RV Podcast

Call it a Rolling RV Renovation but we have some very affordable RV Interior Makeover Ideas to share that can really revitalize your camper's interior vibe.

Our guest on Episode 475 of the RV Podcast is Cortni Armstrong, otherwise known as "The Flipping Nomad." Cortni is an RV makeover expert and our conversation is all about remodeling your RV interior on a budget. Now's the time to upgrade the look while waiting for the spring travel season.

You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.

Cortni's RV Interior Makeover Ideas

We regularly hear from RVers who want to personalize their RV, freshen it up, and give it a new look without breaking the bank.

Maybe you are in that category - you've had your RV for a couple of years and love it, but the interior could use a little updating.

Or maybe your RV is brand new to you, and it just isn't quite your taste. To help us with several fun, easy, and inexpensive ways to give your RV a facelift, we have as our guest today Cortni Armstrong of The Flippin' Nomad.

Cortni specializes in renovating RVs and has a wealth of ideas we think you will find very helpful. 

Here's an edited transcript:

Cortni Armstrong of The Flippin' Nomad.

Mike and Jennifer Wendland Well, Cortni joins us right now. It's always good to see you. You have been a busy woman these past several months.

Cortni I have been, it never ends around here.

Mike and Jennifer Wendland Today I want to talk about the average RVer who wants to do a refresh or a makeover, an RV interior makeover. Is this possible for the average person to do at an affordable rate and does it affect the value of the RV? Give us some ideas of what's possible.

Cortni Yeah, well, I've got a lot of experience doing this. You know, I started the business about six or seven years ago. And so I've coached hundreds of people through how to kind of DIY a refresh of their own rig.

We're kind of most commonly known for these big over-the-top overhauls, but you don't have to do a big over-the-top, extremely expensive, very labor-intensive overhaul to get your rig feeling like your own. What I always tell students is there is a refresh for any type of budget that's out there. So even if you've got basically next to nothing, there's a few things that you can do to refresh your rig.

Some things that are really easy to implement for low budget or even no budget would be things like, window valances that are in RVs. You know, they're kind of like the big boxes that trim out windows like this. And a lot of people think that those have to be there for the structural integrity of the roller shade that is mounted to them, but that's actually not the case.

The only reason the manufacturers mount the roller shade to that valance is because it's an efficiency thing for when the rig is on the assembly line. That roller shade does not need the valance to operate. So you can take that valance box down and then just reattach that roller shade to your wall.

RV thefts are on the rise. An RV GPS tracker will help recover your investment if thieves decide to steal it. Here's what to look for in choosing a tracker and how to install it.

This week on Episode 474 of the RV Podcast:

* Why your RV needs a GPS tracker

* Why you may want not to take your RV on the Pennsylvania Turnpike!

* Apps to help RVers easily send out their holiday greetings

* All this, plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #474 of the RV Podcast

You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.

Interview of the Week: Installing an RV GPS Tracker

This is not the type of GPS tracker we need...watch the video to see more.

This week, we’re going to talk about how to combat a growing problem facing RV owners - Theft.

Your RV is more than just a vehicle; it's a home on wheels. Safeguarding this significant investment is crucial, and a GPS tracker provides an additional layer of security. In the unfortunate event of theft, having real-time location data significantly increases the chances of recovering your beloved RV.

Every week we hear about stolen RVs that are never recovered. Just the other day, a Class A motorhome was stolen from Myrtle Beach and the owner said, “My whole life is in that RV. I want it back.”

But like so many other stolen RVs, police have no clue where it is and the likelihood of it being found and recovered is pretty slim.

That’s where a GPS tracker would help. First, it would have alerted the owner when his RV was moved. And more importantly it would allow police to know where it is and then recover it.

Recently we told the story of a camper whose RV was stolen from an RV storage facility in California and she was never notified. During that interview, we shared several tips that you could take to safeguard your RV, and today we would like to share one more.

