May 1, 2024
Expert RV Driving Tips You Need to Know
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This week on the RV Podcast: In the interview of the week, we have practical RV driving tips from an expert on operating, backing up, and navigating mountains and steep hills in an RV. A Massachusetts couple dropped off their RV to get repaired. The dealer then moved the RV to an unsecured parking area down the street, where it was then stolen. The dealer basically shrugged and said it wasn't their problem. We’ll explain in the news of the week. Good News! The National Parks Service has abandoned its plan to remove the wild horses from Theodore Roosevelt National Park thanks to public pressure. Plus the latest in RV recalls and your questions coming up in Episode #495 of the RV Podcast
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- This week on the RV podcast.
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- In the interview of the week,
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we have some very practical
tips from an expert on driving,
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backing up and navigating mountains
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and steep hills in an rv.
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- And a Massachusetts
couple dropped off their
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RV to get it repaired.
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The dealer then moved the RV
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to an unsecured parking
area down the street
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where it was stolen, and the
dealer basically shrugged
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and said it wasn't their problem.
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We'll explain in the news of the week,
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- Good news, the National
Park Service has abandoned its
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plan to remove the wild
horses from Theodore Roosevelt
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National Park, thanks to public pressure
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- Plus the latest in RV recalls.
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And, uh, your questions
coming up in episode 4 95
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of the RV podcast.
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- Hello everybody, I'm Mike Wendling,
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and this is my lifelong
traveling companion
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and my bride Jennifer.
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Hello, my dear. Hello
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- My Michael.
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- A couple of quick announcements.
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If you are listening to the podcast,
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we would very much appreciate
it if you would give
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us a review on the podcast.
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We love those five star reviews.
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If you think we're really
good, give us one of those.
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And, um, I was looking the other day,
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and most of our people seem
to be listening on the Apple
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or Google, uh, apps,
but Spotify is up there.
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If you listen to us on Spotify,
would you do us a favor
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and give us a review on Spotify?
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We'd like to see those
Spotify reviews come up.
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We only have a, you know,
a few dozen of them there
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and hundreds of them
on the other platform,
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so we appreciate it.
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So another week and spring
has truly sprung, hasn't it?
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- It's been beautiful weather.
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Yeah, we've gotten lots
of rain that we needed
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and, uh, things are growing.
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Things are green and
up, things are blooming.
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- Now. One of the nice things
about living in southwest
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Michigan, besides the climate,
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and it's great for
growing fruit, we've got
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17 blueberry pan pan plants.
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Uh, we just added, uh, we
have seven raspberry plants.
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And actually we have more than that.
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We have some wild ones
too, but who's counting?
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But who's counting? So we're
really excited about that.
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But one of the reasons we, we
moved to southwest Michigan,
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besides the fact that our
son and daughter-in-Law
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and our two of our grandkids
live literally across the
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cornfield from us out here in the country
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when we found 10 acres out here.
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So we love that. But we're only about
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you 30, 45 minutes from Elkhart, Indiana,
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so the RV capital of the world. So
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- We've got a trip to Elkhart this week.
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- Yeah. And, uh, we're really excited.
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We've been doing a bunch
of reviews on, um, RVs
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and some of the cool things that, uh,
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that we really like about them.
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And, uh, we are gonna review a,
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a true game changer in the
towable category in the fifth
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wheels, uh, category.
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And we'll tell you more
about that later on.
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But that's where we'll be this
week doing a, a big review
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and, uh, on, uh, probably the best
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fifth wheel out there in
the marketplace today.
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I think we can say that
pretty confidently that, uh,
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that's what we're gonna talk about.
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But we're also working on
a couple of other ones.
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- Yeah. We're working on doing
some reviews on class A's
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and, uh, C's.
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- Yeah. And, uh, uh, amongst
all that, we're watching our,
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uh, our grandson played baseball
a couple of times a week
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and working on our garden
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and, uh, plotting a lot
of, uh, camping trips.
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We've got a big one planned
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Mother's Day weekend.
Mm-Hmm..
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- It's gonna be fun.
- And then we've got our gathering in,
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uh, uh, ship Shiwana
Indiana coming up in June,
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and then our big trip to
the Maritimes this summer.
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So lots there. So
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- We are gonna be busy.
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- And, uh, yes, I am continuing the diet,
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although I will say it is not easy.
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It's not so much the, you know,
reducing the calories, uh,
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Lord knows I need to do that,
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but it's going to a plant-based diet.
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It is just, it's just not, I don't care
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what pe people Oh, it's really easy.
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It is not easy. We've had
some pretty yucky foods.
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- Well, that's 'cause
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I'm not making it from scratch.
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I've been buying frozen meals and
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- Cans, but, you know.
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Yeah, it, it does take a lot
more work if you're gonna
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really make your own meals with it.
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- Well, it takes a lot
more work if you make your
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real meals instead of easy meals. But,
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- Uh, but you know, that making,
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putting a hot dog together
is two minutes, you know?
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Yeah. If you use the air fryer even, it's
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- Very convenient.
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- And, uh, yeah, you can, you know,
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there are meat subs. Pretend
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- Chicken nuggets were
kind of easy in the air
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- Fryer.
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Pretend chicken nuggets
sit with and now,
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and then this, what is
it that impossible meat,
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this meat substitute.
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I'm sorry. I had something
the other day called, uh,
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bourbon meatballs.
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Sounded good. It was,
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it was like eating styrofoam
with ketchup on it.
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- Well, how was it? It
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- Was terrible.
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Other than that, it was
terrible. It was just, I didn't,
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you saw I didn't need it.
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So, anyway, um, I know
if we wanna take the time
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and learn to, we don't have the time, so,
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- So we gotta hire a chef. That's it.
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- That's the secret. Yeah.
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So quick subscribe more, get more.
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We need more, get us more
sponsors. Um, it is just a hassle.
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And, uh, I think we're back to
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what you've always said is
the best way to lose weight,
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portion control, um, maybe a little bit
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of no fastest no junk, uh, move,
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move more and, uh, do the math.
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And by that we mean, you
know, count the calories
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and how many you need a day.
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It's all very simple. You just have
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to have a few cal calories less than
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what you need to maintain your weight.
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- I don't think it's so simple anymore,
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because it used to be if I
wanted to lose some weight,
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all I had to do was I knew the meals.
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If I ate those meals, I would lose weight.
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And it doesn't seem to happen anymore.
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No, it, so I think something,
it is metabolism as we age.
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- It is harder the older
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- You get.
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It's, uh, yeah, it used
to be very easy for me
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to get a couple pounds off
and now I can't get 'em off.
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- And then there's the whole issue
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as we have researched
this diet and dug into it
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and how bad the food in America is.
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You know, uh, and we've watched all,
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you probably have seen some
of those diet, but I mean,
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and it doesn't make any
difference whether it's meat
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or whether it's VE vegetables.
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I mean, there's places
going romaine lettuce,
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which you shouldn't eat at all, right?
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Next to these animal feedlots.
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You know, it's, I don't
have to go into detail.
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It's not good. So anyway,
we're working on our garden,
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but it's not gonna be enough.
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And I'm working on the diet
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and I'm, I'm getting
kinda cranky about it.
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So, yeah, I think, anyway, I
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- Think it, it's hard to
be pleasant when you're
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- Just, don't ask
changing food bourbon fake
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meatballs anymore.
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It, I didn't even taste
the bourbon in them.
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It was terrible. But anyway, oh, you
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- Probably would've liked poured a little
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- If you pour some real bourbon
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on, I probably could've handled it.
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But, uh, hey, quick programming note,
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if you're watching this on
May 2nd, uh, tomorrow May 3rd,
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uh, or I'm sorry, uh, if you're
watching this on May 1st,
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when it comes out tomorrow on May 2nd, uh,
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the Amazon Live will feature us again,
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we'll be doing on Amazon
live product review
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and a bunch of cool camping products.
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We sort of, uh, unbox them
and demo and show them.
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And you can watch that on Amazon Live.
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And if you're wondering
how to find us there,
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it's really simple.
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7:00 PM Eastern Time, May 2nd.
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Go to amazon.com/live/rv lifestyle.
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Be there at seven o'clock
tomorrow and you can watch it.
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You can go later than that.
You can watch the replay of it.
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Hey, we should tell you we
love getting your emails.
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You can reach us at Mike
and jen@rvlifestyle.com.
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- So this is the big question.
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After a week of your plant-based
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diet, how much weight have you lost?
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I've lost zero, but I haven't
been a hundred percent.
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- I lost two pounds. Wow. Now that's good.
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That'd be like a hundred
pounds in a year, right?
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But two pounds. And, uh, I have been 90%,
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I would say maybe not.
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Uh, I got seduced by a bag
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of popcorn at our
grandson's baseball game,
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and it had way too much salt in it,
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but, um, I've been doing pretty
good at sticking with it.
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But I think we're gonna
learn from it is, uh,
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people are gonna get bored
with stuff than that is,
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we're just gonna cut back, eat
as little meat as we can, try
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and eat a lot more veggies
and fruits and try and limit,
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or I am, I say we, I am
Jennifer's doing just fine.
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But, but anyway, I can't
wait till our gathering
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and everybody has the potluck.
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That's fine.. That is, that is,
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- That is, you would
probably put six pounds
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- On.
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I I could do that in a
night.. All right.
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Hey, when we come back, the social media
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buzz, we'll be right back.
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- The one thing that can
ruin a perfect RV trip
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is a bad mattress.
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And believe us, we know over
the years we've tried many
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and we have found them
all wanting until now.
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- Now we sleep on the RV
mattress by Brooklyn Bedding.
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Quite simply, it's the
best we've ever slept on.
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- We chose a queen size aurora
luxe medium firm mattress
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that arrived tightly rolled in a box.
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All we did was put it
on the bed, unroll it,
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and wait for it to recover.
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From the compression
that we put on the sheets
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and the bed covers and
found, we slept so well
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that we ordered another one for our home.
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- That's how comfortable it is.
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Our sleep is now so luxurious
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and deep that we can't imagine
using a different mattress.
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- Shipping is free. If you're disappointed
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with the current mattress
in your rv, you owe it
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to yourselves to try the RV
mattress by Brooklyn Bedding.
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- Brooklyn Bedding sends out all
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00:10:00,725 --> 00:10:04,485
of their RV mattresses from
their own factory in Arizona.
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00:10:04,995 --> 00:10:06,325
This means they're able
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to use premium materials at
a reasonable price for you.
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With no middleman bringing up the cost.
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00:10:13,235 --> 00:10:15,925
- Make sure to check out
their Black Friday sale
240
00:10:16,025 --> 00:10:17,125
at the end of this month.
241
00:10:17,535 --> 00:10:19,565
It'll be their biggest deal of the year.
242
00:10:19,975 --> 00:10:22,765
Don't miss out on the
best sleep of your life.
243
00:10:23,055 --> 00:10:26,205
Visit rv mattress.com/rv lifestyle
244
00:10:26,785 --> 00:10:28,445
for campers in our viewers.
245
00:10:28,585 --> 00:10:31,765
Access to pure drinking
water on the road is vitally
246
00:10:31,765 --> 00:10:34,245
important, and that's
why Jennifer and I use
247
00:10:34,425 --> 00:10:38,525
and highly recommend KACO's
new and improved taste.
248
00:10:38,635 --> 00:10:41,405
Pure water filter, KACO's taste.
249
00:10:41,405 --> 00:10:45,125
Pure water filter offers an
advanced six step filtration
250
00:10:45,125 --> 00:10:49,005
technology that goes way beyond
just basic water filtration.
251
00:10:49,555 --> 00:10:51,085
With patented technology
252
00:10:51,265 --> 00:10:55,165
and top industry standard
certifications, taste pure leaves,
253
00:10:55,345 --> 00:10:56,805
no question to the quality
254
00:10:56,905 --> 00:10:58,445
of your drinking water on the road.
255
00:10:59,065 --> 00:11:02,685
The taste pure water filter
reduces unpleasant tastes,
256
00:11:03,255 --> 00:11:07,805
odors, lead chlorine, bacteria,
sediment, and heavy metals,
257
00:11:08,025 --> 00:11:10,925
and also controls
bacteria and mold growth.
258
00:11:11,765 --> 00:11:14,485
R viewers should start the
season with a new filter
259
00:11:14,785 --> 00:11:17,045
and then replace it every 90 days or so.
260
00:11:17,465 --> 00:11:19,525
Now, we can't emphasize enough
261
00:11:19,795 --> 00:11:23,885
that waiting longer than three
months can lead to bad taste,
262
00:11:24,165 --> 00:11:25,565
odor, and reduced water flow,
263
00:11:25,825 --> 00:11:28,365
and it may also affect
the removal of lead.
264
00:11:28,425 --> 00:11:30,605
So replace it after about three months.
265
00:11:31,265 --> 00:11:34,405
The CAM code Taste Pure Water
filter is available at most
266
00:11:34,405 --> 00:11:36,365
camping stores and through Amazon.
267
00:11:36,825 --> 00:11:40,765
Use our affiliate link at
rv lifestyle.com/taste Pure.
268
00:11:41,345 --> 00:11:44,685
That's RV lifestyle.com/taste pure.
269
00:11:45,995 --> 00:11:49,925
- Welcome back everybody. Time
now for the social media buzz
270
00:11:50,505 --> 00:11:54,285
- And our Wendy Boyer reports
on the hot issues most talked
271
00:11:54,285 --> 00:11:57,165
about this past week on social media
272
00:11:57,505 --> 00:12:00,005
and our RV Lifestyle Community group.
273
00:12:00,705 --> 00:12:04,085
- Hi, everybody. Over in
the RV lifestyle general
274
00:12:04,095 --> 00:12:05,125
discussion space.
275
00:12:05,185 --> 00:12:08,125
Angela asked, where do
you store your shoes
276
00:12:08,225 --> 00:12:09,805
and how do you keep the bed up
277
00:12:09,825 --> 00:12:11,565
so you can store things under it?
278
00:12:12,195 --> 00:12:14,285
Well, for that, keeping
the bed up question,
279
00:12:14,805 --> 00:12:17,885
Lynette suggested she
invest in some high quality,
280
00:12:18,925 --> 00:12:20,165
stronger hydraulic arms.
281
00:12:20,585 --> 00:12:21,685
Not a hard thing to do.
282
00:12:21,795 --> 00:12:23,445
Replace the old ones, get some new ones.
283
00:12:23,445 --> 00:12:25,565
And Lynette said it makes a
huge difference with lifting.
284
00:12:26,185 --> 00:12:28,725
And then for the shoes, lots
of people weighed in on that.
285
00:12:29,455 --> 00:12:32,965
Scott suggested Angela get
some hanging canvas pockets
286
00:12:32,965 --> 00:12:34,605
and just put 'em along the base of the bed
287
00:12:34,605 --> 00:12:36,925
and get maybe about a
dozen pairs in that way.
288
00:12:37,535 --> 00:12:41,285
Kathy said that she got some
white racks from Walmart,
289
00:12:41,505 --> 00:12:43,165
the kind that you might
put in your kitchen.
290
00:12:43,785 --> 00:12:46,325
She put 'em at the base of
her bed in a shelf there,
291
00:12:46,325 --> 00:12:48,525
and that gave her some
instant shoe storage.
292
00:12:49,185 --> 00:12:51,765
And then Ari and Jessie, they
suggested just getting one
293
00:12:51,765 --> 00:12:54,245
of those shoe organizers that
you can hang over a door.
294
00:12:54,245 --> 00:12:56,045
Sounds like that's worked well for them
295
00:12:57,155 --> 00:13:00,405
also in the community, in the
apps and planning tool space.
296
00:13:01,025 --> 00:13:03,085
Uh, there was a question from me.
297
00:13:03,705 --> 00:13:05,645
Uh, I hate to admit it, but it was for me.
298
00:13:05,825 --> 00:13:09,965
And so my question was,
last week we had loves on
299
00:13:10,025 --> 00:13:12,645
and we talked about how you
can get 10 cents off a gallon
300
00:13:12,785 --> 00:13:13,885
by using their app.
301
00:13:14,145 --> 00:13:15,685
And so I was wondering what other
302
00:13:16,435 --> 00:13:18,565
fuel saving apps are there out there
303
00:13:18,565 --> 00:13:20,125
that people are using to save money?
304
00:13:20,865 --> 00:13:22,885
And there were so many
people that responded
305
00:13:22,885 --> 00:13:23,925
with helpful information.
306
00:13:24,045 --> 00:13:25,085
I had to share it with you.
307
00:13:25,905 --> 00:13:28,965
Um, the number one app that came up over
308
00:13:28,965 --> 00:13:30,245
and over again was Gas Buddy.
309
00:13:30,505 --> 00:13:33,325
People said they rely on that
when driving down the road
310
00:13:33,465 --> 00:13:37,085
to find the closest gas station
that had the best price.
311
00:13:37,545 --> 00:13:40,525
And many people pair that
with an app called Upside.
312
00:13:41,065 --> 00:13:44,565
Upside is an app where you
use scan your gas receipts
313
00:13:44,565 --> 00:13:46,565
and sounds like some
other things qualify too.
314
00:13:47,185 --> 00:13:50,525
And then you get cash back on items
315
00:13:51,115 --> 00:13:53,005
that you like real cash back.
316
00:13:53,005 --> 00:13:55,125
It can go to your PayPal
account, your checking account.
317
00:13:55,125 --> 00:13:56,525
There's different ways you can set it up,
318
00:13:56,665 --> 00:13:58,445
and it's for items that
you would buy anyway.
319
00:13:58,985 --> 00:14:00,285
Um, some people said
320
00:14:00,285 --> 00:14:02,605
that this just was really worth getting.
321
00:14:03,265 --> 00:14:06,125
Um, other things that
I saw, there were, um,
322
00:14:06,555 --> 00:14:08,125
different gas station apps.
323
00:14:08,275 --> 00:14:11,005
Chevron, for instance, someone
mentioned that you sign up,
324
00:14:11,025 --> 00:14:14,245
he was getting a dollar off
per gallon for the first three
325
00:14:14,805 --> 00:14:16,165
Phillips by using their app.
326
00:14:16,545 --> 00:14:19,245
Um, and then of course,
shell, Costco, Kroger,
327
00:14:19,945 --> 00:14:21,805
all those places have discounts.
328
00:14:22,225 --> 00:14:25,565
Uh, good Sams, a lot of
people got use that app
329
00:14:25,585 --> 00:14:28,805
and combined it for a discount
at Pilot and Flying Jays.
330
00:14:29,065 --> 00:14:31,245
And then Open Roads is
what seemed to come up
331
00:14:31,245 --> 00:14:34,565
as the number one option for
those, um, who need the diesel.
332
00:14:35,185 --> 00:14:36,365
So good information.
333
00:14:36,365 --> 00:14:38,645
If you're looking to save a
little money at the fuel pump,
334
00:14:38,665 --> 00:14:40,005
you need to check out that post.
335
00:14:40,785 --> 00:14:43,285
And then meanwhile over
at our Facebook group,
336
00:14:43,545 --> 00:14:45,165
we had a question from Ro.
337
00:14:45,885 --> 00:14:48,245
Ro wanted to know what
people thought was best
338
00:14:48,305 --> 00:14:51,845
for putting down the black tank
to break up waste material.
339
00:14:52,185 --> 00:14:54,085
Sounds like Rose tried
a few different things,
340
00:14:55,015 --> 00:14:57,045
still not sure found the best item
341
00:14:57,105 --> 00:14:58,245
and wanted people's opinion.
342
00:14:58,705 --> 00:15:01,405
And you know, we get this
question a lot on Facebook.
343
00:15:01,635 --> 00:15:04,325
It's every week at least
it's a common question.
344
00:15:04,825 --> 00:15:06,325
And so, um, I thought I'd share it.
345
00:15:06,325 --> 00:15:08,245
The number one brands
that came up in this post
346
00:15:08,795 --> 00:15:12,965
were used either unique
RV Digest or Happy Camper.
347
00:15:13,195 --> 00:15:15,925
Lots of people have great
success with those two options.
348
00:15:16,595 --> 00:15:20,045
Many also have their own
homemade remedy, the geo method.
349
00:15:20,915 --> 00:15:22,965
Some people use different
combinations of things.
350
00:15:23,795 --> 00:15:25,725
Dawn soap seems to be a common ingredient.
351
00:15:26,425 --> 00:15:29,685
Um, but the thing that came
up a few times, it's, um,
352
00:15:29,835 --> 00:15:31,365
important to remember, is
353
00:15:31,365 --> 00:15:33,765
that your black tank
is not a septic field.
354
00:15:33,865 --> 00:15:36,045
So things are not breaking down.
355
00:15:36,045 --> 00:15:38,845
They're rather being held
there until you dump.
356
00:15:39,345 --> 00:15:41,605
And so a lot of people said, remember that
357
00:15:41,705 --> 00:15:44,645
and then use tons of water,
water, water, water, water,
358
00:15:44,715 --> 00:15:48,405
because you need to make
it so that things can,
359
00:15:48,655 --> 00:15:49,725
let's say, move.
360
00:15:50,225 --> 00:15:52,765
Um, and water is the way
that's gonna make that happen.
361
00:15:53,265 --> 00:15:56,325
So good post. And, uh,
that's it for me this week.
362
00:15:56,465 --> 00:15:59,405
I'm Wendy Bower, and I'll see
you either at the RV lifestyle
363
00:15:59,405 --> 00:16:00,965
community or Facebook group.
364
00:16:01,515 --> 00:16:05,885
- Okay. What a wide variety
of topics from the topic
365
00:16:05,955 --> 00:16:08,365
that never seems to get old is trying to
366
00:16:09,055 --> 00:16:11,125
break up waste in the black tank.
367
00:16:11,575 --> 00:16:14,085
Where to put your shoes in an rv,
368
00:16:14,085 --> 00:16:16,845
which really is a big deal
if you have a lot of shoes,
369
00:16:17,545 --> 00:16:20,045
or most people have at least several pairs
370
00:16:20,045 --> 00:16:21,205
of shoes where to store those shoes.
371
00:16:21,205 --> 00:16:23,045
And then of course, gas prices.
372
00:16:23,545 --> 00:16:25,005
So there's so much you can learn.
373
00:16:25,275 --> 00:16:28,165
- Yeah. You know, you need
boots, you need hiking shoes,
374
00:16:28,545 --> 00:16:29,565
you need sneakers.
375
00:16:30,345 --> 00:16:31,805
And if you're gonna be
on a long-term trip,
376
00:16:31,825 --> 00:16:34,085
you need some halfway
nice dress shoes as well.
377
00:16:34,085 --> 00:16:37,365
That's a lot of shoes for people.
And that's minimum, right?
378
00:16:37,945 --> 00:16:42,125
- Yes.
- Okay. Um, hey, uh, our social media, uh,
379
00:16:42,505 --> 00:16:44,685
RV Lifestyle Community
Group has been really fun.
380
00:16:44,695 --> 00:16:48,005
We've been doing live streams
there, uh, on a weekly basis.
381
00:16:48,585 --> 00:16:50,525
Now, I know many of
you watch us on YouTube
382
00:16:50,705 --> 00:16:53,285
and Facebook on our Ask Us
anything on Sunday nights.
383
00:16:53,305 --> 00:16:55,285
But on Monday nights, we've
been doing live streams on
384
00:16:55,285 --> 00:16:56,485
the RV lifestyle community.
385
00:16:56,945 --> 00:16:59,485
And what I like about that is
we actually bring guests on,
386
00:16:59,985 --> 00:17:01,245
guests and experts,
387
00:17:01,305 --> 00:17:04,125
and we're able to, we did
one this past week, uh,
388
00:17:04,125 --> 00:17:07,645
with Mark Kemp from Campfire
or campground views.com,
389
00:17:07,665 --> 00:17:10,685
and Mark did a demo on
how to pick a campsite
390
00:17:10,745 --> 00:17:12,685
and, uh, get a a reservation.
391
00:17:13,105 --> 00:17:14,245
And we'll be having lots more.
392
00:17:14,245 --> 00:17:17,365
So it's another recent for you
to go subscribe to the, uh,
393
00:17:17,545 --> 00:17:21,005
our community dot rv lifestyle.com.
394
00:17:21,355 --> 00:17:22,565
Alright, when we come back,
395
00:17:22,565 --> 00:17:25,885
we're gonna talk about driving
an rv, uh, the challenges
396
00:17:25,885 --> 00:17:28,645
of driving an rv, some
tips on how to do it,
397
00:17:28,865 --> 00:17:33,085
and why attending a RV
driving school is a good idea
398
00:17:33,545 --> 00:17:35,405
for any RV or stay with us.
399
00:17:36,145 --> 00:17:39,365
We just heard about a
land offering out west
400
00:17:39,625 --> 00:17:41,605
for RVs in Arizona.
401
00:17:42,035 --> 00:17:44,645
They're selling five acre RV ranches,
402
00:17:44,885 --> 00:17:47,165
starting at only $49,900.
403
00:17:47,825 --> 00:17:50,085
The company offering it is affiliated
404
00:17:50,195 --> 00:17:51,285
with the people Jennifer
405
00:17:51,425 --> 00:17:53,645
and I bought our Tennessee property from.
406
00:17:53,915 --> 00:17:57,045
They do a great job. It looks amazing.
407
00:17:57,385 --> 00:18:00,165
It is at high elevation, so
you get cooler temperatures,
408
00:18:00,585 --> 00:18:03,805
big mountain views, juniper
trees, and green grasses.
409
00:18:04,265 --> 00:18:06,005
And it is near everything.
410
00:18:06,305 --> 00:18:09,525
The Grand Canyon Lake Havasu, Kingman,
411
00:18:09,875 --> 00:18:11,525
Flagstaff, and Sedona.
412
00:18:12,195 --> 00:18:14,085
It's a perfect place to have a home base
413
00:18:14,145 --> 00:18:18,245
to explore the west, and it
is right off Famous Route 66.
414
00:18:19,035 --> 00:18:20,725
It's called Greenwood Ranches.
415
00:18:20,785 --> 00:18:23,405
And this is the second and
final section of the community.
416
00:18:23,865 --> 00:18:26,205
We met the sales manager, really nice guy.
417
00:18:26,505 --> 00:18:28,285
He bought a property for his rv
418
00:18:28,385 --> 00:18:30,525
and he's building a container home on it.
419
00:18:30,975 --> 00:18:33,525
Check out their website for a video tour
420
00:18:33,665 --> 00:18:35,125
and showing availability.
421
00:18:35,355 --> 00:18:36,485
It's pretty incredible.
