Episodes

We've all heard the term "workamping" during our RV travels and - if you're anything like us - probably wondered what it really is like to be a workamper. Sure, we could refer you to some general description from the Internet, but why do that when we can bring you someone who actually has worked as part of the so-called Amazon Camperforce? And that's why for this episode of the Roadtreking podcast, we talk to Will Triplet, a seasoned workamper who fills us in on what it's like to earn your keep ...

The great thing about living the RV lifestyle is the freedom it affords - and that includes the freedom to hit the open road alone. It's a trend that is growing. Take Sherry Targum, president, Roadtrek International chapter of the Family Motorcoach Association. She decided long ago to hit the road alone (well, she had some cats, too) and hasn't looked back. She joins Mike Wendland for episode 46 of the Roadtreking podcast to share what she has learned about successfully solo RVing. Among other t...

Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in making sure our RVs are in tip-top shape before hitting the road that thinking about our own health care once we're actually on the road falls by the wayside. That is, until it's too late. That's why for this episode of the Roadtreking podcast, we talk with expert Margo Armstrong, blogger at MovingOnWithMargo.com and author of "Healthcare and the RV Lifestyle." Margo and Mike talk tips for on-the-road health care in a discussion that aims to at the very leas...

For many, RVing, camping, and campfires go together like graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate, but there is growing concern that the fires may be getting out of control - even when safely confined to a fire pit. Most recently, for example, Chuck Woodbury, founder and publisher, RV Travel, opined that it's time for some campgrounds to establish so-called "No Campfire Zones." He wrote his editorial, of course, after spending a few nights at a packed KOA where his neighbor's fire pit was le...

For many, it's important to stay connected - even when we are in our RV in the middle of nowhere and there is no WiFi or a phone signal to take us online. Enter satellite Internet. It allows you to stay connected from just about anywhere you have access to the sky - with a catch or two that you need to consider. In this episode, Mike Wendland talks about the new satellite Internet system he has with the Zenmaster of full-time RVing - Campskunk. Among other things, Mike and Campskunk talk about: ...

Small house, big yard. It's one of our favorite sayings here at Roadtreking and for good reason: It perfectly sums up what we love most about our RV lifestyle. "Small house," of course, refers to our Type B (small) motorhome and the "big yard" is, well, wherever we want it to be. The whole of North America. That's why we know a Type B is the perfect kind of motorhome for us. In this episode of Roadtreking, however, we go beyond a cool slogan to delve into specifics about what we took into consid...

When people started camping in their vehicles in the early 1900s, they really had one goal: to open up the world. They just wanted to see what they could see and even the most primitive RVing allowed that to happen. At some point, however, things changed. It became as important to take as much of your home with you when trying to, in fact, get away from home. Things like full hookups became a necessity. As such, the number of possible RV destinations seemed limited, the original intent of RVing ...

Empty nesters have two choices once the last kid leaves home for good: sit around pining for the good ol' days or make some great new days. The RV lifestyle offers a way to make some great new days - to get out to see amazing places and meet awesome people and not just exist, but live. David and Veronica James, aka The Gypsy Nesters, are among the best examples of how it can work. In fact, they take it to the extreme because eight years ago they sold their sticks-and-bricks home and hit the road...

In this episode we talk about what you need to know about boondocking in your RV. [spp-player] Live from the "Roadtreking Montana Boondocking in the Beartooth Mountains Photo Safari," we discuss the ins and outs of RV boondocking. We interview RT Campskunk, the Zenmaster of RV boondocking, who tells us the lessons he's learned from six months of fluttering in a small Class B motorhome, most of it off the grid in wilderness areas. Among other things, he talks about: Black and grey water managemen...

Our trip west could have turned out much different were it not for the technology that makes RVs like ours energy self sufficient - the kind of tech that provides a look into the future of Class B RVing. We can boondock pretty much anywhere, anytime. Case in Point: We didn't have a reservation for one of the campgrounds near Grand Canyon and would've been stuck waiting forever to get one instead of enjoying everything this amazing landmark has to offer. But with a Roadtrek CS Adventurous XL from...

If you listen closely to this week's Roadtreking RV Lifestyle podcast, you can hear birds chirping in the background, a light breeze blowing, and our dog Tai playing around camp. It may not seem like a big deal but it is, especially after what happened to us just a week ago. That's when our RV was illegally entered and ransacked by thieves who took a lot of our stuff. Of course, dealing with that was an unexpected speed bump in our journey to get where we are as we recorded this week's podcast -...

