RV Lifestyle RV Podcast

In this week's episode, we talk about  an RV gathering that will teach you more about RVing in three days than most people learn in a lifetime. The Family Motorcoach Association's upcoming gathering in Perry, GA is the kind of event every RVer should attend at least once in their lifetime. In this episode, Mike talks to Doug Uhlenbrock of the FMCA [spp-timestamp time="20:38"] who describes the seminars and activities available for owners of all sorts of RVs. [spp-player] But there is so much more in this episode. Here are the shownotes with links and resources. Jennifer's Tip of the Week: The LifeStraw Jennifer shares a tip about a $20 gadget that belongs in every RV, especially if you like to camp and hike in wilderness areas [spp-timestamp time="7:10"] It’s very practical and handy for anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors, which Mike and I certainly do, especially as we boondock far off the grid more and more in our RV adventures. Now let me first say we are NOT preppers… we are not survivalists, though this little product I am sharing would be a staple n every good prepper’s bug out bag. It’s the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter and it lets you drink clear and clean water from just about any source you will find, even puddles of rainwater on the ground. Really!. It Removes a minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and filters to an amazing 0.2 microns. That’s as claen as the bottled water you buy. Each LifeStraw Filters up to 1000 liters of contaminated water WITHOUT iodine, chlorine or other chemicals. That’s 264 gallons of water, in case you wondering. The LifeStraw was a Time Magazine Invention of the Year winner and contains no chemicals, no batteries and no moving parts to wear out. It features a high flow rate and weighs only 2oz. It is perfect for the Ultralight backpacker, camper, hiker, traveler, boy scout, hunter or for emergencies. We have two of them…one for Mike, one for me. We have it in our motorhome all the time and if we’re going on a long hike, we stuff it in our backpacks. It’s about nine inches long by an inch around so they don’t take up much space.. Unlike many similar filters on the market today, LifeStraw has met EPA standards for water filtration in independent testing. LifeStraw has been used around the world under extreme conditions for humanitarian relief. In fact the Lifestraw has been standard gear for most NGOs for worldwide humanitarian relief since 2005. A portion of sales goes to support clean water projects worldwide. Filtering your drinking water could not be simpler. With LifeStraw you can drink directly from puddles or streams, or you may find it easier to scoop water with your wide-mouthed water bottle and drink from it using the LifeStraw. We got ours through Amazon at http://amzn.to/1OsUv2U. They cost just under $20 each Audience Question: Satellite Internet Listener Larry asks for more info on the cool Internet Satellite system Campskunk hinted at in episode 65 [spp-timestamp time="11:32"]. Mike shares how its a system based on the Ka band, instead of the slow and spotty Ku band. Here's a fresh post Campskunk wrote that explains all about it. Audience Question: Fording Streams in an RV Listener David inquires about taking his RV across streams and worries about shorting out his electronic gear [spp-timestamp time="16:10"]. Mike suggests a talk with his dealer, but notes we're talking about an RV, not an ATV and those are situations most RVers never need to worry about. David, though, plans some pretty rugged travels planned and he has ordered a 4 x 4 RV. If you ave some suggestions n how he can protect his electronics, leave your feedback as a Voice Message by clicking the black banner on the far right side of the blog. Traveling Tech Tip: Pocket Light Meter Mike loves to take photos. Sometimes, it's not apparent what the aperture, shutter speed and ISO should be set. He uses the free Pocket Light Meter app for the iPhone [spp-timestamp time="41:55"].

