Issue 953 • August 15, 2018
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QUICK TIPS
Masking tape renewal
Practically everyone has a roll of masking tape stashed away in a toolbox or a back shelf. Good masking tape isn’t cheap – who wants to throw it out? But then comes the time to do a stretch of taping and what do you find? Argh! The blasted stuff is stuck to itself so firmly you can’t peel it loose for love nor money. Stick the sticky roll in the microwave oven, and gently heat it up – just a few seconds! You may find the tape has been revitalized by this visitation with that cooking radiation.
Mice in the bumper!
Kirk writes in to tell us about critters he’s found in his bumper, and how to inexpensively dissuade them from taking up housekeeping: “The majority of bumper plugs I’ve seen have a square hole in the center. I’ve also had mice get inside my bumper. Siliconing a piece of screen on the inside to cover the hole took care of the problem.” Thanks Kirk.
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Amazon Deals of the Day!
Here are more than 1,000 special deals, just for today. And the items just keep on changing. If you can’t find a great deal here on something you want, then, well, you must not need anything. If nothing else, it sure is fun to poke around here to see the incredible array of cool stuff that’s available at this very moment at bargain prices! Click here for today’s deals!
Answer to today’s brain teaser: Charcoal
Did you miss the latest issue of our RV Electricity Newsletter? You should read it. Here’s where.
MORE QUICK TIPS
Hooking up your water? Use your elbow!
Something as small as a three- or four-dollar part may not seem like a big deal, but you’d be surprised by how these little things can make a big difference. This part can pretty much be found at any place selling RV parts, but I’ve been surprised by how many people don’t use it. This part is simply a ninety-degree brass fitting from your water hose to your RV exterior water hookup. Why is this part important? It will make your life so much easier as these exterior RV water hookups stick straight out from the side of your RV, putting a lot of pressure on your water hose and RV threaded fitting. So the result is usually a water hookup that leaks. At first it will not leak, but over time, it will get worse and worse. This simple ninety-degree brass fitting takes a great deal of pressure off the RV hookup and water hose fittings. Since I started using this part several years ago, my exterior RV water connection has never leaked when properly tightened. From “The Simple Life Guide To RV Living: The Road to Freedom and the Mobile Lifestyle Revolution.” Book available on Amazon.com. Here’s a link to the brass fitting on Amazon.com, for about $5.
TV: Turn down – not the sound – the picture
When boondocking, I turn down the brightness of my TVs. Most LED and LCD TVs have a power saving setting which essentially darkens the picture. You can get the same power saving results by turning down the brightness on any TV, then turn the contrast up slightly to improve the picture. This will work for tube-type TVs as well. —From Joe Brignolo
Do you have a tip? Send it to Russ (at) rvtravel.com
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.
WEBSITES OF THE DAY
Drive the Nation
This is a wonderful website about everything you should be doing in the U.S. If you’re already on the road, or headed out soon, you’ll want to consult this website for a list of things you must see, visit and eat along the way.Â
Scribble Maps
On the same note as Drive the Nation, Scribble Maps allows you to draw or write on maps, then save and share them! Very handy when planning a road trip, or trying to give directions to someone who isn’t, well, so good at directions. You could also use it to remind yourself of your favorite restaurants, hiking trails, campgrounds or stops you made on your trip.Â
Check out the long list of great RVing-related websites from RVtravel.com.
You loved the spray; DEET-free mosquito repellent wipes really work!
Back by popular demand, these DEET-free mosquito and tick repellent wipes really work! We had previously recommended the spray, but for those of you who don’t need it that often, or like the convenience of throwing a wipe or two in your day pack, these are perfect. Like we said before, as RVers, we’re going to need this stuff! Learn more or order here.
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LEAVE HERE WITH A LAUGH
What’s the difference between a cat and a complex sentence?Â
A cat has claws at the end of its paws and a complex sentence has a pause at the end of its clause.
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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. 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 .
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When leaving your rv for a day trip, or evening out do you shut the water off?
Do you retract your awning at night?
Do you retract your awning when you leave for an extended period of time?
