Issue 949 • August 8, 2018
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RV TRAVEL EDITORÂ LIVE TONIGHT
RVtravel.com editor Chuck Woodbury will appear this evening on the syndicated radio program The RV Show USA, which is taped live every Wednesday evening on Facebook and YouTube.  You can call into the show ahead of time (right now if you want) at 855-296-7469 and leave a recorded question for Chuck to answer on the show. Watch the hour-long program tonight beginning at 6 p.m. Pacific (9 p.m. Eastern) on Facebook Live or YouTube Live.
QUICK TIPS
Lightning strikes
An RVer complained that his RV had been parked near a tree that was struck by lightning. Now a lot of “stuff” in his rig doesn’t work, and he found a burned hole in his rig’s shore power cord. What’s he to do? Hope he has good insurance! A surge suppressor might have helped, but many RVers report that when lightning strikes, a surge suppressor often sacrifices itself, but still some things in the rig are toasted. Often the damage is taken by control boards, as in your refrigerator. If the appliance won’t operate, shut down all power to the unit, both shore-supplied and battery. After a minute, try bringing the power back online and see if your appliance will work. Sometimes this “reboot” is all that’s required, but count yourself very fortunate if it does.
Lighten up that BBQ!
Got a bum back but still like to grill? Here’s a tip from Robert McBride: “I bought a Weber Q2000 grill for camping use, thinking how great it would be to store it in the camper or, I’m my case, the pickup bed. I found my back going out on me from lifting and moving it more than once, prompting me to buy a smaller, lighter unit. My son suggested that I should remove the cast iron grill plates and replace them with something lighter! Presto, I found a lightweight ceramic coated aluminum grill at a local supermarket for under $10 that fits in just right. It has cut the weight of the grill in half, works great, and is actually easier to clean than the original grill plates. I have been using it now for four months and my back thanks me for it.” Thanks, Robert, and we’re sure a cheer of thanks comes from the “back acres” crowd!
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Keep gray tank odors away
AND MAKE MORE ROOM UNDER YOUR SINKS
HepvO is a unique self-sealing waste valve that prevents the escape of foul sewer air from waste discharge systems, and actively maintains the pressure equilibrium in soil and waste installations. As a dry sealing valve, HepvO utilizes a purpose designed membrane to create an airtight seal between the living space and the drainage system. Learn more.
Answer to today’s brain teaser: The temperature
Stay overnight free at more than 600 Farms and WineriesÂ
Learn more at Harvest Hosts.com
MORE QUICK TIPS
Unwanted showers? Tame that slideout swimming pool!
A new RVer complained that when he pulled in his motorhome slideouts, he got a bath. What happened? Rain had accumulated on the slideout and it came right on in with the slide. Yes, slide-toppers will help prevent some of this, but winds can blow rain in underneath slide-toppers and leave you with the same soaking feeling. If it’s been raining, consider unleveling your rig, forward or back, to allow gravity to dump some of this collected rain off your slideouts before pulling them in. You may still get a bit of water, but it’s better than a bath!
Recycled fire starters
Keeping the bad guys at bay by shredding all those documents with sensitive information? Line your shredder receptacle with gallon-size garbage bags – maybe even T-shirt bags from the grocery store. When they’re filled up, tie them off and squirrel them away. When it’s time to start a fire, use the whole kit and caboodle to start that campfire glow by tearing the bag open and lighting the contents.
Do you have a tip? Send it to Russ (at) rvtravel.com
Heavy duty grill mats master the BBQ!
Been looking for perfect grill mats? Here you go! These mats are the ideal thickness, still allowing that chicken to get those beautiful grill marks, but thick enough to provide durability and heat resistance. Never worry about cleaning your grill again and never worry about veggies falling through those dang cracks. Hassle-free grilling every time. Works with any type of grill or BBQ. Learn more or order here.Â
WEBSITES OF THE DAY
The most beautiful golf courses in the U.S.Â
This one is for the golfers out there. If you’re not already a golfer, you may become one after you see this list of beautiful courses. Wow!
