Issue 871 • March 26, 2018
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RVing Tip of the Day

Read the most recent tip: Don’t let your tow bar take you (or someone else) out.
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Click here to see the last issue of RV Travel Reader Pets.
It’s Spring: Time to change your water filter!
Camco TastePURE Water Filter with Flexible Hose Protector
This best-selling product reduces bad taste, odor, chlorine and sediment in drinking water with a 100 micron fiber filter. Its durable in-line, exterior mount filter has a wider body to increase flow. Use it at your campsite to keep sediment out of your RV water tank and to improve the taste and smell of your drinking water for a whole season. Many RVers consider this essential equipment. Learn more or order at a big discount.
QUICK TIPS
Dated your detectors lately?
No, we’re not talking about flowers and a nice dinner. Pull your smoke, LP and carbon monoxide detectors down and check their labels. Detectors are “good” within a certain date, and even if they seem to be “working” after the expiry, don’t risk it – replace them.

With electricity expert, Mike Sokol
Keep a photo of your vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) stored in your phone. Many times when you call the order desk for repair parts the first thing they’ll do is ask you for the VIN. Save yourself a trip out to the driveway or storage facility and keep a copy close to you. This one tip alone has saved me a LOT of steps.
Don’t let bees buzz you
Put a layer of window screen over the vent holes on your bumper plugs. Still lets the drain hose air out, but keeps the bugs away.
HOT TOPIC AT RV TRAVEL.COM
RV park owner laments crowding, rookie RVers
SUPER HANDY!
Add an outdoor water faucet to your RV!
This lead-free outdoor faucet is really handy. If you don’t have one, here’s a super inexpensive way to add one. No tools required and it installs in a minute (just screw it on). Brass T included with the plastic faucet, just as it’s shown in the product photo. Learn more or order.
WEBSITES OF THE DAY
Hipcamp
Book a campsite … anywhere! Hipcamp searches thousands of listings of campsites on public land. Camp at a winery, on a farm, or on a nature preserve!
How to keep ticks away
It’s almost tick season again (ugh.) Read these tips on how to keep these nasty guys away from you (and from Fido)!
Volunteer.gov
See all available Forest Service volunteer positions. Updated daily, find a position that suits you and your lifestyle!
Check out the long list of great RVing-related websites from RVtravel.com.
Protect your RV’s slideout
with this rubber seal lubricant
If you don’t take care of your slideout you’re asking for problems including dangerous, costly water damage. This rubber seal lubricant from Thetford prevents fading, cracking and deterioration. It cleans, conditions and shines, keeping seals flexible and protected from sunlight destruction. It is also useful on door seals and window seals. It’s a mineral oil product and also acts as a lubricant. Learn more or order
Sad, see what happens when a motorhome is righted after toppling on its side
This video is only about 50 seconds long. A Class C motorhome has crashed, landing on its side, and a tow truck is pulling it back up on its wheels. You don’t want this happen to your RV. Don’t miss this!
Lightweight vacuum perfect for RVs
This Dirt Devil Simpli-Stick Lightweight Bagless Stick Vacuum is compact and it works great. Plus it converts to a hand vacuum in a snap! It’s the vacuum of choice in the RV Travel motorhome. Weighs less than 4 pounds. Learn more or order for about $20.
MORE QUICK TIPS
Prop up your slideout
Slideout on your motorhome not feel real stable? Some RVers use a screw-type “stacking jack” with a small chunk of plywood on top of the jack to add stability. Slide the jack and plywood under the outside corner of the extended slideout and snug it up.
Check ahead before checking in at the campground: Make sure the campground or park doesn’t have size restrictions that your rig exceeds.
Camco Wheel Chocks. Two Pack
Wheel chocks are one of those “must have” basic items for all RVers. Hey, who wants to go rolling outta their campsite at 3 a.m.? For trailer owners, the chocks are designed to keep your RV in place so that you can re-hitch with confidence. The chocks are constructed of durable hard plastic with UV inhibitors and are easy to use. Learn more or order.
