Issue 2695
Today’s thought
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” ―Eleanor Roosevelt
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Wine And Cheese Day!
On this day in history: 1897 – American author Jack London embarks on a sailing trip to take part in the Klondike Gold Rush, from which he wrote his first successful stories.
Tip of the day
Your ice maker could be growing mold. Make sure you clean it!
By Dale Wade
Ah, summer! We pulled the RV out of storage for this year’s maiden voyage. As I went through the spring checklist, I came across “Check the ice maker.” I pulled it out of the box, opened it up, and found black mold around the inside edges. Whoa. Let’s clean that portable ice maker.
Your ice maker can become a breeding ground for bacteria, mildew, and mold. What’s more, this happens regardless of the water filter that you use. Also, you may find scale and mineral deposits inside. To be safe, clean it twice a year, at least, especially during the summer. Afterward, you can enjoy clear ice with a clean taste. Continue reading (and please clean yours!).
Ask Dave
RV’s water heater pressure relief valve drips. Should I replace it?
Dear Dave,
Occasionally my water heater drips from the pressure relief valve. I’ve been told that this is caused by the loss of the air bubble at the top of the hot water tank. Is this true? What’s the best way to prevent this from happening? Thanks. —Dave, 2017 HOST Mammoth Read Dave’s answer.
In the RV shop with Dustin
One of an RV technician’s most popular tools
By Dustin Simpson
In this video, I show you a tool that is in every RV technician’s toolbox: a plastic scraper! It’s used for many kinds of repairs: decal removal, RV roof sealant removal, RV body silicone removal, to pop an RV molding, to install and remove RV insert moldings, and more. The list is long. Learn more about this tool here.
RANDOM RV THOUGHT: When returning from an RV trip, top off your gasoline and propane tanks in case you need to rush out of town in an emergency.
Article and video
Clever RV storage—fit it all in two square feet of floor space
By Cheri Sicard
Living in a tiny van means every inch counts. When space is short and needs are big, creative thinking steps in. In her ultra-compact van, Lulu of Lulu’s Way proves that even a two-square-foot patch of floor can handle it all—if you build smart. Here’s a close look at her unique, efficient storage system for anyone looking to maximize space without feeling boxed in or upgrading to a bigger vehicle.
Featured article
All about tire load capacity considerations when buying RV tires
In this very thorough report from tire expert Roger Marble, he explains everything you need to take into consideration when buying tires for your RV, including tire load capacity, understanding tire type and size nomenclature, the tire load capacity for dual position tires, confirming side-to-side load balance, and much more. Click here to read.
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- Stop immediately if you hear this sound in your RV
- No, the animals aren’t fleeing Yellowstone—It’s just social media hype
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Reader poll
How capable are you or your partner in making repairs to your RV?
Quick tip
A cool deduction regarding induction (cooktop)
Regarding how to keep the inside of your RV cool when needing to cook in a pan or skillet, Rob S. puts in his two-cents: “We have been using a portable induction cooktop. It is nearly 100% efficient at heating the pan and not the surrounding air. We also use it in the cooler temperatures because, unlike propane, it releases no extra water vapor into the coach.” Thanks, Rob!
On this day last year…
- Tip: Steep grade—Getting your rig safely to the bottom
- Ask Dave: RV city water fill valve needs replacing. Are they generic?
- RV walk-through: 2024 Riverside RV Intrepid 211i travel trailer—a perfect “starter” camper
- Video: How to get the best deal on an RV—5 tips
- Featured article: RVers, if you see purple paint on trees, stay away
Website of the day
38 Popsicle Recipes to Help You Keep Cool This Summer
You’re never too old for a popsicle! Trust us, once you have homemade popsicles in your freezer, you’ll never want to be without them! And, they’re healthy! (Hey, speaking of popsicles, here’s the interesting story about how they were invented!)
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
Ever wonder how you can gain access to a nude beach without actually being nude? Welp, this will surely do the trick! [Unless you’re female. Just sayin’.]
