Issue 933 • July 11, 2018
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QUICK TIPS
Another battery fill solution for close quarters
“The standard battery service bottle doesn’t work in my Bounder 38N battery compartment – too tall. I use a squirt bottle with a nozzle, attaching a length of 1/4″ vinyl tubing to the spray port. I add the distilled water by placing the tube in the service opening and pumping the spray nozzle. I use a flashlight and mirror to check the level.” Thanks to Phil Atterbery for yet another solution to one of RVing’s sticky situations.
Campground setup tip for newbies
Do your best to arrive at your campsite during daylight. Setting up in the dark, particularly before you have a routine down, is hugely difficult. You’re looking for a level spot, with easy access, long enough for your rig, amenities such as a fire pit and picnic table, and things like the proximity to the shower house. Is it dark? Nearly impossible to evaluate these features! If you are “stuck in the dark,” you’ll need a helper with a strong flashlight and a walkie-talkie or cell phone connection with you.
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Best-selling small-space organizers
It can be hard keeping everything organized in a small space like an RV, right? Here’s Amazon’s list of best small-space organizers so you can keep everything in check. You’ll find everything from under-the-sink kitchen organizers, to clothing and closet organizers, to tiny little bookcases. Explore these helpful items here.
Answer to today’s email alert brain teaser:Â The letter “M”.
MORE QUICK TIPS
Weight capacity declines at high altitude
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum permissible weight of the tow vehicle when fully loaded for travel. The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the maximum permissible weight of the fully loaded tow vehicle and the fully loaded trailer together. Let’s say, for example, we have a tow vehicle with a GCWR of 14,000 pounds and a GVWR of 8,800 pounds. If the vehicle were loaded to its GVWR, this means we can tow 5,200 pounds before we exceed our GCWR.
At 10,000 feet, we’d need to reduce these ratings by 20 percent to maintain performance. That would mean our GCWR is 11,200 pounds and the GVWR is 7,040 pounds, limiting what we can safely tow to 4,160 pounds. A simple rule of thumb you can use to add a built-in margin of safety is referred to as the 75 percent rule. Multiply the GVWR and GCWR by 75 percent. Subtract the GVWR from the GCWR and this is the amount you can tow. In our case it would be 3,900 pounds, which is below the 4,160 pounds we could safely tow if we were 10,000 feet above sea level. Tip from Mark Polk, RV Education 101.
Sewer cap tip from a sadder-but-wiser man
Dan H sounds like a man with experience. He suggests, before taking the cap off your RV sewer outlet, “Make sure all tank valves are closed. There is a lot of pressure behind 50 gallons of grey water!”
Do you have a tip? Send it to Russ (at) rvtravel.com
The largest, tiniest blanket for all your outdoor needs
Pack your beach bags and park picnics, it’s summer! What’s one thing we always need for a relaxing day outdoors? A blanket! This tiny, super lightweight travel blanket is great for RVers, campers, hikers, concert-goers and travelers. When folded up in its drawstring pouch, it fits in the palm of your hand. When unfolded, it’s a waterproof 55″x70″ two-person blanket. Be right back, we’re buying it here!
WEBSITES OF THE DAY
RoverPass
We love RoverPass because its the easiest way to book campsites online. Become a member and get first-priority access to booking over 6,000 campgrounds. Use this link to get 20% off an Unlimited membership! Now that’s a steal!
CAT Scale
Know how much your RV weighs? You should! Use this website to find a nearby CAT Scale to weigh your rig.Â
Check out the long list of great RVing-related websites from RVtravel.com.
A DEET-free mosquito and tick repellent that works! 
Well, it’s that time again (unfortunately.) If you’re one of those people that mosquitoes love (we all know at least one person like this) this product is for you. This awesome DEET-free insect repellent works for mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects. Keep this one handy, folks. As RVers, there’s a good chance you’re probably going to need it. Learn more or order here.
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LEAVE HERE WITH A LAUGH
“Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.” —Phyllis Diller
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Best-selling RV products and Accessories at Amazon.com. UPDATED HOURLY.
RV Daily Tips Staff
Editor and Publisher: Chuck Woodbury. Managing editor: Diane McGovern. Associate editor: Deanna Tolliver. Staff writer: Emily Woodbury. Contributing writers: Russ De Maris, Bob Difley, Gary Bunzer, Roger Marble, Mike Sokol, J.M. Montigel and Andrew Robinson. Advertising coordinator: Gail Meyring. Marketing director: Jessica Sarvis.
ADVERTISE on RVtravel.com and/or in this newsletter. Contact Gail Meyring at Gail(at)RVtravel.com .
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Is there a way to make a one-time contribution using PayPal? I only see subscription options on the donation page for PayPal.
I also use a turkey baster from Walmart to add water to the battery. It works just fine.
Set up in the dark? If it is a trailer? Headlights work great. We have always had help with other campers when we arrived after dark. Most times you will have help. So if a newbie? Don’t freak. Ask for help and you will get more then your fair share. I have a trailer and no more pop ups. The trailer is great. Hook up and done. Pop ups? Glad we got rid of ours.
I never acquired a taste for beer, in spite of all the attempts in college. And wine just gives me heartburn. In the immortal words of Dorothy Parker: “I like to have martini. Two at the very most. After three I’m under the table. After four I’m under the host.”
As a teenager I found myself with some friends drinking wine. Matter of fact I drank so much I was sick of it. If I smelled wine I got sick for very long time. Then as an adult with some friends drinking wine and love it to this day. I drank so much wine that i found myself on the host. It must be something about the wine we drink or the host we keep.
Yet another battery-filling option. For years I have used your basic turkey baster. You can pay more for a fancy thing at the auto store that is basically the same thing.
Gene, you have to be an intelligent person because you’re a RV’er. On those packages one read Turkey baster and the other battery-filler. You wouldn’t go out to your tool box and grab up your battery filler and baste your Turkey with it , or would you? So they look alike but aren’t. Lol
Donald, don’t bet on it!!! Not refering to Gene, but I’ve seen some dumb things on the road and in campgrounds. Remember, John Wayne once said, “You can’t fix stupid”!!!