How to find the perfect camping site this weekend

One of the biggest frustrations we hear from RVers is how difficult and expensive it is to find an RV camping spot, particularly without advance reservations. People are always surprised to learn that, very rarely do Jennifer and I make advance reservations. Yet we almost always find a great spot, whether boondocking or in a commercial or government run campground. Our guest in the interview of the week segment for this episode is Mark Koep, a fulltime RVer who travels with his family in a 44-foot RV. Mark seldom makes reservations either, even though finding spots for his big rig are more challenging than Jennifer and I experience. Mark runs an awesome and totally free website called Campgroundviews.com that makes it easy to find that perfect campsite… without advance reservations. I asked Mark to break it down for us, step-by-step, to show us just how it works. AZLso this week... lots of RV News… RV Lifestyle tips, Q&A and a great off the beaten path report from the Burketts. Show Notes for Episode #258 September 4, 2019 of The RV Podcast: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK We’re coming to you this week from the beautiful Emerald Coast in the Northwest Florida panhandle. We had a great meet and greet gathering Sunday in the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The weather has been very hot and humid but very beautiful. We’re getting ready for the fall RV show season. It starts next week in Hershey, PA, where we’ll be attending what is billed as America’s Largest RV Show. We’ll be looking at all the new RVs and doing meet and greets. If you’re attending Hershey we’ll be hanging out with our friends at the Leisure Travel Vans display there so come by and say hello. RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK MIKE Electric bikes now permitted on national park trails under new presidential order Did you hear that electric bikes will soon be permitted on trails in the U.S. National Parks? Last week President Donald Trump signed an order permitting e-bikes to be classified the same as bicycles so they can go on every federal trail regular bikes use. E-bikes are bicycles that are powered by petals and a battery to assist people who are older, have a disability, or maybe would just like a little assistance with pedaling. The move was opposed by many hiking, horse-riding and other outdoor groups who are concerned the electric powered bikes would cause people to go too fast and fundamentally change the experience on the trails. Personally Jennifer and I have had Rad Power Bikes for some time and we really enjoy them. We use them as regular bicycles, and only use the assistance when we need a little help. Here is a video we did some time back explaining how the bikes work. JENNIFER Don't get caught speeding in Yosemite National Park's new wildlife protection zones If you're heading to Yosemite National Park this fall be on the lookout for signs marking wildlife protection zones. So far this year 11 bears have been hit by vehicles in the park. The zones were established to reduce collisions with wildlife, be it bears, butterflies, foxes, deer or other creatures. The wildlife protection zones will have a slower speed limit and officials will be strictly enforcing it in the hopes of preventing more loss of life. MIKE Article shows how the early days of RV camping began A fun article looking at camping 100 years ago captured my attention last week. The article, complete with pictures, talked about "Tin Can Tourists" and the early days of RV traveling. It showed how when cars were new, the national parks didn't have official campgrounds. People could just drive in and set up camp wherever - even on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It was a fun read and got me thinking back to the amazing display of early campers at the RV Hall of Fame and Museum. We did an article on it here, and highly recommend a visit. JENNIFER Water pipe break at Grand Canyon National Park places entire park, including campgrounds, on water conservation mode A pipeline break in Grand Canyon National Park caused the park to EDIT EDIT EDIT mandate strict water conservation measures in both the north and south rims that include eliminating water services at some of the campgrounds. The break happened last Thursday and until it is fixed, the entire park will be on conservation mode. The pipeline provides water to both the park's 6 million annual visitors and some 2,500 park residents. EDIT EDIT EDIT If you're heading that way this week, be sure to check in with the park for the latest on the water situation. MIKE RV News Shorts, Tips, and Reviews Zion National Park closes popular trail indefinitely following a rock slide that injured three visitors Yellowstone National Park's Mammoth Hotel reopens after 4 year, $30 million renovation Rocky Mountain National Park officials propose several price changes including raising camping fees to $30 a night (from $26 per night) during summer season This part of the podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes, an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK Question: Hello, my question regards RV names …class ABC. Why is it class B smaller than a Class A and Class C …like A should be the biggest and C should be the smallest. Love to hear from you. Love your show. Thank you. Bye. Answer: Here’s a link to a playlist on our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel showing all the dufferent classes of RVs - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLomKLKY-E0ScoGYTVWDsXgfnejcFAEdK1 Here’s a video we did on What is a Class A Motorhome? – https://youtu.be/Uuzd38tSWLQ Here’s a video we did on What is a Class B Motorhome? – https://youtu.be/kHnlxv7Gjyo Here’s a video we did on What is a Class B+ Motorhome – https://youtu.be/aa8LeQwJqU4 Here’s a video we did on What is a Class C Motorhome? https://youtu.be/aa8LeQwJqU4 Question: Yes, Mike. Thank you for the information about Channel 13 on the CB being used for RVs. I was wondering if it's possible to also use the new family channels or the GMRS channels …possibly figure out which one might work for RV travels. Also the VHF ham Channel Simplex. A lot of people don't know about it. Just another possibility for traveling across the nation. Thank you. Answer: Here’s a link discussing about the Family Radio Service and the General radio Service - https://midlandusa.com/gmrs-or-frs-radio-how-to-choose/ Here’s a link to more info on the General Mobile Radio Service - https://midlandusa.com/why-do-i-need-a-gmrs-license-how-do-i-get-it/ Question: Mike and Jennifer, this is Doug. That's not too far away down in Hartville, Ohio, and I just wanted to drop a note to you. Just got done listening recently to your most recent podcast about with a question from a listener about firearms in the motorhome and carrying those and the legality of it and just wanted to make a couple of comments One mic. I thought you did an absolutely superb job of handling a potentially controversial Topic in just an excellent manner. No pros and cons here is here the facts and it made me think of a resource that that I was made aware of. I have no connection with this particular guide. I just I just found it to be extremely helpful in and looking at all of these issues associated with firearms in a motorhome. And I thought I would pass it on so you might be able to pass it on to your readers for those that are interested in this particular topic. You can find this particular book on Amazon. It's called the 2019 Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States. It is produced annually an updated annually by the author J. Scott. Kappas as in attorney here in the United States and specializes in partner arm and it is a very, very thorough guide covering all 50 states and covers everything from carrying transporting weapons ownership of firearms, the permit reciprocity, loaded versus unloaded traffic stops, motor home and RV issues, just a whole plethora of really valuable information to keep anybody who's interested in this topic on the right side of the law, which we all know is extremely important. And again, just wanted to say thank you for all you guys do for your podcast. I enjoy listening to it every week and look forward to the new episodes coming out and just thought I would pass on a little tip that some of your listeners might be interested in and find useful and from there. It will say. Thank you and have a great day. Answer: Here’s a link to the book the caller referenced - 2019 Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States Do you have a question you’d like us to answer, or a comment on the things we’re discussing. If so, we invite you to leave us that question or comment on the special voicemail number we have for the podcast – it’s 586-372-6990. If you are driving and can’t write it down right now, just go to the RV Lifestyle travel blog at rvlifestyle.com and scroll down the page. You’ll see that number prominently posted on the blog. This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Battle Born Batteries, maker of quality, safe and reliable lithium batteries that can be installed in just about every RV. Get in touch with Battle Born to find out what lithium batteries and an upgraded energy management system can add to your RV Lifestyle. Check them out at https://rvlifestyle.com/lithium RV INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK Mark Koep and family have been fulltiming for 10 years One of the biggest frustrations we hear from RVers is how difficult and expensive it is to find an RV camping spot, particularly without advance reservations. People are always surprised to learn that, very rarely do Jennifer and I make advance reservations. Yet we almost always find a great spot, whether boondocking or in a commercial or government run campground. Our guest in the interview of the week segment for this episode is Mark Koep,