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LEAVE HERE WITH A LAUGH
Delighted by the gift she had received, the lady spoke warmly to the boy. “At church tomorrow, I’ll thank your mother for this lovely pie.” The boy replied nervously, “If you don’t mind, would you thank her for two pies?”
Today’s Daily Deals at Amazon.com
Best-selling RV products and Accessories at Amazon.com. UPDATED HOURLY.
RV Daily Tips Staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Managing editor: Diane McGovern. Staff writer: Emily Woodbury. Contributing writers: Russ De Maris, Bob Difley, Gary Bunzer, Roger Marble, Deanna Tolliver, Mike Sokol, J.M. Montigel and Andrew Robinson. Advertising coordinator: Gail Meyring.
ADVERTISE on RVtravel.com and/or in this newsletter. Contact Gail Meyring at Gail(at)RVtravel.com .
Everything in this newsletter is true to the best of our knowledge. But we occasionally get something wrong. We’re just human! So don’t go spending $10,000 on something we said was good simply because we said so, or fixing something according to what we suggested (check with your own technician first). Maybe we made a mistake. Tips and/or comments in this newsletter are those of the authors and may not reflect the views of RVtravel.com or this newsletter.
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In regards to the survey about pets… Does the wife count?
A comment on your #871 Electric low voltage. I have found a wonderful product called a Hughes Autoformer Voltage booster and Surge protector. I have monitored my power at all parks I’ve been to and this works great.
Regarding the class C on its side video , what was the tip?
Good article about low voltage at many campgrounds.After experiencing this very problem at an RV Park in Wallowa,Oregon two years ago,I spoke to the owner about it as it had melted my amp cord end at the pedestal.He admitted the RV Park had electrical problems and claimed he would have it all “fixed”…by the next season…well…no “fixing” and he raise the monthly rent 25%. So no more of that place for me.RV’er beware of the electrical problems at many RV parks and the owners “claim” that all is hunky dory…many times it is not.
Propping up your slide is the worst thing you can do! Plus it is not recommended by any manufacturer!
Solve the problem with a Hughs Autoformer. If shore voltage drops too low it will “boost” the voltage being supplied to you RV. Especially useful in older parks.
$595 on Amazon. . .I’ll have to manually monitor for awhile. . .
can you recommend a simple power voltage monitor that can display the voltage continuously. An alarm for low voltage alert would be cool.
Here is a link to the one I use when rving…
https://www.amazon.com/TRC-AECM20020-3-012-Electra-Digital-Monitor/dp/B001O2SQXQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522076733&sr=8-1&keywords=digital+line+monitor
This has been a really inexpensive yet effective voltage monitor for me:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017AVBIVG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Regarding the article on “Propping up your slide-out”. As an ex RV salesman we did not recommend ever propping up the slide-out. In the event of a leaking or flat tire on the RV the RV will settle putting too much pressure and strain on the slide-out causing potential damage. If the RV is built correctly the slide-out will support itself adequately.
Hi Mike. Do you know if Mike of the “No Shock Zone” will answer electricity questions if I email him?
Thanks. Kevin
Thanks for writing, Kevin. You can email Mike at mike(at)noshockzone.org with your questions. However, and preferably, you can ask him in the comment section of his RV Electricity newsletter, or any other of our newsletters. That way, if other RVtravel.com readers have the same question (which is almost always the case), they will all see Mike’s response. In fact, I just spoke with Mike (he just happened to call while I was writing this) and he agreed with this suggestion. Have a great day! 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
In response to the main article of Low Voltage at older campgrounds and RV Parks, I purchased a Power Master VC-50 Voltage Booster to use in those situations to eliminate having no A/C when it is most needed. My Progressive Industries HW-50C no longer drops out when it encounters any Low Voltage situation. Unfortunately they are no longer available but you could use a 50 amp Hughes Autoformer Voltage Booster instead.
Hi Chuck. That video of the C Class on its side. Do you know what caused the accident? It would be good to know, if it was something that could be prevented. Thanks