RV Podcast #302: A handy RV toll road pass

In this jampacked 302nd Episode of the RV Podcast: We’ll learn about a handy RV toll road pass. We’ll also share the most important questions you should ask when taking possession of a new RV and we’ll report the RV News of the week during these very challenging times. Here’s a player to the audio version of this RV Podcast episode. You can also listen to the RV Podcast on your favorite podcast app.  A full article with links, transcripts, photos, and other resources follows: Show Notes for Episode #302 July 8, 2020 of The RV Podcast WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK   Mike and Jennifer Hi Fellow Travelers and welcome to Episode 302 of the RV Podcast. And we have a lot of ground to cover this week. So I want to remind you that you can follow a text version of this podcast, with all the links and resources we share, on our shownotes page on our RV Lifestyle Travel Blog at rvlifestyle.com/302.. just go there.rvlifestyle.com/302 and you’ll find a full outline and transcript. First off, let me welcome back my lifelong traveling companion, the bride of my youth and my cohost.. .Jennifer. We share the latest… Jen is on the mend, though still has to watch talking too much so she doesn’t cough We were tested and we do not have COVID-19. We learned that doctors are seeing a spike in blood pressure problems they blame on the COVID disruptions – the Three S’s of too much Salt, too much Stress and not enough Sleep. We are taking time setting up the new RV Travel plans are still up in the air as renewed shutdowns, cancellations and hints of travel restrictions are once again bringing disruption to everyone’s RV Lifestyle On a positive note, we are very excited to report that we finally have our RV Lifestyle OFFICIAL Pinterest account up and running! For those of you who LOVE Pinterest - please Follow us and Share our posts about the RV Lifestyle. You can find us at https://www.pinterest.com/rvlifestylemike/ AND we are starting to create Pinterest-ready images over on our blog so when you Pin from our site the images are BIG and beautiful. Thank you for supporting a fun way for people to find us and what we have to offer RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Woman gored by Yellowstone bison after getting too close for a picture A woman was gored by a bison at Yellowstone National Park last week after she got too close to the massive animal while taking its picture. The woman, from California, was tossed 10-15 feet in the air, and when she stood, was attacked again. She was taking the picture near her Bridge Bay Campground campsite, and ended up being flown to a hospital for treatment. The woman was reportedly within 10 feet of the animal, causing it to feel threatened. When a wild bison feels threatened it will snort, paw the ground, bob its head, lift its tail. Rangers recommend visitors stay at least 25 feet away. California RV Show the latest big show to cancel because of COVID-19 The California RV Show is the latest casualty of COVID-19 cancelations, with organizers announcing several days ago that the show, which typically runs in early October, is off. The California RV Show is one of our favorites, attracting about 45,000 visitors. Click here to see our review of last year's show and why it is so important to the industry and consumers.. Woman taking pictures at Grand Canyon slips, falls to her death An Arizona woman fell to her death at the Grand Canyon last weekend. The woman, 59, was off trail, when she slipped and fell 100 feet while taking pictures. The woman was near Mather Point.  Three people hospitalized with severe injuries after their campfire exploded Three people were hospitalized with severe burns, including a 7-year-old, after their campfire exploded last Saturday night in Ontario, Canada. Apparently a propane cylinder was buried in their campfire pit, and it exploded when a campfire was set, causing severe injuries to those around it. The three were camping near the town of Perth. Most campgrounds throughout country now open, but restrictions remain Only New Mexico and New Hampshire state park campgrounds have either restricted access to campsites or kept the facilities closed to out of state residents, according to Campendium. But, that does not mean things are normal. Several states, such as Maine or New Mexico (click here) require those from out of state to quarantine for 14 days when crossing the border. Also in New Mexico, it is the law that everyone must wear a mask outside in a public space and it is a law that apparently is being enforced in state parks. Also in the news, Big Bend National Park is closed again because of the virus, and more changes happen daily. Again, we can't stress it enough, camping is not normal this year. While studies have shown being outside camping is one of the safest things you can do, each state is setting its own rules and procedures. As