Is it safe to camp at Walmart?

1
00:00:00,315 --> 00:00:01,885
- This week on the RV podcast,

2
00:00:02,705 --> 00:00:05,285
- In the interview of
the week segment tech,

3
00:00:05,355 --> 00:00:09,685
talk about lithium batteries,
how to replace your a GM

4
00:00:09,685 --> 00:00:12,605
or your wet cell batteries,
how to pair lithium with solar,

5
00:00:13,065 --> 00:00:16,365
and what you need for
cabling and, and inverter.

6
00:00:17,195 --> 00:00:18,605
- Yellowstone National Park.

7
00:00:18,715 --> 00:00:21,005
Just reopened for the new season.

8
00:00:21,345 --> 00:00:25,965
And already there's been a
turon incident, a tourist moron

9
00:00:26,025 --> 00:00:28,845
who dangerously messed with the wildlife.

10
00:00:29,345 --> 00:00:31,645
- And we introduced a
new segment at the end

11
00:00:31,645 --> 00:00:33,605
of the podcast this week, Mike

12
00:00:33,625 --> 00:00:38,005
and Jen's story, time in
which we share, uh, the tales

13
00:00:38,225 --> 00:00:42,085
and lessons we've learned from
our many years on the road.

14
00:00:42,755 --> 00:00:45,845
This week we're gonna talk
about the time we were robbed

15
00:00:47,225 --> 00:00:49,365
- All this plus the RV News of the week.

16
00:00:49,545 --> 00:00:53,285
And your questions
coming up in episode 4 96

17
00:00:53,585 --> 00:00:55,045
of the RV podcast.

18
00:01:11,735 --> 00:01:13,525
- Hello everybody. I'm Mike Gwendolyn

19
00:01:13,625 --> 00:01:16,525
and this is my lifelong
traveling companion

20
00:01:16,665 --> 00:01:18,645
and my bride Jennifer.

21
00:01:19,125 --> 00:01:22,085
I wanna remind you that you can
watch the video version, uh,

22
00:01:22,355 --> 00:01:25,485
from, uh, our RV
lifestyle YouTube channel.

23
00:01:26,065 --> 00:01:27,285
And, uh, both the video

24
00:01:27,345 --> 00:01:30,005
and audio version are
also available on our RV

25
00:01:30,005 --> 00:01:31,645
lifestyle blog.

26
00:01:32,385 --> 00:01:34,805
And, uh, we have a new feature on the blog

27
00:01:34,835 --> 00:01:36,205
with the, uh, audio version.

28
00:01:36,305 --> 00:01:37,645
We now have closed captioning,

29
00:01:37,645 --> 00:01:39,805
so you can actually get a full transcript

30
00:01:40,185 --> 00:01:41,485
of everything we say on it,

31
00:01:41,545 --> 00:01:43,845
and you can follow along
in real time if you listen

32
00:01:43,865 --> 00:01:46,045
to it@rvlifestyle.com.

33
00:01:46,305 --> 00:01:47,685
And of course, we're available on all

34
00:01:47,685 --> 00:01:50,125
of your favorite podcast apps as well.

35
00:01:50,345 --> 00:01:54,405
And we invite you to subscribe
if you have not already.

36
00:01:55,345 --> 00:01:58,205
We hope that you are
enjoying our RV podcast

37
00:01:58,425 --> 00:02:01,205
and you find a lot of value in the content

38
00:02:01,355 --> 00:02:04,405
that we have been producing
almost 500 episodes now.

39
00:02:04,465 --> 00:02:07,765
We try and create episodes
that inform and entertain

40
00:02:07,905 --> 00:02:11,685
and inspire our community of
RV enthusiasts like yourself.

41
00:02:12,385 --> 00:02:13,765
If you've been enjoying our podcast

42
00:02:14,025 --> 00:02:17,805
and you find it helpful, would
you mind just take a moment

43
00:02:17,945 --> 00:02:19,285
and leave us a review?

44
00:02:19,555 --> 00:02:22,645
Your feedback is incredibly valuable to us

45
00:02:22,665 --> 00:02:24,765
and it helps others discover our podcast.

46
00:02:25,745 --> 00:02:28,405
And if you feel we deserve
a five star rating,

47
00:02:28,515 --> 00:02:30,405
we'd be grateful for your support.

48
00:02:31,035 --> 00:02:33,405
Your positive review not only motivates us

49
00:02:33,425 --> 00:02:37,205
to keep improving, but
it also assists fellow RV

50
00:02:37,765 --> 00:02:39,685
enthusiasts in finding quality content.

51
00:02:40,065 --> 00:02:43,085
So thank you for being a
part of our podcast community

52
00:02:43,085 --> 00:02:44,365
and we want you to know

53
00:02:44,365 --> 00:02:47,565
how much we appreciate
your ongoing support.

54
00:02:48,705 --> 00:02:51,445
So there you go. And we're
excited about a new segment

55
00:02:51,445 --> 00:02:52,845
that we're gonna introduce this week.

56
00:02:52,985 --> 00:02:57,325
Uh, Mike and Jen's story Time,
no, you don't need a blankie,

57
00:02:57,565 --> 00:02:58,565
, anything like that.

58
00:02:59,185 --> 00:03:02,005
Um, but this comes from a lot
of feedback that we've gotten,

59
00:03:02,265 --> 00:03:05,045
uh, from our team and
from you over the years.

60
00:03:05,625 --> 00:03:08,045
Uh, we have a lot of
stories, a lot of tales

61
00:03:08,075 --> 00:03:09,485
that we've learned from the road

62
00:03:09,705 --> 00:03:11,605
and, uh, things from our experience.

63
00:03:11,985 --> 00:03:14,485
Uh, so we're gonna tell
some stories, uh, try

64
00:03:14,485 --> 00:03:16,605
and put 'em at the end
of the podcast each week.

65
00:03:17,665 --> 00:03:20,125
And, uh, when you go to rv lifestyle.com,

66
00:03:20,625 --> 00:03:22,205
you can see we have different chapters

67
00:03:22,225 --> 00:03:23,765
and different places where you can go

68
00:03:23,825 --> 00:03:25,765
and you can jump right
ahead to whatever segment

69
00:03:25,825 --> 00:03:27,645
of this podcast you want to hear.

70
00:03:27,945 --> 00:03:30,405
- So I'm wondering if anybody
else is going camping.

71
00:03:30,405 --> 00:03:31,445
This Mother's Day weekend,

72
00:03:31,825 --> 00:03:35,085
we got the Montana Hike
Country fifth Wheel

73
00:03:36,485 --> 00:03:40,245
already sparkled and ready to
go load up the refrigerator

74
00:03:40,385 --> 00:03:41,725
and we are ready to launch.

75
00:03:41,995 --> 00:03:44,525
- Yeah, I just turned on
the refrigerator. Good job.

76
00:03:44,635 --> 00:03:46,965
Nice and cold. 'cause I saw
you put some stuff already in.

77
00:03:46,965 --> 00:03:50,285
Maybe we're gonna actually be
able to get the thing loaded

78
00:03:50,425 --> 00:03:52,005
and not have to do it at the last minute.

79
00:03:52,705 --> 00:03:55,725
Um, I also did, uh, I went
out there with my, uh,

80
00:03:56,205 --> 00:03:57,445
Milwaukee air compressor

81
00:03:57,505 --> 00:03:59,445
and I, uh, set all the tires

82
00:03:59,665 --> 00:04:01,525
to the proper cold temperature reading.

83
00:04:02,065 --> 00:04:03,125
And, you know, this is something

84
00:04:03,125 --> 00:04:05,605
that you should do in
your RV before every trip,

85
00:04:05,665 --> 00:04:07,805
but especially towards
the start of the season.

86
00:04:07,945 --> 00:04:11,205
Go check the air pressure
in your RV tires, make sure

87
00:04:11,835 --> 00:04:13,005
that they are set to

88
00:04:13,125 --> 00:04:16,605
what the little sticker you
have on your RV says is the

89
00:04:16,755 --> 00:04:18,645
cold pressure setting.

90
00:04:18,905 --> 00:04:22,205
And, uh, ours is 110
pounds per square inch.

91
00:04:22,505 --> 00:04:24,085
And I set it all at 110.

92
00:04:24,085 --> 00:04:26,205
They were pretty close to that, uh, even

93
00:04:26,215 --> 00:04:28,165
after being in storage for, well,

94
00:04:28,175 --> 00:04:30,325
we've only had it in storage
for about three weeks, four,

95
00:04:30,325 --> 00:04:32,445
5:00 PM But, uh, it's been pretty good.

96
00:04:33,185 --> 00:04:36,005
- And I was really proud of you
when you took everything out

97
00:04:36,005 --> 00:04:40,165
of the storage areas
and, uh, reorganized it

98
00:04:40,225 --> 00:04:41,645
and weeded out a few things.

99
00:04:42,205 --> 00:04:43,765
I I was very pleased about that.

100
00:04:43,945 --> 00:04:48,525
And I went through our
closets and looked over things

101
00:04:48,745 --> 00:04:49,805
and thought, what do we need?

102
00:04:49,835 --> 00:04:50,885
What do we don't need?

103
00:04:50,955 --> 00:04:55,885
When you begin in springtime,
it's time to wash everything

104
00:04:55,905 --> 00:04:56,965
and get her ready to go.

105
00:04:57,435 --> 00:04:59,405
- Yeah, I did that pass through section.

106
00:04:59,425 --> 00:05:00,845
Mm-Hmm, ,
which I had just been kind

107
00:05:00,845 --> 00:05:01,925
of like throwing stuff in.

108
00:05:01,925 --> 00:05:04,285
Yeah. And it's easy to,
I now have all my tools

109
00:05:04,425 --> 00:05:06,885
and all the little things that
you need, you know, like, uh,

110
00:05:07,445 --> 00:05:09,805
adapters for the power,
I got 'em all in a bin.

111
00:05:10,385 --> 00:05:13,325
Uh, I've got, uh, everything
kind of organized pretty well.

112
00:05:13,525 --> 00:05:14,525
I got another chair

113
00:05:14,525 --> 00:05:17,405
or two I wanna put in for
your Mother's Day trips. Ah,

114
00:05:17,505 --> 00:05:18,505
- Sounds good.

115
00:05:18,505 --> 00:05:20,845
- You are gonna need a, a
look at the sky chair. I hope

116
00:05:20,845 --> 00:05:21,845
- So.

117
00:05:21,845 --> 00:05:22,885
I hope I got a little
time to look at the sky.

118
00:05:23,585 --> 00:05:25,965
- So, listen, we are
really excited by some

119
00:05:25,965 --> 00:05:27,965
of the video content that we have planned.

120
00:05:28,065 --> 00:05:32,205
We had, we've had almost a
quarter million people watch the

121
00:05:32,205 --> 00:05:35,445
series of Class B reviews that we did, uh,

122
00:05:35,515 --> 00:05:37,285
with our friend Nick at Sunshine State

123
00:05:37,585 --> 00:05:38,965
RVs a month or so ago.

124
00:05:39,765 --> 00:05:42,205
I mean, that's a lot. A
quarter million reviews, uh,

125
00:05:42,215 --> 00:05:45,805
views on the views on
our reviews, .

126
00:05:46,305 --> 00:05:47,725
And, uh, so we're going

127
00:05:47,725 --> 00:05:50,765
to follow your request
and we're gonna do more.

128
00:05:51,545 --> 00:05:53,005
Um, we're gonna do more

129
00:05:53,005 --> 00:05:55,245
with Nick throughout the, uh, the year.

130
00:05:55,505 --> 00:05:58,485
Uh, but we also, um, uh,

131
00:05:58,575 --> 00:06:00,645
we'll announce all the details next week,

132
00:06:00,745 --> 00:06:03,765
but we're going to be, uh,
doing a series of reviews

133
00:06:04,665 --> 00:06:07,565
on a very popular subsection of the class.

134
00:06:07,725 --> 00:06:11,245
A market, small class a's under 30 feet.

135
00:06:11,785 --> 00:06:14,285
So we're gonna review
several of those, uh,

136
00:06:14,285 --> 00:06:16,365
which is something you've asked us to do.

137
00:06:16,745 --> 00:06:20,165
And then we are also going to
be reviewing some class Cs,

138
00:06:20,785 --> 00:06:24,525
uh, thanks to our friends at
General rv, uh, which, uh,

139
00:06:24,905 --> 00:06:27,045
we are anxious to try these all out

140
00:06:27,065 --> 00:06:29,645
and learn about both of
those through experience

141
00:06:29,665 --> 00:06:30,885
and tell you about 'em as well.

142
00:06:31,945 --> 00:06:35,885
And, um, we're gonna do some
more Class Bs, uh, this very

143
00:06:36,475 --> 00:06:38,845
weekend if you are watching this.

144
00:06:38,955 --> 00:06:41,685
This is May 8th as this
episode's being released.

145
00:06:42,345 --> 00:06:45,045
And, uh, over on Saturday of this week,

146
00:06:45,495 --> 00:06:49,285
we'll be releasing our
very detailed, uh, review

147
00:06:49,385 --> 00:06:51,005
of the Brinkley rv.

148
00:06:51,835 --> 00:06:54,605
Frankly, we visited their campus,

149
00:06:54,935 --> 00:06:58,725
their complex near Elkhart in, uh, Goshen,

150
00:06:58,725 --> 00:06:59,805
Indiana last week.

151
00:07:00,065 --> 00:07:02,325
And we toured one of
their, uh, their leading,

152
00:07:02,545 --> 00:07:03,605
uh, fifth wheel plants.

153
00:07:04,305 --> 00:07:05,565
We tracked down an owner

154
00:07:05,665 --> 00:07:08,165
and got some answer to a
lot of rumors about 'em,

155
00:07:08,165 --> 00:07:09,725
and we're really excited about this video.

156
00:07:09,755 --> 00:07:11,125
Plus we did our review.

157
00:07:11,265 --> 00:07:13,885
So, uh, if you've been
curious about the Brinkley,

158
00:07:13,885 --> 00:07:15,285
make sure you tune in Saturday.

159
00:07:15,705 --> 00:07:17,685
So we have a lot to do.

160
00:07:18,195 --> 00:07:20,685
Plus we got our gathering
coming up in, uh,

161
00:07:20,685 --> 00:07:23,125
just about a month now in Ship Siana.

162
00:07:23,505 --> 00:07:26,605
That's gonna be fun. We're
gonna do our gather grooving,

163
00:07:26,605 --> 00:07:28,405
gather with the temptations.

164
00:07:29,065 --> 00:07:30,925
So that's what we have been up to.

165
00:07:31,625 --> 00:07:32,685
We should also tell people we

166
00:07:32,685 --> 00:07:33,805
wanna get mail from 'em, right?

167
00:07:34,265 --> 00:07:37,725
- We certainly do. So,
uh, send us emails at Mike

168
00:07:37,745 --> 00:07:40,045
and janet rv lifestyle.com.

169
00:07:40,435 --> 00:07:42,485
- Yeah, comments, email,
whatever you like.

170
00:07:42,945 --> 00:07:46,765
And we put a site, a, a space on our, uh,

171
00:07:46,765 --> 00:07:50,725
new RV lifestyle
community@community.rvlifestyle.com,

172
00:07:50,895 --> 00:07:53,925
where you can actually post
questions that you would like us

173
00:07:53,945 --> 00:07:56,165
to answer, uh, on the podcast.

174
00:07:56,665 --> 00:07:59,885
And we will draw those questions
right from there as well,

175
00:08:00,105 --> 00:08:01,965
as well as the email that people send us.

176
00:08:02,025 --> 00:08:05,685
So, alright, when we come back,
we've got the social media

177
00:08:06,195 --> 00:08:08,165
news, the buzz of the week.

178
00:08:08,385 --> 00:08:09,485
So stay with us.

179
00:08:10,135 --> 00:08:12,085
After countless nights on the road,

180
00:08:12,225 --> 00:08:15,365
we have finally found the
ultimate comfort solution

181
00:08:15,785 --> 00:08:17,565
for our home, away from home.

182
00:08:18,025 --> 00:08:22,405
Our RV mattress from rv
mattress.com/rv lifestyle.

183
00:08:22,945 --> 00:08:25,125
Now, let me tell you,
this is a game changer.

184
00:08:25,675 --> 00:08:28,085
Everybody knows that the stock mattresses

185
00:08:28,085 --> 00:08:30,885
that come in an RV are not great.

186
00:08:31,385 --> 00:08:33,005
And whether you are a weekend warrior

187
00:08:33,225 --> 00:08:36,005
or a full-timer, you deserve better sleep.

188
00:08:36,825 --> 00:08:40,405
RV mattress.com has 22 plus size options,

189
00:08:40,795 --> 00:08:43,965
five height options, and
three firmness options.

190
00:08:44,145 --> 00:08:47,245
So you are bound to find
something that fits.

191
00:08:48,085 --> 00:08:51,205
Jennifer and I got the signature
hybrid mattress in Queen

192
00:08:51,555 --> 00:08:52,725
with the cooling cover.

193
00:08:53,065 --> 00:08:54,405
And we love it.

194
00:08:54,785 --> 00:08:56,685
It truly has us sleeping just

195
00:08:56,705 --> 00:08:58,445
as good in the RV as our house.

196
00:08:58,945 --> 00:09:02,405
In fact, so good. We actually
got another RV mattress

197
00:09:02,545 --> 00:09:04,245
for our sticks and bricks house.

198
00:09:04,865 --> 00:09:07,725
Now swapping out the
uncomfortable old stock mattress

199
00:09:07,825 --> 00:09:09,925
for our new RV mattress was easy.

200
00:09:10,305 --> 00:09:12,605
It shipped from Arizona for free in a box.

201
00:09:12,905 --> 00:09:15,685
We brought it into the
RV and never looked back.

202
00:09:16,075 --> 00:09:18,365
This RV mattress is plush comfort.