1 st. MH 31’ class C. named Homer
2. MH 36’ class A. Homer 2
3. MH 24’ class C. Cruiser
4. Travel trailer 36’. Redneck Condo. Our winter snowbird nest.
We live in Oklahoma and we have learned to always retract the awning when we leave the trailer even if only for a short time.
You know what. It you don’t like the surveys just skip over them. There are plenty of articles about rving.
I skip over the polls now that they have nothing to do with RVing. So I didn’t know the subject of this week’s poll until I read the comments. I’ve expressed my dislike of this new trend before, so I’ll offer some RV poll suggestions instead:
1. Do you plan your itinerary around the National and State Scenic Byways? (Never, Sometimes, Often, Always when near one, or What are scenic byways?)
2. Do you sanitize the water connections you use to fill your tanks or portable containers? (Always, Usually, Sometimes, Never, or Why should I sanitize a connection?)
3. Do you follow Mike Sokol’s advice for checking a campground power pedestal before hooking up? (Always, Usually, Sometimes, Never, or Who is Mike Sokol?)
And I’d like to see a line at bottom of the polls to encourage comments from readers on how they handle the event in the poll.
Other readers and I have questions we’d like to ask that can generate follow-up polls, new articles for future newsletters, or the posting of current expert advice from your files. If you want to get back to asking RVing questions, ask us for some suggestions.
Ref: 3. Do you follow Mike Sokol’s advice for checking a campground power pedestal before hooking up? (Always, Usually, Sometimes, Never, or Who is Mike Sokol?)
I’m MIke Sokol and I write about electrical safety for RV owners. See below for some of the articles I’ve written about RV electrical hookups and safety.
RVelectricity.com
https://www.rvtravel.com/?s=Electricity
https://tinyurl.com/y7jd3nuc
Sherry — I just spoke with Mike and reminded him that you do know who he is, and that was just a suggestion for one of the options on a proposed poll. He said, “Oh, yeah. Well, tell her that I just finished a [very good] 34-ounce Mexican beer and that’s why I responded that way.” So, that explains his very formal response. 😀 (I think he’s at an RV rally [after presenting his seminars] and hanging out with fellow presenters and RVers.) Thanks for your poll suggestions. We’ll probably use them. —Diane at RVtravel.com
Thanks, Diane. You gave me my best laugh of the day! The 34-oz beer certainly explains Mike’s response!
Thanks, Sherry. I don’t think Mike’s much of a drinker, so I’m sure that pretty much did him in (although I could understand him perfectly well when we were talking on the phone). 😉 Have a great day! 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Those RVers at the Holiday Rambler rally led me astray….
I knew someone did — just wasn’t sure who. Now I know. Sounds like a fun group! 😀 —Diane
I try to check the electrical outlets but not sure as to what to look for with my no contact tester.
Mike, that last choice was a joke! I and most other RVTravel readers certainly know who you are and and take your valuable advice seriously! Sorry I confused you with my attempt at humor.
Wow, wow, wow!!!! Way too many whiners upset by a poll topic. Good heavens, lighten up!!!
Keep asking whatever you’d like to ask, maybe it will thin out the babies!!!
Surveys can be interesting but I agree it appears they are veering from RVing into some generic life realms. Could people please suggest survey questions so as to serve the subscribers and help the writers of this site. Offer a topic and they can rework the subject and create the survey. Also, if necessary, in all aspects of information, it would be nice to differentiate between a trailer and a motor home. Sometimes it matters. This questions would apply to both. RV, a generic term for rig, implies both or all. Terminology can get tricky.
i.e., Have you ever found yourself next to an RV with the outdoor TV blaring a sports event with a crowd loudly engaged? How often do you put your awning out? If dry camping sites were available at campgrounds (all utility sites are booked) would you pay a fee to use them? When was the last time you consciously booked a site because they had a laundry facility? Do you prefer campgrounds with good hiking trails? Do you avoid urban areas? Have you had problems with online reservation systems, i.e., Reserve America, specific state reservation sites, etc.? How many National Parks have you visited and camped at in the past 3 years? Have you purchased a cover for you RV? Do you use the cover you purchased for your RV? How often do you use the bicycles you take on your trip of 6 weeks or longer? Have you ever modified something on your RV? Send in more as you think of them.
