RV Lifestyle RV Podcast

Are you planning your 2017 RV travels? Be sure to include Canada this year. There’s no better time to visit our neighbor to the north as the nation proudly celebrates its 150th birthday. And Canada’s amazing National Parks are making it particularly attractive for RVers this year with a pass that allows free entrance all year long, no matter where you’re from, Canada, the U.S. or anywhere else. We’ll tell you how to get one and offer lots of suggestions on what to see and where to go in Canada this year….coming up in our interview segment of the podcast. Plus tips for you, your pets and your on the go technology, as well as audience questions, RV news of the week and the RV calendar… all this coming up in episode 131 of the Roadtreking RV Lifestyle podcast. 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] Complete Show Notes for Episode #131 March 15, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: Save the Date! Mark down April 27-29 if you are in the American Southwest within driving distance of Phoenix, AZ. Jennifer and I will be there that weekend making personal appearances, meeting and greeting folks at the big Class B RV show and expo sponsored by the good folks at La Mesa RV. [spp-timestamp time="8:29"] There’s a free BBQ that Saturday, demos of the latest in Class B technology and displays featuring the latest models from Roadtrek and others. We’ll have more to say about this but for now, if you can get there, put it on your calendar…April 27-29, 2017 in the Phoenix AZ area. JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jennifer Our Roadtreking friend Mary Z recently shared a fascinating article from Outdoor magazine that notes sixteen hundred people go missing from our public lands each year. They’re on a hike or jogging or exploring, usually not from camp or a road and they are never seen again. We’ll put a link to the article from the magazine on the Roadtreking-dot-com blog but Mary, who used to work for the Forest Service posted this on our Roadtreking Facebook Group that I think is worth passing along here on the podcast. [spp-timestamp time="10:55"] Says Mary: “I am retired Forest Service and I have seen this happen so many times people disappear without a trace. If you are solo make sure people know where you are headed. I witnessed people disappear on Forest Service roads, and no one had an inkling they where they were. We found several dead in unexpected locations. Let your family know your plans and if you hike solo, as I do, take less risk and sign in to those trail head logs, your life may depend on it.” Mary’s post brought some good responses and even more tips: Said Rick: “Always carry a little, but loud, whistle. I include one in my first aid kit, camera bag and glove compartment” Another Facebook reader noted: “My husband always lets me know which trail he is taking and what time he should be back by.” And Connie added: “Be very cautious following your GPS. More than once we have been directed to forest service or Township roads totally unsuitable for a vehicle, especially a Roadtrek. Keep road maps up front (along with common sense). “ Good tips all! 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: Sue is getting ready for a three month RV trip and ha...

On everyone’s bucket list is Yellowstone National Park. But after record crowds and a series of unfortunate incidents last year, this year, before you go, park officials are asking you to take the “Yellowstone Pledge.” What is it? Listen to our interview of the week, as we learn about the pledge and what else is new for 2017 at Yellowstone. Plus, an important update to our recent report on Ticks and Lyme disease that shows a just released report predicting an epidemic of tick infestations, particularly on the eastern seaboard. And we have RV questions, tips 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 #130 March 8, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: OPENING MONOLOGUE I've written before about the dangers of truck tire retreads and the shredded parts left on the road when they blow out and how the tire remnants cause damage and sometimes injuries. [spp-timestamp time="2:31 "] It happened to us on I-75 just north of Chattanooga over the weekend. A part of a truck tire was hit by a vehicle in front of us and flew up and took out my side mirror. We are very glad it wasn't the window it hit as that would have injured Jennifer in the passenger seat. Nasty. Truck retreads and the "gators" they leave are real hazard on the roads! They cause over 25,000 accidents and at least 100 deaths each year in the United States and Canada. JENNIFER’S TIP OF THE WEEK - Tick Prediction Update We’ve talked on this podcast before about how bad Lyme Disease has become. As we reported in Episode 128 a couple of weeks ago, Lyme Disease s contracted in humans primarily through ticks. Officially, the Centers for Disease Control report 30,000 cases are diagnosed every year. [spp-timestamp time="7:20"] They actually suspect the real number is 10 times that! That means 300,000 people come down with this very serious illness every year in the U.S. alone. The reason we’re revisiting this as a tip this week is because officials have come up with a way to estimate how bad tick infestations and Lyme disease will be in any given year. And the prognosis for 2017 is grim. They are predicting an epidemic. NPR recently did a major story on this. We will link to it on the podcast. but, essentially, scientists who have studied Lyme for more than 20 years, have come up with an early warning system for the disease. They can predict how many cases there will be a year in advance by looking at one key measurement: Count the mice the year before. The explanation is simple: Mice are highly efficient transmitters of Lyme. They infect up to 95 percent of ticks that feed on them. Mice are responsible for infecting the majority of ticks carrying Lyme in the Northeast. And ticks love mice. An individual mouse might have 50, 60, even 100 ticks covering its ears and face. The warm winter has led to an explosion of mice, killed off much fewer ticks than usual and, as a result, 2017 is predicted to be the worse year yet. The disease shows up in Maine, swoops down the East Coast into Washington, D.C., and southern Virginia. Then it hops to the Midwest into northern Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. There are also small pockets of Lyme on the West Coast. So what can you do to keep from getting infected? The experts say you should do a tick check to your daily routine, When you're in the shower check your body for tiny ticks, especially the places they like to hide. That's the scalp, behind the ears, the armpits and in the groin area. If you do find a tick, get it off as quickly as possible. The longer an infected tick stays on your skin, the greater the chance it will pass the Lyme bacteria on to you. EDIT   Generally, it takes about 24 hours for the tick to infect a person after it starts biting.

