Issue 2438
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Today’s thought
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Mutt Day! We love our mutts!
On this day in history: 1964 – Ranger program: Ranger 7 sends back the first close-up photographs of the moon, with images 1,000 times clearer than anything ever seen from earth-bound telescopes.
Tip of the day
RV detailers explain how to keep your RV looking good-as-new
By Nanci Dixon
Our RV looks as good as new! We had our motorhome professionally detailed and wow, does it look good! It looks even better than when sitting new on the dusty RV sales lot! We have been keeping up with it for the last few years, sometimes hiring someone to wash and wax or just doing it ourselves, but we have never had a detail job done. These tips from professional RV detailers are helpful for every RVer.
The folks at Fowler Detailing in Belmont, Mississippi (formerly in Red Bay, Alabama), are professional detailers and had a team of eight people working all over our motorhome: washing, scrubbing, buffing, waxing and drying. These are the tips they shared with us.
Ask Dave
What is best tape to use for tear in awning?
Dear Dave,
After 6 years of use and hot desert, my awning has issues. I noticed this tear recently in the middle of the awning. Someone suggested putting tape on it to keep it from tearing more and getting a little more time out of it. I Googled tape for awnings and got many different types. What tape would you suggest? Best way to put on? Also, top and bottom? Front to back? —Alan, 2018 Winnebago 29VE
RV review
2025 Winnebago Access 26RL—nicely packaged
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the 2025 Winnebago Access 26RL travel trailer. With all the writing I’ve been doing about “decontented” RVs lately, this is a prime example of that. But it’s also a showcase of doing this well in many ways.
This is a nifty starter couple’s camper with some features that are a bit unexpected.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Steps to rinse sediment from an RV water heater
Rinsing sediment from an RV water heater is an essential maintenance task to ensure its proper functioning and longevity. Sediment can accumulate in the bottom of the tank over time, which can reduce the heater’s efficiency and potentially cause damage.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to rinse sediment from an RV water heater…
Video of the day
RV inspector shares 5 things that can ruin full-time RV life
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, our favorite RV inspector, Duane from the RV Inspection and Care YouTube channel (one of the nominees of our 2024 RV video awards) talks about full-time RV life and specifically five things that can ruin the experience. Knowledge is power, so check it out.
Featured article
Water gadgets you need for your RV
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
If you’ll be camping in a park with “city water” —that is, water from a faucet—there are some good accessories to pack along in your RV storage compartment. These can make your visit easier—even safer—for your rig. They’re inexpensive and you’ll be glad you have them when you need them.
Reader poll
How many pairs of shoes do you bring with you on your RV trips?
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
RV water heaters 101
If you’re new to using electronic ignition water heaters, it’s easy. With the switch ON, the light may blink, possibly turn on. When the light turns off, the heater is lit. Now the thermostat is in control, and the heater will light whenever there’s a demand for the flame to heat the water. If the light stays on, or comes back on for longer than a few seconds, the heater did not light. Flip the switch off and try again. If it repeatedly fails to light, check to make sure your gas valve is open at the propane cylinder. Still not working? Leave the switch off and contact an RV technician.
On this day last year…
- Tip: RVs and roundabouts – Get safely through the traffic circle
- Ask Dave: RV’s retracted slide room blocks bedroom. OK to extend it partially?
- In the RV shop with Dustin: RV Extended Warranties: Part 1: What RV mechanics really think about them
- Video: Top 7 internet ground beef hacks put to the test
- Featured article: Top 12 driver errors — Will they catch you?
Website of the day
The Scale of Life
Be prepared to spend some time here because this website will blow you away! We don’t want to give it away. Just click the link and start exploring. And make sure you play around with the drop-down menus towards the top of the page. This is amazing!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
What makes you explore more? What makes you worry less? This does! It really does!
