This week on Episode 483 of the RV Podcast:
- What happens when you combine a Tiny Home and an RV? We’ll take you on a tour of one.
- Famed Football Coach Jim Harbaugh wants to drive his RV out to California and live in it for a few months so he can be close to his team as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.
- Why the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta has become a must-attend RV bucket list event
- All this plus the Social Media Buzz, the RV News of the Week, and your RV questions coming up in Episode #483 of the RV Podcast.
You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.
If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.
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SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ – Wendy Bowyer
Wendy Bowyer reports on the hot issues most talked about this past week on social media and our RV Lifestyle Community group.
In our RV Lifestyle Community, Christy wrote that she is going to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October, and she was able to get her RV spot upgraded to the Presidential Campground. Christy asked if anyone in the group had gone before and if they had tips.
What I loved about this post was it was so friendly and helpful, with many others sharing they will be there! Roy was there last year and will be there this year but in a different campground. Same with Bud and Sue – this will be their second time going to the balloon fiesta. Another member, Wendi, is also going, as is Terry – who will also be in the presidential compound – the same one as Christy.
Barbara, who used to live in Albuquerque and attended many times, urged everyone to be on the field for the morning launches and evening glows. She shared how unique this event is and gave tips about food vendors and restaurants to try.
I really loved the friendly, helpful conversation and connection that went on in this thread – it is one of the many things I really like about our new community.
Also, in the community, we had Lynda, who is planning to head to either North or South Carolina, ask for campground recommendations. She is looking for something close to a town, with electric bike trails, full hook-up, and woods – and she's 34 feet long.
Dennis suggested she check out PirateLand Camping Resort at Myrtle Beach. He said it is a great location, full hookups, can handle long rigs, and is a better price than the nearby state park.
Randall said a friend just recommended Falls Lake State Campground near Durham, NC. His rig is 45 feet, and he has a tow vehicle, and the park can accommodate him. He will be heading there soon and will let her know how it is.
Meanwhile, over in our RVLifestyle Facebook group, not that long ago we had Jean ask: Can we talk alligators for a minute? I'm from the southwest, heading to Florida. I know about the behaviors of coyotes, mountain lions, and rattlesnakes, but I'm about to spend a significant amount of time in Florida, so what do I need to know about alligators to keep my dogs safe?
Specifically, Jean was worried about alligators grabbing one of her dogs while on a walk, a scenario she wanted to avoid!
This post received more than 600 responses and was full of helpful advice.
Many native Floridians shared that alligators are fast on land and quiet, and likely living in ALL freshwater areas you see. The main thing is to be aware of your surroundings.
So that means keeping your pets away from a freshwater pond, for instance. Alligators do not like people, and really the time they become a problem is when tourists feed them, many shared.
The main thing is do not walk around lakes, especially those with high weeds or brush, and stay aware of your surroundings, and you'll be fine.
RV INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK – What happens when you combine a Tiny Home and an RV?
The Barclay Travel Home is the most unique RV we've seen, so unique that we have immediately named it our Best In Show winner.
It's 35 feet long, loaded with super high-end finishes, advanced plumbing, heating and power systems, and every deluxe appliance system you could ask for. The decor includes shiplap walls, floating shelves, luxury custom kitchen refrigeration, a dishwasher, a washer and dryer, and an amazing articulating “robotic TV” that raises, lowers, and turns around.
There's a loft bedroom, rooftop sun deck, and true four-season compatibility, complete with a wood-burning stove and built-in pizza oven.
For us, visiting this unique travel home was a follow-up story. We met Robert and Julia Barclay almost five years ago, when their idea to combine true home design and amenities with an RV was just taking shape, we had them on the podcast back then as they explained their design ideas.
Now, after hitting the road and living fulltime in it, they're hauled it across America and are now showing it at the Florida RV Supershow as the centerpiece of a new company that will custom-build these travel homes for those who also want a similar lifestyle.