We love hearing how other people use their RV. In this episode of the Roadtreking RV Podcast we meet Jim and Carolyn Diepenbruck who have one of the most inspirational stories we’ve ever encountered about how they use their RV to help them bring support and encouragement to Gold Star families who have lost loved ones to conflict in the armed services. You’ll definitely want to tune in to meet the Diepenbrucks, subjects of our interview of the week. Plus, lots of email questions, reader tips and helpful RV news and information. 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 #129 March 1, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: Rhonda Phipps roasts Starburst candies on marshmallow sticks JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Today’s tip is a fun one… and tasty, at that! [spp-timestamp time="11:12"] Quick now: What do you roast around a campfire at night? Marshmallows, sure. We all love gooey marshmallows and s’mores. But there’s another treat you can put on that marshmallow stick. Listen up as our friend Rhonda Phipps shares an alternative – Star Burst candy! Thanks Rhonda! 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! And if you are attending the Portland RV show March 8-12 be sure to see Rad Power Bikes on display! LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: Listener Don has a question about the new Hymer Activ RV, a relative new Class B in the North American market. You can find more info at http://www.gohymer.com/ [spp-timestamp time="15:13"] Here’s a list of where you can see the Activ at an upcoming RV show - http://www.gohymer.com/upcoming-tradeshows-and-events/ Here’s an Activ dealer list http://www.gohymer.com/dealer-locator/ Meanwhile, here are some email questions that came in this week: From Alan: Newbie question. If I park my RV at home and it has a 30amp cord, how do I plug it in to a cord from my house? [spp-timestamp time="17:40"] From Nancy: This question is for Jennifer. Please talk about driving your motorhome. I know my husband wishes I would drive more but, frankly, it scares me. I know you drive. I guess I need a little female persuasion that tells it like it really is, rather than my husband’s advice to “just get behind the wheel and do it!” Do you know what I mean? Men! Thanks in advance. [spp-timestamp time="18:53"] 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 This week’s pet tip is for those of you who travel with cats, although I would think those who have very small dogs will also want to take notice of it. [spp-timestamp time="24:44"] It comes from reader Ken Sowell, who passes along this valuable information; Dear Mike and Jennifer: I listened to the tip on lost pets on the podcast this week and an additional comment.  We travel with our two cats.  When we checked into Banff National Park for a stopover on our way to Alaska, the check-in ranger saw one our cats who rides on the right dash in the windshield.  She warned that coyotes in the park were picking off pet cats and we should be cautious with our pets in the park.