203
00:09:18,745 --> 00:09:22,565
The best sleep we've ever had
in an RV every night feels

204
00:09:22,595 --> 00:09:24,325
like a luxury retreat.

205
00:09:24,585 --> 00:09:26,805
And we highly recommend upgrading your

206
00:09:27,085 --> 00:09:28,965
mattress@rvmattress.com.

207
00:09:29,535 --> 00:09:31,685
Trust us, you will not regret it.

208
00:09:31,905 --> 00:09:34,765
And if you use the
promo code RV lifestyle,

209
00:09:34,985 --> 00:09:37,125
you'll get a really nice discount.

210
00:09:37,695 --> 00:09:42,165
Again, go to rv mattress.com/rv Lifestyle.

211
00:09:45,235 --> 00:09:48,375
We just heard about a
land offering out west for

212
00:09:48,915 --> 00:09:50,335
RVs in Arizona.

213
00:09:50,925 --> 00:09:53,535
They're selling five acre RV ranches,

214
00:09:53,775 --> 00:09:56,055
starting at only $49,900.

215
00:09:56,715 --> 00:09:58,975
The company offering it is affiliated

216
00:09:59,085 --> 00:10:00,175
with the people Jennifer

217
00:10:00,315 --> 00:10:02,535
and I bought our Tennessee property from.

218
00:10:02,765 --> 00:10:05,735
They do a great job. It looks amazing.

219
00:10:06,035 --> 00:10:08,975
It is at high elevation, so
you get cooler temperatures,

220
00:10:09,475 --> 00:10:12,855
big mountain views, juniper
trees, and green grasses.

221
00:10:13,395 --> 00:10:15,095
And it is near everything.

222
00:10:15,315 --> 00:10:18,415
The Grand Canyon Lake Havasu, Kingman,

223
00:10:18,765 --> 00:10:20,415
Flagstaff, and Sedona.

224
00:10:21,045 --> 00:10:22,055
It's a perfect place

225
00:10:22,055 --> 00:10:23,815
to have a home base to explore the west.

226
00:10:23,835 --> 00:10:26,975
And it is right off Famous Route 66.

227
00:10:27,805 --> 00:10:29,615
It's called Greenwood Ranches.

228
00:10:29,715 --> 00:10:32,495
And this is the second and
final section of the community.

229
00:10:32,995 --> 00:10:35,055
We met the sales manager, really nice guy.

230
00:10:35,395 --> 00:10:37,175
He bought a property for his RV

231
00:10:37,235 --> 00:10:39,375
and he's building a container home on it.

232
00:10:39,825 --> 00:10:42,295
Check out their website for a video tour

233
00:10:42,395 --> 00:10:43,815
and showing availability.

234
00:10:43,965 --> 00:10:45,135
It's pretty incredible.

235
00:10:45,665 --> 00:10:47,615
Visit the website to get details

236
00:10:47,715 --> 00:10:51,215
and set up a showing Arizona RV land.net.

237
00:10:51,555 --> 00:10:54,295
That's Arizona rv land.net.

238
00:10:56,525 --> 00:10:59,935
Welcome everybody. Time now
for the social media buzz.

239
00:11:00,515 --> 00:11:02,375
- And we've got Wendy Boyer

240
00:11:02,435 --> 00:11:05,695
who reports on the hot issues
most talked about this past

241
00:11:05,725 --> 00:11:07,655
week on the social media

242
00:11:07,875 --> 00:11:10,015
and our RV lifestyle community group.

243
00:11:10,155 --> 00:11:12,775
So every week we get to learn
something from Wendy. So

244
00:11:12,775 --> 00:11:14,375
- What are they talking about this week?

245
00:11:15,235 --> 00:11:18,935
- Hi everybody. Over in our
RV lifestyle community general

246
00:11:18,945 --> 00:11:20,015
discussion space.

247
00:11:20,195 --> 00:11:24,375
Tim recently asked, if you're
going on an extended RV trip,

248
00:11:24,715 --> 00:11:26,535
how do you get your prescriptions filled?

249
00:11:26,955 --> 00:11:29,855
So Tim's insurance only
permits 90 day refills.

250
00:11:29,855 --> 00:11:31,055
And you can imagine how tricky

251
00:11:31,055 --> 00:11:33,335
that can be depending upon
the length of your trip

252
00:11:33,835 --> 00:11:35,335
and, uh, the length of your prescription.

253
00:11:35,795 --> 00:11:38,015
So, lots of good tips
for Tim here. Richard.

254
00:11:38,155 --> 00:11:40,215
He shared some options if Tim's a veteran

255
00:11:41,115 --> 00:11:44,215
and then Dennis, he
suggested Walgreens or CVS.

256
00:11:44,215 --> 00:11:45,975
And in fact, that's what Robin uses.

257
00:11:45,995 --> 00:11:48,935
Um, she uses CVS and she
said it's super easy.

258
00:11:49,365 --> 00:11:50,735
They transfer your prescription

259
00:11:50,735 --> 00:11:51,975
to wherever you are on the road

260
00:11:52,035 --> 00:11:53,765
and then when you're
home, it gets transferred

261
00:11:53,765 --> 00:11:54,925
back no problem.

262
00:11:55,625 --> 00:11:57,925
And Arvis said Walmart, pharmacies

263
00:11:57,925 --> 00:11:59,165
and also another good option.

264
00:11:59,365 --> 00:12:00,645
'cause let's face it,
it seems like there's

265
00:12:00,645 --> 00:12:01,885
Walmart's just about everywhere.

266
00:12:02,025 --> 00:12:04,245
So some good tips there for Tim.

267
00:12:04,945 --> 00:12:06,645
And then also in our community.

268
00:12:06,785 --> 00:12:09,685
And we have a new space
called Weather for our Vs.

269
00:12:09,945 --> 00:12:13,845
And let's face it, this
is a really big deal, um,

270
00:12:13,985 --> 00:12:15,205
not only on travel days,

271
00:12:15,225 --> 00:12:16,405
but if you're in a location

272
00:12:16,405 --> 00:12:18,605
that's gonna be really
hard hit by a storm.

273
00:12:18,715 --> 00:12:20,005
It's just good to know this.

274
00:12:20,625 --> 00:12:23,685
Um, so with all the crazy weather
this country's been having

275
00:12:23,685 --> 00:12:26,485
lately with tornadoes and
flooding and hailstorms

276
00:12:26,545 --> 00:12:29,645
and winds, this group's
been really busy ever

277
00:12:29,645 --> 00:12:30,845
since we created it.

278
00:12:31,265 --> 00:12:32,485
Um, Chris has been great.

279
00:12:32,555 --> 00:12:35,405
He's been sharing some real
time alerts for folks out there.

280
00:12:35,745 --> 00:12:38,325
And Brenda and Mark, they've
shared some really helpful info

281
00:12:38,345 --> 00:12:40,565
too, especially about strong winds.

282
00:12:40,945 --> 00:12:43,885
And we even had a post from
Chris, um, outta Texas.

283
00:12:43,975 --> 00:12:46,765
There was a picture of this
hand holding, three hail ball,

284
00:12:47,035 --> 00:12:48,965
hail balls, I'm gonna call 'em.

285
00:12:49,665 --> 00:12:52,845
And these hail things
were so big he could,

286
00:12:52,905 --> 00:12:54,685
the whoever was holding 'em could

287
00:12:54,685 --> 00:12:55,805
only have three in his hand.

288
00:12:56,005 --> 00:12:57,965
'cause these things were
the size of baseballs.

289
00:12:58,085 --> 00:12:59,925
I can only imagine the
damage they would do.

290
00:13:00,545 --> 00:13:04,045
So again, if you are
conscious of the weather,

291
00:13:04,345 --> 00:13:06,365
you really need to check that out, um,

292
00:13:06,505 --> 00:13:08,125
in our, in our new community.

293
00:13:09,025 --> 00:13:11,245
And then meanwhile over
in our Facebook group,

294
00:13:11,245 --> 00:13:12,605
things are busy as always.

295
00:13:12,825 --> 00:13:14,365
Um, we had a post from Kay

296
00:13:14,585 --> 00:13:16,845
and she wrote, I wanna make a list

297
00:13:16,905 --> 00:13:20,245
of things we absolutely have
to do when breaking camp.

298
00:13:20,785 --> 00:13:22,045
We know to dump the tanks,

299
00:13:22,065 --> 00:13:24,565
but what are things we dare not forget?

300
00:13:25,305 --> 00:13:26,885
Um, so this was a great question.

301
00:13:27,065 --> 00:13:30,485
You know, many recommended
Kay create a list of

302
00:13:30,515 --> 00:13:33,925
what she needs to do during
the tear down, um, specific

303
00:13:33,985 --> 00:13:36,005
for her rig and then keep it on her phone

304
00:13:36,145 --> 00:13:38,445
or print it, laminate it
and keep it in her rig.

305
00:13:38,745 --> 00:13:40,285
But there were lots of things that were

306
00:13:40,915 --> 00:13:42,325
advised from many people.

307
00:13:42,625 --> 00:13:44,365
Um, so I wanna share a
few of them with you.

308
00:13:44,785 --> 00:13:46,565
Uh, many said, make sure, number one,

309
00:13:46,585 --> 00:13:49,725
you clear all those small
items from your tables

310
00:13:49,745 --> 00:13:51,405
and countertops so they don't roll

311
00:13:51,465 --> 00:13:53,165
and fall around when you travel.

312
00:13:54,305 --> 00:13:58,005
Put down any antenna,
close your roof vents,

313
00:13:58,645 --> 00:14:01,245
rinse the sewer line, lock the fridge.

314
00:14:01,475 --> 00:14:03,085
Many said this is so important.

315
00:14:03,155 --> 00:14:04,925
Just one time of forgetting to do this

316
00:14:05,025 --> 00:14:06,125
and seeing the mess

317
00:14:06,145 --> 00:14:08,445
of all your fridge items
spilled on the floor,

318
00:14:08,545 --> 00:14:09,645
you'll never forget again.

319
00:14:09,705 --> 00:14:13,525
So lock that fridge, drain your
hose before putting it away.

320
00:14:14,095 --> 00:14:16,485
Check your tire pressure
before you hit the road.

321
00:14:16,995 --> 00:14:19,525
Make sure your jacks
are up, your awnings in.

322
00:14:20,185 --> 00:14:22,845
And then if you use leveler pads,

323
00:14:23,355 --> 00:14:25,285
make sure you don't leave those behind.

324
00:14:25,665 --> 00:14:27,285
So, great suggestions.

325
00:14:27,465 --> 00:14:30,045
Um, but what, what else should she know?

326
00:14:30,045 --> 00:14:32,325
What else do you have out
there for Kay to remember?

327
00:14:32,885 --> 00:14:35,405
I love to hear it. And, uh,
that's it for me this week.

328
00:14:35,505 --> 00:14:38,645
I'm Wendy Boyer and I'll see
you either at the RV lifestyle

329
00:14:38,645 --> 00:14:40,605
community or Facebook group.

330
00:14:40,915 --> 00:14:42,125
- Well, thank you very much Wendy.

331
00:14:42,505 --> 00:14:45,205
And, uh, always fun to hear
what everybody's talking about

332
00:14:45,505 --> 00:14:47,965
and talk about they do
on our every lifestyle

333
00:14:47,965 --> 00:14:49,285
community and Facebook group.

334
00:14:49,385 --> 00:14:50,925
Oh, I mean, there's

335
00:14:51,045 --> 00:14:52,045
- Always good things,

336
00:14:52,105 --> 00:14:55,485
but this week, the weather,
which is, uh, something

337
00:14:55,485 --> 00:14:57,365
that you need to know about
when you're out there on the

338
00:14:57,365 --> 00:14:59,285
road and getting prescriptions.

339
00:14:59,425 --> 00:15:01,685
You know, not everybody
has traveled that much

340
00:15:01,705 --> 00:15:04,005
and they don't know how
to get prescriptions.

341
00:15:04,105 --> 00:15:06,045
And there was some really good advice.

342
00:15:06,145 --> 00:15:08,565
And I gotta tell you, I
never thought about Walmart

343
00:15:09,265 --> 00:15:10,885
for my, uh, prescriptions.

344
00:15:10,955 --> 00:15:12,325
I've thought about CVS

345
00:15:12,465 --> 00:15:14,405
and Walgreens 'cause
they're the two biggest

346
00:15:14,765 --> 00:15:15,765
- Pharmacy.

347
00:15:15,765 --> 00:15:17,845
That would be one of our stories.
Our RV lifestyle stories.

348
00:15:17,915 --> 00:15:19,165
Mike and Jen's story time.

349
00:15:19,215 --> 00:15:21,165
We'll talk about prescriptions someday.

350
00:15:21,605 --> 00:15:23,285
'cause you have certainly had

351
00:15:23,805 --> 00:15:26,325
prescriptions filled
across the country. Oh

352
00:15:26,325 --> 00:15:27,325
- Yeah.

353
00:15:27,325 --> 00:15:32,085
And uh, and then also
the, um, making a list

354
00:15:32,345 --> 00:15:34,365
of things that when you leave,

355
00:15:35,355 --> 00:15:38,005
because we have, I mean, we have left

356
00:15:38,005 --> 00:15:40,685
that vent up on the top
and driven down the road.

357
00:15:40,885 --> 00:15:42,205
I don't know how long

358
00:15:42,205 --> 00:15:44,045
before we realize something's not right.

359
00:15:44,045 --> 00:15:45,845
It doesn't sound quite right. Yes,

360
00:15:45,865 --> 00:15:48,845
- We have - Have we and leading
things on the counter that

361
00:15:49,425 --> 00:15:52,245
not checking and 'cause it'll roll off

362
00:15:52,385 --> 00:15:55,045
and Paul can testify to that

363
00:15:55,145 --> 00:15:57,645
and so can tie his predecessor,

364
00:15:57,745 --> 00:16:00,485
but being terrified by something
rolling off the counter.

365
00:16:00,795 --> 00:16:03,325
Yeah. So if you need a list of things

366
00:16:03,625 --> 00:16:06,725
or if you can discipline
yourself to take the time

367
00:16:07,545 --> 00:16:10,525
to carefully walk through
and look at everything,

368
00:16:10,525 --> 00:16:12,685
because if it can fall, it will.

369
00:16:13,225 --> 00:16:15,285
- Yep,
- It will. So good advice.

370
00:16:15,555 --> 00:16:18,725
- Alright, speaking of advice
coming up in our interview

371
00:16:18,725 --> 00:16:21,205
of the week, we're gonna
talk to, uh, Jesse Assay.

372
00:16:21,205 --> 00:16:23,645
He's with, uh, battle borne batteries.

373
00:16:23,665 --> 00:16:26,965
And we're gonna learn about
what's involved in replacing the

374
00:16:26,965 --> 00:16:29,925
current batteries you have
with lithium batteries, uh,

375
00:16:30,035 --> 00:16:31,925
peeling, pairing it up with solar

376
00:16:32,225 --> 00:16:33,845
and all the questions that you have.

377
00:16:34,265 --> 00:16:36,525
And, uh, that's coming
up right after this.

378
00:16:36,905 --> 00:16:38,245
For campers in our veers.

379
00:16:38,345 --> 00:16:40,845
Access to pure drinking water on the road

380
00:16:41,065 --> 00:16:42,125
is vitally important.

381
00:16:42,665 --> 00:16:44,285
And that's why Jennifer and I use

382
00:16:44,465 --> 00:16:48,605
and highly recommend KACO's
new and improved taste.

383
00:16:48,675 --> 00:16:51,485
Pure water filter, KACO's taste.

384
00:16:51,485 --> 00:16:55,325
Pure water filter offers an
advanced six step filtration

385
00:16:55,325 --> 00:16:58,845
technology that goes way beyond
just basic water filtration.

386
00:16:59,475 --> 00:17:01,125
With patented technology

387
00:17:01,305 --> 00:17:03,645
and top industry standard certifications,

388
00:17:04,015 --> 00:17:06,845
taste pure leaves no
question to the quality

389
00:17:06,945 --> 00:17:08,485
of your drinking water on the road.

390
00:17:09,145 --> 00:17:12,925
The taste pure water filter
reduces unpleasant tastes,

391
00:17:13,525 --> 00:17:17,565
odors, lead chlorine, bacteria,
sediment, and heavy metals,

392
00:17:17,745 --> 00:17:20,965
and also controls
bacteria and mold growth.

393
00:17:21,745 --> 00:17:24,565
Our viewers should start
the season with a new filter

394
00:17:24,865 --> 00:17:27,085
and then replace it every 90 days or so.

395
00:17:27,545 --> 00:17:29,765
Now, we can't emphasize enough

396
00:17:30,115 --> 00:17:33,845
that waiting longer than three
months can lead to bad taste,

397
00:17:34,085 --> 00:17:35,365
odor and reduced water flow.

398
00:17:35,705 --> 00:17:38,405
And it may also affect
the removal of lead.

399
00:17:38,465 --> 00:17:40,645
So replace it after about three months.

400
00:17:41,305 --> 00:17:44,445
The CAM code Taste Pure Water
filter is available at most

401
00:17:44,445 --> 00:17:46,405
camping stores and through Amazon.

402
00:17:46,905 --> 00:17:50,965
Use our affiliate link at
rv lifestyle.com/taste Pure.

403
00:17:51,425 --> 00:17:54,725
That's RV lifestyle.com/taste. Pure.

404
00:17:55,635 --> 00:17:56,845
Welcome back, everybody.

405
00:17:56,915 --> 00:17:59,645
Time now for the RV interview of the week

406
00:18:00,105 --> 00:18:01,645
- And lithium batteries.

407
00:18:01,755 --> 00:18:04,125
That really is the now and the future.

408
00:18:05,035 --> 00:18:07,725
More and more people are parking off grid

409
00:18:07,945 --> 00:18:10,645
and, uh, they're just realizing
what an asset they are.