Seven minutes is all it took for our RV to be burglarized, to lose $12,000 and counting worth of equipment - just about everything of value inside the motorhome except the dog.

Bear attacks and bad weather are making headlines all over the place and you definitely do NOT want any future headlines like that involving you on your RVing adventures! That's why for this episode of the Roadtreking RV podcast we talk all about these two big potential pitfalls of RVing. We start by addressing what people are doing wrong when it comes to bears, including getting too close to take pictures. We have a report from the National Park Service about how to enjoy bears without any trou...

In this episode of the Roadtreking RV Podcast, we learn from an expert how RV travel does not have to break the bank. They don't call Marianne Edwards the Frugal RVer for nothing - after all, she's been out on her latest trip since January and has only spent about $150 on camping fees over the past five months. Most nights, she camps free. That doesn't include other things like gas, supplies, food, etc., but still, it's pretty impressive and besides... Marianne, of the Frugal RV Travel and Boond...

Everyone knows there as so many great things about the RV lifestyle, but there is one thing particularly not-so-great: it can be downright unhealthy. Of course, there are good reasons - it takes effort to make healthy foods and avoid stopping for a quick snack or fast food meal and even more effort to stay fit. After all, who wants to work so much or be uncomfortable when you are supposed to be most comfortable - while RVing? Too bad say the guests on this week's episode of the Roadtreking RV Li...

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. [spp-player] Here are the shownot...

More and more RVers are seeking ways to get away from everything, off the grid, boondocking far away from crowds and commercial campgrounds. That's why solar power is such a hot item these days for RVers. In this episode of the Roadtreking RV Podcast, we talk to Campskunk, our resident fulltimer, who shares his extensive experience with solar power, helping us understand the many benefits of solar and just what it can do for you. [spp-player] Here are the full shownotes for this week's episode: ...

As you spend more and more time on the road - either full-timing or heading into the brunt of the travel season - you're going be relying on your mobile devices to stay in touch and that raises one big question: should RVers use smartphones and tablets running the Apple or Android platform? Apple offers iOS and that's the system behind iPhones. Android is the Google-based platform used on devices made by the likes of Samsung. And sure, you can make calls and use the Internet with both just fine ...

Judging by the amount of listener questions we're getting these days it's clear that many are getting ready for the best time of the year: RV season! Don't worry, we have you covered in the latest Roadtreking RV Lifestyle podcast, telling you what you need to know by answering as many listener questions as we can - and then some. In fact, we talk everything from eating healthy on the road and keeping insects away to amateur radio and speed traps. And wait until you hear our main interview! Charl...

Every wonder how cool it would be like to spend a day at an RV dealer - the amazing stories and experiences that you would get from customers and staff alike? Well, so did we! That's what Jennifer and I experienced after spending St. Patrick's Day at Leisure Time RV in Winter Garden, Fla. during our recent March trip south. The photo is some of the people who came from all over Florida to meet and greet us and tell us their stories. See the photo of this stained glass window? That's what one of ...

In this episode we answer lots of reader questions, check out the RV news of the week, offer some tech tips and learn all about the many benefits of having a dash cam in your RV. Our guest in the second half of the show is Dewey DeVane, the owner of Windshield Witness, the company that makes the dash cam I use in our RV to document our travels and capture the beautiful scenery Jennifer and I encounter as we travel North America. [spp-player] Shownotes for Roadtreking Podcast Episode 36 First, th...

It's time for the Connected RV. You've no doubt had it with campground WiFi. Useless. There must be a better way. And in this episode of the podcast, we talk all about it: Using a small gizmo the size of a deck of cards to create, via a cellular connection to the Internet, your own WiFi network in your RV. We brought in Paul Ulreich, a wireless technology expert, to help you understand (in no geek-speak terms) what you need to know to get full benefits from your rolling WiFi network. Confused ab...

It's always hard to come up with a catchy title for these Roadtreking RV Podcast episodes. But if I had to summarize what we talk about most this week I'd say it's all about creating the lives we have been dreaming about. Whether you are a retiree, about to retire, or just long to get out there in an RV as a full-timer or half-timer and are trying to figure out how you can still earn some money, this episode is for you. It's all about pursuing your passions in your RV. Know this: you can do it! ...

No matter where or how you roll, the one thing all RVers have in common is the way the RV lifestyle seems to bring people together - literally and figuratively. For snowbirds, full-timers, near full-timers like Jennifer and me or weekend campers, it's the sheer joy of getting out and meeting new people or simply spending quality time with your spouse or friends. For families with younger children or grandchildren, it means bonding time away from the distractions of day-to-day living, TV, video g...