Issue 2455 • Follow RVtravel.com on Google News
Today’s thought
“The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Cuban Sandwich Day!
On this day in history: 1904 – The automobile tire chain is patented.
Tip of the day
Tank Blaster to the rescue—It really works!
By Nanci Dixon
Our gray water tank sensors had started reading 67% or 100% almost constantly, even after dumping. Not wanting to risk a backflow of gray water into our shower, we had started pulling the handle to dump the gray water way too often. Thetford’s Tank Blaster to the rescue!
Dave Solberg has mentioned Tank Blaster several times in his articles here on RVtravel.com, so I bought a pack last year but never put it to the test until this summer. Continue reading.
Ask Dave
My travel trailer has “hot skin.” Can I just replace the shoreline cord?
Dear Dave,
I’m experiencing “hot skin” on my trailer, with about 30 volts of electrical current energizing the exterior of it. I’m replacing my 10-year-old power cord (50 amp) first, but what other causes would you recommend I search for? —Dave, 2014 Airstream Flying Cloud 25FBT Read Dave’s extremely important answer.
Join Dave at the North Carolina RV Dealers Raleigh Show today through Sunday, August 25. The 3-day event not only includes the popular RV Buyer’s Seminar and 10 others he presents, but will feature a new Ford Towing Bootcamp developed by the Ford Motor Company with a 1-hour in-class towing seminar and a 2-hour outdoor hands-on truck and trailer towing class. RVtravel.com readers receive a very special discount. Learn more.
RV review
Ember RV Overland 221MSL—Significant boondocking updates
By Tony Barthel
I’ve been doing these reviews long enough that now I’m on the third iteration of this rig. I had the chance to visit Camp Ember, which is literally a campground on the Ember RV property, and speak with David Blea, Ember RV’s regional sales manager.
This almost could be a short update, but the updates to the trailer are so significant for boondocking that I’m going to flip how I normally do these articles and focus on that.
In the RV shop with Dustin
RV entry door basics and damage prevention
By Dustin Simpson
No matter what manufacturer, year, make, or model your RV is, your RV’s entry door is widely used in the industry. Today, I’m inspecting the entry door of a 2019 Grand Design Momentum RV. We’ll be looking for any signs of water damage, leaks, or other issues with the exterior of the RV. Click here to read and watch the video.
Video of the day
How to catch RV water damage early
By Cheri Sicard
Our favorite RV inspector, Duane from the RV Inspection and Care YouTube channel, shares some important tips and advice in the video below.
Leaks and water damage can wreak expensive havoc on RVs, so the sooner you catch a leak the better. In the video, Duane gives tips on how to catch RV water damage early, and also how you can prevent it. This video is also handy for anyone evaluating used RVs. Click here to read and watch.
Take an extra 10% off a GhostBed luxury RV mattress!
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Featured article
You caused a freak accident at the campground. Are you covered?
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
It’s another relaxing trip to the campground. As the sun sets over the horizon, you break out the marshmallows by the fireside. The youngest grandchild ignites a marshmallow, and in their excitement, springs the burning goody off the stick and onto a guest across the fireside. The flaming projectile ignites the guest’s coat on fire, and the rest is summed up in a lawsuit. You have homeowner’s insurance—are you covered? You have liability insurance on the motorhome—are you covered? Continue reading this important message.
You may have missed these recent popular stories…
- Woman dies at Disney World; hubby can’t sue because they had tried Disney+ TV
- Bear chases hikers; bear spray no help
- Motorhome demolished, 1 killed in Teton Pass crash
- Compassion or concern for the homeless in “our” campground
Reader poll
How often do you eat a banana?
Quick tip
Keeping your distance on the highway
“I try to leave a healthy distance between me and the vehicle in front of me and especially when driving my motorhome. The problem with that is when you leave a large gap, someone will always try to fill it and there goes your gap. The faster you go, the more apt this is to happen. So, with the motorhome, I find I can maintain this distance better when I’m traveling pretty much the same speed as the big rig tractor trailers and the higher-speed vehicles will pass up the gap.” Thanks, Ron!