It's the time when many RVers start dreaming and planning about the places they'll visit in the coming new year. For many this year, that means more off-the-grid boondocking wilderness experiences, far from the crowds and in beautiful places where one can be close to nature. But boondocking poses its own special problems and in this episode of Roadtreking the RV Podcast, we talk to a full-time RVer who almost exclusively boondocks. Readers of our Roadtreking.com RV Travel blog already know of Campskunk. Heck, there's almost a Cult of Campskunk that has arisen as he's shared his adventures and tips with our readers and listeners over the years. [spp-player] In this episode of the podcast, Campskunk talks about planing the 2016 boondocking travel schedule, noting: How to insure perfect weather - not too hot, not too cold - during every part of your travel season by fooling his suggested route What state has the best deal for non-resident campers How the Internet and some easy research can find you places will majestic views that you will have all to yourself A new development with Internet satellite connectivity that is perfect for boondocker Resources mentioned in this episode The satellite provider Campskunk suggests if Barb Nolley of Mobile Internet Satellite near Tucson, AZ The 10" Hook and Loop cable tie wraps for hoses and electrical cables suggested by Jennifer can be found at http://amzn.to/1R64Mbl One of Campskunk's typical boondocking spots, with his sat gear deployed A favorite spot along the Pacific coast This episode of Roadtreking the RV Podcast is brought to you by: 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 Alde… the only name to know when choosing a heating system for your RV Leisure Time RV, a family-owned dealership in central Florida. Your vacation starts at Leisure Time RV Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest and most reliable 4G LTE Networks

Sometimes, RV dealerships will try to talk you into expensive add on procedures that really aren't needed. Indeed, one of their top profit makers is convincing new owners into buying very expensive spray-on treatments for the interior or exterior. After an RV dealer asks for Mike's advice on whether he should pay $900 for such a treatment for his new RV, Mike offers much cheaper and very practical advice. That's one of many topics tackled in episode 64 of the Roadtreking RV Podcast. [spp-player] Complete shownotes for episode 64: How to Protect your RV's Exterior To the listener who wondered about spraying on some exterior protection for $900 on his new RV, Mike offers his opinion [spp-timestamp time="9:25"]. Perhaps a better investment is a good cover for your RV, he says. Don’t buy the cheap ones. A good cover is like good shoes. It should snugly fit your RV. [spp-tweet tweet="Why you should have a cover for your RV"] Over time the roof and exterior of your motorhome begin to show signs of wear, caused by constant exposure to the elements. Ozone in the air and ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun start to take their toll, which is first evident by signs of fading paint. The ozone in the air also causes products like rubber and vinyl to dry out, crack and start to deteriorate. The UV rays from the sun make this aging process happen quicker. If possible, try to keep your RV covered when not using it, to help protect it from Mother Nature. The cover model Mike recommends is Hugger Covers. Now… as to having someone spray stuff on… for $900. Mike says he does not recommend this. The best way to protect yourt RV is to clean it. Wash it afer use and wax it once or twice a year. These treatments the caller's dealer is trying to sell him is pure profit. Mike instead suggests that he use Turtle Wax Ice. It costs about $7.50 for a 48 oz bottle and produces a thick foam which encapsulates and loosens abrasive soils. The encapsulation technology helps prevent soils from re-depositing on the paint finish to reduce the formation of swirl marks and minor surface scratches. Jennifer's RV Tip of the Week Jennifer shares how she attracts hummingbirds to a feeder that attaches to an 'sRV outside window. It's called the Perky-Pet 8 oz Window Mount Hummingbird Feeder. It costs about $9 on Amazon. [spp-timestamp time="7:00"] Hummingbirds are very active so if there are any in the area you are visiting, it won’t take them long to find you window feeder, even if you have just set it out. [spp-tweet tweet="Attract hummingbirds to your RV"] RV Question: Tire Pressure Monitoring System A listener asks what kind of tire pressure monitoring system Mike recommends. [spp-timestamp time="14:53"] While there are many different monitoring systems available. In your case, I would recommend the EEZTire Tire Pressure Monitoring System with six sensors. It costs a little over $300 from Amazon. [spp-tweet tweet="The best tire pressure monitoring system for your RV"] RV Question: Retrofitting an old RV with a generator Another listener wants to know whether a 20 year old Class B RV can be retrofitted with a a built-in Onan generator. [spp-timestamp time="17:07"] Installing a generator in an RV that is not equipped for one is a daunting project, says Mike. Even if you have provisions for one, things like mounting, cooling, wiring, fuel supply, exhaust routing, noise and vibration, and accessibility all need to be seriously considered and planned for. Onan generators have lots of good material online, including an RV generator handbook and a guide to choosing a generator for a Class B motorhome. [spp-tweet tweet="Retrofitting a generator to an old RV"] RV Question: Finding a Used Roadtrek A man looking for a used 1995 through 1999 model Roadtrek asks where he should start looking for it.[spp-timestamp time="21:57"]  Mike has three suggestions: Call Roadtrek dealers around the country. Many have waiting lists. Tell them what you want.

