Issue 2425
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
“No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world. And normally he doesn’t know it.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National French Fry Day!
On this day in history: 1962 – The Rolling Stones perform for the first time at London’s Marquee Club. (If you’re a Rolling Stones fan, you’ll enjoy this.)
Tip of the day
The worst tip ever for preventing RV theft!
By Dave Helgeson
A recent tip on a social media site recommended pulling the breakaway switch to prevent RV theft. The author likens it to setting the parking brake on a car and pulling the key out of the ignition, preventing a thief from hooking on and towing it away. Thankfully, since this is the worst tip I have ever read, the post was removed shortly after I read it. This was most likely the worst tip ever for preventing RV theft.
I will explain why it was a bad idea below. But first, let’s review the function of a breakaway switch for those who may not fully understand.
Ask Dave
RV has electrical ground issue. Aluminum frame to blame?
Dear Dave,
I have a 2015 Livin’ Lite CampLite 21RBS trailer. It is an all-aluminum frame and trailer. I went to pick up my trailer at the storage lot. I don’t leave my battery in the trailer while stored but in the garage on a trickle charger.
Installed the battery and NOTHING. No power anywhere including the tongue jack so that I wasn’t able to use the jack to couple up to the tow vehicle. …
Read the rest of Dave’s question and our Dave’s answer
RV review
Brinkley Model Z 2900—most mini, still mighty
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the 2024 Brinkley Model Z 2900 fifth wheel. This is now the smallest offering in Brinkley’s Model Z line, which is a standard-width offering at 96 inches wide. Know that there are a lot of fifth wheels that are wide-body offerings with about five additional inches of width.
The company was founded by five RV industry veterans who wanted to shake things up, and they have succeeded.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Gadgets to help prevent your RV holding tank from clogging and keep it stink-free
By Dustin Simpson
Today I want to introduce you to the Camco RV Holding Tank Swivel Stik Rinser, which helps keep your RV’s black tank from clogging, stay odor-free, and work properly.
Video of the day
10 awesome camping food ideas and tips
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, we join Richie and Jaime from Where We Wild as they share their top 10 camping food hacks. You are bound to find something useful in this roundup of camping food tips.
Featured article
RV trade-in or sell – How to prep RV and get the most money
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
If it’s time to move your existing RV along, you’ll want to get the most value from it that you can. Will you trade-in or sell? How you prep the RV and how much you invest in that preparation can be quite different. We talked to industry insiders to get the lowdown on what you need to do.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Reserved but empty campsites: The campground’s side of the story (BTW, this went viral, with more than 420,000 views in 5 days!)
- RV review: The Coachmen Remote 19R travel trailer is unique and nimble
- RV review: Alliance Paradigm 395DS fifth wheel is two suite for words
- RV review: 2024 Forest River Wildwood X-Lite 171RBXL—couple’s small camper with big cargo capacity
- Reader says RVtravel.com is ‘too negative.’ Others say ‘RVing not fun anymore.’ What to do?
Reader poll
Does your RV have automatic levelers?
Quick tip
Meter shows moisture in walls, ceilings
Planning on buying a used RV? Water leakage is a sure-fire way to kill a rig. But how can you “see” inside the walls or ceiling of an RV to detect moisture? Here’s a neat device that non-invasively detects and reports on moisture levels under a variety of materials up to 3/4″ deep. “Looks” under drywall, paneling, softwood, and hardwood. At about $30, it might just save your bacon. Here are some on Amazon.
On this day last year…
- Tip: RV bathroom often underrated in buying process. Take note of these details
- Ask Dave: Formaldehyde fumigation of RV – How can I do this myself?
- Video: Flat towing vs. dolly towing: What is the best way to tow?
- Featured article: Is sleeping with your pet healthy?
Website of the day
CharityWatch.org
Want to know if a charity is legit? How they’re using your money? This is the website for that!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
What’s something we love that’s also something on sale? THIS! Oh, boy, we’re excited! You’ll be excited too, we just know it!
Recipe of the day
Super Easy Working Mom’s Manicotti
by Michelle Waco from Cornelius, OR
This manicotti was so simple to prepare that anyone can make it… gotta love that! Filled with flavor, the sauce has hearty Italian sausage and mushrooms. The pasta is filled with classic ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese mixture. Delicious served with a salad and bread. You could also easily make it in advance and then pop it into the oven for the final cooking when you are ready to serve. Michelle mentions that it freezes well, too, which makes it even better.
Trivia
Even though Henry Ford takes the credit for inventing the first assembly line in the U.S., the title actually goes to Ransom E. Olds. Olds’ car, the Curved Dash Oldsmobile, first manufactured at the turn of the century, was the first to be completed by assembly line. The only difference was that Olds’ assembly line worked when the workers moved down the line, not the car, and Ford’s worked when the car moved down the line, not the workers.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Chichi (Chihuahua) loves to camp. She is generally a house dog, but LOVES the smell of the wild.” —Kelly Mitchell
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
Yikes. Unless you are into getting slapped around, this motel might not be a good choice for a night’s stay…
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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Are there some good rv rental companies?
Maybe. 🫣
I know of a great one in Newfoundland Canada … highly recommend Rod and his team @ Newfoundland RV Rentals
We rented from them, when we vacationed in Newfoundland.
Thank you, Emily, Diane, and Kim! 🙂 Chichi looks like a great travel companion! 🙂 Have a great day and weekend, safe travels, amd safe stays! 🙂
Quick tip – moisture detector for walls – – reviews say this device has only so-so performance with RVs. Aluminum structure (frame or siding) can throw off the readings.
Thanks, Jim. I’ve changed the link to go to RV wall moisture detectors in general so folks can choose what best suits their needs, if they’re so inclined. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
CHICHI ~ Is very cute; and has a perfect name! Adorable.