This week’s podcast shares the things RVers wish someone told them BEFORE they started RVing. We have interviews from the recent Family Motorcoach Association Family Reunion rally in Perry GA. We talked to a whole bunch of RVers… couples, solos, fulltimers and weekend warriors, asking them to share the most important things they’ve learned from their life on the road. [spp-player] Complete shownotes for Episode 80 of the Rpadtreking RV Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK This week, my Tip of the...
Mar 23, 2016•57 min
In this episode, we come to you from the Emerald Coast of Florida's Panhandle, recording the podcast from a picnic table 25 feet from the Gulf of Mexico at the Navarre Beach Campground, answering listener questions, sharing tips and reporting the RV news of the week. [spp-player] Complete shownotes for The Roadtreking RV Podcast Episode 79: MIKE AND JENNIFER’S WHEREABOUTS We’ll be at the big Family Motorcoach Association 2016 Family Reunion at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in P...
Mar 16, 2016•50 min
Our special guest in this week's edition of the Roadtreking RV Podcast is none other than Campskunk, our resident fulltimer, who is about to end his winter hiatus in Florida and hit the road for another year of RV travel. But before he does, he shares with us the chores he says every RVer should do before heading out for a new season of RV adventure. Besides Campskunk, we have lots of audience comments and questions, a tip from Jennifer on our most often used RV accessory, some tips on how your ...
Mar 09, 2016•59 min
In this episode of the Roadtreking RV Podcast, we talk about food: The food we prepare and eat ourselves in our RV, and the food we serve our pets. Plus, we have a whole bunch of listener comments and questions, tips on finding the best deal for an RV, RV News, the RV Calendar and an Off-The-Beaten-Path Report. Mary Jane Curry, the new RV recipes writer for the Roadtreking.com blog, is our special guest. And Jennifer has a special report on the need to very carefully select the food we serve our...
Mar 02, 2016•1 hr 16 min
The major RV News of the week is the acquisition of Roadtrek Motorhomes by Europe’s gigantic Erwin Hymer Group, the largest motorhome manufacturer in the world. I was on hand in Kitchener, Ontario and Roadtrek headquarters this week when the deal was announced and have in depth interviews with the principals. Bottom line is that while Roadtrek is now owned by the newly formed Erwin Hammer Group of North America, it’s top management team is the same as its been and the company wll continue to agg...
Feb 24, 2016•56 min
Every RVer these days is pretty dependent on their smartphones. From directions, to finding attractions and to stay in touch with friends and families, our smartphones are overwhelmingly the most used gizmos we take with us when we travel by RV. But they could work better, right? Battery life dies too fast. Data allocations get gobbled up by apps. The dreaded "no bars" indication of no nearby cell tower happens too often. Our guest in the Traveling Tech segment of this podcast is SteveCastro, Di...
Feb 17, 2016•1 hr 2 min
In this episode of the Roadtreking RV Podcast we answer some questions from listeners who want to embrace the RV lifestyle but have concerns because they are not mechanically inclined or good at "fixing stuff." They wonder if they'll be able to cut it as an RV owner. I do my best to assure them, with Jennifer chiming in. Bottom line is if I can do it, they can. I am not a Mr. Fix it. We share the tips and suggestions needed that will let anyone take to the road in an RV confident that, whatever ...
Feb 10, 2016•1 hr 1 min
One thing we all need, no matter what size RV we have, is organization and space saving. In this episode of the podcast, we hear from the lady whose known as the RV Space Saver. Her name is Gail Alexander and she does seminars all across the US on ways to organize, maximize storage and save space. Gail shares her top five tips that every RVer can incorporate in their traveling lifestye. But we have so much more in this episode: Some food preparation tips from Jennifer, listener questions, RV New...
Feb 03, 2016•57 min
I am amazed at how many RVers are content to put their RV in storage for the season and never think of using it for winter camping. In this week's podcast, you meet a group of hearty winter campers who participated in our annual Winter Campout at Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan's snow-covered Upper Peninsula this past weekend. I think you'll find their perspective interesting as they share their thoughts around one of our nightly campfires. [spp-timestamp time="30:35"] [spp-player] Complete showno...
Jan 27, 2016•51 min
One of the neatest things about RVing is how it complements so many other hobbies like hiking, kayaking, photography and.... amateur radio. Yes, amateur radio, or ham radio is it is often called. There's a huge resurgence in the hobby these days with more people participating in the hobby that ever before. Joining me on this week's episode of the podcast are Sean Kutzko and Norm Fusaro from the American Radio Relay League. Both love camping and the outdoors and say it's the one sure way to have ...