In our interview of the week, they take us on an extended home of their tiny home RV. You can see it in the player above or listen on the podcast.
RV NEWS OF THE WEEK
Boondockers overuse of popular spot along California's Highway 1 putting wildlife at risk
The U.S. Forest Service is working on a temporary camping and campfire ban on a popular boondocking spot along California's Highway 1 just north of San Simeon.
The remote section of San Carpoforo Creek Beach in Los Padres National Forest’s Monterey District is being overused, meaning human waste, trash, and campfires, along with prolonged stays from homeless individuals, are damaging the delicate environment.
Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, officials recently said the area has become so popular it needs to be closed for about two years to give the environment a chance to heal.
This remote stretch of shoreline along Highway 1 is home to the protected western snowy plover, elephant seals, bald eagles, and other wildlife, putting them all at risk as their home is damaged by excessive use.
There are right – and wrong – ways to boondock. For more information, check out our Beginners Guide to Boondocking book here.
Las Vegas RV parks fill up as football fans take their RV to the Super Bowl
We saw a fun story out of Las Vegas last week about the rush on RV parks as football fans look for ways to head to town last minute for the Super Bowl.
Fans from San Francisco and Kansas City were waiting to see if their teams made it, and then when they did, decided to drive their RVs to town and stay at an RV park.
Most RV parks are now full, with many keeping waiting lists. To us, with the price of hotel rooms sky high Super Bowl weekend, why not take your RV?
The Super Bowl will be this Sunday, Feb. 11.
Famed Football Coach wants to Live in RV
Speaking of football…Did you hear about Jim Harbaugh, the now former University of Michigan football coach who has just become head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers?
He wants to drive his RV out to California and camp out in it for a few months to be next to the Chargers training facility. He said he found a couple of RV parks, one near Disneyland and one out by the ocean.
Can you imagine pulling into an RV campground and finding Jim Harbaugh as your neighbor? Invite him to the campfire. Wouldn't that be cool?
Harbaugh said: “I want to drive my RV out and go to a trailer park down by the water or by Disneyland, the two that I’ve researched that are close to the facility,” Harbaugh said thus during his introductory press conference last week. “I want to Jim Rockford it for the next couple months until we move to the new facility,” he said, referring to the old Rockford Files TV show where the lead character lived in a trailer out by the ocean.
Yellowstone National Park seeking public input on building a new entrance to north part of park
Yellowstone National Park considering installing a new, permanent entrance to the north part of the park to replace the temporary one in place since the 2022 flooding.
The road would provide year-round access to the park and would be between Gardiner, Cooke City, and Silver Gate.
The National Park Service is taking public comment and making a decision later this year.
RV QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK
QUESTION: I remember hearing you once say that we should clean the filter on our RV pump at least once a year. You said it was very easy. But I don't remember your instructions. Can you repeat it for me? James
ANSWER: To clean the water pump strainer, make sure the water pump and any water supply going to the RV is turned off. Open a faucet in the RV to relieve the water pressure. Disconnect the water line going to the strainer. On most water pumps, you simply grasp the front section of the strainer, push in slightly, and turn counterclockwise. It will separate from the section of the strainer that is screwed into the pump.
Note: You do not need to unscrew the entire strainer assembly from the pump. Now you can remove and clean the strainer screen. When the strainer is clean reassemble in the opposite order. Make sure there is water in the freshwater holding tank, turn the pump on to pressurize the system, and check for leaks.
QUESTION: Is it possible to use Alexa in the 2022 Silverado 2500 truck we use to tow the trailer? Glen
ANSWER: Yes, Your Silverado has Alexa built in. Most trucks made in the past several years let you get Alexa on the go. Not all, but most. So for everyone, the first step is to make sure your vehicle has Alexa built in. There’s a special site to check – https://www.amazon.com/alexa-automotive. Go there and enter your vehicle details. If it already has Alexa, follow the registration steps listed to set it up. If not, you may have to download an app. The site has instructions.
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