Should you turn your RV's propane system off every time you drive? Or is it okay to keep it on as you travel down the road? In this episode, we answer the questions, brought about after an RVer got involved in an accident. Afterwards, he got to "what iffing," wondering about his propane issues. We tell the story of his accident and get some great expert help on the answer. Plus, Jennifer's Tip of the Week, a Reader question about restoring a vintage RV, apps to make traveling better, a bucket list destination of the week and a fun interview with a mystery writer whose hero travels the country in an RV. Ever thought about writing a book? You'll enjoy this interview. [spp-player] Shownotes for Episode 62 of the Roadtreking RV Podcast, released Nov. 18, 2015 JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK - A retractable Clothes Line for the RV Jen's tip is a response to an email she received from a reader named Jean Boyle, who asks: "Jennifer, Did you ever get the pull out clothes line you mentioned in one of the videos? If so, what did you get and do you like it? Thank you!" [spp-timestamp time="6:01"] Well, Jean, and anyone else who may be interested…. Yes, she did get one It’s a very handy retractable 8-foot long clothesline we found on Amazon for around $16. (http://amzn.to/1WXei4z).  We have it mounted in the bathroom of our Roadtrek CS Adventurous XL. It mounted inside the shower enclosure and we use it to dry towels and the like as we travel. Something else we added was a magnifying mirror we also found on Amazon for about $25 (http://amzn.to/1QswnmF) [spp-tweet tweet="Two accessories every RV bathroom should have"] Propane: On or Off while Driving? Don Bell from Texas got in a frightening accident in his RV a couple of weeks ago. We shared the story and video taken with his dash cam that caught the whole crash in a recent blog post. Lots of people wanted to know how it has gone fro Don since the accident. We can report that he is fine. His insurance is going to take care of it all and, thanks to his dash cam video, there is no doubt that he was not at fault and the ticket went to the driver of the pickup truck. This is the dash cam Don uses. But we also heard from Don after the accident. Don wanted to know what he should do about the propane on his RV while driving. [spp-timestamp time="9:12"] Asked Don: "The night before my Roadtrek was involved in a major roadway accident, I was using propane for the refrigerator, Alde water heating system and range. On the day of the accident my propane was turned off at the tank. If one or more of the propane lines had been breached amid sparks flying during the collision, how likely would it be that the residual propane would ignite? What additional pre-trip preparations should I undertake to minimize the risk, if one exists?" I reached out to some experts for their advice. First, Gary Bunzer, known as “The RV Doctor” (rvdoctor.com) and the technical expert for the Family Motorcoach Association (fmca.com) gave us a very helpful and detailed response. Gary Bunzer, the "RV Doctor" Gary says as a compressed fuel, propane is still relatively safe, even in the event of an RV collision. Obviously, if propane is leaking from a severed section of tubing and ignition sources are close by, that would present a problem. But on ASME tanks and DOT cylinders, multiple safeguards are present on every RV. With the ASME tank, more often found on motorhomes, inside the POL fitting that attaches directly to the tank service valve, is a square-looking device called an excess flow restrictor. This excess flow device protects the high pressure (tank pressure) from escaping to quickly should the regulator and/or the POL fitting be broken off. The POL fitting (courtesy RVIA) POL? I had to ask Gary about that one. And he notes that actually, the part has always been called “POL” and campfire wisdom says it stands for “Put On Left” since it’s always a left-hand threaded fitting.

