Issue 2445
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Today’s thought
“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Book Lovers Day!
On this day in history: 1910 – The first complete, self-contained electric washing machine is patented.
Tip of the day
Which are best, white or black tire covers?
By Roger Marble
There were a few posts on the internet recently about the value of RV tire covers and the question of color was mentioned. While I have seen white, black, tan, and silver tire covers, I have only tested white and black.
For some time I have been reading posts and advertisements about tire covers and UV protection. As an engineer, I prefer FACTS over sales PR. While I live in Ohio, we do occasionally get clear skies.
My test uses a UV Hawk 2 meter. This unit is intended to help you judge how much sun you are getting while at the beach, but I felt it would serve my purposes as we are not trying to measure an absolute value in milliwatts per square centimeter, but a gross relative level of shielding of different materials used to cover tires. Full sun gives a reading of 9, which is considered “HIGH”.
Ask Dave
Update on RV refrigerator baffle—Dave is half right
By Dave Solberg
This is a follow-up from Ray on the baffle issue of the Norcold refrigerator mounted in a slide room.
Dear Dave,
As it turned out, you were half right on the Norcold baffle! The baffle is supposed to be present but it’s only supposed to be on the bottom half of the top opening, just tall enough to channel the rising air to the bottom of the condenser.
RV review
Coachmen Catalina 18RDL—vacation rental, money-makin’ potential
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the proposed Coachmen Catalina 18RDL, part of the company’s Destination Series. This is a smaller destination trailer that looks a lot like Forest River’s Timberwolf Mini Loft 16ML trailer that we looked at last October.
As part of the brand’s Destination Series trailers, this is a smaller (by length) wood-framed, aluminum-skinned trailer whose main intent is to go somewhere and just stay there forever. This is not designed to be towed much, except that first time.
In the RV shop with Dustin
Why adding a front cap second roof molding to your RV is a good idea
By Dustin Simpson
Adding a front cap second roof molding to your RV is an excellent way to enhance the security and integrity of your RV’s roof membrane. This additional molding helps to secure the roof membrane in place, providing added protection against potential damage from wind, water, and debris. It also helps to maintain the roof’s shape and structural integrity, reducing the risk of sagging or stretching over time.
Video of the day
DIY cleaning gel cleans keyboards, cracks, air vents, crevices, and more!
By Cheri Sicard
The DIY cleaning gel instructions in the video below from Tasty Home [1.76M subscribers, 449M+ views] takes just three ingredients to make, but is invaluable for cleaning computer keyboards, window tracks, stoves, floor corners, vent grates, or any other hard-to-access spots where dirt accumulates. Just press down on the gel (also known as slime) and it picks up small particles like magic.
Featured article
The 12 gadgets and accessories that I can’t do without in the RV
By Nanci Dixon
There are a number of gadgets from the RV that we can use in the house, too. They migrated their way into the house with us over the winter. Being full-time RVers for the last eight years, I never had to remember what to pack. I just can’t forget to pack these 12 gadgets!
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Fire destroys motorhome minutes after purchase
- Fish throughout the USA without a license
- More Camping World would-be takeovers nosedive
- Phantom driver totals RV. This could happen to you!
Reader poll
If the parents who raised you owned an RV, when did they acquire their first one?
Quick tip
A better use for dishwater
Reader Thelma T. saw a tip about keeping plenty of water in your blackwater tank. Thelma says, “A tip I saw and have shared often is to place a plastic dish pan in the kitchen sink for washing dishes. When done, dump the dishwater down the toilet. This not only adds water to the black tank, it helps decrease odors and also frees space in the gray tank for showers.” Thanks, Thelma!
On this day last year…
- Tip: How to get rid of rust spots on a stainless steel sink
- Ask Dave: RV’s sinks are plugged but the shower drains, P-traps not clogged. Now what?
