Issue 958 • August 23, 2018
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QUICK TIPS
Run your fridge on an inverter?
Back in the “old days” some RV refrigerators had a “12-volt option,” allowing the refrigerator to run on 12 volts when motoring down the highway. Not many these days, so some ask, “Can I run my fridge on “shore power” via an inverter?” Technically, yes. In practice? The typical RV fridge cooling unit operated via an inverter will take a 30+ amp draw from your battery system – a pretty hefty load. It’s unlikely your vehicle engine will pump that kind of power back to your coach batteries, particularly if you’re talking about a towable rig. Unless you’re in an extremely hot country, your food will likely survive a day’s travel without the cooling unit operating. Just keep the fridge doors shut.
Stained “carpeted” ceiling?
An RVer with an off-white carpeted ceiling reported it was stained by water and mold. They wondered now that the leak was fixed what to “fix” the stains with? Others reported successfully using Kilz brand primer, applied with a roller. Fair warning: “It took 22 gallons of Kilz, and I painted all summer. It was a pain in the butt,” says one who did the paint job in a large Class A motorhome.
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Inflatable foot rest is comfortable for couch and passenger seat!
Now that’s cool! Missing your favorite recliner? Miss it no more! This inflatable foot rest is perfect for lounging on the couch, in the chair by the campfire, or in the passenger seat for long drives. Take it on a plane ride, or take it to the grandkids’ soccer game (we know those can get long). It weighs less than 1 lb. and folds down small for travel. Learn more about this comfy foot rest here.
Answer to today’s brain teaser: A shower
JOIN THE NEW FACEBOOK GROUP: RV Horror Stories (A place to share your story about a new RV you recently bought that is riddled with defects that your dealer or manufacturer can’t or won’t repair.)
MORE QUICK TIPS
Tank level switch fix
If you find the rocker switch that you push to view the fluid levels in your fresh water and holding tanks gives up the ghost, don’t give up hope. They’re hard to find (maybe industry just wants you to replace the whole assembly). However, a small, push-button “momentary contact, normally open” switch can be glued onto the assembly. Take the wires off the hold switch and connect them to the new. Here’s a pair on Amazon.
Meals prepared in advance – veggie tip
Preparing vegetables for meals in advance and freezing them? “Always undercook vegetables slightly. This way once you reheat them, they don’t get mushy and disgusting.” From “RV Living Full Time: 100+ Amazing Tips, Secrets, Hacks & Resources to Motorhome Living.” Available on Amazon.com.
Do you have a tip? Send it to Russ (at) rvtravel.com
Camping with the Corps of Engineers
Many RVers consider Corps of Engineers campgrounds to be the best in the country. This guide is just for RVers — boat-in and tent-only sites are not included. Of all the public lands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has some of the best parks and campgrounds available. In fact, it’s the largest federal provider of outdoor recreation in the nation. Learn more or order.
WEBSITES OF THE DAY
Favorite camping gadgets
Wondering what camping gadgets and accessories are hot on the market right now? Check out Amazon’s list of neat items that you may want for your RV. 
Caves to explore in the U.S.
How many of these caves have you been to? This list of 15 incredible caves in the U.S. will surely bring out your inner explorer. Plus, who doesn’t love going into a cold cave this hot time of year?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 do you call a dog that does magic tricks?
A labracadabrador
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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I usually come back to the newsletters a few days after publication to read the new comments. I often learn as much from them as from the articles. But today, all but one was about coffee! Ever since the newsletter started polling about non-RV topics, the comments have been a real disappointment to me. I’m trying to learn all I can to travel safely and maintain an RV.
We mix a lb of coffee & Chicory with a lb of pure coffee. It can be a very strong blend, until you get the measurements right for brewing. We usually use 1/2 & 1/2 and sugar, because of the strength, and our blend can be reheated without that buildup of oils and that nasty taste you get from most coffee after it has sat for a while and gets reheated…..
Don’t understand the coffee comments. There is no story on coffee above, and I haven’t seen a survey since last week. I get the daily tips email and link, but no survey.
Strangely, when I posted and scrolled back up the survey appeared. Perhaps it was a bandwidth issue when loading the original page. Sorry.
Would never fathom painting a carpeted ceiling?!
I would have painted our carpeted ceiling if I’d have thought of it, but I used peroxide instead. It took the water, and mildew stains from our leak out beautifully.
Joan D.
We only drink drunkin donut coffee. I drink it black, and the wife drinks it with half an half. Used to drink coffee in my sugar cup.
There is no cream in “coffee creamers.” Read the ingredients to see if you want to keep ingesting them.
Modern residential refrigerators may draw 30 amps of 12 volt DC from the invertor while the compressor is running, but will draw considerably less with just the fan running–probably only 1 to 3 amps, which is most of the time. When the defrost strips are on, the draw will be slightly more, but the average running draw will be a lot closer to 2 or 3 amps than 30.
Use a little dollop of good honey & Silk soy vanilla. Yum!
Silk Soy Vanilla creamer is awesome! Taste is better than dairy creamer and a lot fewer calories.
When we travel my wife bought French Vanilla flavored coffee when we stopped for fuel. A few whiffs got me onto that and I stopped using sugar. No doubt about the same evil. As for the fridge, I run with my propane on as my experts say it’s totally safe. They tell me the tank valve will close by itself if there’s a quick loss of pressure, not like the old tanks. My fridge holds its temperature about 2 hours if turned off. It’s a 4 door Dometic.
I use caramel macchiato creamer. Yum!
I make my own mocha mix. It’s dry, so it goes along easily and it’s delicious in my morning coffee!!
Drink mine black since my Dr. told me 45 yrs. ago if I wanted to lose weight ditch the cream and sugar, at the time I took a qt. Thermos to work and hit the coffee machines all afternoon. The activity from all that caffeine probably helped too. But I did lose 43 lbs. so I can’t complain. Lol
We use half and half, and somehow got hooked on using a ‘frother’ to put a head on the cream. Can’t drink it without it . . .
We use a specialty coffee creamer plus a small touch of Extra Creamy Whipped Cream. Delightfully delicious!