With warmer weather, we are spending more and more time outdoors again and that means more exposure to a tiny creature that poses big problems. I’m talking about ticks, a biting, blood-sucking bug not much bigger than a pinhead. But they are nothing to take lightly. Ticks are everywhere, increasing in numbers, and spreading a serious illness called Lyme Disease. You need to listen to our interview his week with a top expert on tick infestation and Lyme Disease, a very real threat to any RVer who spends a lot of time outdoors. Also this weeks, lots of tips, listener questions, RV News of the Week, the RV Calendatr 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 #128 2/22/17 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK We’ve talked before about a great product called Reflectix, an insulating product that comes in rolls and can be easily cut to fit inside and around your RV’s windows. Most recently, we used it on a winter camping trip in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and it did a great of keeping our Roadtrek motorhome warm by preventing the inside heat from escaping through the windows. But you can also use Reflectix in the summer to keep your air-conditioned coolness in, and the outside heat…out! A listener named Tom tells us the Reflectix should be applied on the outside of the window, not the inside. Don’t put inside the window because it would reflect too much heat onto the window and could damage the glass. Mount it outside, with stick on Velcro, just as Tom suggests! [spp-timestamp time="8:45"] 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: Joyce has air in her water lines and wants to know how to get it out [spp-timestamp time="12:42"] Bill saw our recent Videoblog about our trip south and through Nashville and wants to know how to beat rush hour traffic in big cities [spp-timestamp time="14:40"] And Bob asks about amateur radio and RVing. [spp-timestamp time="18:05"] 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 What could be worse than losing your pet while on an RV trip? [spp-timestamp time="23:26"] Bo's collar with name and phone number engraved on it It happens and it happens much too often. Our pets can be stressed and confused in new environments and be frightened by those unfamiliar surroundings. Do you know that lack of identification means as few as 14% of pets ever find their way home after getting lost? So for starters, always have your pets wear a collar with ID. Our Bo has his name and our phone number engraved on his collar, We don’t have to worry about a metal tag getting snagged and falling off. But there’s even a better way: Microchipping. About the size of a rice grain, a microchip is inserted under the skin in less than a second. It needs no battery and can be scanned by a vet or an animal control officer in seconds. If your pet gets lost and is taken to a vet clinic or animal shelter, your pet will be scanned for a microchip to reveal his unique ID ...

On the Valentine’s Day episode of the Roadtreking RV Podcast, Mike and Jennifer answer your questions about their relationship, living for long periods in a 24-foot camper van and how two people so different can get along so well. I’ve been saving all sorts of questions our audience has been sending Jennifer and me over the years - questions perhaps more personal than practical - and decided this Valentine’s Day week that we’ll use those questions to interview ourselves and answer some of the more revealing questions about us. Plus we have tech and pet tips, RV travel advice and the most romantic RV memories from our Off-the-Beaten-Path reporters Tom and Patti Burkett. 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 #127 Feb 15, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jennifer We love listening to audiobooks as we drive. [spp-timestamp time="8:38"] With CD players now a thing of the past for most new vehicles, downloading them and playing them back through a device is the most common way to get them. But they cost a small fortune from the app stores. That’s where Hoopla (www.hoopladigital.com) comes in. Hoopla is a free app for Android, iOS (Apple) or Kindle that lets you download audiobooks directly to your smartphone or tablet from your home public library. For free. Naturally, you have to belong to a public library and have a valid membership. Besides audiobooks, Hoopla lets you check out movies and TV shows and, of course, ebooks. They download to your device for offline playback, meaning you’re not streaming and thus eating up your data plan, or dependent on wi-fi. There are hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from, with more being added daily and titles are automatically returned and removed from your device at the end of the lending period, typically after a month. We love this app. It saves us money and makes those miles go by faster. Do you have an RV tip you’d like to share? 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: We answer three email questions this week: [spp-timestamp time="12:00"] We were hoping you might have experience with a product that does a good job of removing odor from the soft surfaces. Any ideas? Gary and Carol My sister and I are getting ready for a cross-country trip -- (a straight shot across via I-80), in my 2014 Ranger RT. I was looking for a list of all your podcasts.....just the number and title, so we could select those of interest and listen to them while on the road. Do you have a Word/PDF document that I could print off giving just the number and title of all 120+ Thanks!!! - Joan I'm 85 and have some health issues (heart & arthritis). We live in Tampa,FL and hope to leave in April to drive around the country by taking the southern route to San Diego, coast road to Seattle, then east via the northern route. We travel with a cocker spaniel and a cat. I am nervous about lack of cellular service and MB service when we get "Out West". I have the opportunity to buy a 2008 Honda Fit to use as a tow car for flat towing. In the event of problems we could use the Fit to drive for help. We could also use it for side trips into town, etc. The main objective is peace of mind. Earlier experience included losing our Alison transm...