- RV review: Rockwood Geo Pro 20BHS—small trailer with big heart
- In the RV shop with Dustin: Preventing a leaking slide out motor from causing roof damage
- Video: Trail cam footage: What happens when you leave a watermelon in the woods?
Website of the day
Podcast: National Park After Dark
For those that love true crime, mystery, and the beautiful U.S. National Parks, we think you’ll enjoy this podcast. Two friends, Cassie and Danielle, host this podcast about the dark things that go on in our parks… and the people that never leave…
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Is it hot outside right now? If it is, this will help keep you (and your RV) cool. Plus, this is great for extra privacy, too.
Recipe of the day
Chicken, Bacon, and Ranch Pasta Salad
by Aleta Hepp from Louisville, KY
This chicken, bacon, and ranch pasta salad could be a light summer meal or a hearty side dish. Crumbled bacon adds a nice smoky, savory crunch to the colorful and refreshing salad. Ranch dressing is the perfect choice because its flavor works well with the mixed vegetables, chicken, and bacon. Using store-bought rotisserie chicken means the only real cooking that has to happen is boiling the rotini pasta and frying the bacon.
Trivia
If you ever find yourself in Japan in the fall, specifically in the Osaka region, you may be treated to fried maple leaves! That’s right, it’s a long-standing tradition to eat the beautiful fall foliage. Every fall, people gather the leaves of Japanese maples, clean and dry them, then coat them with a sweet tempura batter before deep frying them. Take a look at these pictures—it looks delicious! Would you try it?
Readers’ pets of the day
“Roxy and Rusty (Liver Dalmatians). We are going on a short vacation to Buckhorn Lake RV resort in Kerrville, Texas, fur the weekend. Mum and Dad love to take us because we are pawfect fur kiddos.” —Patty Perkins
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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“Trivia
If you ever find yourself in Japan in the fall, specifically in the Osaka region, you may be treated to fried maple leaves! That’s right, it’s a long-standing tradition to eat the beautiful fall foliage. Every fall, people gather the leaves of Japanese maples, clean and dry them, then coat them with a sweet tempura batter before deep frying them. Take a look at these pictures—it looks delicious! Would you try it?”
Yes, I would.
The maple leaf is just a template to hold the batter. So basic logic states that you are just eating batter.
Mystery product: I made my own using a piece of 1/8 inch thick plexiglass.
Made a template using craft paper the exact size of the window glass.
Sprayed the plexi using a color close to door color. Mounted with 3 pieces of 3M dual lock to make it removable.
Before spraying, I scuffed the surface with some 800 wet/dry sandpaper.
I picked up the plexiglass at a local glass shop. They had smaller pieces left over from other jobs. The even cut for me using the template.
I think it cost me $20.
I have read articles advising never to dump dish water in the black tank, especially if using a dish soap with a degreaser.
Why is that?
I read an article like that also. But…the GEO method treatment for black tanks utilizes regular blue Dawn dish detergent as a primary ingredient. We tried this method and found that it works the best for us than anything else we have tried.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Roxy and Rusty look totally content; how sweet. The laugh was amusing, but I will not suggest she try the indicated method of streamlining ones life, ones possessions. Suggesting that she do so seems contrary to my own interests. Thanks again, have a great weekend, safe travels, and safe stays!
Beautiful Dalmatians! Brings back so many memories of my “Dally”. I had her for 16 wonderful years. She was always a hit, especially with the kids. Always asking us if they could pet her. (“101 Dalmatians” was popular). I would give them a treat to give to her. Dally was lightly spotted and very mild mannered, high energy and my constant shadow companion – I miss her so much. I could go on and on about the experiences, episodes and challenges too!
Unless you fix the constant refreshing and updating on your page I’m DONE! Takes 3x too long to read the newsletter than it should. I’ll check back in a month to see if it’s improved. I use an iPad for everything
We have had Nine motorhomes and have always dumped dishwater into the black tanks. Never had a problem with any of them. We like knowing that we have plenty of water in the black tank when dumping. It sure frees up a lot of gray tank space too.