RV Lifestyle RV Podcast

As the demand for recreational vehicles continues to grow, the RV Park and Campground industry is working hard to add new camping sites, new pricing and new amenities. This week’s guest is Paul Bambei, the President and CEO of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds and he shares about how the campground industry plans to make your camping experience this year better than ever. Besides Paul we have lots of audience questions, feedback, RV news and tips, along with a great Off-the-Beaten-Path report. Click the player below to Listen Now or scroll down through the show note details. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #142 May 31, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jennifer There are so many hobbies and activities that fit so well with the RV Lifestyle. Some of those activities can help us stay fit, too. So we learn with a tip we received this week from listeners Jeff and Deb Spencer. [spp-timestamp time="11:42"] They share a great resource from those who like to run – a website called vacationraces.com   The group has info on boondocking, camping and RVing in beautiful wilderness areas where trail runs and races can be found. And be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox. I love hearing from you! Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping! LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: Listener Bill wonders whether he should rent or buy. He’s new to RVing, thinks he wants to do it but asks our recommendations. We are big believers in renting. If he can’t find one at a dealer to rent – they are in high demand and dealers have limited rental fleets – we suggest he try a website called RVShare  [spp-timestamp time="15:49"] And we received a nice voice mail this week from, a listener named John who understands that Roadtreking isn’t about any specific brand…its all about the lifestyle w-no matter what size RV you have. [spp-timestamp time="22:00"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, and their Partner Dealerships Creston RV in Kalispell, Montana, and Wagon Trail RV in Las Vegas. Bringing You the largest Inventory of class B’s from three locations. PET TIP OF THE WEEK When we travel with our pets, there are things we need to bring with us, besides their food, bedding and some toys. Just like with humans, you should have a basic pet first-aid kit on hand. [spp-timestamp time="25:20"] Keep your pet's first-aid kit in your home and take it with you if you are traveling with your pet. One way to start your kit is to buy a first-aid kit designed for people and add pet-specific items to it. Or you can also purchase a pet first-aid kit from a pet-supply store or catalog. But you can easily assemble your own kit by gathering the items suggested by the Veterinary Medical Society. They have an special first aid for pets handout . But besides the first aid kit, make sure you also bring along the phone number of your veterinarian and health paperwork for your pet, including proof of rabies-vaccination status, copies of other immunization medical records and a current photo of your pet - in case he gets lost. This part of the podcast is brought to you by Dozers Dental Chews, an all natural and healthy treat your dog will love.  INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK – Paul Bambei, Campground Association   Paul Bambei, President and CEO of the National Association of RV arks and...

They say that up to 20% of all RVers are solo travelers, many of them single women who find fun, friends and great adventure out on the road. So it is for our interview guest this weekend, a woman named Lise, who, after three decades of marriage and a difficult divorce, suddenly found herself alone and uncertain of what life had in store for her. So, as she shares in our interview of the week, she bought an RV and took off, pushed out of her comfort zone and finding a new sense of empowerment. Also this week, listener questions, lots of RV tips, traveling tech advice and a great off-the-beaten-path report. Click the player below to Listen Now or scroll down through the show note details. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #141 May 24, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jennifer Like a lot of people, I like sleeping in darkness. And with all the technology in today’s recreational vehicles, that can be challenging. That’s because of all the glowing LED indicator lights that are shining to tell us various things are on and operating normally. [spp-timestamp time="5:15"] We’ve talked before about how to cover them up easily at night and a listener named Wade has about the simplest suggestion we have had yet! He suggests getting white electrical taps from a hardware store, using a hole punch to cut out a little circle, and then just sticking that little circle of white tape over the glowing LED. Problem solved Our listeners are the smartest people. Thanks Wade! And be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox. I love hearing from you! Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping! LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: Peggy is a new RV owner and wants to know about the wisdom of purchasing High End Motorsports Sunshades for all the windows. [spp-timestamp time="9:20"]  She asks if just the windshield shade is sufficient or should she get sunshades for all windows. Mike recommends their windshield and front side shades but then suggest she buy a roll of Reflectix and make her own for the other windows. The material keeps out the heat in the summer and keeps the heat in during the cold camping months. Here’s a video we did on how to use Reflectix in your RV. By the way, to use Reflectix in the summer it should be placed on the outside of the windows so as not to bounce back the sunshine to the glass interior. Just add double stick Velcro to fasten around the outside windows when you have stopped. The windshield sunshade from High End Motorsports can be stuck up on the inside. Michelle writes: [spp-timestamp time="14:13"] We have been vacationing for 3 years of retirement all over the country. But we are finding the call of the Gulf Coast pretty difficult to resist. We have loved "camping" in the off-season. Usually heading south we do find ourselves overnighting somewhere mid-States: Kentucky, Tennessee area--Daniel Boone National Park a number of times. And our miseries seem to start there. You never see them--but about 2 days later the most unmerciful, unrelenting itching starts around the ankles and calves of your legs. I have to guess that they also get on the dogs, as they will also be itching and when you pet them my fingers will find little welts. It has taken me until now do diagnosis that this must be chigger bites. We come from Wisconsin--so we do have them somewhat in the summer in sand...

As millions of RVers are planning their summer adventures and making lists of what to bring to add to their fun, stocking first aid kits and doing some emergency preparation planning also needs to be on all our To-Do lists. This week, we talk to a top expert from the American Red Cross in emergency wilderness and camping first aid. This is a must-listen intervew so be sure and take the time to learn what you need to do to be ready for the unexpected. Also this week, lots of audience questions and comments, along with RV news, RV tips and a fascinating Off-the-Beaten-Path Report from the Burketts. Click the player below to Listen Now or scroll down through the show note details. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast. [spp-player] JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jennifer One of the things we like the most about doing this podcast is hearing from you and receiving your tips. Sometimes, it’s about how to do things better while on the road, or maybe a helpful Do-It-Yourself Project. Or it could be a nifty product you came across that you want to share with the audience. [spp-timestamp time="7:06"] So it was today with a listener named Ed. Ed’s product is a Bem Multi Function Lantern EXO-900, a 300 lumen lantern with three different power levels. It has a blue tooth speaker and can even be used to recharge cell phones. He found his for $30 at his local Sams Club. On Amazon, it is $48. And be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox. I love hearing from you! Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping! LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: Dan asks about parking a Class B RV in regular parking lots, noting how Mike uses his as a second vehicle to run errands around town. Dan seeks more elaboration on the ease of parking.[spp-timestamp time="12:21"] Jeff asks about using an electric can opener or a toaster in a Class B RV and wants to know if they are worth the space.[spp-timestamp time="16:44"] Steve is a soon to be fulltime RVer and solo traveler and he wonders whether he needs a Class A or a Class B to work in from the road. [spp-timestamp time="18:58"] Sue winders whether she should get a dedicated Mi-Fi data card for on the road connectivity or use her iPhone as a hot spot. [spp-timestamp time="22:54"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, and their Partner Dealerships Creston RV in Kalispell, Montana, and Wagon Trail RV in Las Vegas. Bringing You the largest Inventory of class B’s from three locations. PET TIP OF THE WEEK We had a nice voicemail from a listener named Ken, who heard our recent Traveling with Pets T about how Mike and I make a point to find off-leash dig parks for Bo while we’re traveling. Ken knew we were in Florida this week and offered this tip about a dog park he likes.[spp-timestamp time="27:56"] Thanks Ken. Next time we travel through the Punta Gorda area of Florida, we’ll be sure to check out the Hounds of Henry Park. But while I’m on the topic of dog parks, let’s talk about problems that can happen at any park, namely, over-aggressive dogs. That happened to us last night at a park we visited. There are times when as a pet owner, you need to either cut your visit short or not go in at all. Last night, there was a German Shepherd and a Great Dane in the park, along with many other dogs. The shepherd was extremely possessive of its owner and became very aggressive whenever anther dog came near.

