Issue 884 • April 17, 2018
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RVing Tip of the Day
We’ve all suffered through somebody else’s dog’s obnoxious barking. It leads to the old mystery: Does a tree falling down in a forest make a noise if no one is there to hear it? Does Fido, who you left behind in the campground while you toured, bark if you aren’t around to hear it?Read yesterday’s tip: Inexpensive mod can save expensive awning.
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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
Easy and economical fire starters
Reader Ann Andrews, who describes herself as a “mature Girl Scout,” says forget about commercial fire starters. “I use cardboard egg cartons and the wax from cheese. Many of the snack cheeses are wrapped individually; other bulk cheeses are wrapped in a paraffin wrap. I remove the waxes and save them, and when I have a collection I put some into each egg holder. Then I cut them apart and store. We use a couple every time we start a campfire.” Saves money and reuses otherwise “wasted” items. Thanks, Ann!
Battery logic – Don’t mix ’emWith electricity expert, Mike Sokol
Never mix battery chemistries in the same circuit. If you need to parallel two batteries for whatever reason, even if it’s just for charging, you have to stick with both of them being exactly the same. Don’t intermix flooded cell lead-acid batteries with AGM or lithium-ion batteries. You can overcharge, undercharge or even damage one of the batteries.
Be sure to lock the window by the RV door
When away from your RV, be sure to close and secure the window next to the door. Left open, it’s an invitation for a bad guy to cut the screen, reach through and unlock the door.
HOT TOPIC AT RV TRAVEL.COM
A bigger RV is not necessarily better.
Multipurpose Microfiber Duster
No more car wipes to dry up — this duster replaces all interior car products. The 10-inch dusting head is big enough to get your dash dust-free quickly, but small enough to leave in your glove box. The back of the duster doubles as a scrubbing sponge. Great for interior or exterior use on cars, RVs, motorcycles or in the home! Learn more or order.
WEBSITES OF THE DAY
Pinch of Yum
We should always feature a good recipe site, right? Shame on us for not doing so for a while. Pinch of Yum has great, innovative recipes for simple, easy weeknight dinners or fancy weekend dinners to impress guests.
Gear Patrol
Not only is this a great website for finding gear (and shopping for it), but there are interesting articles about the outdoors, tech, and even helpful lists of gift ideas.
All Trails
Once you’re outfitted with all new gear, you’ll be ready for a hike (or a stroll!). All Trails finds every trail (at any difficulty level) near you and gives you all the details, including recent trip reports from other hikers.
Check out the long list of great RVing-related websites from RVtravel.com.
Keep rodents out of your RV!
The positive reviews on this make it a best bet for keeping your RV rodent-free. This is the only plant-based rodent repellent registered for inside use by the EPA. It effectively repels rodents up to 100 days with a “woodsy” scent that’s pleasant to humans but offensive to rodents. It’s safe around kids and pets so no safety warning is required. 98% biodegradable. Used effectively by the RV Travel staff. Learn more or order.
Camping for 85 cents a day. Stay a season!
RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury explains what must be the best deal in RV camping. Stay up to 7 months on beautiful desert lands of the Southwest for a total of $180, about 85 cents a day. No reservations are required.
Microwave cover collapses for easy storage
When heating your food you don’t want to spend 10 minutes later cleaning the splatters inside the microwave. Here’s the solution — and perfect for RVers: it pops down flat for easy storage. Lid perforations allow steam to escape to keep food moist. Doubles as a strainer, too! Learn more or order at Amazon.com
MORE QUICK TIPS
Don’t buy an RV that smells musty!
We often hear of RVers who want to know what magic potion can eliminate “that musty smell in an RV.” If you’re shopping for an RV and smell that musty odor, STOP! Musty odors are often attached to water damage – a terminal issue. Look closely for signs of water stains, including inside every single cabinet. If you find water stains or feel a “soft” wall or ceiling, RUN, don’t walk, away from that rig.
Climbing steep grades with a motorhome or in tow can really cause your drive train to heat up. Automatic transmission users, use your selector to run through the gears, not allowing the transmission the “choice.” When you do this, run your engine at higher RPMs to allow the cooling system to work more efficiently.
Protect yourself and others from sharp edges of RV slideouts!
Cut your head just once on a sharp RV slideout and you’ll race out to buy a set of these so it never happens again! Camco’s Black RV Slide-Out Corner Guards offer a simple solution to the danger posed by sharp corners on RV slideouts (think about kids running by!). Simply place them on each corner of the slide to provide a cushion. Easy to install, no tools required. Learn more or order.
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LEAVE HERE WITH A LAUGH
Prosecutor: Did you kill the victim?
Defendant: No, I did not.
Prosecutor: Do you know what the penalties are for perjury?
Defendant: Yes, I do. And they’re a lot better than the penalty for murder.
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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My wife and I see it time after time during our travels….a lonely dog or, even worse, more than one dog, left inside an RV to bark all day long. And when you kindly let the people know about the incessant racket, they get indignant over how “rude” we are to bother them over it. And then there are the folks too lazy to pick up after their dogs. We’ve seen too many “presents” left in campsites as well!!
Every time I see poisons being used to rid mice in the RV I just can’t understand why we don’t educate ourselves and stop toxifying humans, other creatures, and of course number 1, the planet. I read a long time ago to use peppermint. Mice hate the smell of peppermint. Get cotton balls and apply a good quality of peppermint oil to the ball. Place several of them in various places in the RV. It smells nice and it is safe. I have never had mice problem in my travel trailer and it is stored in my back yard where… Read more »
Excellent! Thanks, Sharon.