Episodes

One of the neatest things about RVing is how it complements so many other hobbies like hiking, kayaking, photography and.... amateur radio. Yes, amateur radio, or ham radio is it is often called. There's a huge resurgence in the hobby these days with more people participating in the hobby that ever before. Joining me on this week's episode of the podcast are Sean Kutzko and Norm Fusaro from the American Radio Relay League. Both love camping and the outdoors and say it's the one sure way to have ...

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 k...

With gas prices low and the National Parks Service celebrating it's 100th anniversary in 2016 with special events, there's never been a better time for RVers to visit a National Park. But what to see? In what order? We talk about that a lot this week with Rob Bignell, author oa=f a new book called the Best Sights in America's National Parks. Rob offers some bucket list suggestions and shares his favorite sites, as well a suggested trip RVers should take this year. That's just one of many interes...

Is retirement all it's cracked up to be? Yes, a new study says it makes you happier and healthier. In this episode, we focus on retirement and it's many benefits, particularly retirement and RVing. Plus our usual tips, RV news, Tech news and destination reports. [spp-player] Complete shownotes for Episode 68 of Roadtreking: The RV Travel Podcast Mike and Jennifer share their New Year RV resolutions, their immediate travel plans and a look ahead to a year of RV stories from across North America [...

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America and the closet thing possible to being the "official" sport of RVing. In this episode of Roadtreking: The RV Podcast, we interview Rusty Howes of pickleballchannel.com, the premier media outlet of the entire sport. who explains how RVers have been largely responsible for driving the sport of Pickleball to its huge popularity/ But that's just part of a jam-packed peisode filled with RV news, Traveling Tech Tips, an Off-the-Beaten-Path Repor...

In this week's episode, we talk about an RV gathering that will teach you more about RVing in three days than most people learn in a lifetime. The Family Motorcoach Association's upcoming gathering in Perry, GA is the kind of event every RVer should attend at least once in their lifetime. In this episode, Mike talks to Doug Uhlenbrock of the FMCA [spp-timestamp time="20:38"] who describes the seminars and activities available for owners of all sorts of RVs. [spp-player] But there is so much more...

It's the time when many RVers start dreaming and planning about the places they'll visit in the coming new year. For many this year, that means more off-the-grid boondocking wilderness experiences, far from the crowds and in beautiful places where one can be close to nature. But boondocking poses its own special problems and in this episode of Roadtreking the RV Podcast, we talk to a full-time RVer who almost exclusively boondocks. Readers of our Roadtreking.com RV Travel blog already know of Ca...

Sometimes, RV dealerships will try to talk you into expensive add on procedures that really aren't needed. Indeed, one of their top profit makers is convincing new owners into buying very expensive spray-on treatments for the interior or exterior. After an RV dealer asks for Mike's advice on whether he should pay $900 for such a treatment for his new RV, Mike offers much cheaper and very practical advice. That's one of many topics tackled in episode 64 of the Roadtreking RV Podcast. [spp-player]...

As our U.S. friends celebrate Thanksgiving this week (our Canadian friends celebrated their Thanksgiving a few weeks ago), Jennifer and I reflect back on many of the people we've met and the places and adventures we've shared this past year. [spp-player] We've been on the road more than half of 2015 and it's been a year of great opportunities. [spp-timestamp time="3:02"] But at the heart of the small those lifestyle are the people we have met, other RVers who quickly;y become family. We hear fro...

Should you turn your RV's propane system off every time you drive? Or is it okay to keep it on as you travel down the road? In this episode, we answer the questions, brought about after an RVer got involved in an accident. Afterwards, he got to "what iffing," wondering about his propane issues. We tell the story of his accident and get some great expert help on the answer. Plus, Jennifer's Tip of the Week, a Reader question about restoring a vintage RV, apps to make traveling better, a bucket li...

You don't have to be a fulltimer or go camping for long periods of time to find lots of uses for an RV. In this episode of the podcast, you meet Kathy and Les, two of our Roadtreking friends who use their RV in lots of different ways - from stealth camping on the streets of New York, to driveway camping at the homes of relatives to hauling her art and craft exhibit to various shows. This couple, who live in suburban Toledo, also have a condo in Florida and use their RV for leisurely trips to ad ...