410
00:18:10,915 --> 00:18:12,965
- Yeah, it has really, I think, um,

411
00:18:13,405 --> 00:18:15,445
revolutionized the boondocking movement.

412
00:18:15,785 --> 00:18:17,725
And, uh, what's they're saying

413
00:18:17,725 --> 00:18:21,085
that lead being like lead
acid, bass, batteries,

414
00:18:21,355 --> 00:18:22,925
lead is dead .

415
00:18:23,105 --> 00:18:26,645
So, but a lot of people are
very confused about lithium.

416
00:18:26,905 --> 00:18:29,005
Number one, we wanna
point out you don't need

417
00:18:29,025 --> 00:18:32,645
to have lithium to ensure
your rv, uh, is particularly

418
00:18:32,645 --> 00:18:37,245
for those who are, uh,
off grid, um, boondocking

419
00:18:37,905 --> 00:18:40,405
and just don't, I can't
hook up to, to, uh,

420
00:18:40,405 --> 00:18:41,925
regular campground power.

421
00:18:42,865 --> 00:18:44,925
But with more and more of us doing that,

422
00:18:44,925 --> 00:18:48,565
because frankly, it's so hard
to get into many RV parks, uh,

423
00:18:48,865 --> 00:18:51,925
it is a topic that we get
an awful lot of mail about.

424
00:18:52,385 --> 00:18:53,445
Uh, how do you do it?

425
00:18:53,475 --> 00:18:55,405
What do you do about
the existing batteries?

426
00:18:55,505 --> 00:18:57,525
We thought, uh, that it would be good

427
00:18:57,545 --> 00:18:58,725
to hear from an expert.

428
00:18:59,105 --> 00:19:01,645
So a while ago on our
RV lifestyle community,

429
00:19:01,665 --> 00:19:03,725
we do live streams there all the time

430
00:19:03,745 --> 00:19:05,005
and usually bring in experts.

431
00:19:05,145 --> 00:19:08,165
We had Jesse Asay, he's
with battle borne batteries.

432
00:19:08,745 --> 00:19:13,605
Um, battle borne is owned by,
uh, uh, its parent company is,

433
00:19:13,785 --> 00:19:17,365
uh, the company that really
provides pretty much most

434
00:19:17,365 --> 00:19:20,685
of the OEM batteries on the
leading RV manufacturers.

435
00:19:20,715 --> 00:19:22,605
They're, uh, a lot

436
00:19:22,605 --> 00:19:25,445
of battle borne batteries
under the name battle, uh,

437
00:19:25,755 --> 00:19:29,205
dragonfly, uh, which is their,
uh, is their parent company.

438
00:19:29,945 --> 00:19:32,085
So, um, Jesse was on

439
00:19:32,305 --> 00:19:34,365
and answered a lot of
questions from the audience

440
00:19:34,945 --> 00:19:36,885
and we thought we would, uh,
put together some of that

441
00:19:37,145 --> 00:19:40,725
for you as you perhaps are
considering upgrading to lithium

442
00:19:40,945 --> 00:19:42,045
for the new camping season.

443
00:19:42,545 --> 00:19:45,565
So let's check in and get some
of those questions answered.

444
00:19:46,065 --> 00:19:48,525
One of the questions, and
I got this from Betsy,

445
00:19:48,825 --> 00:19:51,445
and Betsy said, I have a Class C

446
00:19:51,905 --> 00:19:53,725
and she didn't tell me what brand it is.

447
00:19:53,745 --> 00:19:56,325
She said, I was told that I can drop

448
00:19:56,705 --> 00:20:01,125
and replace, uh, my old
batteries with lithium batteries.

449
00:20:01,625 --> 00:20:05,245
But what else do I need to consider, uh,

450
00:20:05,435 --> 00:20:07,765
besides just swapping out batteries?

451
00:20:08,555 --> 00:20:10,365
- Yeah, absolutely. Okay, good question.

452
00:20:10,425 --> 00:20:11,485
We get that all the time.

453
00:20:12,025 --> 00:20:14,085
Um, what do I need to
switch over to lithium?

454
00:20:14,545 --> 00:20:16,845
You know, there's a couple
things to consider there.

455
00:20:17,225 --> 00:20:19,525
Um, first off, do you have enough room

456
00:20:19,705 --> 00:20:20,805
to do what you wanna do?

457
00:20:20,945 --> 00:20:22,165
How big is your battery compartment?

458
00:20:22,165 --> 00:20:24,205
Because if you want to, uh,

459
00:20:24,205 --> 00:20:26,645
just swap out your batteries,
it's a really easy process.

460
00:20:26,905 --> 00:20:29,805
But if you wanna put in a
whole new powering system and,

461
00:20:29,865 --> 00:20:31,765
and, um, have a bunch of other stuff,

462
00:20:31,765 --> 00:20:33,205
you're gonna need a bigger battery bank

463
00:20:33,505 --> 00:20:34,925
and you wanna make sure you can fit it.

464
00:20:35,145 --> 00:20:37,365
So number one, do I have the
space to do what I wanna do?

465
00:20:37,865 --> 00:20:40,725
Number two, um, are all
the charging methods

466
00:20:41,315 --> 00:20:43,445
that are currently charging
your existing batteries,

467
00:20:43,465 --> 00:20:45,005
are they compatible with lithium?

468
00:20:45,905 --> 00:20:48,765
So, you know, if you have
a, a converter in there,

469
00:20:48,985 --> 00:20:50,525
you can check the model number

470
00:20:50,525 --> 00:20:51,925
and see if it's a lithium version.

471
00:20:52,085 --> 00:20:53,685
A converter's just a basic charger.

472
00:20:54,155 --> 00:20:55,765
When you plug into that shore power,

473
00:20:56,225 --> 00:20:57,565
it charges the batteries up.

474
00:20:57,665 --> 00:21:00,325
If it's compatible, great,
it's gonna work great

475
00:21:00,325 --> 00:21:01,885
to charge the batteries
and it'll have a little

476
00:21:01,885 --> 00:21:02,925
lithium symbol on there.

477
00:21:03,115 --> 00:21:05,005
They'll, they'll tout
that on there for some

478
00:21:05,245 --> 00:21:06,245
of those newer vehicles.

479
00:21:06,705 --> 00:21:08,965
If not, we'd recommend swapping that out

480
00:21:08,965 --> 00:21:10,805
with a compatible lithium charger.

481
00:21:11,545 --> 00:21:13,725
Um, and that's a fairly easy thing

482
00:21:13,725 --> 00:21:16,085
to do depending on your model,
you can always call us up

483
00:21:16,085 --> 00:21:18,365
and say, Hey, this is the
model number of my converter.

484
00:21:18,665 --> 00:21:20,405
Is this gonna work? And
we'll walk you through it.

485
00:21:21,025 --> 00:21:23,965
Um, if you have other
charging methods, like, uh,

486
00:21:24,165 --> 00:21:25,925
inverter chargers are very common.

487
00:21:26,385 --> 00:21:28,325
You know, a lot of 'em
will have a lithium mode,

488
00:21:28,405 --> 00:21:29,405
a lithium battery type.

489
00:21:29,705 --> 00:21:31,765
Uh, if not, there's some custom settings.

490
00:21:31,765 --> 00:21:33,725
You just go in and put the parameters

491
00:21:33,725 --> 00:21:35,845
of our batteries in there,
which is really easy.

492
00:21:35,845 --> 00:21:37,685
It's right on the stickers
on all of our batteries.

493
00:21:37,835 --> 00:21:40,165
This is how they like to be
charged. This is the, the range.

494
00:21:41,025 --> 00:21:43,205
Um, and those are really the basics.

495
00:21:43,435 --> 00:21:46,845
Does it fit, will it charge? Well,

496
00:21:46,845 --> 00:21:50,085
- We, and and really this
is, you know, it's, it, it,

497
00:21:50,145 --> 00:21:53,245
it can easily be a DIY project if you have

498
00:21:53,245 --> 00:21:54,645
some familiarity with it.

499
00:21:54,705 --> 00:21:56,525
But a mobile RV techs

500
00:21:56,525 --> 00:21:57,885
and just a call to you guys,

501
00:21:57,985 --> 00:22:00,365
if somebody just calls
battle borne batteries

502
00:22:00,365 --> 00:22:02,845
and says, Hey, this is what
I have, this is what I want,

503
00:22:03,795 --> 00:22:06,285
will you guys walk them
through that process and,

504
00:22:06,385 --> 00:22:08,805
and help 'em make sure they
have the system they need?

505
00:22:10,005 --> 00:22:11,365
- Absolutely. We do that all day long.

506
00:22:11,365 --> 00:22:13,925
We've got 10 guys on the
phones out here, uh, doing

507
00:22:13,925 --> 00:22:14,965
that exact same thing.

508
00:22:15,225 --> 00:22:18,005
Uh, if you need a, a consult
to say, Hey, I've got this kind

509
00:22:18,005 --> 00:22:20,965
of vehicle, um, what do
I need to switch over?

510
00:22:21,185 --> 00:22:23,285
We will go over that with
you. Or you can take it to any

511
00:22:23,285 --> 00:22:25,485
of the, the dealers that are familiar, uh,

512
00:22:25,535 --> 00:22:26,805
installers around the country.

513
00:22:26,805 --> 00:22:29,645
There's a lot of of people
that are really good at,

514
00:22:30,185 --> 00:22:32,205
- Uh,
- Putting systems in.

515
00:22:32,665 --> 00:22:34,685
- Here's a question that
came, uh, just came in.

516
00:22:34,685 --> 00:22:36,885
It's in the chat room from Suzanne Weiss

517
00:22:36,905 --> 00:22:39,965
and she says she's looking
to upgrade to a new camper

518
00:22:40,515 --> 00:22:42,165
that is prepped for lithium,

519
00:22:42,825 --> 00:22:45,805
but she worries about what
temperatures do I need

520
00:22:45,805 --> 00:22:48,005
to worry about in keeping them warm.

521
00:22:48,505 --> 00:22:50,525
And she knows that it gets very cold in

522
00:22:50,765 --> 00:22:52,205
Nebraska in the wintertime.

523
00:22:53,275 --> 00:22:54,845
- Yeah, good question as well.

524
00:22:55,275 --> 00:22:57,245
Yeah, that's, that's a, a big thing.

525
00:22:57,305 --> 00:22:59,925
Uh, a big topic of conversation
when it comes to lithium.

526
00:22:59,925 --> 00:23:01,965
You know, what about the whole
temperature and everything?

527
00:23:02,825 --> 00:23:06,325
Um, lithium batteries work way
better in cold temperatures

528
00:23:06,515 --> 00:23:08,805
than any kind of lead acid style battery.

529
00:23:09,105 --> 00:23:11,365
You know, even down negative
four degrees fahrenheit's

530
00:23:11,365 --> 00:23:12,485
totally fine to use our batteries

531
00:23:12,485 --> 00:23:13,525
that work really, really well.

532
00:23:14,305 --> 00:23:18,605
Um, the, the thing that,
um, is the limiting factor

533
00:23:19,305 --> 00:23:21,605
is the charging when it gets down

534
00:23:21,605 --> 00:23:25,885
to about 25 degrees Fahrenheit
inside the battery, uh,

535
00:23:25,905 --> 00:23:26,965
it will not take a charge.

536
00:23:27,115 --> 00:23:28,805
There's a thermal protection in there.

537
00:23:28,995 --> 00:23:32,845
Lithium batteries don't do well
in charging in cold weather.

538
00:23:33,095 --> 00:23:37,805
Using 'em. It works great if
you do need to, uh, run your,

539
00:23:37,805 --> 00:23:39,085
your system, uh, and,

540
00:23:39,185 --> 00:23:41,485
and charge during those cold temperatures.

541
00:23:41,825 --> 00:23:43,485
We have a heated version of the battery,

542
00:23:43,855 --> 00:23:45,790
which will always keep
it above that temperature

543
00:23:45,790 --> 00:23:48,765
and always allow you to use
your system, uh, flawlessly.

544
00:23:49,565 --> 00:23:51,645
- A question from Ron. He said he's heard

545
00:23:51,665 --> 00:23:55,285
so much about different
sizes of lithium batteries

546
00:23:55,785 --> 00:23:57,925
and, uh, the question is, he says is, uh,

547
00:23:58,585 --> 00:24:00,125
how much do I need, uh,

548
00:24:00,185 --> 00:24:02,685
if I wanna just run my air
conditioner through the night?

549
00:24:03,735 --> 00:24:05,405
Which is a big ask 'cause just

550
00:24:05,405 --> 00:24:07,565
because people don't realize

551
00:24:07,585 --> 00:24:09,445
how much an air conditioner takes. Yeah,

552
00:24:09,995 --> 00:24:10,995
- Yeah.

553
00:24:10,995 --> 00:24:12,525
Air conditioners are a huge power consumer

554
00:24:12,705 --> 00:24:14,525
and probably the largest in your rv.

555
00:24:15,145 --> 00:24:19,325
Um, so what you need, uh, is
gonna be based on what you want

556
00:24:19,325 --> 00:24:20,645
to use the temperature outside.

557
00:24:21,425 --> 00:24:23,205
In general, if somebody calls us up

558
00:24:23,205 --> 00:24:25,005
and says, Hey, I wanna run an air

559
00:24:25,005 --> 00:24:26,125
conditioner, what do I need?

560
00:24:26,425 --> 00:24:28,285
The minimum requirement is about three

561
00:24:28,285 --> 00:24:32,445
of our 100 amp hour batteries
and a 3000 watt inverter.

562
00:24:32,905 --> 00:24:34,925
Uh, that's the, the
minimums to make that work.

563
00:24:35,065 --> 00:24:38,005
Now, how much time runtime
you get outta that, again,

564
00:24:38,005 --> 00:24:40,325
is gonna vary depending on the temperature

565
00:24:40,875 --> 00:24:43,245
outside temperature inside,
you know, and, and everything.

566
00:24:43,265 --> 00:24:45,965
But in general, you can
get half hour, 45 minutes,

567
00:24:46,315 --> 00:24:49,925
sometimes a little bit more
per 100 amps of battery.

568
00:24:50,025 --> 00:24:51,925
You have to run an air conditioner.

569
00:24:52,185 --> 00:24:54,965
- So, um, Jack Partain
on the chat room asks,

570
00:24:54,965 --> 00:24:57,485
what makes your batteries better than some

571
00:24:57,485 --> 00:25:00,165
of your competitors cheaper products?

572
00:25:00,945 --> 00:25:02,725
- Oh yeah, another great question.

573
00:25:03,105 --> 00:25:07,405
Um, we could make a
pretty darn cheap battery,

574
00:25:07,825 --> 00:25:09,845
but to compete with that,

575
00:25:10,145 --> 00:25:14,085
but we don't wanna make that,
um, that style of battery

576
00:25:14,315 --> 00:25:15,565
because it's not as good.

577
00:25:15,925 --> 00:25:18,205
Honestly. You know, there's a
lot of manufacturers out there

578
00:25:18,205 --> 00:25:22,045
that are calling themselves
lithium battery manufacturers

579
00:25:22,045 --> 00:25:24,965
that just import a battery
directly from China without

580
00:25:24,965 --> 00:25:27,205
knowing anything about the
technology or how to build it.

581
00:25:27,545 --> 00:25:29,885
And when it arrives, they
slap their sticker on it

582
00:25:29,905 --> 00:25:31,525
and ship it out and,

583
00:25:31,585 --> 00:25:35,725
and they're doing nothing
really to, um, know how

584
00:25:35,725 --> 00:25:37,965
that chemistry works,
to know how to set it up

585
00:25:37,985 --> 00:25:39,005
for, for customers.

586
00:25:39,585 --> 00:25:41,285
Um, if you call in for support,

587
00:25:41,785 --> 00:25:44,525
you probably are not gonna
get your questions answered,

588
00:25:44,585 --> 00:25:46,965
and you're probably not gonna
get a real warranty either.

589
00:25:47,665 --> 00:25:48,885
Uh, it's really easy

590
00:25:48,905 --> 00:25:51,605
to make your battery look
good at an affordable price.

591
00:25:51,825 --> 00:25:55,765
Uh, it's another thing for it
to work properly to use, uh,

592
00:25:55,765 --> 00:25:58,765
components internally that are safe and,

593
00:25:58,785 --> 00:26:01,445
and that will last the
duration, uh, the lifetime

594
00:26:01,465 --> 00:26:02,605
of your, your system.

595
00:26:03,385 --> 00:26:06,645
So yeah, there, there's a lot
of different battery companies

596
00:26:06,645 --> 00:26:09,005
that have come up in the
last like 10 years or so.

597
00:26:09,505 --> 00:26:11,965
Uh, we've been around
doing it for a lot longer.

598
00:26:12,305 --> 00:26:14,245
Uh, we actually build them right here.

599
00:26:14,405 --> 00:26:16,205
I can walk 20 feet out into the warehouse

600
00:26:16,205 --> 00:26:17,325
and help 'em build batteries.

601
00:26:18,025 --> 00:26:21,405
Um, and you talk to live
customer service agents that know

602
00:26:21,405 --> 00:26:22,805
what they're talking about and

603
00:26:22,805 --> 00:26:23,925
can help you with your system.

604
00:26:23,985 --> 00:26:26,325
The support is really big
over here, so we wanna,

605
00:26:26,385 --> 00:26:30,005
we wanna stress that, um,
you get what you pay for.

606
00:26:30,385 --> 00:26:31,485
If you get a really cheap

607
00:26:31,605 --> 00:26:34,525
and expensive battery, you're
probably gonna have everything

608
00:26:34,525 --> 00:26:35,565
else involved with it.

609
00:26:35,905 --> 00:26:38,245
Um, a little unsatisfactory as well.