Jan 20, 2016•59 min
Internet connectivity for RVers is a must have. In the last year, so much has changed, so many new products have been released and so many good deals are available from the various companies that we've put together a primer for everything you need to know about staying connected while you're on the road in your RV. Helping us navigate the online option for RVers are Cherie Ve Ard and Chris Dunphy, also known as "the Technomads," publishers of the RV Mobile Internet Resource Center. This couple k...
Jan 13, 2016•1 hr 3 min
With gas prices low and the National Parks Service celebrating it's 100th anniversary in 2016 with special events, there's never been a better time for RVers to visit a National Park. But what to see? In what order? We talk about that a lot this week with Rob Bignell, author oa=f a new book called the Best Sights in America's National Parks. Rob offers some bucket list suggestions and shares his favorite sites, as well a suggested trip RVers should take this year. That's just one of many interes...
Jan 07, 2016•58 min
Is retirement all it's cracked up to be? Yes, a new study says it makes you happier and healthier. In this episode, we focus on retirement and it's many benefits, particularly retirement and RVing. Plus our usual tips, RV news, Tech news and destination reports. [spp-player] Complete shownotes for Episode 68 of Roadtreking: The RV Travel Podcast Mike and Jennifer share their New Year RV resolutions, their immediate travel plans and a look ahead to a year of RV stories from across North America [...
Dec 30, 2015•56 min
In this week's episode, we talk about an RV gathering that will teach you more about RVing in three days than most people learn in a lifetime. The Family Motorcoach Association's upcoming gathering in Perry, GA is the kind of event every RVer should attend at least once in their lifetime. In this episode, Mike talks to Doug Uhlenbrock of the FMCA [spp-timestamp time="20:38"] who describes the seminars and activities available for owners of all sorts of RVs. [spp-player] But there is so much more...
Dec 16, 2015•55 min
It's the time when many RVers start dreaming and planning about the places they'll visit in the coming new year. For many this year, that means more off-the-grid boondocking wilderness experiences, far from the crowds and in beautiful places where one can be close to nature. But boondocking poses its own special problems and in this episode of Roadtreking the RV Podcast, we talk to a full-time RVer who almost exclusively boondocks. Readers of our Roadtreking.com RV Travel blog already know of Ca...
Dec 09, 2015•1 hr 3 min
Sometimes, RV dealerships will try to talk you into expensive add on procedures that really aren't needed. Indeed, one of their top profit makers is convincing new owners into buying very expensive spray-on treatments for the interior or exterior. After an RV dealer asks for Mike's advice on whether he should pay $900 for such a treatment for his new RV, Mike offers much cheaper and very practical advice. That's one of many topics tackled in episode 64 of the Roadtreking RV Podcast. [spp-player]...
Dec 02, 2015•1 hr
Should you turn your RV's propane system off every time you drive? Or is it okay to keep it on as you travel down the road? In this episode, we answer the questions, brought about after an RVer got involved in an accident. Afterwards, he got to "what iffing," wondering about his propane issues. We tell the story of his accident and get some great expert help on the answer. Plus, Jennifer's Tip of the Week, a Reader question about restoring a vintage RV, apps to make traveling better, a bucket li...
Nov 18, 2015•1 hr 3 min
You don't have to be a fulltimer or go camping for long periods of time to find lots of uses for an RV. In this episode of the podcast, you meet Kathy and Les, two of our Roadtreking friends who use their RV in lots of different ways - from stealth camping on the streets of New York, to driveway camping at the homes of relatives to hauling her art and craft exhibit to various shows. This couple, who live in suburban Toledo, also have a condo in Florida and use their RV for leisurely trips to ad ...
Nov 11, 2015•1 hr 4 min
Let's face it: RVs can be complicated. There are lots of things we need to know and do to not only protect our investment but to operate our RVs safely. In this episode, we give you valuable information you won't find in the manual that came with your RV. So don't set out on another trip without listening to these tips from Mike's special guest Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor. In fact, this podcast is loaded with tips and suggestions, starting out with seven of Jennifer's Favorite RV Hacks, plus the ...
Nov 04, 2015•1 hr 11 min
It's been said by many that every place has a story to tell. And in this episode of Roadtreking the RV Podcast we learn that many of the most interesting places also have a festival or special event to celebrate their stories. Just about every weekend, somewhere in North America, there's a small town festival celebrating something. And finding those festivals - be they music, food or event-centered - is just one of several topics we tackle this week in Episode 59. We interview the author of a gr...