Let's face it: RVs can be complicated. There are lots of things we need to know and do to not only protect our investment but to operate our RVs safely. In this episode, we give you valuable information you won't find in the manual that came with your RV. So don't set out on another trip without listening to these tips from Mike's special guest Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor. In fact, this podcast is loaded with tips and suggestions, starting out with seven of Jennifer's Favorite RV Hacks, plus the ...

It's been said by many that every place has a story to tell. And in this episode of Roadtreking the RV Podcast we learn that many of the most interesting places also have a festival or special event to celebrate their stories. Just about every weekend, somewhere in North America, there's a small town festival celebrating something. And finding those festivals - be they music, food or event-centered - is just one of several topics we tackle this week in Episode 59. We interview the author of a gr...

When it comes to RVing, it's thinking about the things you never thought of before that make the biggest difference. For example, you probably don't want to be halfway across the country on a coast-to-coast trip and realize you didn't make any arrangements for how your mail will be handled. Nor do you want to set out for your first big trip of the season next spring only to realize mice have spent the winter destroying your RV's insides. But don't worry because - as you will hear in this episode...

We're all constantly seeing it - some really bad RV drivers are out there with us on the road. But as our guest on this week's Roadtreking podcast tells us, we needn't be among the offenders. In fact, Mark Polk, publisher of RVEducation101.com - which also just launched an RV education app for iOS and Android - has all kinds of great tips to help drive an RV like a pro. Among other things, Mark helps us understand: Where most RV dangers come from How to turn properly How to maneuver around gas p...

Wait until you hear how you'll be soon using the Internet in your RV! After lots of interesting reader questions, comments, tips and RV news, we do some visioneering about what's just over the horizon in terms of the Internet and RVing. Our special guest of Paul Ulreich, the "Uber User" from Verizon Wireless. Paul has been involved in the Internet and cellular technology for two decades and in a wide-ranging conversation, he talks with Mike about RVing and its role in the iOT - the Internet of T...

It doesn't matter where you go, what you do, or how you enjoy your RV - just as long as you're out there making memories and living the RVing dream. And that's what this episode of the Roadtreking RV Lifestyle podcast is all about - from Jennifer's Tip of the Week about finding fun festivals around North America and equipping your RV with the right gear to a great group of friends we met RVing in Florida (that's them in the above photo), including someone who comes to the U.S. from England every...

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, wha...

With the peak summer travel season behind us, thoughts for many begin to turn toward snowbird season. But RVing for an extended period so far from home during the long winter months isn't all sun and sand, especially if you don't prepare properly. Take it from Tim and Carol Mallon, the couple from Canada behind the Snowbird Tails from the Trail blog at http://snowbirdtailsfromthetrails.blogspot.com/ Tim and Carol Mallon The duo knows how to snowbird right and join Roadtreking's Mike Wendland for...

In business, having more demand than supply is usually a good thing - and that just happens to be the current state of the super hot RV rental market. So says Joel Clark, co-founder, RVshare.com. Clark says the RV rental market is so hot, in fact, that owners who want to rent out their RVs could make as much as $40,000 annually from doing so (depending on numerous factors, of course). That also opens the door for those who want to be renters, allowing for more opportunity to enjoy the RVing life...

This week on the podcast we meet an RVing couple that travels from Paradise to Paradise. And in this week's episode, they share how they maximize their RV travels and fight back against the aging process. We offer lessons learned from Carl and Bobbi Braun, who wanted to do more in retirement than just grow old, plus we have a full plate of RV News, cool RV destination information, hot traveling tech and what RV events should be on your calendar. Besides the interview with the Brauns, we have so ...

Big changes are sweeping the campground industry. From fiber optic cable for more streaming video and high speed Internet to themed parks that cater to your own favorite camping activities, the parks and campground industry is making lots of changes. Our guest today is Paul Bambei, of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds , who shares with Mike how a busy camping industry is meeting consumer demand and expectations. But we have lots of other RV news, audience questions, a tip abou...

Next to our homes, an RV is probably the most expensive purchase we will ever make. Even used RVs come with a steep pricetag. This week, we offer some very practical advice about shopping for a used RV. Our guest is Terry Cooper, President of the National RV Inspectors Association. Just as we hire a home inspector before purchasing a house, we can hire RV inspectors to make sure we don't get ripped off or stuck with a used unit with major problems. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #49 Aug. 19...

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 educat...