One of the biggest fears many RVers have is fire. Each year, RV fires cause deaths, many injuries and tens of millions of dollars in damages. So to help us fireproof our RVs, this week we interview one of our friends, Mark Polk of RVEduction101.com. Mark is a true expert on all aspects of RVs and RV safety and has critical and very practical advice for us in this episode about keeping our RVs safe from fire. Plus we have lots of news, tips, RV information and, as always, your questions and comments about the RV lifestyle. 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 #126 Feb. 8, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jennifer We love to boondock. We also love to camp in the wintertime. Both types of RVing can pose challenges in staying clean. When on long boondocking trips, we try to conserve our water. In the winter, with no water in the fresh water tanks, it’s the same thing. We connected with our Roadtreking friend Jan Mathews on a recent winter campout and she showed us a very handy way to clean and bathe when water is in short supply. Jan suggests cleaning cloths available in pharmacies for bedridden patients. [spp-timestamp time="7:00"] 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. If I use your tip in the podcast, we’ll send you a free Roadtreking hat! 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 in Tucson has a bunch of questions. She wants to know what Jennifer takes in terms of pans and silverware utensils. She asks us about storing a portable BarbeQue. We share our solution - a small Coleman two burner propane stove that cleans up easy and stores in an airtight case [spp-timestamp time="11:20"] John is coming to the Oregon eclipse gathering in August and wonders if it’s okay to bring a dog. By all means, we tell him! [spp-timestamp time="20:40"] Bill has a Roadtrek Versatile 190. He’s a trout fisherman and wonders how to stash is fishing rods. He also wonders about a small trailer for his kayaks and bikes. Mike tells him to check out to Yak-Shak Kayak Trailers - https://youtu.be/wEXfBRck8YY [spp-timestamp time="22:28"] 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 There was a very sad story we came across this week from California. A dog locked in a car died of heat exhaustion on Sunday in Palm Springs. Now no one would think it’s hot out there this time of year. The day this happened, the high only reached 70 degrees. [spp-timestamp time="26:34"] But you get direct sunlight even on cooler days. It can be very warm inside a vehicle. Think of it like a solar oven, basically, in your car. Police say that dog left inside of a car for more than three hours in Palm Springs died of heat exhaustion on a 70 degree day. Police say the dog's body temperature reached 104 degrees by the time police came in contact with the owner. The owner was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor. Here’s the warning: Experts say there can be as much as a 40- to 50-degree difference between what's outside and inside a closed up vehicle.

Have you ever dreamed about fulltiming, or at least spending extended periods of time in your RV, traveling the country, seeing the sights, free and easy down the road? Well we have news for you: It’s not free. Just how much will it cost to live fulltime on the road in your RV? This week, we talk to an accountant and lawyer who retired at the age of 41 and has been fulltiming with his wife in an RV for the last 11 years. They’ve kept track of every cent he’s spent and he has lots to share on this week’s episode. Our guest is Howard Payne of RV-Dreams.com and you'll want to listen to his excellent advice Also this week, your questions, comments, plus lots of tips and RV news. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #125 Feb. 1, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK This week’s tip comes from our friend Ari Adler… Let’s listen: [spp-timestamp time="8:05"] By Ari Adler I have something to share for your tip of the week that folks might find helpful. Often, people are worried about humidity in their RVs depending on the weather they are traveling through. I found a mini-dehumidifier -- called an Eva-Dry -- that’s designed to help keep small areas moisture-free. Although it’s target use is really more for closets or bathrooms, the unit works well inside small RVs like Roadtreks. The Eva-Dry is small and requires no electricity or batteries to operate. It’s designed with a special absorbing silica gel that is odorless and nontoxic. One of the best parts is the little window in the front of the unit that has moisture crystals that start as one color and slowly change to another as the gel absorbs moisture. Once the crystals completely change color, you simply plug the unit into an electrical outlet for about 8 to 10 hours so it can warm up, dry out and renew itself. The manufacturer claims this process can be done many times for