Recipe of the day
Pasta Slaw
by Shelene Wilhelm from Lander, WY
If pasta salad and coleslaw had a baby, this side salad would be the result. It’s truly the best of both worlds. This cool and creamy salad is slightly sweet and tangy and full of texture. Cucumber and bell pepper add a touch of freshness and there’s a little bite of onion. Once it sits, the flavors blend very well. A delicious side salad for any summer BBQ.
Trivia
Escalators in various forms were invented by different people all over the world in the late 19th century. In England, French manufacturer Piat gets the escalator inventor title, and its first escalator was installed at the Harrods store in Knightsbridge, London. The experience for new riders was apparently so exhilarating and so disorienting that Harrods employed an attendant to stand at the top of the escalator and sell brandy to help the riders stop, take a sip, and regain their composure.
Readers’ pets of the day
“Stella and Lady Marmalade, our Plott Hounds, love camping in our fifth wheel. We were full-time for 2.5 years prior to the pandemic. We still camp and they are very happy to participate.” —Donald Corrigan
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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The mystery product displays a nice sentiment, but it would be better if the tire cover was white with black lettering rather than black with white lettering. Black absorbs heat and that is not a condition conducive to tire longevity.
Probably. But almost as bad is failure to check pressure in the spare tire because it is covered. (I both cover and check pressure by the way, but are amazed at how many don’t)
Carl,
Actually, black covers absorb UV radiation, preventing it from reaching the tire. So, if you use a black cover, UV rays won’t penetrate through to the tire. The extra heat captured by black tire covers isn’t a significant concern for tires. They’re made to handle heat.
Unless specially treated to block UV rays, white (and other colors) allow UV rays to pass through.Light transmission isn’t affected by color. It depends on the material itself and whether or not it is treated.
Tires in direct sunlight can get +30F to +50F due to the sun’s heat. This can reduce tire life by half. If the cover absorbs the heat from the Sun where does that heat go? We see tires stored on rear bumper failing on the top side where most of the Sun’s heat hits the tire.
Thank you Roger! I have done heat gun tests under three different colors of solid, lined tire covers. The surface tire temp under black covers has been as much as 50 degrees hotter, in direct sunlight on the cover and ambient 90 F degree temps, than white. Grey is in the middle.
If someone here has more scientific tire engineering experience here than you, I’ll take their advice. If not, I’ll continue to take yours! I think you are giving seminars in Redmond at the FMCA rally and I look forward to attending one! 🙂
Heat is not the major problem. UV rays is what destroys the tire. Black absorbs the UV rays affecting the cover, not the tire.
For RV Water Heaters 101, that isn’t the way the switch works in my RV. To what manufacturer is the paragraph referring?
Mine either. The switch remains lit while in the on position. There is a small red light next to the switch that shows the igniter is firing. Goes out once the flame is lit.
Loved the trivia.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 Stella and Lady Marmalade look like they are great companions, Donald! You are doubly blessed! 🙂 The laugh was funny and the trivia interesting and instructive of how earth-shattering can be the introduction of things later taken for granted. Working in DC for a couple of decades conditioned me to walk up escalators (or down, depending on the direction of the escalators) on the left (or stand on the right). Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Very entertaining issue this morning! I love the life website- absolutely time consuming and interesting place! The trivia was funny and interesting too. The dogs featured today are precious! Thanks for such an engaging issue today!
BACON SEEDS…HAHAHA 😂😆😂😆
They are located toward the rear of every boar.
😲🤣 Have a good night, Kelly. 😀 –Diane
Hi I couldn’t find the link for the RV detailing article.
Thanks
I found it below the ad. Thanks
Good morning, Robert. I’m glad you found the link. Yep, those auto-inserted ads get put in where you won’t miss them, that’s for sure. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
RV Water Heaters 101: There is also likely a gas line shutoff located in the line at the water heater. The handle should be aligned with the metal line to the burner tube.
My past two trailers did not have an inline valve. Don’t remember seeing one in others.
Donald, it looks like you have “Plopp” hounds!
TRIVIA – If they sold brandy at the top of every escalator my wife would get me to the mall more often. “Honey, go do your shopping, I’ll be on the escalators.”