We’re working to help improve your reading experience. When viewing this newsletter on an (Apple) mobile device using Safari, links to articles will now open in a new tab on our website.
Issue 2449
Today’s thought
“I bet you could sometimes find all the mysteries of the universe in someone’s hand.” ―
Tip of the day
Creative ways to use a bike storage tent when RVing
By Gail Marsh
Friends of ours are avid bicyclists. When they arrive at a campground, they set up a bike storage tent and house their expensive bicycles inside. My husband and I are more casual bikers. Our bikes are probably 20 years old and while we keep them in good condition, we’ve never had a bicycle tent. “Why would we get a bike tent?” my husband wanted to know. So, I told him about the uncommon ways RVers can use the tents. Perhaps some of these tips can help you, too. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
Where can I get an owner’s manual for my RV?
Dear Dave,
I can’t seem to find an owner’s manual anywhere online. I contacted Travel Lite with no response. Any other sources? —Paul, 2019 Travel Lite Aura 22RK
Read Dave’s answer (applies to any brand)
RV review
2025 Midas 24 BT, Tiffin Motorhomes’ most nimble Class C
By Steve Blume
The Midas 24 BT is a perfect solution for those who want the luxury of a Tiffin in something small, but larger than a van. Built on a Ford 350 HD AWD Transit Cutaway Chassis with a Ford 3.5-Liter EcoBoost 310 HP gas engine and a Ford 10-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission, this is Tiffin’s most nimble Class C coach. At 24’6” long, it boasts a hitch rating of 5,000 pounds at an affordable price.
Video of the day
The best RV gear from IKEA
By Cheri Sicard
Our favorite RV gearhead, Joshua from RV Gear & Far, shows some great RV gear from IKEA in this video. Unlike most of the other RV gear from IKEA videos, this one does NOT focus on storage solutions.
Featured article
A discussion about loneliness and the solo RVer
By Chuck Woodbury
In my early years of RVing, I spent a lot of time traveling alone. Actually, I spent most of my time alone. All my friends were busy with work and could not just take off and spend weeks or months wandering around America with a drifting journalist. Although I experienced many wonderful times, and met a lot of wonderful people, I was often acutely lonely. Here, Kathy Belge discusses loneliness on the road.
Continue reading and listen here
Reader poll
How many TVs do you have in your RV?
Quick tip
Secure your RV!
Always lock the RV when away from the campsite. Do not store valuable items in outside storage compartments. A vast majority of RVs use the exact same key for outside storage compartments. Read more here or watch this video from the late Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor.
On this day last year…
- Tip: Put together an emergency getaway bag right now. It’s important!
- RV walk-through: Tour the Bigfoot RV 25RQ fiberglass travel trailer
- Video: Pssst… Here’s the secret to great grilled chicken thighs
- Featured article: Is the 2022 Ford Bronco the perfect flat towable car? I test drove it to find out
- Ask Dave: Fuel nozzle shuts off before RV’s tank is full, but never at Buc-ee’s. Why?
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Um, sure, it might help us walk on rocky beaches or paths. But if we used this we would fall on our faces… immediately. Wouldn’t you?
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:
• 80 percent carry an air compressor for their tires with them on their RV travels.
• 12 percent say their RV’s tires are seven years or older.
• 8 percent have, at one time, worked at a McDonald’s.
Recent poll: Should drivers with RVs 40 feet or longer need a special driver’s license?
Recipe of the day
Sam’s Panko Crusted Fried Shrimp with Tartar Sauce
by Sammie Allen from Salisbury, NC
Easy to prepare, this fried shrimp could be a light meal or a snack. The batter coats the shrimp wonderfully. Once fried to a golden brown, the batter is crunchy with the perfectly cooked shrimp inside. Don’t skimp on the sprinkle of salt once everything is fried. The balance of flavors in the homemade tartar sauce is spot on. Perfect for dipping the fried shrimp.
Trivia
Beneath Lake Tahoe’s stunning azure surface lies about 6 miles of defunct century-old telephone cables that contain toxic lead. —San Francisco Chronicle
Readers’ pet of the day
“Lola is a one-year-old kitten who rules the roost in our motorhome. She has us in stitches every day with her playful antics!” —Charles Nordmeyer
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
What do you call a laughing motorcycle?
A Yamahahahaha.
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Relaxation Day!
