Issue 2554
Today’s thought
“Stories can conquer fear, you know. They can make the heart bigger.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Apricot Day!
On this day in history: 1909 – Ernest Shackleton, leading the Nimrod Expedition to the South Pole, plants the British flag 97 nautical miles (180 km; 112 mi.) from the South Pole, the farthest anyone had ever reached at that time.
(Psst: Need a new book to read? We highly recommend this book about Shackleton’s voyage.)
Tip of the day
How to manage smelly dog odors in an RV
By Gail Marsh
Traveling with dogs in an RV can be an adventure. But let’s be honest—smelly dog odors can quickly take over the small space, especially with two or more furry companions.
RV interiors are compact, making odors more concentrated. Pet fur, oils, and moisture contribute to the smell, especially after activities like hiking or swimming. With multiple dogs, the challenge is amplified. If you’re RVing with dogs, you need to know these tips for managing doggie odor.
Ask Dave
What is the rule of thumb for using RV roof vents?
By Dave Solberg
Dear Dave,
I’m confused about the proper use of my trailer’s roof vents. I just read where it is important to maintain/replace the seals on these to keep in hot or cold air. Also I have read about insulating the roof vents. My question is this: Aren’t these vents supposed to be open when the trailer has people in it for fresh air to breath and to exhaust bad air? Are there any rules of thumb to guide us on how best to ventilate when cooking or using auxiliary propane heaters, etc.? —Ted, 2015 Starcraft Read Dave’s answer.
Video of the day
Innovative van conversion with 12-volt mini split
By Cheri Sicard
In this video, we join Bob Wells of Cheap RV Living (one of the winners of our 2024 RV video awards) for a tour of a unique van conversion with a 12-volt mini split heating and cooling system, among other interesting features. Check it out.
Featured article
Flexible holding tank repair material easy to apply—and it works!
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
Like many RVers, we suffered through holding tank leaks on a variety of RVs. … We’ve tried all sorts of tank repair nostrums, to a variety of results, usually disappointing. Those that have worked (for our black tank disaster) were complicated and posed major safety issues. Others often just peeled off, or didn’t hold. We’ve now tried a new flexible holding tank repair, and we’re really jazzed. Learn more about it here.
Reader poll (and article)
The history of the glove compartment: What’s in yours?
By Gail Marsh
The glove compartment, a standard feature in modern vehicles, has a history as intriguing as the items it holds. The origin of the glove compartment dates back to the early 20th century when automobiles were open to the elements. Back then, drivers relied on gloves to protect their hands from the cold and to improve their grip on the steering wheel. Continue reading and share what’s in your glove compartment (RV or car).
Quick tip
Pull test for safe fifth-wheel hitching
Reader Jeff sends along a good safety reminder: “Upon hitching up, you should raise landing gear slightly and do a short test pull to ensure the king pin is securely locked into the hitch. It is a practice used by truck drivers (like myself). If for some reason the king pin isn’t securely locked in and slides out, your landing gear will prevent the trailer from dropping on your tailgate. That is why you see trucks with the tailgate smashed or crunched. Sometimes you may not have a good connection or get into a situation called high pinning, where the king pin doesn’t completely lock into the hitch and slides out when you drive off, even though the jaws appear to be locked. Hooking up a fifth-wheel correctly and securely is critical to safe travels.” Thanks, Jeff!
On this day last year…
- Tip: Why you need RV roof vent covers, plus cleaning tips
- Ask Dave: How can I test my RV’s “emergency start switch”?
- RV walk-through: Tour the 2024 Jayco Granite Ridge 22T—small RV, big storage
- Video: All about RV convection ovens: when and when not to use
- Featured article: DIY generator neutral/ground bonding plug
Website of the day
Delicious canned tuna recipes
This might not be the most exciting website we’ve ever listed here, but we’re thinking there’s a good chance you have some canned tuna in your pantry right now. Are we right? Here are 31 delicious recipes for that tuna, so get to cookin’!
?? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ??
Okay, so… tell us why every single RVer doesn’t have one of these in their RV or tow vehicle?! It can be used for so many things! Just don’t drive distracted!
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:
• 40 percent have had to bring their RV into the shop because of a recall on it.
• 19 percent have a hearing impairment, 26 percent have a visual impairment, and 37 percent have both.
• 37 percent finished a book within the last week.
Recent poll: How many days last year did you boondock on free BLM lands?
Trivia
Ohhh, say can you seeeeeee…. See if you can guess which country has the longest national anthem. It’s Greece! The Greek National Anthem, known as “Hymn to Liberty,” is so long that it’s rarely sung from start to finish. The anthem is actually a poem written by Dionysios Solomos and it’s 158 stanzas long! When Nikolaos Mantzaros put the poem to music, he wrote two scores: one for the full poem and one for the first two stanzas, which is usually the part that’s sung in public.
Readers’ pet of the day
“This is Rumi, a rescue from Istanbul, Turkey. He is now 5 years old. He was a street dog since he was a puppy living on the streets of Istanbul until the age of 1 1/2 years. He was taken into a shelter by Canadian Golden Rescue for 7 months and then flown to Vancouver, B.C., with 100 other Goldens. Kept alive by a couple who owned a corner store in Istanbul until his lucky break with C.G.R., he now has a loving home and is spoiled. He loves our new travel trailer and will be going on many adventures with us, as did our previous rescue dogs.” —John & Pat Maxwell
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
If a cow doesn’t produce milk, is it a milk dud or an udder failure?
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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Hurray for rescue dogs. Boy, is he very lucky.
Rescue the BEST breed!
If a cow doesn’t produce milk on my farm, she’s called hamburger.
Lol
Thanks Jeff on the reminder of the king pin. I’ve seen it happen and glad I haven’t had that experience because I learn that lesson in the military thankfully it wasn’t a pickup to ruin a tailgate.
The Mystery Product is a great way to eat, drink and look at the phone while driving.
Just saying “don’t drive distracted” doesn’t stop that. It only makes it more convenient to do so.
All I need is another horizontal surface on which to collect more junk to fly around when braking or breaking.
“Pull test for safe fifth-wheel hitching”…not a problem with an Anderson fifth wheel hitch.
The canned tuna recipes look great, thanks!
Runi is one lucky dog! Thank you for giving him a loving home.
Just a friendly note….. all CAPS typically indicates YELLING.
Hi, Ron. I removed the “all caps,” but left your note as a tip for readers who may not be aware of that. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Why is the print of the recipes so small ???
Hi, Paula. Hmmm. I don’t even see any recipes in this newsletter that you’ve commented in. Where are the recipes you’re referring to? Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Canned Tuna recipes, before product of the day ?
Thanks, Bill. Maybe that’s what she was referring to. I was looking for the Recipes of the day section, not the Website of the day. If that’s what Paula is referring to, there’s nothing we can do about what the recipes on that website look like, since we have no control over it. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Try using <control>-<+>, using the <Ctrl> key and the <plus-sign> key to expand the font.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Bless you for giving Rumi a forever home, John and Pat! He truly is a blessed dog to have escaped life on the streets. Have a great day and safe travels! 🙂
I keep my 4/5 pin to 7 pin adapter in the glove box.
Also a set of binoculars.
As to the “pull test”, Daughter came upon a slow down on the interstate the other day. First was a tanker trailer down on its nose, then a fifth wheel laying on the ground, and ahead of that the semi tractor. I think a driver must have lost his job that day.
If driving in the Dallas Fort Worth area, snow, light rain, and if it freezes, black ice on Friday.
Thanks for the heads up, Donald. Good luck, and stay safe! Have a good night. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Rumi is gorgeous~ those Goldens are sweethearts. I have owned two~one a rescue and I have two Grand Goldens now! All were such characters but little clowns full of LOVE!