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RT54 Why the Small Motorhome Lifestyle is So Appealing

| Updated Sep 23, 2015

The RVing experience is like snowflakes – no two are the same for any of us because the freedom of the RV lifestyle affords us more than enough opportunities to make it our own.

Sure, there a similarities, which is why the tips, tricks, and gadgets we talk about often are so popular among Roadtreking fans.

But at America's Largest RV Show in Hershey, Pennsylvania last week, we wanted to really connect with everyone who took a minute to spend some time with us – really get at where people go, what they do,  and why the small motorhome lifestyle is so satisfying.

So that's who we talk to for the interview section of this episode of the Roadtreking podcast – YOU. Among others, you will hear us talk with:

  • A New Yorker who wants to get away from the city to boondock
  • A couple with some great tips about overnighting at some businesses
  • A 51-year-old Texas man who attended the show and is planning to get a new RV
  • A Pennsylvania couple that is hitting as many festivals around the country as possible
  • How a Pittsburgh couple RVs in a minivan and is looking to upgrade
  • A New Jersey couple looking to get an RV as soon as they're empty nesters
  • A woman from Rochester, N.Y. who travels solo – and has some great tips about it

We also have RV news of the week – including a report about RVers who have been busted trying to avoid paying sales tax – a great off the beaten path report, some traveling tech tips and much more!

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Show Notes for Episode #54 Sept. 23, 2015 of Roadtreking – The RV Lifestyle Podcast:

First Things First: Home From Hershey

Mike and Jennifer Wendland kick off the show talking about their trip to America's Largest RV Show in Hershey, Pennsylvania, last week after Jennifer was excused from doing jury duty. [spp-timestamp time=”3:09″]

Jennifer's Tip of the Week: Keep Track of Spending While Travelling

Jennifer's Tip of the Week for episode 54 is about a great way to keep track of expenses on the road – an app called Smart Receipts. As Jennifer reports, spending must be kept in check and a budget must be adhered to or you could wind up with a huge financial headache. The Smart Receipts app that the Wendlands use ensures they know precisely how and where they are spending money while on the road.  There's a version for Android and a version for iPhone. [spp-timestamp time=”4:48″]

Listener Question: I Want to Convert My RV's Front Seat Into A Bed. Advice?

A listener named Carol has a question about converting the front seat of her 2003 Roadtrek 190 into a sleeping bed. Mike refers her to the manual for her model. He mentions a link for Roadtrek manuals that can be found at: http://www.roadtrek.com/support-contact#section-manuals [spp-timestamp time=”6:59″]

Listener Question: How Do You Decide Where to Overnight?

Roadtreking Listener Rachel emails to ask us how we decide where to overnight. She also wonders if such stays are planned out and asks for advice in finding a place. Mike and Jennifer tell listeners how they approach RV overnights. [spp-timestamp time=”9:50″]

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

Van City RV only sells Class B. RVs. They've been in the RV business for 45 years and nobody knows more about small motorhomes that the Van City  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: Too Many Bear Selfies, Tax Dodgers, and E-Smokers!

Too Many Bear Selfies Shutter Colorado Park: So many people are taking selfies with bears that it's become a really serious problem. So much so, in fact, that a Denver-area park has been forced to close to the public (Read more) [spp-timestamp time=”17:22″]

Minnesota Cracks Whip on RV Tax Dodgers: A recent story sheds light on how effective Minnesota government officials have been on state residents trying to avoid hefty RV taxes by buying RVs in other states. (Read more) Roadtreking previously reported on the controversy in a story that can be found here: https://rvlifestyle.com/montana-llc-titling-rv/ [spp-timestamp time=”19:35″]

No Smoking Rule in National Parks Expanded: The U.S. National Park service announced that electronic cigarettes are now banned in any national park where traditional smoking is prohibited. (Read more) [spp-timestamp time=”22:00″]

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 percent 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.

Thingamajig of the Week: Apple's New iPhone and iOS 9

Paul Ulreich, Verizon's Uber User, joins the show to talk about the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, along with iOS 9. [spp-timestamp time=”26:06″]

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

Verizon customers have given solid reviews to the recently launched Verizon Plan, which offers data in familiar S-M-L-XL sizes.

But many customers also wanted another, bigger data option – and we listened.

Now and for a limited time, the new Verizon Plan will offer a fifth size choice: 18GB for $100 per month. That provides customers with the value of 50 percent more data than the XL option for just $20 more each month.

Each size comes with unlimited talk and text and can be shared among up to 10 devices, with extra data available for just $15 per GB. Customers who need even more data can visit Verizon Wireless.com for details.

Monthly line-access charges on the Verizon Plan are simple, too – every smartphone line is $20 per month, tablet and Jetpack lines are $10 per month and connected device lines for devices like smart watches are $5 per month.

Over the next few months, Verizon customers will also see a simpler and more streamlined bill, making it easier to see and understand monthly charges.

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

RV Calendar: RV Shows Headed to Indiana, Minnesota

September through May (with the exception of December, of course) means RV shows and a Roadtreking RV Calendar that will never have a shortage of events. Here are two coming up: [spp-timestamp time=”3:13″]

 

Off the Beaten Path: Rural Southwest Ohio

In the Off the Beaten Path report, Roatreking Listeners Tom and Pattie Burkett tell you all about the part of southwest Ohio along U.S. 50 [spp-timestamp time=”34:18″]

Here are links mentioned by the Burketts:

Great Serpent Mound: https://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/museum-and-site-locator/serpent-mound

mound

Cairn of Peace: http://m.adamscountytravel.org/cairnofpeace.asp

cairnofpeace

House of Phacops: http://alternateuniverserockshop.com/

House of Phacops
House of Phacops

Dental Museum: www.bainbridgedentalmuseum.org\

DentalMuseum

Interview: Attendees of America's Largest RV Show Talk to Roadtreking

This week's interview segment features Mike talking with many of the attendees of the Hershey RV Show. [spp-timestamp time=”40:09″]

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 2015-09-23

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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