422
00:18:36,935 --> 00:18:38,685
Visit the website to get details
423
00:18:38,825 --> 00:18:42,085
and set up a showing Arizona RV land.net.
424
00:18:42,385 --> 00:18:45,445
That's Arizona RV land.net.
425
00:18:47,985 --> 00:18:49,485
And welcome back. It's time now
426
00:18:49,485 --> 00:18:51,685
for the RV interview of the week.
427
00:18:52,075 --> 00:18:55,085
- Okay. We regularly
have questions, uh, from
428
00:18:55,665 --> 00:18:59,085
RVs talking about their challenges,
backing into a campsite,
429
00:18:59,845 --> 00:19:00,885
handling certain roads
430
00:19:00,885 --> 00:19:04,165
and road conditions,
navigating steep hills.
431
00:19:04,825 --> 00:19:08,005
And this observation got us to wondering
432
00:19:08,425 --> 00:19:12,245
who could benefit from going
to an RV driving school.
433
00:19:13,305 --> 00:19:16,205
And the answer we have
since learned is everyone.
434
00:19:16,665 --> 00:19:19,005
- Our guest today is George Mailman.
435
00:19:19,005 --> 00:19:23,405
He is the owner of RV Driving School now.
436
00:19:23,635 --> 00:19:24,685
It's been around a long time.
437
00:19:24,715 --> 00:19:26,045
It's a national organization
438
00:19:26,105 --> 00:19:28,005
and it's been teaching RVers how
439
00:19:28,005 --> 00:19:30,725
to be better drivers since 1991.
440
00:19:31,355 --> 00:19:34,445
Well, today, George is going
to share some practical
441
00:19:35,025 --> 00:19:38,805
RV driving tips that we
think everybody should hear.
442
00:19:39,395 --> 00:19:40,965
Well, George, welcome to the podcast.
443
00:19:41,575 --> 00:19:46,005
Let's, uh, start by talking
about who should, uh,
444
00:19:46,465 --> 00:19:48,325
go to a RV driving school.
445
00:19:48,585 --> 00:19:51,485
Uh, give us an idea of, uh, why,
446
00:19:51,585 --> 00:19:53,045
who this is really aimed at.
447
00:19:54,775 --> 00:19:55,835
- You know, Mike, it, it,
448
00:19:55,895 --> 00:19:59,315
it basically is aimed at just
about anybody that actually,
449
00:19:59,935 --> 00:20:02,115
you know, has one of these large vehicles.
450
00:20:02,855 --> 00:20:04,235
You know, the problem we've seen,
451
00:20:04,295 --> 00:20:06,915
and I think everybody is
aware of it, matter of fact,
452
00:20:06,915 --> 00:20:09,835
truckers are quite quick
to acknowledge the problem
453
00:20:10,235 --> 00:20:11,875
whenever they get, see some
454
00:20:11,875 --> 00:20:12,995
of these people out on the highway.
455
00:20:13,735 --> 00:20:15,995
But, you know, the
problem is been, you know,
456
00:20:16,015 --> 00:20:19,915
for the last many years, uh,
since RV's have become popular,
457
00:20:20,095 --> 00:20:23,075
and especially since they've
got to be very large,
458
00:20:23,545 --> 00:20:25,235
they're tall, they're wide, they're long,
459
00:20:25,335 --> 00:20:27,595
and in many cases, very, very heavy.
460
00:20:28,425 --> 00:20:30,885
Uh, with a real, that is a reality.
461
00:20:30,995 --> 00:20:34,085
Whether you're talking about
somebody just rolling out of
462
00:20:34,085 --> 00:20:37,485
that dealership or whether
they're, they've been on the road
463
00:20:37,545 --> 00:20:40,285
for a period of time, and
then health issues become,
464
00:20:40,665 --> 00:20:42,205
you know, something of a concern.
465
00:20:43,145 --> 00:20:46,845
But you know, when, when the
realization is, you know,
466
00:20:46,845 --> 00:20:50,485
that they really need some
professional help, that's
467
00:20:50,835 --> 00:20:52,165
what we've been providing.
468
00:20:52,865 --> 00:20:55,605
We view what we do as a
service to the industry.
469
00:20:56,225 --> 00:20:59,285
The industry, uh, doesn't
always acknowledge us,
470
00:20:59,865 --> 00:21:01,445
nor they really appreciate us.
471
00:21:01,985 --> 00:21:05,525
But there's a certain
reality that, that the people
472
00:21:05,865 --> 00:21:07,965
who are out there, the
folks who will go out
473
00:21:07,965 --> 00:21:12,525
and spend in many cases,
a lot of money, uh,
474
00:21:12,705 --> 00:21:14,805
really need, you know, professional help.
475
00:21:14,825 --> 00:21:18,125
And we have that, uh,
we started the school
476
00:21:18,125 --> 00:21:20,765
with the understanding that,
that the help was needed.
477
00:21:21,905 --> 00:21:23,365
And, uh, then we went out
478
00:21:23,365 --> 00:21:25,765
and sought the people who
can, you know, provide
479
00:21:25,795 --> 00:21:26,885
that, uh, help.
480
00:21:27,265 --> 00:21:30,445
- Let me, let me start
with the typical RV owner,
481
00:21:30,745 --> 00:21:33,285
and I'm gonna maybe judge on my experience
482
00:21:33,285 --> 00:21:35,245
because we never really towed anything
483
00:21:35,245 --> 00:21:36,445
other than a small trailer.
484
00:21:37,265 --> 00:21:40,205
And suddenly I've got
a 35 foot fifth wheel.
485
00:21:40,625 --> 00:21:43,845
And, um, you know, they
give you a walkthrough
486
00:21:43,905 --> 00:21:46,525
and they give you the keys
and they say, bye.
487
00:21:46,865 --> 00:21:50,365
And, uh, I was totally unprepared for it.
488
00:21:50,465 --> 00:21:54,525
And I, I'm wondering if
maybe stepping even back
489
00:21:54,525 --> 00:21:57,125
before the driving school,
if the industry needs
490
00:21:57,125 --> 00:21:59,165
to take a little bit
more responsibility here
491
00:21:59,165 --> 00:22:02,565
before sending people
out on what ends up being
492
00:22:02,565 --> 00:22:04,205
with a tow vehicle as large
493
00:22:04,205 --> 00:22:06,125
as a semi tractor trailer on the road.
494
00:22:06,905 --> 00:22:10,685
- You bet. Well, the
need is there, you know,
495
00:22:10,685 --> 00:22:11,725
it, it's apparent.
496
00:22:12,505 --> 00:22:15,285
And the problem again,
is that first of all,
497
00:22:15,355 --> 00:22:18,565
they will not acknowledge
any kind of responsibility.
498
00:22:18,835 --> 00:22:22,005
They're very, very concerned
about moving product
499
00:22:22,745 --> 00:22:25,165
rather than concerned after the fact.
500
00:22:25,745 --> 00:22:29,085
And it's a sad commentary,
Mike, on, you know, the industry
501
00:22:29,495 --> 00:22:30,805
where we're at right now,
502
00:22:31,585 --> 00:22:35,765
and, you know, we've been for
30 some years, uh, you know,
503
00:22:36,595 --> 00:22:39,485
basically providing the service we provid,
504
00:22:39,545 --> 00:22:41,725
we know folks need, uh,
505
00:22:41,995 --> 00:22:43,245
- Tell, tell us about that.
506
00:22:43,295 --> 00:22:46,005
Where are you located?
How do people find you?
507
00:22:46,305 --> 00:22:49,485
Uh, what's the cost
involved? What do they learn?
508
00:22:49,915 --> 00:22:52,285
- Well, right now we have 107 instructors.
509
00:22:52,335 --> 00:22:55,085
We're scattered all
over the continental US,
510
00:22:55,435 --> 00:22:57,165
also in Alaska and Hawaii.
511
00:22:57,985 --> 00:23:00,285
But, you know, my big objective was get
512
00:23:00,305 --> 00:23:03,805
to get instructors at
least in the vicinities of,
513
00:23:04,065 --> 00:23:08,165
or where people conceivably
would need the, the assistance
514
00:23:09,025 --> 00:23:11,765
so that, that started, uh, you know,
515
00:23:11,765 --> 00:23:14,405
and we've been quite
successful in getting the,
516
00:23:14,625 --> 00:23:17,005
the business spread out across the us.
517
00:23:18,385 --> 00:23:21,285
Uh, most of our instructors
are either retired
518
00:23:21,285 --> 00:23:24,765
professionals, uh, they
can be truck drivers.
519
00:23:25,705 --> 00:23:30,285
Um, but again, we insist on,
you know, uh, a quality product
520
00:23:30,825 --> 00:23:32,525
or a quality service.
521
00:23:33,105 --> 00:23:35,725
And the only way that we
can get it is to have people
522
00:23:35,865 --> 00:23:38,085
who have, you know, that experience
523
00:23:38,545 --> 00:23:40,925
and clear, you know,
clear understanding of
524
00:23:40,925 --> 00:23:42,645
what heavy vehicles are. Uh,
525
00:23:42,745 --> 00:23:46,845
- So what do you teach, uh,
RV owners at your school?
526
00:23:46,845 --> 00:23:49,325
Mm-Hmm. And I assume they
bring their own RVs to you?
527
00:23:50,225 --> 00:23:52,205
- Yes, definitely. And that's one
528
00:23:52,205 --> 00:23:54,485
of the reasons why we've
been so successful.
529
00:23:54,985 --> 00:23:56,525
You know, people can get an RV
530
00:23:56,585 --> 00:23:58,925
or a video, they can get a book, you know,
531
00:23:58,925 --> 00:24:00,205
and they can, you know, go through that.
532
00:24:00,825 --> 00:24:04,245
But what we provide is
somebody in the passenger seat,
533
00:24:04,665 --> 00:24:07,285
you know, with that experience
to critique what they do,
534
00:24:08,105 --> 00:24:10,525
aid them in, you know,
the relevant factors
535
00:24:10,825 --> 00:24:13,525
as they actually, uh, go out on the road.
536
00:24:14,465 --> 00:24:18,045
Our two hour, four hour,
uh, experience for, uh,
537
00:24:18,665 --> 00:24:22,885
at least one individual is that, uh, um,
538
00:24:23,465 --> 00:24:26,725
you know, they, they do a lot
of slow driving the first day,
539
00:24:26,785 --> 00:24:29,205
and then the second day
we step them up into
540
00:24:29,345 --> 00:24:33,125
and onto freeways and get them
into difficult situations.
541
00:24:33,705 --> 00:24:36,005
- I'm wondering what
exact skills they learn.
542
00:24:36,265 --> 00:24:38,125
Uh, I, I would assume for starters,
543
00:24:38,125 --> 00:24:40,005
they learn about backing up
544
00:24:40,065 --> 00:24:42,445
and making terms,
making wide terms.
545
00:24:42,545 --> 00:24:44,165
- Oh, absolutely. And,
546
00:24:44,265 --> 00:24:48,165
and Mike, there, there's a
certain reality too with the, uh,
547
00:24:48,455 --> 00:24:50,005
about the people who come to us.
548
00:24:50,895 --> 00:24:53,625
Some of them have been in a
class B for a period of time,
549
00:24:53,765 --> 00:24:55,985
and they're really
stepping up into a class A.
550
00:24:56,695 --> 00:25:00,745
Some of the people are going
from a up to a class C.
551
00:25:01,445 --> 00:25:05,825
Uh, so much of what we do is
adapting to what they do have
552
00:25:06,125 --> 00:25:08,105
as far as driving background,
553
00:25:08,645 --> 00:25:11,345
and then make sure that,
you know, that critique of
554
00:25:11,565 --> 00:25:14,065
how do you make corners,
as you pointed out,
555
00:25:14,445 --> 00:25:16,945
how do you ingress and
egress from a freeway?
556
00:25:17,805 --> 00:25:22,225
How do you, uh, uh, handle
in a driving situations?
557
00:25:22,765 --> 00:25:25,465
Our lessons, though are 90%
558
00:25:25,725 --> 00:25:29,105
behind the wheel on the road moving, uh,
559
00:25:29,205 --> 00:25:30,985
and we adapt to what the,
560
00:25:31,165 --> 00:25:32,625
the experience is of the individual.
561
00:25:33,565 --> 00:25:35,545
So many of the people though, come to us
562
00:25:35,605 --> 00:25:38,425
and they've never driven
anything bigger than an SUV,
563
00:25:38,485 --> 00:25:39,705
the family, SUV,
564
00:25:40,085 --> 00:25:42,745
- Uh, what are the, the
minimal skills that they
565
00:25:43,335 --> 00:25:45,785
walk away from RV driving school with?
566
00:25:46,165 --> 00:25:48,945
- We would expect that
they are then at the end
567
00:25:48,945 --> 00:25:51,065
of the lesson, a quote, safe driver.
568
00:25:52,215 --> 00:25:55,545
They now know, you know,
things like the proper setup
569
00:25:55,565 --> 00:25:57,945
of the mirrors is as mundane as it is.
570
00:25:58,605 --> 00:26:00,705
How are the mirrors
supposed to be set up so
571
00:26:00,705 --> 00:26:04,665
that you can get maximum,
uh, assistance from them?
572
00:26:05,445 --> 00:26:09,025
It can be, you know, the backing
that you allude alluded to
573
00:26:09,735 --> 00:26:12,505
some of the people,
especially those with tr uh,
574
00:26:12,815 --> 00:26:13,905
trailered vehicles.
575
00:26:14,645 --> 00:26:17,785
Oh my God, they've probably
had some very negative
576
00:26:17,785 --> 00:26:21,265
experiences and, uh,
frustrating experiences.
577
00:26:22,045 --> 00:26:23,945
So what we basically say is, we,
578
00:26:24,005 --> 00:26:27,105
we will give you the
principles associated with how
579
00:26:27,105 --> 00:26:28,105
to do this properly.
580
00:26:28,965 --> 00:26:32,705
We will also instruct you on
how to be a director outside
581
00:26:32,705 --> 00:26:34,785
of the vehicle directing that backend.
582
00:26:35,725 --> 00:26:36,825
But that's an example.
583
00:26:37,645 --> 00:26:40,425
Uh, probably the most
important thing that is done
584
00:26:40,425 --> 00:26:42,385
during the typical lesson though,
585
00:26:42,885 --> 00:26:44,725
and I view it as a ate raw.
586
00:26:44,905 --> 00:26:47,325
It is, whenever we go
through, how do you deal
587
00:26:47,325 --> 00:26:51,605
with driving in mountains,
you know, just about everybody
588
00:26:51,605 --> 00:26:54,885
that goes out and buys one of
these big expensive vehicles,
589
00:26:55,225 --> 00:26:57,525
you know, they have the desire to travel.
590
00:26:58,585 --> 00:27:00,365
And of course, whenever they're traveling,
591
00:27:00,365 --> 00:27:04,565
and if they're going to places
like Moab, Utah, uh, Mike,
592
00:27:04,565 --> 00:27:07,525
they're gonna have to have
some basic understanding of how
593
00:27:07,525 --> 00:27:11,885
to keep that vehicle
under control on a 5%,
594
00:27:12,025 --> 00:27:13,605
6%, 8% grade.
595
00:27:14,425 --> 00:27:16,765
But it's more than that.
It's, uh, going up a hill,
596
00:27:16,985 --> 00:27:18,005
uh, going up a hill.
597
00:27:18,005 --> 00:27:21,365
If you have a, a stressed vehicle, uh,
598
00:27:21,365 --> 00:27:23,565
there's a terrific amount of heat buildup.
599
00:27:23,625 --> 00:27:27,965
How do you deal with that?
So much of the tail end
600
00:27:27,965 --> 00:27:30,085
of the lesson is based around, you know,
601
00:27:30,185 --> 00:27:31,205
the mountain driving.
602
00:27:32,115 --> 00:27:34,765
This is probably the most
important thing from a
603
00:27:34,835 --> 00:27:36,605
overall concern level.
604
00:27:37,685 --> 00:27:40,805
I have, uh, with people,
you know, going out
605
00:27:40,805 --> 00:27:41,965
and buying these rigs.
606
00:27:42,625 --> 00:27:44,405
Yes, we don't want 'em to climb curbs.
607
00:27:44,425 --> 00:27:46,045
We don't want 'em to, uh, get,
608
00:27:46,145 --> 00:27:49,405
get into a compromised
situation, uh, you know,
609
00:27:49,405 --> 00:27:50,485
at the intersection.
610
00:27:51,135 --> 00:27:53,565
- Maybe I could steal some
of your knowledge just
611
00:27:53,565 --> 00:27:55,805
to ask you a couple quick
questions and some tips.
612
00:27:56,415 --> 00:28:00,365
First of all, what is the,
the safest highway speed
613
00:28:00,435 --> 00:28:05,205
that you should, what,
what's a good speed to shoot
614
00:28:05,225 --> 00:28:07,285
for when you're driving
down an interstate,
615
00:28:07,545 --> 00:28:10,165
towing a fifth wheel or
a a a travel trailer?
616
00:28:10,835 --> 00:28:13,725
What do you recommend?
Other than safe speed,
617
00:28:13,725 --> 00:28:14,765
obviously, but yes,
618
00:28:15,105 --> 00:28:16,605
- You, you bet, you bet.
619
00:28:17,185 --> 00:28:18,365
Uh, first of all,
620
00:28:18,385 --> 00:28:22,285
if you're gonna get maximum
economy just about every, uh,
621
00:28:22,705 --> 00:28:27,085
RV on the road right now, 55
to 62 is gonna give you about
622
00:28:27,085 --> 00:28:29,285
as good a economy as you're gonna get.
623
00:28:30,035 --> 00:28:32,215
Uh, so that's, that's
something to start with.
624
00:28:32,955 --> 00:28:36,335
Uh, 65 to 70 is absolute max.
625
00:28:37,155 --> 00:28:38,295
Uh, these things,
626
00:28:39,035 --> 00:28:40,735
and I had it best described to me
627
00:28:40,795 --> 00:28:42,935
by an engineer from Caterpillar
628
00:28:43,335 --> 00:28:45,895
whenever they were still
in the RV business.
629
00:28:45,995 --> 00:28:49,055
And he, his comment was,
George, do, do you understand
630
00:28:49,055 --> 00:28:53,855
that these are fiberglass boxes
installed on a steel frame?
631
00:28:54,885 --> 00:28:57,215
They are not, you know, made like a truck
632
00:28:57,315 --> 00:28:58,815
for commercial operation.
633
00:28:59,675 --> 00:29:03,255
Uh, and the idea that you
go over 70 miles an hour
634
00:29:03,315 --> 00:29:06,335
and any one of them is, is, well,
635
00:29:06,335 --> 00:29:07,615
I'll be blunt, it's unsafe.
636
00:29:08,435 --> 00:29:12,095
- And, and so many people,
uh, say, well, you know,
637
00:29:12,115 --> 00:29:14,415
I'm going 65, 60 miles an hour,
638
00:29:15,075 --> 00:29:16,735
and I'm getting dirty signal,
639
00:29:16,945 --> 00:29:18,575
dirty hand signals from people,
640
00:29:18,675 --> 00:29:20,215
and they're honking their horns.
641
00:29:20,915 --> 00:29:24,655
Um, and, and I just feel I have
to go faster just to stay up
642
00:29:24,655 --> 00:29:28,615
with traffic and help
me address those people
643
00:29:28,915 --> 00:29:30,815
who are driving too fast. Um,
644
00:29:31,085 --> 00:29:34,715
- Well, and, and incidentally,
I'm glad you brought it up
645
00:29:34,715 --> 00:29:36,995
because, you know, this is probably one
646
00:29:36,995 --> 00:29:39,355
of the most difficult
thing, especially for,
647
00:29:39,905 --> 00:29:41,805
well guys, let's be honest.
648
00:29:42,465 --> 00:29:45,485
Uh, what have we, what have
we done since we were born?
649
00:29:45,625 --> 00:29:49,565
We, we go faster. We wanna
go faster. It's an objective.
650
00:29:50,185 --> 00:29:52,805
Now, I'm gonna tell you right
away, part of the lesson
651
00:29:53,585 --> 00:29:56,685
is you have to realize
you're in the big leagues.
652
00:29:56,785 --> 00:30:00,005
Now, this is not, you
know, you're, you're, um,
653
00:30:00,835 --> 00:30:02,325
Porsche out down the road.
654
00:30:02,865 --> 00:30:06,525
Uh, 70 is absolute max
with these vehicles.
655
00:30:06,745 --> 00:30:11,125
Now, uh, whether it's at an
intersection where people are,
656
00:30:11,545 --> 00:30:15,205
uh, what unhappy whenever you
can't complete a corn corner
657
00:30:15,555 --> 00:30:19,765
because somebody is obstructing
your, your completion
658
00:30:19,765 --> 00:30:23,325
of the corner, or whether
it is the individual's upset
659
00:30:23,325 --> 00:30:26,565
with you as you're crossing
on northern part of Texas,
660
00:30:26,745 --> 00:30:30,045
and the speed limit is 80
and you're doing 70, uh,
661
00:30:30,065 --> 00:30:33,725
and they're passing you to
120, you know, it's very hard
662
00:30:33,745 --> 00:30:35,525
to emotionally deal with it.
663
00:30:36,585 --> 00:30:40,405
But my, I had a student
one time a while ago, and,
664
00:30:41,225 --> 00:30:45,285
and his point was, um,
uh, never drive from
665
00:30:45,285 --> 00:30:46,765
behind was what he told me.
666
00:30:46,765 --> 00:30:48,565
And I thought, what, what
are you talking about?
667
00:30:49,335 --> 00:30:52,365
Drive from behind? And what
he basically was saying
668
00:30:52,505 --> 00:30:57,285
and what his message to all
in the class was, you know,
669
00:30:57,305 --> 00:31:01,445
you cannot be influenced to
do things that are unsafe by
670
00:31:01,475 --> 00:31:04,245
what people may be reacting to you.
671
00:31:05,105 --> 00:31:07,525
Uh, you know, are they
gesturing toward you,
672
00:31:07,875 --> 00:31:11,405
perhaps not very nicely
or honking their horn?
673
00:31:11,505 --> 00:31:14,725
And, and in some cases, uh,
674
00:31:15,225 --> 00:31:16,685
not making it very comfortable.
675
00:31:17,505 --> 00:31:20,125
But the reality is, uh, your vehicle,
676
00:31:20,395 --> 00:31:22,365
your safety is paramount.
677
00:31:22,985 --> 00:31:25,885
And one of the things that
I insist that we talk about,
678
00:31:25,885 --> 00:31:27,085
whether it's in a seminar
679
00:31:27,305 --> 00:31:29,405
or whether it's behind
the wheel instruction,
680
00:31:30,065 --> 00:31:32,245
is your safety is paramount.
681
00:31:32,905 --> 00:31:36,085
Now, somebody on the
outside may be critiquing
682
00:31:36,085 --> 00:31:37,725
what you're doing or not doing,
683
00:31:38,505 --> 00:31:42,565
but you cannot be influenced
by that to make some,
684
00:31:43,545 --> 00:31:45,015
let's be honest, stupid moves.
685
00:31:45,445 --> 00:31:46,895
- Good for you. I'm glad to hear that.
686
00:31:47,355 --> 00:31:50,655
And that will help me as,
uh, as his tendency is
687
00:31:50,655 --> 00:31:53,015
to go faster and not to monitor it.
688
00:31:53,215 --> 00:31:56,575
'cause they're very easy to,
to the next question, um,
689
00:31:56,865 --> 00:31:58,735
about, uh, RV driving school.
690
00:31:58,915 --> 00:32:01,455
And again, we want, we'll put
all the information on how
691
00:32:01,455 --> 00:32:04,215
to contact you and, uh,
get into the RV driving.
692
00:32:04,235 --> 00:32:06,135
So we'll put that in the
description below the link.
693
00:32:06,195 --> 00:32:08,095
But, um, backing up,
694
00:32:08,715 --> 00:32:11,375
and I know that's a skill
that you have to practice,
695
00:32:11,515 --> 00:32:14,975
but do you have just a couple
little tips you could pass
696
00:32:14,975 --> 00:32:17,935
along to people about
backing a a, a fifth wheel
697
00:32:17,935 --> 00:32:20,055
or a large trailer into a campsite?
698
00:32:21,015 --> 00:32:24,235
- You bet probably the,
uh, the bumper tows
699
00:32:24,335 --> 00:32:29,315
or the towed vehicles are
probably the most problematic.
700
00:32:30,415 --> 00:32:33,155
And the first tip is, first of all, pull
701
00:32:34,505 --> 00:32:35,675
very far forward
702
00:32:36,095 --> 00:32:37,875
and angle your vehicle out
703
00:32:38,495 --> 00:32:40,585
as you start the backend activity.
704
00:32:41,525 --> 00:32:44,825
The next thing is, and, and
what I tell my guys is that,
705
00:32:45,285 --> 00:32:48,465
and incidentally we have women
who are also instructors,
706
00:32:48,965 --> 00:32:51,305
but I tell them, you know,
that the first thing you need
707
00:32:51,305 --> 00:32:53,345
to do is keep the temperature down.
708
00:32:54,405 --> 00:32:56,665
In other words, don't
be emotionally driven
709
00:32:56,735 --> 00:32:59,705
because you know those, that
trailer's gonna do something
710
00:32:59,705 --> 00:33:02,465
that's wrong or at least
you're not gonna be happy with.
711
00:33:03,125 --> 00:33:05,105
And I want, first thing I want is you,
712
00:33:05,305 --> 00:33:06,825
I don't want you to overreact.
713
00:33:07,665 --> 00:33:09,565
So what I say, say to the instructor
714
00:33:09,565 --> 00:33:13,245
during the learning exercise, uh, go up,
715
00:33:14,105 --> 00:33:17,205
put your hand on the
external rear view mirror.
716
00:33:17,945 --> 00:33:22,765
And that is a little psychology
here, uh, to again, note
717
00:33:22,765 --> 00:33:24,285
that we are in control
718
00:33:24,425 --> 00:33:27,045
and that you're not about
to do anything foolish.
719
00:33:27,765 --> 00:33:29,445
I tell the person to roll down the window
720
00:33:29,505 --> 00:33:32,245
and I say, put your hand on the
bottom of the steering wheel
721
00:33:32,985 --> 00:33:34,565
if it's a left back end.
722
00:33:35,585 --> 00:33:37,365
In other words, you're backing into a spot
723
00:33:37,365 --> 00:33:39,205
that is on the left side of the vehicle.
724
00:33:40,125 --> 00:33:43,165
I see. I want you to start
moving that vehicle backward
725
00:33:43,585 --> 00:33:47,005
and moving your hand in
a left wise direction.
