Issue 2405
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
“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is the United States Army’s 249th Birthday—June 14, 1775 [older than the U.S.]! It is also America’s Flag Day.
On this day in history: 1959 – Disneyland Monorail System, the first daily operating monorail system in the Western Hemisphere, opens to the public in Anaheim, California.
Tip of the day
Paperwork organization: Keep your owner’s manuals, receipts, warranties in check
By Nanci Dixon
Papers in the RV piling up? Corral those owner’s manuals, receipts, and warranties. There is an easy way for paperwork organization! We have been collecting receipts and owner manuals for the last six years in our motorhome. They were bulging out of a bag that came with the RV. Not only had the information outgrown the rather cute Tiffin bag, but it had become totally disorganized and very hard to move. There were even bungee cords to keep it shut!
I was over it. I dreaded having to search for any papers and found this simple, easy-to-access solution.
Ask Dave
What is water pump “cycling,” and does my RV have a leak?
Dear Dave,
Regarding RV water leaks, you stated previously: “You can verify this by disconnecting the city hose and turning on the onboard water pump. If it ‘cycles,’ then you have a leak that is releasing pressure.“
I’m not sure what you mean by “cycles.” I’ve only used the onboard water pump. Never been connected to shore water. The pump seems to give plenty of pressure. Sometimes it stays “growling” all the time, and sometimes it just comes on and then stops making noise but continues to pump; pressure stays the same. Does that indicate a leak? —Terry, 2015 Riverside Retro 177
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RV review
2024 Coachmen Freedom Express Ultra Lite 292BHDS has a surprising feature
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the 2024 Coachmen Freedom Express Ultra Lite 292BHDS. It’s funny to watch how things change in the RV industry. Features and design aspects that were popular at one time give way to something different and new. So there is something I saw in this trailer that I haven’t seen in 7–10 years or so, and I was quite surprised to see it. What’s that? I’ll get to it, I’ll get to it.
In the RV shop with Dustin
RV slide-outs: Important tips and maintenance
In this RV slide-out tips and maintenance video, we’ll show you how to keep your RV slide-out in good condition. From cleaning to inspecting to fixing, we’ll cover everything you need to know to keep your slide-out working as it should.
Join me during this 2019 Grand Design Momentum’s exterior evaluation series, where each video concentrates on different areas of the unit. I will share my tips and tricks on maintenance and repairs.
Video of the day
Be warned: East Coast toll road fines equal BIG extra RV expenses
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below from Robin Barrett of Creativity RV (one of the winners of our 2024 RV video awards) she gives a warning of toll road fines you can incur on East Coast toll roads without even realizing it. These fines can mean BIG extra expenses.
Featured article
Why you should consider taking your RV back “home”
By Gail Marsh
“You can’t go home again.” That’s how the old saying goes. Recently, when my grandchildren asked about my childhood, I couldn’t help but smile. My years spent growing up on a small Iowa farm certainly had their share of heartaches. I still look back with gratitude and a genuine fondness for this wonderful area that, for 18 years, I called home. Questions about my “old stomping grounds” sparked a sudden longing inside me. I wanted to go home. … Does Gail’s story spark a desire in you to “go home”?
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- ‘We loved our RV but the industry destroyed the experience’; RVers say camping is ‘ancient history’
- RV review: Prime Time Manufacturing LaCrosse 3411RK—a long, long trailer
- Mystery surrounds Xtreme Outdoors’ Little Guy RVs; did they go out of business?
- RV review: Keystone Cougar 320RDS—a livable living space
Reader poll
Do most of your friends or family call you by your real first name or a nickname?
Quick tip
Hanging heavy TV on inside RV wall
Want to hang a TV mount on an RV inner wall? Tap carefully, and you may find there aren’t any “studs” to tie into. Now look on the other side of the wall. Is there yet another piece of thin paneling or laminate? If you’re dealing with a closet on the other side of your proposed TV hang-out, you may have a sweet setup.