610
00:26:38,665 --> 00:26:41,205
- And that leads me to a
question that came in, uh,

611
00:26:41,225 --> 00:26:45,605
by email from Jim who said,
uh, what, uh, it used to be

612
00:26:45,605 --> 00:26:48,125
that you made a hundred amp uh, battery.

613
00:26:48,225 --> 00:26:50,685
He said, what are the different sizes of

614
00:26:51,385 --> 00:26:52,765
battle borne batteries

615
00:26:52,985 --> 00:26:57,085
and what are the specific needs
that, uh, an RV would have

616
00:26:57,085 --> 00:27:01,525
to have to, uh, to have 'em
fit? That makes sense. Yeah.

617
00:27:01,605 --> 00:27:03,405
- Yeah, there's a lot
of, there's a lot of, uh,

618
00:27:03,755 --> 00:27:05,125
battery styles out there.

619
00:27:05,125 --> 00:27:08,805
You know, the most common is
probably a group 27, 100 amp

620
00:27:08,805 --> 00:27:10,325
hour battery, and that's

621
00:27:10,325 --> 00:27:12,165
what ours mimics the shape and size.

622
00:27:12,195 --> 00:27:13,845
It's very similar. Um,

623
00:27:14,145 --> 00:27:15,525
you also have a hundred amp hour battery

624
00:27:15,525 --> 00:27:17,525
that is in the form factor

625
00:27:17,545 --> 00:27:20,125
or the shape of the six volt
batteries that are out there.

626
00:27:20,635 --> 00:27:23,005
They're, uh, a little
more narrow and taller,

627
00:27:23,305 --> 00:27:27,045
and our GC two battery
is very similar to that.

628
00:27:27,105 --> 00:27:29,285
So those are the two
100 amp hour batteries.

629
00:27:29,585 --> 00:27:32,365
Uh, we also have smaller
batteries if you have some,

630
00:27:32,435 --> 00:27:34,605
some application where you,
you don't need as much power.

631
00:27:34,605 --> 00:27:36,485
You know, fishing boats
are a really good example.

632
00:27:36,725 --> 00:27:40,365
Trolling motors. We've
got some group 24, um,

633
00:27:40,835 --> 00:27:42,485
75 amp hour batteries,

634
00:27:42,485 --> 00:27:45,125
and even a smaller capacity, 50 amp hour.

635
00:27:45,865 --> 00:27:49,125
Um, you've got your big
270 amp hour battery.

636
00:27:49,305 --> 00:27:50,925
Our GC three, the game changer,

637
00:27:51,385 --> 00:27:55,325
and those are kind of, uh,
tall, narrow, long batteries

638
00:27:55,325 --> 00:27:57,565
that fit great against the
sides of the compartments

639
00:27:57,565 --> 00:27:58,845
of vans and RVs.

640
00:27:59,345 --> 00:28:01,605
Uh, they have a 300 amp discharge rate.

641
00:28:01,825 --> 00:28:04,205
Um, those are the, the primary sizes

642
00:28:04,205 --> 00:28:05,725
that we, we offer right now.

643
00:28:06,505 --> 00:28:10,845
- Uh, Maryanne says, I used
to hear that, uh, it was

644
00:28:10,915 --> 00:28:13,685
that lithium batteries had a fire danger

645
00:28:14,065 --> 00:28:16,965
and I see many of them
underneath an RV bed

646
00:28:17,145 --> 00:28:18,925
or near where people are sleeping.

647
00:28:19,745 --> 00:28:20,845
Is that safe now?

648
00:28:22,795 --> 00:28:24,405
- Good question again. Yeah, we have a lot

649
00:28:24,405 --> 00:28:26,085
of customers ask about the safety

650
00:28:26,265 --> 00:28:29,965
and, you know, lithium, um,
has been in the news a lot.

651
00:28:30,045 --> 00:28:32,245
I mean, it used to be the
old Samsung phones would be

652
00:28:32,245 --> 00:28:33,565
blowing up in people's pockets.

653
00:28:33,565 --> 00:28:36,645
Yep. And you know, that,
that's one of the reasons, um,

654
00:28:36,785 --> 00:28:38,685
why we stress the quality and,

655
00:28:38,745 --> 00:28:41,965
and the um, uh, the
safety of our batteries.

656
00:28:42,185 --> 00:28:46,485
Our entire pack is UL
rated, um, our battery pack.

657
00:28:46,665 --> 00:28:48,525
And, and that lends to the safety aspect.

658
00:28:48,985 --> 00:28:51,205
Um, they're certified to travel in the air

659
00:28:51,385 --> 00:28:52,485
all over the world.

660
00:28:53,145 --> 00:28:56,245
Um, lots of customers are sleeping on top

661
00:28:56,245 --> 00:28:58,445
of these batteries in their
different applications.

662
00:28:58,915 --> 00:29:02,285
There's no off-gassing,
there's no terminal corrosion,

663
00:29:02,515 --> 00:29:04,685
there's no gas that comes
out that's gonna be harmful.

664
00:29:05,065 --> 00:29:06,685
Uh, they can go in sealed compartments

665
00:29:06,685 --> 00:29:07,765
or vintage compartments.

666
00:29:08,345 --> 00:29:12,725
Um, lithium iron phosphate, LFP, uh,

667
00:29:12,985 --> 00:29:14,645
as you hear it, uh, is one

668
00:29:14,645 --> 00:29:17,245
of the safest chemistries
within that lithium blanket.

669
00:29:17,905 --> 00:29:19,845
And the way that we
build the batteries, uh,

670
00:29:19,845 --> 00:29:24,805
we have 120 individual cells,
uh, that are steel encased

671
00:29:24,805 --> 00:29:26,645
inside each 100 amp hour battery.

672
00:29:26,865 --> 00:29:30,885
And, um, that is one
of the safest ways, uh,

673
00:29:31,225 --> 00:29:33,045
to build a battery with
those types of cells.

674
00:29:33,275 --> 00:29:36,325
They have an air gap in between
them, uh, in the internal

675
00:29:36,955 --> 00:29:39,765
makings, and that makes
it, uh, extremely safe.

676
00:29:39,865 --> 00:29:42,605
Not like these other
cheaper battery companies

677
00:29:42,605 --> 00:29:46,045
that just take these lithium
blocks, these prismatic cells,

678
00:29:46,625 --> 00:29:48,365
uh, and just slap 'em together to

679
00:29:48,365 --> 00:29:50,205
where it can be thermally dangerous.

680
00:29:50,825 --> 00:29:53,685
So, yeah. Long, long
answer, short question.

681
00:29:53,825 --> 00:29:54,885
Uh, they're very safe.

682
00:29:55,075 --> 00:29:57,725
Many, many people using 'em
in sleeping on top of them.

683
00:29:58,065 --> 00:30:00,205
- Um, Ronald Jeca in the chat room,

684
00:30:00,395 --> 00:30:03,085
what is the life expectancy of a battery,

685
00:30:03,155 --> 00:30:04,645
lithium battery in normal use?

686
00:30:06,315 --> 00:30:10,045
- Yeah. Um, it, it's hard to,

687
00:30:10,185 --> 00:30:11,725
to tell people exact,

688
00:30:11,825 --> 00:30:13,445
to get a feel for how
long they're gonna last.

689
00:30:14,225 --> 00:30:16,725
Um, you have easily 5,000

690
00:30:16,725 --> 00:30:18,085
cycles that you run through the battery.

691
00:30:18,345 --> 00:30:20,005
To give you some perspective of that.

692
00:30:20,585 --> 00:30:24,245
If you were to discharge your
battery down completely empty,

693
00:30:24,265 --> 00:30:26,765
our batteries, which you can
do not like a lead acid battery

694
00:30:26,785 --> 00:30:29,125
or some of the other cheaper lithiums, um,

695
00:30:29,505 --> 00:30:31,805
run all the way down to empty
all the way back up to full.

696
00:30:32,025 --> 00:30:35,205
And you did that every single
day for the next 10 years,

697
00:30:36,025 --> 00:30:38,885
you've used up 3,650 cycles.

698
00:30:39,735 --> 00:30:43,205
After that, you would have probably 85%

699
00:30:43,205 --> 00:30:45,205
of the original capacity on the batteries.

700
00:30:45,395 --> 00:30:47,045
This is a very long life battery.

701
00:30:47,385 --> 00:30:49,485
Um, you get, we say

702
00:30:49,485 --> 00:30:51,725
around 15 years plus if
you treat it the right way.

703
00:30:52,465 --> 00:30:55,645
Um, the life expectancy
is, is dependent on

704
00:30:55,645 --> 00:30:58,205
how many cycles you use
and how often you use it.

705
00:30:58,345 --> 00:30:59,845
So it can be a very long time.

706
00:31:00,185 --> 00:31:01,605
- So it's likely the

707
00:31:02,155 --> 00:31:04,925
however long you're gonna keep
that rv that battery's likely

708
00:31:05,025 --> 00:31:06,405
to be, to be still good.

709
00:31:06,905 --> 00:31:11,205
Um, here's a question that we
get different, uh, questions.

710
00:31:11,265 --> 00:31:12,685
I'm got a couple emails on it,

711
00:31:12,705 --> 00:31:15,525
but Frank, uh, posts
this in the chat room.

712
00:31:15,545 --> 00:31:20,205
He says, can I leave a charged
lithium battery in my RV over

713
00:31:20,205 --> 00:31:22,125
the winter where it drops

714
00:31:22,125 --> 00:31:24,405
below freezing regularly
in the Chicago area

715
00:31:24,915 --> 00:31:26,485
when I'm not using the rv?

716
00:31:28,085 --> 00:31:30,805
- Absolutely, yeah. One of
the great things about, uh,

717
00:31:30,805 --> 00:31:34,445
battle warn batteries is
you can charge it up to full

718
00:31:34,445 --> 00:31:35,525
before you put it in storage,

719
00:31:35,975 --> 00:31:37,765
disconnect it from all the, the loads.

720
00:31:37,765 --> 00:31:40,125
If there's no power coming in
or anything like, or going out

721
00:31:40,125 --> 00:31:41,645
or anything like that, they can sit

722
00:31:41,645 --> 00:31:43,525
for a year without
needing a trickle charger,

723
00:31:43,525 --> 00:31:45,085
without needing any kind of charge.

724
00:31:45,655 --> 00:31:48,205
Which is great because, uh,
the old standard lead acids,

725
00:31:48,205 --> 00:31:49,805
you know, you leave it
sitting there for a month

726
00:31:49,905 --> 00:31:52,045
and you, your batteries
are pretty much toast

727
00:31:52,065 --> 00:31:54,725
and they're not gonna perform
very well next season.

728
00:31:55,345 --> 00:31:59,005
So at least 50% full, we
say, you know, get it up

729
00:31:59,005 --> 00:32:00,365
to full disconnect everything.

730
00:32:00,625 --> 00:32:01,805
You have a very long life,

731
00:32:01,805 --> 00:32:02,965
you don't have to worry about the cold.

732
00:32:03,665 --> 00:32:07,285
Um, they can be in, you know,
negative 10, negative 15, uh,

733
00:32:08,815 --> 00:32:10,325
until it, it haws out.

734
00:32:10,395 --> 00:32:12,005
It's not gonna do
anything to the batteries,

735
00:32:12,025 --> 00:32:13,685
but discharge a tiny bit.

736
00:32:14,305 --> 00:32:16,925
- Now, one of the questions
that, uh, I wanted to come back

737
00:32:16,925 --> 00:32:18,605
to that you kind of alluded to.

738
00:32:18,625 --> 00:32:21,645
You talked about, um, a a,

739
00:32:21,885 --> 00:32:24,365
a lead acid-based battery
and a lithium battery.

740
00:32:24,465 --> 00:32:28,205
And how, uh, many times that
lithium could be drained down

741
00:32:28,205 --> 00:32:29,685
to nothing and still recharge.

742
00:32:30,345 --> 00:32:33,805
Uh, explain what happens to a
lead acid battery every time

743
00:32:34,395 --> 00:32:38,605
when use, when you use it
all up, how much damage does

744
00:32:38,605 --> 00:32:40,325
that do to a, to a lead battery?

745
00:32:41,155 --> 00:32:44,605
- Yeah. When you discharge,
uh, a lead acid battery

746
00:32:44,605 --> 00:32:48,725
of any type, uh, wet cell
gel, a GM, any of those,

747
00:32:49,385 --> 00:32:53,365
um, past 50%, it has, uh, a
damaging effect internally

748
00:32:53,665 --> 00:32:58,605
and, um, shortens the, the
duration of the, the lifespan.

749
00:32:58,785 --> 00:33:02,085
So if you were to bring 'em down to empty,

750
00:33:02,085 --> 00:33:05,445
which in inevitably
most RVers do, it takes

751
00:33:05,445 --> 00:33:08,005
that cycle estimation of maybe, maybe

752
00:33:08,005 --> 00:33:10,365
around 500 cycles if you're lucky.

753
00:33:11,225 --> 00:33:14,285
And, and it will cut it down
dramatically the first time you

754
00:33:14,305 --> 00:33:15,405
go under 50%

755
00:33:15,465 --> 00:33:17,325
or especially the first time you really

756
00:33:17,325 --> 00:33:19,085
kill all the power in it.

757
00:33:19,265 --> 00:33:23,245
So it, uh, has a very negative effect, uh,

758
00:33:23,245 --> 00:33:24,885
with lead acid batteries
bringing 'em down.

759
00:33:25,585 --> 00:33:29,285
- Um, Matthew says, talk
about parasitic drain.

760
00:33:29,625 --> 00:33:30,965
Is that something we need

761
00:33:30,965 --> 00:33:32,965
to worry about on lithium batteries?

762
00:33:33,145 --> 00:33:36,525
He knows you do. He
explained that how, uh,

763
00:33:36,585 --> 00:33:37,805
he had a parasitic drain

764
00:33:37,805 --> 00:33:39,565
and it kept draining his lead batteries.

765
00:33:39,585 --> 00:33:41,325
And that's one of the
reasons he went to lithium.

766
00:33:41,385 --> 00:33:42,405
But now he's still worried

767
00:33:42,405 --> 00:33:44,045
that there might be a parasitic drain.

768
00:33:44,825 --> 00:33:47,045
How about parasitic drain
in lithium batteries?

769
00:33:47,675 --> 00:33:51,365
- Yeah, there's always some
kind of, um, stationary load,

770
00:33:51,865 --> 00:33:52,885
uh, on an rv.

771
00:33:52,885 --> 00:33:54,765
You know, you've got
carbon monoxide sensors,

772
00:33:54,765 --> 00:33:57,885
you've got LP sensors, you've
got maybe a back load stereo,

773
00:33:58,545 --> 00:34:01,005
uh, and, and they're always
trickling a little bit

774
00:34:01,005 --> 00:34:02,765
of power outta that
battery, it seems like.

775
00:34:02,905 --> 00:34:05,005
And eventually, no matter
what type of battery it is,

776
00:34:05,005 --> 00:34:07,245
if you leave it long enough
without anything coming in

777
00:34:07,865 --> 00:34:10,645
and a little going out,
it's gonna, it's gonna drain

778
00:34:10,645 --> 00:34:12,525
that battery down to where it's empty.

779
00:34:12,555 --> 00:34:15,645
Happens a lot faster with,
uh, lead acid batteries.

780
00:34:16,145 --> 00:34:18,525
But the thing we always tell
people is, you know, look at

781
00:34:18,525 --> 00:34:19,605
that switch that's in there.

782
00:34:19,605 --> 00:34:21,885
Usually there's a battery
switch that you can cut off.

783
00:34:22,545 --> 00:34:24,325
Uh, the problem with those
when they're installed

784
00:34:24,325 --> 00:34:26,205
by the manufacturers is a lot

785
00:34:26,205 --> 00:34:29,565
of 'em will have devices
routed around that switch.

786
00:34:30,385 --> 00:34:32,285
You know, uh, they're
a safety device, right?

787
00:34:32,285 --> 00:34:34,605
So they can ride 'em around
that, that battery switch

788
00:34:34,665 --> 00:34:37,245
and still pull power out
of the battery unknowingly.

789
00:34:37,945 --> 00:34:41,325
So if you get a lithium
battery, one of ours, uh,

790
00:34:41,325 --> 00:34:43,445
if you get any type of
battery for that matter, check

791
00:34:43,445 --> 00:34:45,285
and see when you cut that switch off

792
00:34:45,345 --> 00:34:47,885
or when you disconnect,
there's any power coming out

793
00:34:47,885 --> 00:34:50,645
of the system, always
check for parasitic load.

794
00:34:51,345 --> 00:34:55,045
- And it's always there, uh,
on pretty much all of them, uh,

795
00:34:55,135 --> 00:34:56,845
which is, uh, which is pretty tough.

796
00:34:57,225 --> 00:34:59,245
Um, what about maintenance?

797
00:34:59,465 --> 00:35:01,245
Uh, this is a question from Judy.

798
00:35:01,425 --> 00:35:03,245
She says, I'm a solo rvr

799
00:35:03,865 --> 00:35:06,925
and, uh, I, I read the stuff
about how I'm supposed to care

800
00:35:06,925 --> 00:35:08,565
for my lead acid batteries.

801
00:35:08,635 --> 00:35:10,365
What about lithium batteries?

802
00:35:10,365 --> 00:35:12,445
What do I have to know
about maintaining them?

803
00:35:14,075 --> 00:35:15,765
- Lithium batteries are, are great.

804
00:35:15,845 --> 00:35:20,045
I mean, battle worm batteries,
a any kind of maintenance is,

805
00:35:20,145 --> 00:35:24,285
is basically, um, don't let the battery

806
00:35:24,865 --> 00:35:28,045
go empty and stay empty
for long periods of time.

807
00:35:28,865 --> 00:35:33,765
Um, there's, there's, uh, I mean, there's,

808
00:35:33,765 --> 00:35:34,805
there's so little maintenance.

