Episode 74: Help! I Am Not An RV Handyman!

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 comes up, they can handle it. And no, you do not have to roll up your sleeves and do-it-yourself. Help, we assure everyone, is easy to find, as we share our experiences. [spp-player] Complete Shownotes for Episode 74 of the Roadtreking RV Podcast As Jennifer joins me, we update the audience of our whereabouts and our rough travel plans for 2016, both confessing that we have a bit of cabin fever and are soon planning to hit the road.[spp-timestamp time="2:30"] JENNIFER’S TIP OF THE WEEK Let’s face it, sometimes those long drives in our RV to get to all those great places out there can be…. Well, a pain in the…. Glutes. [spp-timestamp time="4:30"] Both Mike and I have had it. And while our Roadtrek seats are very comfy and have great lumbar support, all that sitting puts a lot of pressure on your butt and the back of your thighs. We’ve seen comfort pads and padded cushions sold at truck stops and online but we were looking for something more ergonomically designed. And that took us to a store near our house called Relax the Back. Actually, there are about 100 of these around the U.S. and each one specializes in products aimed at people seeking relief and prevention of back and neck pain. It was there that we found the Travel Lite Cushion by Lifeform, a seat cushion made with pressure sensitive memory foam that conforms to your body and then regains its shape when not in use. The sales person at the store took it out to the parking lot so we could try it in our Roadtrek. He explained that it is desiged to help correct our pelvic angle and sitting posture while maintaining the natural curve of the spine. By reducing pressure to the glues and the back of the thighs, it helps improve circulation to the legs and feet. We couldn’t be happier with these cushions. We carry it between our RV and our personal car and I even bring it in the house and pur it on my office chair when we’re home. They are exclusive to the Relax Your Back stores and cost $145 each. That’s a lot but we think they are really worth it. Oh yeah, one other related tip we picked up from our Relax the Back store consultant that is for you men. And this tip is free: Don’t sit on your billfold. Do not keep your billfold in your back pocket while you drive. Even if you have one of these skinny billfolds like Mike has, siting on it makes an unnatural tilt and that will always result in back pain after a long drive. LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK Two of our listeners have questions this week that expressed their eagerness to hit the road in an RV but were worried at their lack of mechanical skills. Listener Brian is a Texas attorney about to retire and hit the road in a Class B campervan. But he worries that his lack of fix it skills will leave him in a bind. [spp-timestamp time="10:00"] A listener asks about traveling to Alaska in an RV and seeks advice on what to see and where to go. Mike refers her to the Alaska Tourism office and their excellent book Milepost 2016, which details literally every single mile of the Alaska Highway. [spp-timestamp time="18:35"] And Listener Dan, whose looking to buy used class B, also has concern's about not being good at fixing things and wants to know where he can find one for about $30K. Mike and Jennifer suggest he try Roadtrek International or RV Trader for used RVs, besides calling various Class B dealers around the country and ask them. Jennifer warns him that because they are in such high demand,