Carefully remove the wall in the closet, and measure the dead space between the two walls. Is there room enough for a 3/4″ piece of plywood? Cut one to fit inside the space, then reinstall the closet wall. Mark the spots for your TV mount screws, and drill through the wall. From the TV side, use BOLTS, not screws, long enough to go completely through into the closet side. Then use fender washers and cap nuts to make a finished, non-snagging way that will securely mount your TV. Using wood screws as attaching hardware may pull out as the leveraged weight of the TV bounces down the road.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Do you remember this? If not, this will certainly help you remember this! And many other things, too! Wait… what were we talking about?
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: How do I get rid of mold in and around my RV’s toilet?
- Video: Gas vs. Diesel: What’s best for a Class A motorhome?
- Featured article: Are “nomad nannies” a good idea? Are they legal? Safe?
Website of the day
The Best Hike in Every National Park
If you visit a national park, what’s the ONE hike you should do? Probably the one on this list…
Recipe of the day
French Onion Mac and Cheese!!
by Samantha Jacobs from Manchester, NH
This is not the mac and cheese you grew up eating… it’s super rich and decadent. The creamy cheese sauce is a nice mixture of the mild Fontina with the zesty Asiago. Caramelized onions add a wonderful flavor and texture. Topping this, though, with croutons and Gruyere brings this mac and cheese to a whole new level. This is not a recipe you’d make every day, but it’s great for special occasions.
Trivia
In Syracuse, New York, at the intersection of Tompkins Street and Milton Avenue, you’ll find an upside down traffic light. Why? When the first traffic light was installed in 1925, a band of Irish immigrant boys took it upon themselves to put the Irish color (green) over the British color (red). The local alderman allowed for the change, but eventually, the state of New York stepped in and had it reversed to standard conventions. However, by 1928 the light was reversed again and still, to this day, remains upside down.
Readers’ pets of the day
“My two traveling companions. TK is a long-haired female tabby and is more relaxed than Kato, who is a male Rag Doll and is very vocal about traveling.” —Gary Sykes
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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Pet picture looks like our motorhome with our 5 cats. Crazy cat people.
Us, with 4.
No information on slide maintenance article? Has all slideout maintenance been removed? LOL
No link to “in the RVshop with Dustin’s” slideout maintenance.
Sorry, Ran. It worked for me last night and it worked for me just now. Maybe it’s a gremlin in your device?🤔 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
It works now! There was another person had problems as well. I tried several times. So far, all GOOD! Thanks!
Good! Thanks for letting me know, Ran. I did notice that other comment regarding the article. Hopefully they can get into it now, also. Take care. 😀 –Diane
Lol gremlins. We all have them and some have fur. 😅
👍🤣 Whatever did we do before we had gremlins to blame weird problems on?🤔 Have a good night, Doc. 😀 –Diane
Happy Flag Day to all! Demonstrate your patriotism and fly your American Flag proudly today and everyday.
I proudly flew my dad’s flag today to honor America, and will do so again tomorrow to honor his passing 1 year ago..
Very sorry for your loss, Bill. He raised a wonderful son.👍 Take care. 🤗 –Diane
Thank you.
Had to laugh at the mystery product. We have one in the attic along with the original box. That and a lot of my daughters other toys that weren’t destroyed by playing with them. Some are over 40 years old.
Quick tip, make sure you secure the plywood to the studs in the closet. Cut the plywood to fit between the studs and use construction adhesive or metal brackets to secure it to the studs. Just attaching it to the thin wall could result in the wallboard pulling away from the studs.
Just down the hill from the upside down traffic light is a great Irish pub, Coleman’s. Great food and a fantastic atmosphere.
The mac and cheese dish is to die for. So easy to make but I had to alter to the way I make my cheese sauce because these instructions were difficult to follow. As for the trampoline? Can we say ooops?
Mystery Product of today. I will not buy, I will not play. Because of my score, the kids would put me away.
Thank you, Emily, Diane, and Kim! 😉 Have a great weekend and safe travels! 🙂
Ask Dave, what is wrong with Ask Dave, I tried a number of times to input a question and follow-up to a problem and it keeps telling me there is a problem with wordpress. Don’t even know what that is?
Sorry, John. I’ve contacted our IT dude, Kim, about this. Hopefully he can get it fixed soon. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com