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: Are cleaning, reconditioning and spot sealing part of state safety inspection for RV?
- RV review: A more affordable Super C—Coachmen Entourage 330DS
- Video: How to do emergency canine CPR and save your dog
- Featured article: Black tank horror story averted: Our RV almost flooded!
Website of the day
The 10 best U.S. national parks to see wildlife
Ready to see birds and snakes and alligators? Bats and porpoises and sea turtles? Then this list from National Geographic is for you!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Are there measures you can take to determine if someone is left-handed? Well, we don’t know, but this is cool!
Recipe of the day
Cheesy Italian Ricotta & Beef Pie
by Michaela Boers from Copley, OH
We love that this easy dinner recipe had so much flavor. It reminded us of an upside-down pizza. The cheese layer seriously adds so much cheesiness to the recipe. Crescent dough, brushed with garlic butter and fresh Parmesan cheese, is an excellent topping. We were a little concerned when we opened the oven that we overcooked this. The butter really browns the top, so don’t be concerned. It was perfect. Get the recipe here.
Trivia
Groceries represent half of Walmart’s sales, while Target grocery sales are closer to 20 percent.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Reggie just turned 15 and still takes walks every day and loves to meet new people.” —Lori Richards
HELP! WE’RE RUNNING LOW ON PET PHOTOS! Send us a photo of your pet with a short description. No blurry photos and 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
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 23
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
RVtravel.com All-Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
That is a great article on dog CPR!
Every dog owner should watch it.
Sounds like Reggie is leading a wonderful life and I congratulate you for helping him live longer. When we adopted our Brittany at two years old, he loved taking walks. At 14, he still wanted his three daily walks so he could see all his friends. Walks were not as long, but kept both of us happy and healthy.
Reggie looks almost identical to a dog we rescued many years ago! Good for Reggie being 15 and still enjoying life. 🙂
A ‘lefty’ tape measure actually makes a lot of sense for right-handers. Which hand do you write with? While I am semi-ambidextrous, I prefer to write with my right hand – and that includes making measurement marks. That means my left hand is holding the tape measure. For me that means I have to read the measure upside down.
The only time I have had trouble with an upside-down tape measure was when I kept cutting 96-inch boards at 69 inches. “I’ve cut this board three times and it is still too short”, as my father-in-law would say.
RE: Keeping your distance. I try to stay the heck off Interstates. A lot of the semi’s these days drive faster than I do. ST tires are typically rated for a max of 65mph, and I try to stay a bit below the max. That said, I LOVE adaptive cruise control when safe to use it. I can set a maximum speed and minimum following distance. The tow vehicle uses the two to set my speed with enough distance to accommodate reaction time and braking. If someone cuts me off (biggest reason I hate Interstates), the tow vehicle will react faster than I can, and if need be I will reestablish manual control.
I prefer to get off the Interstates too, but for a different reason as semis don’t bother me. I love to take my time and pass through and visit many small towns. The downside that I’ve found is the secondary highways are so rough they just shake the bejesus out of me, my truck and my trailer.
I like the new weather map
I don’t drive the same speed as the tractor trailers, which are going 75 to 80MPH. Towing an RV or driving a motor home that fast is dangerous according to everything I’ve ever read on RVTravel, especially when people have no understanding of payload capacity.
Slow down for my safety and yours!
Thank you, Emily and Diane! 🙂 Thank you, Ron, for the tip on maintaining a safe following distance. I will try this, but most rigs are traveling at a faster speed than I drive. Invariably, few things travel as slowly as I do (62-64mph) on interstates. (One day I realized that everyone is in the way of the fastest vehicle, but no one is in the way of the slowest. I often am the slowest.) I am so glad that Reggie’s getting around so well and still interested in people, Lori! Be sure to cherish each day with him. 🙂 Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