726
00:33:47,025 --> 00:33:51,405
In other words, moving the
steering wheel in a, uh, uh,
727
00:33:52,545 --> 00:33:55,125
uh, um, clockwise direction.
728
00:33:56,145 --> 00:33:59,925
And as that vehicle is moving
backward in a very slow
729
00:34:00,025 --> 00:34:04,125
manner, at one point, the
trailer is now established
730
00:34:04,345 --> 00:34:07,205
as into the spot that you're aiming at.
731
00:34:08,025 --> 00:34:10,965
The next thing I say to the,
uh, person, I say, stop.
732
00:34:12,005 --> 00:34:14,085
I don't mean slow down. I mean, stop.
733
00:34:15,045 --> 00:34:17,445
I want you to think, now I
want you to put your hand
734
00:34:17,465 --> 00:34:19,125
to the top of the steering wheel,
735
00:34:19,985 --> 00:34:24,085
and now I want you to start
or continue moving backward.
736
00:34:24,505 --> 00:34:26,325
But I want you, uh, from the top
737
00:34:26,325 --> 00:34:27,765
of the steering wheel once again
738
00:34:27,785 --> 00:34:30,325
to move your hand in
a left wise direction.
739
00:34:32,155 --> 00:34:35,575
The person, periodically, I
have to look out through the
740
00:34:36,155 --> 00:34:38,095
window and see what's happening,
741
00:34:38,095 --> 00:34:40,935
because the pickup is
now starting to follow
742
00:34:41,835 --> 00:34:43,895
the trailer into the spot.
743
00:34:44,875 --> 00:34:46,895
So that's the top of the wheel.
744
00:34:46,895 --> 00:34:51,135
Bottom of the wheel technique
is something that, uh, and,
745
00:34:51,195 --> 00:34:53,735
and it, it's like riding a bike, Mike.
746
00:34:53,875 --> 00:34:56,335
Uh, the reality is I can say and,
747
00:34:56,515 --> 00:34:58,295
and tell them about the principles.
748
00:34:58,775 --> 00:35:01,535
I can aid them through
the, uh, teaching process.
749
00:35:02,315 --> 00:35:04,455
And all our people will do a dandy job
750
00:35:04,555 --> 00:35:06,615
of explaining just what I talked about.
751
00:35:07,555 --> 00:35:10,735
But the reality is they
are gonna need to practice.
752
00:35:11,235 --> 00:35:13,415
And sometimes it's gonna
create a little bit
753
00:35:13,415 --> 00:35:15,455
of a stir if it's at an RV park
754
00:35:15,775 --> 00:35:18,175
whenever you exercising what I just said.
755
00:35:18,795 --> 00:35:19,895
But you're gonna miss it.
756
00:35:20,195 --> 00:35:22,495
You're gonna have a time
whenever you have to pull forward
757
00:35:22,875 --> 00:35:24,695
and perhaps start all over again.
758
00:35:25,915 --> 00:35:28,495
But the reality is,
those are the important
759
00:35:28,715 --> 00:35:32,455
and relevant points for
a trailered backend.
760
00:35:32,765 --> 00:35:34,495
- Alright, now I wanna take you to
761
00:35:34,495 --> 00:35:35,815
what you mentioned a minute ago,
762
00:35:36,485 --> 00:35:39,645
just some general information
about climbing a mountain
763
00:35:39,785 --> 00:35:41,845
and coming down a mountain
while you're towing.
764
00:35:43,225 --> 00:35:47,245
- You know, first of all, going
up a mountain, probably in,
765
00:35:47,265 --> 00:35:49,885
in many cases, the difficult thing,
766
00:35:50,225 --> 00:35:52,445
and especially for us
guys, I'm picking on guys,
767
00:35:53,265 --> 00:35:56,685
but you know, you wanna, you
know, get around the trucks
768
00:35:56,685 --> 00:35:59,285
that are, you know,
lollygagging up the hill.
769
00:35:59,945 --> 00:36:03,405
And the reality is, especially
if you have a very heavy load
770
00:36:03,465 --> 00:36:05,885
behind you, IE it's a pickup
771
00:36:06,105 --> 00:36:10,405
and you've got a 35 to 38
to 40 foot, uh, trailer
772
00:36:10,425 --> 00:36:13,565
behind you, that engine
is working very hard.
773
00:36:13,625 --> 00:36:16,925
And if you're in, uh, in
central city outside of Denver,
774
00:36:17,505 --> 00:36:18,965
and you're at 8,000 feet
775
00:36:18,965 --> 00:36:23,045
and climbing that engine
is, is tending to overheat.
776
00:36:23,625 --> 00:36:25,965
So the first thing is,
I, I encourage people
777
00:36:25,965 --> 00:36:28,965
to get in the queue with
the truckers do perhaps one
778
00:36:28,965 --> 00:36:31,045
downshift depending on the hill.
779
00:36:31,505 --> 00:36:35,085
But again, you need to get that
engine circulating the, the,
780
00:36:35,105 --> 00:36:37,045
uh, fluids to keep it cool.
781
00:36:37,835 --> 00:36:39,935
So that's the important step there.
782
00:36:41,005 --> 00:36:43,535
When you get to the crest
of the hill, this is
783
00:36:43,775 --> 00:36:44,855
whenever decision time,
784
00:36:45,555 --> 00:36:49,455
and especially if it's outlined
to you, if it's a 5%, 6%,
785
00:36:49,835 --> 00:36:51,335
or 8% grade,
786
00:36:51,715 --> 00:36:55,815
and I use those as typical
examples on your way to Moab.
787
00:36:56,595 --> 00:37:00,055
Uh, if you're gonna, if you're
gonna go down that hill,
788
00:37:00,795 --> 00:37:03,735
you need to decide how
am I, how am I going
789
00:37:03,735 --> 00:37:05,295
to keep my foot off the brake
790
00:37:05,355 --> 00:37:07,335
or at use the brake intermittently.
791
00:37:08,525 --> 00:37:11,425
Uh, we typically, the RVs have
792
00:37:11,615 --> 00:37:13,665
what I call deceleration devices.
793
00:37:14,415 --> 00:37:17,745
They take the form of a jake
break, a compression, break,
794
00:37:18,625 --> 00:37:21,505
a uh, exhaust break, a tow hall button.
795
00:37:22,405 --> 00:37:24,545
But the big one is the downshift.
796
00:37:25,445 --> 00:37:27,585
And I gotta tell you that
there are a lot of people
797
00:37:27,585 --> 00:37:30,905
that we have, we instruct
who are very reluctant
798
00:37:30,905 --> 00:37:33,345
to do a downshift or force a downshift.
799
00:37:34,085 --> 00:37:37,425
And the reality is, they do
have to, especially on some
800
00:37:37,425 --> 00:37:38,665
of these significant hills.
801
00:37:39,565 --> 00:37:42,145
And whenever they do
that, you know, do the,
802
00:37:42,445 --> 00:37:46,305
the appropriate thing, engage
the deceleration device,
803
00:37:47,005 --> 00:37:48,025
do the downshift,
804
00:37:48,885 --> 00:37:51,825
and then again, intermittent
use of the brake.
805
00:37:52,405 --> 00:37:54,545
You know, they can
negotiate just about any,
806
00:37:55,085 --> 00:37:56,625
you know, typical hill.
807
00:37:57,135 --> 00:37:58,305
- Just a quick, uh,
808
00:37:58,885 --> 00:38:02,065
how do you do a downshift on
an automatic transmission?
809
00:38:03,275 --> 00:38:05,375
- You know, on most of the RVs
810
00:38:05,435 --> 00:38:06,935
or many of the, uh,
811
00:38:07,025 --> 00:38:09,975
class a's there is an
Allison transmission,
812
00:38:10,555 --> 00:38:14,375
and it's a, it's just a panel
off to the left of the, uh,
813
00:38:14,835 --> 00:38:16,855
of your driving, uh, leg.
814
00:38:17,555 --> 00:38:20,135
And, uh, it is an up and down arrow.
815
00:38:20,875 --> 00:38:25,375
And, uh, it's a simple step
to just push the down arrow,
816
00:38:25,385 --> 00:38:26,695
which does a downshift.
817
00:38:27,445 --> 00:38:30,135
Many of the pickups now have been adapted,
818
00:38:30,195 --> 00:38:31,535
and they now have a plus
819
00:38:31,555 --> 00:38:33,815
and minus on the, on the stick,
820
00:38:34,235 --> 00:38:36,015
on the column, on the column.
821
00:38:36,955 --> 00:38:39,095
And, uh, they also have a tow hall button
822
00:38:39,655 --> 00:38:41,175
frequently on the end of the stick.
823
00:38:42,035 --> 00:38:43,895
But, you know, where they find it,
824
00:38:44,475 --> 00:38:47,815
how they use it is really a problem.
825
00:38:48,395 --> 00:38:51,415
In so many cases. There
is a reluctance to use it,
826
00:38:52,235 --> 00:38:57,135
and there's a fear factor,
and I always tell people,
827
00:38:57,395 --> 00:39:00,415
and, and it's, uh, I've
talked to Ford, I've talked
828
00:39:00,415 --> 00:39:03,935
to the gm, I've talked to, um, commons
829
00:39:03,935 --> 00:39:05,935
and, uh, Allison transmission people,
830
00:39:05,995 --> 00:39:08,695
and they all say, Hey, don't worry.
831
00:39:09,475 --> 00:39:11,815
If you do a downshift, you cannot force
832
00:39:11,815 --> 00:39:13,695
that engine into doing
833
00:39:13,835 --> 00:39:15,855
or causing damage either
834
00:39:15,915 --> 00:39:17,975
to the transmission or to the engine.
835
00:39:18,715 --> 00:39:22,415
So the big step here is that
you need to get acquainted with
836
00:39:22,795 --> 00:39:25,935
how to do or to actually
make the downshift.
837
00:39:26,955 --> 00:39:28,575
Uh, however you're gonna get it done.
838
00:39:28,755 --> 00:39:30,935
You need to be comfortable with it.
839
00:39:31,315 --> 00:39:34,295
- Uh, I wanna give people some
more details on RV school.
840
00:39:34,515 --> 00:39:39,175
Uh, how do they, they check
rv school.com is the website.
841
00:39:39,795 --> 00:39:43,415
Um, what's the general cost
for a two day session for that?
842
00:39:44,795 --> 00:39:47,085
- Well, Mike, we're, first of
all, I'm not gonna apologize.
843
00:39:47,665 --> 00:39:49,645
Uh, it is important
844
00:39:49,885 --> 00:39:53,485
that we maintain a high quality school.
845
00:39:54,155 --> 00:39:57,885
5 95 is for two four hour
days with one of our people.
846
00:39:59,025 --> 00:40:00,205
Uh, if we're teaching
847
00:40:00,265 --> 00:40:03,965
or helping two individuals,
typically a couple, um,
848
00:40:04,395 --> 00:40:07,565
it's 8 95 for two six hour days.
849
00:40:08,585 --> 00:40:12,685
Uh, we do a lot of adapting
in terms of extending lessons
850
00:40:12,755 --> 00:40:14,565
because some people come to us
851
00:40:14,625 --> 00:40:19,285
and they're really in need
of some what additional help.
852
00:40:19,595 --> 00:40:24,125
Well, also a lot of the
dealerships, uh, ill prepare people
853
00:40:24,345 --> 00:40:28,485
for, you know, things as
mundane as, you know, uh, uh,
854
00:40:29,345 --> 00:40:33,765
you know, how to, uh, the,
um, fuse boxes on these.
855
00:40:33,865 --> 00:40:38,005
Uh, so we have an extended
portion of the lesson, you know,
856
00:40:38,005 --> 00:40:41,645
that we can't put on that's not, um, uh,
857
00:40:42,045 --> 00:40:43,085
$120.
858
00:40:43,385 --> 00:40:47,005
And it, it basically said,
we're gonna spend two
859
00:40:47,005 --> 00:40:48,125
to three hours with you,
860
00:40:48,465 --> 00:40:51,125
making sure you understand
what's in the manuals,
861
00:40:51,125 --> 00:40:55,045
that it came with your rv, uh,
understand the complexities
862
00:40:55,185 --> 00:40:58,365
of something as simple
as it that for toilet.
863
00:40:59,105 --> 00:41:00,105
Um,
864
00:41:00,595 --> 00:41:02,805
- Well, I applaud all that you do.
865
00:41:03,045 --> 00:41:05,965
I wish, uh, and I'm hoping
that the manufacturers,
866
00:41:06,105 --> 00:41:07,805
and if I was a dealership,
867
00:41:07,825 --> 00:41:10,245
the first thing I would
do is offer that course
868
00:41:10,465 --> 00:41:13,525
to pay your course for
all new customers so
869
00:41:13,525 --> 00:41:17,165
that they would be satisfied
customers and come back, uh,
870
00:41:17,185 --> 00:41:18,805
and buy from me again because I did that.
871
00:41:19,005 --> 00:41:20,765
I think that'd be a
great tool for dealers.
872
00:41:21,355 --> 00:41:24,925
Your prices are very reasonable
when you consider that, uh,
873
00:41:24,945 --> 00:41:26,965
how much it costs to get a campsite
874
00:41:26,985 --> 00:41:28,605
and how much these RVs cost.
875
00:41:29,025 --> 00:41:32,045
- One of the things is, you
know, for people who do need
876
00:41:32,885 --> 00:41:36,445
somebody, somebody to come
to them, uh, we do provide a,
877
00:41:36,545 --> 00:41:39,285
you know, and, and obviously
it's based on charges
878
00:41:39,545 --> 00:41:40,805
to get to the individual.
879
00:41:41,585 --> 00:41:44,805
And the second thing, I really
would encourage people to go
880
00:41:44,805 --> 00:41:47,165
to the testimonials on our website.
881
00:41:48,065 --> 00:41:51,505
I am extremely proud of, you know,
882
00:41:51,605 --> 00:41:53,185
the testimonials that come in,
883
00:41:53,575 --> 00:41:54,665
- Sign me up,.
884
00:41:54,985 --> 00:41:56,425
I look forward to trying it myself.
885
00:41:57,005 --> 00:41:58,305
Uh, you've been a great interview
886
00:41:58,525 --> 00:42:01,825
and, uh, again, thank you so
much for sharing your time
887
00:42:01,965 --> 00:42:04,785
and your expertise with our
audience. Thanks, George.
888
00:42:04,915 --> 00:42:08,785
- Thank you, sir.
- I appreciated, uh, George's tips,
889
00:42:08,845 --> 00:42:10,025
as I'm sure you did too.
890
00:42:10,205 --> 00:42:13,345
Uh, you know, this whole
idea of backing up an rv,
891
00:42:13,725 --> 00:42:16,145
it always works out,
particularly when you're a newbie
892
00:42:16,765 --> 00:42:17,825
and you're backing up
893
00:42:18,045 --> 00:42:20,225
and all your neighbors in the campground.
894
00:42:20,295 --> 00:42:22,305
It's like the entertainment
of the evening,,
895
00:42:22,305 --> 00:42:23,905
they all are out there
drinking their beer leaning.
896
00:42:24,235 --> 00:42:27,465
Watch this guy. And,
uh, and then every now
897
00:42:27,465 --> 00:42:29,825
and then you'll see somebody
come in that's probably gone
898
00:42:29,825 --> 00:42:33,185
to George's school and
they, and they're backed in
899
00:42:33,205 --> 00:42:34,385
and just awesome.
900
00:42:35,125 --> 00:42:36,665
Um, but don't worry,
901
00:42:36,755 --> 00:42:39,105
we've all been there,
in that newbie stage.
902
00:42:39,605 --> 00:42:41,905
And, uh, there's a link,
uh, in the show notes
903
00:42:41,905 --> 00:42:45,345
that you'll find@rvlifestyle.com,
uh, slash podcast,
904
00:42:46,125 --> 00:42:48,905
and you'll find, uh, a link
there to the show notes
905
00:42:48,905 --> 00:42:51,305
for this episode to
George's, uh, driving school.
906
00:42:51,405 --> 00:42:54,785
But, uh, check it out. We
appreciate his expertise
907
00:42:55,205 --> 00:42:57,905
- And I think it would be time
and money well spent Yeah.
908
00:42:57,925 --> 00:42:59,265
To take a good class.
909
00:42:59,455 --> 00:43:01,905
- Yeah. Now we've taken
a couple of short ones.
910
00:43:01,905 --> 00:43:04,625
Many times you'll find, uh,
RV driving schools offered
911
00:43:04,625 --> 00:43:07,625
by manufacturers at, at
big rallies and stuff,
912
00:43:07,625 --> 00:43:10,505
and you've taken a couple of
them, but they're very short
913
00:43:11,205 --> 00:43:12,985
and they're not, and
they're a little hands on.
914
00:43:12,985 --> 00:43:14,865
They give you some comfort,
but, uh, mm-Hmm..
915
00:43:14,885 --> 00:43:16,265
But George is the full deal.
916
00:43:16,365 --> 00:43:19,745
You walk away with, uh,
a, a, a lot of confidence
917
00:43:19,745 --> 00:43:21,105
and be able to drive that rv,
918
00:43:21,105 --> 00:43:22,985
whether it's a motor home or a towable.
919
00:43:23,565 --> 00:43:25,145
Um, so check 'em out.
920
00:43:25,165 --> 00:43:26,545
We think that's a, that's a great idea.
921
00:43:26,735 --> 00:43:27,865
Alright, quick break
922
00:43:27,965 --> 00:43:29,705
and we'll be back with
the RV News of the week,
923
00:43:29,705 --> 00:43:31,505
and we've got some good
stories for you this week.
924
00:43:31,605 --> 00:43:34,105
You're gonna wanna listen to Jennifer
925
00:43:34,105 --> 00:43:35,425
and I bought some land near
926
00:43:35,425 --> 00:43:36,985
Nashville, Tennessee a while back.
927
00:43:37,445 --> 00:43:40,185
We got tired, crowded,
expensive campgrounds
928
00:43:40,325 --> 00:43:42,545
and worrying about reservations.
929
00:43:43,585 --> 00:43:46,145
Tennessee is a gorgeous
state with friendly people,
930
00:43:46,525 --> 00:43:47,945
and it has been such a pleasure.
931
00:43:48,365 --> 00:43:52,065
The same developer has some
new property near us, close
932
00:43:52,125 --> 00:43:53,265
to the Natchez Trace
933
00:43:53,365 --> 00:43:57,025
and Buffalo River called
the Reserve At High Forest.
934
00:43:57,845 --> 00:44:00,065
Big properties, five to 41 acres.
935
00:44:00,205 --> 00:44:02,985
You can build a house, a cabin or rv.
936
00:44:02,985 --> 00:44:06,625
Year round prices start at only $89,900.
937
00:44:07,295 --> 00:44:10,825
Your property, your way 100% ownership.
938
00:44:11,445 --> 00:44:14,345
The scenery in this part of
Tennessee is breathtaking,
939
00:44:14,805 --> 00:44:16,345
and the property is gorgeous.
940
00:44:16,765 --> 00:44:20,865
Garden landscape, bring your
pets, build what you want.
941
00:44:21,215 --> 00:44:23,625
There's high speed fiber optic internet,
942
00:44:23,765 --> 00:44:26,865
and it is so private, a great place
943
00:44:26,965 --> 00:44:30,225
to make your home base
ready whenever you want it.
944
00:44:30,775 --> 00:44:34,885
Five to 41 acre properties from $89,900.
945
00:44:35,475 --> 00:44:37,405
There's even great financing.
946
00:44:37,735 --> 00:44:41,885
Check out the site and a
video tour@rvlands.net.
947
00:44:42,185 --> 00:44:46,165
That's RV lands.net.
Welcome back, everybody.
948
00:44:46,195 --> 00:44:49,765
Time now for the RV News of the week.
949
00:44:50,145 --> 00:44:52,085
- And we have a Massachusetts couple.
950
00:44:52,475 --> 00:44:54,365
They say their RV was stolen
951
00:44:54,495 --> 00:44:58,485
after the dealer started on
an unsecured shopping center
952
00:44:58,485 --> 00:45:00,605
parking lot without their knowledge.
953
00:45:00,745 --> 00:45:01,885
- Now, we should point out
954
00:45:01,995 --> 00:45:04,685
that this was just down the
street from the dealership.
955
00:45:05,385 --> 00:45:07,765
And again, here what Jennifer
said, it was without their,
956
00:45:07,765 --> 00:45:09,845
they didn't know that it wasn't gonna stay
957
00:45:10,225 --> 00:45:11,325
on the dealer's lot,
958
00:45:12,065 --> 00:45:14,205
- And the couple they
dropped off their jco,
959
00:45:14,555 --> 00:45:16,485
they dropped it off at Pete's RV Center
960
00:45:16,505 --> 00:45:18,725
for maintenance at the
dealer's service center.
961
00:45:19,065 --> 00:45:20,925
So you leave it at a secure place. Right?
962
00:45:21,225 --> 00:45:22,565
And when they returned to pick it up,
963
00:45:22,565 --> 00:45:23,685
they discovered it was missing.
964
00:45:24,185 --> 00:45:27,885
It turned out the dealer
stored their rig down the road
965
00:45:28,665 --> 00:45:32,165
on at an unsecured parking
lot where it was stolen.
966
00:45:32,345 --> 00:45:35,485
And the couple ended up getting
a local television station
967
00:45:35,845 --> 00:45:39,445
involved after the dealer
dragged its feet on filing a
968
00:45:39,445 --> 00:45:42,925
police report and was not
helping them get compensation.
969
00:45:43,675 --> 00:45:46,325
- Yeah. Eventually the couple
learned that what they had
970
00:45:46,325 --> 00:45:50,205
to do is file this loss under
their, um, insurance policy,
971
00:45:50,205 --> 00:45:51,445
their own insurance policy,
972
00:45:51,625 --> 00:45:55,445
and then their insurance company
can go after the RV dealer,
973
00:45:55,985 --> 00:45:58,925
but still, they're out a
thousand dollars deductible.
974
00:45:58,955 --> 00:46:03,325
Plus all the precious memories
that, uh, they had tied up in
975
00:46:03,565 --> 00:46:05,805
that jayco of theirs with their kids.
976
00:46:06,505 --> 00:46:07,725
Um, it's a mess.
977
00:46:07,945 --> 00:46:09,765
And it's a reminder to all of us
978
00:46:09,985 --> 00:46:12,445
to ask if the RV service
center that you're going
979
00:46:12,445 --> 00:46:15,405
to drop off your RV keeps
it in a secure location
980
00:46:15,915 --> 00:46:16,925
when the work is done.
981
00:46:17,465 --> 00:46:20,525
Uh, and if you wanna see that
news story about this couple,
982
00:46:20,575 --> 00:46:22,325
we'll put a link in the show notes
983
00:46:22,345 --> 00:46:26,285
and you'll find that at, uh,
RV lifestyle.com/podcast.
984
00:46:26,625 --> 00:46:28,005
- You know, what I find amazing is
985
00:46:28,005 --> 00:46:32,285
that somebody would leave
an RV at just a parking lot,
986
00:46:32,595 --> 00:46:35,485
because I'm thinking about
sometimes RVs get stolen
987
00:46:35,615 --> 00:46:36,765
outta dealer's lot.
988
00:46:36,765 --> 00:46:37,885
- Yeah. Didn't we have a
story about that last week?
989
00:46:37,885 --> 00:46:39,125
- Yeah, we did. We, we did have,
990
00:46:39,375 --> 00:46:42,005
we've had stories in
the past like that, so,
991
00:46:42,225 --> 00:46:45,205
but I can't imagine
leaving your property just,
992
00:46:45,945 --> 00:46:46,965
you know, at some parking.
993
00:46:47,395 --> 00:46:48,845
- Well, you know, they,
some of these dealers,
994
00:46:48,845 --> 00:46:49,885
they just don't have a lot of stories.
995
00:46:49,995 --> 00:46:51,405
Yeah. They don't have room. But, you know,
996
00:46:51,545 --> 00:46:53,285
you should at least say, Hey,
okay, we're gonna keep it
997
00:46:53,285 --> 00:46:54,525
until we can get to it down the street.
998
00:46:54,585 --> 00:46:56,885
And then you can say, no
way when you can get to it.
999
00:46:56,955 --> 00:46:58,725
I'll drop it off and I'll be there
1000
00:46:58,945 --> 00:47:00,965
and, uh, watch you put it in your garage
1001
00:47:01,025 --> 00:47:02,085
or wherever you service it.
1002
00:47:02,085 --> 00:47:03,445
Mm-Hmm., uh, anyway, um,
1003
00:47:03,585 --> 00:47:05,085
our sympathies go for this couple.
1004
00:47:05,305 --> 00:47:08,045
Yes. Who truly, uh, had
a, a terrible experience.
1005
00:47:08,665 --> 00:47:11,685
Um, hey, we got a story that
I think is, how about this?
1006
00:47:11,925 --> 00:47:14,405
I mean, this is unusual.
It's a government agency
1007
00:47:14,555 --> 00:47:19,365
that actually listened to the
people and changed its mind.
1008
00:47:19,945 --> 00:47:21,485
And it was the National Park Service.
1009
00:47:22,065 --> 00:47:24,085
Now, the National Park
Service, we all love them
1010
00:47:24,085 --> 00:47:25,565
because we love our national parks.
1011
00:47:25,565 --> 00:47:28,325
But you gotta understand,
it is a huge bureaucracy.
1012
00:47:28,425 --> 00:47:30,325
It is riddled with politics.
1013
00:47:31,065 --> 00:47:34,365
Uh, and like all government
agencies, you know, um,
1014
00:47:35,145 --> 00:47:37,925
it works at a, at its
own, uh, at its own style.
1015
00:47:38,915 --> 00:47:41,645
What they did, they announced
this week that they're going
1016
00:47:41,645 --> 00:47:46,405
to abandon a plan, a wildly unpopular plan
1017
00:47:46,405 --> 00:47:51,285
that they had to remove the
wild horses at North Dakota's,
1018
00:47:51,285 --> 00:47:52,805
Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
1019
00:47:52,825 --> 00:47:55,845
Now, if you've been to Teddy
Roosevelt National Park, uh,
1020
00:47:56,025 --> 00:48:00,805
you know how much a part of
that park, uh, those horses are.
1021
00:48:01,585 --> 00:48:05,205
So a whole bunch of groups,
uh, activist groups, wild horse
1022
00:48:05,805 --> 00:48:08,725
advocates, tourists heard about this,
1023
00:48:08,785 --> 00:48:12,165
and they bombarded the park
service with resistance
1024
00:48:12,185 --> 00:48:14,085
and criticism of this idea.