Trivia
Which mammal sleeps the least each day? If you were going to guess horses, you’d be right. Horses only sleep for about 2–2.5 hours each day, and that only happens in about 15-minute intervals. Horses can also sleep both standing up and laying down, but they only need to lay down (a requirement to reach REM sleep) for about an hour or two every few days to meet the minimum REM sleep they require. Interesting, huh?
Readers’ pet of the day
“I knew that I shouldn’t have taken Bobby (Cairn ‘Terrorist’, age 17) to a distillery. That dog can’t hold his licker. Brushy Mountain Prison in Petros, TN, opened in 1896 and was closed in 2009 after 113 years of use. It has reopened as a distillery and tours are available, and there is an RV park there.” —Cynthia Sloan
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
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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Cynthia Sloan: I love your caption that goes with Bobby. What a cute guy!
RE: Mystery Product of the Day… AAAARGH!!!”
REF: Roger Marbles tire dissertation…. one item I constantly see missed is the allowed tire pressure on the steel wheel assy. Each wheel is stamped with a code from the Ntn’l Wheel and Rim Assn. I just happen to have acquired one of their spec sheets. The wheels on my Class A are stamped (embossed) “AF” which means the maximum pressure is 95lbs. Is that ambient cold or maximum hot. That I don’t know and it isn’t explained. I presume it is cold or ambient. So, is there a benefit in buying a higher maximum load tire or not?- If the wheel can’t take up to, say 120lbs of pressure! (Load range F tire).
Hi, Doug. This information is from Roger. (He’s having trouble posting it.)
“RE Tire inflation. Unless you are fine tuning a race car handling, the inflation we are talking about is ALWAYS the “Cold” inflation of the tire. RVtravel.com has a section on “Maintenance & Repair Archives.” Just click in the blue header to find any of my tire related posts. Or you can click on this to get to my posts. You can also do a “word search” if you do not see the topic you are looking for. BUT in this case I covered Cold Inflation on July 19. If you need greater load capacity just changing the tire does not increase the GAWR spec for your RV as the GAWR spec covers the tire, wheel, hub breaks, nuts and bolts and axle and mounting brackets, etc. So just increasing the load capacity of the tire will not result in an increase in the max load capacity of the RV.” –Roger via Diane at RVtravel.com
Hi Diane, Roger: I am well aware of the tire ambient air psi which I have read in your posts numerous times. My specific concern is with the steel wheel vs the rising pressure when traveling down the road. If the wheel is allowed to hold 95 psi, is the rising rolling pressure increase above that safe for the steel wheel? With an F load tire the MINIMUM pressure to support the load is – say 105 lbs cold, and wheel at only 95 lbs cold – already over the max steel wheel psi – what happens when the pressure increases even higher to 120-130 or more psi from rolling heat buildup?
Hi, Doug. I’ve emailed your question to Roger, in case he doesn’t see it in the newsletter. Have a great day! 😀 –Diane
Thought I was clear but the ONLY pressure we are concerned with is the “COLD” pressure. This applies to both the tire and the wheel. In your example, something is wrong. Either the tire or wheel is too small or has too low a load rating or the load being placed on the tire & wheel is to great. If you know the actual load on the tire & wheel and the inflation shown in the tables for that size tire and wheel is greater than that specific tire capacity, then you are overloading the system and need to reduce the load and or increase the size tire or the tire Load Range (Psi). Example below:
Assume we have a 225/75R19.5 LR-E tire. That tire is rated for 3,195 @ 80 PSI cold in Single application. Also assume the wheel is rated for 80 psi. If you go on a scale and learn the tire load is 3,445# You MUST change something. Either change to a stronger wheel & Tire or lower the load. A LR-F tire could support 3,640# BUT that would require 95 PSI rated wheels. Just changing the tire to LR-F and increasing the inflation DOES NOT increase the load capacity of the wheel which is limited to 80 PSI cold.
The Random RV Thought is excellent!
That should be every rvers plan be prepared to leave asap!
Gassed and stocked ready to go!!!
Another totally useless product, “mystery product of the day”
Love your story, Cynthia, but the picture of Bobby may be even better! Thanks for sharing the information about Brushy Mountain. We will take a trip there and check things out. Thank you, Emily and Diane! Have a great day and safe travels!
Induction cooktop only works if you have electricity.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ? What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.