RV Daily Tips. Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Issue 2427
Welcome to RV Travel’s Daily Tips Newsletter, where you’ll find helpful RV-related tips from the pros, travel advice, RV reviews, RV videos, and more. Please consider subscribing for any amount you choose, one-time or ongoing, to help us be better tomorrow than we are today.


Today’s thought

“Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about.” ―Marilyn Monroe


Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Corn Fritters Day!

On this day in history: 1935 – The world’s first parking meter is installed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.


Tip of the day
Tips for staying safe while RVing alone

By Gail Marsh
A while ago, we ran a survey asking readers: “Couples: Would you likely keep traveling with an RV if your partner died?” The majority, 67 percent, answered, “Yes, I believe I would.” Many men seemed not worried in the least.

That got me to thinking. What would it take for me to feel comfortable (read: “safe”) when solo camping as a woman? After a bit of research to see what other women do (or have done), this is what I found…

Continue reading


Ask Dave
Update on RV aluminum frame electrical ground issue – Found It!

By Dave Solberg
Last week I posted a question from a reader who has an RV with all-aluminum chassis and frame that was having a 12-volt house battery issue. I don’t always get an update when the issue is resolved, but this came back from Dave (2015 Livin’ Lite CampLite 21RBS).

Read (other) Dave’s update


RV walk-through
2024 Topo Toppers Rincon, a lightweight, customizable truck camper

The Topo Toppers Rincon truck camper

By Cheri Sicard
The 2024 Topo Toppers Rincon truck camper makes a good option for those who want a low-profile camper that’s light enough to keep it on their truck full time. Topo Toppers Rincon provides space without bulk—keeping the camper within the confines of your wheel wells. In this video tour, the team from softroadingthewest gives us a look at this unusual truck camper.

Click here to tour


Video of the day
Brilliant ways RVers can reuse plastic straws

By Cheri Sicard
In this short video, the Team from Tasty Home has some brilliant ways for RVers and campers to recycle straws. Yep, we are talking ordinary plastic drinking straws. They turn them into travel packs that hold essentials but take up almost no space and weigh nearly nothing.

Click here to watch


IT’S AMAZON PRIME DAY! Thousands of items are on sale!
Save big on all your RVing (and more!) needs. Click here to shop all deals.


Featured article
No thanks, hotel room. I’ll take my RV any day!

By Gail Marsh
We proudly attended our grandson’s college graduation this past weekend. Everything was just perfect: the weather, the baccalaureate service, the commencement, and the after-party, too! It was all “rainbows and kittens” until (dun, dun, DUN) our hotel room. After two grueling nights in that hotel room, we both desperately yearned for our RV!

Click here to read


Reader poll
How often do you check your personal email?

Tell us here


Quick tip
No oven in your rig? Here’s an alternative

“Since our RV does not have an oven we find a medium-sized toaster oven does a great job baking and cooking foods that otherwise you would have to use a stove or microwave for. I don’t microwave food unless in a hurry.” Thanks for the hot tip, Jillie!


Website of the day

83 Cheap & Easy Dinner Recipes
This list from delish has dozens of delicious-sounding dinner recipes that are both affordable and easy to make. We like the sound of that! Check ’em out (and get hungry!).


??  MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY  ??
This is something most RVers already have, and if you don’t have one, you MUST get one. (Okay, fine, give us a hard time about this later.) You might want one of each option! Walk around the campground with this and all other RVers will be instantly jealous!


And the survey says…

We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 2,500 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:

• 44 percent of dog owners say they would pay up to 20 percent more for a fenced campsite where their dog could run free.
• When asked what bonus amenity they’d like to see at a campground, the highest percentage of voters said they’d like a restaurant at the campground. After a restaurant came a fishing lake with free boat rentals, and after that was a dog park.
• 71 percent of readers would choose more space between campsites over good, reliable WiFi.

Recent poll: Do you worry about breaking down with your RV in the middle of nowhere?


Recipe of the day

Creamy Bacon Chipotle Mac N Cheese

by Lora DiGs from Staten Island, NY

What a unique take on macaroni and cheese. The evaporated milk does indeed make this very creamy. Bacon and chipotle give the mac and cheese a nice smoky flavor. Chipotle also gives it a kick of spice. This was so easy to prepare on the stovetop. No oven is needed. If you’re looking to ramp up your traditional mac and cheese, give this recipe a try.

Click here for the recipe


Trivia

The only building on the National Historic Landmark Registry outside of the U.S. is located in… If you guessed Morocco, you’re correct! The Tangier American Legation building in Tangier, Morocco, is the first and only piece of public property owned and maintained by the U.S. government outside of the U.S.


Readers’ pets of the day

“They have been my responsibility for several weeks now as their mom, my girlfriend, passed away suddenly. Lilly (Qui) is a Poodle and Sonny (Bono) is a Chihuahua. We are nomads and they love new places to sniff out.” —Jim Webster

We are so deeply sorry for the loss of your girlfriend, Jim. We’re sure Lilly and Sonny are wonderful companions and a lovely reminder of your time spent together. They are lucky to have you as their reminder, too. 