1025
00:48:14,755 --> 00:48:17,975
And what the NPS wanted to
do was remove these horses.
1026
00:48:18,635 --> 00:48:19,895
Uh, they're out of the concern
1027
00:48:19,895 --> 00:48:22,095
that the animals were
damaging to the environment.
1028
00:48:22,095 --> 00:48:24,055
Well, the animals had been there since
1029
00:48:24,215 --> 00:48:25,615
Teddy Roosevelt's days.
1030
00:48:26,395 --> 00:48:30,135
Now granted, horses are not a
native animal of, of that part
1031
00:48:30,355 --> 00:48:32,335
of, uh, of, uh, North Dakota,
1032
00:48:32,555 --> 00:48:35,815
but their descendants
of those who were owned
1033
00:48:35,875 --> 00:48:38,895
by the ranchers and the
tribes of the old West,
1034
00:48:39,235 --> 00:48:43,135
and they roamed wild when Teddy
Roosevelt, who the park, uh,
1035
00:48:43,275 --> 00:48:45,855
was named after and who lived there, uh,
1036
00:48:45,885 --> 00:48:47,175
they rolled there since then.
1037
00:48:47,175 --> 00:48:49,055
They were, they were
just as they are today.
1038
00:48:49,595 --> 00:48:52,135
Uh, so they had a lot of
historical significance.
1039
00:48:52,435 --> 00:48:54,615
And we love those horses.
They're gorgeous. They're,
1040
00:48:54,735 --> 00:48:56,495
- I think everybody
loves those wild horses.
1041
00:48:56,495 --> 00:48:58,255
They're extremely popular with everybody.
1042
00:48:58,435 --> 00:49:00,495
And currently there's only, well,
1043
00:49:00,495 --> 00:49:02,655
there's about 200 wild horses in the park.
1044
00:49:02,895 --> 00:49:04,735
- I mean, you see them, but
you don't see 'em all the time.
1045
00:49:04,795 --> 00:49:07,895
And we've, we sat out, I
remember one time shooting, uh,
1046
00:49:08,075 --> 00:49:11,895
we saw a, a colt and his mom
and they were part of a herd.
1047
00:49:11,915 --> 00:49:15,175
And we watched them at
sunset for, it was gorgeous.
1048
00:49:15,485 --> 00:49:16,815
They were gro, you know, really pretty.
1049
00:49:17,515 --> 00:49:20,015
Um, now that was the park ship.
1050
00:49:20,195 --> 00:49:23,205
So they changed their mind,
but they could change it again.
1051
00:49:23,505 --> 00:49:25,845
And that's why a leading
group that advocates
1052
00:49:25,845 --> 00:49:27,405
for the horses says now
1053
00:49:27,405 --> 00:49:30,045
that this plant has been
abandoned this time,
1054
00:49:30,875 --> 00:49:32,325
they want those wild horses
1055
00:49:32,505 --> 00:49:36,285
to have federal protection
forever, to prevent, you know,
1056
00:49:36,305 --> 00:49:38,605
the park service from changing its mind
1057
00:49:38,825 --> 00:49:41,725
and trying to cull the herd
next year or the year after.
1058
00:49:42,545 --> 00:49:44,245
Um, we visited Theodore
1059
00:49:44,245 --> 00:49:45,565
Roosevelt National Park a couple of times.
1060
00:49:45,665 --> 00:49:49,085
We absolutely love it. And, uh,
we'll put a link to, uh, one
1061
00:49:49,085 --> 00:49:50,285
of our, uh, trips there.
1062
00:49:50,345 --> 00:49:52,125
And in it you'll see those wild horses.
1063
00:49:52,785 --> 00:49:54,805
Uh, they're just, um,
they're really gorgeous.
1064
00:49:55,315 --> 00:49:58,205
Alright, next story. It
also involves animals.
1065
00:49:58,475 --> 00:50:01,605
- Yeah. Remember when we
told you about the wolf
1066
00:50:01,925 --> 00:50:04,645
reintroduction plan to in, uh, Colorado?
1067
00:50:05,195 --> 00:50:07,725
Well, the pack flown in from Oregon
1068
00:50:08,025 --> 00:50:11,205
and released in Colorado,
may be headed into Wyoming,
1069
00:50:11,815 --> 00:50:13,565
where it's legal to shoot them.
1070
00:50:14,265 --> 00:50:17,645
In December 10, wolves were
released in Colorado, under
1071
00:50:17,645 --> 00:50:19,805
that state's wolf reintroduction program.
1072
00:50:20,465 --> 00:50:23,885
The animals were released
in a ranching area
1073
00:50:23,935 --> 00:50:25,805
where ranchers did not want them.
1074
00:50:26,265 --> 00:50:29,925
And since December, they've
killed six heads of cattle,
1075
00:50:30,305 --> 00:50:32,725
but the pack is moving as wolves do.
1076
00:50:33,305 --> 00:50:36,725
And, uh, the state releases
regular reports based on their
1077
00:50:37,005 --> 00:50:40,205
tracking collars and have
confirmed the wolves did wander
1078
00:50:40,315 --> 00:50:42,165
into the Rocky Mountain National Park,
1079
00:50:42,705 --> 00:50:47,485
and one wolf did die of natural
causes like a mountain lion.
1080
00:50:48,105 --> 00:50:51,525
And the pack is now very close
to the Wyoming state line.
1081
00:50:51,625 --> 00:50:54,645
And while wolves are a
protected species in Colorado,
1082
00:50:55,185 --> 00:50:57,765
in Wyoming, they are not, in fact,
1083
00:50:58,045 --> 00:51:00,925
a wolf in Wyoming can be shot legally
1084
00:51:01,025 --> 00:51:02,605
for any reason. Mm-Hmm.
1085
00:51:02,605 --> 00:51:04,045
- It's a ridiculous, isn't it?
1086
00:51:04,105 --> 00:51:07,325
Uh, um, but it's a hotly contested area.
1087
00:51:07,425 --> 00:51:10,245
And ranchers certainly have,
um, have some concerns.
1088
00:51:10,345 --> 00:51:11,405
But, uh,,
1089
00:51:11,405 --> 00:51:13,845
these guys are going into
harm's way, these rules.
1090
00:51:14,545 --> 00:51:16,685
Uh, okay, here's a story for you.
1091
00:51:17,385 --> 00:51:20,525
If you have been one of
those who have, uh, suspected
1092
00:51:21,265 --> 00:51:24,325
or complained about shoddy manufacturing
1093
00:51:24,545 --> 00:51:27,125
by the big RV companies, um,
1094
00:51:27,195 --> 00:51:28,925
there's some more evidence this month
1095
00:51:29,025 --> 00:51:30,285
to back up those complaints.
1096
00:51:30,345 --> 00:51:33,605
The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration recently
1097
00:51:34,565 --> 00:51:37,125
released a number of RV recalls
1098
00:51:37,195 --> 00:51:38,685
that you might want to check out.
1099
00:51:39,345 --> 00:51:41,165
Uh, we'll put the full list
1100
00:51:41,505 --> 00:51:44,805
and links to it in the
podcast, uh, link on the, uh,
1101
00:51:44,865 --> 00:51:47,725
rv lifestyle.com/podcast blog.
1102
00:51:48,425 --> 00:51:53,365
But it includes, um, 20 to
24, uh, units that were built
1103
00:51:53,365 --> 00:51:54,485
by Tiffin Motor Homes.
1104
00:51:54,905 --> 00:51:59,405
Uh, they found that the LED
backlight circuit board in the
1105
00:51:59,405 --> 00:52:03,685
cooktop range may fail,
causing the board to overheat.
1106
00:52:03,705 --> 00:52:05,485
And there, of course, there's
always a risk of fire.
1107
00:52:05,515 --> 00:52:08,965
Then, uh, Allegro Open Road, Allegro,
1108
00:52:09,645 --> 00:52:13,005
RED 360, uh, 2024 Byway
1109
00:52:13,545 --> 00:52:16,605
and 2022 Fatton Motor Homes are affected.
1110
00:52:17,265 --> 00:52:19,845
And owner notification
letters should be mailed out
1111
00:52:19,845 --> 00:52:21,805
to owners by May 31st.
1112
00:52:22,885 --> 00:52:26,205
Keystone RV Company is
recalling a bunch of its units
1113
00:52:26,205 --> 00:52:30,205
because the equalizer may
provide inadequate clearance,
1114
00:52:30,525 --> 00:52:32,965
allowing the axle to contact the frame.
1115
00:52:33,625 --> 00:52:38,005
And that's certain keystone,
uh, models the retreat, uh,
1116
00:52:38,005 --> 00:52:41,445
2024 models, the retreat,
uh, the residence 40,
1117
00:52:41,585 --> 00:52:43,765
the residence, uh, 4 0 1.
1118
00:52:44,425 --> 00:52:47,005
Uh, the Dutchman Aspen Trail
1119
00:52:47,865 --> 00:52:51,525
and Crossroads Hampton are
trailers that were affected
1120
00:52:51,525 --> 00:52:54,725
with letters that were
mailed to owners by May 31st.
1121
00:52:54,875 --> 00:52:58,525
They will be out, uh, the
recall at Forest River
1122
00:52:58,675 --> 00:53:02,405
because the operator may
utilize the rear towing hitch
1123
00:53:02,955 --> 00:53:06,685
without locking the turning
point fifth wheel hitch into the
1124
00:53:07,045 --> 00:53:09,125
conventional transport position.
1125
00:53:09,545 --> 00:53:10,885
You've got what 'em, you
know what that means?
1126
00:53:11,385 --> 00:53:13,125
Uh, certain 24 Cardinal
1127
00:53:13,145 --> 00:53:15,925
and Wildcat fifth wheel
trailers are affected
1128
00:53:16,305 --> 00:53:18,605
and those letters are
gonna go out by May 22nd.
1129
00:53:19,425 --> 00:53:23,085
Um, outdoors RV Manufacturing recall is
1130
00:53:23,085 --> 00:53:24,165
because of, uh,
1131
00:53:24,345 --> 00:53:27,405
an LED backlight circuit
board in the cook dock range
1132
00:53:27,435 --> 00:53:31,925
that may fail again, causing
overheat, uh, certain 20
1133
00:53:32,025 --> 00:53:34,845
to 24 titanium trailers affected.
1134
00:53:35,385 --> 00:53:37,885
Uh, those letters will be
mailed out by May 17th.
1135
00:53:38,665 --> 00:53:40,885
Uh, forest River is
also a number of recalls
1136
00:53:41,045 --> 00:53:43,325
'cause that LED backlight circuit board
1137
00:53:43,625 --> 00:53:46,325
and the cook part cooktop range may fall.
1138
00:53:46,655 --> 00:53:49,285
Maybe, you know, a
number of units affected.
1139
00:53:49,545 --> 00:53:51,205
And, uh, just be aware,
1140
00:53:52,105 --> 00:53:53,805
you should probably go
look at the full list.
1141
00:53:53,825 --> 00:53:55,205
We could go on and on with this.
1142
00:53:55,425 --> 00:53:58,685
Uh, but, um, check out and
we'll post a link to it.
1143
00:53:58,915 --> 00:54:01,605
It's at rv lifestyle.com/podcast.
1144
00:54:02,585 --> 00:54:05,925
And, uh, we thank RV Business,
our friends at RV Business
1145
00:54:05,945 --> 00:54:08,245
for, um, alerting everybody to that story.
1146
00:54:08,755 --> 00:54:11,045
Alright, when we come back the RV question
1147
00:54:11,545 --> 00:54:12,765
of the week, stay with us
1148
00:54:13,235 --> 00:54:15,885
- When we're asked what's the
most important modification
1149
00:54:15,885 --> 00:54:16,925
we made to our rv.
1150
00:54:17,115 --> 00:54:20,605
It's an easy answer.
Battle borne batteries.
1151
00:54:20,645 --> 00:54:24,605
Battle borne batteries are
quality, safe, reliable lithium
1152
00:54:25,165 --> 00:54:26,645
batteries that allow us
1153
00:54:26,865 --> 00:54:29,685
to stay out there off the grid longer.
1154
00:54:30,195 --> 00:54:31,925
Lithium batteries charge faster.
1155
00:54:32,155 --> 00:54:33,205
They charge fuller,
1156
00:54:33,205 --> 00:54:35,165
they're longer lasting,
they're maintenance free.
1157
00:54:35,465 --> 00:54:38,085
And battle borne batteries are protected
1158
00:54:38,105 --> 00:54:40,565
by a 10 year guarantee.
1159
00:54:41,145 --> 00:54:45,205
Now in our case, they just
dropped into the existing A GM
1160
00:54:45,485 --> 00:54:47,805
batteries that we have and
they'll probably be the
1161
00:54:47,805 --> 00:54:48,925
same on your rig too.
1162
00:54:49,335 --> 00:54:53,125
Battleborn battery experts
can get those in your rig just
1163
00:54:53,125 --> 00:54:54,365
like they did with ours.
1164
00:54:54,365 --> 00:54:56,405
They can also match you
up with the right cabling,
1165
00:54:56,405 --> 00:54:59,725
the inverter, the charger, the
solar controller, everything.
1166
00:55:00,525 --> 00:55:03,485
Jennifer and I swear by
our battle borne batteries,
1167
00:55:03,515 --> 00:55:06,525
they allow us to boondock off the grid.
1168
00:55:06,775 --> 00:55:07,965
Check 'em out. Go
1169
00:55:07,965 --> 00:55:11,125
to rv lifestyle.com/lithium rv
1170
00:55:11,125 --> 00:55:13,285
lifestyle.com/lithium.
1171
00:55:14,615 --> 00:55:17,825
- Alright, it's time now for
the RV question of the week.
1172
00:55:17,845 --> 00:55:20,865
And we wanna remind you that
we love to get your questions
1173
00:55:21,365 --> 00:55:24,025
and your comments and you
can reach us anytime at Mike
1174
00:55:24,045 --> 00:55:27,145
and jen@rvlifestyle.com.
1175
00:55:27,205 --> 00:55:28,225
What's our question this week?
1176
00:55:28,335 --> 00:55:29,905
- Okay, our question is, my husband
1177
00:55:30,085 --> 00:55:32,985
and I wanna start our
retirement with RVing.
1178
00:55:33,645 --> 00:55:36,345
How do we stay safe out there now
1179
00:55:36,655 --> 00:55:38,545
with this open border situation?
1180
00:55:38,885 --> 00:55:41,905
We live in Arizona and
things are really changing.
1181
00:55:42,405 --> 00:55:45,905
We have a dog and we
are both CCW certified.
1182
00:55:46,445 --> 00:55:51,145
Is it worth investing in
all that it entails in RV
1183
00:55:51,145 --> 00:55:53,585
with all the changes in America today?
1184
00:55:53,885 --> 00:55:54,945
And that's Catherine.
1185
00:55:55,605 --> 00:55:56,825
- All right, Catherine. Um,
1186
00:55:57,895 --> 00:56:00,665
granted America certainly
has its share of problems.
1187
00:56:01,485 --> 00:56:04,185
And in Arizona, you know,
closer to the border,
1188
00:56:04,325 --> 00:56:06,905
you certainly are probably
more aware than most people of,
1189
00:56:06,905 --> 00:56:10,305
of all the problems associated
with illegal migration.
1190
00:56:11,605 --> 00:56:14,985
But that said, um, we've
been doing the RV lifestyle
1191
00:56:15,125 --> 00:56:18,425
for more than 12 years now,
and we've traveled repeatedly.
1192
00:56:18,775 --> 00:56:21,545
I've gone from one end of
the country to the other, uh,
1193
00:56:21,905 --> 00:56:25,365
numerous times, and we
have had no time ever
1194
00:56:26,155 --> 00:56:27,445
when we felt unsafe.
1195
00:56:28,625 --> 00:56:30,485
And maybe what about 10 years ago,
1196
00:56:30,505 --> 00:56:32,805
we were eating dinner at
a shopping center on the
1197
00:56:33,525 --> 00:56:35,125
Illinois side of the Mississippi River,
1198
00:56:35,185 --> 00:56:38,605
and our RV was broken into,
we had a lot of, a lot
1199
00:56:38,605 --> 00:56:40,205
of my photo gears, a lot of grease.
1200
00:56:40,425 --> 00:56:43,565
It was taken, but our
insurance covered the loss.
1201
00:56:44,065 --> 00:56:46,925
And that is the only time
we've experienced crime
1202
00:56:47,545 --> 00:56:49,885
in any form in all of our travels.
1203
00:56:50,945 --> 00:56:52,485
So there are yes neighborhoods
1204
00:56:52,585 --> 00:56:54,965
and there's places where it is not safe,
1205
00:56:55,745 --> 00:56:59,365
but those are not the places
that our viewers tend to visit.
1206
00:57:00,705 --> 00:57:03,685
So I guess to answer your question, um, RV
1207
00:57:03,705 --> 00:57:06,085
as a lifestyle is more than worth it.
1208
00:57:06,665 --> 00:57:08,645
Uh, it is, uh, enjoyable.
1209
00:57:08,645 --> 00:57:11,845
It's fulfilling, it's
exciting and it's safe.
1210
00:57:12,545 --> 00:57:15,365
Uh, now I won't even start
to get into the topic
1211
00:57:15,365 --> 00:57:17,725
of concealed weapons or firearms
1212
00:57:17,725 --> 00:57:20,165
and whether you should
carry 'em, that's up to you.
1213
00:57:20,305 --> 00:57:24,245
But I will say that if you
just simply use common sense
1214
00:57:24,265 --> 00:57:25,405
and planning your routes,
1215
00:57:25,465 --> 00:57:28,245
and if you are aware of your surroundings
1216
00:57:28,385 --> 00:57:31,405
and you trust your gut, if
you get in an uneasy feeling,
1217
00:57:31,595 --> 00:57:33,165
just move on If need be.
1218
00:57:33,695 --> 00:57:34,925
We've never had to do that either.
1219
00:57:35,545 --> 00:57:38,085
Um, but America's not unsafe.
1220
00:57:38,425 --> 00:57:43,125
Uh, plan your retirement and
get out there and enjoy it.
1221
00:57:44,185 --> 00:57:45,725
- If you're going to be unsafe,
1222
00:57:45,825 --> 00:57:47,245
you think about going to the mall.
1223
00:57:47,755 --> 00:57:49,125
- Yeah, I mean, there's
1224
00:57:49,125 --> 00:57:52,565
- A lot of places, broad
daylight where it's not safe.
1225
00:57:52,675 --> 00:57:55,085
More so it seems like
in the big cities. But,
1226
00:57:55,085 --> 00:57:57,205
- You know, we, we also
hear about it all the time.
1227
00:57:57,325 --> 00:58:00,045
I mean, we have social media,
we've got neighborhood apps,
1228
00:58:00,145 --> 00:58:03,525
and we've got news media apps screaming
1229
00:58:03,545 --> 00:58:05,165
for attention 24 7.
1230
00:58:05,565 --> 00:58:07,685
Anything happens and, you know, um,
1231
00:58:08,305 --> 00:58:11,885
social media in particular and
false rumors and fake news.
1232
00:58:12,105 --> 00:58:14,725
And yeah, there are problems out there,
1233
00:58:14,825 --> 00:58:18,525
but you can't go around not doing things
1234
00:58:18,525 --> 00:58:19,885
because you're fearful.
1235
00:58:20,865 --> 00:58:24,125
And I don't think that
being fearful of the changes
1236
00:58:24,235 --> 00:58:25,365
that are happening in America
1237
00:58:25,425 --> 00:58:28,765
and there are, uh, is, is, um, justified.
1238
00:58:28,765 --> 00:58:31,085
You're justified in, in changing your
1239
00:58:31,495 --> 00:58:33,085
retirement plans because of it.
1240
00:58:33,785 --> 00:58:36,925
So, and obviously if,
if, if you're fearful
1241
00:58:37,065 --> 00:58:39,165
by all this stuff, then don't do it.
1242
00:58:39,165 --> 00:58:42,285
Stay home. But, uh, I can
just tell you our experience
1243
00:58:42,625 --> 00:58:45,725
and it's, it's safe out there. Right?
1244
00:58:46,195 --> 00:58:48,045
- Just gotta use common sense. Yeah.
1245
00:58:48,575 --> 00:58:50,805
- Which is, well that sense, which isn't
1246
00:58:50,805 --> 00:58:52,005
so common anymore. Right.
1247
00:58:52,565 --> 00:58:54,765
- I was kind of thinking it
must be safe out there,.
1248
00:58:55,115 --> 00:58:58,605
- Yeah, kinda. Anyway, Catherine,
go have a great retirement
1249
00:58:58,745 --> 00:59:00,365
and uh, and you will be safe.
1250
00:59:00,635 --> 00:59:02,445
Alright, you got questions
or you got comments?
1251
00:59:02,745 --> 00:59:05,685
You can reach us, Mike
and jen@rvlifestyle.com.
1252
00:59:05,685 --> 00:59:07,725
We love to hear from you.
That's it for this week.
1253
00:59:07,975 --> 00:59:09,045
We'll see you guys down the road.
1254
00:59:09,495 --> 00:59:10,325
- Happy trails.
00:00:00,315 --> 00:00:01,925
- This week on the RV podcast.
2
00:00:02,465 --> 00:00:03,485
- In the interview of the week,
3
00:00:03,785 --> 00:00:07,805
we have some very practical
tips from an expert on driving,
4
00:00:08,435 --> 00:00:10,805
backing up and navigating mountains
5
00:00:10,905 --> 00:00:13,365
and steep hills in an rv.
6
00:00:14,065 --> 00:00:16,685
- And a Massachusetts
couple dropped off their
7
00:00:16,865 --> 00:00:18,045
RV to get it repaired.
8
00:00:18,465 --> 00:00:20,405
The dealer then moved the RV
9
00:00:20,465 --> 00:00:23,565
to an unsecured parking
area down the street
10
00:00:24,015 --> 00:00:27,885
where it was stolen, and the
dealer basically shrugged
11
00:00:27,885 --> 00:00:29,285
and said it wasn't their problem.
12
00:00:29,855 --> 00:00:31,565
We'll explain in the news of the week,
13
00:00:32,395 --> 00:00:36,845
- Good news, the National
Park Service has abandoned its
14
00:00:37,195 --> 00:00:41,045
plan to remove the wild
horses from Theodore Roosevelt
15
00:00:41,365 --> 00:00:44,125
National Park, thanks to public pressure
16
00:00:45,075 --> 00:00:47,525
- Plus the latest in RV recalls.
17
00:00:48,025 --> 00:00:52,285
And, uh, your questions
coming up in episode 4 95
18
00:00:52,345 --> 00:00:53,885
of the RV podcast.
19
00:01:10,615 --> 00:01:12,325
- Hello everybody, I'm Mike Wendling,
20
00:01:12,325 --> 00:01:15,285
and this is my lifelong
traveling companion
21
00:01:15,425 --> 00:01:17,325
and my bride Jennifer.
22
00:01:17,495 --> 00:01:18,845
Hello, my dear. Hello
23
00:01:18,905 --> 00:01:19,905
- My Michael.
24
00:01:20,085 --> 00:01:21,205
- A couple of quick announcements.
25
00:01:21,345 --> 00:01:22,925
If you are listening to the podcast,
26
00:01:23,265 --> 00:01:26,005
we would very much appreciate
it if you would give
27
00:01:26,005 --> 00:01:27,485
us a review on the podcast.
28
00:01:27,705 --> 00:01:29,445
We love those five star reviews.
29
00:01:29,465 --> 00:01:31,125
If you think we're really
good, give us one of those.
30
00:01:31,825 --> 00:01:34,045
And, um, I was looking the other day,
31
00:01:34,385 --> 00:01:37,805
and most of our people seem
to be listening on the Apple
32
00:01:38,185 --> 00:01:41,565
or Google, uh, apps,
but Spotify is up there.
33
00:01:41,565 --> 00:01:44,205
If you listen to us on Spotify,
would you do us a favor
34
00:01:44,305 --> 00:01:45,645
and give us a review on Spotify?
35
00:01:45,835 --> 00:01:47,965
We'd like to see those
Spotify reviews come up.
36
00:01:48,265 --> 00:01:50,485
We only have a, you know,
a few dozen of them there
37
00:01:50,545 --> 00:01:53,285
and hundreds of them
on the other platform,
38
00:01:53,425 --> 00:01:54,485
so we appreciate it.
39
00:01:55,425 --> 00:01:59,525
So another week and spring
has truly sprung, hasn't it?
40
00:01:59,755 --> 00:02:01,485
- It's been beautiful weather.
41
00:02:01,835 --> 00:02:04,725
Yeah, we've gotten lots
of rain that we needed
42
00:02:05,145 --> 00:02:06,685
and, uh, things are growing.
43
00:02:06,685 --> 00:02:08,605
Things are green and
up, things are blooming.
44
00:02:09,065 --> 00:02:11,525
- Now. One of the nice things
about living in southwest
45
00:02:11,805 --> 00:02:13,365
Michigan, besides the climate,
46
00:02:13,505 --> 00:02:15,325
and it's great for
growing fruit, we've got
47
00:02:16,245 --> 00:02:18,205
17 blueberry pan pan plants.
48
00:02:18,345 --> 00:02:21,525
Uh, we just added, uh, we
have seven raspberry plants.
49
00:02:22,105 --> 00:02:23,325
And actually we have more than that.
50
00:02:23,325 --> 00:02:25,125
We have some wild ones
too, but who's counting?
51
00:02:25,145 --> 00:02:26,965
But who's counting? So we're
really excited about that.
52
00:02:26,985 --> 00:02:30,445
But one of the reasons we, we
moved to southwest Michigan,
53
00:02:30,715 --> 00:02:33,365
besides the fact that our
son and daughter-in-Law
54
00:02:33,365 --> 00:02:36,045
and our two of our grandkids
live literally across the
55
00:02:36,045 --> 00:02:37,525
cornfield from us out here in the country
56
00:02:38,075 --> 00:02:39,645
when we found 10 acres out here.
57
00:02:39,645 --> 00:02:41,605
So we love that. But we're only about
58
00:02:42,145 --> 00:02:44,445
you 30, 45 minutes from Elkhart, Indiana,
59
00:02:45,425 --> 00:02:47,845
so the RV capital of the world. So
60
00:02:48,055 --> 00:02:50,245
- We've got a trip to Elkhart this week.
61
00:02:50,435 --> 00:02:52,365
- Yeah. And, uh, we're really excited.