809
00:35:35,165 --> 00:35:38,045
I guess the other thing, uh, would be, uh,

810
00:35:39,705 --> 00:35:41,525
to make sure that you charge it regularly.

811
00:35:41,585 --> 00:35:43,685
You know, if you never
get our batteries full,

812
00:35:44,155 --> 00:35:45,605
then it has a tendency not

813
00:35:45,605 --> 00:35:47,445
to balance out at that
top end of the charge.

814
00:35:48,025 --> 00:35:51,245
So don't let it get empty for
a very long ti period of time.

815
00:35:51,425 --> 00:35:53,045
You know, always recharge
it when it goes empty,

816
00:35:53,275 --> 00:35:55,685
even though it's not gonna
damage it to use all the power

817
00:35:56,185 --> 00:35:58,285
and get a full and complete
charge on a regular

818
00:35:58,295 --> 00:35:59,445
basis when you're using it.

819
00:35:59,585 --> 00:36:02,005
That's the maintenance.
There's no water to put in.

820
00:36:02,425 --> 00:36:04,885
Um, there's no terminal
corrosion to scrub off.

821
00:36:04,885 --> 00:36:06,445
There's no having a maintainer,

822
00:36:06,485 --> 00:36:08,725
a trickle charger, uh, in storage.

823
00:36:09,025 --> 00:36:11,285
It really has simplified, uh, the use of,

824
00:36:11,345 --> 00:36:12,445
of storing batteries.

825
00:36:12,905 --> 00:36:17,485
- Um, in terms of, of weight,
uh, compared to lead acid,

826
00:36:17,585 --> 00:36:19,325
how do lithium batteries stack up?

827
00:36:20,755 --> 00:36:23,605
- Yeah, if you look at
comparison one to one, uh,

828
00:36:23,625 --> 00:36:25,805
our batteries are 31 pounds
in that a hundred amp

829
00:36:26,185 --> 00:36:29,805
and a similar capacity
battery is probably 80 pounds,

830
00:36:30,665 --> 00:36:33,045
you know, but if you think about it, uh,

831
00:36:33,045 --> 00:36:37,245
if you compare a 100 amp
hour battle born to 200 amps

832
00:36:37,345 --> 00:36:39,325
of lead acid like an ag GM,

833
00:36:39,905 --> 00:36:41,965
the same power equivalent is there, right?

834
00:36:41,965 --> 00:36:43,805
You, you can only use 50% of this one,

835
00:36:43,825 --> 00:36:46,285
you use a hundred percent of
this, one a hundred amps out

836
00:36:46,285 --> 00:36:47,565
of this, a hundred amps out of that.

837
00:36:48,065 --> 00:36:51,045
And if you look at two of
those batteries, the AGMs or,

838
00:36:51,165 --> 00:36:55,165
or the lead acids side by
side, um, that's 150 pounds

839
00:36:55,225 --> 00:36:56,965
or so worth of lead, easily, easily,

840
00:36:57,065 --> 00:37:00,925
or a hundred amps worth of
usable energy versus 31 pounds

841
00:37:01,305 --> 00:37:02,925
for a hundred amps of usable energy.

842
00:37:03,065 --> 00:37:04,285
So it's quite a big lighter,

843
00:37:04,285 --> 00:37:05,965
- Which, which gives you a big benefit

844
00:37:05,965 --> 00:37:07,485
because that gives you more carrying

845
00:37:07,885 --> 00:37:09,285
capacity in your rv. Yeah,

846
00:37:09,625 --> 00:37:10,625
- Tom, weight everything.

847
00:37:10,795 --> 00:37:13,845
- Yeah. Uh, Chuck Gunn in
the chat room asks, uh,

848
00:37:13,845 --> 00:37:18,085
what is involved with
changing out a dual a GM setup

849
00:37:18,305 --> 00:37:19,325
to go to lithium?

850
00:37:19,995 --> 00:37:23,485
- Yeah, if you have, uh, two
a GM batteries, um, you know,

851
00:37:23,485 --> 00:37:24,725
get the amperage capacity,

852
00:37:24,725 --> 00:37:26,125
it's probably close to a hundred amps.

853
00:37:26,705 --> 00:37:29,725
And, uh, look at, if you have
a, a big inverter in there

854
00:37:29,725 --> 00:37:30,805
or a small inverter,

855
00:37:31,185 --> 00:37:33,605
and in a lot of cases
you can use almost half

856
00:37:33,605 --> 00:37:37,885
of the capacity you have now,
uh, in lithium, theoretically,

857
00:37:37,905 --> 00:37:40,205
if, if you're gonna use 200
amps, just like we went over,

858
00:37:40,425 --> 00:37:43,365
you can use 100 amps with,
uh, the battle warrants

859
00:37:43,365 --> 00:37:45,525
because that capacity is all usable.

860
00:37:45,595 --> 00:37:47,605
When we say, Hey, here's your
a hundred amp hour battery,

861
00:37:47,945 --> 00:37:50,685
you can actually pull out a
hundred amps when you get a,

862
00:37:50,725 --> 00:37:52,045
a lead acid or a GM

863
00:37:52,045 --> 00:37:53,565
or gel, anything like that, they say,

864
00:37:53,565 --> 00:37:56,405
here's your a hundred amp hour
battery, don't go below 50%.

865
00:37:56,865 --> 00:37:59,165
So, you know, it's, it's as easy as that.

866
00:37:59,225 --> 00:38:03,565
But, um, in regards to like,
let's, I mentioned an inverter.

867
00:38:03,985 --> 00:38:05,645
Uh, there's a kind of a rule of thumb.

868
00:38:05,705 --> 00:38:07,885
If you have a thousand watt inverter,

869
00:38:07,885 --> 00:38:09,405
you wanna go at least a hundred amps worth

870
00:38:09,465 --> 00:38:10,805
of lithium capacity.

871
00:38:11,025 --> 00:38:14,085
If you have a 2000 watt
inverter, you want, uh,

872
00:38:14,085 --> 00:38:16,405
at least two batteries if
you have a 3000, you know,

873
00:38:16,405 --> 00:38:17,445
so it goes on and on.

874
00:38:17,545 --> 00:38:21,405
So if you have two
batteries now, uh, the AGMs

875
00:38:21,505 --> 00:38:23,485
and you wanna switch over to one of ours

876
00:38:23,485 --> 00:38:25,405
and you have a 2000 watt inverter,

877
00:38:25,405 --> 00:38:27,765
you really do need a robust battery bank.

878
00:38:28,185 --> 00:38:30,165
Uh, and I would say, uh, two

879
00:38:30,225 --> 00:38:32,405
of our 100 amps you would
need in that situation.

880
00:38:33,385 --> 00:38:37,725
- Uh, mark asks, uh, do I
have to change the cabling

881
00:38:38,195 --> 00:38:42,045
between my inverter and my
batteries if I add lithium?

882
00:38:43,865 --> 00:38:45,685
- Uh, it, it depends on if they,

883
00:38:46,185 --> 00:38:47,285
- You didn't gimme any data about

884
00:38:47,285 --> 00:38:49,525
how big his inverter is or any of that. So

885
00:38:50,305 --> 00:38:53,045
- In, in general, you know,
one out to two odd cable,

886
00:38:53,045 --> 00:38:54,685
maybe even more up to four ott,

887
00:38:54,685 --> 00:38:56,445
if you have somewhere in there, um,

888
00:38:56,505 --> 00:38:57,765
it doesn't need to be replaced.

889
00:38:58,025 --> 00:39:02,245
But, um, another generality
is for an inverter,

890
00:39:02,905 --> 00:39:07,205
um, that's about seven foot or
more away from the batteries.

891
00:39:07,705 --> 00:39:08,805
Uh, if it's like a 2000

892
00:39:08,805 --> 00:39:11,605
or a 3000 watt use at least two T cable,

893
00:39:11,635 --> 00:39:13,445
sometimes even up to four ott.

894
00:39:14,065 --> 00:39:16,405
And if you are switching to lithium, uh,

895
00:39:16,765 --> 00:39:19,765
remember the corrosion, uh,
the, uh, on the terminals

896
00:39:19,765 --> 00:39:21,365
and everything, it could
be inside the wires too.

897
00:39:21,425 --> 00:39:22,645
So if you're gonna switch to lithium

898
00:39:22,645 --> 00:39:24,525
and you have the opportunity,
switch out the wires too,

899
00:39:24,525 --> 00:39:25,685
unless they look perfect to you.

900
00:39:26,075 --> 00:39:30,525
Yeah. Um, but in general,
two OTT to four OTT is

901
00:39:30,525 --> 00:39:32,685
what you want to use for
inverters, unless it's real small.

902
00:39:33,105 --> 00:39:35,325
- Uh, thanks so much
for being our guest and

903
00:39:35,545 --> 00:39:36,545
- Gotcha.

904
00:39:36,545 --> 00:39:38,205
Thank you very much, you guys.
It was a pleasure being here.

905
00:39:38,685 --> 00:39:39,805
I hope you get, hope to talk

906
00:39:39,805 --> 00:39:41,085
to you guys again soon. Bye-Bye.

907
00:39:41,525 --> 00:39:43,725
- I don't ever see us, uh, having an RV

908
00:39:43,725 --> 00:39:45,765
that does not have lithium batteries.

909
00:39:45,905 --> 00:39:48,445
Um, because even when we spend the night,

910
00:39:48,475 --> 00:39:51,205
like in a Cracker Barrel
or, uh, at a Walmart

911
00:39:51,625 --> 00:39:53,445
or, uh, at a harvest host,

912
00:39:53,875 --> 00:39:55,805
many times there's no
commercial power there.

913
00:39:55,905 --> 00:39:58,445
So it's really nice to have
those lithium batteries

914
00:39:58,445 --> 00:40:00,645
and you can run your coffee
maker and things like that.

915
00:40:00,825 --> 00:40:02,125
You know, you have to be
a little careful about

916
00:40:02,125 --> 00:40:03,645
how you use energy always.

917
00:40:03,785 --> 00:40:05,645
But, uh, they sure make it easy.

918
00:40:05,985 --> 00:40:08,405
It doesn't take long for
us to get spoiled, does it?

919
00:40:08,745 --> 00:40:10,845
No, it really doesn't. It really doesn't.

920
00:40:10,985 --> 00:40:12,725
So, uh, if you enjoy that interview,

921
00:40:12,745 --> 00:40:14,845
we have regular interviews
like that all the time,

922
00:40:14,845 --> 00:40:17,805
of course, here on the
podcast, but also in the RV

923
00:40:17,805 --> 00:40:18,925
lifestyle community.

924
00:40:19,145 --> 00:40:20,845
Uh, just join us if you haven't,

925
00:40:20,845 --> 00:40:22,725
community dot rv lifestyle.com.

926
00:40:23,345 --> 00:40:25,085
And, um, we wanna thank Jesse

927
00:40:25,185 --> 00:40:27,805
and the team at Battle
born for, uh, uh, all

928
00:40:27,805 --> 00:40:29,245
of their help and advice.

929
00:40:29,395 --> 00:40:32,205
Alright, the RV News of
the week, it's coming up.

930
00:40:32,255 --> 00:40:34,525
Right after this. Jennifer

931
00:40:34,525 --> 00:40:35,845
and I bought some land near

932
00:40:35,845 --> 00:40:37,405
Nashville, Tennessee, a while back.

933
00:40:37,905 --> 00:40:40,685
We got tired of crowded
expensive campgrounds

934
00:40:40,785 --> 00:40:42,845
and worrying about reservations.

935
00:40:43,885 --> 00:40:46,565
Tennessee is a gorgeous
state with friendly people,

936
00:40:46,945 --> 00:40:48,365
and it has been such a pleasure.

937
00:40:48,785 --> 00:40:52,485
The same developer has some
new property near us, close

938
00:40:52,545 --> 00:40:53,685
to the Natchez Trace

939
00:40:53,785 --> 00:40:57,525
and Buffalo River called
the Reserve At High Forest.

940
00:40:58,345 --> 00:41:00,405
Big properties, five to 41 acres.

941
00:41:00,545 --> 00:41:03,325
You can build a house, a cabin or rv.

942
00:41:03,405 --> 00:41:07,045
Year round prices start at only $89,900.

943
00:41:07,675 --> 00:41:11,245
Your property, your way 100% ownership.

944
00:41:11,865 --> 00:41:14,765
The scenery in this part of
Tennessee is breathtaking

945
00:41:15,265 --> 00:41:16,885
and the property is gorgeous.

946
00:41:17,305 --> 00:41:21,125
Garden landscape, bring your
pets, build what you want.

947
00:41:21,435 --> 00:41:24,045
There's high speed fiber optic internet,

948
00:41:24,185 --> 00:41:25,725
and it is so private.

949
00:41:26,525 --> 00:41:28,645
A great place to make your home base

950
00:41:29,015 --> 00:41:30,685
ready whenever you want it.

951
00:41:31,275 --> 00:41:35,325
Five to 41 acre properties from $89,900.

952
00:41:35,875 --> 00:41:37,805
There's even great financing.

953
00:41:38,175 --> 00:41:42,285
Check out the site and a
video tour@rvlands.net.

954
00:41:42,585 --> 00:41:46,605
That's rv lands.net.
Welcome back, everybody.

955
00:41:46,605 --> 00:41:50,245
Time now for the RV News of the week.

956
00:41:50,665 --> 00:41:53,405
And what's our first story? Well,

957
00:41:53,505 --> 00:41:54,965
- Uh, didn't take long.

958
00:41:55,235 --> 00:41:59,645
Yellowstone National Park,
uh, hasn't even fully opened

959
00:41:59,785 --> 00:42:01,365
for the 2024 season.

960
00:42:01,665 --> 00:42:05,765
And already a turon
that slang for a tourist

961
00:42:05,865 --> 00:42:09,205
who was also a moron
was injured by a bison.

962
00:42:09,705 --> 00:42:11,045
So what did this guy do?

963
00:42:11,435 --> 00:42:13,325
Well, this guy, he encountered a herd

964
00:42:13,325 --> 00:42:16,205
of bison on West Entrance
Road near the, uh,

965
00:42:16,205 --> 00:42:18,725
seven mile bridge, got out of his vehicle

966
00:42:19,265 --> 00:42:20,605
and kicked one in the leg.

967
00:42:20,875 --> 00:42:25,245
- Wait, he actually kicked
the bison in the leg. Yep.

968
00:42:25,365 --> 00:42:27,725
A bison, which weighs
what, 2000 pounds? Yeah,

969
00:42:27,725 --> 00:42:28,725
- They're big.

970
00:42:28,725 --> 00:42:29,765
Must have been in the road.

971
00:42:29,765 --> 00:42:31,285
And he wanted to drive through one

972
00:42:31,445 --> 00:42:32,445
- .

973
00:42:32,445 --> 00:42:33,245
I don't think the animal took that kindly.

974
00:42:33,385 --> 00:42:36,605
- Uh, no. The, the animal
then mildly injured.

975
00:42:36,605 --> 00:42:38,125
The man, the man's lucky he's alive.

976
00:42:38,675 --> 00:42:42,445
That injury earned this
guy the dubious distinction

977
00:42:42,505 --> 00:42:47,365
of being the first human
injured by, um, bison

978
00:42:47,425 --> 00:42:49,605
and Yellowstone for 2024.

979
00:42:50,385 --> 00:42:52,925
And thankfully someone
saw this happen and,

980
00:42:53,145 --> 00:42:54,485
and it happened in late April,

981
00:42:54,485 --> 00:42:57,445
and they told the Ranger,
who arrested this guy in a,

982
00:42:57,865 --> 00:42:59,645
in the town of West Yellowstone,

983
00:43:00,265 --> 00:43:03,125
and his injuries, like for
him, they, they were mild,

984
00:43:03,545 --> 00:43:07,965
but the, uh, 40-year-old man
from Idaho has now been cited

985
00:43:07,965 --> 00:43:09,925
for being under the influence of alcohol.

986
00:43:10,165 --> 00:43:12,565
I think that's the key to
this story. , oh geez.

987
00:43:12,665 --> 00:43:15,125
To the degree that, uh,
he could injure himself,

988
00:43:15,485 --> 00:43:18,285
disorderly conduct, and
approaching and disturbing wildlife

989
00:43:19,065 --> 00:43:22,045
and the man driving the vehicle, he was

990
00:43:22,555 --> 00:43:24,245
also facing a charge.

991
00:43:25,185 --> 00:43:27,125
And, uh, last year you did a fun

992
00:43:27,595 --> 00:43:30,045
- Yeah, I'm sorry, go ahead.

993
00:43:30,245 --> 00:43:32,805
I, I let's do it again. Last,

994
00:43:33,465 --> 00:43:34,965
- Uh, last year, do it
- Again.

995
00:43:35,635 --> 00:43:37,165
- What?
- Pick it up. Last year.

996
00:43:37,395 --> 00:43:40,245
- Last year we interviewed a
Yellowstone Ranger about this

997
00:43:40,245 --> 00:43:42,965
growing problem of tourist doing really

998
00:43:43,265 --> 00:43:44,805
stupid and dangerous things.

999
00:43:44,945 --> 00:43:47,525
Oh, at this beloved national park?

1000
00:43:47,795 --> 00:43:49,965
- Yeah. She had some really wild stories,

1001
00:43:50,185 --> 00:43:54,805
but this guy, uh,
alcohol, I mean, uh, yeah,

1002
00:43:55,865 --> 00:43:57,565
so he's the first tour on.

1003
00:43:57,945 --> 00:43:59,205
I'm sure there will be more.

1004
00:43:59,295 --> 00:44:02,045
There probably have been more
since this story happened.

1005
00:44:02,665 --> 00:44:04,805
Um, they are really cracking down on it.

1006
00:44:05,065 --> 00:44:08,365
The, uh, courts out there are
really heavily finding these

1007
00:44:08,365 --> 00:44:10,005
people and taking all sorts of action

1008
00:44:10,105 --> 00:44:11,725
and I applaud them for that.