On this day in history: 1969 – The Woodstock Music & Art Fair opens in Bethel, New York, featuring some of the top rock musicians of the era. (Were you there?)
Did you miss the latest RV Travel Newsletter? If so, read it here.
Oh, and if you missed the Latest News for RVers, make sure to catch up here.
WEATHER FORECAST ACROSS THE NATION
For Friday, August 16
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
RVtravel.com All-Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
Thank you for the feature that opens a new tab in safari for the article links. It makes reading the daily tips so much more enjoyable
I am guessing you guys have worked out the bugs on the website. It was great reading todays newsletter. Watch or read an article, click out of it and back to the newsletter. Made it a much better reading experience. No using the back button and losing where you left off. Thanks team.
Change out those cheap CH751 locks. Everyone has a key. Cylinder style locks are on Amazon. Get enough to replace all at once. That way, only you will have a common key for your locks. You may have to use a little ingenuity, since they are universal.
Too bad the other locking systems cannot be easily changed.
I did the same. Another suggestions is to KEEP that CH751 key with your RV, in case someone in your campground loses their key.
Have a neighbor who parked his TT at his house. Was talking about security and getting an eye-roll. So I told him I could open any of his bays right there. He told me to go ahead and try it. I pulled out my CH751 key and opened the bay. Eye-pop! He accused me of trying this before our conversation. Nope. I’m not that type. Told him again about CH751 keys and offered to give him info on changing the locks. He looked grateful, never asked if he did it, and he didn’t offer.
What a delight to be able to easily read the newsletter on my iPad. Thank you for all your work and determination to make a better reading experience for your readers.
I really like the new changes made to this website! So much easier to read newsletter now.
Thanks very much for the improvements regarding Apple and Safari. Reading today’s newsletter was far simpler and more enjoyable than normal. Great improvement!
Lola looks like she is waiting for an unsuspecting visitor to walk by to pounce on. Pretty kitty!
I was pleased to find that my new TT (Freedom Express Select 20SE, which is a stripped down version) uses the door key for all hatches. Hopefully that key is unique…
It’s not
Thanks for posting the weather map. I used to teach kids how to read those. It is very informative.
I noticed that I didn’t have to use my “back” button today! Thank you so much!
It also works in the browser Brave. Brave also doesn’t track and blocks popups which take longer to load.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 Lola is a doll, Charles; enjoy her continued antics! 🙂 No, was not at Woodstock, but I have seen the movie a few times. Even as a child, I probably was too persnickety to have been there. I certainly am as a senior adult. Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
Lola is a precious travel companion!
Cats are fun. Ours travel well and entertain each other if we are off on an excursion for the day. And they never have to take a walk in the rain!
I think campgrounds should ban outside TVs and screens. The worst was when we stayed in a lovely seaside camp in California. The people in front of us set up a huge screen visible a block away. They invited other families and showed the most violent and gory film I had ever seen. We covered our windows and used earplugs and even inside we still couldn’t block the screams! You shouldn’t be able to invade other campsites.
I’ve always left all basement doors unlocked, the damage and downtime far outweighs the cost of the lost item.
I agree. I never lock the outside storage doors even when at home between trips.
The cable should be already removed as per a lawsuit.
https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/court-orders-removal-of-75-tons-of-abandoned-phone-cable-from-lake-tahoe/
Bill, thanks for the update.
Mystery Product: Old age has its benefits. I can wobble without needing to BUY a Wobble Board. “A penny saved is a penny earned.”
Leave Here With A Laugh, Is sorta right. Yamahahahaha is what Harley Davidsons say as they ride by.
This Day In History, I was not at Woodstock. I was on my Honeymoon, sorta kinda.
The mystery product is a good idea. However, when I broke the fibula in my right leg, after the cast was off, the therapist brought out a platform that had half ball on the bottom. There were progressively larger different size changeable balls. Amazing how fast I got all my balance and muscle tone back. The device was placed between two bars to hold on to keep me from falling.
I find it interesting that under the product of the day it states: StrongTek Professional Wooden Balance Board. I just never imagined spending time on a balance board could be considered by some to be a profession. I wonder how many years of class learning would one need for a diploma.
🤣🤣🤣
I think most lakes that were near an industrial site has some toxic poisons and can never be removed. Try Ford Lake in Ypsilanti Michigan. Lake looks great. Can’t eat the fish nor swim in it. Toxic lead. FYI I believe there are other lakes that are just as contaminated.