62
00:02:52,375 --> 00:02:55,565
We've been doing a bunch
of reviews on, um, RVs
63
00:02:55,565 --> 00:02:57,285
and some of the cool things that, uh,
64
00:02:57,555 --> 00:02:59,045
that we really like about them.
65
00:02:59,425 --> 00:03:01,885
And, uh, we are gonna review a,
66
00:03:02,045 --> 00:03:05,445
a true game changer in the
towable category in the fifth
67
00:03:05,465 --> 00:03:07,365
wheels, uh, category.
68
00:03:07,365 --> 00:03:09,285
And we'll tell you more
about that later on.
69
00:03:09,305 --> 00:03:12,205
But that's where we'll be this
week doing a, a big review
70
00:03:12,265 --> 00:03:14,805
and, uh, on, uh, probably the best
71
00:03:15,415 --> 00:03:17,845
fifth wheel out there in
the marketplace today.
72
00:03:18,045 --> 00:03:21,125
I think we can say that
pretty confidently that, uh,
73
00:03:21,125 --> 00:03:22,325
that's what we're gonna talk about.
74
00:03:23,025 --> 00:03:25,045
But we're also working on
a couple of other ones.
75
00:03:25,315 --> 00:03:28,845
- Yeah. We're working on doing
some reviews on class A's
76
00:03:29,065 --> 00:03:30,125
and, uh, C's.
77
00:03:30,275 --> 00:03:33,885
- Yeah. And, uh, uh, amongst
all that, we're watching our,
78
00:03:34,065 --> 00:03:38,085
uh, our grandson played baseball
a couple of times a week
79
00:03:38,225 --> 00:03:39,525
and working on our garden
80
00:03:39,905 --> 00:03:42,405
and, uh, plotting a lot
of, uh, camping trips.
81
00:03:42,455 --> 00:03:43,445
We've got a big one planned
82
00:03:43,445 --> 00:03:44,925
Mother's Day weekend.
Mm-Hmm.
83
00:03:45,075 --> 00:03:48,085
- It's gonna be fun.
- And then we've got our gathering in,
84
00:03:48,145 --> 00:03:50,765
uh, uh, ship Shiwana
Indiana coming up in June,
85
00:03:50,905 --> 00:03:53,445
and then our big trip to
the Maritimes this summer.
86
00:03:53,625 --> 00:03:54,885
So lots there. So
87
00:03:55,085 --> 00:03:56,085
- We are gonna be busy.
88
00:03:56,385 --> 00:03:58,925
- And, uh, yes, I am continuing the diet,
89
00:04:00,085 --> 00:04:03,525
although I will say it is not easy.
90
00:04:03,795 --> 00:04:07,605
It's not so much the, you know,
reducing the calories, uh,
91
00:04:08,035 --> 00:04:09,165
Lord knows I need to do that,
92
00:04:09,345 --> 00:04:11,325
but it's going to a plant-based diet.
93
00:04:12,385 --> 00:04:15,515
It is just, it's just not, I don't care
94
00:04:15,515 --> 00:04:17,075
what pe people Oh, it's really easy.
95
00:04:17,255 --> 00:04:20,835
It is not easy. We've had
some pretty yucky foods.
96
00:04:21,115 --> 00:04:21,955
-
97
00:04:21,975 --> 00:04:23,195
I'm not making it from scratch.
98
00:04:23,505 --> 00:04:25,475
I've been buying frozen meals and
99
00:04:25,945 --> 00:04:26,945
- Cans, but, you know.
100
00:04:26,945 --> 00:04:29,155
Yeah, it, it does take a lot
more work if you're gonna
101
00:04:29,155 --> 00:04:30,675
really make your own meals with it.
102
00:04:31,025 --> 00:04:33,275
- Well, it takes a lot
more work if you make your
103
00:04:34,225 --> 00:04:36,555
real meals instead of easy meals. But,
104
00:04:36,655 --> 00:04:38,315
- Uh, but you know, that making,
105
00:04:38,385 --> 00:04:41,235
putting a hot dog together
is two minutes, you know?
106
00:04:41,235 --> 00:04:43,075
Yeah. If you use the air fryer even, it's
107
00:04:43,225 --> 00:04:44,225
- Very convenient.
108
00:04:44,415 --> 00:04:45,755
- And, uh, yeah, you can, you know,
109
00:04:45,755 --> 00:04:47,595
there are meat subs. Pretend
110
00:04:47,595 --> 00:04:49,795
- Chicken nuggets were
kind of easy in the air
111
00:04:49,805 --> 00:04:50,805
- Fryer.
112
00:04:50,805 --> 00:04:54,155
Pretend chicken nuggets
sit with
113
00:04:54,255 --> 00:04:56,515
and then this, what is
it that impossible meat,
114
00:04:56,515 --> 00:04:57,835
this meat substitute.
115
00:04:58,695 --> 00:05:01,195
I'm sorry. I had something
the other day called, uh,
116
00:05:01,265 --> 00:05:02,755
bourbon meatballs.
117
00:05:02,865 --> 00:05:04,755
Sounded good. It was,
118
00:05:04,755 --> 00:05:07,235
it was like eating styrofoam
with ketchup on it.
119
00:05:08,455 --> 00:05:09,465
- Well, how was it? It
120
00:05:09,505 --> 00:05:10,505
- Was terrible.
121
00:05:10,505 --> 00:05:11,945
Other than that, it was
terrible. It was just, I didn't,
122
00:05:11,945 --> 00:05:12,985
you saw I didn't need it.
123
00:05:13,645 --> 00:05:17,105
So, anyway, um, I know
if we wanna take the time
124
00:05:17,125 --> 00:05:19,545
and learn to, we don't have the time, so,
125
00:05:19,605 --> 00:05:21,545
- So we gotta hire a chef. That's it.
126
00:05:21,845 --> 00:05:22,985
- That's the secret. Yeah.
127
00:05:23,125 --> 00:05:24,865
So quick subscribe more, get more.
128
00:05:25,245 --> 00:05:29,185
We need more, get us more
sponsors. Um, it is just a hassle.
129
00:05:29,525 --> 00:05:30,905
And, uh, I think we're back to
130
00:05:30,905 --> 00:05:33,345
what you've always said is
the best way to lose weight,
131
00:05:33,575 --> 00:05:36,905
portion control, um, maybe a little bit
132
00:05:36,905 --> 00:05:39,985
of no fastest no junk, uh, move,
133
00:05:40,055 --> 00:05:41,865
move more and, uh, do the math.
134
00:05:42,205 --> 00:05:44,145
And by that we mean, you
know, count the calories
135
00:05:44,245 --> 00:05:45,625
and how many you need a day.
136
00:05:45,625 --> 00:05:47,105
It's all very simple. You just have
137
00:05:47,105 --> 00:05:48,585
to have a few cal calories less than
138
00:05:48,585 --> 00:05:50,545
what you need to maintain your weight.
139
00:05:51,185 --> 00:05:52,785
- I don't think it's so simple anymore,
140
00:05:52,975 --> 00:05:55,625
because it used to be if I
wanted to lose some weight,
141
00:05:55,965 --> 00:05:58,045
all I had to do was I knew the meals.
142
00:05:58,625 --> 00:06:00,445
If I ate those meals, I would lose weight.
143
00:06:01,105 --> 00:06:02,805
And it doesn't seem to happen anymore.
144
00:06:02,985 --> 00:06:06,085
No, it, so I think something,
it is metabolism as we age.
145
00:06:06,465 --> 00:06:07,725
- It is harder the older
146
00:06:07,725 --> 00:06:08,725
- You get.
147
00:06:08,725 --> 00:06:10,525
It's, uh, yeah, it used
to be very easy for me
148
00:06:10,525 --> 00:06:14,605
to get a couple pounds off
and now I can't get 'em off.
149
00:06:15,345 --> 00:06:17,125
- And then there's the whole issue
150
00:06:17,305 --> 00:06:20,325
as we have researched
this diet and dug into it
151
00:06:20,345 --> 00:06:23,725
and how bad the food in America is.
152
00:06:24,465 --> 00:06:27,245
You know, uh, and we've watched all,
153
00:06:27,305 --> 00:06:29,245
you probably have seen some
of those diet, but I mean,
154
00:06:29,705 --> 00:06:32,125
and it doesn't make any
difference whether it's meat
155
00:06:32,705 --> 00:06:34,525
or whether it's VE vegetables.
156
00:06:35,565 --> 00:06:38,005
I mean, there's places
going romaine lettuce,
157
00:06:38,005 --> 00:06:40,005
which you shouldn't eat at all, right?
158
00:06:40,005 --> 00:06:42,165
Next to these animal feedlots.
159
00:06:42,345 --> 00:06:44,925
You know, it's, I don't
have to go into detail.
160
00:06:45,035 --> 00:06:48,245
It's not good. So anyway,
we're working on our garden,
161
00:06:48,345 --> 00:06:49,445
but it's not gonna be enough.
162
00:06:50,105 --> 00:06:51,365
And I'm working on the diet
163
00:06:51,705 --> 00:06:54,045
and I'm, I'm getting
kinda cranky about it.
164
00:06:54,185 --> 00:06:56,285
So, yeah, I think, anyway, I
165
00:06:56,285 --> 00:06:58,645
- Think it, it's hard to
be pleasant when you're
166
00:06:59,635 --> 00:07:02,085
- Just, don't ask
changing food bourbon fake
167
00:07:02,085 --> 00:07:03,125
meatballs anymore.
168
00:07:03,345 --> 00:07:05,525
It, I didn't even taste
the bourbon in them.
169
00:07:05,625 --> 00:07:07,685
It was terrible. But anyway, oh, you
170
00:07:07,885 --> 00:07:08,925
- Probably would've liked poured a little
171
00:07:09,345 --> 00:07:10,485
- If you pour some real bourbon
172
00:07:10,485 --> 00:07:11,685
on, I probably could've handled it.
173
00:07:11,785 --> 00:07:13,805
But, uh, hey, quick programming note,
174
00:07:13,805 --> 00:07:17,325
if you're watching this on
May 2nd, uh, tomorrow May 3rd,
175
00:07:17,945 --> 00:07:20,605
uh, or I'm sorry, uh, if you're
watching this on May 1st,
176
00:07:20,605 --> 00:07:23,325
when it comes out tomorrow on May 2nd, uh,
177
00:07:23,425 --> 00:07:26,405
the Amazon Live will feature us again,
178
00:07:26,405 --> 00:07:28,725
we'll be doing on Amazon
live product review
179
00:07:28,725 --> 00:07:30,525
and a bunch of cool camping products.
180
00:07:30,525 --> 00:07:33,845
We sort of, uh, unbox them
and demo and show them.
181
00:07:33,985 --> 00:07:36,565
And you can watch that on Amazon Live.
182
00:07:36,565 --> 00:07:38,445
And if you're wondering
how to find us there,
183
00:07:38,515 --> 00:07:39,725
it's really simple.
184
00:07:40,095 --> 00:07:42,005
7:00 PM Eastern Time, May 2nd.
185
00:07:42,425 --> 00:07:46,925
Go to amazon.com/live/rv lifestyle.
186
00:07:47,225 --> 00:07:49,365
Be there at seven o'clock
tomorrow and you can watch it.
187
00:07:49,785 --> 00:07:52,085
You can go later than that.
You can watch the replay of it.
188
00:07:52,945 --> 00:07:54,685
Hey, we should tell you we
love getting your emails.
189
00:07:55,065 --> 00:07:58,805
You can reach us at Mike
and jen@rvlifestyle.com.
190
00:07:58,985 --> 00:08:00,405
- So this is the big question.
191
00:08:00,615 --> 00:08:03,365
After a week of your plant-based
192
00:08:03,365 --> 00:08:05,525
diet, how much weight have you lost?
193
00:08:07,035 --> 00:08:09,885
I've lost zero, but I haven't
been a hundred percent.
194
00:08:10,205 --> 00:08:13,645
- I lost two pounds. Wow. Now that's good.
195
00:08:13,785 --> 00:08:15,645
That'd be like a hundred
pounds in a year, right?
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00:08:16,265 --> 00:08:20,605
But two pounds. And, uh, I have been 90%,
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00:08:20,765 --> 00:08:22,365
I would say maybe not.
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00:08:22,985 --> 00:08:25,685
Uh, I got seduced by a bag
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00:08:25,685 --> 00:08:28,565
of popcorn at our
grandson's baseball game,
200
00:08:28,625 --> 00:08:30,205
and it had way too much salt in it,
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00:08:30,745 --> 00:08:33,245
but, um, I've been doing pretty
good at sticking with it.
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00:08:33,245 --> 00:08:35,725
But I think we're gonna
learn from it is, uh,
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00:08:35,725 --> 00:08:37,405
people are gonna get bored
with stuff than that is,
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00:08:37,405 --> 00:08:41,725
we're just gonna cut back, eat
as little meat as we can, try
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00:08:41,725 --> 00:08:44,965
and eat a lot more veggies
and fruits and try and limit,
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00:08:45,105 --> 00:08:48,005
or I am, I say we, I am
Jennifer's doing just fine.
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00:08:48,265 --> 00:08:52,245
But, but anyway, I can't
wait till our gathering
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00:08:52,245 --> 00:08:53,765
and everybody has the potluck.
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00:08:53,765 --> 00:08:55,285
That's fine.
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00:08:55,555 --> 00:08:56,965
- That is, you would
probably put six pounds
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00:08:57,025 --> 00:08:58,025
- On.
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00:08:58,025 --> 00:08:59,685
I I could do that in a
night.
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00:08:59,685 --> 00:09:01,405
Hey, when we come back, the social media
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00:09:01,555 --> 00:09:02,565
buzz, we'll be right back.
215
00:09:03,105 --> 00:09:05,685
- The one thing that can
ruin a perfect RV trip
216
00:09:05,745 --> 00:09:06,965
is a bad mattress.
217
00:09:07,185 --> 00:09:10,485
And believe us, we know over
the years we've tried many
218
00:09:10,545 --> 00:09:13,805
and we have found them
all wanting until now.
219
00:09:14,385 --> 00:09:18,085
- Now we sleep on the RV
mattress by Brooklyn Bedding.
220
00:09:18,255 --> 00:09:21,125
Quite simply, it's the
best we've ever slept on.
221
00:09:21,345 --> 00:09:25,245
- We chose a queen size aurora
luxe medium firm mattress
222
00:09:25,275 --> 00:09:27,325
that arrived tightly rolled in a box.
223
00:09:27,705 --> 00:09:30,205
All we did was put it
on the bed, unroll it,
224
00:09:30,205 --> 00:09:31,685
and wait for it to recover.
225
00:09:31,805 --> 00:09:34,285
From the compression
that we put on the sheets
226
00:09:34,385 --> 00:09:37,405
and the bed covers and
found, we slept so well
227
00:09:37,955 --> 00:09:40,485
that we ordered another one for our home.
228
00:09:41,145 --> 00:09:42,645
- That's how comfortable it is.
229
00:09:43,185 --> 00:09:45,085
Our sleep is now so luxurious
230
00:09:45,265 --> 00:09:48,845
and deep that we can't imagine
using a different mattress.
231
00:09:49,405 --> 00:09:51,565
- Shipping is free. If you're disappointed
232
00:09:51,565 --> 00:09:54,485
with the current mattress
in your rv, you owe it
233
00:09:54,485 --> 00:09:58,445
to yourselves to try the RV
mattress by Brooklyn Bedding.
234
00:09:58,925 --> 00:10:00,725
- Brooklyn Bedding sends out all
235
00:10:00,725 --> 00:10:04,485
of their RV mattresses from
their own factory in Arizona.
236
00:10:04,995 --> 00:10:06,325
This means they're able
237
00:10:06,325 --> 00:10:10,005
to use premium materials at
a reasonable price for you.
238
00:10:10,435 --> 00:10:12,925
With no middleman bringing up the cost.
239
00:10:13,235 --> 00:10:15,925
- Make sure to check out
their Black Friday sale
240
00:10:16,025 --> 00:10:17,125
at the end of this month.
241
00:10:17,535 --> 00:10:19,565
It'll be their biggest deal of the year.
242
00:10:19,975 --> 00:10:22,765
Don't miss out on the
best sleep of your life.
243
00:10:23,055 --> 00:10:26,205
Visit rv mattress.com/rv lifestyle
244
00:10:26,785 --> 00:10:28,445
for campers in our viewers.
245
00:10:28,585 --> 00:10:31,765
Access to pure drinking
water on the road is vitally
246
00:10:31,765 --> 00:10:34,245
important, and that's
why Jennifer and I use
247
00:10:34,425 --> 00:10:38,525
and highly recommend KACO's
new and improved taste.
248
00:10:38,635 --> 00:10:41,405
Pure water filter, KACO's taste.
249
00:10:41,405 --> 00:10:45,125
Pure water filter offers an
advanced six step filtration
250
00:10:45,125 --> 00:10:49,005
technology that goes way beyond
just basic water filtration.
251
00:10:49,555 --> 00:10:51,085
With patented technology
252
00:10:51,265 --> 00:10:55,165
and top industry standard
certifications, taste pure leaves,
253
00:10:55,345 --> 00:10:56,805
no question to the quality
254
00:10:56,905 --> 00:10:58,445
of your drinking water on the road.
255
00:10:59,065 --> 00:11:02,685
The taste pure water filter
reduces unpleasant tastes,
256
00:11:03,255 --> 00:11:07,805
odors, lead chlorine, bacteria,
sediment, and heavy metals,
257
00:11:08,025 --> 00:11:10,925
and also controls
bacteria and mold growth.
258
00:11:11,765 --> 00:11:14,485
R viewers should start the
season with a new filter
259
00:11:14,785 --> 00:11:17,045
and then replace it every 90 days or so.
260
00:11:17,465 --> 00:11:19,525
Now, we can't emphasize enough
261
00:11:19,795 --> 00:11:23,885
that waiting longer than three
months can lead to bad taste,
262
00:11:24,165 --> 00:11:25,565
odor, and reduced water flow,
263
00:11:25,825 --> 00:11:28,365
and it may also affect
the removal of lead.
264
00:11:28,425 --> 00:11:30,605
So replace it after about three months.
265
00:11:31,265 --> 00:11:34,405
The CAM code Taste Pure Water
filter is available at most
266
00:11:34,405 --> 00:11:36,365
camping stores and through Amazon.
267
00:11:36,825 --> 00:11:40,765
Use our affiliate link at
rv lifestyle.com/taste Pure.
268
00:11:41,345 --> 00:11:44,685
That's RV lifestyle.com/taste pure.
269
00:11:45,995 --> 00:11:49,925
- Welcome back everybody. Time
now for the social media buzz
270
00:11:50,505 --> 00:11:54,285
- And our Wendy Boyer reports
on the hot issues most talked
271
00:11:54,285 --> 00:11:57,165
about this past week on social media
272
00:11:57,505 --> 00:12:00,005
and our RV Lifestyle Community group.
273
00:12:00,705 --> 00:12:04,085
- Hi, everybody. Over in
the RV lifestyle general
274
00:12:04,095 --> 00:12:05,125
discussion space.
275
00:12:05,185 --> 00:12:08,125
Angela asked, where do
you store your shoes
276
00:12:08,225 --> 00:12:09,805
and how do you keep the bed up
277
00:12:09,825 --> 00:12:11,565
so you can store things under it?
278
00:12:12,195 --> 00:12:14,285
Well, for that, keeping
the bed up question,
279
00:12:14,805 --> 00:12:17,885
Lynette suggested she
invest in some high quality,
280
00:12:18,925 --> 00:12:20,165
stronger hydraulic arms.
281
00:12:20,585 --> 00:12:21,685
Not a hard thing to do.
282
00:12:21,795 --> 00:12:23,445
Replace the old ones, get some new ones.
283
00:12:23,445 --> 00:12:25,565
And Lynette said it makes a
huge difference with lifting.
284
00:12:26,185 --> 00:12:28,725
And then for the shoes, lots
of people weighed in on that.
285
00:12:29,455 --> 00:12:32,965
Scott suggested Angela get
some hanging canvas pockets
286
00:12:32,965 --> 00:12:34,605
and just put 'em along the base of the bed
287
00:12:34,605 --> 00:12:36,925
and get maybe about a
dozen pairs in that way.
288
00:12:37,535 --> 00:12:41,285
Kathy said that she got some
white racks from Walmart,
289
00:12:41,505 --> 00:12:43,165
the kind that you might
put in your kitchen.
290
00:12:43,785 --> 00:12:46,325
She put 'em at the base of
her bed in a shelf there,
291
00:12:46,325 --> 00:12:48,525
and that gave her some
instant shoe storage.
292
00:12:49,185 --> 00:12:51,765
And then Ari and Jessie, they
suggested just getting one
293
00:12:51,765 --> 00:12:54,245
of those shoe organizers that
you can hang over a door.
294
00:12:54,245 --> 00:12:56,045
Sounds like that's worked well for them
295
00:12:57,155 --> 00:13:00,405
also in the community, in the
apps and planning tool space.
296
00:13:01,025 --> 00:13:03,085
Uh, there was a question from me.
297
00:13:03,705 --> 00:13:05,645
Uh, I hate to admit it, but it was for me.
298
00:13:05,825 --> 00:13:09,965
And so my question was,
last week we had loves on
299
00:13:10,025 --> 00:13:12,645
and we talked about how you
can get 10 cents off a gallon
300
00:13:12,785 --> 00:13:13,885
by using their app.
301
00:13:14,145 --> 00:13:15,685
And so I was wondering what other
302
00:13:16,435 --> 00:13:18,565
fuel saving apps are there out there
303
00:13:18,565 --> 00:13:20,125
that people are using to save money?
304
00:13:20,865 --> 00:13:22,885
And there were so many
people that responded
305
00:13:22,885 --> 00:13:23,925
with helpful information.
306
00:13:24,045 --> 00:13:25,085
I had to share it with you.
307
00:13:25,905 --> 00:13:28,965
Um, the number one app that came up over
308
00:13:28,965 --> 00:13:30,245
and over again was Gas Buddy.
309
00:13:30,505 --> 00:13:33,325
People said they rely on that
when driving down the road
310
00:13:33,465 --> 00:13:37,085
to find the closest gas station
that had the best price.
311
00:13:37,545 --> 00:13:40,525
And many people pair that
with an app called Upside.
312
00:13:41,065 --> 00:13:44,565
Upside is an app where you
use scan your gas receipts
313
00:13:44,565 --> 00:13:46,565
and sounds like some
other things qualify too.
314
00:13:47,185 --> 00:13:50,525
And then you get cash back on items
315
00:13:51,115 --> 00:13:53,005
that you like real cash back.
316
00:13:53,005 --> 00:13:55,125
It can go to your PayPal
account, your checking account.
317
00:13:55,125 --> 00:13:56,525
There's different ways you can set it up,
318
00:13:56,665 --> 00:13:58,445
and it's for items that
you would buy anyway.
319
00:13:58,985 --> 00:14:00,285
Um, some people said
320
00:14:00,285 --> 00:14:02,605
that this just was really worth getting.
321
00:14:03,265 --> 00:14:06,125
Um, other things that
I saw, there were, um,
322
00:14:06,555 --> 00:14:08,125
different gas station apps.
323
00:14:08,275 --> 00:14:11,005
Chevron, for instance, someone
mentioned that you sign up,
324
00:14:11,025 --> 00:14:14,245
he was getting a dollar off
per gallon for the first three
325
00:14:14,805 --> 00:14:16,165
Phillips by using their app.
326
00:14:16,545 --> 00:14:19,245
Um, and then of course,
shell, Costco, Kroger,
327
00:14:19,945 --> 00:14:21,805
all those places have discounts.
328
00:14:22,225 --> 00:14:25,565
Uh, good Sams, a lot of
people got use that app
329
00:14:25,585 --> 00:14:28,805
and combined it for a discount
at Pilot and Flying Jays.
330
00:14:29,065 --> 00:14:31,245
And then Open Roads is
what seemed to come up
331
00:14:31,245 --> 00:14:34,565
as the number one option for
those, um, who need the diesel.
332
00:14:35,185 --> 00:14:36,365
So good information.
333
00:14:36,365 --> 00:14:38,645
If you're looking to save a
little money at the fuel pump,
334
00:14:38,665 --> 00:14:40,005
you need to check out that post.
335
00:14:40,785 --> 00:14:43,285
And then meanwhile over
at our Facebook group,
336
00:14:43,545 --> 00:14:45,165
we had a question from Ro.
337
00:14:45,885 --> 00:14:48,245
Ro wanted to know what
people thought was best
338
00:14:48,305 --> 00:14:51,845
for putting down the black tank
to break up waste material.
339
00:14:52,185 --> 00:14:54,085
Sounds like Rose tried
a few different things,
340
00:14:55,015 --> 00:14:57,045
still not sure found the best item
341
00:14:57,105 --> 00:14:58,245
and wanted people's opinion.
342
00:14:58,705 --> 00:15:01,405
And you know, we get this
question a lot on Facebook.
343
00:15:01,635 --> 00:15:04,325
It's every week at least
it's a common question.
344
00:15:04,825 --> 00:15:06,325
And so, um, I thought I'd share it.
345
00:15:06,325 --> 00:15:08,245
The number one brands
that came up in this post
346
00:15:08,795 --> 00:15:12,965
were used either unique
RV Digest or Happy Camper.
347
00:15:13,195 --> 00:15:15,925
Lots of people have great
success with those two options.
348
00:15:16,595 --> 00:15:20,045
Many also have their own
homemade remedy, the geo method.
349
00:15:20,915 --> 00:15:22,965
Some people use different
combinations of things.
350
00:15:23,795 --> 00:15:25,725
Dawn soap seems to be a common ingredient.
351
00:15:26,425 --> 00:15:29,685
Um, but the thing that came
up a few times, it's, um,
352
00:15:29,835 --> 00:15:31,365
important to remember, is
353
00:15:31,365 --> 00:15:33,765
that your black tank
is not a septic field.
354
00:15:33,865 --> 00:15:36,045
So things are not breaking down.
355
00:15:36,045 --> 00:15:38,845
They're rather being held
there until you dump.
356
00:15:39,345 --> 00:15:41,605
And so a lot of people said, remember that
357
00:15:41,705 --> 00:15:44,645
and then use tons of water,
water, water, water, water,
358
00:15:44,715 --> 00:15:48,405
because you need to make
it so that things can,
359
00:15:48,655 --> 00:15:49,725
let's say, move.
360
00:15:50,225 --> 00:15:52,765
Um, and water is the way
that's gonna make that happen.