1009
00:44:11,945 --> 00:44:13,525
But, uh, the, uh,

1010
00:44:13,705 --> 00:44:16,165
the turan got caught and
let's hope they all do.

1011
00:44:16,425 --> 00:44:18,525
- You know, when I first
started reading the story,

1012
00:44:18,685 --> 00:44:20,885
I started thinking that
maybe somebody had a buddy

1013
00:44:21,805 --> 00:44:24,125
shooting a video of it and
they wanted it to go viral,

1014
00:44:24,395 --> 00:44:26,805
that they, uh, thought
this would be fun to

1015
00:44:27,465 --> 00:44:28,645
hit or kick or do something.

1016
00:44:28,665 --> 00:44:32,085
He drunk animal. But it ends
up it was just somebody under

1017
00:44:32,085 --> 00:44:33,405
the influence of alcohol.

1018
00:44:34,225 --> 00:44:38,445
But, um, I always feel badly
when the animal get put down.

1019
00:44:38,685 --> 00:44:40,205
I feel badly if the guy got killed,

1020
00:44:40,785 --> 00:44:42,645
but, you know, you just don't do this.

1021
00:44:43,145 --> 00:44:44,685
But alcohol tour rots

1022
00:44:44,685 --> 00:44:47,085
and I'm, I'm sure they, the
bison must have been in the road

1023
00:44:47,145 --> 00:44:48,645
and he was trying to drive through

1024
00:44:48,705 --> 00:44:49,885
or something, I don't know.

1025
00:44:49,985 --> 00:44:51,365
But because they do that, I mean,

1026
00:44:51,365 --> 00:44:53,925
they sit down in the middle
of the road or who knows

1027
00:44:54,225 --> 00:44:55,225
- The guy.

1028
00:44:55,225 --> 00:44:56,885
Other guy's motive the
guy, the guy is a moron.

1029
00:44:57,085 --> 00:44:59,045
- I mean, well, it,
- Yeah, come on.

1030
00:44:59,045 --> 00:45:01,565
Well, you don't have to be
nice to people that are morons

1031
00:45:01,675 --> 00:45:03,485
that probably will result in

1032
00:45:03,485 --> 00:45:05,805
that bison getting put
down. I want the bison

1033
00:45:05,805 --> 00:45:06,805
- Doesn't get put down.

1034
00:45:07,145 --> 00:45:08,565
- Um, life and burgers.

1035
00:45:08,725 --> 00:45:10,765
I can't tell where it is
'cause he moved off, I'm sure.

1036
00:45:10,905 --> 00:45:14,165
But this guy and I, uh, I hope
they throw the book at him.

1037
00:45:14,475 --> 00:45:17,365
Alright. Um, here's another story for you.

1038
00:45:17,545 --> 00:45:21,245
Uh, doesn't it drive you
crazy when you're told

1039
00:45:21,245 --> 00:45:23,485
that a campground is completely booked?

1040
00:45:24,505 --> 00:45:26,565
Um, but maybe you're in the area.

1041
00:45:26,905 --> 00:45:30,205
So you drive through and you observe site

1042
00:45:30,255 --> 00:45:34,685
after site that is empty
and the reason it's empty is

1043
00:45:34,685 --> 00:45:37,445
because people booked it
and just didn't show up.

1044
00:45:38,385 --> 00:45:41,445
Or maybe you're trying to
book that, um, dream trip

1045
00:45:41,545 --> 00:45:42,645
to a popular park.

1046
00:45:42,745 --> 00:45:46,565
You go online and uh,
uh, to book and minutes

1047
00:45:46,575 --> 00:45:48,085
after reservations are open,

1048
00:45:48,545 --> 00:45:50,285
but you find everything is already taken

1049
00:45:50,865 --> 00:45:52,005
and you can't get a spot.

1050
00:45:53,155 --> 00:45:55,805
Well, the camping at the
dirt recently announced

1051
00:45:56,115 --> 00:46:00,965
that less than half of
campers, 42.7% used all

1052
00:46:00,965 --> 00:46:04,005
of the reservations that
they made last year in 23.

1053
00:46:04,345 --> 00:46:07,765
And the report found that it
was four times more difficult

1054
00:46:08,265 --> 00:46:10,845
to get a camping reservation
in 23 than it was in

1055
00:46:10,845 --> 00:46:12,365
2019 when they started.

1056
00:46:13,145 --> 00:46:16,965
Now most of those, uh,
had a change of plans, uh,

1057
00:46:17,185 --> 00:46:20,365
and, uh, most people do
cancel their re reservations,

1058
00:46:21,345 --> 00:46:25,325
but almost 15% are no shows.

1059
00:46:25,945 --> 00:46:28,685
And that's what the
results were from 2323.

1060
00:46:29,345 --> 00:46:33,445
And it's that later number
that really gets a lot

1061
00:46:33,445 --> 00:46:34,525
of RVers mad.

1062
00:46:34,985 --> 00:46:38,285
Uh, a lot of campers really
get frustrated by this

1063
00:46:38,515 --> 00:46:41,285
because somebody could be
enjoying that camping spot

1064
00:46:41,985 --> 00:46:45,405
and to not cancel is the
epitome of being selfish.

1065
00:46:47,025 --> 00:46:48,965
Now we understand emergencies happen,

1066
00:46:49,865 --> 00:46:52,605
but often it seems that
that's not the case.

1067
00:46:52,745 --> 00:46:55,005
We told you several months
back about a new law in

1068
00:46:55,005 --> 00:46:57,365
California that penalizes those

1069
00:46:57,425 --> 00:46:59,605
who don't cancel their reservations

1070
00:46:59,665 --> 00:47:03,525
and even bans them from making
future reservations if there

1071
00:47:03,525 --> 00:47:05,085
are no show three times or more.

1072
00:47:05,745 --> 00:47:07,805
And we think there needs
to be more policies like

1073
00:47:07,805 --> 00:47:09,005
that around the country.

1074
00:47:09,625 --> 00:47:12,845
Uh, nohow, if you're
not gonna show call up

1075
00:47:12,905 --> 00:47:15,005
and cancel, please do that just

1076
00:47:15,005 --> 00:47:17,045
for your other campers.
Right? Well, I think

1077
00:47:17,045 --> 00:47:19,645
- It's tough when they close at five.

1078
00:47:20,195 --> 00:47:22,005
- Yeah, yeah, that's true.

1079
00:47:22,005 --> 00:47:24,245
In State Park Park, that's a
problem. And, and many parks.

1080
00:47:24,245 --> 00:47:26,405
Yep. So maybe, you know, you
can't make it and you call

1081
00:47:26,425 --> 00:47:28,325
and nobody answers the phone because Yeah.

1082
00:47:28,705 --> 00:47:31,765
You know, know, uh, that's
true. I, I, I forgot about that.

1083
00:47:31,995 --> 00:47:33,525
Yeah, but still.

1084
00:47:34,425 --> 00:47:35,965
- But give it your best shot.

1085
00:47:36,635 --> 00:47:40,085
- Yeah. Uh, alright. What's
happening after that?

1086
00:47:40,715 --> 00:47:43,525
- Okay. Are you ready to wake
up at three in the morning

1087
00:47:43,585 --> 00:47:45,325
and go outside and look at the sky?

1088
00:47:46,945 --> 00:47:49,085
You thinking about it? No. . Okay.

1089
00:47:49,625 --> 00:47:51,605
So be well get ready.

1090
00:47:52,005 --> 00:47:56,005
A spectacular meteorite show
is, is happening this week,

1091
00:47:56,545 --> 00:48:01,165
and as many to 10 to 30
meteors are gonna be zipping

1092
00:48:01,165 --> 00:48:04,405
through the sky at rates
of about 148,000 miles per

1093
00:48:04,435 --> 00:48:05,605
hour. There

1094
00:48:05,685 --> 00:48:06,965
- Goes one
- Sort.

1095
00:48:07,265 --> 00:48:09,805
And the only bad thing is,
like I said, the best time

1096
00:48:09,825 --> 00:48:11,685
to see this is around 3:00 AM

1097
00:48:11,945 --> 00:48:13,805
- So would you tell me the next morning

1098
00:48:13,865 --> 00:48:15,125
how it is when you get out there?

1099
00:48:15,705 --> 00:48:17,685
- I'm the one who can't get
up in the middle of the night.

1100
00:48:17,985 --> 00:48:21,045
If I'm sleeping, I'm sleeping.
I'm like a bear hydrated. You

1101
00:48:21,045 --> 00:48:22,045
- Did that in Alaska.

1102
00:48:22,045 --> 00:48:23,365
The most spectacular Northern Lights I

1103
00:48:23,365 --> 00:48:24,485
kept trying to get you outta bed.

1104
00:48:24,665 --> 00:48:27,165
Oh yeah. You just kept
telling me to go away ,

1105
00:48:27,385 --> 00:48:28,385
- You know?

1106
00:48:28,385 --> 00:48:30,485
Right. Hey, let sleeping bears lie. Yeah.

1107
00:48:30,745 --> 00:48:32,765
But, so if you can set your alarm clock,

1108
00:48:32,785 --> 00:48:34,765
you can wake yourself up,
you can get out there.

1109
00:48:35,345 --> 00:48:37,245
You're going to, and you're in a dark spot

1110
00:48:37,245 --> 00:48:39,045
where there's not a
lot of light pollution,

1111
00:48:39,275 --> 00:48:40,965
it's gonna be totally worth it.

1112
00:48:41,515 --> 00:48:44,205
It's a et aqua meteorite.

1113
00:48:44,205 --> 00:48:46,045
They show that happens every April

1114
00:48:46,185 --> 00:48:49,685
or May when the earth
crosses the orbital path of,

1115
00:48:49,745 --> 00:48:51,125
uh, Haley's Comet.

1116
00:48:51,465 --> 00:48:52,965
And what we see are flashing

1117
00:48:52,965 --> 00:48:55,045
through the sky are small grains of rock

1118
00:48:55,185 --> 00:48:56,965
and dust shed by the comet

1119
00:48:57,145 --> 00:48:59,325
as it strikes our planet's atmosphere.

1120
00:49:00,305 --> 00:49:02,965
- Now this year's show is
expected to be the best in years.

1121
00:49:03,465 --> 00:49:06,245
Um, the peak was Monday, May 6th,

1122
00:49:06,465 --> 00:49:08,405
but, uh, it's supposed
to be all week long.

1123
00:49:08,405 --> 00:49:09,725
It's supposed to be really spectacular.

1124
00:49:10,265 --> 00:49:12,965
And you can see this thing
through, um, the 27th.

1125
00:49:13,395 --> 00:49:14,765
- Yeah, the 27th of May.

1126
00:49:14,865 --> 00:49:16,045
- So you're gonna get up at 3:00 AM

1127
00:49:16,385 --> 00:49:18,725
- If we set our alarm,
there's a pretty good chance

1128
00:49:18,835 --> 00:49:20,285
that maybe I can get up.

1129
00:49:20,425 --> 00:49:23,685
Oh, we gotta, the hardest
thing is weather. Yeah.

1130
00:49:23,685 --> 00:49:25,565
You know, I mean, you
gotta have clear sky.

1131
00:49:25,755 --> 00:49:27,005
Yeah. If you're gonna see this.

1132
00:49:27,275 --> 00:49:29,525
- Well, we have pretty clear
skies here in southwest

1133
00:49:29,765 --> 00:49:31,005
Michigan on our 10 acres.

1134
00:49:31,145 --> 00:49:34,325
So, all right. Uh, one
last story for you today.

1135
00:49:34,585 --> 00:49:39,285
And, uh, it has to do about
grizzly bears helicoptering,

1136
00:49:39,745 --> 00:49:41,125
uh, grizzly bears.

1137
00:49:41,125 --> 00:49:43,325
As a matter of fact, um, it's a lot

1138
00:49:43,325 --> 00:49:44,805
of controversy about this story.

1139
00:49:44,945 --> 00:49:48,645
Uh, if you're heading to
Washington State's North Cascade

1140
00:49:49,245 --> 00:49:52,885
Mountain Range, you ought
to be advised now that, uh,

1141
00:49:53,025 --> 00:49:54,445
an animal not spotted there.

1142
00:49:54,455 --> 00:49:58,805
Since 1996, the grizzly
bear is being airdropped in

1143
00:49:59,705 --> 00:50:02,485
to, uh, establish a
population in that area.

1144
00:50:02,715 --> 00:50:04,405
Federal government, ,

1145
00:50:04,755 --> 00:50:07,845
they recently decided they're
gonna transplant grizzly bears

1146
00:50:07,845 --> 00:50:09,965
back to the North Cascades mountain range,

1147
00:50:10,755 --> 00:50:13,485
despite local residents
concerns about safety

1148
00:50:14,345 --> 00:50:15,845
and harm, the livestock

1149
00:50:15,985 --> 00:50:18,445
and fruit orchards, bears do like fruit,

1150
00:50:19,145 --> 00:50:21,645
but the National Park
Service and the US Fish

1151
00:50:21,645 --> 00:50:24,445
and Wildlife Service, they said
they're gonna release three

1152
00:50:24,585 --> 00:50:26,325
to seven bears a year,

1153
00:50:27,355 --> 00:50:30,805
helicoptering them into the
Cascade's most remote areas.

1154
00:50:31,555 --> 00:50:34,365
They wanna have 25 bears transported over

1155
00:50:34,365 --> 00:50:35,525
the next five to 10 years.

1156
00:50:36,185 --> 00:50:40,605
And a population of 200 grizzlies
in 60 to a hundred years.

1157
00:50:41,505 --> 00:50:44,445
Now, as this plan is not
being well received, uh,

1158
00:50:44,445 --> 00:50:47,645
Washington representative Dan
Newhouse called it outrageous.

1159
00:50:48,025 --> 00:50:49,925
He accused the federal government

1160
00:50:49,925 --> 00:50:52,125
of totally disregarding local residents

1161
00:50:52,125 --> 00:50:53,965
and very valid safety concerns.

1162
00:50:54,835 --> 00:50:57,085
Grizzlies were once prevalent in the area,

1163
00:50:57,225 --> 00:50:59,165
and the federal government
says they're necessary

1164
00:50:59,165 --> 00:51:01,565
to restore the ecosystem to full health.

1165
00:51:03,305 --> 00:51:05,165
I'm not sure where we,
where I come down on this.

1166
00:51:05,595 --> 00:51:07,765
- Well, I'm sure they
were prevalent in the area

1167
00:51:08,305 --> 00:51:10,285
before people moved in. Yeah.

1168
00:51:10,905 --> 00:51:14,125
- And, and people were overhunting
grizzlies for their fur,

1169
00:51:14,145 --> 00:51:15,925
and that's why it disappeared.

1170
00:51:16,025 --> 00:51:17,845
But, but if I lived there

1171
00:51:17,845 --> 00:51:20,245
and I relied on something
like an apple orchard from my

1172
00:51:20,245 --> 00:51:23,285
livelihood, um, I don't
think I'd be very happy.

1173
00:51:24,265 --> 00:51:26,805
Uh, the North casts are
on the Canadian border.

1174
00:51:26,805 --> 00:51:27,965
They're just stunning.

1175
00:51:28,705 --> 00:51:32,045
Uh, we are just amazing how, uh, beautiful

1176
00:51:32,045 --> 00:51:33,565
that National Park is up there.

1177
00:51:33,585 --> 00:51:37,005
By the way, it's one of the
least visited. Um, but, um,

1178
00:51:37,435 --> 00:51:41,485
- Well, I'm wondering why
grizzly bears from Canada don't

1179
00:51:41,675 --> 00:51:44,285
come south into Washington state. Well,

1180
00:51:44,285 --> 00:51:46,565
- There you have really tight
border control Canada.

1181
00:51:46,705 --> 00:51:48,365
Uh, they don't have the identification,

1182
00:51:48,475 --> 00:51:50,365
- They don't have proper
ID to get into the,

1183
00:51:50,465 --> 00:51:52,565
it seems like they would
go back and forth. Well,

1184
00:51:52,565 --> 00:51:54,885
- That whole region is gone,
so there's none anywhere

1185
00:51:54,885 --> 00:51:57,485
around there in Canada or in the us.

1186
00:51:58,025 --> 00:52:00,765
Uh, they've been gone
and, uh, now they're,

1187
00:52:00,905 --> 00:52:02,405
the US is gonna put them back.

1188
00:52:02,465 --> 00:52:04,525
So they'll be going over
the Canadian border.

1189
00:52:04,905 --> 00:52:06,685
- So Canada doesn't have them.

1190
00:52:07,105 --> 00:52:08,165
Yes, they're, I mean, but not,

1191
00:52:08,305 --> 00:52:09,765
not anywhere near the,
not near the border.

1192
00:52:09,985 --> 00:52:13,045
- Not near the Cascades. Every
day they're going into now.

1193
00:52:13,195 --> 00:52:14,605
Okay. Okay.

1194
00:52:15,525 --> 00:52:16,845
- I just wonder how you're gonna keep the

1195
00:52:16,935 --> 00:52:18,725
bears in the states

1196
00:52:19,365 --> 00:52:22,045
- a wall, a tight border wall.

1197
00:52:22,075 --> 00:52:24,685
- Well, they might put up a
wall for that . No, they

1198
00:52:24,685 --> 00:52:25,685
- Don't.

1199
00:52:25,825 --> 00:52:26,565
You know, I don't think

1200
00:52:26,565 --> 00:52:28,005
Canada's particularly worried about it.

1201
00:52:28,285 --> 00:52:29,445
I don't think they're not.
Don't. They're worried either.

1202
00:52:29,705 --> 00:52:32,485
But anyway, helicoptering
grizzly bears. Okay.

1203
00:52:32,655 --> 00:52:33,725
We'll see how that works out.

1204
00:52:33,775 --> 00:52:36,845
We'll watch it and let you know.
Alright, well we come back.