Our guest is Conrad Galambos, president of Solutions into Motion LTD which owns a product called WhereSafe, a GPS tracking device. Conrad explains various ways a GPS tracker on an RV can be used by RVers, that you'll not want to miss.

Listen or watch the interview with the players above.

Meantime...

What is an RV GPS Tracker?

RV GPS tracker devices are specialized tracking systems designed for recreational vehicles (RVs) to help owners keep tabs on the location and status of their vehicles. These devices utilize Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to determine the precise location of the RV and often provide additional features for enhanced monitoring and security.

Here are some key aspects of RV GPS tracker devices:

* Location Tracking: The primary function of an RV GPS tracker is to provide real-time location information. This allows owners to know the current whereabouts of their RV, which can be crucial for planning trips, ensuring security, and locating the vehicle in case of theft.

* Geo-Fencing: Many RV GPS trackers offer geo-fencing cap...

Lots of RVers are spending Thanksgiving in an RV. It takes planning to pull it off successfully, but provides lots of great memories for families and friends.

It's Thanksgiving week and we RVers and campers have so much to be thankful for this season. In this week's episode 473, we'll share lots of Thanksgiving notes and hear from a couple that has hosted Thanksgiving in an RV for the past 10 years.

This year, they'll be joined at the campground by 23 family members.

You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.

With Thanksgiving, it's time for some great Black Friday and Cyber Monday bargains on RV, Camping and Outdoor accessories and gadgets.

Last night, we did a one-hour livestream on Amazon Live that featured many of the best Black Friday shopping deals available. I urge you to go to our Amazon Live page and watch that video… it’s at https://www.amazon.com/live/rvlifestyle, and while there please hit the follow button because we will be doing these regularly.

But, since then, we have heard of a few more extraordinary savings on things of interest to RVers and campers.

* First, Jackery solar generators that offer back up power for all your electronic devices, has all their power systems on sale at really low prices. If you are thinking of getting one, you’ll never find better pricing at https://amzn.to/3G61a7s 

* Battleborn Batteries has an amazing 40% off Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale. Go to https://rvlifestyle.com/lithium for details.

* RV Mattress has 30% off if you use the coupon code rvlifestyle. That’s a fantastic price. See them at https://rvmattress.com/rvlifestyle

* Beddys, which has amazing bed coverings that zip up and make it so easy to make your beds in the RV has an excellent sale for Black Friday. Go to  https://rvlifestyle.com/beddys

* RVLock, which is a combination replacement lock for RVs that allows keyless entry and is available for trailers, fifth wheels and motorhomes, has the best sale I’ve ever seen them offer: 36% off. Check it out at https://amzn.to/3SIoP5E 

* Finally, Waggle pet monitors - perfect to keep track of the temperature in your RV if you leave pets there while you go out - is having a 50% sale on its products, including the newest one. Details at https://amzn.to/3ukEmOR 

And again, for a full look at a whole slew of other RV and Camping accessories with great Black Friday discounts, check out our most recent Amazon Live stream, at https://www.amazon.com/live/rvlifestyle

SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ - Wendy Bowyer

Wendy Bowyer reports on the hot issues most talked about this past week on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group:

William wrote: Still learning the ropes, what are the top three handy/new/nifty things I need to buy before RVing around the country?

RV Storage theft happens a lot more than many people realize. We have an unbelievable tale from an RVing couple who learned this the hard way.

Their RV was stolen from what was supposed to be a secure storage facility. When police recovered it and took it to their storage facility, the same thief stole it again.

And when police recovered it the second time, they ended up selling it at auction. The owners knew none of this, thinking their RV was still safe in the facility they were renting.

They only discovered this when they went to pick up their RV in the spring. They have since spent months frustratingly trying to figure how out this could have happened and what recourse they have.

That's the story we share in the interview of the week in Episode 472 of the RV Podcast.

Also in this episode:

* The best day of the week for RV travel

* How to find the best RV and camping gadgets and gear

* Campground etiquette for outside-the-RV lights

You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.

