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RT70: Everything you need to know about staying connected to the Internet in your RV

| Updated Jan 13, 2016

Internet connectivity for RVers is a must have. In the last year, so much has changed, so many new products have been released and so many good deals are available from the various companies that we've put together a primer for everything you need to know about staying connected while you're on the road in your RV.

Helping us navigate the online option for RVers are Cherie Ve Ard and Chris Dunphy, also known as “the Technomads,” publishers of the RV Mobile Internet Resource Center. This couple knows more about staying connected while traveling in an RV than any other source you'll find.

They live, breathe, test, review and compare all the different Internet plans and gear available and in this episode of the podcast, they share with Mike the ins and outs of the Internet and RVing for 2015.

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Complete Shownotes for Episdoe 70 of Roadtreking: The RV Travel Podcast:

Jennifer's Tip of the Week – Staying warm on cold weather campouts

This week’s tip is for those f you who camp all year round, not just in warm weather. Sometimes, when it’s cold outside, you need a little extra help for those cold nights. [spp-timestamp time=”6:24″]

The solution for us  was to pick up a small ceramic heater.

heaterThe one we have is the Lasko Model 5307 Oscillating Ceramic Tower Heater. Quite frankly, we can’t remember where we bought it but we think it was Walmart. But you now how hard it is to find something at Walmart. So we looked it up and found it available on Amazon for $34.

It is 16 inches tall and easily stores in one of the cabinets on our Roadtrek. It has three speeds, low, medium and high and you can turn the oscillating feature on or off.

Typically, on really, really cold nights, besides our regular heater, we’ll plug this in and set it up on the galley counter and run it overnight.

I need to point out though, that this heater takes a lot of  power…. 1,500 watts, in fact. So in most cases, unless you have tons of battery and solar power, you’ll want to be plugged into shore power. And since it is such a big power drain, you may have to turn it off briefly of you want to use other high power drain appliances like the microwave or coffee maker.

This little heater kicks out a surprising amount of heat. Other users say it can heat a 10 by 12 foot room all by itself. I don’t know about that but we are very impressed by how well it warms up our RV when we do winter camping.

It has overheat protection and comes in a something they call the cool-touch housing, meaning that you can pick it up and carry it around without it getting too hot.

We are very pleased with our unit. It heats very fast and is also very quiet.

Listener Question: Apps to create and share a travel journal

Listener Tom H asks:

I'm looking for an easy to use way to keep family and friends up to date on our wandering. Some time ago it seems like you did a feature on several but I can't seem to locate it. [spp-timestamp time=”11:14″]

Mike's Answer: 

Besides keeping a record or journal, we love sharing our travel with friends and families. In this digital age, instead of postcards, we’re posting real-time maps, photos, video and travel reports. Let me show you three ways apps and the Internet can help you share your traveling adventures.

For iPhone and iPad users, check out the free Track My Tour app and website. You start a route and through the app, add updates as you travel. It grabs your GPS location from your device and  dispays it, as well as your comments and the photos you take on an interactive map.  It’s free, though there is an upgraded version that lets you have some extra features.

Check My Tour is a similar app, geared towards cyclists and motorcycle trips, though it will also work with regular roadtrips. It is for Apple devices but also Android smartphones.

Then there’s My Trip Journal. This allows you to set up your own travel blog website. It maps your routes and lets you write reports and updates and allows you to have a travel journal that can be viewed by whoever you share it with

Off the Beaten Path Report: US 40 – America's National Road in Maryland

Listeners Tom and Patti Burkett share some side trips and out of the way spots to visit while traveling through Maryland along US 40, America's “National Road.” Yes, Route 66 is called the “Mother Road.” But US 40 began in 1926 with the creation of the numbered federal highway system. It carries transcontinental traffic at the nation's midsection and out East, the Burketts found lots of places to share with us. [spp-timestamp time=”18:52″]

Interview of the Week – Cherie and Chris from the RV Mobile Internet Resource Center

Chris Dunphy and Cherie Ve Ard, also known as the Technomads, have been full time RVers since 2006. They publish the RV Mobile Internet Resource Center, perhaps the most comprehensive and helpful website you'll find for all things related to RVing and the Internet. [spp-timestamp time=”25:53″]

technomadia-mobile-internetThey've just put together a detailed report – the 2015 RV Mobile Internet Year In Review – that details the state of Internet access for RVers today, and outlines where it is headed tomorrow. It is must reading for RVers who must be connected and it's absolutely free. Just click this link and start scrolling down to read their expert analysis.

But first, listen to their interview with Mike on this podcast.

Among other topics, we discuss:

  • What cellular company is the best for RVers, offering the most reliable coverage?
  • What is the up and coming company that most bears watching?
  • How can RVers get unlimited data?
  • What should American RVers do about a data plan when traveling to Canada, and Canadian RVers do when traveling to the U.S.?
  • Do Cell phone boosters really work?
  • Why is campground Wi-F so bad and what can be done about it?
  • How can RVers watch all the streaming video they want without racking up huge data bills?
  • What new development in satellite Internet finally makes it a viable option for RVers?

Those are just a few of the questions. Plus we offer a free report that covers, in depth, all the topics Cherie and Chris shared.

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
  • Leisure Time RV, a family-owned dealership in central Florida. Your vacation starts at Leisure Time RV

Mike Wendland

Published on 2016-01-13

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.

One Response to “RT70: Everything you need to know about staying connected to the Internet in your RV”

March 28, 2016at11:43 pm, Wendy Cole said:

Is there a companion or a dating site for Roadtreking??? I would like to meet a person that likes to travel..and wants a fun companion.

Comments are closed.

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