RT32 Roadtreking Podcast: The Latest Trends Driving the RV Boom

As winter loses its grip over the country, RV season is here and in this episode of the Roadtreking RV Podcast we talk about the many different trends that are driving the industry and, in particular, why small motorhomes are so hot right now.

We also have a great Off-the-Beaten-Path Report from Billy Cochrane this week on a truly unique cemetery he found for us in rural Alabama. And we have lots of RV news, traveling tech tips and reader comments and questions.

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Here are the shownotes:

Reader Questions and Comments

Bob, from Maine, asks about undercoating to prevent rust on his Class B RV, particularly in northern states where they use a lot of salt on the roads. We recommend a company called Krown for rust proofing, Check out their website at http://krown.com

Listener Mike asks a question about tire pressure on his RV. I share how the suggested pressure for his unit (a Roadtrek 190 on the Chevy chassis) is 50 psi for the front, and 80 0si for the back. All RVs should have a sticker mounted just inside the driver’s side door that list the ratings for tire pressure. Don’t mess with the back one. If it says 80, leave it there as that is calculated based on the weight that an RV carries at the back of the vehicle.

The front tire number can be adjusted up to about 65psi. Experiment a bit, in 5 psi increments. Never go below the rating on the door. Generally, the closer you are to that front rating on the door sticker, the smoother the ride will be. Here’s a suggested tire pressure guide for RVers – http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/tire-inflation-loading.aspx. And here’s one that offers a different approach using the maximum numbers stamped on the sidewall of the tires. http://www.thefitrv.com/rv-tips/how-to-set-the-tire-pressure-in-your-rv/

Our friends Chris and Jim Guld – the “Geeks on Tour” couple – commented on our recent podcast episode about the differences between an Android and Apple smartphone or tablet. They noted that while most apps now run on each platform, they often operate very differently. They also invited us to join them in their weekly “What Does This Button Do?”  program seen live  every Sunday at 2 PM EST

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Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, Mo.

Van City RV only sells Class B. RVs. Owner Ray Dwyer has been in the RV business for 44 years and is considered the dead of Class B RVs. Nobody knows more about small motorhomes that Ray and his crew. They have new and used Class B motorhomes in stock from the major manufacturers. When you fly in to buy your RV from Van City, they'll arrange to have you picked up from the airport and will reimburse you $500 toward your airfare. Then, your RV will be fully prepared for travel, complete with full tanks of fuel and propane. After a complete orientation with their staff on your new RV, you can take delivery and set out for home. Dan the Van Man gives the week's specials on the podcast.

RV News of the Week:

There's a sure sign of Spring – Glacier National Park is starting to open for the new season (Read More)

Maybe because of the TV servies Breaking Bad but more and more drug dealers seem tousing RVs as their base of operations. In Maryland, police made a pretty big bust involving an RV (Read More)

Elgin Ill. RVers are starting a petition drive to get the city to allow RVs to be kept on private property (Read More)

Traveling Tech Tip:

Don’t run out of power for your gadgets while on the road.

Power. We all need more of it.

I used to run out of juice about 4 p.m. most days on my iPhone. About an hour later, the tablet died.

No longer. I carry back-up.

That’s because with so many of us using smartphones and tablets all day long and more and more USB devices becoming “necessities” for daily life, the standard batteries that accompany our gadgets just don’t cut it for all-day use.

I talk about why I always carry the Mophie Powerstation Duo External 12000 mAh Battery.

The Powerstation Duo was developed to ensure you have enough power to keep them fully charged when you need it most. You can charge your phone and tablet together or share a port with a friend in need when outlets aren’t an option. You can get eight phone chargings from a single charge to the Mophie. It’s the most powerful battery pack on the market, yet it easily fits on a backpack or briefcase. About $129 on Amazon. 

This part of the podcast is sponsored by Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.

Verizon’s powerful network keeps you in touch when you’re on the go and when you’re at home.

Wireless Home Phone offers a reliable, portable, low–cost alternative to traditional home phone service and can be used with your existing home telephone. The best part is you get to keep your home phone with you when you travel – whether on the road, in a vacation home or moving to a new home.

You can also get Internet and home phone service all in one device with the 4G LTE Broadband Router with Voice. Whether you need high-speed Internet and/or phone connectivity while you’re at home or away, this router securely connects multiple devices wherever there is a 4G LTE signal.

For a limited time, customers who sign up for Wireless Home Phone or Broadband Router with Voice will receive one month of line access free. Visit your local Verizon retailer today to learn more about this special offer.

Visit Roadtreking.com/vzw for stories about how technology can enhance and improve your life.

Off The Beaten Path: Alabama's Coon Dog Cemetery

Roadtreking Reporter Billy Cochrane has a great report from rural Alabama and the Coon Dog Cemetery (http://www.coondogcemetery.com/). Established in 1937 it is the only such cemetery in the world and has lots of southern culture and tradition behind ot that make a great off the beaten path destination.

Here are some of Billy’s photos taken as he visited the cemetery for the Roadtreking podcast.

Get a Free Audiobook for Your Next RV Trip

Here's a special offer from Audible for Roadtreking RV Podcast listeners. Get a FREE audiobook download and 30 day free trial. Audible has over 150,000 titles to choose from for your iPhone, Android, Kindle or mp3 player. For  listeners of the Roadtreking podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook download with a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service. To download your free audiobook go to audibletrial.com/roadtreking.

Interview: The Trends Driving Today's RV Boom

We stopped by the 27^th anniversary celebration at American RV in Grand Rapids, Mich. last week and had a chance to talk with RV industry leader Chad Neff, top sales consultant Robert Wensel and some new customers who just ordered a new RV as we were visiting.

We learned:

• New trends that are driving the 2015 RV boom
• Why the Internet is like a giant RV showroom
• Why so many are turning to Class B motorhomes
• Why Class B RVs cost so much
• How Class B RVs hold their value
• How solar and lithium ion batteries are the newest innovations for RVing
• The unique features a Class B RV has that set it apart from the other types of RVs

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Please Subscribe and Give Us a Rating and Review!

It would sure be a big help to me if you would subscribe, review and rate the Roadtreking Podcast on iTunes. Those reviews and five star ratings are really important for us to be able to show well in the iTunes listings. So if you can, I’d sure appreciate it if you’d subscribe and leave me a favorable review.

Here’s how:

First, open up the iTunes app on your computer or mobile device. Click on Podcasts up on the top
> From the iTunes Podcasts page, use the “Search Store” field up at the top right corner of the page. Type in Mike Wendland or Roadtreking RV Podcast.
> Click on the logo image of the Roadtreking RV Podcast on the search return page
> From there (see photo above), you can…

1) Subscribe

2) Choose and Click on a star (1-5) that reflects your rating. Five stars means you really like it!

3) Leave a written review.

Thanks to all for the kind reviews we’ve received so far. That got us noticed by Apple/iTunes as “New and Noteworthy.” I appreciate every review!

And remember, you can appear in future episodes. Ask a question or voice your comments about RV topics by clicking the “Leave Voicemail” tab on the right side of this page here at Roadtreking.com. You can then use the microphone on your computer to record your words.

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