Issue 2624
Today’s thought
“It takes half your life before you discover life is a do-it-yourself project.” —Napoleon Hill
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Cheeseball Day!
On this day in history: 1907 – The Ellis Island immigration center processes 11,747 people, more than on any other day.
Tip of the day
Quick squeaky motorhome door hack: No more squeaks!
By Cheri Sicard
This video short from Endless RVing may be quick to watch but doing so can help put an end to an annoying squeaky motorhome door. You know, the kind that drives you crazy with the squeaky noises as you drive down the road.
This hack will only take seconds to do. All you need is a piece of electrical tape. That’s right, no tools! Check it out.
Ask Dave
What can I run with one solar panel and one battery in my 5th wheel?
Dear Dave,
My fifth wheel came with a solar panel and one standard 12v battery. It has a 12v 16-cubic-foot fridge and tankless water heater. What are the restrictions for appliance usage if I go boondocking? I’m assuming I couldn’t use the A/C, but what else? —Ken, 2022 Grand Design 303RLS Fifth Wheel Read Dave’s answer.
Article & video of the day
The top 5 van build mistakes
By Cheri Sicard
Building a van is an exciting adventure. But it’s easy to stumble along the way. Jeff and Lisa Warnick of Thrivans have seen it all. They’re here to help DIYers (and even some professional builders) dodge common pitfalls. Avoiding these mistakes can save serious time, money, and future headaches. Click here to read and watch.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: If your RV is stored on private property for long periods of time, you can sometimes save money by canceling the liability, collision, medical and uninsured portions of the policy until you head back out on the road. But keep the comprehensive coverage active. If you allow this coverage to lapse and your rig is financed, your lending institution will likely tack on its own expensive coverage to your monthly payment.
Featured article
Incredible RV transformation: From old, dated rig to a French cottage on wheels
We saw this post from Tilly Dixon on the RV Interior Decorating: Ideas and Renovations Facebook page and couldn’t believe this transformational RV renovation was the same RV! Wow! Tilly wrote, “We have been having a blast transforming campers into cozy, tiny houses! With this one, we were going with a cozy French cottage-inspired design. This one is a 35′ Bunkhouse that got an exterior paint job, too!” Scroll through these pictures. We bet you’ll want to redesign your RV, too!
Reader poll
In the last 5 years, what’s the largest number of people who have slept overnight in your RV at one time?
JUST GETTING STARTED RVing? RVtravel.com publisher Chuck Woodbury’s book The ABCs of RVing should be essential reading. Learn more from reading this than what you’d learn in six months on your own. Learn more or order.
Quick tip
How much water do you use when boondocking?
Track your water usage with Post-it Note markings on the side of your fresh water tank (assuming it is visible). It is a handy way to gauge how much water you are using and estimate how many days your water will last so you can make adjustments as needed, or simply relax about it a bit more! —From rvlove.com
On this day last year…
- Tip: The #1 MOST important thing to do BEFORE starting an RV remodel
- Ask Dave: RV’s roof air conditioner wires shorted, almost caught on fire! Why didn’t circuit breaker trip?
- RV review: 2024 Ember RV Touring Edition 20FB – Now, this is how to set an example for others
- Video: RV spring cleaning: 7 maintenance tasks to do before leaving
- Featured article: 5 nifty gadgets that make RV life easier
Website of the day
Florida Trippers
This website from local Florida residents will help you plan your trip to Florida… any type of trip! Select the region or city and they’ll direct you to the best restaurants, things to see and do, and more.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
What if we told you that you could drink beer and water at the exact same time? Or iced coffee and juice? Well, you can!
And the survey says…
We’ve polled RVtravel.com readers close to 5,000 times in recent years. Here are a few things we’ve learned about them:
• If given the chance to own one of these beverage-making businesses, 32 percent would like to own a winery, followed by 30 percent who would like to own a root beer-making company. A microbrewery followed, with a liquor distillery coming in last.
• 70 percent do not know their RV’s license plate number by memory.
• 61 percent say their RV does not have a built-in ice maker in its freezer.
Recent poll: Did your parents take you camping as a child?
Trivia
Think you’ve been to a desert before? Think again! You’ve never seen a desert like the Atacama Desert along the northern coast of Chile. The Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the world. How dry? Some weather stations in the desert have never (we repeat: never) recorded a drop of rainfall. Geologic evidence suggests that certain regions across the desert may not have had rainfall from 1570 to 1971. The desert is bone dry. NASA has used the region to test equipment for Mars missions.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Sparky (1-year-old Havanese). ‘I like big bones and I cannot lie…'” —Randy Fittler
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!
Leave here with a laugh
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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I wonder if Sparky is like my Havanese. Mine knows how to wrap people around her Paw. Is good to me, but mean to my wife at times.
Your dog has a discipline problem. That kind of behavior should not be tolerated. This behavior issue is shown all the time on Cesar Millan’s “Dog Whisperer” series and can be corrected. Watching re-runs of his shows or reading his books can really help.
Go Sparky!!
Exercise caution when cancelling certain Insurance coverage if you live in a State that has Natural Disasters. We live in Florida, my vehicle was put in “Storage” with reduced Insurance coverage. It flooded during Hurricane Milton. Insurance Company paid NOTHING! It was a total loss, and we got “0”
Make sure there is still liability coverage from some source even if the RV is stored on private property. If it catches fire, you may be liable for collateral damage to nearby structures or trees.
We leave one of our RVs on a park site year-round. So long as it is not being moved, I remove collision coverage, but keep both liability and comprehensive. Never know when somebody will wander through the site and sue you because they broke a bone on your hitch.
Regarding insurance, where I live, when the trailer’s “in storage”, no one is even allowed to enter the RV. Why? Cause it’s “in storage” and cannot be accessed or used. Rules are rules. Watch the fine print.
Sparky is adorable and I love that huge bone.
The driest area on earth is in the McMurdo Dry Valleys on Antarctica. Evidence suggests that they have not had any precipitation for over a million years.
I can already drink water & beer simultaneously .. I just have a Coors.
I do hope that you and Sparky have many joyfully memorable RVing adventures, Randy! Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great day and safe travels!
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