You don't have to be a fulltimer or go camping for long periods of time to find lots of uses for an RV. In this episode of the podcast, you meet Kathy and Les, two of our Roadtreking friends who use their RV in lots of different ways - from stealth camping on the streets of New York, to driveway camping at the homes of relatives to hauling her art and craft exhibit to various shows. This couple, who live in suburban Toledo, also have a condo in Florida and use their RV for leisurely trips to ad from, for day trips around the gulf coast and, sometimes, as their second vehicle. You'll hear their story and much more in this episode. [spp-player] Complete shownotes for Episode 61 of Roadtreking:The RV Podcast First Things First: Mike and Jennifer check in from the Gulf Coast This episode comes from the Gulf Cost of Florida's Emerald Coast, where Mike and Jennifer share their travels over the past week and give a preview of where they are headed. Jennifer's Tip of the Week - Five books to inspire your RV Travel Next to RVing, we like reading about RVing and travel almost as much as the going. So we always seem to have some book on hand that gives us ideas on our next trip, or inspiration and understanding about what we are seeing. So, for your off-season consideration, here are the top 5 RV-related books either Mike or I have enjoyed the most this year:  [spp-timestamp time="6:25"] Blue Highways - The timeless road story is a masterpiece in travel writing. Mike read it more than 25 years ago and even today, the concept of traveling those two-lane state roads --- the blue highways on state maps –has inspired us to do the same. If you haven’t read this collection of road stories, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it immensely. Rand McNally 2016 Road Atlas – This is a arge size, large scale easy to read map that we always take with us. Yes, we do use our GPS and we do use apps on our tablet. But nothing takes the place of a paper map and this book, undated every year, is one we buy every year. The Most Scenic Drives in America – This is a coffee table book with gorgeous photographs of 128 drives every RVer needs to take at least once. We always consult it when planning our routes so that we can take in as many of these drives as possible. The Next Exit 2015 – If you travel the Interstates, and we all have to at times, this guide is an essential. It tells you what businesses and services are at each exit. This is another book you want to buy each year because there is new information added to each edition as businesses open and close. But it’s very handy to have and well worth the price. Undaunted Courage – This is a big book, full of details and history as it recounts the story of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and Thomas Jefferson and the Lewis & Clark Expedition to the west.  If your RV travels take you to the west, you will undoubtedly come across some sort of Lewis and Clark museum or marker. When you read the book, you’ll undertstand the land you are traveling on much better and appreciate the incredible journey taken by these two pioneers and their Corps of Discovery. [spp-tweet tweet="Five Books Every RVer Should Have"] When to Winterize A listener calls in and shares how he lives fulltime in his Class A in Pennsylvania and never winterizes and we then discuss when you need to winterize and when not [spp-timestamp time="9:18"] [spp-tweet tweet="When to winterize and when not to"] Cool Solar Accessories Solar accessories that make the outdoor world more efficient, including a solar charging battery system that can power your home or RV for days [spp-timestamp time="16:07"] [spp-tweet tweet="Great solar accessories for RVers"] New Heating Technology for RVs New technology that allows RVs to have the same high end radiant heating systems as luxury homes [spp-timestamp time="20:57"] [spp-tweet tweet="Heat your RV like a luxury home with a hydronic system"] RV News of the Week Dog Rescued from Burning RV caught on Dash Cam...

