From RVtravel.com: The common sense resource for RVers since 2001 • Issue 2764
Today’s thought
“They say I’m old-fashioned and live in the past, but sometimes I think progress progresses too fast!” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Publicist Day! It’s also National Candy Corn Day! Woohoo!
On this day in history: 1938 – Orson Welles broadcasts a radio adaptation of H. G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds,” causing a massive panic in some of the audience in the United States.
Tip of the day
Checklist for deep-cleaning your RV before storing it
By Gail Marsh
Just so you know, I’m that person. The one who absolutely cannot leave for vacation until our sticks-and-bricks home is clean enough to pass a hospital inspection. Yes, I’m a clean freak. So, when it comes to storing the RV for the off-season, I get out my checklist. Hubby rolls his eyes (in a loving way) and also rolls up his sleeves. Then, we get busy!
First, a caveat: If we plan to do a complete, deep clean of our RV, it’s done over the span of several days. I try to keep current with cleaning the interior (vacuum, dust, disinfect sinks/shower surfaces) regularly, while we live in the RV. Hubby does the same for the exterior, keeping up to date on RV maintenance throughout the camping season. This means some of the “To Do” items will only require a quick check and very little elbow grease. Continue reading for this important checklist.
RV review
Prolite Classic travel trailer: Couple’s lightweight camper with dry bath
By Cheri Sicard
Looking for a small trailer that still feels like home? The Prolite Classic brings a north-south walkaround Murphy bed, a true dry bath, and a base dry weight of just 2,290 lbs., all without slideouts. This is pretty impressive!
Have a paint nick or chip on your RV? Here’s an easy trick
Nanci Dixon writes, “After many miles our motorhome had a number of paint chips and nicks. The last time we were at the manufacturer’s, I had the paint chips fixed, too. They showed me an easy fix—use mini automotive repair paint sticks or brushes. Works like a charm. Here are the paintbrushes I used.” To learn more about the process, read my article here.
Article and video
15 must-have outdoor RV gear accessories
By Cheri Sicard
A simple outdoor setup can add a lot of comfort to RV life. In the video at the end of this post, Jared Gillis from All About RVs shares a list of 15 items that boost outdoor use, keep things tidy, and make time outside easier to enjoy. Most pack small, set up fast, and handle tough use without fuss. Check ’em out.
Featured article
38 years as a solo female nomad: Living large in a 4X4 pop-up
By Cheri Sicard
This story brings joy to an experience that too much of the mainstream media paints negatively: Living as a solo female nomad. If you are a single woman (or man, for that matter) who thinks they might enjoy RVing but are intimidated to go it alone, this will have you rethinking those notions.
Ask Dave
Why does new travel trailer have so many electrical issues?
Read about all the issues and Dave’s advice here.
DAVE HAS ANSWERED MORE THAN 1,000 readers’ maintenance and repair questions. Read a directory here. There is so much to learn!
From NewRVer.com
The dealer won’t tell you about these hidden RV expenses
Is RVing really cheaper than paying for hotels on vacations? It depends. What are the actual RV expenses you can count on when embarking on an RV lifestyle? Read more.
Reader poll
Sorry, folks, our polling software is playing tricks on us (no treats!). We should be back with our usual polls this weekend.
The best product for holding tank sensor maintenance
Over time, holding tank sensor probes build up with sludge/scum and this is what causes incorrect readings. Thetford’s Level Gauge Cleaner is specially formulated to dissolve tissue, waste, sludge and soap scum buildup and works with both black and gray water tanks on all RVs. It prevents buildups and restores level sensor operation fast. Read more about it here.
Quick tip
Do you have extra space under the closet?
Need a little more storage space in your rig? If your hanging closet is over a wheel well, you’ll probably find the closet bottom covers the wheel well. There could easily be more space in the well. Carefully cutting away carpeting (as needed), boring a “thumb hole” in an appropriate spot, and carefully cutting away at the “floor” may give you access to that otherwise “dead” space. If you encounter heat ducting, wrap it with insulation to prevent unwanted heat damage to what you squirrel away in the space.
Website of the day
Camping Crossword Puzzles
We apologize in advance if you spend the rest of your day doing crossword puzzles instead of whatever it was that you were supposed to be doing, but… these are fun!
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:
• 48 percent have never visited Yellowstone National Park with an RV.
• In a typical summer month, 20 percent say they have a campfire for at least 10 nights if not more.
• 5 percent of our readers were not born in the country they currently live.
Trivia
Candy corn, initially named “Chicken Feed,” originated in the late 1880s when George Renninger, an employee of the Wunderle Candy Company, first created it. In 1888, the Wunderle Candy Company became the first producer of candy corn. The Goelitz Confectionery Company, now known as Jelly Belly, started manufacturing it in 1898. While Jelly Belly still makes candy corn, the primary producer today is Brach’s Confections, owned by the Ferrara Candy Company. Brach’s manufactures around 7 billion candy corn pieces annually and holds an 85 percent share of the Halloween candy corn market.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
This would be the meanest, and we repeat, THE MEANEST, thing you could do to someone. Oh, but you would laugh so hard! Too bad it’s in a place where you couldn’t even have a video recorder—major bummer! See here.
FREE IS GOOD! Arkansas Trip Planning Information. Several guides to choose from. Receive by mail or read online.
Readers’ pet of the day
“Stormy (age 14) is always up for an adventure.” —Margot Hill
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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RVtravel.com All-Star Team
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Looks like Stormy found a nice / best shelf / look out of the camper. My Aunt & Uncle had a motor home and they went south to Florida in the Winter from PA their cat would lay up at the windshield when they were parked a lot of people thought he was fake until he moved. Keep on camping!
Cats make a place home. Thanks for sharing Stormy.