Issue 960 • August 28, 2018
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QUICK TIPS
Don’t be shocked!
With electricity expert and veteran RVer Mike Sokol
Remember that you should NEVER feel any kind of an electric shock when touching any part of your RV while you’re standing on the ground. If you do, then you have what’s called an RV Hot-Skin Voltage, which could be very dangerous. Some Hot-Skin Voltages are very low current, so they just tingle a bit and are not immediately life-threatening. But, just because it’s a low-level shock today, DO NOT put off fixing it until later. ANY Hot-Skin can become High-Current at any time, and that’s definitely life-threatening, especially if the ground is wet from the rain. If you feel any kind of shock from your RV (even a tingle), disconnect from shore power until you can determine the cause and get it fixed. (Learn more about RV Electricity by signing up for Mike’s RV Electricity Newsletter.)
Watch your washer floor tray
An RVer who had to replace his defunct RV wash machine got to replace more than he bargained for. The plastic spill tray didn’t contain leaks, and he has a nasty floor replacement job ahead of him. If you have a washer, you might want to add a periodic inspection of your spill tray to your maintenance list. Many are screwed down to the floor, and if the sealant around the screws doesn’t stay sealed, ruination could be the result.
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Today’s brain teaser (left out of email alert): A cowboy rode his horse into town on Tuesday then left two days later, also on Tuesday. How was this possible?
JOIN THE NEW FACEBOOK GROUP: RV Horror Stories (A place to share your story about an RV you bought that is riddled with defects that your dealer or manufacturer can’t or won’t repair.)
MORE QUICK TIPS
Fire starter feedback caution
Reader Claude Denton responds to a suggestion we published on making fire starters out of paper shredder byproduct: “If you use that shredded paper for a fire starter, better make sure you are not near anything that will burn because paper embers may go up with the smoke and possibly start a fire where you don’t want it. Also, better have a fire extinguisher handy.” Thanks, Claude, for the safety pointer.
Storing your “stinky slinky”
For that menace, the “stinky slinky,” [sewer dump hose], I recommend getting a plastic tote with a sealable gasket for the lid. Trust me on this, the stinky slinky … well, it stinks. Hence, the name! I have stored it in a normal tote to find that wherever I have stored the tote, the area smells like poop. Yes, the bumpers in RVs have a place to slide and store the stinky slinky, but I have found that this location makes my bumper and the rear of the RV stink. You can wash out the tote, or throw it away if it becomes unusable down the line. You can’t do that with your RV bumper. From “The Simple Life Guide To RV Living: The Road to Freedom and the Mobile Lifestyle Revolution.” Available here.
Do you have a tip? Send it to Russ (at) rvtravel.com
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WEBSITES OF THE DAY
Amazon’s book deals and recommendations
This page on Amazon is dangerous for readers. You’ll find everything here from new releases and author interviews, to books on sale, to the NY Times best sellers. Spend some time exploring this page and get yourself a new book. Too much reading never hurt anyone!
Roaming RV
This Canadian blog has lots of great advice about RVing through Canada and the U.S., while also giving great expert tips about full-time life on the road.
Check out the long list of great RVing-related websites from RVtravel.com.
FUNNY HA HA! Today’s wacky, funny RVing item at Amazon.com. What a hoot!
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.
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Answer to today’s brain teaser: His horse was named Tuesday.
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.
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We keep the sewer hose in an empty 5 gallon plastic paint bucket. Lid fits tight when the handle is raised – no odor problems. Rinse bucket & hose regularly and wash everything well after long trips. Will get caps for the extra hose in the bumper. Thanks
If you have caps for your slinky, you can put in the bumper without stinking up the place.
Did you know today is Tuesday also & its not a horse! Thanks Diane, it also gave readers a good workout!
Dave
Today’s brain teaser: “Where IS the brain teaser?” 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Singing? Hey, I’m not even allowed to sing in church!
Teaser question was probably something like
A cowboy came into town on Wednesday stayed 1 day and left on Tuesday. How did he do this?
That’s very close, Snayte! Good job! Since the brain teaser was accidentally removed from the email alert, I’ve added it to the newsletter itself. –Diane at RVtravel.com
Now playing “ Jepordy “ on RV Travel.
Brain teaser, its like finding the Poppy in the AAA magazine?
Dave
It’s an invisible brain teaser today, Dave. 😉 Actually, it inadvertently got deleted from the email alert, so I’ve added the brain teaser to today’s RV Daily Tips Newsletter itself. Sorry. —Diane at RVtravel.com
The brain teaser question was, “What was the name the cowboy gave his horse when he found out his neighbor had already called HIS horse Monday”?
When I was in Boy Scouts (uh, back in the 50’s) we used to make fire starters out of small rolled up sections of newspaper dunked in paraffin. They were also water proof. I’m sure in today’s world there would be some reason not to let kids do ‘dangerous’ stuff like this. Sigh.
I always tell my child and this is how I made it to this age? Mine was let loose and did what I did at her age. 21 now and still reaching for the stars.
Now-a-days, if as kid got a drop of hot wax on himself, there would probably be a million dollar lawsuit filed.
I used Pop Bottle tops. Put string in them and filled with paraffin. Small and effective.
We put a penny in with the wax for street games in the Bronx. Prune juice caps were better as they didn’t have rough edges.
I agree with Bob on stinky slinky, I go one step further and occasionally add water with a couple of ounces of javex to the slinky when travelling, I have end caps. I carry the slinky in my bumper and have never had an issue with odours.
What is javex?
Where in the newsletter is the daily brain teaser located?
I guess I’m blind, I didn’t see the brain teaser. On storing your stinky slinky, you’re supposed to dump the black tank first then the gray tank. Dumping in this order will flush the poop out of the hose, then a simple rinse out with fresh water usually cleans the hose of any smelly residue.
Agree! I’ve used this method with my sewer hoses for twelve years and never had a foul fragrance from them, After a few dozens of uses, you may want to replace them anyway as a preventative to possible fatigue leaks.
Nice answer to the brain teaser. What was the question? Is this Jeopardy all of a sudden?