Would you like to leave your current job and fulltime in an RV? Or perhaps you’re retired and would like to travel more in your recreational vehicle but need to have some income to offset the costs of living on the road. In this episode, we talk about making money while you’re out there RVing. Yes, it is possible – and practical – to make enough money to live in an RV full-time, travel, and enjoy life! You may be surprised to know there are more jobs for RVers and work campers than there are RVers and campers willing to work. You can also earn a living running a business from your RV. Our guest today has been helping RVers find paying jobs for many years. Her name is Colleen and, with husband, Bob, she publishes a Workers on Wheels website that keeps track of temporary, seasonal, and mobile jobs that pay. Also, RV based business, online careers, work camper campground jobs, and volunteer workamper positions. You can do them all while traveling, camping, or living in a recreational vehicle – while being Workers On Wheels! Plus your questions, comments and tips. Click the player below to Listen Now or scroll down through the show note details. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #139 May 10, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK In an RV, storage space is at a premium. And one of the things that takes up a lot of that space is clothing.[spp-timestamp time="8:10"] Lise's shoe storage bag holds her clothng. She found this at Ikea We recently met a woman named Lise, who travels solo in her Class B RV. And Lise showed us how she’s able to maximize her clothes storage with a great accessory. She uses a cloth shoe storage bag she bought at Ikea, rolling her clothes and keeping them in the shoe storage bins. See the photo at left. Meanwhile, be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox. I love hearing from you! Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping! LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: First this listener note about a recent tip we had on our YouTube RV Lifestyle Channel about removing bugs that get squished on our windshields.  You can find that tip on our RV Tips and How-To Playlist or by clicking here [spp-timestamp time="12:40"] Listener Julie is looking for an owner’s manual for her Roadtrek RV. We refer her to the Roadtrek.com corporate site, Here’s a link to the page that lets you download a manual for every model they have made. [spp-timestamp time="15:03"] Jon wants to know how long he has to wait for an RV that is propelled by electricity. Mike says a very long time as he knows of nothing like that in the works for RVers. [spp-timestamp time="16:28"] And listener Jeff has a suggestion to the person in episode 138 of the RV Podcast who wanted to use a crock pot to slow cook as they drive down the road in their RV. It’s a non-electric Thermal Cooker. It comes with an inner pot that will go over the stove top to boil the food. Once the food is boiled, set into the outer, stainless steel vacuum insulated container to allow the food to cook thoroughly without fire or electricity while the outside body stays cool to touch. We found a whole page of them on Amazon starting at a little over $60. [spp-timestamp time="17:34"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, and their Partner Dealerships Creston RV in Kalispell, Montana, and Wagon Trail RV in Las Vegas.

The RV industry is booming, no doubt about it. But it’s also changing and facing new challenges and opportunities. In this week’s interview, we sit down with Jim Hammill, the CEO of the Erwin Hymer Group of North America, the corporate owners of Roadtrek Motorhomes. Jim is a straight talking, shoot from the hip guy who tells it like it is and coming up in the interview segment of the podcast, you’ll learn how the trends shaping the RV industry will impact your RV Lifestyle. Plus lots of reader questions, some great tips, traveling with technology and a fun off the beaten path report. Click the player below to Listen Now or scroll down through the show note details. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #138 May 3, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Podcast: Mike and Jennifer share their whereabouts:[spp-timestamp time="3:00"] A recent visit to Arizona and an RV show devoted to nothing but small motorhomes Jennifer’s mishap that left her with a broken hand Their current trip to the Gulf Coast and where they stay overnight while on long drive days JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jennifer One of the fun things about visiting RV shows like the Super B small RV show that Mike and I attended this past weekend in Glendale, AZ is visiting with other RVers and sharing tips and suggestions. [spp-timestamp time="8:11"] So it was with one of our listeners named Jim, who came out to meet us and offered a tip about using mobile RV repair services when local RV service centers can’t squeeze you in for an appointment. And be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox. I love hearing from you! Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping! LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: Sharon has a question about using a crock pot with a small inverter of the type that can charge a laptop. She was specifically wondering if the Energizer Cup Inverter being offered by Verizon would work. A crock potis a slow-cooking vessel which uses a heating element. It has two settings, Low (223 watts) and High (312 watts). The Energizer inverter is only capable of a continuous power output of 180n watts, not nearly enough for a power hungry crock pot. Here’s a guide to choosing the best one for you. [spp-timestamp time="12:34"] Ron and Jan share their excitement about being new RVers [spp-timestamp time="16:25"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, and their Partner Dealerships Creston RV in Kalispell, Montana, and Wagon Trail RV in Las Vegas. Bringing You the largest Inventory of class B’s from three locations. PET TIP OF THE WEEK Mike and I are big fans of off-leash dog parks. It keeps Bo happy, healthy and out of trouble. Not all dogs are good candidates for off leash parks. Before you take your pet to one, make sure it has been socialized well and gets along with other dogs, If so, visits to your local dog park can greatly enrich her life: [spp-timestamp time="20:45"] Bo and his K9 pals Sushi and Princess at an off-leash dog park in Fort Walton Beach, FL Here are three reasons why Pet MD says off leash parks are a wise choice for pet owners Physical and mental exercise for dogs- Your dog can zoom around off-leash to her heart’s content, investigate new smells, wrestle with her dog buddies and fetch toys until she happily collapses. Many dogs are so mentally and physically exhausted by a trip to the dog park that they snooze for...

With the return spring and warm weather, many RVers are making their first trips to the great outdoors this time of year. And seeing wildlife in or adventures is always exciting, especially when we encounter newborn animal babies out in the wild. But what is the best way to behave when we come across these little critters? Too many people make too many mistakes when encountering wildlife babies and this week, in our interview section, we talk to an expert who sets us straight on how we can best protect those animal babies… and ourselves. Also this week, lots of RV news, Tips, a bucket list report and, as always, your comments and questions. [spp-player] Complete shownotes for Episode 137 of The RV Podcast by Mike and Jennifer Wendland WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THESE DAYS: Join us this weekend at the huge: Super B RV Show [spp-timestamp time="2:22"] University of Phoenix Stadium Class B RV Show Dates: Thursday, April 27th to Sunday, April 30th. Time: 9am to 7pm Location:University of Phoenix Stadium (Inside) 1 Cardinals Dr. Glendale, AZ 85305 FREE PARKING & ADMISSION Here is your opportunity to compare Class B & C RVs side by side from these manufacturers: Roadtrek, Hymer, Leisure Travel Vans, Winnebago, Thor Motor Coach, Tiffin and Jayco! Plus, get a sneak peak of concept vehicles on display to see what may be coming in the future. Almost 100 different floorplans to consider in vehicles that are 26 feet in length and shorter. Attend a FREE seminar from Roadtrek. Learn about their EcoTrek system, VoltStart system and solar! Meet factory personnel including: Jim Hammill, President & CEO of Erwin Hymer Group North America Trent Tiffin of Tiffin Motorhomes Royer Allman of Mercedes Benz Mike and Jennifer Wendland, Roadtreking.com We’ll be doing Facebook Live videos on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 3PM Eastern time on our Roadtreking Facebook Page at The show is an indoor RV show, so you can leave the heat outside and shop comfortably indoors Also... Our YouTube Channel has been redesigned and reorganized, now offering hundreds of RV videos on just about every topic. It’s called Mike and Jennifer’s RV Lifestyle Channel and we put up new videos all the time. We invite you to subscribe! [spp-timestamp time="5:22"] JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jennifer The RV community is a very sharing group of people and