From RVtravel.com: The common sense resource for RVers since 2001 • Issue 2769
Today’s thought
“I know of a cure for everything: salt water… in one way or the other. Sweat, or tears, or the salt sea.” ―
Need an excuse to celebrate? Today is National Nachos Day! Here are five of our favorite nacho recipes.
On this day in history: 1947 – “Meet the Press,” the longest-running television program in history, makes its debut on NBC Television.
Tip of the day
Alternatives to hitch ball grease
By Russ and Tiña De Maris
A new hitch ball is often bright, shiny and chromed. But many RVers have been much dismayed, on lifting the hitch coupler off the new ball after the first use, that the chrome is scratched and scarred. What happened? Metal-to-metal contact can scrape off that shiny chrome and things are never the same.
Is scraped-up chrome the only issue here? One RVer, who for years declined to grease his hitch ball, found—much to his chagrin and his finances—that the ungreased condition lead to such wearing of the trailer coupler that it had to be replaced. Not only was the coupler expensive, but he had to hire the work out to a welder, with a considerable amount of cash out the window. He now describes himself as a “greaser,” to prevent such issues in the future. Continue reading.
PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE:
Article and video
Turning an old trailer into a stunning, luxury tiny home
By Cheri Sicard
A friend needed a small home fast, so the team at President Chay said they would help and bought a 30-foot camper for about $4,000. It looked livable at first glance, with a giant living area and even a washing machine. It was not. What followed was a full teardown, a new roof, and a top-to-bottom rebuild that turned junk into a one-of-a-kind luxury DIY tiny home. Check this transformation out!
Featured article
Phantom driver totals RV. This could happen to you!
Russ and Tiña De Maris report on “phantom drivers”: What they are, what they cause, and what you should do if it happens to you. (Includes video of “North American Car Driving Fails.” Ouch!) Continue reading for very important information.
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Ask Dave
How to insulate RV’s exposed drain pipes
FREE IS GOOD! You can fish for free in freshwater (no license required) on November 11 in New York and in saltwater on November 29 in Florida.
Reader poll
Are you a caregiver for another person?
Quick tip
Plugging a 30-amp system into a 50-amp pedestal
An RVer with a 30-amp system can safely plug into a 50-amp pedestal using a 50-to-30-amp adapter, provided the RV’s power center is correctly wired with a 30-amp master breaker. This won’t overload the system or supply 240 volts, as long as the RV’s wiring and components are in good condition. However, the practice technically violates electrical code and on rare occasions may not be allowed in some campgrounds. Despite this, some RVers use adapters because worn 30-amp outlets can pose greater risks.
Make an omelet in seconds!
Tired of making omelets and dealing with the mess, cleanup, and timely preparation? This microwaveable omelet maker saves the day! This makes omelets in just three easy steps: beat eggs and milk, add ingredients, microwave and eat! It cuts out butter, oil and grease. No dirtying pans and it’s dishwasher-safe! Learn more or buy this breakfast-saver here.
Website of the day
Main Street of America: Route 66 attractions state by state
Have you ever driven the entirety of Route 66? If so, you’ve probably been to most, if not all, of these attractions. Still, this list is fun to scroll through.
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:
• More people (31 percent) like pie more than cake (12 percent).
• When sweetening a beverage, 56 percent use regular sugar or honey, not artificial sweeteners.
• 43 percent have watched a movie on TV (with commercials) within the last few days.
Recent poll: When RVing, which device do you MOST OFTEN use to access the internet?
Trivia
The first vending machine dispensed holy water. That’s right! A first century mathematician and engineer, Hero of Alexandria, designed a device that would stop people from stealing holy water from the church. The device was an urn with a hidden mechanism that would dispense holy water as soon as a coin was dropped through a slot.
FACTOID: A campsite with an electric hookup in a Colorado State Park will cost you $27 to $36 a night. A full-hookup site goes for $32 to $41.
? MYSTERY PRODUCT OF THE DAY ?
If we had a life motto this would be it! Actually, you know what? It’s a done deal… from now on this IS our life motto!
Readers’ pet of the day
“Our favorite travel companion, Josie (Lab, age 5). Recently completed a Western U.S. trip documented on Instagram at @JosieRVThereYet.” —Mal Riddell
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
At age 6, I went to my first funeral. As the coffin was lowered, the priest said, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy ghost.” For years after, I thought he said, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and into the hole he goes.”
Today’s weather forecast across the nation
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Josie looks like a sweetie!
Better check your pricing for a Colorado campground. Most charge extra 10.00 for your main vehicle camper on top of site cost unless you have season pass. 10.00 for extra vehicle also.
The Quick Tip on using 50 to 30 amp adapters is not very helpful.You say “…the practice technically violates electrical code”. The electrical code is safety based, so the question is Why is this dangerous? Many of us do. I’ll wager that most of us are not electricians and would appreciate a better explanation.
I don’t lose any sleep over it.
I’m curious as well. The tip states if you have a 30 Amp main in the RV. So, not sure how a problem could result anymore than having a home 20 amp circuit with a 20 amp breaker in the box, which has a 200 amp main breaker (just an example). Does it have to do with the power cord not being heavy enough?
The cord is heavy enough to run your RV up to its 30 amp main breaker capacity. And the cord is protected to 50 amps. But something would have to draw exceeding 30 amps to affect the cord. More than likely a damaged cord would create a dead short which would also trip a 50 amp breaker.
Your RV power cord is designed for 30 amps. So, the pedestal breaker will not trip until 50 amps is exceeded. But your RV has a 30 amp main breaker which would trip to protect your RV electrical system and components. So, from right before your RV main breaker through the cord and plug to the pedestal is not protected at 30 amps, but 50amps.
Might want to check the negative review for the omelet maker – some of the negative ones would be a concern.
President Chay did an outstanding job renovating (actually rebuilding) the 30 ft TT! The project is amazing!
I agree~ it was great to watch
I carry adapters like these for our 30A TT: 30A male to 15A female, a 50A male to 30A female. And this little electrical tester. I don’t need the 50 to 30 very often, but when you need it you need it. The 30 to 15 allows me to verify the outlet is correctly wired and the output voltage before I plug my expensive 30A surge protector into the outlet (or adapted outlet). I’d rather replace a $20-something tester if by chance things go south. The tester will also verify proper operation of GFCI outlets.
I would have named Josie, Big Nose Kate.
Way to go Josie, you have probably been in more states than most people! Keep on camping!
As a subscriber how much would it costs to get the daily publication AD FREE? This is absolutely crazy trying to read this with the dozens of pop up ads……