The surveys are interesting to me because as weird as the questions may be they give an inside look at what my fellow campers are like. Since being around other people is a huge part of RVing for many Rver’s it is interesting to me to see how different they are from me by reading the surveys. I am always feeling that I’m different from others because I can’t remember my dreams, I guess not so much. These surveys are also a great topic to use in conversations around the campfire with your temporary neighbors that may stop by for a cup of coffee. Sure I like RV specific topics but human topics are more entertaining. When I read the newsletter I read what I want and gloss over the rest as parts may not be interesting or pertinent to me. Have fun. Rving is fun. Or is that a question for the survey?
Thank you for your great points, BuzzElectric! That’s how we feel, also –and so do a lot of our readers. It’s not all about RVs and RVing — there are people involved also (or there wouldn’t be “RVing”). —Diane at RVtravel.com
I dream in Black / White / Brown & Yellow, the colors of the women in my dreams.
Just me!
Was seriously thinking of signing up and donating to support, but after this dream crap in a RV newsletter,forget it. GOODBYE
Good bye and good riddance. Don’t sneak back in.
Maybe you ought to ask Dr.Phil on TV these stupid survey questions about dreaming and ask us more related questions on our RV traveling and experiences etc. First, we are talking about space aliens and now dreaming in color or black & white..Please discontinue this non-sense..Stay focused on RV related survey questions that may be helpful as who in this mad world gives a darn about dream colors..
What I REALLY want to know is, how many shoelace eyelets do your sneakers have? Do you cross the laces right over left or left over right? And what IS the cotton content of those laces? ;D
Some questions are more RV-relevant than others, but I’m not disturbed by the frivolous questions lately. If you have an interesting RV question, I’m sure Emily/Chuck would love to hear your ideas.
Those 90 degree water fittings are really great, I now have 3 of them, one for filling my tank, one for shore water & one for flushing my black tank. Having 3 makes hooking up a lot easier.
Dave
Something to consider for your shore water is a Y fitting connection. The fitting has a lever to allow the water to either flow or not. I hook my RV hose to one side with that lever in the open position. On the other side of the Y I keep that lever in the closed position until I need/want to use it to fill a bucket or our rinsing tub. I also have one of those collaspable hoses that I can screw into the open Y should I need to rinse off our RV or something else.
I also use a brass Y connector, but mine has 4 outlets. One for the water hookup, one open for rinsing or filling when I don’t need a hose, and one left open in case my neighbor’s hookup isn’t working and needs to use mine. The final one has a water hose connected and water turned on in case my RV or the underbrush catches fire (or to help a neighbor in case of an RV fire (to use after I call 911).
Good ideas! Thanks for sharing.
I dream vivid dreams and remember most of them. I usually really dream all during the night but especially around 4-5 am if I go back to sleep after waking up. I also dream pretty much every night.
20+ years ago I lost my first and last sewer hose from its place in bumper due to lousy rubber bumper plugs! I cut two piece of metal studs (used in commercial building instead of 2×4) to fit into the bumper then drilled 1/8 holes in a circle near the center for vent holes . Drilled two holes, one on each side to match the bumper holes. Cut two pieces of solid electric wire two inches wider than bumper and inserted thru holes then bent over on each side. No more bees or bugs AND no more lost hose! Wire last 2= years and coat of paint prevents end cap from rusting Cost= my time.
I’ve heard others say they dream in monochrome, but dont think I ever have – some dreams even revolve around the color component.
Just to throw a curveball, you should poll how often folks are lucid/aware dreamers – able to recognize when they are dreaming, and still remain asleep to steer the dream if they wish. Having a nightmare? Make the clown’s head explode. Bored? Decide you’re able to fly now… I’ve heard many theories why only some folks can do this, but none that completely convince me.
I switched over to “Gaffer Tape” after getting the free sample from this newsletter. Best stuff on earth.
Gaffer Tape is wonderful for so many applications.
I agree Tommy. Got my free sample then ended up buying several more rolls in different colours (Canadian eh) and in clear. Great stuff.
I do a lot of day dreaming of things I can’t afford.
I don’t remember my dreams.