1205
00:52:36,865 --> 00:52:38,245
The RV questions of the week.

1206
00:52:39,265 --> 00:52:42,205
Are you ready to embark
on an unforgettable

1207
00:52:42,205 --> 00:52:43,485
adventure in your rv?

1208
00:52:44,225 --> 00:52:46,525
Our RV lifestyle travel guide,

1209
00:52:46,745 --> 00:52:48,765
eBooks are your ultimate companions

1210
00:52:48,865 --> 00:52:50,605
for exploring North America's most

1211
00:52:50,605 --> 00:52:52,285
breathtaking destinations.

1212
00:52:52,555 --> 00:52:55,285
They'll help you hit
the road with confidence

1213
00:52:55,625 --> 00:52:58,685
and make the most out of
your RVing experience.

1214
00:52:59,135 --> 00:53:00,525
We're Mike and Jennifer Wendling

1215
00:53:00,545 --> 00:53:02,525
and we are passionate explorers

1216
00:53:02,745 --> 00:53:04,805
and the authors of an entire library

1217
00:53:05,385 --> 00:53:07,485
of RV travel guide eBooks.

1218
00:53:08,025 --> 00:53:09,565
We have meticulously put together

1219
00:53:10,125 --> 00:53:13,365
detailed travel maps showing
you the best routes where

1220
00:53:13,385 --> 00:53:17,125
to stay, what hidden gems
to discover along the way

1221
00:53:17,635 --> 00:53:20,285
from the majestic
Yellowstone National Park

1222
00:53:20,865 --> 00:53:25,765
to the vibrant colors of
Colorado, the awe inspiring beauty

1223
00:53:25,825 --> 00:53:29,405
of Utah, the enchanting
deserts of Arizona,

1224
00:53:30,065 --> 00:53:34,125
the tranquil Great Lakes
region, the pristine wilderness

1225
00:53:34,125 --> 00:53:35,365
of the Adirondacks.

1226
00:53:35,855 --> 00:53:39,765
We've even done a captivating
three part guide to RV Travel

1227
00:53:39,785 --> 00:53:41,325
and camping in Florida.

1228
00:53:42,185 --> 00:53:44,765
No matter where your wanderlust takes

1229
00:53:44,785 --> 00:53:46,445
you, we've got you covered.

1230
00:53:46,825 --> 00:53:50,165
Our curated list of
must-See attractions ensures

1231
00:53:50,355 --> 00:53:54,045
that you won't miss out on
any unforgettable experiences.

1232
00:53:54,625 --> 00:53:57,005
You wanna witness the
eruption of Old Faithful.

1233
00:53:57,295 --> 00:54:00,805
We've got you covered.
Craving an epic road trip

1234
00:54:00,805 --> 00:54:02,885
through breathtaking landscapes.

1235
00:54:03,255 --> 00:54:06,485
We've got the perfect route
for you dreaming of beachside,

1236
00:54:06,515 --> 00:54:07,725
camping under the stars.

1237
00:54:08,425 --> 00:54:11,565
We know the best spots
with our eBooks available

1238
00:54:11,705 --> 00:54:15,725
for instant download@rvlifestyle.com
slash books.

1239
00:54:16,305 --> 00:54:18,325
You can have the knowledge you need

1240
00:54:18,575 --> 00:54:19,845
right at your fingertips.

1241
00:54:20,515 --> 00:54:23,845
Head over to rv lifestyle.com/books

1242
00:54:24,265 --> 00:54:27,925
and start exploring the
wonders of North America today.

1243
00:54:28,755 --> 00:54:31,085
Unforgettable adventures are waiting.

1244
00:54:32,195 --> 00:54:34,885
Welcome back time now for
the RV question of the week.

1245
00:54:34,905 --> 00:54:36,485
And, uh, just a quick reminder,

1246
00:54:36,485 --> 00:54:37,605
we love getting your questions.

1247
00:54:37,625 --> 00:54:40,485
You can send 'em to us at
our private email, Mike

1248
00:54:40,485 --> 00:54:42,445
and jen@rvlifestyle.com

1249
00:54:42,905 --> 00:54:44,925
or on our new RV lifestyle

1250
00:54:44,925 --> 00:54:47,885
community@community.rvlifestyle.com.

1251
00:54:47,885 --> 00:54:49,645
There's a space there called, uh,

1252
00:54:49,645 --> 00:54:51,325
podcast questions and comments.

1253
00:54:51,865 --> 00:54:53,765
And you can, uh, post your questions there

1254
00:54:53,825 --> 00:54:56,285
and we'll answer 'em and you
probably can get some extra

1255
00:54:56,285 --> 00:54:58,645
answers from, uh, other
members of the community

1256
00:54:58,745 --> 00:55:00,445
so they'll be answered in detail.

1257
00:55:00,825 --> 00:55:02,365
What's our question this week? Okay,

1258
00:55:02,365 --> 00:55:05,285
- This is a question that I
have been thinking about a lot

1259
00:55:05,565 --> 00:55:07,045
'cause we're considering getting a washer

1260
00:55:07,045 --> 00:55:09,725
and dryer, which is best, the washer

1261
00:55:09,725 --> 00:55:12,445
and dryer being separate or all in one.

1262
00:55:12,445 --> 00:55:13,925
And that question was from Joe.

1263
00:55:14,595 --> 00:55:17,765
- Well, um, I can tell you that, uh,

1264
00:55:18,065 --> 00:55:19,365
we are about to order one.

1265
00:55:19,545 --> 00:55:21,685
Um, we're pretty sure we're gonna get one.

1266
00:55:21,785 --> 00:55:25,085
And it will be, uh, an
all-in-one or a combo unit.

1267
00:55:25,985 --> 00:55:27,805
Uh, and our check

1268
00:55:27,805 --> 00:55:29,805
around is people seem to
be very happy with that.

1269
00:55:29,805 --> 00:55:33,205
It does a great job. But you
gotta follow the instruction

1270
00:55:33,205 --> 00:55:36,605
manual, which many people fail to read.

1271
00:55:37,345 --> 00:55:39,765
Um, it takes up the reason you wanna cut,

1272
00:55:39,765 --> 00:55:40,765
it takes up less room

1273
00:55:41,225 --> 00:55:43,605
and it weighs less than
two separate units.

1274
00:55:44,425 --> 00:55:48,885
Um, but what happens is,
uh, it is smaller loads,

1275
00:55:48,885 --> 00:55:51,925
so you have to, you
can't do big load loads

1276
00:55:52,665 --> 00:55:56,325
you basically put in
your dirty dry clothes

1277
00:55:56,985 --> 00:56:00,285
and then it runs through its
cycle and it wrenches them

1278
00:56:00,345 --> 00:56:01,405
and then it dries them.

1279
00:56:01,405 --> 00:56:03,485
And then you take out clean, dry clothes.

1280
00:56:04,145 --> 00:56:06,165
And it may take a lot longer than your,

1281
00:56:06,195 --> 00:56:07,925
your normal, uh, washer dryer.

1282
00:56:08,665 --> 00:56:12,245
But, uh, everybody who tells
me that they've had a combo,

1283
00:56:12,465 --> 00:56:14,005
and when I check with our dealer,

1284
00:56:14,105 --> 00:56:15,485
that's what they recommend too.

1285
00:56:16,265 --> 00:56:18,325
You do have to use the right kind

1286
00:56:18,325 --> 00:56:20,085
of detergent on the instructions,

1287
00:56:20,545 --> 00:56:22,525
and you don't wanna overload the unit.

1288
00:56:22,665 --> 00:56:24,965
You can't expect it to
handle the same loads

1289
00:56:24,985 --> 00:56:26,525
as a typical home unit.

1290
00:56:27,185 --> 00:56:30,125
Um, most people who have
problems end up overloading it.

1291
00:56:30,305 --> 00:56:33,085
So, um, I talked to one guy, uh,

1292
00:56:33,265 --> 00:56:35,125
and he did as many as he said that he

1293
00:56:35,125 --> 00:56:37,165
and his wife do as many
as five loads in a day.

1294
00:56:37,705 --> 00:56:41,085
Um, but it, you know,
uh, the combo unit seems

1295
00:56:41,105 --> 00:56:44,565
to be the best choice
unless you have lots of room

1296
00:56:45,265 --> 00:56:47,045
and can, you know, wanna have all

1297
00:56:47,045 --> 00:56:48,925
that extra weight from two separate units.

1298
00:56:49,225 --> 00:56:52,565
But, um, we're gonna get a combo unit

1299
00:56:52,745 --> 00:56:54,245
and, uh, it's expensive.

1300
00:56:54,825 --> 00:56:59,445
The units themselves are 15 to 1800 bucks.

1301
00:56:59,845 --> 00:57:02,845
I saw some online, uh, on Amazon

1302
00:57:02,865 --> 00:57:04,165
for a little over a thousand.

1303
00:57:04,305 --> 00:57:07,685
But, um, the brand we're
gonna get is probably, um,

1304
00:57:07,735 --> 00:57:09,165
gonna be a little bit more than that.

1305
00:57:09,705 --> 00:57:11,765
And then of course there's installation.

1306
00:57:12,225 --> 00:57:15,965
You want that thing to be vented,
so they have to cut a hole

1307
00:57:15,965 --> 00:57:19,165
through the side of your
RV and set in a vent

1308
00:57:19,305 --> 00:57:20,765
and fix that all up.

1309
00:57:20,765 --> 00:57:22,925
And then, uh, uh, it's all prepped.

1310
00:57:22,945 --> 00:57:24,725
So basically you just
run it in, put it in,

1311
00:57:24,725 --> 00:57:27,965
hook up the water and set
your vent for outside.

1312
00:57:28,185 --> 00:57:32,965
But, um, we're pretty,
pretty sure that much though.

1313
00:57:33,065 --> 00:57:35,485
Pretty sure we're gonna
do that. And I'm so

1314
00:57:35,485 --> 00:57:37,805
- Glad that Joe asked that question

1315
00:57:37,805 --> 00:57:41,285
because my logic said two different units.

1316
00:57:41,465 --> 00:57:43,005
You should have a
washer, you should have a

1317
00:57:43,055 --> 00:57:44,285
dryer, two separate things.

1318
00:57:44,305 --> 00:57:46,445
And then I wondered about the power

1319
00:57:46,475 --> 00:57:48,085
that you would need to operate.

1320
00:57:48,615 --> 00:57:50,325
- You'd be more, it is
more of everything if

1321
00:57:50,435 --> 00:57:51,435
- Yeah, more of everything.

1322
00:57:51,435 --> 00:57:53,685
- And obviously two separate
ones are more efficient.

1323
00:57:53,705 --> 00:57:56,885
But we're talking about
an RV here, so, uh, and,

1324
00:57:56,945 --> 00:57:58,285
and you'll hear naysayers

1325
00:57:58,465 --> 00:58:00,165
and you'll hear different comments on it.

1326
00:58:00,185 --> 00:58:01,925
So you can do your own research, Joe.

1327
00:58:02,025 --> 00:58:05,005
But since you ask us, that's
what we're leading towards.

1328
00:58:05,145 --> 00:58:07,645
And proof is in the pudding
of what we're gonna do.

1329
00:58:07,705 --> 00:58:09,485
And we're gonna do the combo unit.

1330
00:58:09,705 --> 00:58:11,365
Uh, I think I'll let you know,

1331
00:58:12,425 --> 00:58:13,805
and I think we're gonna do it fairly soon.

1332
00:58:14,225 --> 00:58:17,445
So that's pretty good. Hey,
are you ready for some stories?

1333
00:58:17,865 --> 00:58:20,405
Get your blankies now and
your milk and your cookies.

1334
00:58:20,835 --> 00:58:24,005
Mike and Jen's RV Storytimes
coming up after this.

1335
00:58:24,555 --> 00:58:27,965
Have you had it with overbooked,
overcrowded campgrounds?

1336
00:58:28,075 --> 00:58:32,405
Then check out Harvest Hosts
where RVs can overnight

1337
00:58:32,425 --> 00:58:35,845
for free at wineries,
farms, micro breweries,

1338
00:58:36,195 --> 00:58:37,845
golf courses and attractions.

1339
00:58:38,115 --> 00:58:40,685
Harvest Host is a
membership service for those

1340
00:58:40,715 --> 00:58:44,365
with self-contained RVs
looking for unique, beautiful

1341
00:58:44,465 --> 00:58:46,325
and peaceful overnight camping

1342
00:58:46,325 --> 00:58:47,805
experiences across North America.

1343
00:58:48,315 --> 00:58:50,605
When you become a member of
Harvest Host, you can camp

1344
00:58:50,625 --> 00:58:52,245
for free at all these places.

1345
00:58:53,005 --> 00:58:54,605
Jennifer and I are Harvest host members,

1346
00:58:54,665 --> 00:58:57,165
and we've made so many great memories at

1347
00:58:57,165 --> 00:58:58,365
Harvest Host locations.

1348
00:58:58,515 --> 00:59:00,125
There's no charge for camping.

1349
00:59:00,125 --> 00:59:02,885
And your Harvest host
membership fee is easily made up

1350
00:59:02,885 --> 00:59:04,005
with just a couple of stays.

1351
00:59:04,355 --> 00:59:06,525
Plus you have awesome places to stay.

1352
00:59:06,905 --> 00:59:09,005
If you use our special affiliate link

1353
00:59:09,005 --> 00:59:12,085
of rv lifestyle.com/hh,

1354
00:59:12,305 --> 00:59:14,725
you'll automatically get 15% off

1355
00:59:14,745 --> 00:59:15,925
the cost of your membership.

1356
00:59:16,225 --> 00:59:17,725
That's 15% off,

1357
00:59:17,905 --> 00:59:22,525
but you must use the special
link rv lifestyle.com/hh.

1358
00:59:23,275 --> 00:59:26,565
Welcome back. It's time
for a brand new section,

1359
00:59:26,845 --> 00:59:29,205
a new segment that we'll be
hopefully doing every week

1360
00:59:29,225 --> 00:59:30,645
unless you tell us you don't like it.

1361
00:59:31,315 --> 00:59:33,725
Mike and Jen's RV story time.

1362
00:59:34,235 --> 00:59:36,605
- Yeah. So our first story
we're gonna tell you about is

1363
00:59:36,605 --> 00:59:37,685
when we were robbed,

1364
00:59:38,265 --> 00:59:42,005
and it happened just
across the, uh, the, uh,

1365
00:59:42,005 --> 00:59:43,565
Mississippi River from St.

1366
00:59:43,565 --> 00:59:45,405
Louis in Collinsville, Illinois.

1367
00:59:45,795 --> 00:59:49,765
Yeah, we stopped to get some
dinner at about six 15 in the

1368
00:59:49,765 --> 00:59:51,965
evening at a restaurant in a busy

1369
00:59:52,725 --> 00:59:54,485
shopping mall off Interstate 55.

1370
00:59:55,105 --> 00:59:57,885
And it was a pretty
upscale mall too, at lots

1371
00:59:58,125 --> 01:00:01,165
of well-known stores and
restaurants and lots of traffic.

1372
01:00:01,545 --> 01:00:03,045
- We thought it was perfectly safe.

1373
01:00:03,425 --> 01:00:08,165
We were there, um, doing a story, uh, kind

1374
01:00:08,165 --> 01:00:10,845
of a documentary little trip of Route 66.

1375
01:00:11,275 --> 01:00:13,485
That was our plans. We
started right at the beginning

1376
01:00:13,485 --> 01:00:14,965
of Route 66 in Chicago,

1377
01:00:15,785 --> 01:00:18,205
and we had had an absolutely fabulous day.

1378
01:00:18,305 --> 01:00:20,965
We shot lots of video, lots of photos.

1379
01:00:21,525 --> 01:00:24,885
I had bought new camera gear
that that just before we went,

1380
01:00:25,705 --> 01:00:28,565
and we were really, uh, stopped for dinner

1381
01:00:28,625 --> 01:00:31,445
and it was kind of almost
a celebration dinner, um,

1382
01:00:31,445 --> 01:00:33,685
because we'd had such a
great day. Yeah. Didn't

1383
01:00:33,685 --> 01:00:34,805
- We, weren't we trying to look

1384
01:00:34,805 --> 01:00:36,565
for the world's biggest ketchup bottle?

1385
01:00:36,985 --> 01:00:39,125
- Yes. That's why we had
stopped in Collinsville.

1386
01:00:39,155 --> 01:00:42,365
They supposedly . Yes. Yeah,

1387
01:00:42,465 --> 01:00:44,045
- We were on a,
- We were looking for the world

1388
01:00:44,475 --> 01:00:45,475
- Care
- .

1389
01:00:45,585 --> 01:00:46,925
We never did see it. Well, we got

1390
01:00:46,925 --> 01:00:48,205
so disillusioned that Well,

1391
01:00:48,205 --> 01:00:49,685
- We were up all night trying to Yeah.

1392
01:00:49,685 --> 01:00:50,805
Through the mess. So

1393
01:00:50,805 --> 01:00:53,365
- He, so what happened was
this, uh, we had our dog,

1394
01:00:53,665 --> 01:00:54,725
not Bo but at that time,

1395
01:00:55,065 --> 01:00:58,245
- His predecessor,
- Ty, Ty, same Norwegian, Alcon.

1396
01:00:58,245 --> 01:01:01,005
They looked alike. Ty was in the rv,

1397
01:01:01,745 --> 01:01:03,445
was the Class B van we had at the time.

1398
01:01:04,065 --> 01:01:06,885
And we'd gone in to eat and
it was a very quick dinner.

1399
01:01:07,025 --> 01:01:10,205
We were no more than 25 minutes. Yeah.

1400
01:01:10,205 --> 01:01:11,205
- It was one of those buffets.

1401
01:01:11,205 --> 01:01:13,005
So you could just in and out really quick.

