Issue 2632
Today’s thought
“The purpose of a storyteller is not to tell you how to think, but to give you questions to think upon.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Shrimp Scampi Day!
On this day in history: On this day in history: 2004 – The final Oldsmobile is built in Lansing, Michigan, ending 107 years of vehicle production.
Tip of the day
How do you hang a TV wall mount on an RV wall?
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
RV TV wall mounts are great. Their swing feature allows users to turn the TV in multiple directions, great for the rather strange seating arrangements RV manufacturers often use. They also allow the TV to be pushed back out of the way when not in use. The trouble is, these articulating mounts typically require the use of wall studs for a safe and secure install. If the desired wall doesn’t have studs—typical of most fiberglass or composite exterior RV walls—what’s to be done? Here’s one way to get the job done.
More “tips” from this weekend:
- I replumbed my RV sink with flex pipe. Genius or totally unhinged?
- Deadly “hot-skin condition” can spread from your neighbor’s RV
- Finally, a practical solution for RV spice storage
- Check your exterior RV refrigerator vent door latch
Ask Dave
What can I do to reduce blind spots when driving my older Class C?
Dear Dave,
I have become reliant on the blind spot sensor on my SUV, and want to know if there is a good way to retrofit my Class C motorhome with a [blind spot monitoring] product. There are a wide variety of products out there. Is there a recommendation of a model and a best place to mount the sensors? Thanks in advance. —Roberto, 2007 Fleetwood Jamboree 26Q on Ford chassis Read Dave’s suggestions.
ALSO FROM DAVE: Can I refill a 1 lb. “disposable” LP cylinder, or is there an alternative?
Article & video
Must-have RV pet gear and services for stress-free travel
By Cheri Sicard
Traveling with pets can really make RV adventures better. But there are some things to think about for your furry friends when taking them on the road. In this article and video, our favorite RV gearhead, Joshua from RV Gear & Far, covers some must-have RV pet gear and services to make traveling with pets less stressful.
Featured article
How to use the onX app for finding “secret” moochdocking locations
By Dave Helgeson
Recently the onX app led to a campsite for my wife, me and our RVing friends when our traditional “go to” camping space was unavailable. Read on to learn how this app, meant for hunters and backcountry enthusiasts, can be used for moochdocking, too.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: To help keep your RV fridge cold when you are traveling without having it turned on, place two or three frozen ice packs inside before departing. When you arrive and turn your refrigerator back on, place the ice packs back in the freezer compartment to freeze for your next journey.
Reader poll
Would you rather live where most often daily temps were lower than 50 or higher than 90?
Quick tip
Getting rid of used cooking grease
Boondockers will especially appreciate this idea: Use fine sand from a creek bed or desert floor to soak up grease in frying pans after cooking. Deposit the grease-soaked sand in the trash. Discarding it outside will draw unwanted critters. Then also clean those pots and pans with sand, which is especially effective on scorched or burned-on food, since it acts as an excellent scouring powder. You will use a lot less of your precious water to clean up—but don’t use it on non-stick cookware. You can find Bob Difley’s RVing e-books on Amazon Kindle.
On this day last year…
- Ask Dave: My RV roof air conditioner cools for 15 minutes then just blows air. Why?
- RV review: 2024 Alliance RV Avenue All Access 28BH fifth wheel – It’s “bunkhousey”
- Video: 12 small RV gadgets you’ll wish you had bought sooner!
- Featured article: Yes, RVers need to follow proper campground laundromat etiquette
Website of the day
The Most Hippie Town in All 50 States
Still living in the ’70s? Well, good, because these towns are too! See how many of these hippie towns you’ve been to.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
In case you or someone you know has been a little forgetful lately… And note that they’re extra strong.
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:
• 39 percent say they have given their RV a name
• 61 percent say their RV has an onboard generator
• 34 percent know a lot about their family history, they’ve studied it!
Recent poll: How would you define an ‘affordable’ campsite for a 1-night stay?
Trivia
A cockroach can live for a week after its head is cut off. Its nervous system, or “brain,” is scattered throughout its body, and thus its head is not really needed to stay alive. Cockroaches have been around for about 280 million years and can live a month without eating, but they need to drink water about every week. Since a cockroach can drink only through its mouth, a headless roach dies of dehydration within about a week.
Readers’ pets of the day
“Phoebe and Pierce (Ragdolls, age 13 and 15) are great company and have ‘seen’ more of the USA than some humans. People ask, ‘Do they like traveling in the RV?’ My answer is always ‘I’m sure they do.'” —Denise Piper
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
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
THIS MAP UPDATES TWICE A DAY
Visit Current National Radar Weather Map
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.
RVtravel.com All-Star Team
Click here for information about our staff and how to contact us.
In getting rid of used cooking grease, we use paper towels. They soak up the grease & don’t scratch our ceramic coated pans. And burned food doesn’t stick, so there is no scrubbing.
And they make great fire starters.
I save them and then stuff them into the paper towels tube. Best fire starter ever.
Shouldn’t there be a warning or disclaimer to let the grease cool before trying to soak it up? I mean, the Owner’s Manual for my first motorcycle years ago told me how to adjust the valves, now the Owner’s Manual will tell you not to drink the battery acid.
Or that your to go cup of hot coffee may burn you if spilled.
If the cooking grease is not spiced my wife suggests using oatmeal to absorb it then feed it to the birds.
Did an internet search and this is not good for birds (several reference to this, but I’ll quote one): “The consistency of the fat makes it prone to smearing, which is detrimental for birds’ feathers, along with the fat providing perfect conditions for breeding bacteria…
“Only pure fats such as lard and suet should be used to make homemade fat balls which will give birds’ the energy and nutrients to survive the cold winter months.” https://theecologist.org/2019/nov/26/grease-does-birds-fat-lot-good
Two beautiful cats.
Our indoor only Siamese and Maine Coon cats give us a “oh come on ” look, when they see us loading up the 5th wheel. Both cats aren’t really happy traveling.
Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great day and safe travels!
We save jars from pickles, sauces, etc, Fill them with grease, replace the lid, and keep in the fridge. When full, they get tossed in the trash.
Phoebe and Pierce are gorgeous! I miss having a kitty. Enjoy your travels with them. They look like royalty!