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Issue 2448
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
“It’s the questions we can’t answer that teach us the most. They teach us how to think. If you give a man an answer, all he gains is a little fact. But give him a question and he’ll look for his own answers.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Creamsicle Day!
On this day in history: 1893 – France becomes the first country to introduce motor vehicle registration.
Tip of the day
RVers will benefit from these unusual uses for koozies around their RV
By Gail Marsh
You probably have at least one “stubby holder” in your RV, and perhaps a koozie or “coldy-holdy,” too. Today, we’ll mostly call them koozies. What are they? The neoprene or foam sleeves are designed to insulate a canned or bottled beverage. No matter what you call them, these handy insulators are quite useful when RVing—and not just for keeping your “cold ones” cold! Check out these unusual but helpful uses for koozies while RVing.
Ask Dave
Can I tow a fifth wheel with a 1/2-ton pickup?
Dear Dave,
My wife and I are looking into a fifth wheel purchase. I was wondering if we have to get a 3/4-ton pickup or higher? Or can I tow a fifth wheel with a 1/2-ton pickup? Thanks for any consideration! —Steve, 2021 Forest River Salem FSX
RV review
The ups and downs of the 2024 TrailManor 2518KD
By Tony Barthel
Today’s RV review is of the TrailManor 2518KD travel trailer. TrailManor’s products are very unique in a lot of ways but most notably for the fact that they can raise and lower pretty easily. The company’s trailers actually solve a number of issues for owners—they tow much more easily than traditional travel trailers and they have provisions to fit into most garages.
In the RV shop with Dustin
A look at RV I-beam crack repairs and suspension upgrades
By Dustin Simpson
In this episode, join me and my crew as we uncover and repair I-beam cracks on a Forest River Shockwave travel trailer. While completing the necessary repairs, we also took the opportunity to enhance the trailer with suspension upgrades and an axle flip.
Video of the day
Cool off at the 10 best water parks in the USA
By Cheri Sicard
Looking for a fun way for the family to beat the heat his summer? How about a trip to a water park? In the video below we get an overview of the best water parks in the USA from the team at Theme Park Recommendations. And, according to our theme park expert hosts, America is home to some of the best water parks in the world.
Take an extra 10% off a GhostBed luxury RV mattress!
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Featured article
Can campground swimming pools make you sick?
By Gail Marsh
There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a dip in the pool after a long, hot day of RV travel, setting up your rig, and preparing dinner. But, I wondered, can campground swimming pools make you sick?
Reader poll
Are you afraid of snakes?
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
Get rid of motorhome entry door rattle
Do you sometimes go dingy from the rattling of your entry door? One RVer reported his near-case-of-insanity after a cross-country tour. Since the adjustment screws on his aging RV were rusty, and he feared stripping them, he stopped at a Camping World for advice. Their solution was a roll of weather stripping — and only $69, install-it-yourself! A nearby Lowe’s yielded a roll for under $6. He put the sticky side of the weather stripping to the metal on the door, with the spongy side coming into contact with the already existing rubber strip. A little more “oomph” was required to close the door, but the rattle was history.
On this day last year…
- Tip: 17 brilliant lazy Susan hacks for RVers
- Ask Dave: Are there any “good” alternatives to a traditional RV roof air conditioner?
- RV review: Encore RV RōG 16RB—An unusual overlanding trailer
- Video: DIY camper awning: How to turn a $7 Harbor Freight tarp into campsite shade
Website of the day
NYPL Digital Collections
History buff? So are we. The New York Public Library offers 893,324 (and counting) digital items from its collections. Explore everything from old maps and photographs, to sheet music, to letters, to old posters.
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
If you’re a kid at heart, and sometimes eat like one, you’re going to love this. We do!!!
Recipe of the day
Italian Spiced Pork Chops
by Carla Tipton from Dublin, OH
The oil mixture on these tender pork chops not only infuses flavor but also gives the chops some very handsome grill marks. Marinating the pork chops gives them a tangy flavor with a hint of spice.
Trivia
In the heyday of the gold and silver mining town of Virginia City, Nevada, there were 100 saloons, which represented about one-fifth of all of the town’s buildings. Locals had no problem finding a place to belly up to the bar with one drinking establishment for every 32 residents. Some of those old watering holes remain, including the famous Bucket Of Blood, which opened in 1876 and has served many good and bad guys of the Old West (and lots of tourists these days).
Readers’ pet of the day
“This is our sweet Mini Aussie, Kimber. She is 8 years old and came to us about a year ago. She absolutely loves to go camping and loves meeting new people. When we’re packing and getting ready to go she is running for the door waiting for her turn to load up. She loves riding in the truck and takes in all the scenery along the way.” —Cori Cotton
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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WEATHER FORECAST ACROSS THE NATION
For Wednesday, August 14
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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Like the addition of the daily national radar picture and link
Kimber is a beauty. Her eyes are remarkable.
Kimber is beautiful, I love her eyes! Enjoy your trips with her.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 Kimber is a beautiful girl! 🙂 She also looks well-behaved; you have done a great job training her, Cori, that or her previous owners did. I hope ours, dog #3, is as well-behaved as she appears when he gets to 8 years of age. The website of the day is outstanding! 🙂 Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Kimber is soooo absolutely beautiful and sweet 🐶🥰 thank you!
I noticed when I click on a link, it opens in a new window!! Thanks!