Interview of the Week - RV Storage Theft

Steve and Claudia Sorensen have spent three months of every summer traveling in their RV for the past 15 years.

From Mount Rushmore to Glacier National Park to Chaco Canyon, they went up and down the American West in their 22-foot Minnie Winnie, which they had remodeled with new upholstery, curtains, paint, flooring, kitchen fixtures, solar panels, lithium batteries, and an inverter. 

When they were done traveling each summer, they would store their RV in a storage facility in whatever town they happened to be near. They planned to continue doing this for years to come.

But when they went to their storage facility last July ready to hit the road and camp they were in for a shock: Their RV was gone. It had been stolen.

And how the RV storage theft happened and what they uncovered and experienced subsequently is an unbelievable tale that you just have to hear.

The Sorensens have learned a lot. 

And today Claudia is here to help us all better understand what every RVer should know when storing their RV.

Click either the video or audio players above to hear the entire story of their RV storage theft.

Social Media Buzz

Wendy Bowyer reports on the hot issues most talked about this past week on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group:

Have you ever wondered what state has the worst roads? Well, Michael was wondering just this so he asked the question on the RVLifestyle Facebook Group. Michael thought the state with the worst roads was probably Tennessee, but said he was told Louisiana was the worst.

More than 1,200 people weighed in with their vote, and I have to tell you, there are a LOT of contenders!

So what states did the group say have the worst roads?

Michigan and Pennsylvania came up a LOT, but so did California, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas,

There's more to safe and secure RV storage than just winterizing it and putting it away. Among other things, you need to pay attention to the roof, tires, and electrical system.

Our guest in the Interview of the Week segment in Episode 471 of the RV podcast is our friend Todd “The Beard” Henson of the National RV Training Academy.

Todd is one of the RV industry’s top experts in maintaining and caring for your RV and the chef instructor in a special home training course that any RVer can benefit from.

You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.

RV INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK: What you need to know about RV Storage

Here’s an edited transcript of the interview:

The best solution for RV Storage is indoor storage

Todd:

Let's go over a lot of the considerations. I mean, we have a large investment sitting in the cold weather, and the one thing we don't want to do is just simply leave it out there in all cases, so let's look at some of the best preferences.

So number one is, if it's possible, is to store it indoors. The worst thing that we can do is leave this out in the field by itself. But I know that in some cases we've got no option. So how do we protect that investment? 

If you can't store it indoors, I would recommend storing it even outside of trees. The problem with that is that most trees, of course, they go into winterization mode as well, and that's when we get a lot of foliage that drops, and then of course we get limbs that drop. And guys, most of our roofs are either some type of rubber membrane or PVC membrane and falling objects are not desirable. So I would not recommend storing it in an open air situation.

If outside, watch out for tree damage during RV storage

Now, from there, what are some other things that we can do? 

Okay, now we know that these RVs, the tires are just sitting there. There's a couple of things that I want to look at. 

One is, of course, if you can roll them up on some wooden blocks, especially if it's going to be on concrete, go ahead and roll them up on wooden blocks. The second thing is that as the air gets cooler and there's really not much going on, the tires can deflate. 

Take care of your tires

So I'm going to ask you to look at that every once in a while because we've had several situations even with FEMA, where we would store these, and of course we had survivors (from hurricanes) living in them, but the tires would begin to actually decrease their pressure, release their pressure, however you want to say it, and the frame would move and our survivors couldn't get out of the door because the frame was on the ground.

So we want to make sure that we're keeping an eye on it. So what we want to do is just make sure that we're checking on this every once in a while, checking the pressure of our tires, but also looking around for any signs of rodents, any other type of wild animals, because they're looking for a place that's warm and they will chew their way in and get outside of the cold weather.

Now, to me, because people ask this all the time,

Solo RV Life can seem scary and lonely to some. But for the woman we meet in Episode 470 of the RV Podcast, it has been anything but. It has brought new friends, a strong sense of community and the joy of discovery.