Oct 27, 2015•1 hr 7 min
When it comes to RVing, it's thinking about the things you never thought of before that make the biggest difference. For example, you probably don't want to be halfway across the country on a coast-to-coast trip and realize you didn't make any arrangements for how your mail will be handled. Nor do you want to set out for your first big trip of the season next spring only to realize mice have spent the winter destroying your RV's insides. But don't worry because - as you will hear in this episode...
Oct 21, 2015•59 min
We're all constantly seeing it - some really bad RV drivers are out there with us on the road. But as our guest on this week's Roadtreking podcast tells us, we needn't be among the offenders. In fact, Mark Polk, publisher of RVEducation101.com - which also just launched an RV education app for iOS and Android - has all kinds of great tips to help drive an RV like a pro. Among other things, Mark helps us understand: Where most RV dangers come from How to turn properly How to maneuver around gas p...
Oct 14, 2015•1 hr 5 min
Wait until you hear how you'll be soon using the Internet in your RV! After lots of interesting reader questions, comments, tips and RV news, we do some visioneering about what's just over the horizon in terms of the Internet and RVing. Our special guest of Paul Ulreich, the "Uber User" from Verizon Wireless. Paul has been involved in the Internet and cellular technology for two decades and in a wide-ranging conversation, he talks with Mike about RVing and its role in the iOT - the Internet of T...
Oct 07, 2015•1 hr 6 min
It doesn't matter where you go, what you do, or how you enjoy your RV - just as long as you're out there making memories and living the RVing dream. And that's what this episode of the Roadtreking RV Lifestyle podcast is all about - from Jennifer's Tip of the Week about finding fun festivals around North America and equipping your RV with the right gear to a great group of friends we met RVing in Florida (that's them in the above photo), including someone who comes to the U.S. from England every...
Sep 30, 2015•1 hr 4 min
The RVing experience is like snowflakes - no two are the same for any of us because the freedom of the RV lifestyle affords us more than enough opportunities to make it our own. Sure, there a similarities, which is why the tips, tricks, and gadgets we talk about often are so popular among Roadtreking fans. But at America's Largest RV Show in Hershey, Pennsylvania last week, we wanted to really connect with everyone who took a minute to spend some time with us - really get at where people go, wha...
Sep 23, 2015•1 hr 5 min
With the peak summer travel season behind us, thoughts for many begin to turn toward snowbird season. But RVing for an extended period so far from home during the long winter months isn't all sun and sand, especially if you don't prepare properly. Take it from Tim and Carol Mallon, the couple from Canada behind the Snowbird Tails from the Trail blog at http://snowbirdtailsfromthetrails.blogspot.com/ Tim and Carol Mallon The duo knows how to snowbird right and join Roadtreking's Mike Wendland for...
Sep 16, 2015•57 min
In business, having more demand than supply is usually a good thing - and that just happens to be the current state of the super hot RV rental market. So says Joel Clark, co-founder, RVshare.com. Clark says the RV rental market is so hot, in fact, that owners who want to rent out their RVs could make as much as $40,000 annually from doing so (depending on numerous factors, of course). That also opens the door for those who want to be renters, allowing for more opportunity to enjoy the RVing life...
Sep 09, 2015•1 hr 2 min
Big changes are sweeping the campground industry. From fiber optic cable for more streaming video and high speed Internet to themed parks that cater to your own favorite camping activities, the parks and campground industry is making lots of changes. Our guest today is Paul Bambei, of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds , who shares with Mike how a busy camping industry is meeting consumer demand and expectations. But we have lots of other RV news, audience questions, a tip abou...
Aug 26, 2015•57 min
Next to our homes, an RV is probably the most expensive purchase we will ever make. Even used RVs come with a steep pricetag. This week, we offer some very practical advice about shopping for a used RV. Our guest is Terry Cooper, President of the National RV Inspectors Association. Just as we hire a home inspector before purchasing a house, we can hire RV inspectors to make sure we don't get ripped off or stuck with a used unit with major problems. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #49 Aug. 19...
Aug 19, 2015•1 hr
Everyone knows that researching and buying an RV is a big job - that's why when events come along like next month's America's Largest RV Show, you have to be prepared. After all, the 47th annual RV show - set for Sept. 16-20 in Hershey, Pennsylvania - will feature 47 different manufacturers showcasing more than 1,300 RVs. That's a lot of RVs. Thirty-three football fields worth of RVs, as a matter of fact. For this episode of the Roadtreking podcast, we talk to Heather Leach, marketing and educat...
Aug 12, 2015•56 min