10 amazing RV makeovers
Need a little design inspiration? Design Sponge shows off some amazing DIY RV makeovers. Pretty impressive (and pretty cute!).Â
Check out the long list of great RVing-related websites from RVtravel.com.
Lightweight, waterproof, foldable backpack perfect for RVers
Ultra-light, ultra-durable, and ultra-handy for RV trips, this backpack is perfect for small-space living. Pack folds into a tiny sandwich-sized pouch, perfect for storage or for use on airplane trips. Many pockets, including two water bottle slots, make this waterproof pack great for hiking, camping, or day-trips. Learn more and view all eight colors here.
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LEAVE HERE WITH A LAUGH
To this day, the boy that used to bully me at school still takes my lunch money. On the plus side though, he makes great Subway sandwiches.
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, Mike Sokol, Greg Illes, 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 .
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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Barbara Streisand once said she got a bit nervous before a performance. She said that if a person doesn’t feel a bit uncomfortable they aren’t a good performer.
I work in Latin America and speak to crowds of up to 1000 people. I love my work and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. A bit of sweat on the brow in the beginning always ends in a good performance.
The key is to know, understand and believe in what you speak, sing or play about. It has to come from inside.
I was a Navy instructor for years and it was tougher instructing/teachings my peers than a large group. In a Navy classroom the instructor is in charge but respect to all peers is always required . The respect from peers is clear as the instructor is an expert on the subject matter and has the the full support of all in classroom. The instructor/speaker must first establish a warm Introduction & Approach and let all get comfortable then the speech or instruction comes considerable easier and far more satisfying for the group. If the group feels comfortable then it is very effective session.. Usually open up to questions and that relaxes the group every time.
Any chance of specifying who makes an aluminum grill to fit the Weber Q 100? That is a great idea, ut I can’t find anything that fits right.
I used to be very frightened and nervous to speak to a crowd until I took a course in public speaking at the local community college. A great confidence builder which has been extremely valuable to me over the past 40+ years.
Scrolling through the sidebar, I noticed 4 recalls for Jayco motorhomes and trailers. Is today just a “Jayco recall” day? Jayco used to have a good name when it came to trailers.
Chuck posts the recalls as he receives the notices. We don’t control the order of the recalls that we list (i.e., if today looks like “Jayco recall” day, that’s because those are the recalls which have just been issued). Thanks for asking, PennyPA. —Diane at RVtravel.com
PennyPA, Jayco used to have a good name. But now they belong to Thor Ind., and they ruin everything they touch.
Our manual states that, in our 40′ Fleetwood Discovery 40X, we should only level with the slides fully in rather than extended. We have an electric leveling system. I wonder if the above advice would damage the leveling system.
The water will still drain with the slides in.
About using shedder contents for fire starting: If you use paper bags rather than plastic to store the shredded material, you can just light the paper bag, which doesn’t leave a melted plastic residue.
Burning paper is ok but burning plastic bags is toxic to both you and neighboring campers. Please don’t do it.
My favorite camping grill
https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Camp-Propane-Grill-Stove/dp/B00VTJGWQW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1533734402&sr=8-6&keywords=coleman+grill&dpID=3182JqBd8dL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
We have had this for several years and it has perform very well, is lightweight and does not take up much storage space. My only complaint is that you need to have a lighter to get it started. The side burner is nice for keeping the mess of frying food out of the camper.
Snayte, looks really nice and says it has self-ignition. Does it really need a flame/lighter to get it started?
Looks like the rear end of a ’64 Ford Galaxy…I’d buy it for that alone!
Concerning the tip about draining the water from the slide out, it’s best to relevel before retracting the slide as if it’s too much out of level it can cause the slide to bind and hang up. If you’re lucky it can be extended back out and level it, but if you’re unlucky it can be jammed badly enough to require professional help that’s expensive. Don’t ask how I know this.