You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.

Solo RV Life with Teri Rostberg: Interview of the Week

For years, Teri Rostberg worked as the executive director of a hospice company and saw many people who simply waited too long to retire.

Determined not to have that happen to her, Teri retired at age 57 and set out to explore the country in her 21-foot 2016 190 Popular Roadtrek, often using work camp jobs to help with costs.

From Yellowstone to Grand Canyon to Alaska to a whooping crane refuge in Texas and more, Teri has been all over, loving every minute. 

Here's an edited transcript:

Mike Tell us why you decided to retire. Was it really because of what you saw in your hospice work?

Teri Rostberg Well, you know, people would reflect on the end of their life. And you never, ever heard anybody say, I wish I'd have spent more time working. You know, usually, it's travel plans. You know, they may be retired at 65 and were planning to travel and then got a cancer diagnosis. I was even seeing some of the people that I've worked with get cancer and they were younger than me. So yeah, I just, you know, wanted to have a good work-life balance and didn't want to have any regrets, so I figured I could always go back to work.

Mike Well, I'm curious because you kind of have worked all the way through this, but oftentimes as a volunteer, how did that come about?

Teri Rostberg Well, sometimes people do say, when are you going to retire? And I said, I am retired. This is fun. You know, this is my hobby. This isn't work to me. And most people that do work camping, I don't think, feel that it's work. You know, they're going places they enjoy going. I feel like I'm living places I could never afford to live otherwise. Unless you're working a full job with the Park Service, how do you enjoy that beautiful environment of the National Parks besides work camping?

Mike I mentioned some of the intro, but tell us about the places and how you discovered work camping in the first place.

How she started Solo RV Life

Teri Rostberg I'm a researcher, so I did a lot of research, watching shows like yours, reading some of the Escapee Club news articles. Anytime I would come across someone, I would ask them, where they've been, and just kind of made a list in my mind and on paper, and went back and researched some of the places. Also looked at places I wanted to go and then would google, volunteer, and sometimes things would come up.

Heard about volunteer.gov, workampingjobs.com, and CoolWorks.com I explored all of those and picked out the places I wanted to go.

Mike What kind of stuff have you done and where?

Teri Rostberg My very first job was a volunteer at the National Park in the winter at Grand Canyon South Rim. And I was a volunteer with the National Park Service doing interpretive talks and working at the visitor ce...

We love visiting with other RVers to see the RV Upgrades they have made to enhance their enjoyment of the RV Lifestyle. This week we share 5 DIY mods that anyone can do.

RVers love to share the RV Upgrades they've made, and in Episode 469 of the RV podcast, we visited with several of those who attended our recent Music City Meetup in Nashville who shared their favorite DIY upgrades. All were easy to do.

You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

If you prefer an audio-only podcast you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.

Links to the RV Upgrades featured this week

Here are links to some of the RV modifications and tips shared in this Episode.

* Air Conditioning Mod - https://RVAirflow.com

* Old National Parks Postcards from  Ranger of the Lost Art - https://RangerDoug.com

* Blackout  Curtain -  https://amzn.to/3QkVInt

* Adjustable Track for Blackout Curtain - https://amzn.to/3M4Sv8L

* Viva Paper Towels - https://amzn.to/3rYvJsk

* BOYO Vision VTM7012QFHD 4 Channel Monitor - https://amzn.to/3txAtG2

* Echomaster cameras- https://amzn.to/3ttEACK 

* TST 770 Tire pressure Monitoring System - https://amzn.to/45x7E9R

* Magnetic Clip and Mount for TST remote - https://www.proclipusa.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ - Wendy Bowyer

Wendy Bowyer reports on the hot issues most talked about this past week on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group:

Karen recently asked the group if anyone has named their RV, and if so, what did you name it? 

Boy, did she ever get a lot of responses and it was so much fun to read!

