurassic Park Come to Life at These Amazing Dinosaur Fossil Parks
Take a look at the photos in this article—it’s hard to believe they’re real, but they are! It would be incredible to see these in person, especially if you’re traveling with kids or grandkids.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Oh, we’d pay good money to watch these in action! In fact, this could probably even become an Olympic sport! A very tasty Olympic sport for a certain someone…
Recipe of the day
Caramelized Onion and Pepper Potato Salad
by Sharron Boerum from Beaumont, CA
This creamy potato salad is unique in so many ways. The caramelized onions and peppers add a little something different to the salad. It’s great for those who like onions in a potato salad but not their crunch. Mixing mayonnaise and sour cream is slightly sweet and tangy but at the same time has a mellow flavor. There’s a hint of garlic that complements the caramelized onions and peppers. This salad doesn’t have a ton of ingredients. You really taste the flavor of the potatoes. A delicious side dish for any cookout.
Trivia
Utah has five national parks, 45 state parks, 5 national historic sites and trails, and a dozen national monuments and recreation areas. No wonder it’s so popular with travelers.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Lucky, our Yorkshire ‘Terrorist’ from Las Vegas at Yuma Lakes Resort, AZ.” —Dan Frownfelter
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
Hah! Perhaps the most convincing Amazon review… ever? (These are the leggings, if you’re curious.)
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RVtravel.com All Star Team
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In the RV shop with Dustin. Why did I have to experience the exact same full page advertisement on every page for 7 pages???
These people will pass the buck or not respond at all. this read is nor worth it anymore…
Why are you both here? This is a great RV newsletter, maybe you are just having a bad day.
Smile not bursting huh?
Hi, Dan and “Engineer”. Sorry you’re seeing so many ads on Dustin’s article. We don’t have control over what ad shows on what page, but all of us and our readers tend to experience different ads everywhere. Try refreshing the page a few times and see if that helps. Or, as others below have suggested, if you want an ad-free experience, switch your internet browser to Duck Duck Go. We hear that works!
And Dan, we always respond when we’re needed.
–Emily, RVtravel.com
see ya…go grumble to someone else
No ads here. Change your settings.
Here either as I use Brave browser mounted on a Linux machine.
no issues here either…if you need help with your browser settings, just ask. There are many of us out here who would rather help you once than hear the complaining frequently
Read the newsletter in the search engine Duck Duck Go and there are no obnoxious pop-ups or repeating advertisements.
Easier for them to gripe.
Or just install an ad blocker.
Brave with Linux…no problemo senor.
As to the laugh of the day, I am still amazed at the 13,000 plus people who found that helpful.
Use an Andersen hitch instead of those archaic super trucker hitches that weigh 300 pounds.
Thank you, Emily, Diane, and Kim! 🙂 The laugh of the day was very amusing and convincing. 🙂 Wow! With so much of Utah held by government entities it is a wonder that anyone lives in Utah. Maybe that’s why I have only met two people who live in Utah. 🤔😯 Thanks again and safe travels! 🙂