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RT48: What You Need to Know About America’s Largest RV Show

| Updated Aug 12, 2015

Everyone knows that researching and buying an RV is a big job – that's why when events come along like next month's America's Largest RV Show, you have to be prepared.

After all, the 47th annual RV show – set for Sept. 16-20 in Hershey, Pennsylvania – will feature 47 different manufacturers showcasing more than 1,300 RVs. That's a lot of RVs. Thirty-three football fields worth of RVs, as a matter of fact.

For this episode of the Roadtreking podcast, we talk to Heather Leach, marketing and education director for America’s Largest RV Show, about how attendees of just about any RV show should prepare for an RV show ahead of time. In fact, the discussion is part of a new feature for the Roadtreking podcast – the RV Calendar. Among other things, Heather and Mike talk about:

  • How big the show is
  • How many manufacturers will be on hand
  • How many RVs will be at the show
  • If attendees can buy at the show
  • What other RV-related activities will be going on during the event
  • What kind of accommodations are available near the show
  • How much time it will take to see everything
  • How attendees should pace themselves to not wear out too fast
  • How to find discounts on tickets

Also in this show we have a tip from Jennifer on staying cool on hot nights, take questions and comments from listeners, report on RV news (including the hiker killed by a bear at Yellowstone last week), offer you some great traveling tech, and an RV Bucket Destination in Colorado. That, and more, on this edition of the Roadtreking podcast.

 

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Show Notes for Episode #48 Aug. 12, 2015 of Roadtreking – The RV Lifestyle Podcast:

First Things First: Roadtreking Motorsports and Music Weekend

This week's show kicks off with Jennifer joining Mike to talk about their upcoming weekend adventure at the Roadtreking Motorsports and Music Weekend happening at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan [spp-timestamp time=”2:59″]

Jennifer's Tip of the Week: Stay Cool When It's Hot

In this edition of Jennifer's Tip of the Week, she brings you tips to help stay cool during the hot summer nights. It’s the Hopkins 12-volt oscillating fan. It costs about $13 at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1f5jtL0

Among the reasons Jennifer recommends the fan is that it plugs into a 12-volt outlet and doesn't require use of the AC power inverter, which makes it especially handy for boondocking. Also, it oscillates 90 degrees, helps keep the entire vehicle cool and it can be permanently mounted, and stores easily in one of our cabinets. [spp-timestamp time=”3:49″]

Listener Feedback: More Tips on Managing Health Care While RVing

A listener named Beth comments on episode 45 of the Roadtreking podcast that featured the topic of managing healthcare while RVing. As a health care professional, she offers a couple of additional tips. [spp-timestamp time=”5:24″]

Listener Question: How do Mesh Net Storage Organizers Hold Up?

Next, listener Linda asks about how the  self-adhering mesh net storage organizer http://amzn.to/1KvbPri we talked about two episodes ago are holding up. [spp-timestamp time=”9:38″]

Listener Question: Can You Help Me Rent a Roadtrek Popular?

Listeners Doug and Mary Bowers are considering purchasing a Roadtrek, but would like to rent one first. They ask Mike and Jennifer for any tips on renting a Roadtrek Popular specifically. Mike and Jennifer offer some tips. [spp-timestamp time=”11:26″]

Listener Question: Can You Offer Any Bedding Storage Tips?

Roadtreking listener George Moran asks for any tips on storing bedding. Jennifer talks about where she and Mike store their bedding. [spp-timestamp time=”14:24″]

Listener Question: How Do You Avoid Taking Too Many Clothes on RV Trips?

And listener Charlene asks Mike and Jennifer about how they manage to pack light and not take too many clothes on RV trips. Hint: Laundromats CAN be your friends – if you use Jennifer's tips. [spp-timestamp time=”16:35″]

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 dean 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.

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RV News of the Week: Bear Attack at Yellowstone, Alaska Bears in Action, Sleeping Bear Recovers, Spill in Colorado River

Hiker Killed by Bear at Yellowstone: A 63-year-old hiker was killed last week by a bear at Yellowstone. Could it have been prevented? Many think so. Here is the story we reference: http://www.ktvq.com/story/29749899/yellowstone-grizzly-bear-suspected-of-killing-hiker-captured For more insight, here's what my friend Deby Dixon, a photographer who lives in the area, had to say: https://www.facebook.com/debydixonphotography/posts/865904960129476 [spp-timestamp time=”21:52″]

Want to See Bears in Action? Check Out This Webcam: Mike shares a very cool webcam, a live “bear cam” from Brooks Falls at Katmai National Park in Alaska, where sometimes as many as 100 Alaskan brown bears gather along a mile long stretch of river to feast on the largest sockeye salmon run in the world. Here's a link: http://explore.org/live-cams/player/brown-bear-salmon-cam-brooks-falls [spp-timestamp time=”26:38″]

Michigan's Sleeping Bear Area Continues Recovery: Areas in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are slowing reopening after a devastating storm hit the region 10 days ago but the most popular area campgrounds remain closed. Here's a link for more info: http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?id=1241784#.VcnxDxNVhBd [spp-timestamp time=”28:04″]

Horrible Toxic Spill in Colorado: There's been a devastating toxic spill in Colorado that turned a popular river orange and ruined an area water supply. It's the Animas River near Durango. Here's a link to the story: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/11/us/durango-colorado-mine-spill-environmental-protection-agency.html?_r=0 [spp-timestamp time=”29:05″]

This portion of the podcast is brought to you by Alde, the only name in heat that you need to know for your RV.