Let's face it: RVs can be complicated. There are lots of things we need to know and do to not only protect our investment but to operate our RVs safely. In this episode, we give you valuable information you won't find in the manual that came with your RV. So don't set out on another trip without listening to these tips from Mike's special guest Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor. In fact, this podcast is loaded with tips and suggestions, starting out with seven of Jennifer's Favorite RV Hacks, plus the Farmer's Almanac winter predictions, a fun off the beaten path report, some great apps to take on the road with you and, of course, the RV Doctor's very practical advice. [spp-player] Here are the complete shownotes from this episode: First things first, Mike and Jennifer's Whereabouts and Travel Plans Mike and Jennifer talk about the hazards of parking an RV near some kids who are playing football. Although they didn't see the deed, the side window on their Roadtrek was smashed out last week. Mike suspects it shattered when hit by a football. It's just part of the adventure, says Jennifer. The factory is sending glass replacement and they've found an auto glass dealer in Albany, GA who will repair it. Next week, Mike and Jennifer head to Kissimmee, FL to attend the event featured in this week's RV Calendar, a little later in the podcast [spp-timestamp time="2:25"] Jennifer's Tip of the Week - Seven of Jennifer's Life Hacks for RVers This week I have a whole bunch of tips. She calls them Life Hacks for the RVer…. little things that can make a big difference. She has seven of them, life hacks she's’ either learned herself or been taught by others. [spp-timestamp time="4:50"] 1) Want to quickly freshen up the inside of your RV? Maybe theres a stale smell or it’s been sitting idle for a while? Tape a dryer sheet over the AC vents and turn it on for a few minutes. 2) We all have trash cans in our RVs. We also use a plastic bag in those trash receptacles. Put old newspaper at the bottom of your trash can - inside the plastic bag - to absorb food juices that may spill. 3) When you are on the road, where do you keep your dirty laundry? Try keeping a bar of scented soap in the same compartment as your dirty laundry. It will help the clothes smell a lot cleaner than they are. 4) Here’s one we learned from some photo classes. When you are taking a photo of someone - or someone is taking a picture of you - your smile will look a lot more genuine if, instead of just smiling, you also squint your eyes. Try this. It really works! 5) Here’s one Mike learned. If you can’t find any ready kindling wood to start your campfire, use a handful of Doritos. Really. They burn just like kindling and can get a blaze going very fast. 6) Here’s a good tip about rewarming leftover pizza. To keep the crust from getting chewy when you warm it up in the microwave, put a small amount of water in a glass and put it right in there on the carousel with the pizza. 7) When you are on the road and you buy some bananas, you usually need to buy a bunch of for or five of them. Then they all get ripe in a day or so and you end up throwing them away. Next time, wrap the stems where they all connect with plastic wrap. This will keep them fresh for a week or more. Then you just cut the bananas off as needed. [spp-tweet tweet="Seven Life Hacks that make the RV life easier!"] [spp-player] LISTENER QUESTION - Finding Manuals for Roadtrek Motorhomes A listener asks about getting a manual to her late model Roadtrek motorhome. Mike notes that all the manuals fro every Roadtrek model going back to 1987, can be found at https://rvlifestyle.com/manuals  [spp-timestamp time="8:10"] Please tweet this: [spp-tweet tweet="How to find a manual for every Roadtrek since 1987"] 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.

It's been said by many that every place has a story to tell. And in this episode of Roadtreking the RV Podcast we learn that many of the most interesting places also have a festival or special event to celebrate their stories. Just about every weekend, somewhere in North America, there's a small town festival celebrating something. And finding those festivals - be they music, food or event-centered - is just one of several topics we tackle this week in Episode 59. We interview the author of a great book that belongs in every RV, a book that helps you find hundreds of small town festivals and events that let you not only have fun but experience great food and learn about interesting people and places far off the interstates. We have some traveling tech tips, a bucket list destination of the week for you to explore and, of course, lots of RV news, tips and trends. [spp-player] Here are the complete shownotes for Episode 59 of Roadtreking the RV Podcast: Mike and Jennifer's Whereabouts As this episode begins, we find the Wendlands in Southwest Georgia, after a leisurely RV trip that took them to a Halloween celebration campout in Kentucky and a great fall color tour in Tennessee and North Dakota. Listen carefully and - between the lines - Mike shares how they find free places to overnight when traveling from place to place, besides the old favorites like Walmart and Cracker Barrel. He doesn't want to name names and spoil a good thing but, if you have a small motorhome that doesn't scream "RV!!!!,"  Mike suggests lots of other places. JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK: Star Shower Laser Light Projector We got this idea from visiting the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky last week. It’s a way to decorate your RV…or your full sticks and bricks house for that matter – with literally thousands, of beautifully colored sparkling lights. This is what the Star Shower looks like when projected on an RV They’re billed as Christmas lights, but we saw folks down in Kentucky who were using them as Halloween decorations. They’re called