361
00:15:53,265 --> 00:15:56,325
So good post. And, uh,
that's it for me this week.
362
00:15:56,465 --> 00:15:59,405
I'm Wendy Bower, and I'll see
you either at the RV lifestyle
363
00:15:59,405 --> 00:16:00,965
community or Facebook group.
364
00:16:01,515 --> 00:16:05,885
- Okay. What a wide variety
of topics from the topic
365
00:16:05,955 --> 00:16:08,365
that never seems to get old is trying to
366
00:16:09,055 --> 00:16:11,125
break up waste in the black tank.
367
00:16:11,575 --> 00:16:14,085
Where to put your shoes in an rv,
368
00:16:14,085 --> 00:16:16,845
which really is a big deal
if you have a lot of shoes,
369
00:16:17,545 --> 00:16:20,045
or most people have at least several pairs
370
00:16:20,045 --> 00:16:21,205
of shoes where to store those shoes.
371
00:16:21,205 --> 00:16:23,045
And then of course, gas prices.
372
00:16:23,545 --> 00:16:25,005
So there's so much you can learn.
373
00:16:25,275 --> 00:16:28,165
- Yeah. You know, you need
boots, you need hiking shoes,
374
00:16:28,545 --> 00:16:29,565
you need sneakers.
375
00:16:30,345 --> 00:16:31,805
And if you're gonna be
on a long-term trip,
376
00:16:31,825 --> 00:16:34,085
you need some halfway
nice dress shoes as well.
377
00:16:34,085 --> 00:16:37,365
That's a lot of shoes for people.
And that's minimum, right?
378
00:16:37,945 --> 00:16:42,125
- Yes.
- Okay. Um, hey, uh, our social media, uh,
379
00:16:42,505 --> 00:16:44,685
RV Lifestyle Community
Group has been really fun.
380
00:16:44,695 --> 00:16:48,005
We've been doing live streams
there, uh, on a weekly basis.
381
00:16:48,585 --> 00:16:50,525
Now, I know many of
you watch us on YouTube
382
00:16:50,705 --> 00:16:53,285
and Facebook on our Ask Us
anything on Sunday nights.
383
00:16:53,305 --> 00:16:55,285
But on Monday nights, we've
been doing live streams on
384
00:16:55,285 --> 00:16:56,485
the RV lifestyle community.
385
00:16:56,945 --> 00:16:59,485
And what I like about that is
we actually bring guests on,
386
00:16:59,985 --> 00:17:01,245
guests and experts,
387
00:17:01,305 --> 00:17:04,125
and we're able to, we did
one this past week, uh,
388
00:17:04,125 --> 00:17:07,645
with Mark Kemp from Campfire
or campground views.com,
389
00:17:07,665 --> 00:17:10,685
and Mark did a demo on
how to pick a campsite
390
00:17:10,745 --> 00:17:12,685
and, uh, get a a reservation.
391
00:17:13,105 --> 00:17:14,245
And we'll be having lots more.
392
00:17:14,245 --> 00:17:17,365
So it's another recent for you
to go subscribe to the, uh,
393
00:17:17,545 --> 00:17:21,005
our community dot rv lifestyle.com.
394
00:17:21,355 --> 00:17:22,565
Alright, when we come back,
395
00:17:22,565 --> 00:17:25,885
we're gonna talk about driving
an rv, uh, the challenges
396
00:17:25,885 --> 00:17:28,645
of driving an rv, some
tips on how to do it,
397
00:17:28,865 --> 00:17:33,085
and why attending a RV
driving school is a good idea
398
00:17:33,545 --> 00:17:35,405
for any RV or stay with us.
399
00:17:36,145 --> 00:17:39,365
We just heard about a
land offering out west
400
00:17:39,625 --> 00:17:41,605
for RVs in Arizona.
401
00:17:42,035 --> 00:17:44,645
They're selling five acre RV ranches,
402
00:17:44,885 --> 00:17:47,165
starting at only $49,900.
403
00:17:47,825 --> 00:17:50,085
The company offering it is affiliated
404
00:17:50,195 --> 00:17:51,285
with the people Jennifer
405
00:17:51,425 --> 00:17:53,645
and I bought our Tennessee property from.
406
00:17:53,915 --> 00:17:57,045
They do a great job. It looks amazing.
407
00:17:57,385 --> 00:18:00,165
It is at high elevation, so
you get cooler temperatures,
408
00:18:00,585 --> 00:18:03,805
big mountain views, juniper
trees, and green grasses.
409
00:18:04,265 --> 00:18:06,005
And it is near everything.
410
00:18:06,305 --> 00:18:09,525
The Grand Canyon Lake Havasu, Kingman,
411
00:18:09,875 --> 00:18:11,525
Flagstaff, and Sedona.
412
00:18:12,195 --> 00:18:14,085
It's a perfect place to have a home base
413
00:18:14,145 --> 00:18:18,245
to explore the west, and it
is right off Famous Route 66.
414
00:18:19,035 --> 00:18:20,725
It's called Greenwood Ranches.
415
00:18:20,785 --> 00:18:23,405
And this is the second and
final section of the community.
416
00:18:23,865 --> 00:18:26,205
We met the sales manager, really nice guy.
417
00:18:26,505 --> 00:18:28,285
He bought a property for his rv
418
00:18:28,385 --> 00:18:30,525
and he's building a container home on it.
419
00:18:30,975 --> 00:18:33,525
Check out their website for a video tour
420
00:18:33,665 --> 00:18:35,125
and showing availability.
421
00:18:35,355 --> 00:18:36,485
It's pretty incredible.
422
00:18:36,935 --> 00:18:38,685
Visit the website to get details
423
00:18:38,825 --> 00:18:42,085
and set up a showing Arizona RV land.net.
424
00:18:42,385 --> 00:18:45,445
That's Arizona RV land.net.
425
00:18:47,985 --> 00:18:49,485
And welcome back. It's time now
426
00:18:49,485 --> 00:18:51,685
for the RV interview of the week.
427
00:18:52,075 --> 00:18:55,085
- Okay. We regularly
have questions, uh, from
428
00:18:55,665 --> 00:18:59,085
RVs talking about their challenges,
backing into a campsite,
429
00:18:59,845 --> 00:19:00,885
handling certain roads
430
00:19:00,885 --> 00:19:04,165
and road conditions,
navigating steep hills.
431
00:19:04,825 --> 00:19:08,005
And this observation got us to wondering
432
00:19:08,425 --> 00:19:12,245
who could benefit from going
to an RV driving school.
433
00:19:13,305 --> 00:19:16,205
And the answer we have
since learned is everyone.
434
00:19:16,665 --> 00:19:19,005
- Our guest today is George Mailman.
435
00:19:19,005 --> 00:19:23,405
He is the owner of RV Driving School now.
436
00:19:23,635 --> 00:19:24,685
It's been around a long time.
437
00:19:24,715 --> 00:19:26,045
It's a national organization
438
00:19:26,105 --> 00:19:28,005
and it's been teaching RVers how
439
00:19:28,005 --> 00:19:30,725
to be better drivers since 1991.
440
00:19:31,355 --> 00:19:34,445
Well, today, George is going
to share some practical
441
00:19:35,025 --> 00:19:38,805
RV driving tips that we
think everybody should hear.
442
00:19:39,395 --> 00:19:40,965
Well, George, welcome to the podcast.
443
00:19:41,575 --> 00:19:46,005
Let's, uh, start by talking
about who should, uh,
444
00:19:46,465 --> 00:19:48,325
go to a RV driving school.
445
00:19:48,585 --> 00:19:51,485
Uh, give us an idea of, uh, why,
446
00:19:51,585 --> 00:19:53,045
who this is really aimed at.
447
00:19:54,775 --> 00:19:55,835
- You know, Mike, it, it,
448
00:19:55,895 --> 00:19:59,315
it basically is aimed at just
about anybody that actually,
449
00:19:59,935 --> 00:20:02,115
you know, has one of these large vehicles.
450
00:20:02,855 --> 00:20:04,235
You know, the problem we've seen,
451
00:20:04,295 --> 00:20:06,915
and I think everybody is
aware of it, matter of fact,
452
00:20:06,915 --> 00:20:09,835
truckers are quite quick
to acknowledge the problem
453
00:20:10,235 --> 00:20:11,875
whenever they get, see some
454
00:20:11,875 --> 00:20:12,995
of these people out on the highway.
455
00:20:13,735 --> 00:20:15,995
But, you know, the
problem is been, you know,
456
00:20:16,015 --> 00:20:19,915
for the last many years, uh,
since RV's have become popular,
457
00:20:20,095 --> 00:20:23,075
and especially since they've
got to be very large,
458
00:20:23,545 --> 00:20:25,235
they're tall, they're wide, they're long,
459
00:20:25,335 --> 00:20:27,595
and in many cases, very, very heavy.
460
00:20:28,425 --> 00:20:30,885
Uh, with a real, that is a reality.
461
00:20:30,995 --> 00:20:34,085
Whether you're talking about
somebody just rolling out of
462
00:20:34,085 --> 00:20:37,485
that dealership or whether
they're, they've been on the road
463
00:20:37,545 --> 00:20:40,285
for a period of time, and
then health issues become,
464
00:20:40,665 --> 00:20:42,205
you know, something of a concern.
465
00:20:43,145 --> 00:20:46,845
But you know, when, when the
realization is, you know,
466
00:20:46,845 --> 00:20:50,485
that they really need some
professional help, that's
467
00:20:50,835 --> 00:20:52,165
what we've been providing.
468
00:20:52,865 --> 00:20:55,605
We view what we do as a
service to the industry.
469
00:20:56,225 --> 00:20:59,285
The industry, uh, doesn't
always acknowledge us,
470
00:20:59,865 --> 00:21:01,445
nor they really appreciate us.
471
00:21:01,985 --> 00:21:05,525
But there's a certain
reality that, that the people
472
00:21:05,865 --> 00:21:07,965
who are out there, the
folks who will go out
473
00:21:07,965 --> 00:21:12,525
and spend in many cases,
a lot of money, uh,
474
00:21:12,705 --> 00:21:14,805
really need, you know, professional help.
475
00:21:14,825 --> 00:21:18,125
And we have that, uh,
we started the school
476
00:21:18,125 --> 00:21:20,765
with the understanding that,
that the help was needed.
477
00:21:21,905 --> 00:21:23,365
And, uh, then we went out
478
00:21:23,365 --> 00:21:25,765
and sought the people who
can, you know, provide
479
00:21:25,795 --> 00:21:26,885
that, uh, help.
480
00:21:27,265 --> 00:21:30,445
- Let me, let me start
with the typical RV owner,
481
00:21:30,745 --> 00:21:33,285
and I'm gonna maybe judge on my experience
482
00:21:33,285 --> 00:21:35,245
because we never really towed anything
483
00:21:35,245 --> 00:21:36,445
other than a small trailer.
484
00:21:37,265 --> 00:21:40,205
And suddenly I've got
a 35 foot fifth wheel.
485
00:21:40,625 --> 00:21:43,845
And, um, you know, they
give you a walkthrough
486
00:21:43,905 --> 00:21:46,525
and they give you the keys
and they say, bye
487
00:21:46,865 --> 00:21:50,365
And, uh, I was totally unprepared for it.
488
00:21:50,465 --> 00:21:54,525
And I, I'm wondering if
maybe stepping even back
489
00:21:54,525 --> 00:21:57,125
before the driving school,
if the industry needs
490
00:21:57,125 --> 00:21:59,165
to take a little bit
more responsibility here
491
00:21:59,165 --> 00:22:02,565
before sending people
out on what ends up being
492
00:22:02,565 --> 00:22:04,205
with a tow vehicle as large
493
00:22:04,205 --> 00:22:06,125
as a semi tractor trailer on the road.
494
00:22:06,905 --> 00:22:10,685
- You bet. Well, the
need is there, you know,
495
00:22:10,685 --> 00:22:11,725
it, it's apparent.
496
00:22:12,505 --> 00:22:15,285
And the problem again,
is that first of all,
497
00:22:15,355 --> 00:22:18,565
they will not acknowledge
any kind of responsibility.
498
00:22:18,835 --> 00:22:22,005
They're very, very concerned
about moving product
499
00:22:22,745 --> 00:22:25,165
rather than concerned after the fact.
500
00:22:25,745 --> 00:22:29,085
And it's a sad commentary,
Mike, on, you know, the industry
501
00:22:29,495 --> 00:22:30,805
where we're at right now,
502
00:22:31,585 --> 00:22:35,765
and, you know, we've been for
30 some years, uh, you know,
503
00:22:36,595 --> 00:22:39,485
basically providing the service we provid,
504
00:22:39,545 --> 00:22:41,725
we know folks need, uh,
505
00:22:41,995 --> 00:22:43,245
- Tell, tell us about that.
506
00:22:43,295 --> 00:22:46,005
Where are you located?
How do people find you?
507
00:22:46,305 --> 00:22:49,485
Uh, what's the cost
involved? What do they learn?
508
00:22:49,915 --> 00:22:52,285
- Well, right now we have 107 instructors.
509
00:22:52,335 --> 00:22:55,085
We're scattered all
over the continental US,
510
00:22:55,435 --> 00:22:57,165
also in Alaska and Hawaii.
511
00:22:57,985 --> 00:23:00,285
But, you know, my big objective was get
512
00:23:00,305 --> 00:23:03,805
to get instructors at
least in the vicinities of,
513
00:23:04,065 --> 00:23:08,165
or where people conceivably
would need the, the assistance
514
00:23:09,025 --> 00:23:11,765
so that, that started, uh, you know,
515
00:23:11,765 --> 00:23:14,405
and we've been quite
successful in getting the,
516
00:23:14,625 --> 00:23:17,005
the business spread out across the us.
517
00:23:18,385 --> 00:23:21,285
Uh, most of our instructors
are either retired
518
00:23:21,285 --> 00:23:24,765
professionals, uh, they
can be truck drivers.
519
00:23:25,705 --> 00:23:30,285
Um, but again, we insist on,
you know, uh, a quality product
520
00:23:30,825 --> 00:23:32,525
or a quality service.
521
00:23:33,105 --> 00:23:35,725
And the only way that we
can get it is to have people
522
00:23:35,865 --> 00:23:38,085
who have, you know, that experience
523
00:23:38,545 --> 00:23:40,925
and clear, you know,
clear understanding of
524
00:23:40,925 --> 00:23:42,645
what heavy vehicles are. Uh,
525
00:23:42,745 --> 00:23:46,845
- So what do you teach, uh,
RV owners at your school?
526
00:23:46,845 --> 00:23:49,325
Mm-Hmm. And I assume they
bring their own RVs to you?
527
00:23:50,225 --> 00:23:52,205
- Yes, definitely. And that's one
528
00:23:52,205 --> 00:23:54,485
of the reasons why we've
been so successful.
529
00:23:54,985 --> 00:23:56,525
You know, people can get an RV
530
00:23:56,585 --> 00:23:58,925
or a video, they can get a book, you know,
531
00:23:58,925 --> 00:24:00,205
and they can, you know, go through that.
532
00:24:00,825 --> 00:24:04,245
But what we provide is
somebody in the passenger seat,
533
00:24:04,665 --> 00:24:07,285
you know, with that experience
to critique what they do,
534
00:24:08,105 --> 00:24:10,525
aid them in, you know,
the relevant factors
535
00:24:10,825 --> 00:24:13,525
as they actually, uh, go out on the road.
536
00:24:14,465 --> 00:24:18,045
Our two hour, four hour,
uh, experience for, uh,
537
00:24:18,665 --> 00:24:22,885
at least one individual is that, uh, um,
538
00:24:23,465 --> 00:24:26,725
you know, they, they do a lot
of slow driving the first day,
539
00:24:26,785 --> 00:24:29,205
and then the second day
we step them up into
540
00:24:29,345 --> 00:24:33,125
and onto freeways and get them
into difficult situations.
541
00:24:33,705 --> 00:24:36,005
- I'm wondering what
exact skills they learn.
542
00:24:36,265 --> 00:24:38,125
Uh, I, I would assume for starters,
543
00:24:38,125 --> 00:24:40,005
they learn about backing up
544
00:24:40,065 --> 00:24:42,445
and making terms,
making wide terms.
545
00:24:42,545 --> 00:24:44,165
- Oh, absolutely. And,
546
00:24:44,265 --> 00:24:48,165
and Mike, there, there's a
certain reality too with the, uh,
547
00:24:48,455 --> 00:24:50,005
about the people who come to us.
548
00:24:50,895 --> 00:24:53,625
Some of them have been in a
class B for a period of time,
549
00:24:53,765 --> 00:24:55,985
and they're really
stepping up into a class A.
550
00:24:56,695 --> 00:25:00,745
Some of the people are going
from a up to a class C.
551
00:25:01,445 --> 00:25:05,825
Uh, so much of what we do is
adapting to what they do have
552
00:25:06,125 --> 00:25:08,105
as far as driving background,
553
00:25:08,645 --> 00:25:11,345
and then make sure that,
you know, that critique of
554
00:25:11,565 --> 00:25:14,065
how do you make corners,
as you pointed out,
555
00:25:14,445 --> 00:25:16,945
how do you ingress and
egress from a freeway?
556
00:25:17,805 --> 00:25:22,225
How do you, uh, uh, handle
in a driving situations?
557
00:25:22,765 --> 00:25:25,465
Our lessons, though are 90%
558
00:25:25,725 --> 00:25:29,105
behind the wheel on the road moving, uh,
559
00:25:29,205 --> 00:25:30,985
and we adapt to what the,
560
00:25:31,165 --> 00:25:32,625
the experience is of the individual.
561
00:25:33,565 --> 00:25:35,545
So many of the people though, come to us
562
00:25:35,605 --> 00:25:38,425
and they've never driven
anything bigger than an SUV,
563
00:25:38,485 --> 00:25:39,705
the family, SUV,
564
00:25:40,085 --> 00:25:42,745
- Uh, what are the, the
minimal skills that they
565
00:25:43,335 --> 00:25:45,785
walk away from RV driving school with?
566
00:25:46,165 --> 00:25:48,945
- We would expect that
they are then at the end
567
00:25:48,945 --> 00:25:51,065
of the lesson, a quote, safe driver.
568
00:25:52,215 --> 00:25:55,545
They now know, you know,
things like the proper setup
569
00:25:55,565 --> 00:25:57,945
of the mirrors is as mundane as it is.
570
00:25:58,605 --> 00:26:00,705
How are the mirrors
supposed to be set up so
571
00:26:00,705 --> 00:26:04,665
that you can get maximum,
uh, assistance from them?
572
00:26:05,445 --> 00:26:09,025
It can be, you know, the backing
that you allude alluded to
573
00:26:09,735 --> 00:26:12,505
some of the people,
especially those with tr uh,
574
00:26:12,815 --> 00:26:13,905
trailered vehicles.
575
00:26:14,645 --> 00:26:17,785
Oh my God, they've probably
had some very negative
576
00:26:17,785 --> 00:26:21,265
experiences and, uh,
frustrating experiences.
577
00:26:22,045 --> 00:26:23,945
So what we basically say is, we,
578
00:26:24,005 --> 00:26:27,105
we will give you the
principles associated with how
579
00:26:27,105 --> 00:26:28,105
to do this properly.
580
00:26:28,965 --> 00:26:32,705
We will also instruct you on
how to be a director outside
581
00:26:32,705 --> 00:26:34,785
of the vehicle directing that backend.
582
00:26:35,725 --> 00:26:36,825
But that's an example.
583
00:26:37,645 --> 00:26:40,425
Uh, probably the most
important thing that is done
584
00:26:40,425 --> 00:26:42,385
during the typical lesson though,
585
00:26:42,885 --> 00:26:44,725
and I view it as a ate raw.
586
00:26:44,905 --> 00:26:47,325
It is, whenever we go
through, how do you deal
587
00:26:47,325 --> 00:26:51,605
with driving in mountains,
you know, just about everybody
588
00:26:51,605 --> 00:26:54,885
that goes out and buys one of
these big expensive vehicles,
589
00:26:55,225 --> 00:26:57,525
you know, they have the desire to travel.
590
00:26:58,585 --> 00:27:00,365
And of course, whenever they're traveling,
591
00:27:00,365 --> 00:27:04,565
and if they're going to places
like Moab, Utah, uh, Mike,
592
00:27:04,565 --> 00:27:07,525
they're gonna have to have
some basic understanding of how
593
00:27:07,525 --> 00:27:11,885
to keep that vehicle
under control on a 5%,
594
00:27:12,025 --> 00:27:13,605
6%, 8% grade.
595
00:27:14,425 --> 00:27:16,765
But it's more than that.
It's, uh, going up a hill,
596
00:27:16,985 --> 00:27:18,005
uh, going up a hill.
597
00:27:18,005 --> 00:27:21,365
If you have a, a stressed vehicle, uh,
598
00:27:21,365 --> 00:27:23,565
there's a terrific amount of heat buildup.
599
00:27:23,625 --> 00:27:27,965
How do you deal with that?
So much of the tail end
600
00:27:27,965 --> 00:27:30,085
of the lesson is based around, you know,
601
00:27:30,185 --> 00:27:31,205
the mountain driving.
602
00:27:32,115 --> 00:27:34,765
This is probably the most
important thing from a
603
00:27:34,835 --> 00:27:36,605
overall concern level.
604
00:27:37,685 --> 00:27:40,805
I have, uh, with people,
you know, going out
605
00:27:40,805 --> 00:27:41,965
and buying these rigs.
606
00:27:42,625 --> 00:27:44,405
Yes, we don't want 'em to climb curbs.
607
00:27:44,425 --> 00:27:46,045
We don't want 'em to, uh, get,
608
00:27:46,145 --> 00:27:49,405
get into a compromised
situation, uh, you know,
609
00:27:49,405 --> 00:27:50,485
at the intersection.
610
00:27:51,135 --> 00:27:53,565
- Maybe I could steal some
of your knowledge just
611
00:27:53,565 --> 00:27:55,805
to ask you a couple quick
questions and some tips.
612
00:27:56,415 --> 00:28:00,365
First of all, what is the,
the safest highway speed
613
00:28:00,435 --> 00:28:05,205
that you should, what,
what's a good speed to shoot
614
00:28:05,225 --> 00:28:07,285
for when you're driving
down an interstate,
615
00:28:07,545 --> 00:28:10,165
towing a fifth wheel or
a a a travel trailer?
616
00:28:10,835 --> 00:28:13,725
What do you recommend?
Other than safe speed,
617
00:28:13,725 --> 00:28:14,765
obviously, but yes,
618
00:28:15,105 --> 00:28:16,605
- You, you bet, you bet.
619
00:28:17,185 --> 00:28:18,365
Uh, first of all,
620
00:28:18,385 --> 00:28:22,285
if you're gonna get maximum
economy just about every, uh,
621
00:28:22,705 --> 00:28:27,085
RV on the road right now, 55
to 62 is gonna give you about
622
00:28:27,085 --> 00:28:29,285
as good a economy as you're gonna get.
623
00:28:30,035 --> 00:28:32,215
Uh, so that's, that's
something to start with.
624
00:28:32,955 --> 00:28:36,335
Uh, 65 to 70 is absolute max.
625
00:28:37,155 --> 00:28:38,295
Uh, these things,
626
00:28:39,035 --> 00:28:40,735
and I had it best described to me
627
00:28:40,795 --> 00:28:42,935
by an engineer from Caterpillar
628
00:28:43,335 --> 00:28:45,895
whenever they were still
in the RV business.
629
00:28:45,995 --> 00:28:49,055
And he, his comment was,
George, do, do you understand
630
00:28:49,055 --> 00:28:53,855
that these are fiberglass boxes
installed on a steel frame?
631
00:28:54,885 --> 00:28:57,215
They are not, you know, made like a truck
632
00:28:57,315 --> 00:28:58,815
for commercial operation.
633
00:28:59,675 --> 00:29:03,255
Uh, and the idea that you
go over 70 miles an hour
634
00:29:03,315 --> 00:29:06,335
and any one of them is, is, well,
635
00:29:06,335 --> 00:29:07,615
I'll be blunt, it's unsafe.
636
00:29:08,435 --> 00:29:12,095
- And, and so many people,
uh, say, well, you know,
637
00:29:12,115 --> 00:29:14,415
I'm going 65, 60 miles an hour,
638
00:29:15,075 --> 00:29:16,735
and I'm getting dirty signal,
639
00:29:16,945 --> 00:29:18,575
dirty hand signals from people,
640
00:29:18,675 --> 00:29:20,215
and they're honking their horns.
641
00:29:20,915 --> 00:29:24,655
Um, and, and I just feel I have
to go faster just to stay up
642
00:29:24,655 --> 00:29:28,615
with traffic and help
me address those people
643
00:29:28,915 --> 00:29:30,815
who are driving too fast. Um,
644
00:29:31,085 --> 00:29:34,715
- Well, and, and incidentally,
I'm glad you brought it up
645
00:29:34,715 --> 00:29:36,995
because, you know, this is probably one
646
00:29:36,995 --> 00:29:39,355
of the most difficult
thing, especially for,
647
00:29:39,905 --> 00:29:41,805
well guys, let's be honest.
648
00:29:42,465 --> 00:29:45,485
Uh, what have we, what have
we done since we were born?
649
00:29:45,625 --> 00:29:49,565
We, we go faster. We wanna
go faster. It's an objective.
650
00:29:50,185 --> 00:29:52,805
Now, I'm gonna tell you right
away, part of the lesson
651
00:29:53,585 --> 00:29:56,685
is you have to realize
you're in the big leagues.
652
00:29:56,785 --> 00:30:00,005
Now, this is not, you
know, you're, you're, um,
653
00:30:00,835 --> 00:30:02,325
Porsche out down the road.
654
00:30:02,865 --> 00:30:06,525
Uh, 70 is absolute max
with these vehicles.
655
00:30:06,745 --> 00:30:11,125
Now, uh, whether it's at an
intersection where people are,
656
00:30:11,545 --> 00:30:15,205
uh, what unhappy whenever you
can't complete a corn corner
657
00:30:15,555 --> 00:30:19,765
because somebody is obstructing
your, your completion
658
00:30:19,765 --> 00:30:23,325
of the corner, or whether
it is the individual's upset
659
00:30:23,325 --> 00:30:26,565
with you as you're crossing
on northern part of Texas,
660
00:30:26,745 --> 00:30:30,045
and the speed limit is 80
and you're doing 70, uh,
661
00:30:30,065 --> 00:30:33,725
and they're passing you to
120, you know, it's very hard
662
00:30:33,745 --> 00:30:35,525
to emotionally deal with it.