one of the most enjoyable things for me as Mike and I travel about reporting on the RV lifestyle is hearing from members of our RV community who have great tips to pass along. [spp-timestamp time="9:18"] So it is today with one from Tom, from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada who has a suggestion about choosing a mattress to put on our bed. Specifically, Tom mentions the Therm-a-Rest type of mattress…. And he has five reasons why it may make sense for your RV. Like Tom said, you can find Therm-a-Rest air mattresses at most outdoor stores. There’s also a bunch of them on Amazon. We’ll put a link on the shownotes for this episode at Roadtreking-dot-com-slash-137 And be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox. I love hearing from you! Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping! LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: Wade has a great DIY solution for dimming the bright lights of various displays in the RV so as to be able to sleep in darkness. [spp-timestamp time="14:14"] Scott wants to know about the ProAir undermount AC and its availability [spp-timestamp time="18:07"]

In this episode we meet a couple who have been RVing for 40 years! They started in a popup and now have a Class B RV and they share how RVing has allowed them to enhance and enjoy other interests and hobbies, like discovering antiques, old cars, trains, planes and all things mechanical. Also this week, lots of reader comments and questions, traveling technology tips and a special off the beaten path report about an amazing natural phenomenon you need to see. Click the player below to Listen Now or scroll down through the show note details. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #136 April 19,2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Podcast: What Mike and Jennifer are up to this week: [spp-timestamp time="2:04"] Mike is awaiting the arrival of the brand new Samsung Galaxy 8 Plus smartphone, coming this week. He’s also been working on the RV Podcast and Blog You Tube channel – You can sign up at: https://www.youtube.com/user/roadtrekingmike Jennifer is working on a video on how to keep the cushions in the RV from sliding off while driving, turning corners, etc. Next week, we’re heading to Arizona, Phoenix area for The Super B RV Show April 26-30 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ. Jennifer and Mike will be there! Come meet them, ask questions. Roadtrek will also be conducting seminars. And there will be representatives on hand form all of the major Class B motorhome manufacturers. JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Kiki in her Onesie I get so many of my tips from friends we meet on the road, in campgrounds at our Roadtreking gatherings. So it was not long ago when we met our friend Kiki around a campfire. She was wearing a Onesie. You know what a Onesie is… its those one piece jumpsuit-like coveralls that we buy toddlers and infants to keep them all warm and cozy. Well, Kiki was indeed that, in an adult Onesie… perfect for hanging around a campfire. [spp-timestamp time="5:50"] Kiki got hers from a local store in northern Michigan. But you can also find a wide variety of them in all different sizes on Amazon. And be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox. I love hearing from you! Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping! LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: Jan is a new RVer and wonders why the monitors inside her RV are so bright and how they can be dimmed so the panel lights are not as jarring at night. [spp-timestamp time="10:41"] Arvid has an alternative to the Lynx Leveling blocks many of us use for our RVs. The curved device he suggests is the Anderson Hitches 3604 x 2 2 Pack Camper Leveler and chock set. I warn you, it’s expensive. $82 on Amazon. A cheaper alternative for just $17 is the Camco Yellow Tri-Leveler. The Tri-Leveler features a gradient of three levels for simple, customizable leveling up to 3-7/8-inch. [spp-timestamp time="17:06"] Craig wants to know of a good exterior wax for his RV. We suggest Turtle Wax paste, available in most stores. Here’s a handy article we found that recommends other waxes, all of which is fine - http://www.doityourselfrv.com/what-is-the-best-product-to-use-for-waxing-your-rv/[spp-timestamp time="20:20"] Laura was interested in Campskunk’s planned RV trip to Europe, which we talked about in Episode 135 of the RV Podcast. She shared how years ago she and her husband took advantage of a unique way to buy a new RV in Europe from Volkswagon and then ship it back here as a ...