The Alde hydronic system brings many features and benefits not found with any other product.

  1. Silent Radiant Heat – providing a warm even natural heated interior. Great for pets. (And Humans)
  2. Increased Interior Space by combining two systems in one.
  3. Efficiency. The whole system draws less than 1 amp on 12V DC and will extend the life of your propane roughly 40% over forced air.
  4. Heating on Electric or Gas.
  5. Multiple Options and Amenities: Towel Warmers, Floor Heat, Tank Heating, 4 Season Camping, Engine Heat, Driver Comfort,
  6. Modern Programable Color Touch Screen Thermostat and Interface
  7. Minimal Side-Wall Penetration. Small combined intake and exhaust eliminate big cut outs and sidewall congestion.

Traveling Tech with Paul Ulreich, Verizon's Uber User

Mike introduces a new Roadtreking feature in which Paul Ulreich, Verizon's Uber User, talks about tech that will be useful for travelers. For this week, Paul has some cool apps for those who want to keep track of football and soccer as they travel. [spp-timestamp time=”32:36″]

This podcast is brought to you by Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest and most reliable 4G LTE network. 

Isn’t it time you stepped up your home security? Verizon has a new smart home device from Nest that can help—the Nest Cam! Now you can keep an eye on the house even when you’re away from home!

Whether you want the ability to identify intruders, keep a close eye on your children after they arrive home from school or figure out where Fido has been hiding your shoes, the Nest Cam lets you keep an eye on what matters most to you. With the Nest Cam, you can watch live footage of your home in 1080p HD from your mobile device and get alerts whenever motion or sound is detected. You can even hear what’s going on in the room and have a full conversation with individuals on the other end using the Nest App.

Installation is simple and takes less than 60 seconds – seeing is believing. Visit your local Verizon retailer to learn more about the Nest Cam and how it works.

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

RV Calendar: America's Largest RV Show, Hershey, Pennsylvania, Sept. 16-20

Mike introduces a new segment in this week's podcast – the RV Calendar. In this week's edition, he interviews Heather Leach,marketing and education director for America’s Largest RV Show in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The event is set for Sept. 16-20, 2015, and you can find a link here: http://www.prvca.org/PRVCAHome/AmericasLargestRVShowPublicInfo/tabid/59/Default.aspx [spp-timestamp time=”36:53″]

This part of the podcast is brought to you by Leisure Time RV, serving central Florida and the Internet from Winter Garden, Fla..

Leisure Time RV, a family-owned dealership in Winter Garden, Florida,  near Orlando has been in business for 45 year and is consistently among the top Roadtrek dealers in North America. They have a full line of the Roadtrek inventory as well as travel trailers and used RVs. Jennifer and I have visited Leisure Time RV and we know the staff and we are very impressed by the honesty, integrity and first rate service we found there. They sell to customers all across the country, wich tells you that they know how to deal. They also offer unparalled RV service and if you are looking for Roadtrek parts, call Leisure Time RV because they also carry a full line of parts which they ship out nationwide.

RV Bucket Destination List: Colorado's Garden of the Gods

This week's RV Bucket Destination List is all about Colorado’s Garden of the Gods. Here's a link to a Roadtreking post about it: https://rvlifestyle.com/must-visit-colorado-garden-gods/ Among other things, the area features:

  • Red-colored sandstone formations tower as high as 300 feet and walking trails lead right up to them
  • Cheyenne Mountain State Park, one of the nicest state parks we've stayed at anywhere, and located just south of Colorado Springs
  • Because the park just opened in 2000, everything is nice and relatively new
  • Close to Pikes Peak
  • More than 15 miles of trails with a 1.5 mile trail running through the heart of the park that is paved and wheelchair accessible [spp-timestamp time=”48:48″]

 

Please Subscribe and Give Us a Rating and Review!

Many listeners are asking how they can subscribe, review and rate the Roadtreking Podcast on iTunes. With a new podcast like this, those reviews and ratings are really important 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 your review.

Here’s how:

How to subscribe, rate and review a podcast

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, one star not so much.

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.

Mike Wendland

Published on 2015-08-12

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

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