the Star Shower  and they really aren't lights in the traditional sense at all. You don’t have to hang string after string of lights. Not even a single sting. The Star Shower is a laser light projection system. They cover 600 square feet and utilize a tiny projector to shine all over your RV. This is so cool. The Star Shower laser light allows you to display thousands of green stars, or a green and red star combination. You can select whatever display you want. The company says one set will cover the typical single story house. Now the folks we saw using this had two Star Shower Projectors going and it perfectly covered their entire 32-foot-long Fifth Wheel, plus a size-able part of the ground around. The display is very bright and we thought they were real lights until we got right next to the RV. They require a 110-volt electric system to work, either from your RV or from the shore power electric box outside the rig. They are available all over the place, at many big box and hardware stores or directly from Amazon at (http://amzn.to/1Xu7b0c) $39. These are a lot of fun. We might use one at our home this holiday season…besides the RV. [spp-player] LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: Finding the right RV, understanding lithium batteries, finding RV park reviews From listener Dolores came a question about finding an RV she saw a video on some time back: Q: ..it was electric, had solar panels pre-installed on the roof, and you could run all of the systems from a tablet! They advertised leaving the rig and wanting to turn the lights back on or check the dog (there was an inside camera). The table piece really intrigued me along with the camera. I travel for a military contractor 3-6 months at a time and rather than hotels I'd like to have an RV so no matter where I am (meaning parked on post or at an armory) my home is outside and I can keep an eye on Yogi (my rescued dog).

When it comes to RVing, it's thinking about the things you never thought of before that make the biggest difference. For example, you probably don't want to be halfway across the country on a coast-to-coast trip and realize you didn't make any arrangements for how your mail will be handled. Nor do you want to set out for your first big trip of the season next spring only to realize mice have spent the winter destroying your RV's insides. But don't worry because - as you will hear in this episode - we're here to help you know about those things and more. Among other topics discussed in this episode: How to essentially take millions of free books, movies, music, TV shows and more with you on your travels How to find the best and most comfortable bedding for your RV Where full-time RVers should establish "official" residence to get the biggest tax advantages One of the best breweries to visit while RVing in North Carolina How you can be part of a world record-setting RV convoy next March All that and more in this episode of the Roadtreking RV Lifestyle podcast! [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #58 Oct. 21, 2015 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: First Things First: Mike and Jennifer Heading South As Weather Changes Mike and Jennifer Wendland kick off the show with a quick recap of a sure sign that the weather is changing and talk about where they are headed next. [spp-timestamp time="2:06"] Jennifer's Tip of the Week: Access to Millions of Free Books, Movies, TV Shows, Music, and More Jennifer's Tip of the Week for episode 58 is about the Internet Archive - a nonprofit organization dedicated to disseminating as much knowledge via Internet as possible. That includes through the use of books, audio recordings (yes, there's music), movies, TV shows, images/photos, even old software. [spp-timestamp time="2:58"] Listener Tip: Can You Tell Me More About the RV Superbag? A listener named Jean asks about the RV Superbag that Mike and Jennifer use. Jennifer suggests going for the most comfort by using sheets with a thread count of more than 500. The RV Superbag is available at: https://www.rvsuperbag.com/ [spp-timestamp time="7:10"] Listener Question: How Do You Deal with Mail When RVing? Trisha, Michelle and Karen from DakotaPost Two Roadtreking listeners ask a great question about what to do with home mail while on long RV trips. Mike and Jennifer tap the knowledge of the folks at DakotaPost (dakotapost.net), a mail forwarding company based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that works with the Family Motorcoach Association in handling mail forwarding and offering virtual mailboxes.  Trisha, Michelle, and Karen from DakotaPost join us to talk about how the service works. [spp-timestamp time="10:27"] Bonus Tip: Full-time RVers Should Consider South Dakota Residence While talking about the South Dakota-based DakotaPost, Mike and Jennifer learn about several reasons full-time RVers should consider making South Dakota their official residence, including: No income tax No personal property tax No inheritance tax No tangible tax on investments Low auto insurance rates They also learn what it takes to actually become a resident of South Dakota, which is not much, and how to get a state driver's license. [spp-player] Listener Tip: How to Keep Mice and Other Rodents Out of Your RV A Roadtreking listener named Bob passes along a great tip about keeping rodents out of your RV, which is especially useful heading into the colder parts of the year. In short, you need to block their access - specifically, around the tires. Bob's tip is all about how to do just that using some properly placed sheet metal. [spp-timestamp time="27:04"] RV News of the Week: Signs of Winter at Glacier, RVer Arrested after Sewage leak, Alligator Killed in Florida State Park Glacier Closing Sign of Winter: In what is a very tangible sign that winter is approaching fast, Glacier National Park's Logan Pass has been closed to traffic for the season...

