Issue 2398
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
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Ketchup Day!
On this day in history: 1956 – Elvis Presley introduces his new single, “Hound Dog”, on The Milton Berle Show, scandalizing the audience with his suggestive hip movements.
Tip of the day
Tips and gadgets for dumping your RV tanks
By Gail Marsh
It’s a job that many RVers dread—especially as newbies. I’m here to tell you that you need not dread this necessary job. You just might need a few tips and tricks to make dumping your RV tanks easier!
We use a Y-valve water connector on the campground’s water supply. This allows us to use separate hoses, one for drinking, cooking, etc., and the other for flushing the black tank or washing the RV or truck.
This Y-connector makes it easy to switch from one hose to the other, using the toggle to close off one hose before opening the other.
Ask Dave
Follow-up to “burned up” air conditioner post; replaced with a “swamp cooler”
Dave,
This is not a question but a follow-up to your April 17, 2024, column concerning my air conditioner terminal block meltdown. I contacted Airxcel about buying a new control box for my Coleman-Mach heat pump-A/C. The price was $212, and the model number was different because the one that burned up is no longer in production. …
Read the rest of Steve’s update Dave’s response
RV review
Keystone Cougar 320RDS—a livable living space
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the Keystone Cougar 320RDS fifth wheel. This is an interesting floor plan and one that really makes sense. At the rear is a big living space with a huge L-shaped sofa where a portion of that “L” faces the back of the camper.
Continue reading this review and take a video tour
In the RV shop with Dustin
How to replace your RV toilet
You often do not realize how important your RV toilet is until it’s not available. Let’s assume the toilet is non-repairable or that it’s just too old. Now it’s time to update the toilet. In most cases, a replacement is a relatively simple process. The hardest step of RV toilet replacement is deciding on the replacement and determining if it works in your RV.
Video of the day
RV workout: 15-minute full upper body workout with no weights!
By Cheri Sicard
Gym rats might often find themselves frustrated by the lack of space RVs provide for workout equipment. Sure, you could carry around weights (some RVers actually do). But carrying extra weight in an RV that serves no purpose besides being weight seems nonsensical to me. There must be a better RV workout! And there is, as illustrated in the video below from the Blogilates YouTube channel. [9.86M(!) subscribers. 3,851,222,543(!!) views.]
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.
Featured article
Unleashing the untold wonders of the Midwest’s top state parks
After several important caveats, Gail Marsh lists a few of the best state parks in the Midwestern United States that she and her family have enjoyed. There are undoubtedly many more great state parks, and she invites you to add your favorite state park(s) to the list. These parks are gorgeous!
Reader poll
How many nights in a row do you wear the same pajamas?
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.
Quick tip
Avoid “distractions” when moving into the campground
Don’t have any distractions when you are directing the parking of your home into the RV campsite. Mistakes can be quite expensive. Friendly people will come up to you while you are parking and try to help. You must figure out how to tactfully tell them that you would rather do it the way you have practiced. These same people will be there when you are unhooking your car from a motorhome, or your truck from your trailer. If you let them, they will distract you to the point that you will forget a step and pay the price later. Tell them you will be happy to talk with them after you are parked and hooked up.
—From So, you want to be an RVer? And Enjoy the RV Lifestyle? [Revised]. Available on Amazon.
On this day last year…
- Tip: 25 unusual uses for zip-type bags while RVing
- Ask Dave: The cargo carrying capacity of my Class C is only 630 lbs.! Can I tow a trailer?
- Video: These are things new RVers DON’T need to worry about
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
You and your sweetheart (or even your dog!) need this for a “snug-as-a-bug” camping season! Or maybe you just want to keep it all to yourself…
Website of the day
7 of the Quirkiest Road Stops in the U.S.
This list from dailypassport will have you planning a trip to one of these quirky roadside stops in no time. We love stuff like this! How many have you visited?
Recipe of the day
Fried Cheese
by Jennifer Bass from Richmond, KY
This fried cheese is such a treat. There’s a delicious mixture of cheeses that give these little cheese bites great flavor and a gooey texture. Dipped in marinara, they make a great party appetizer or treat for game day.
Trivia
Reno is farther west than Los Angeles. It may seem hard to believe, but it’s true. Reno is located at 119°49’ West and Los Angeles is located at 118°14’ West.
Readers’ pets of the day
“Bentley and Max (Terrier mix and Yorkie) love camping, standing guard at the door, and especially watching what’s going on outside when they can’t be out there!” —Pamela Abner
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!
Leave here with a laugh
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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After the Y connector I suggest a check valve on hose used for black water flush
Not needed. Already a backflow preventer in the rig.
Re: Quick Tip “Distractions”, I haven’t observed this occurring. RV’ers rather tend to watch, shake their head, roll their eyes and have a smile when you’re backing up, lol 😆
I don’t know, and I don’t understand how anyone can sleep in pajamas! You get all twisted up and all tangled up, it’s very uncomfortable. 🤗
how to replace the RV toilet……did I miss something? just saying it’s “relatively easy” isn’t replacement instructions.
We replaced our toilet at a Good Sam\Camping World Rally in Phoenix many years ago. Don’t let me tell that horror story! Nothing is ever easy, especially when it comes to plumbing.
I replaced our plastic bowl with a Dometic 310 (high rise) toilet. It was relatively simple procedure – just take pictures as you remove the existing. The plastic water line may need some change if the inlet it on the opposite side – as the 310 is from my previous. I also added a shutoff valve in the water line. Not rocket science for sure…… I tho’t Dustin should have perhaps shown a pic of the wax ring and hold-down – would have helped show how easy it is.
I’ve never had a problem with anyone at a campground trying to ‘help’ me. It’s a different story when I’m backing into my driveway at home. The driveway is 10 feet wide with a fence on one side and a short block wall on the other and a narrow street. Two of my neighbors have insisted on helping me with backing in. I finally asked both if they ever backed up a trailer. Nope!
They still watch me from a distance, but do not offer any guidance.
Had an instance once where old folks popped their lawn chairs out to watch me backing a trailer in a tight spot in Arizona…thought about charging admission to the tongue waggers.
Bentley and Max look like the best camper sentinels, we definitely could use a couple of those when we camp.
Love the “Leave here with a laugh” photo. I never considered myself a “cat person”.
Growing up on a WI dairy farm, we learned not to get too attached to the cats (here one day, gone the next). That changed when we were adopted a few years ago by Figaro, a one eared, neutered tom cat. He may be missing a few parts, but he’s purr’fect just the way he is.
I must be getting soft in my old age.
Thank you, Emily, Diane, and Kim! 🙂 Have a great day and safe travels! 🙂
The advertisers may just pop up, but this one I looked up on woodshop news for a review, and that Restofinisher is really not what it says! “The stuff is called RestoFinisher, but unlike the similarly named Restor-A-Finish (a legitimate furniture polish), some incredible claims had me dubious from the start. Things like “completely restores wood,” “major retailers lobbied to keep it off shelves,” and “revitalizes wood at the molecular level.”
The main web page is made to look like a home improvement blog, written as though the author just couldn’t find the right product at a big box store for his furniture until a man pulled him aside and told him about the “best kept secret.” Be careful!
“Best kept secret” reminded me of something. This may be useful for some RVers. An old farmer’s secret is to mix ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) 50 / 50 with Acetone for use on rusty or hard to loosen bolts. WARNUNG – BE CAREFUL as Acetone is highly flammable, and it does not store well because of the Acetone evaporation rate. I’ve used it and it appears to work. for what it is worth
I found a package of frozen goat cheese rounds. O wow are they terrific.