We had Big Bertha for a Keystone Cougar, Joy as in Joy on the Road, Monty for a new Montana Fifth Wheel, and Winifred the Winnebago.

Then there were names like Tootsie Roll, Daisy Mae, Gladys, Cousin Eddie, Big Blue, Miles, Lance, Chugs, Lucy, and on and on it went. More than 1,000 people shared what they named their rig, many with pictures, and it was so much fun to read.

We have many people share hacks that have helped them on the RVLifestyle Facebook group, and Jon shared just such a tip that got many people's attention. He bought a device that you put under the bottom stair going up to your RV to stabilize things. He said it really reduced the camper rocking when two people were going in and out so he took a picture and shared it with the group. Lippert made the device, many thanked him,

This week on the RV Podcast we talk about the so-called "Nature Pill," explaining how even 20 minutes of time surrounded by nature can measurably reduce stress and bring about better health.

That's what Jen and I are doing this week, decompressing and destressing in the woods of Middle Tennessee, enjoying the beautiful fall weather surrounded by nature.

And yes, there is indeed such a thing as a "nature pill," which we describe in our opening monologue.

You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.

There's a lot coming up in this episode…

* We talk with the organizer of the big Quartzsite RV show in January and learn why every RVer needs to make at least one trip to Quartzsite, the desert mecca that draws thousands upon thousands of RVers each winter.

* If you are a solo traveler who wants to visit the area but is concerned about being alone, we’ll hear from a woman who runs a popular group for solo RVers who is inviting solo travelers to camp together in Quartzsite. 

* Plus, the RV news this week, tips, travel ideas, and your RV Lifestyle questions…all coming up on Episode 468 of the RV Podcast.

We're taking a "Nature Pill" this week

This week, we come to you from Loblolly Ridge. That’s the name we call our five acres of land in Mid-Tennessee near the small town of Linden. We have developed several full hookup RV sites here for ourselves and friends and relatives, and we’re here this week to relax, enjoy the beauty of fall amidst the hills and hollers of this beautiful part of the state and to dream and plan some future improvements.

We needed the rest because last week we were very busy in Nashville, hosting a gathering of 65 of our RV Lifestyle followers at our annual fall campout, which we called the Music City Meetup. We toured Nashville and even attended an evening at the Grand Ole Opry. It was so much fun. So now we’re decompressing in the peace and quiet at Loblolly Ridge.

We’ve owned this property for two years. It’s in a 5,300 acre development known as the Woodlands of Buffalo River and this week, many of our fellow property owners are here. We’re having nightly bonfires and cookouts with everyone, learning about ways to improve our property and even touring some of the bardominiums folks around here are putting up.

A growing number are living here year round now, having come to Mid-Tennessee from around the country. It’s all wilderness here. There’s lots of wildlife. Great fishing and hunting. Awesome star gazing and in the town of Linden, the local Commodore Hotel Music Cafe brings in Nashville songwriters and performers for entertainment each weekend. 

The thing I like best about it is the sound of the breeze whispering through the Loblolly pines surrounding our property. So calming. There are no traffic noises, and it's very private, but if we ever were in need of help, our neighbors are always there. This is, as we say, a perfect place to unwind and decompress, surrounded by nature.

The "Nature Pill" is verified by a university study

There’s scientific evidence now about the therapeutic effects of being in nature. We’ll link in the show notes to a study by the University of Michigan that shows that just

Finding RV Community on the road can be a challenge. But joining a club or attending a rally or a meetup can bring you lifelong friends.

Show Notes for Episode #467 of The RV Podcast: Finding RV Community

You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.

Our interview guests are Travis Carr, president and co-CEO, and Melanie Carr, vice president and co-CEO, of the Escapees RV Club and the topic is finding community on the road.

And that is what we are doing this week as we’re coming to you from the KOA Resort and Campground in Nashville, TN where we’ll be all week with 65 or so of our followers at our annual fall campout.