We're all constantly seeing it  - some really bad RV drivers are out there with us on the road. But as our guest on this week's Roadtreking podcast tells us, we needn't be among the offenders. In fact, Mark Polk, publisher of RVEducation101.com - which also just launched an RV education app for iOS and Android - has all kinds of great tips to help drive an RV like a pro. Among other things, Mark helps us understand: Where most RV dangers come from How to turn properly How to maneuver around gas pumps - one of the most frequent accidents for RVers Proper use of driving mirrors for RVs How to guard against sway and the push-effect that comes when you are passed by big trucks The rookie mistakes most new RVers make Also in this episode, we have Jennifer's Tip of the Week about the best cleaning product she's ever found for the RV. And we have RV news, tech tips, an off the beaten path report from New Mexico, and a great bucket list destination - a winter camp-out set for January in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #57 Oct. 14, 2015 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: First Things First: Recapping a Dark Park Visit in Northern Michigan; Changing Seasons Mike and Jennifer Wendland kick off the show by talking about their recent short trip to northern Michigan and some dark sky photography they did over the past weekend. Mike got that picture of the Milky Way from a high bluff on Mackinac Island in the middle of Lake Huron. They also talk about the changing seasons, winterizing their RV, and where they're heading next. [spp-timestamp time="3:24"] Jennifer's Tip of the Week: An Almost Magical Cloth to Clean Anything Jennifer's Tip of the Week for episode 57 is all about the best cloth she and Mike have found for cleaning - the KAYWOS (Klean Anything Without Streaks). They clean just about everything from bugs off the windshield and the dirty hood of an RV to cooking grills. They're made of a special ultra-fine micro fiber that require nothing more than wetting and wringing.  The Wendlands first got them at an RV show and now you can get six for $6 from the Roadtreking Store: https://roadtrekingstore.com/kaywoscloth.html [spp-timestamp time="6:10"] Listener Tip: Check Out Fair Harbor RV Park in Perry, Georgia A listener named Kira checks in to talk about a great RV park in Perry, Georgia called Fair Harbor RV Park. You can read more about it here: http://www.fairharborrvpark.com/ Mike and Jennifer comment on the RV park and Perry in general, which Mike did a post about here: https://rvlifestyle.com/serendipity-travel-perry-ga/  [spp-timestamp time="8:16"] Listener Question: Can You Tell Me More About Making Postcards Online? A listener named Joyce asks a follow-up question from Jennifer's Tip of the Week from episode 56 - about using an app called Postino to make postcards. Mike and Jennifer address why she may be having some issues with it. [spp-timestamp time="10:55"] Listener Question: Can You Help Me Find Bucket Seat Covers for My RV? Roadtrekkers Buff and Deana Martino need help protecting their RV's leather seats from a cat who loves to scratch them. Mike suggests checking out a website called Auto Anything that can be found here: http://www.autoanything.com/seat-covers/10A52289.aspx [spp-timestamp time="13:20"] RV News of the Week: California RV Dealer Fire, Bear Closes Calgary RV Park, Yellowstone Sets Record Horrendous Fire at Holland RV in California: A devastating fire at Holland RV Center in San Marcos, California was seen for miles as it tore through the dealership. (Read more) [spp-timestamp time="19:33"] Calgary RV Park Closed Because of Grizzly: Parts of Mount Kidd RV Park in Kananaskis Country are closed as officials try to find an aggressive grizzly bear (Read more) [spp-timestamp time="21:15"] Yellowstone Sets Attendance Record: More people have visited Yellowstone National Park this year than in any other year. (Read more) [spp-timestamp time="22:22"]