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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RVtravel.com All-Star Team

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Comments

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22 Comments

Tom H.
2 years ago

“And the survey says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers more than 2,500 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:

• 44 percent of dog owners say they would pay up to 20 percent more for a fenced campsite where their dog could run free.
• When asked what bonus amenity they’d like to see at a campground, the highest percentage of voters said they’d like a restaurant at the campground. After a restaurant came a fishing lake with free boat rentals, and after that was a dog park.
• 71 percent of readers would choose more space between campsites over good, reliable WiFi.”

I hope these voters realize any/all of these would raise the rates exponentially!

Greg
2 years ago
Reply to  Tom H.

These could all be an additional charge only to those wanting them.

Skip
2 years ago
Reply to  Greg

Agreed

Neal Davis
2 years ago

Very sorry for your loss, Jim! My deepest condolences to you and her family. 😯🙁😥🙏 You are quite a guy to so freely accept the responsibility that comes with adding companions! They are fortunate to still be in the home they know even though a key ingredient is missing. I pray that they bring comfort as you mourn. Safe travels!

Jim Webster
2 years ago
Reply to  Neal Davis

It was easy to accept responsibility for them as they are such good loving dogs. Thank you for your comments.

Neal Davis
2 years ago
Reply to  Jim Webster

👍 You are very welcome. 🙂

Neal Davis
2 years ago

Thank you, Emily, Diane, and Kim! 🙂 No, sorry, I do not need to walk around a campground wearing a fish head. Fellow travelers would not be jealous, but they might be frightened. Worse yet, they might call the police and report a mentally unstable person walking around who could also be dangerous. 😉 Nah, I’ll pass on the mystery product. 🙂 I’ll guess the extreme camper(s) has a buddy with a helicopter, you think? That or they have crazy, mad rock-climbing skills! 😯 Very sad story accompanying the doggy pictures today. I do pray that Jim’s mourning is helped by the doggies and not rekindled each time he sees them. Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂

Jim Johnson
2 years ago

RE: Quick Tip toaster oven: We have a small combo toaster, convection oven, air fryer. What I really wanted was to replace the microwave with a combo microwave, convection oven, air fryer; and keep the small toaster on the counter. This type of unit has been available for residential use for several years, but until very recently all I got was a deer in the headlights response at RV shows, dealers & online for a unit & trim kit. Now I am waiting for the price to drop a bit.

ToolMan
2 years ago
Reply to  Jim Johnson

I replaced the original combo microwave/nonfunctional convection oven with a GE micro/convection/air fryer. Model #JES1109RR1SS. Fit perfectly in the factory space.

Bob M
2 years ago

Sorry Jim Webster about the passing of your girlfriend. Good luck with and enjoy the dogs.

Jim Webster
2 years ago
Reply to  Bob M

Thank you

DPJ
2 years ago

Lilly & Sonny are adorable, sorry for your loss and best wishes for great trips with the pups

Jim Webster
2 years ago
Reply to  DPJ

Thank you

Luanne
2 years ago

So sorry for your loss of your girlfriend. The dogs are extremely lucky that you will continue to give them love. They are mourning too. Be there for each other! Life is good.

Jim Webster
2 years ago
Reply to  Luanne

Thank you

Kathy H
2 years ago

So very sorry for the loss of your girlfriend. Lilly & Sonny look like wonderful traveling buddies.

Jim Webster
2 years ago
Reply to  Kathy H

Thank you

KellyR
2 years ago

Yep, Diane, Leave Here With a Laugh would keep me high and dry. I have camped in some rough terrain but I can’t see how to get my “B” up there?

Admin
Noble Member
Diane McGovern
2 years ago
Reply to  KellyR

Helicopter? But, like it says, not recommended for sleepwalkers. Yikes! Have a good night, Kelly. 😀 –Diane

KellyR
2 years ago
Reply to  Diane McGovern

Not to worry, as you know I don’t sleep, I stay up all night and read RVT.

Admin
Noble Member
Diane McGovern
2 years ago
Reply to  KellyR

Me too!🤣 Yep, still working, but not for much longer. Gotta try to get some sleep before it starts all over again in a few hours. Have a good night, Kelly. 😀 –Diane

jillie
2 years ago

I have always heard that dogs can catch stuff at dog parks. Mine are fully vetted. We got back over a week ago from Canada and one dog started coughing. I am like O great can be anything. It turned out to be an upper respiratory infection. The other dog the vet said was either nervousness or allergies. All curable. So even though ours are fully vetted the vet says they can still catch something. As for solo camping? Been doing it 2 years almost 3 and all I can say to solo women? Stay off the phone and be aware of your surroundings. Until you get home. Or get in your car and lock it. Then answer the phone. Just stay safe out there.