Hat's off to the Sponsors who have helped us with the expense and/or provided prizes for the attendees. They include:

* Camping World

* Battleborn Batteries

* Bug Off

* The Dyrt

* Harvest Hosts

* MorRyde

* Organized Obie 

* Keystone RV

* Leisure Travel Vans

AUDIENCE FEEDBACK

This from Deborah: I keep a 3 ring binder with tabs for each trip. I record where we go, where we stay, and who we see. When the binder is full, I take it all out, store it in a folder at home, and put in more tabs and paper.

We love hearing how other RVers started their RV Lifestyle and we had a nice email this week from Glenn and Ginger. They wrote:

About 20 years ago, we owned a beef cattle operation in a little town in north Florida. Prior to that, my wife and I were both part of the corporate world. My wife Ginger was a manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield, and I was a VP with a large computer company. 

We both became disillusioned with the corporate world, quit our jobs, and bought the farm. While I was with the computer company, I traveled the country extensively while Ginger raised the family and worked her job. She always talked about my traveling and how we would someday travel together. 

When we had the farm, neither of us had much of an opportunity to travel, but, on one of our shopping trips to town, we saw a 5th wheel parked in the lot at our local Walmart. We approached the couple and started talking with them about their travels. All their stories sounded really great, and the bug apparently bit us.

This is the week for the annual Elkhart RV Dealer Open House, the annual wining and dining soiree the RV industry puts on every year to introduce their new models to RV dealers across North America.

That's where we come to you for Episode 466 of the RV Podcast, which features an in-depth interview with Jeff Runels, the President and CEO of Keystone RV, North America's largest manufacturer of towable recreation vehicles.

You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.

The Elkhart RV dealer Open House is held all across the Elkhart region, where 80% of all the RVs sold in the world are manufactured. But Ground Zero is on the sprawling grounds of the RV/MH Hall of Fame where Thor, Keystone RV, Heartland, Jayco, Roadtrek, Grand Design, and many other manufacturers display all their new 2024 models.

The show is closed to the public and open only to dealers, RV salespeople, suppliers, and other industry businesses who make the annual trek to place their orders for the coming year.

There's lots of entertainment and great food and drink, with catered meals, food trucks, and open pit barbecue made by two of the nation's top BBQ chefs.

In past years, the partying sometimes raised some community criticism, though we notice it has toned down a lot over the past couple of shows. The atmosphere this year was much more professional and business was definitely on the front burner.

No wonder because the show will generate hundreds of millions of dollars in orders in three days. It's not unusual for some RV dealerships to order new models by the dozens.

Interview - Jeff Runels, Keystone RV CEO and President

On the podcast, we found an empty Springdale trailer and sat down across from a comfy dinette to interview Jeff Runels, who oversees all aspects from manufacturing to the sale of 19 different RV models.

We've interviewed Jeff several times before. We've always found him to be very open and forthcoming and this interview was no exception.

Jeff called the Elkhart RV dealer Open House event the "Superbowl" equivalent for the industry, noting that collecting direct feedback from the dealers about customer wants and concerns helps manufacturers design models without superfluous features.

"Not only do we get their opinion on all of the new stuff we've come out with, but we get to hear what's going on with their business and what they think is going to happen the next several months, which of course, in this environment is really important," he said. "And so it just kind of helps give us an idea of whether what we've been doing is right or wrong or what they think and kind of gives us an idea of what to prepare for."

He talked in depth about the challenges the industry is facing in these post-Covid years, noting that the industry-wide downturn in sales coupled with today's ever-growing interest rates are causing belt-tightening and adversely affecting consumer confidence.

"I think everybody has been waiting with bated breath on what's going to happen," said Runels. "Are the interest rates going to continue to go up? Are they going to drop off? We haven't seen rates like this since early 2000, late nineties, and so that certainly has affected us. And that plays into, okay, do we need to deconstruct the coaches? Do we need to shrink 'em up because that's wha...