Our longtime boondocking buddy Campskunk has shared lots of information on the blog and podcast about traveling North America as a fulltime RVer. But he’s now expanding his territory and is about to embark on a six month RV tour of Europe. His RV is now on a ship somewhere in the mid Atlantic. In a week or so, Campskunk and his wife, Sharon, and their cat, Fiona, will fly to Belgium and pick their RVup at the dock and begin the tour. In this episode of the RV Podcast, Campskunk shares what you need to do to take your RV to Europe. And he tells us the places he’ll go, where he’ll boondock and how much it will cost. Plus your RV questions, RV news and lots of tips and helpful RV information. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #135 April 12, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jennifer One frustration many RVers have is not having enough room to take all the things they’d like in those small RV refrigerators. Our friends Tom Burkett and his wife, Patti, have found an innovate way to get more food in the RV freezer   The Burkett's freezer template Tom shares his idea with us at [spp-timestamp time="5:20"] And be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox.I love hearing from you! Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping! LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: Rosie asks for advice in cleaning the little fuzzies and stuff that accumulates on the window screens of her RV. We answer, noting that clean screens produce more efficient air flow through your windows and will make you breathe better. Normally, to meticulously clean your RV screens, you remove them and wash them off with soap and water. But if they are just dusty, a microfiber towel which you can buy at WalMart or in auto stores can do the trick even without water. You will be surprised how it can do wonders to your screen. A small battery operated vacuum like the Dirt Devil also helps. [spp-timestamp time="9:04"] Pam wants to remodel her older RV. One such place is focalwood.com in Indiana. They specialize in RV makeovers and amish-crafted RV furniture like tables, desk units, headboards, window treatments and much more. Another is RVMakeovers in Wheat Ridge, CO. They do all sorts of projects on RV kitchens, baths, flooring and more on Sprinters, campervans and lots of Class A, B and C motorhomes. [spp-timestamp time="12:08"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, and their Partner Dealerships Creston RV in Kalispell, Montana, and Wagon Trail RV in Las Vegas. Bringing You the largest Inventory of class B’s from three locations. PET TIP OF THE WEEK We’ve heard of jobs for volunteer campground hosts at RV parks. But here’s one for you dog owners. You and your pet can become “Bark Rangers.” [spp-timestamp time="17:58"] Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan is hosting an orientation meeting for anyone interested in volunteering to serve as a “Bark Ranger.” Bark Ranger volunteers and their canine companions serve as ambassadors on national lakeshore beaches to provide visitors information about the park, highlight pet policies, and pet safety. Bark Rangers will also help to protect the lakeshore’s nesting shorebirds. You do not have to own a dog to become a Bark Ranger. Bark Rangers will receive training and Bark Ranger gear for their dog, if they choose to volunteer with their dog. “We started this program last year and it was very successful,

In this episode of the Roadtreking RV Lifestyle Podcast we answer one of the most asked questions we get – what are our sleeping arrangements in the RV? We talk about how we set up our RV bed, what we use for bedding and comfort and how and where we store it. This is a question we get in several variations a couple of times each week so in this episode, we go into great detail. And we’ll share resources on the gear we use for our RV bed. Also this week, a very interesting interview with Charlie Adcock, the President of the Family Motorcoach Association. Charlie talks candidly about the future of this very influential organization and how to survive, the FMCA needs to reach out to other RVers, specifically those who have towables – travel trailers and fifth wheels. You’ll also want to learn about the FMCA’s Member Assist Program, which offers what I think is the most essential peace of mind an RVer can have if, while traveling, the worst happens – a heart attack, or death or being stranded on the road because of an incapacitating injury or illness. Also in this episode, as always, RV News, traveling, tech and pet tips and a great off-the-beaten-path report. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #133 March 29,2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jennifer When you go on a long trip and leave your sticks and bricks home, one of the worries is that there will be a power outage while you are gone. The nation’s electric grid and infrastructure is in decline and outages happen more and more. [spp-timestamp time="8:30"] So maybe you get home and see the clocks all blinking – a sure sign of an outage. What you don’t know is how long there was no electricity. Maybe it’s been just a few hours, but also there is a possibility it’s been for days. In this case, the food in your refrigerator have been defrosted and spoiled. Now if you see that happened – that the frozen food is all squishy soft, the best thing to do is to throw it out right away. But even if it’s frozen solid when you check, that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. That’s because food freezes again when electricity comes back. So you can’t notice it was thawed. This can be a major threat to your health because the food may spread salmonella and other bacteria. The food can stay safe without power at least 4 hours, only if the fridge is left unopened. The door of the fridge should be closed as much as possible to keep the cold temperature. The food in the freezer can stay safe without power for 48 hours, but only if it is full. The food is safe in the freezer for 24 hours if it is half-full. But if it’s re-frozen, how do you know? Here is a trick you can use to find out how long your freezer was without any power. This way you will discover if your food may be consumed or it spent too much time being warm. Pour some water into a cup and place it in the freezer. When there is only ice in the cup, place the coin on the top of the cup and put it back into the freezer. Next time you come back from a long trip, take a look at the coin. If the coin is still at the top or in the middle of the ice cubes in the cup, there was no electricity, but only for a short period, which is why the water was only partly melted. In addition, if the coin is at the bottom of the cup, it shows that there was no electricity for a long period, which caused the water to dissolve completely and thus the coin sank to the bottom. If this is the case for your freezer, do not consume the food that is in your freezer. That’s this week’s tip. Do you have an RV tip or suggestion for me? You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox. I love hearing from you!

On August 21, 2017, millions of people across the United States will see nature's most wondrous spectacle — a total eclipse of the Sun. It is a scene of unimaginable beauty; the Moon completely blocks the Sun, daytime becomes a deep twilight, and the Sun’s corona shimmers in the darkened sky. In this week’s podcast, we offer a guide to understand, prepare for, and view this rare celestial event. We interview Michael Zeiler, the founder of the Great American Eclipse website, who tells us why RVers are in the best position to view this stupendous event. That interview is coming up in just a few minutes, along with audience Q&A, lots of RV News and tips and an off the beaten path report. Click the player below to Listen Now or scroll down through the show note details. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #32 March 22, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: MONOLOGUE Here’s the link to the post from our Facebook Group that Jennifer and Mike talked about, the story of the snakeskin in the RV: [spp-timestamp time="4:22"] https://www.facebook.com/groups/roadtreking/permalink/775652012593780/  JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jennifer Have you ever had trouble sleeping in your RV at night because it’s too bright? Then listen to listener Nancy Richardson’s tip on making your own black out curtains. [spp-timestamp time="9:29"] Great tip! Do you have one? Well consider this an invitation send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox. I love hearing from you! Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping! LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: Kevin asks about the Volcano Grill… Mike shares his thoughts about this $145 three-fuel portable camping grill. [spp-timestamp time="14:24"] Two email questions this week: From Neal: Just wondering if you have encountered any problems with using BioDiesel in your Roadtreck.  I have the same chassis with a Winnebago unit and I’m planning a cross country trip this Summer.  Did you encounter places where you could not find regular diesel and if so, were there any problems using BioDiesel? [spp-timestamp time="17:30"] From Anette: Greetings! I have recently found your website and can't stay long enough to hear enough! I am in the process of purchasing my first Roadtrek! It is a 2009 170 popular with 25,000 miles, one owner. Your podcasts have been soooo very helpful. I have wanted a Roadtrek for the last ten years and have been actively been look for 3 years. My question is do you have any recommendations for a company for extended warranties? You might talk about it on one of your shows, but I have a ton to listen to. Thank you very much for your helpful tips and information. [spp-timestamp time="21:25"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, and their Partner Dealerships Creston RV in Kalispell, Montana, and Wagon Trail RV in Las Vegas. Bringing You the largest Inventory of class B’s from three locations. PET TIP OF THE WEEK We all know that humans need skin protection from too much sun. But do you dogs do, too? No granted, dogs heavy fur cast minimize the risk over much of their bodies but one part of them is very susceptible to sun damage: Their nose. [spp-timestamp time="26:07"] A sunburned nose on your dog can be painful, and they can also increase your dog’s risk of cancer. Search for sunscreens that are designed specifically for dogs,