663
00:30:36,585 --> 00:30:40,405
But my, I had a student
one time a while ago, and,
664
00:30:41,225 --> 00:30:45,285
and his point was, um,
uh, never drive from
665
00:30:45,285 --> 00:30:46,765
behind was what he told me.
666
00:30:46,765 --> 00:30:48,565
And I thought, what, what
are you talking about?
667
00:30:49,335 --> 00:30:52,365
Drive from behind? And what
he basically was saying
668
00:30:52,505 --> 00:30:57,285
and what his message to all
in the class was, you know,
669
00:30:57,305 --> 00:31:01,445
you cannot be influenced to
do things that are unsafe by
670
00:31:01,475 --> 00:31:04,245
what people may be reacting to you.
671
00:31:05,105 --> 00:31:07,525
Uh, you know, are they
gesturing toward you,
672
00:31:07,875 --> 00:31:11,405
perhaps not very nicely
or honking their horn?
673
00:31:11,505 --> 00:31:14,725
And, and in some cases, uh,
674
00:31:15,225 --> 00:31:16,685
not making it very comfortable.
675
00:31:17,505 --> 00:31:20,125
But the reality is, uh, your vehicle,
676
00:31:20,395 --> 00:31:22,365
your safety is paramount.
677
00:31:22,985 --> 00:31:25,885
And one of the things that
I insist that we talk about,
678
00:31:25,885 --> 00:31:27,085
whether it's in a seminar
679
00:31:27,305 --> 00:31:29,405
or whether it's behind
the wheel instruction,
680
00:31:30,065 --> 00:31:32,245
is your safety is paramount.
681
00:31:32,905 --> 00:31:36,085
Now, somebody on the
outside may be critiquing
682
00:31:36,085 --> 00:31:37,725
what you're doing or not doing,
683
00:31:38,505 --> 00:31:42,565
but you cannot be influenced
by that to make some,
684
00:31:43,545 --> 00:31:45,015
let's be honest, stupid moves.
685
00:31:45,445 --> 00:31:46,895
- Good for you. I'm glad to hear that.
686
00:31:47,355 --> 00:31:50,655
And that will help me as,
uh, as his tendency is
687
00:31:50,655 --> 00:31:53,015
to go faster and not to monitor it.
688
00:31:53,215 --> 00:31:56,575
'cause they're very easy to,
to the next question, um,
689
00:31:56,865 --> 00:31:58,735
about, uh, RV driving school.
690
00:31:58,915 --> 00:32:01,455
And again, we want, we'll put
all the information on how
691
00:32:01,455 --> 00:32:04,215
to contact you and, uh,
get into the RV driving.
692
00:32:04,235 --> 00:32:06,135
So we'll put that in the
description below the link.
693
00:32:06,195 --> 00:32:08,095
But, um, backing up,
694
00:32:08,715 --> 00:32:11,375
and I know that's a skill
that you have to practice,
695
00:32:11,515 --> 00:32:14,975
but do you have just a couple
little tips you could pass
696
00:32:14,975 --> 00:32:17,935
along to people about
backing a a, a fifth wheel
697
00:32:17,935 --> 00:32:20,055
or a large trailer into a campsite?
698
00:32:21,015 --> 00:32:24,235
- You bet probably the,
uh, the bumper tows
699
00:32:24,335 --> 00:32:29,315
or the towed vehicles are
probably the most problematic.
700
00:32:30,415 --> 00:32:33,155
And the first tip is, first of all, pull
701
00:32:34,505 --> 00:32:35,675
very far forward
702
00:32:36,095 --> 00:32:37,875
and angle your vehicle out
703
00:32:38,495 --> 00:32:40,585
as you start the backend activity.
704
00:32:41,525 --> 00:32:44,825
The next thing is, and, and
what I tell my guys is that,
705
00:32:45,285 --> 00:32:48,465
and incidentally we have women
who are also instructors,
706
00:32:48,965 --> 00:32:51,305
but I tell them, you know,
that the first thing you need
707
00:32:51,305 --> 00:32:53,345
to do is keep the temperature down.
708
00:32:54,405 --> 00:32:56,665
In other words, don't
be emotionally driven
709
00:32:56,735 --> 00:32:59,705
because you know those, that
trailer's gonna do something
710
00:32:59,705 --> 00:33:02,465
that's wrong or at least
you're not gonna be happy with.
711
00:33:03,125 --> 00:33:05,105
And I want, first thing I want is you,
712
00:33:05,305 --> 00:33:06,825
I don't want you to overreact.
713
00:33:07,665 --> 00:33:09,565
So what I say, say to the instructor
714
00:33:09,565 --> 00:33:13,245
during the learning exercise, uh, go up,
715
00:33:14,105 --> 00:33:17,205
put your hand on the
external rear view mirror.
716
00:33:17,945 --> 00:33:22,765
And that is a little psychology
here, uh, to again, note
717
00:33:22,765 --> 00:33:24,285
that we are in control
718
00:33:24,425 --> 00:33:27,045
and that you're not about
to do anything foolish.
719
00:33:27,765 --> 00:33:29,445
I tell the person to roll down the window
720
00:33:29,505 --> 00:33:32,245
and I say, put your hand on the
bottom of the steering wheel
721
00:33:32,985 --> 00:33:34,565
if it's a left back end.
722
00:33:35,585 --> 00:33:37,365
In other words, you're backing into a spot
723
00:33:37,365 --> 00:33:39,205
that is on the left side of the vehicle.
724
00:33:40,125 --> 00:33:43,165
I see. I want you to start
moving that vehicle backward
725
00:33:43,585 --> 00:33:47,005
and moving your hand in
a left wise direction.
726
00:33:47,025 --> 00:33:51,405
In other words, moving the
steering wheel in a, uh, uh,
727
00:33:52,545 --> 00:33:55,125
uh, um, clockwise direction.
728
00:33:56,145 --> 00:33:59,925
And as that vehicle is moving
backward in a very slow
729
00:34:00,025 --> 00:34:04,125
manner, at one point, the
trailer is now established
730
00:34:04,345 --> 00:34:07,205
as into the spot that you're aiming at.
731
00:34:08,025 --> 00:34:10,965
The next thing I say to the,
uh, person, I say, stop.
732
00:34:12,005 --> 00:34:14,085
I don't mean slow down. I mean, stop.
733
00:34:15,045 --> 00:34:17,445
I want you to think, now I
want you to put your hand
734
00:34:17,465 --> 00:34:19,125
to the top of the steering wheel,
735
00:34:19,985 --> 00:34:24,085
and now I want you to start
or continue moving backward.
736
00:34:24,505 --> 00:34:26,325
But I want you, uh, from the top
737
00:34:26,325 --> 00:34:27,765
of the steering wheel once again
738
00:34:27,785 --> 00:34:30,325
to move your hand in
a left wise direction.
739
00:34:32,155 --> 00:34:35,575
The person, periodically, I
have to look out through the
740
00:34:36,155 --> 00:34:38,095
window and see what's happening,
741
00:34:38,095 --> 00:34:40,935
because the pickup is
now starting to follow
742
00:34:41,835 --> 00:34:43,895
the trailer into the spot.
743
00:34:44,875 --> 00:34:46,895
So that's the top of the wheel.
744
00:34:46,895 --> 00:34:51,135
Bottom of the wheel technique
is something that, uh, and,
745
00:34:51,195 --> 00:34:53,735
and it, it's like riding a bike, Mike.
746
00:34:53,875 --> 00:34:56,335
Uh, the reality is I can say and,
747
00:34:56,515 --> 00:34:58,295
and tell them about the principles.
748
00:34:58,775 --> 00:35:01,535
I can aid them through
the, uh, teaching process.
749
00:35:02,315 --> 00:35:04,455
And all our people will do a dandy job
750
00:35:04,555 --> 00:35:06,615
of explaining just what I talked about.
751
00:35:07,555 --> 00:35:10,735
But the reality is they
are gonna need to practice.
752
00:35:11,235 --> 00:35:13,415
And sometimes it's gonna
create a little bit
753
00:35:13,415 --> 00:35:15,455
of a stir if it's at an RV park
754
00:35:15,775 --> 00:35:18,175
whenever you exercising what I just said.
755
00:35:18,795 --> 00:35:19,895
But you're gonna miss it.
756
00:35:20,195 --> 00:35:22,495
You're gonna have a time
whenever you have to pull forward
757
00:35:22,875 --> 00:35:24,695
and perhaps start all over again.
758
00:35:25,915 --> 00:35:28,495
But the reality is,
those are the important
759
00:35:28,715 --> 00:35:32,455
and relevant points for
a trailered backend.
760
00:35:32,765 --> 00:35:34,495
- Alright, now I wanna take you to
761
00:35:34,495 --> 00:35:35,815
what you mentioned a minute ago,
762
00:35:36,485 --> 00:35:39,645
just some general information
about climbing a mountain
763
00:35:39,785 --> 00:35:41,845
and coming down a mountain
while you're towing.
764
00:35:43,225 --> 00:35:47,245
- You know, first of all, going
up a mountain, probably in,
765
00:35:47,265 --> 00:35:49,885
in many cases, the difficult thing,
766
00:35:50,225 --> 00:35:52,445
and especially for us
guys, I'm picking on guys,
767
00:35:53,265 --> 00:35:56,685
but you know, you wanna, you
know, get around the trucks
768
00:35:56,685 --> 00:35:59,285
that are, you know,
lollygagging up the hill.
769
00:35:59,945 --> 00:36:03,405
And the reality is, especially
if you have a very heavy load
770
00:36:03,465 --> 00:36:05,885
behind you, IE it's a pickup
771
00:36:06,105 --> 00:36:10,405
and you've got a 35 to 38
to 40 foot, uh, trailer
772
00:36:10,425 --> 00:36:13,565
behind you, that engine
is working very hard.
773
00:36:13,625 --> 00:36:16,925
And if you're in, uh, in
central city outside of Denver,
774
00:36:17,505 --> 00:36:18,965
and you're at 8,000 feet
775
00:36:18,965 --> 00:36:23,045
and climbing that engine
is, is tending to overheat.
776
00:36:23,625 --> 00:36:25,965
So the first thing is,
I, I encourage people
777
00:36:25,965 --> 00:36:28,965
to get in the queue with
the truckers do perhaps one
778
00:36:28,965 --> 00:36:31,045
downshift depending on the hill.
779
00:36:31,505 --> 00:36:35,085
But again, you need to get that
engine circulating the, the,
780
00:36:35,105 --> 00:36:37,045
uh, fluids to keep it cool.
781
00:36:37,835 --> 00:36:39,935
So that's the important step there.
782
00:36:41,005 --> 00:36:43,535
When you get to the crest
of the hill, this is
783
00:36:43,775 --> 00:36:44,855
whenever decision time,
784
00:36:45,555 --> 00:36:49,455
and especially if it's outlined
to you, if it's a 5%, 6%,
785
00:36:49,835 --> 00:36:51,335
or 8% grade,
786
00:36:51,715 --> 00:36:55,815
and I use those as typical
examples on your way to Moab.
787
00:36:56,595 --> 00:37:00,055
Uh, if you're gonna, if you're
gonna go down that hill,
788
00:37:00,795 --> 00:37:03,735
you need to decide how
am I, how am I going
789
00:37:03,735 --> 00:37:05,295
to keep my foot off the brake
790
00:37:05,355 --> 00:37:07,335
or at use the brake intermittently.
791
00:37:08,525 --> 00:37:11,425
Uh, we typically, the RVs have
792
00:37:11,615 --> 00:37:13,665
what I call deceleration devices.
793
00:37:14,415 --> 00:37:17,745
They take the form of a jake
break, a compression, break,
794
00:37:18,625 --> 00:37:21,505
a uh, exhaust break, a tow hall button.
795
00:37:22,405 --> 00:37:24,545
But the big one is the downshift.
796
00:37:25,445 --> 00:37:27,585
And I gotta tell you that
there are a lot of people
797
00:37:27,585 --> 00:37:30,905
that we have, we instruct
who are very reluctant
798
00:37:30,905 --> 00:37:33,345
to do a downshift or force a downshift.
799
00:37:34,085 --> 00:37:37,425
And the reality is, they do
have to, especially on some
800
00:37:37,425 --> 00:37:38,665
of these significant hills.
801
00:37:39,565 --> 00:37:42,145
And whenever they do
that, you know, do the,
802
00:37:42,445 --> 00:37:46,305
the appropriate thing, engage
the deceleration device,
803
00:37:47,005 --> 00:37:48,025
do the downshift,
804
00:37:48,885 --> 00:37:51,825
and then again, intermittent
use of the brake.
805
00:37:52,405 --> 00:37:54,545
You know, they can
negotiate just about any,
806
00:37:55,085 --> 00:37:56,625
you know, typical hill.
807
00:37:57,135 --> 00:37:58,305
- Just a quick, uh,
808
00:37:58,885 --> 00:38:02,065
how do you do a downshift on
an automatic transmission?
809
00:38:03,275 --> 00:38:05,375
- You know, on most of the RVs
810
00:38:05,435 --> 00:38:06,935
or many of the, uh,
811
00:38:07,025 --> 00:38:09,975
class a's there is an
Allison transmission,
812
00:38:10,555 --> 00:38:14,375
and it's a, it's just a panel
off to the left of the, uh,
813
00:38:14,835 --> 00:38:16,855
of your driving, uh, leg.
814
00:38:17,555 --> 00:38:20,135
And, uh, it is an up and down arrow.
815
00:38:20,875 --> 00:38:25,375
And, uh, it's a simple step
to just push the down arrow,
816
00:38:25,385 --> 00:38:26,695
which does a downshift.
817
00:38:27,445 --> 00:38:30,135
Many of the pickups now have been adapted,
818
00:38:30,195 --> 00:38:31,535
and they now have a plus
819
00:38:31,555 --> 00:38:33,815
and minus on the, on the stick,
820
00:38:34,235 --> 00:38:36,015
on the column, on the column.
821
00:38:36,955 --> 00:38:39,095
And, uh, they also have a tow hall button
822
00:38:39,655 --> 00:38:41,175
frequently on the end of the stick.
823
00:38:42,035 --> 00:38:43,895
But, you know, where they find it,
824
00:38:44,475 --> 00:38:47,815
how they use it is really a problem.
825
00:38:48,395 --> 00:38:51,415
In so many cases. There
is a reluctance to use it,
826
00:38:52,235 --> 00:38:57,135
and there's a fear factor,
and I always tell people,
827
00:38:57,395 --> 00:39:00,415
and, and it's, uh, I've
talked to Ford, I've talked
828
00:39:00,415 --> 00:39:03,935
to the gm, I've talked to, um, commons
829
00:39:03,935 --> 00:39:05,935
and, uh, Allison transmission people,
830
00:39:05,995 --> 00:39:08,695
and they all say, Hey, don't worry.
831
00:39:09,475 --> 00:39:11,815
If you do a downshift, you cannot force
832
00:39:11,815 --> 00:39:13,695
that engine into doing
833
00:39:13,835 --> 00:39:15,855
or causing damage either
834
00:39:15,915 --> 00:39:17,975
to the transmission or to the engine.
835
00:39:18,715 --> 00:39:22,415
So the big step here is that
you need to get acquainted with
836
00:39:22,795 --> 00:39:25,935
how to do or to actually
make the downshift.
837
00:39:26,955 --> 00:39:28,575
Uh, however you're gonna get it done.
838
00:39:28,755 --> 00:39:30,935
You need to be comfortable with it.
839
00:39:31,315 --> 00:39:34,295
- Uh, I wanna give people some
more details on RV school.
840
00:39:34,515 --> 00:39:39,175
Uh, how do they, they check
rv school.com is the website.
841
00:39:39,795 --> 00:39:43,415
Um, what's the general cost
for a two day session for that?
842
00:39:44,795 --> 00:39:47,085
- Well, Mike, we're, first of
all, I'm not gonna apologize.
843
00:39:47,665 --> 00:39:49,645
Uh, it is important
844
00:39:49,885 --> 00:39:53,485
that we maintain a high quality school.
845
00:39:54,155 --> 00:39:57,885
5 95 is for two four hour
days with one of our people.
846
00:39:59,025 --> 00:40:00,205
Uh, if we're teaching
847
00:40:00,265 --> 00:40:03,965
or helping two individuals,
typically a couple, um,
848
00:40:04,395 --> 00:40:07,565
it's 8 95 for two six hour days.
849
00:40:08,585 --> 00:40:12,685
Uh, we do a lot of adapting
in terms of extending lessons
850
00:40:12,755 --> 00:40:14,565
because some people come to us
851
00:40:14,625 --> 00:40:19,285
and they're really in need
of some what additional help.
852
00:40:19,595 --> 00:40:24,125
Well, also a lot of the
dealerships, uh, ill prepare people
853
00:40:24,345 --> 00:40:28,485
for, you know, things as
mundane as, you know, uh, uh,
854
00:40:29,345 --> 00:40:33,765
you know, how to, uh, the,
um, fuse boxes on these.
855
00:40:33,865 --> 00:40:38,005
Uh, so we have an extended
portion of the lesson, you know,
856
00:40:38,005 --> 00:40:41,645
that we can't put on that's not, um, uh,
857
00:40:42,045 --> 00:40:43,085
$120.
858
00:40:43,385 --> 00:40:47,005
And it, it basically said,
we're gonna spend two
859
00:40:47,005 --> 00:40:48,125
to three hours with you,
860
00:40:48,465 --> 00:40:51,125
making sure you understand
what's in the manuals,
861
00:40:51,125 --> 00:40:55,045
that it came with your rv, uh,
understand the complexities
862
00:40:55,185 --> 00:40:58,365
of something as simple
as it that for toilet.
863
00:40:59,105 --> 00:41:00,105
Um,
864
00:41:00,595 --> 00:41:02,805
- Well, I applaud all that you do.
865
00:41:03,045 --> 00:41:05,965
I wish, uh, and I'm hoping
that the manufacturers,
866
00:41:06,105 --> 00:41:07,805
and if I was a dealership,
867
00:41:07,825 --> 00:41:10,245
the first thing I would
do is offer that course
868
00:41:10,465 --> 00:41:13,525
to pay your course for
all new customers so
869
00:41:13,525 --> 00:41:17,165
that they would be satisfied
customers and come back, uh,
870
00:41:17,185 --> 00:41:18,805
and buy from me again because I did that.
871
00:41:19,005 --> 00:41:20,765
I think that'd be a
great tool for dealers.
872
00:41:21,355 --> 00:41:24,925
Your prices are very reasonable
when you consider that, uh,
873
00:41:24,945 --> 00:41:26,965
how much it costs to get a campsite
874
00:41:26,985 --> 00:41:28,605
and how much these RVs cost.
875
00:41:29,025 --> 00:41:32,045
- One of the things is, you
know, for people who do need
876
00:41:32,885 --> 00:41:36,445
somebody, somebody to come
to them, uh, we do provide a,
877
00:41:36,545 --> 00:41:39,285
you know, and, and obviously
it's based on charges
878
00:41:39,545 --> 00:41:40,805
to get to the individual.
879
00:41:41,585 --> 00:41:44,805
And the second thing, I really
would encourage people to go
880
00:41:44,805 --> 00:41:47,165
to the testimonials on our website.
881
00:41:48,065 --> 00:41:51,505
I am extremely proud of, you know,
882
00:41:51,605 --> 00:41:53,185
the testimonials that come in,
883
00:41:53,575 --> 00:41:54,665
- Sign me up,
884
00:41:54,985 --> 00:41:56,425
I look forward to trying it myself.
885
00:41:57,005 --> 00:41:58,305
Uh, you've been a great interview
886
00:41:58,525 --> 00:42:01,825
and, uh, again, thank you so
much for sharing your time
887
00:42:01,965 --> 00:42:04,785
and your expertise with our
audience. Thanks, George.
888
00:42:04,915 --> 00:42:08,785
- Thank you, sir.
- I appreciated, uh, George's tips,
889
00:42:08,845 --> 00:42:10,025
as I'm sure you did too.
890
00:42:10,205 --> 00:42:13,345
Uh, you know, this whole
idea of backing up an rv,
891
00:42:13,725 --> 00:42:16,145
it always works out,
particularly when you're a newbie
892
00:42:16,765 --> 00:42:17,825
and you're backing up
893
00:42:18,045 --> 00:42:20,225
and all your neighbors in the campground.
894
00:42:20,295 --> 00:42:22,305
It's like the entertainment
of the evening,
895
00:42:22,305 --> 00:42:23,905
they all are out there
drinking their beer leaning.
896
00:42:24,235 --> 00:42:27,465
Watch this guy. And,
uh, and then every now
897
00:42:27,465 --> 00:42:29,825
and then you'll see somebody
come in that's probably gone
898
00:42:29,825 --> 00:42:33,185
to George's school and
they, and they're backed in
899
00:42:33,205 --> 00:42:34,385
and just awesome.
900
00:42:35,125 --> 00:42:36,665
Um, but don't worry,
901
00:42:36,755 --> 00:42:39,105
we've all been there,
902
00:42:39,605 --> 00:42:41,905
And, uh, there's a link,
uh, in the show notes
903
00:42:41,905 --> 00:42:45,345
that you'll find@rvlifestyle.com,
uh, slash podcast,
904
00:42:46,125 --> 00:42:48,905
and you'll find, uh, a link
there to the show notes
905
00:42:48,905 --> 00:42:51,305
for this episode to
George's, uh, driving school.
906
00:42:51,405 --> 00:42:54,785
But, uh, check it out. We
appreciate his expertise
907
00:42:55,205 --> 00:42:57,905
- And I think it would be time
and money well spent Yeah.
908
00:42:57,925 --> 00:42:59,265
To take a good class.
909
00:42:59,455 --> 00:43:01,905
- Yeah. Now we've taken
a couple of short ones.
910
00:43:01,905 --> 00:43:04,625
Many times you'll find, uh,
RV driving schools offered
911
00:43:04,625 --> 00:43:07,625
by manufacturers at, at
big rallies and stuff,
912
00:43:07,625 --> 00:43:10,505
and you've taken a couple of
them, but they're very short
913
00:43:11,205 --> 00:43:12,985
and they're not, and
they're a little hands on.
914
00:43:12,985 --> 00:43:14,865
They give you some comfort,
but, uh, mm-Hmm.
915
00:43:14,885 --> 00:43:16,265
But George is the full deal.
916
00:43:16,365 --> 00:43:19,745
You walk away with, uh,
a, a, a lot of confidence
917
00:43:19,745 --> 00:43:21,105
and be able to drive that rv,
918
00:43:21,105 --> 00:43:22,985
whether it's a motor home or a towable.
919
00:43:23,565 --> 00:43:25,145
Um, so check 'em out.
920
00:43:25,165 --> 00:43:26,545
We think that's a, that's a great idea.
921
00:43:26,735 --> 00:43:27,865
Alright, quick break
922
00:43:27,965 --> 00:43:29,705
and we'll be back with
the RV News of the week,
923
00:43:29,705 --> 00:43:31,505
and we've got some good
stories for you this week.
924
00:43:31,605 --> 00:43:34,105
You're gonna wanna listen to Jennifer
925
00:43:34,105 --> 00:43:35,425
and I bought some land near
926
00:43:35,425 --> 00:43:36,985
Nashville, Tennessee a while back.
927
00:43:37,445 --> 00:43:40,185
We got tired, crowded,
expensive campgrounds
928
00:43:40,325 --> 00:43:42,545
and worrying about reservations.
929
00:43:43,585 --> 00:43:46,145
Tennessee is a gorgeous
state with friendly people,
930
00:43:46,525 --> 00:43:47,945
and it has been such a pleasure.
931
00:43:48,365 --> 00:43:52,065
The same developer has some
new property near us, close
932
00:43:52,125 --> 00:43:53,265
to the Natchez Trace
933
00:43:53,365 --> 00:43:57,025
and Buffalo River called
the Reserve At High Forest.
934
00:43:57,845 --> 00:44:00,065
Big properties, five to 41 acres.
935
00:44:00,205 --> 00:44:02,985
You can build a house, a cabin or rv.
936
00:44:02,985 --> 00:44:06,625
Year round prices start at only $89,900.
937
00:44:07,295 --> 00:44:10,825
Your property, your way 100% ownership.
938
00:44:11,445 --> 00:44:14,345
The scenery in this part of
Tennessee is breathtaking,
939
00:44:14,805 --> 00:44:16,345
and the property is gorgeous.
940
00:44:16,765 --> 00:44:20,865
Garden landscape, bring your
pets, build what you want.
941
00:44:21,215 --> 00:44:23,625
There's high speed fiber optic internet,
942
00:44:23,765 --> 00:44:26,865
and it is so private, a great place
943
00:44:26,965 --> 00:44:30,225
to make your home base
ready whenever you want it.
944
00:44:30,775 --> 00:44:34,885
Five to 41 acre properties from $89,900.
945
00:44:35,475 --> 00:44:37,405
There's even great financing.
946
00:44:37,735 --> 00:44:41,885
Check out the site and a
video tour@rvlands.net.
947
00:44:42,185 --> 00:44:46,165
That's RV lands.net.
Welcome back, everybody.
948
00:44:46,195 --> 00:44:49,765
Time now for the RV News of the week.
949
00:44:50,145 --> 00:44:52,085
- And we have a Massachusetts couple.
950
00:44:52,475 --> 00:44:54,365
They say their RV was stolen
951
00:44:54,495 --> 00:44:58,485
after the dealer started on
an unsecured shopping center
952
00:44:58,485 --> 00:45:00,605
parking lot without their knowledge.
953
00:45:00,745 --> 00:45:01,885
- Now, we should point out
954
00:45:01,995 --> 00:45:04,685
that this was just down the
street from the dealership.
955
00:45:05,385 --> 00:45:07,765
And again, here what Jennifer
said, it was without their,
956
00:45:07,765 --> 00:45:09,845
they didn't know that it wasn't gonna stay
957
00:45:10,225 --> 00:45:11,325
on the dealer's lot,
958
00:45:12,065 --> 00:45:14,205
- And the couple they
dropped off their jco,
959
00:45:14,555 --> 00:45:16,485
they dropped it off at Pete's RV Center
960
00:45:16,505 --> 00:45:18,725
for maintenance at the
dealer's service center.
961
00:45:19,065 --> 00:45:20,925
So you leave it at a secure place. Right?
962
00:45:21,225 --> 00:45:22,565
And when they returned to pick it up,
963
00:45:22,565 --> 00:45:23,685
they discovered it was missing.
