From RVtravel.com: The common sense resource for RVers since 2001 • Issue 2749
Today’s thought
“I like it when somebody gets excited about something. It’s nice.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Moldy Cheese Day!
On this day in history: 1936 – Boulder Dam (later Hoover Dam) begins to generate electricity and transmit it to Los Angeles.
WHY WE ASK FOR DONATIONS INSTEAD OF SELLING SUBSCRIPTIONS.
BLM AND NATIONAL PARKS STATUS DURING SHUTDOWN. Here is how the agencies will respond according to their contingency plans: BLM • National Park Service.
Tip of the day
Practical tips to keep your RV bug-free
By Don Meyns
What is the simplest way to get rid of bugs in your RV? Keep them out in the first place! It’s easier than dealing with them once they get inside. Here’s how…
Plug holes and gaps
Plug all holes and gaps with caulking or flexible foam available at hardware stores. If you can see light, that means it’s a point of entry for bugs and they’ll find it.
Use bug repellent/killer
Use a bug repellent or killer around all points of entry. I spray those areas where the RV comes into contact with the ground such as on levelers, jacks, steps, etc., even hoses and electric lines, as the bugs can follow these up and into your RV. Continue reading.
SEE OLD FAITHFUL ERUPT: If you can’t make it to Yellowstone National Park in person to see the Old Faithful Geyser erupt, you can watch it by clicking here via a live cam. You may have to wait around a bit, but it WILL erupt. (It even shows up at night!)
Article and video
From police mobile command center to RV “tiny” home conversion—huge and amazing!
By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, join Bob Wells from Cheap RV Living [830K subscribers, 212M views] as he interviews Jay about the incredible government auction RV bargain he discovered. It turns out Jay’s massive RV, built on a Freightliner chassis and powered by a 6-cylinder Cummins turbo diesel engine, was a former police mobile command center. Check out his RV “tiny” home!
Cleaning gel gets rid of dust and grime everywhere!
Say goodbye to dust and grime in hard-to-reach places. Give your car a professional-looking detail in minutes and clean areas in your RV like vents, blinds, window and door grooves, computer keyboards, and so much more. It’s made of natural ingredients. Learn more or order.
Featured article
App review: Using national parks app improves visits
By Gail Marsh
When planning your next outdoor adventure, the Natparks app is the go-to app for nature enthusiasts. This innovative app is designed to enhance your experience in the great outdoors, offering everything you need to explore national parks with confidence. Let’s dive into what Natparks can do for you, where it gets its data, and how it can transform your next national park visit. It’s all right here.
Ask Dave
How to fix RV’s leaky black tank dump valve
FREE IS GOOD! Free Krispy Kreme Original Glazed® or Classic Ring Doughnut, no purchase necessary. Just wear any costume into a participating shop on Sat., Oct. 25, or Thurs., Oct. 31. No tricks, just a free treat!
Reader poll
Are you a parent?
Quick tip
Tire inflation basics 101: Don’t listen to the “self-appointed experts”
By Roger Marble, RV tire expert
Please stop confusing tire inflation issues. Racing or off-road tires or tires on the Space Shuttle are completely different topics. It seems that many in the RV community have enough to think about without going off-topic.
- Get, program, and install a TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system).
- Learn your actual tire loading. If you can’t get “4 corner weights” then use a truck scale and assume one end of each axle carries 53% to 55% of the total axle load.
- Confirm the inflation in the Load & inflation tables for your type and size tires using the calculated load in #2.
- Add 10% to #3 above and that inflation will be your Cold Inflation Number.
- “Cold” means ambient. Click here if you are not sure what “ambient” means.
- Program your TPMS to alert at the psi in #3 above. You may need to contact the TPMS seller to learn how, as some TPMSs have a fixed warning level.
- Set your high-pressure warning level to #4 above + 20% to 25%.
- Your TPMS Max temperature is probably 158F from the factory, which is fine.
- Stop listening to the “self-appointed experts”—who have not designed tires for a living.
Website of the day
The 10 Most Beautiful Libraries in America
Book lovers, this website is for you! You’ll love these libraries. Some look like they could be in Europe—they’re beautiful!