always, before heading out,  check ahead by clicking here. This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes, America's #1 e-bike brand, offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping    RV PODCAST QUESTION OF THE WEEK This came in from a reader who wanted some suggestions about what to do when he picks up his new RV soon: QUESTION: Hi Mike and Jennifer: do you have a list of questions or a checklist when one goes to take delivery of a new RV? We will be picking up our new one in a couple of weeks. Thanks. ANSWER: That’s a great question and one that has never come up like that in the form of a list. We have offered some suggestions about what to do during the walk-though – that’s what dealers call it when they take you through the RV just before you drive off – but never in detail So let’s cover what we think are the key items to ask about and get demonstrated on the lot. So our first suggestion is for you. The night before the inspection, go to the manufacturer’s website or the dealer’s inventory post on your unit and read everything you can. Jot down anything you are not clear of. Next, it’s important to know just who is giving you the walk-through. Is it the salesperson who sold it to you, or just whoever was free on the lot that day. Often, we’re sorry to say, once they get your signature on the bottom line the salesperson moves on and some dealers have “walk-though guys,” who are at best generalists who know a little about all RVs or worse, somebody who may nothing about your RV model but was drafted for the job because they didn’t have anything to do when you showed up. You want to know are they RVers themselves? How familiar are they with your particular model? Don’t let them tell you they all work alike. They don’t. Yours is unique. If you are not comfortable with the person you get, stop the walk-through and say you will complete the purchase when you get someone who has more expertise on your model. Dealers will hate me for saying this. You, though, will thank me in the long run. That’s what counts. The third of advice we have is, assuming you half a knowledgeable “walk-through” guy, get out your cell phone and video record it. Have them show you, not just tell you. After they do it, you do it. Get it all on video. Take notes, too. Don’t worry about it taking a long time. Make sure you know. The video will come in very handy down the line as you get to know your new RV. Lastly, here are the key areas we think you need to have explained and demonstrated. There may be more. But these will give you the basic background to get out there and use that RV. Many of these questions will be detailed in the thick manuals and instructions that come with the RV. Review them when you can and frequently go back to anything that is confusing. But go over these questions, too,  at the walk-through. Ready? Here they are: Hot water heater – How does it turn on? What controls does it have? How should they be set? How long does it take hot water to come out? Where do you fill the fresh water tank? Where and how do you drain the fresh water tank? Where and how do you attach city water? Is there a water filter in the RV? How often should it be changed? How do you winterize the plumbing system? How do you dewinterize the plumbing system? How do you drain the black water tanks? Get the hose out and make sure you undertsnad How do you drain the gray water tanks? Can you fill the fresh water tank from a jug? How so? How do you sanitize the water – black and grey – tanks? What should you use in the toilet to control odors? How do you plug into shore power? When on shore power, how should the battery switches and inverter be set? How do you start the generator? Is there an auto start feature when the house batteries get low? How does it work? How often do you have to “exercise” the generator? How do you check oil level in the generator and what maintenance does it require? Do you have a slide? How does it work…does the emergency brake have to be set, does it have to be level? What if the slide sticks open? Is there a lock to keep the slide from opening while driving? How do you maintain the slide? What kind of refrigerator do you have and what powers it – shore power, LP, generator, engine fuel? Does it automatically switch to whatever power is there> How does it work? How level does it have to be? How does your air conditioner work? If you have a microwave/convection oven, how is the convection oven different than the microwave? If you have automatic levelers, what do you do if one of them refuses to retract? Do you have surge protection for your RV’s electrical system to protect it from bad shore power at the pedestal? How does the bed work – Is it a sofa that makes into a bed, or a Murphy bed? If so have it demonstrated? Where are the fuses located? The breakers? How does the heater work? How do the rooftop fans work? How does the awning work?