years. Jessi and I have used this for several months and it seems to be working well in terms of absorbing moisture and humidity from our 2008 190 Popular. The Eva-Dry can either sit somewhere in your rig, or you can use the included hook to hang it up. The Eva-Dry is available at Camping World and Amazon. Prices vary, but the small version is usually available for less than $25. Here is a link to the unit at Amazon: http://amzn.to/2koahYM Thanks, Ari… and for everyone 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: A new RVer named Shelly wonders about where to find the least expensive RV parks in Florida and wonders why the only time there are discounts there is during the summer [spp-timestamp time="14:38"] Listener Lisa calls in to talk about all the red tape involved in buying a used RV from a private seller in California [spp-timestamp time="18:17"] And listener Dan asks Mike where he keeps all his toys. Mike talks about a couple of kayak mounts he’s considering (see https://youtu.be/msEJBUO9yz8) for a swing away system, or rvkayakmounts.com, which lets you carry kayaks and up to two bicycle. We’ll have more about RVing with a kayak and the different mount systems on an episode we’re planning for mater in February. The rear mount bike rack Mike currently uses is called the Swagman XC. It holds two bicycles and fits in the rear bumper hitch. [spp-timestamp time="21:52"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis,

RVers love to take photos and these days, it’s more apt to be with our smartphones. But what do you do with them? How do you keep from running out of space? And what’s the best way to share those great memories? To help us answer those questions we talk with our RV buddies Jim and Chris Guld – better known as the Geeks on Tour. Chris has just written a great book called Mrs. Geek’s Guide to Google Photos and we chat about why – no matter what platform your smartphone is on Apple or Android – this amazing and totally free app need to be on your device. Plus RV Tips, suggestions about RVing with pets, traveling tech suggestions, RV News and much, much more! [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #124 Jan. 25, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jan Matthews (left) shows Jennifer the Mr. Emergency Sniw 'n Mud Track As we said earlier, we are just back from our annual Roadtreking winter campout in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. Like all our gatherings, I love meeting fellow RVers and picking up valuable tips from them about little things that make the RV lifestyle more convenient. And I came back with a bunch of them from our latest adventure. Here’s one you will find particularly helpful if you camp in snowy or muddy country. Nobody likes the thought of getting stuck in your RV. Our friend Jan Matthews found a very handy little product that she always carries with her…after learning the hard way why such a product is needed. [spp-timestamp time="5:54"] The product is called the Mr. Emergency Snow n’ Mud Track. Jan found hers at Walmart. It’s also available at Amazon for $28. 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. LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: Jim asks about Mike’s experience with the   Professional Grade weBoost Drive 4G-X + RV Trucker Essentials Kit – 470510-RV. It comes with a big external antenna. It is most powerful in-vehicle booster certified in the US and Canada and enhances 4G LTE, as well as 3G and 2G network signals, up to 32x. Mike shares his thoughts. Jim also asks about Wi-Fi boosters and if Mike recommends them. Mike shares why he doesn’t. [spp-timestamp time="10:19"] An Oregon listener with a new Navion Motorhome isn’t sure whether he needs to winterize his RV and wonders about using the bathroom at night and having the black water tank freeze. We explain that RVs used in below freezing weather for extended periods of time should be winterized. And you flush the toilets with antifreeze. [spp-timestamp time="16:39"] An email asking about winter RV use came in from readers Sue ands Bob, who ask: What do you use for traction?  RT says no chains and I can see why as there is little to no clearance and if they broke they could do some serious damage. In Oregon they will not let you, in some circumstances go over a pass without traction devices. Plus, I'm not so sure how comfortable we would be driving in snowy or icy conditions. [spp-timestamp time="18:44"] We talk about it and how we have never had a problem with traction or the need for chains. A California listener asks how long they can boondock on the Pacific Coast Highway . Here’s a post Campskunk did on the blog about the area - https://rvlifestyle.com/boondocking-pacific-coast-highway-north-ft-bragg-ca/ There’s a stretch of the Pacific Cast Highway there where you can honest to goodness boondock – camp right on the side of the highway overlooking t...