964
00:45:24,185 --> 00:45:27,885
It turned out the dealer
stored their rig down the road
965
00:45:28,665 --> 00:45:32,165
on at an unsecured parking
lot where it was stolen.
966
00:45:32,345 --> 00:45:35,485
And the couple ended up getting
a local television station
967
00:45:35,845 --> 00:45:39,445
involved after the dealer
dragged its feet on filing a
968
00:45:39,445 --> 00:45:42,925
police report and was not
helping them get compensation.
969
00:45:43,675 --> 00:45:46,325
- Yeah. Eventually the couple
learned that what they had
970
00:45:46,325 --> 00:45:50,205
to do is file this loss under
their, um, insurance policy,
971
00:45:50,205 --> 00:45:51,445
their own insurance policy,
972
00:45:51,625 --> 00:45:55,445
and then their insurance company
can go after the RV dealer,
973
00:45:55,985 --> 00:45:58,925
but still, they're out a
thousand dollars deductible.
974
00:45:58,955 --> 00:46:03,325
Plus all the precious memories
that, uh, they had tied up in
975
00:46:03,565 --> 00:46:05,805
that jayco of theirs with their kids.
976
00:46:06,505 --> 00:46:07,725
Um, it's a mess.
977
00:46:07,945 --> 00:46:09,765
And it's a reminder to all of us
978
00:46:09,985 --> 00:46:12,445
to ask if the RV service
center that you're going
979
00:46:12,445 --> 00:46:15,405
to drop off your RV keeps
it in a secure location
980
00:46:15,915 --> 00:46:16,925
when the work is done.
981
00:46:17,465 --> 00:46:20,525
Uh, and if you wanna see that
news story about this couple,
982
00:46:20,575 --> 00:46:22,325
we'll put a link in the show notes
983
00:46:22,345 --> 00:46:26,285
and you'll find that at, uh,
RV lifestyle.com/podcast.
984
00:46:26,625 --> 00:46:28,005
- You know, what I find amazing is
985
00:46:28,005 --> 00:46:32,285
that somebody would leave
an RV at just a parking lot,
986
00:46:32,595 --> 00:46:35,485
because I'm thinking about
sometimes RVs get stolen
987
00:46:35,615 --> 00:46:36,765
outta dealer's lot.
988
00:46:36,765 --> 00:46:37,885
- Yeah. Didn't we have a
story about that last week?
989
00:46:37,885 --> 00:46:39,125
- Yeah, we did. We, we did have,
990
00:46:39,375 --> 00:46:42,005
we've had stories in
the past like that, so,
991
00:46:42,225 --> 00:46:45,205
but I can't imagine
leaving your property just,
992
00:46:45,945 --> 00:46:46,965
you know, at some parking.
993
00:46:47,395 --> 00:46:48,845
- Well, you know, they,
some of these dealers,
994
00:46:48,845 --> 00:46:49,885
they just don't have a lot of stories.
995
00:46:49,995 --> 00:46:51,405
Yeah. They don't have room. But, you know,
996
00:46:51,545 --> 00:46:53,285
you should at least say, Hey,
okay, we're gonna keep it
997
00:46:53,285 --> 00:46:54,525
until we can get to it down the street.
998
00:46:54,585 --> 00:46:56,885
And then you can say, no
way when you can get to it.
999
00:46:56,955 --> 00:46:58,725
I'll drop it off and I'll be there
1000
00:46:58,945 --> 00:47:00,965
and, uh, watch you put it in your garage
1001
00:47:01,025 --> 00:47:02,085
or wherever you service it.
1002
00:47:02,085 --> 00:47:03,445
Mm-Hmm.
1003
00:47:03,585 --> 00:47:05,085
our sympathies go for this couple.
1004
00:47:05,305 --> 00:47:08,045
Yes. Who truly, uh, had
a, a terrible experience.
1005
00:47:08,665 --> 00:47:11,685
Um, hey, we got a story that
I think is, how about this?
1006
00:47:11,925 --> 00:47:14,405
I mean, this is unusual.
It's a government agency
1007
00:47:14,555 --> 00:47:19,365
that actually listened to the
people and changed its mind.
1008
00:47:19,945 --> 00:47:21,485
And it was the National Park Service.
1009
00:47:22,065 --> 00:47:24,085
Now, the National Park
Service, we all love them
1010
00:47:24,085 --> 00:47:25,565
because we love our national parks.
1011
00:47:25,565 --> 00:47:28,325
But you gotta understand,
it is a huge bureaucracy.
1012
00:47:28,425 --> 00:47:30,325
It is riddled with politics.
1013
00:47:31,065 --> 00:47:34,365
Uh, and like all government
agencies, you know, um,
1014
00:47:35,145 --> 00:47:37,925
it works at a, at its
own, uh, at its own style.
1015
00:47:38,915 --> 00:47:41,645
What they did, they announced
this week that they're going
1016
00:47:41,645 --> 00:47:46,405
to abandon a plan, a wildly unpopular plan
1017
00:47:46,405 --> 00:47:51,285
that they had to remove the
wild horses at North Dakota's,
1018
00:47:51,285 --> 00:47:52,805
Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
1019
00:47:52,825 --> 00:47:55,845
Now, if you've been to Teddy
Roosevelt National Park, uh,
1020
00:47:56,025 --> 00:48:00,805
you know how much a part of
that park, uh, those horses are.
1021
00:48:01,585 --> 00:48:05,205
So a whole bunch of groups,
uh, activist groups, wild horse
1022
00:48:05,805 --> 00:48:08,725
advocates, tourists heard about this,
1023
00:48:08,785 --> 00:48:12,165
and they bombarded the park
service with resistance
1024
00:48:12,185 --> 00:48:14,085
and criticism of this idea.
1025
00:48:14,755 --> 00:48:17,975
And what the NPS wanted to
do was remove these horses.
1026
00:48:18,635 --> 00:48:19,895
Uh, they're out of the concern
1027
00:48:19,895 --> 00:48:22,095
that the animals were
damaging to the environment.
1028
00:48:22,095 --> 00:48:24,055
Well, the animals had been there since
1029
00:48:24,215 --> 00:48:25,615
Teddy Roosevelt's days.
1030
00:48:26,395 --> 00:48:30,135
Now granted, horses are not a
native animal of, of that part
1031
00:48:30,355 --> 00:48:32,335
of, uh, of, uh, North Dakota,
1032
00:48:32,555 --> 00:48:35,815
but their descendants
of those who were owned
1033
00:48:35,875 --> 00:48:38,895
by the ranchers and the
tribes of the old West,
1034
00:48:39,235 --> 00:48:43,135
and they roamed wild when Teddy
Roosevelt, who the park, uh,
1035
00:48:43,275 --> 00:48:45,855
was named after and who lived there, uh,
1036
00:48:45,885 --> 00:48:47,175
they rolled there since then.
1037
00:48:47,175 --> 00:48:49,055
They were, they were
just as they are today.
1038
00:48:49,595 --> 00:48:52,135
Uh, so they had a lot of
historical significance.
1039
00:48:52,435 --> 00:48:54,615
And we love those horses.
They're gorgeous. They're,
1040
00:48:54,735 --> 00:48:56,495
- I think everybody
loves those wild horses.
1041
00:48:56,495 --> 00:48:58,255
They're extremely popular with everybody.
1042
00:48:58,435 --> 00:49:00,495
And currently there's only, well,
1043
00:49:00,495 --> 00:49:02,655
there's about 200 wild horses in the park.
1044
00:49:02,895 --> 00:49:04,735
- I mean, you see them, but
you don't see 'em all the time.
1045
00:49:04,795 --> 00:49:07,895
And we've, we sat out, I
remember one time shooting, uh,
1046
00:49:08,075 --> 00:49:11,895
we saw a, a colt and his mom
and they were part of a herd.
1047
00:49:11,915 --> 00:49:15,175
And we watched them at
sunset for, it was gorgeous.
1048
00:49:15,485 --> 00:49:16,815
They were gro, you know, really pretty.
1049
00:49:17,515 --> 00:49:20,015
Um, now that was the park ship.
1050
00:49:20,195 --> 00:49:23,205
So they changed their mind,
but they could change it again.
1051
00:49:23,505 --> 00:49:25,845
And that's why a leading
group that advocates
1052
00:49:25,845 --> 00:49:27,405
for the horses says now
1053
00:49:27,405 --> 00:49:30,045
that this plant has been
abandoned this time,
1054
00:49:30,875 --> 00:49:32,325
they want those wild horses
1055
00:49:32,505 --> 00:49:36,285
to have federal protection
forever, to prevent, you know,
1056
00:49:36,305 --> 00:49:38,605
the park service from changing its mind
1057
00:49:38,825 --> 00:49:41,725
and trying to cull the herd
next year or the year after.
1058
00:49:42,545 --> 00:49:44,245
Um, we visited Theodore
1059
00:49:44,245 --> 00:49:45,565
Roosevelt National Park a couple of times.
1060
00:49:45,665 --> 00:49:49,085
We absolutely love it. And, uh,
we'll put a link to, uh, one
1061
00:49:49,085 --> 00:49:50,285
of our, uh, trips there.
1062
00:49:50,345 --> 00:49:52,125
And in it you'll see those wild horses.
1063
00:49:52,785 --> 00:49:54,805
Uh, they're just, um,
they're really gorgeous.
1064
00:49:55,315 --> 00:49:58,205
Alright, next story. It
also involves animals.
1065
00:49:58,475 --> 00:50:01,605
- Yeah. Remember when we
told you about the wolf
1066
00:50:01,925 --> 00:50:04,645
reintroduction plan to in, uh, Colorado?
1067
00:50:05,195 --> 00:50:07,725
Well, the pack flown in from Oregon
1068
00:50:08,025 --> 00:50:11,205
and released in Colorado,
may be headed into Wyoming,
1069
00:50:11,815 --> 00:50:13,565
where it's legal to shoot them.
1070
00:50:14,265 --> 00:50:17,645
In December 10, wolves were
released in Colorado, under
1071
00:50:17,645 --> 00:50:19,805
that state's wolf reintroduction program.
1072
00:50:20,465 --> 00:50:23,885
The animals were released
in a ranching area
1073
00:50:23,935 --> 00:50:25,805
where ranchers did not want them.
1074
00:50:26,265 --> 00:50:29,925
And since December, they've
killed six heads of cattle,
1075
00:50:30,305 --> 00:50:32,725
but the pack is moving as wolves do.
1076
00:50:33,305 --> 00:50:36,725
And, uh, the state releases
regular reports based on their
1077
00:50:37,005 --> 00:50:40,205
tracking collars and have
confirmed the wolves did wander
1078
00:50:40,315 --> 00:50:42,165
into the Rocky Mountain National Park,
1079
00:50:42,705 --> 00:50:47,485
and one wolf did die of natural
causes like a mountain lion.
1080
00:50:48,105 --> 00:50:51,525
And the pack is now very close
to the Wyoming state line.
1081
00:50:51,625 --> 00:50:54,645
And while wolves are a
protected species in Colorado,
1082
00:50:55,185 --> 00:50:57,765
in Wyoming, they are not, in fact,
1083
00:50:58,045 --> 00:51:00,925
a wolf in Wyoming can be shot legally
1084
00:51:01,025 --> 00:51:02,605
for any reason. Mm-Hmm.
1085
00:51:02,605 --> 00:51:04,045
- It's a ridiculous, isn't it?
1086
00:51:04,105 --> 00:51:07,325
Uh, um, but it's a hotly contested area.
1087
00:51:07,425 --> 00:51:10,245
And ranchers certainly have,
um, have some concerns.
1088
00:51:10,345 --> 00:51:11,405
But, uh,
1089
00:51:11,405 --> 00:51:13,845
these guys are going into
harm's way, these rules.
1090
00:51:14,545 --> 00:51:16,685
Uh, okay, here's a story for you.
1091
00:51:17,385 --> 00:51:20,525
If you have been one of
those who have, uh, suspected
1092
00:51:21,265 --> 00:51:24,325
or complained about shoddy manufacturing
1093
00:51:24,545 --> 00:51:27,125
by the big RV companies, um,
1094
00:51:27,195 --> 00:51:28,925
there's some more evidence this month
1095
00:51:29,025 --> 00:51:30,285
to back up those complaints.
1096
00:51:30,345 --> 00:51:33,605
The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration recently
1097
00:51:34,565 --> 00:51:37,125
released a number of RV recalls
1098
00:51:37,195 --> 00:51:38,685
that you might want to check out.
1099
00:51:39,345 --> 00:51:41,165
Uh, we'll put the full list
1100
00:51:41,505 --> 00:51:44,805
and links to it in the
podcast, uh, link on the, uh,
1101
00:51:44,865 --> 00:51:47,725
rv lifestyle.com/podcast blog.
1102
00:51:48,425 --> 00:51:53,365
But it includes, um, 20 to
24, uh, units that were built
1103
00:51:53,365 --> 00:51:54,485
by Tiffin Motor Homes.
1104
00:51:54,905 --> 00:51:59,405
Uh, they found that the LED
backlight circuit board in the
1105
00:51:59,405 --> 00:52:03,685
cooktop range may fail,
causing the board to overheat.
1106
00:52:03,705 --> 00:52:05,485
And there, of course, there's
always a risk of fire.
1107
00:52:05,515 --> 00:52:08,965
Then, uh, Allegro Open Road, Allegro,
1108
00:52:09,645 --> 00:52:13,005
RED 360, uh, 2024 Byway
1109
00:52:13,545 --> 00:52:16,605
and 2022 Fatton Motor Homes are affected.
1110
00:52:17,265 --> 00:52:19,845
And owner notification
letters should be mailed out
1111
00:52:19,845 --> 00:52:21,805
to owners by May 31st.
1112
00:52:22,885 --> 00:52:26,205
Keystone RV Company is
recalling a bunch of its units
1113
00:52:26,205 --> 00:52:30,205
because the equalizer may
provide inadequate clearance,
1114
00:52:30,525 --> 00:52:32,965
allowing the axle to contact the frame.
1115
00:52:33,625 --> 00:52:38,005
And that's certain keystone,
uh, models the retreat, uh,
1116
00:52:38,005 --> 00:52:41,445
2024 models, the retreat,
uh, the residence 40,
1117
00:52:41,585 --> 00:52:43,765
the residence, uh, 4 0 1.
1118
00:52:44,425 --> 00:52:47,005
Uh, the Dutchman Aspen Trail
1119
00:52:47,865 --> 00:52:51,525
and Crossroads Hampton are
trailers that were affected
1120
00:52:51,525 --> 00:52:54,725
with letters that were
mailed to owners by May 31st.
1121
00:52:54,875 --> 00:52:58,525
They will be out, uh, the
recall at Forest River
1122
00:52:58,675 --> 00:53:02,405
because the operator may
utilize the rear towing hitch
1123
00:53:02,955 --> 00:53:06,685
without locking the turning
point fifth wheel hitch into the
1124
00:53:07,045 --> 00:53:09,125
conventional transport position.
1125
00:53:09,545 --> 00:53:10,885
You've got what 'em, you
know what that means?
1126
00:53:11,385 --> 00:53:13,125
Uh, certain 24 Cardinal
1127
00:53:13,145 --> 00:53:15,925
and Wildcat fifth wheel
trailers are affected
1128
00:53:16,305 --> 00:53:18,605
and those letters are
gonna go out by May 22nd.
1129
00:53:19,425 --> 00:53:23,085
Um, outdoors RV Manufacturing recall is
1130
00:53:23,085 --> 00:53:24,165
because of, uh,
1131
00:53:24,345 --> 00:53:27,405
an LED backlight circuit
board in the cook dock range
1132
00:53:27,435 --> 00:53:31,925
that may fail again, causing
overheat, uh, certain 20
1133
00:53:32,025 --> 00:53:34,845
to 24 titanium trailers affected.
1134
00:53:35,385 --> 00:53:37,885
Uh, those letters will be
mailed out by May 17th.
1135
00:53:38,665 --> 00:53:40,885
Uh, forest River is
also a number of recalls
1136
00:53:41,045 --> 00:53:43,325
'cause that LED backlight circuit board
1137
00:53:43,625 --> 00:53:46,325
and the cook part cooktop range may fall.
1138
00:53:46,655 --> 00:53:49,285
Maybe, you know, a
number of units affected.
1139
00:53:49,545 --> 00:53:51,205
And, uh, just be aware,
1140
00:53:52,105 --> 00:53:53,805
you should probably go
look at the full list.
1141
00:53:53,825 --> 00:53:55,205
We could go on and on with this.
1142
00:53:55,425 --> 00:53:58,685
Uh, but, um, check out and
we'll post a link to it.
1143
00:53:58,915 --> 00:54:01,605
It's at rv lifestyle.com/podcast.
1144
00:54:02,585 --> 00:54:05,925
And, uh, we thank RV Business,
our friends at RV Business
1145
00:54:05,945 --> 00:54:08,245
for, um, alerting everybody to that story.
1146
00:54:08,755 --> 00:54:11,045
Alright, when we come back the RV question
1147
00:54:11,545 --> 00:54:12,765
of the week, stay with us
1148
00:54:13,235 --> 00:54:15,885
- When we're asked what's the
most important modification
1149
00:54:15,885 --> 00:54:16,925
we made to our rv.
1150
00:54:17,115 --> 00:54:20,605
It's an easy answer.
Battle borne batteries.
1151
00:54:20,645 --> 00:54:24,605
Battle borne batteries are
quality, safe, reliable lithium
1152
00:54:25,165 --> 00:54:26,645
batteries that allow us
1153
00:54:26,865 --> 00:54:29,685
to stay out there off the grid longer.
1154
00:54:30,195 --> 00:54:31,925
Lithium batteries charge faster.
1155
00:54:32,155 --> 00:54:33,205
They charge fuller,
1156
00:54:33,205 --> 00:54:35,165
they're longer lasting,
they're maintenance free.
1157
00:54:35,465 --> 00:54:38,085
And battle borne batteries are protected
1158
00:54:38,105 --> 00:54:40,565
by a 10 year guarantee.
1159
00:54:41,145 --> 00:54:45,205
Now in our case, they just
dropped into the existing A GM
1160
00:54:45,485 --> 00:54:47,805
batteries that we have and
they'll probably be the
1161
00:54:47,805 --> 00:54:48,925
same on your rig too.
1162
00:54:49,335 --> 00:54:53,125
Battleborn battery experts
can get those in your rig just
1163
00:54:53,125 --> 00:54:54,365
like they did with ours.
1164
00:54:54,365 --> 00:54:56,405
They can also match you
up with the right cabling,
1165
00:54:56,405 --> 00:54:59,725
the inverter, the charger, the
solar controller, everything.
1166
00:55:00,525 --> 00:55:03,485
Jennifer and I swear by
our battle borne batteries,
1167
00:55:03,515 --> 00:55:06,525
they allow us to boondock off the grid.
1168
00:55:06,775 --> 00:55:07,965
Check 'em out. Go
1169
00:55:07,965 --> 00:55:11,125
to rv lifestyle.com/lithium rv
1170
00:55:11,125 --> 00:55:13,285
lifestyle.com/lithium.
1171
00:55:14,615 --> 00:55:17,825
- Alright, it's time now for
the RV question of the week.
1172
00:55:17,845 --> 00:55:20,865
And we wanna remind you that
we love to get your questions
1173
00:55:21,365 --> 00:55:24,025
and your comments and you
can reach us anytime at Mike
1174
00:55:24,045 --> 00:55:27,145
and jen@rvlifestyle.com.
1175
00:55:27,205 --> 00:55:28,225
What's our question this week?
1176
00:55:28,335 --> 00:55:29,905
- Okay, our question is, my husband
1177
00:55:30,085 --> 00:55:32,985
and I wanna start our
retirement with RVing.
1178
00:55:33,645 --> 00:55:36,345
How do we stay safe out there now
1179
00:55:36,655 --> 00:55:38,545
with this open border situation?
1180
00:55:38,885 --> 00:55:41,905
We live in Arizona and
things are really changing.
1181
00:55:42,405 --> 00:55:45,905
We have a dog and we
are both CCW certified.
1182
00:55:46,445 --> 00:55:51,145
Is it worth investing in
all that it entails in RV
1183
00:55:51,145 --> 00:55:53,585
with all the changes in America today?
1184
00:55:53,885 --> 00:55:54,945
And that's Catherine.
1185
00:55:55,605 --> 00:55:56,825
- All right, Catherine. Um,
1186
00:55:57,895 --> 00:56:00,665
granted America certainly
has its share of problems.
1187
00:56:01,485 --> 00:56:04,185
And in Arizona, you know,
closer to the border,
1188
00:56:04,325 --> 00:56:06,905
you certainly are probably
more aware than most people of,
1189
00:56:06,905 --> 00:56:10,305
of all the problems associated
with illegal migration.
1190
00:56:11,605 --> 00:56:14,985
But that said, um, we've
been doing the RV lifestyle
1191
00:56:15,125 --> 00:56:18,425
for more than 12 years now,
and we've traveled repeatedly.
1192
00:56:18,775 --> 00:56:21,545
I've gone from one end of
the country to the other, uh,
1193
00:56:21,905 --> 00:56:25,365
numerous times, and we
have had no time ever
1194
00:56:26,155 --> 00:56:27,445
when we felt unsafe.
1195
00:56:28,625 --> 00:56:30,485
And maybe what about 10 years ago,
1196
00:56:30,505 --> 00:56:32,805
we were eating dinner at
a shopping center on the
1197
00:56:33,525 --> 00:56:35,125
Illinois side of the Mississippi River,
1198
00:56:35,185 --> 00:56:38,605
and our RV was broken into,
we had a lot of, a lot
1199
00:56:38,605 --> 00:56:40,205
of my photo gears, a lot of grease.
1200
00:56:40,425 --> 00:56:43,565
It was taken, but our
insurance covered the loss.
1201
00:56:44,065 --> 00:56:46,925
And that is the only time
we've experienced crime
1202
00:56:47,545 --> 00:56:49,885
in any form in all of our travels.
1203
00:56:50,945 --> 00:56:52,485
So there are yes neighborhoods
1204
00:56:52,585 --> 00:56:54,965
and there's places where it is not safe,
1205
00:56:55,745 --> 00:56:59,365
but those are not the places
that our viewers tend to visit.
1206
00:57:00,705 --> 00:57:03,685
So I guess to answer your question, um, RV
1207
00:57:03,705 --> 00:57:06,085
as a lifestyle is more than worth it.
1208
00:57:06,665 --> 00:57:08,645
Uh, it is, uh, enjoyable.
1209
00:57:08,645 --> 00:57:11,845
It's fulfilling, it's
exciting and it's safe.
1210
00:57:12,545 --> 00:57:15,365
Uh, now I won't even start
to get into the topic
1211
00:57:15,365 --> 00:57:17,725
of concealed weapons or firearms
1212
00:57:17,725 --> 00:57:20,165
and whether you should
carry 'em, that's up to you.
1213
00:57:20,305 --> 00:57:24,245
But I will say that if you
just simply use common sense
1214
00:57:24,265 --> 00:57:25,405
and planning your routes,
1215
00:57:25,465 --> 00:57:28,245
and if you are aware of your surroundings
1216
00:57:28,385 --> 00:57:31,405
and you trust your gut, if
you get in an uneasy feeling,
1217
00:57:31,595 --> 00:57:33,165
just move on If need be.
1218
00:57:33,695 --> 00:57:34,925
We've never had to do that either.
1219
00:57:35,545 --> 00:57:38,085
Um, but America's not unsafe.
1220
00:57:38,425 --> 00:57:43,125
Uh, plan your retirement and
get out there and enjoy it.
1221
00:57:44,185 --> 00:57:45,725
- If you're going to be unsafe,
1222
00:57:45,825 --> 00:57:47,245
you think about going to the mall.
1223
00:57:47,755 --> 00:57:49,125
- Yeah, I mean, there's
1224
00:57:49,125 --> 00:57:52,565
- A lot of places, broad
daylight where it's not safe.
1225
00:57:52,675 --> 00:57:55,085
More so it seems like
in the big cities. But,
1226
00:57:55,085 --> 00:57:57,205
- You know, we, we also
hear about it all the time.
1227
00:57:57,325 --> 00:58:00,045
I mean, we have social media,
we've got neighborhood apps,
1228
00:58:00,145 --> 00:58:03,525
and we've got news media apps screaming
1229
00:58:03,545 --> 00:58:05,165
for attention 24 7.
1230
00:58:05,565 --> 00:58:07,685
Anything happens and, you know, um,
1231
00:58:08,305 --> 00:58:11,885
social media in particular and
false rumors and fake news.
1232
00:58:12,105 --> 00:58:14,725
And yeah, there are problems out there,
1233
00:58:14,825 --> 00:58:18,525
but you can't go around not doing things
1234
00:58:18,525 --> 00:58:19,885
because you're fearful.
1235
00:58:20,865 --> 00:58:24,125
And I don't think that
being fearful of the changes
1236
00:58:24,235 --> 00:58:25,365
that are happening in America
1237
00:58:25,425 --> 00:58:28,765
and there are, uh, is, is, um, justified.
1238
00:58:28,765 --> 00:58:31,085
You're justified in, in changing your
1239
00:58:31,495 --> 00:58:33,085
retirement plans because of it.
1240
00:58:33,785 --> 00:58:36,925
So, and obviously if,
if, if you're fearful
1241
00:58:37,065 --> 00:58:39,165
by all this stuff, then don't do it.
1242
00:58:39,165 --> 00:58:42,285
Stay home. But, uh, I can
just tell you our experience
1243
00:58:42,625 --> 00:58:45,725
and it's, it's safe out there. Right?
1244
00:58:46,195 --> 00:58:48,045
- Just gotta use common sense. Yeah.
1245
00:58:48,575 --> 00:58:50,805
- Which is, well that sense, which isn't
1246
00:58:50,805 --> 00:58:52,005
so common anymore. Right.
1247
00:58:52,565 --> 00:58:54,765
- I was kind of thinking it
must be safe out there,
1248
00:58:55,115 --> 00:58:58,605
- Yeah, kinda. Anyway, Catherine,
go have a great retirement
1249
00:58:58,745 --> 00:59:00,365
and uh, and you will be safe.
1250
00:59:00,635 --> 00:59:02,445
Alright, you got questions
or you got comments?
1251
00:59:02,745 --> 00:59:05,685
You can reach us, Mike
and jen@rvlifestyle.com.
1252
00:59:05,685 --> 00:59:07,725
We love to hear from you.
That's it for this week.
1253
00:59:07,975 --> 00:59:09,045
We'll see you guys down the road.
1254
00:59:09,495 --> 00:59:10,325
- Happy trails.