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
If someone told you all these things could fit inside your wallet, you’d never believe them. But no, really, it can fit inside your wallet! Pretty cool, right?
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:
• 87 percent say they watch TV every day.
• The highest number of respondents, 42 percent, say they drink water with dinner. The second most popular dinner beverage was juice or iced tea, followed by wine, then soda or a sports drink, then milk, beer, then another alcoholic beverage.
• The majority of voters, 52 percent, travel with their RV most often west of the Mississippi.
Recent poll: Do you believe there should be “No Campfire” zones in campgrounds?
Trivia
Copper was the first metal to be used by humankind. Native copper, when found, looks like someone melted copper and dumped it in a pile on the ground. Because it was easy to locate and could be easily worked with stone tools, early cultures used copper to create tools and weapons, and for ornamentation.
Readers’ pets of the day
“This is Sadie and Picah (mixed terrier breeds, ages 7 and 12). We’re off on a hike at Lake Bemidji during one of our cross-country ‘See America First’ trips.” —Jim Larkin
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
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Scientists can determine where copper was mined. There is a lot of discussion about when mankind crossed the Atlantic. Early in the 20th century half the world’s copper was mined in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula; but geologists have determined that copper has been mined by humans in the area for 8,000 years. Dating copper artifacts from the bronze age found in the Mediterranean region, it was discovered that Michigan copper was possibly used for some.
It never stops amazing me that folks will dismiss what Roger Marble says about tires. The man knows his stuff. I am sure that the other ‘experts’ have never even entered a tire manufacturing facility let alone spend a career designing tires and analyzing tire failures.
I follow Roger’s recommendations about tires, but I had missed step 4 of adding 10% more. That made a huge improvement in handling and increased my fuel mileage as well!
With all the shut downs at NP, and basically no way to verify if open besides, driving to entrance. Be nice to have a site with up to date info. The NP app is worthless at this time.
The yellow banner on top of the USDA Forest Service site! ~ Message is terrible! Talk about the great divider. If it said republican I would still be disgusted. We are the United States not the political party in office.
Sadie & Picah look like great traveling companions! Companions like these make cross country trips and life so much more enjoyable…don
Sadie and Picah are adorable and perfect traveling companions. Thanks for sharing
Adorable Sadie and Picah, I’m glad you got to visit beautiful Minnesota!
Thank you Roger! Tire engineering obviously can be confusing. The Quick Tip today is perfect – clear, concise and without details to hide or confuse the everyday info needed! Thanks again!
At first I thought Sadie and Picah were Bimidji dogs. I had heard of that breed before and looked it up. Google corrected me. The term “Bemidji” is likely a misspelling of Basenji, a small-to-medium sized sighthound breed from Central Africa known for being “barkless”
Regardless, Sadie’s and Picah’s picture is delightful. We also have 2 mixed terriers and traveling with them is the reason we got an RV.
Safe and enjoyable travels.
Joke of the day is too true!
Roger, thanks for the simple rules/checklist. My question is a very general one.
What brand do you prefer or recommend for a 44′ class A?
I have read a lot on the TOYO having a smoother ride than the Michelin. The TOYO has a stronger sidewall apparently, which is a statement in opposition to being smoother.
Regardless price or value proposition, which is the better tire in your opinion? If neither of those 2 brands, what would you put on a 44′ class A if the Tire Fairy gave you a choice of any tire on the market in the 22.5 size? I have had Michelins for the past 25 years but am looking to upgrade if possible.
Thanks in advance.
Not sure what the claim “TOYO sidewall is stronger” is based on. Tires have a “Load Range” letter which is basically evolved from the “Ply Rating” of the 60’s. When comparing tire “strength” and load capacity it is important to not do apples to bananas and be sure you are comparing tires of the same “Load Range” such as LR-G should not be compared to LR-H tires. RE Tire Brands I would consider TOYO as a “First Tier” brand along with Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear and Firestone. What feature are you looking to “upgrade”. Wear, Traction, Noise, cost or something else. What is it about Michelin tires you do not like?
#9 is most important. Listen to “professional experts” like Roger then go to the tire manufacturer tables.