Survey any group of RVers about what’s number one on their bucket list and inevitably, one destination will be at the very top: Alaska, a wilderness land of majestic mountains, spectacular scenery and wildlife and grand adventure. Every RVer needs to experience Alaska at least once and in this episode of the Roadtreking RV Lifestyle Podcast, we learn from perhaps the top expert when it comes to RVing in Alaska – author and fulltime RVer Ron Jones. Ron tells us that if you are planning to visit Alaska this year – right now is when you should start planning and he dispels some myths and false notions, replacing it with solid, practical and expert advice on making this long journey. You will not want to miss my interview with Ron, coming up soon. Also in this episode, RV travel, tech and pet tips, news, your questions and comments and much more. 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 #123 Jan. 18 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK Jennifer This tip comes by email from one of our listeners named Wendy… who came across an inexpensive little gadget that can help with staying clean and showering on camping trips and hikes. [spp-timestamp time="5:30"] It’s called the Simple Shower and it is a specially designed portable shower that attaches to just about any one or two liter bottle to convert them into a shower. That’s right: It turns an empty water or soft drink bottle into a makeshift shower. Here’s how it works: Simply fill a plastic 1 or 2 liter bottle with warm water, or leave the bottle in the sun to heat up, and attach the Simple Shower device in the open neck of the bottle for a quick and easy shower. It's ideal for backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, hunting, camping, emergencies, cleaning pets, washing utensils, at the beach, and anywhere else a steady stream flow shower can be used. A two liter bottle can hold pretty close to a half gallon of water and the Simple Shower attachment pours it out in a nice stream, not all at once And if you have a couple of them, you could even wash your hair. It costs just $12.99 on Amazon. Thanks, Wendy, for sending me that tip. And I invite all our listeners 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 T RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: A listener wants to have her own website to post pictures and tell her story. She wants someone else to build it for her but to teach her how do updates.[spp-timestamp time="9:38"] Mike suggests several resources and services: www.blogger.com http://www.wix.com/ http://www.weebly.com/ http://blogstarting.org/ And a reader wants to see an eTrek at an RV show. Mike suggests visiting the biggest one near or to call their local Roadtrek dealer and ask where they will be displaying one. [spp-timestamp time="14:24"] 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 how important it is not to sit for long periods of time and, on long RV trips, to get up and walk around.[spp-timestamp time="18:36"] But you know it’s just as important, if not more so, for our dogs. In fact,

It’s RV shopping season and for a lot of shoppers, finding used RVs can be a daunting experience, especially for the high demand Class B campervan style motorhomes. But once you locate one, how do you make sure you are getting a good deal? What are the things that need to be carefully checked out? What red flag warning signs should you look for? That’s what we talk about this week in our interview of the week. Plus your RV questions, RV tips involving travel, technology and your pets, news of the week and a great off the beaten path report all coming up in this episode of The RV Lifestyle Podcast. [spp-player]  Complete shownotes for Episode 122 of the Roadtreking RV Lifestyle Podcast JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK This is the time of year when people are shopping and buying their RVs. That means they are also buying the things they need for that RV, like pots and pans and plates and silverware. [spp-timestamp time="7:40"] When I meet new RVers, one of the first questions I usually get is how much of all that do need to bring and store in the RV? The answer is not as much as you may think. How much entertaining do you plan to do? By that, I mean how often will you have people in your RV for dinner or lunch? Mike and I travel with four placesettings. That’s it. Just four. Same with glasses and cutlery. By the way, we often of paper plates and disposable cups, especially on winter campouts. Why make more work and spend all your time washing dishes? As far as pots and pans goes. That depends on your cooking style and how much food preparation you plan to do. We grill out as much as possible. All I have in our RV is a fry pan and a sauce pan. Now if you love Italian cooking, you’ll need something for pasta. You may want to steam your veggies and will need something for that. But our style is fast and easy. We prepare and freeze meals in advance that just need to be thawed. Or, as I said, we cook out on a grill. Again, we all have different RVing styles. Ours is keep it simple…less is always best and do whatever we can to make cleanup as easy as possible. After all, RVing is supposed to be a break from the routine. How about you? I’m interested in hearing about your RV style and 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 T RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: Terri asks about getting a better cellular signal inside her RV. Mike suggests a cellphone booster.  [spp-timestamp time="12:09"] The one Mike uses is the the  Professional Grade weBoost Drive 4G-X + RV Trucker Essentials Kit – 470510-RV. It comes with a big external antenna. It is most powerful in-vehicle booster certified in the US and Canada and enhances 4G LTE, as well as 3G and 2G network signals, up to 32x. That is probably overkill for most RVers at more than $500. Wilson makes much more affordable ones for single devices starting at around $100. Phil asks Mike and Jen about the gravity chair/loungers they take with them in their Roadtrek CS Adventurous XL. [spp-timestamp time="15:52"] The brand we use is the Best Choice brand. They are available on Amazon at $64.99 for a set of two. When we bought them we found them at a Kmart in Missouri on sale for about the same price. And listener Debbie reacts to last week’s travel suggestion for fans of the Sheriff Longmire novels and TV show and plans for Longmire Days in Wyoming this summer. The dates haven’t been set yet but should be in June or early July. [spp-timestamp time="19:46"]