Wait until you hear how you'll be soon using the Internet in your RV! After lots of interesting reader questions, comments, tips and RV news, we do some visioneering about what's just over the horizon in terms of the Internet and RVing. Our special guest of Paul Ulreich, the "Uber User" from Verizon Wireless. Paul has been involved in the Internet and cellular technology for two decades and in a wide-ranging conversation, he talks with Mike about RVing and its role in the iOT - the Internet of Things. Besides looking at what is possible now, the two talk about: The Connected RV - How RVers will connect to their home in powerful new ways and how, though apps, they can connect to their RV when out and about 5G LTE - faster than 4G and about to be tested for the first time Cellular to satellite Internet broadcasts - Google is already testing this How technology has changed in the last five years But before talking with Paul, Mike and Jennifer answer reader questions and share information about: How to diagnose and fix a common error problem with RV refrigerators How to fix RV window blinds that start to sag How Android users can automatically get podcasts like iPhone users do In Jennifer's Tip of the Week, we learn about ways we can turn those photos we take on the road into postcards and have them printed, with a message, and mailed out, all online We review bluetooth speakers perfect for RVing and we have an off the beaten path report from Northwestern Michigan, where fall colors are no reaching the spectacular stage [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #56 Oct. 7, 2015 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: First Things First: Getting Ready to Hit the Road Again Mike and Jennifer Wendland kick off the show by talking about where they are headed for their next trip - the Headlands International Dark Sky Park in northern Michigan. You can read more about it here: http://www.midarkskypark.org/  They also recap their travel year thus far and how the rest of 2015 is shaping up. [spp-timestamp time="2:58"] Jennifer's Tip of the Week: How to Make and Send Postcards Jennifer's Tip of the Week for episode 56 is all about postcards. [spp-timestamp time="6:25"] Specifically, how grateful she and Mike are for everyone sending postcards to help their grandson, Jacob, with a school project. It opened their eyes, too, to how hard it is to find postcards these days. They also learned about two online sites to create and send postcards: Postino: This is an app that works with your smartphone and creates postcards using your photos. You select the photo and then write a message that will appear on the back. You enter the address where you want it to go and then, for $1.83 a postcard, the service will actually print out a real postcard with your photo and message and put it in the mail. Postino is available for iOS, Android, and Windows. Touchnote: This option is Web-based. Select a photo from your files on your computer, add a message and postal address and it will print and mail them for you.  The cost is $1.99 a card so for a a dollar or so more than the cost of a stamp, you get to use your own photo and have it printed, stamped and mailed out for you. Listener Question: How Can I Fix My RV's Window Shades? A listener named Angelina checks in from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and wants to let everyone know about the great Eclipse Sun Shades she keeps seeing RVers using. Here's a link to the company's website: http://www.eclipsesunshades.net/ She also is looking for suggestions for RV shades that are sagging. Mike offers some suggestions, including a Pleated Shade First Aid Kit on Amazon for $15 (http://amzn.to/1QWH8KK) It lets you bring any pleated shade back to life with its restringing kit. Here’s a website that has other suggestions http://www.venetianblindparts.com/faqs.htm#Creeping_or_Sagging [spp-timestamp time="10:25"] Listener Question: How Do I Listen to Podcasts on an Android Device?