1402
01:01:13,155 --> 01:01:17,485
- Yeah. And so what happened
is at least two thieves

1403
01:01:18,235 --> 01:01:21,605
somehow gained entry to our camper van

1404
01:01:22,785 --> 01:01:26,485
and in exactly seven minutes,
and we know this, uh,

1405
01:01:26,485 --> 01:01:29,365
because we have video, uh, of this,

1406
01:01:30,235 --> 01:01:32,445
they took more than $12,000 worth

1407
01:01:32,445 --> 01:01:35,565
of electronic gear from
our rig, including all

1408
01:01:35,565 --> 01:01:36,965
of our video and still cameras.

1409
01:01:37,905 --> 01:01:40,805
Uh, most of the mobile
podcasting studio gear

1410
01:01:41,005 --> 01:01:42,045
I had taken for the trip.

1411
01:01:43,025 --> 01:01:47,845
Um, and, and most importantly,
irreplaceably, uh, all

1412
01:01:47,905 --> 01:01:51,965
of the video and the photos
we had shot from Route 66.

1413
01:01:51,965 --> 01:01:53,325
In fact, we scrapped our whole plans

1414
01:01:53,385 --> 01:01:55,085
to do the Route 66 story

1415
01:01:55,085 --> 01:01:57,645
because we just, we were

1416
01:01:57,645 --> 01:01:59,325
so demoralized we weren't
gonna go all the way back

1417
01:01:59,325 --> 01:02:00,565
to Chicago and do it again.

1418
01:02:01,105 --> 01:02:04,965
- Oh,
- So you heard us say we had video of it

1419
01:02:04,965 --> 01:02:08,565
and we did, uh, I have a
dash cam always in my group.

1420
01:02:08,635 --> 01:02:12,685
It's motion activated and
this thing motion activated.

1421
01:02:13,265 --> 01:02:16,525
And there was this guy,
uh, sitting out in front

1422
01:02:16,665 --> 01:02:19,085
and he clearly had some
device in his hands,

1423
01:02:19,315 --> 01:02:21,485
some electronic type device.

1424
01:02:22,505 --> 01:02:25,165
And he was looking in the,
trying to look in the front

1425
01:02:25,185 --> 01:02:27,205
of our, of our van through the windshield.

1426
01:02:28,065 --> 01:02:29,645
And then he walked off to the side

1427
01:02:29,785 --> 01:02:33,045
and then you heard the door open and he

1428
01:02:33,145 --> 01:02:34,725
and an accomplish came in.

1429
01:02:34,725 --> 01:02:36,525
Now my camera was just focused out,

1430
01:02:36,685 --> 01:02:37,845
'cause it was a dash cam,

1431
01:02:38,585 --> 01:02:41,165
but we heard the conversation of he

1432
01:02:41,165 --> 01:02:43,405
and his buddy as they quickly

1433
01:02:43,545 --> 01:02:46,325
and efficiently ransacked
our small little camper van.

1434
01:02:46,835 --> 01:02:49,605
That was the most irritating
part, is listening to them

1435
01:02:49,605 --> 01:02:50,605
- Talk.

1436
01:02:50,605 --> 01:02:51,485
Well, there was a good part to it too,

1437
01:02:51,485 --> 01:02:53,565
because we were worried
that maybe they had were,

1438
01:02:53,565 --> 01:02:55,245
would be mean to our dog.

1439
01:02:56,025 --> 01:02:58,445
Uh, our dog did not bark.

1440
01:02:59,505 --> 01:03:01,165
He was, uh, gonna be a show dog.

1441
01:03:01,165 --> 01:03:02,445
And I don't know how they did it to him,

1442
01:03:02,445 --> 01:03:03,845
but he did not bark .

1443
01:03:04,345 --> 01:03:05,885
He didn't, he was in training to be a show

1444
01:03:05,885 --> 01:03:07,485
dog, but his teeth weren't good. And he

1445
01:03:07,485 --> 01:03:08,485
- Was, he was quite
- Friendly.

1446
01:03:08,795 --> 01:03:10,565
Yeah. He just was, he just watched him.

1447
01:03:10,585 --> 01:03:12,565
In fact, they said he
was a good dog. Yeah.

1448
01:03:12,565 --> 01:03:14,645
They, he, he just sat on the sofa

1449
01:03:14,725 --> 01:03:15,885
and watched him go through everything.

1450
01:03:15,945 --> 01:03:17,165
But he was very,

1451
01:03:17,185 --> 01:03:19,165
our dog was very upset
when I opened up the door.

1452
01:03:19,325 --> 01:03:21,205
'cause all this stuff started
falling off just on the floor.

1453
01:03:21,425 --> 01:03:23,125
And he looked at me like, I didn't do it.

1454
01:03:23,145 --> 01:03:24,205
Mom, let me outta here

1455
01:03:24,585 --> 01:03:26,965
- On the, on the video version
of this, we'll post a couple

1456
01:03:26,965 --> 01:03:28,925
of photos that show you
what we're talking about

1457
01:03:29,065 --> 01:03:31,525
and you can see the guy that caught it.

1458
01:03:31,785 --> 01:03:32,885
So we called the police

1459
01:03:33,745 --> 01:03:37,525
and uh, they said that,
um, um, they suspected

1460
01:03:37,555 --> 01:03:39,725
that this was a gang from East St.

1461
01:03:39,725 --> 01:03:43,205
Louis right across the, uh,
the, um, the river from us.

1462
01:03:43,785 --> 01:03:45,685
And he said, well, was
was your vehicle locked?

1463
01:03:46,305 --> 01:03:48,765
And yes, it was. I remembered distinctly

1464
01:03:48,965 --> 01:03:51,485
'cause we were leaving and
Jennifer says, did you lock it?

1465
01:03:52,185 --> 01:03:55,885
And I remember hitting
that keypad and I looked

1466
01:03:55,945 --> 01:03:59,405
and I saw the, the door lock
go down on the camper van.

1467
01:03:59,955 --> 01:04:01,205
Well, police later said

1468
01:04:01,205 --> 01:04:03,285
that they think these guys had some sort

1469
01:04:03,285 --> 01:04:04,765
of a electronic device.

1470
01:04:05,145 --> 01:04:07,125
Uh, and there were a bunch
of those out there now

1471
01:04:07,595 --> 01:04:11,085
that can override, or they
copied these guys were close by.

1472
01:04:11,085 --> 01:04:13,245
They copy the, the frequency of the code

1473
01:04:13,265 --> 01:04:15,605
and they're able to
somehow open these locks.

1474
01:04:16,065 --> 01:04:17,205
And we weren't the only theft.

1475
01:04:17,205 --> 01:04:20,085
There was a guy telling a
U-Haul who stopped for dinner,

1476
01:04:20,665 --> 01:04:23,165
and he had parked just a few
spaces, uh, down from us.

1477
01:04:23,185 --> 01:04:25,725
And he was also hit, they
smashed out a window to get entry

1478
01:04:25,745 --> 01:04:28,285
to his vehicle, and they
also took a computer there.

1479
01:04:29,305 --> 01:04:31,205
So, um, it was a mess.

1480
01:04:31,505 --> 01:04:32,925
But, uh, we left

1481
01:04:33,265 --> 01:04:36,245
and, uh, they had all my
computer, they had your computer,

1482
01:04:36,245 --> 01:04:37,525
they had our iPads.

1483
01:04:38,305 --> 01:04:41,165
Um, they had a bag

1484
01:04:41,295 --> 01:04:44,845
where you had written
down passwords for stuff.

1485
01:04:46,345 --> 01:04:49,965
Um, and so, uh, what do you do?

1486
01:04:50,105 --> 01:04:53,285
So we immediately realized that, um,

1487
01:04:53,775 --> 01:04:57,405
these guys had even more
potential to harm us through, uh,

1488
01:04:57,465 --> 01:04:59,805
all the personal information
that was on those computers.

1489
01:05:00,505 --> 01:05:02,725
Now the good news is
I have Apple computers

1490
01:05:02,905 --> 01:05:06,365
and I had everything encrypted,
and that's important.

1491
01:05:06,425 --> 01:05:08,605
And I also have an ability
on the Apple computer.

1492
01:05:08,625 --> 01:05:10,685
And this is one of the
lessons, if you have a Mac,

1493
01:05:11,085 --> 01:05:12,805
I don't know if Windows
will do this as well,

1494
01:05:12,865 --> 01:05:16,645
but the Macs allow me, I
can remotely wipe clean

1495
01:05:17,305 --> 01:05:18,485
my inf information

1496
01:05:18,485 --> 01:05:23,005
and I can also activate a
find my Mac, uh, feature.

1497
01:05:23,585 --> 01:05:25,925
We never did find it. We
never saw him activate it.

1498
01:05:26,145 --> 01:05:27,725
But I did go eventually and,

1499
01:05:27,745 --> 01:05:29,445
and wipe everything clean that evening.

1500
01:05:29,945 --> 01:05:32,805
- Oh, you were up all night.
- I went to a, a Best Buy

1501
01:05:33,825 --> 01:05:37,325
and bought a new
computer, uh, on the spot.

1502
01:05:38,145 --> 01:05:40,325
And we literally in that parking lot

1503
01:05:40,465 --> 01:05:44,525
and, uh, I think until
probably four in the morning,

1504
01:05:44,845 --> 01:05:46,685
I spend all my time going back to all

1505
01:05:46,685 --> 01:05:48,645
of our bank records, changing passwords.

1506
01:05:48,665 --> 01:05:51,125
It was a mess. Um, so

1507
01:05:51,125 --> 01:05:53,205
what do you learn from
such a thing as that?

1508
01:05:53,815 --> 01:05:55,445
First thing is it can happen anywhere.

1509
01:05:56,075 --> 01:05:58,005
- Yeah. Don't think you're safe. Yeah.

1510
01:05:58,115 --> 01:06:00,325
Because you're in a spot that,

1511
01:06:00,485 --> 01:06:01,725
I mean, there was so much traffic.

1512
01:06:02,045 --> 01:06:03,885
I just can't believe
that it happened. Yeah.

1513
01:06:04,025 --> 01:06:08,685
- And it did, um, take
some precaution on any

1514
01:06:08,685 --> 01:06:13,085
of your devices to, uh, be able
to find out where they are.

1515
01:06:13,825 --> 01:06:16,405
Um, I don't know how you do
it with the Windows machines,

1516
01:06:16,405 --> 01:06:19,285
but I know with Macs you can,
you can, you can find my map.

1517
01:06:19,285 --> 01:06:20,285
It'll show you on a map.

1518
01:06:20,305 --> 01:06:22,085
You can send a feature a note to it,

1519
01:06:22,545 --> 01:06:24,605
and again, you can remote, uh, wipe it,

1520
01:06:24,605 --> 01:06:25,765
which is really important.

1521
01:06:26,545 --> 01:06:28,645
Uh, so people wanna know about insurance.

1522
01:06:29,385 --> 01:06:31,005
And the insurance was a mess too,

1523
01:06:31,755 --> 01:06:35,045
because there was no breakage.

1524
01:06:35,575 --> 01:06:39,645
These guys somehow bypassed my, my locks

1525
01:06:39,785 --> 01:06:42,045
and whatever they used open it.

1526
01:06:42,435 --> 01:06:45,725
They got in my insurance company, uh,

1527
01:06:46,145 --> 01:06:47,605
on the rv, denied my claim.

1528
01:06:49,105 --> 01:06:50,885
And it was, we went back and forth.

1529
01:06:50,945 --> 01:06:52,605
And since then I've had agents say,

1530
01:06:52,605 --> 01:06:53,605
you should have fought it

1531
01:06:53,605 --> 01:06:56,845
because, uh, you know, the,
you've got video evidence,

1532
01:06:56,865 --> 01:06:58,965
you got the police talking about it.

1533
01:06:59,465 --> 01:07:02,765
But they were very firm with
me on the, on the phone, uh,

1534
01:07:02,765 --> 01:07:04,845
saying, Nope, we're not gonna,
we're not gonna honor it

1535
01:07:04,845 --> 01:07:06,605
because there's no break-in you.

1536
01:07:06,625 --> 01:07:08,205
You didn't take proper security.

1537
01:07:08,475 --> 01:07:11,285
Well, we had, but how do
you prove that? You know?

1538
01:07:11,905 --> 01:07:13,165
So they got into it.

1539
01:07:13,305 --> 01:07:16,365
Uh, it ended up, my homeowner's
insurance covered it

1540
01:07:16,635 --> 01:07:17,685
with no questions.

1541
01:07:18,145 --> 01:07:19,325
So I've stayed

1542
01:07:19,325 --> 01:07:21,245
with my same homeowner's insurance ever

1543
01:07:21,245 --> 01:07:23,205
since. Uh, so you're gonna

1544
01:07:23,205 --> 01:07:25,045
- Tell 'em what's which company? Uh,

1545
01:07:25,085 --> 01:07:26,765
- I don't, because they'll
be asking, I don't,

1546
01:07:26,885 --> 01:07:29,485
I don't remember where the, uh, state,

1547
01:07:29,565 --> 01:07:31,205
I don't remember the insurance company

1548
01:07:31,715 --> 01:07:32,805
that denied the claim,

1549
01:07:33,145 --> 01:07:36,045
but State Farm is my own
insurance company, uh,

1550
01:07:36,045 --> 01:07:37,845
which did honor the claim.

1551
01:07:38,065 --> 01:07:40,045
Um, it's, it's part of my home coverage.

1552
01:07:40,745 --> 01:07:45,245
So it was covered and it was
just stuff. It's just stuff.

1553
01:07:45,665 --> 01:07:47,405
But, uh, and it gave us a story.

1554
01:07:47,565 --> 01:07:48,685
I guess I could think of that. Mm.

1555
01:07:49,305 --> 01:07:50,765
But uh, so what are the lessons?

1556
01:07:51,545 --> 01:07:53,565
Always try and park where
you can see the vehicle.

1557
01:07:53,805 --> 01:07:56,485
I mean, if we could've eaten
and looked out the window

1558
01:07:56,585 --> 01:07:58,765
and seen somebody wandering
around our vehicle,

1559
01:07:59,025 --> 01:08:01,125
we would've been right
out there as it was.

1560
01:08:01,125 --> 01:08:03,885
We probably only missed them
by a couple of minutes. Yeah.

1561
01:08:04,705 --> 01:08:05,965
But to think that they did hours

1562
01:08:06,025 --> 01:08:08,165
and seven minutes, that's
how long it was, is

1563
01:08:08,345 --> 01:08:10,365
as I gave the police got all my video

1564
01:08:10,465 --> 01:08:12,925
and pictures, seven minutes inside,

1565
01:08:13,065 --> 01:08:16,005
and then they still had time
to break into a a U-Haul

1566
01:08:16,005 --> 01:08:17,245
and get a computer out of that.

1567
01:08:17,645 --> 01:08:20,085
- I remember the one little
funny thing, the officer

1568
01:08:20,195 --> 01:08:21,565
that came, it just so happened

1569
01:08:21,565 --> 01:08:22,965
he worked with the canine unit. He

1570
01:08:22,965 --> 01:08:23,965
- Was the canine
- Unit.

1571
01:08:23,965 --> 01:08:25,445
Yeah. And, uh, Ty was sitting down,

1572
01:08:25,625 --> 01:08:27,525
was laying on the ground,
and he looked at Ty

1573
01:08:27,525 --> 01:08:29,205
and he said, you didn't do your job.

1574
01:08:29,825 --> 01:08:32,245
And Ty just looked up
at and wagged his tail.

1575
01:08:33,165 --> 01:08:36,445
, I guess Ty could tell
he was a dog person. .

1576
01:08:36,445 --> 01:08:38,325
Yeah. You know, Ty liked him,

1577
01:08:38,325 --> 01:08:40,365
but he, the way he said,
you didn't do your job,

1578
01:08:40,505 --> 01:08:42,605
but, uh, the dog didn't bark.

1579
01:08:43,065 --> 01:08:45,965
- Anyway, lock your vehicles.
Double check they're locked.

1580
01:08:46,345 --> 01:08:47,965
And understand that stuff happens.

1581
01:08:48,585 --> 01:08:51,485
And if, uh, and, and it's only
stuff, it can be replaced.

1582
01:08:51,795 --> 01:08:53,125
It's not the end of the world. You

1583
01:08:53,125 --> 01:08:54,125
- Have to lock things.

1584
01:08:54,195 --> 01:08:57,005
- Okay. That's, uh, our, uh, Mike

1585
01:08:57,005 --> 01:08:58,205
and Jen's story for this week.

1586
01:08:58,265 --> 01:08:59,645
Yep. So what, what do you guys think?

1587
01:08:59,645 --> 01:09:00,685
Listen, you want us to hear more

1588
01:09:00,685 --> 01:09:01,885
stories? We've got all sorts of stories.

1589
01:09:01,965 --> 01:09:02,805
- I don't wanna go through that

1590
01:09:02,805 --> 01:09:03,645
kind of stuff again. Yeah. ,

1591
01:09:03,645 --> 01:09:04,645
- We don't wanna go through tomorrow.

1592
01:09:04,645 --> 01:09:05,325
That's, that's the worst

1593
01:09:05,325 --> 01:09:06,485
stuff that ever happened
to us on the road.

1594
01:09:07,025 --> 01:09:08,885
Uh, except you getting sick.

1595
01:09:09,155 --> 01:09:10,805
That'll be another story some other day.

1596
01:09:10,805 --> 01:09:12,005
We'll talk about that.
Mm-Hmm, .

1597
01:09:12,065 --> 01:09:13,485
Um, so let us know.

1598
01:09:13,625 --> 01:09:17,085
Our email address is Mike
and jen@rvlifestyle.com.

1599
01:09:17,105 --> 01:09:19,485
That's the podcast for
this week. Love you guys.

1600
01:09:19,485 --> 01:09:20,765
Thank you so much for watching.

1601
01:09:21,175 --> 01:09:22,045
- Happy Trails.