The Smart RVer: DIY RV Maintenance and Repair

This is Eric Stark with The Smart RV’er Podcast Delivering the smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down!

Living the RV Life: Eric and Alexis talk about the ways you can take your pets on the road with you. They discuss how you can make your pets comfortable while they ride in the RV. They also discuss the kinds of things you should be bringing along for your pet, like their medical paperwork. Pets also require treats and toys to make sure they feel more at home. 

Staying On The Road: Eric Interviews RV Dreaming Summit. Eric interviews Stuart Takehars from RV Dreaming.TV, and they discuss the Full Time Freedom Week Summit that is in May. If you are even considering Full Time RVing, you need to check out this Summit. It is Free and extremely valuable.

The Next Stop: Eric and Alexis explore the Lewis and Clark caverns. They check out what visitors would enjoy doing while they are in the are and where RVers can stay. They also highlight some of the best places to grab some grub. 

RV Envy: Eric talks about Dometic water heaters and how to replace or upgrade your water heater! He gives insightful information and links to a video that gives more information about water heaters. Eric helps all his listeners get informed about how best to use their RV both safely and efficiently in every podcast! 

And Enter Promo Code SMARTRV20 at check out and save 20% to 50% on your order.

 

This is Eric Stark with The Smart RV’er Podcast Delivering the smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down!

Living the RV Life: Eric and Alexis discuss how the RV lifestyle can be improved when you lighten your RV's weight in various ways. This can be helpful for gas mileage, ease on tires and springs, and just less clutter so you can enjoy the RV lifestyle. Eric also informs you on how you can empty your water tanks for even smoother travel. With this know-how, you can analyze your RV and see how you can make improvements. 

Staying On The Road: Eric talks about the good and the bad of customer service and the breakdown of how consumers are treated in most big box stores lately. He also clarifies how we at Highways93 RV Parts are committed to making our customers happy! We are always ready to answer your phone calls and emails. We really try to help our customers as quickly as possible. Eric talks about how much our customers mean to us, so improving our customer service skills is imperative. 

The Next Stop: Eric and Alexis have a lively conversation about Kennebunkport and what fun things you can do while you’re there. They talk about how nice traveling on the East Coast can be and how enjoyable being close to the ocean can be. Kennebunkport is famous for being the vacation place for George W Bush. Eric talks about his own personal visit to Maine and how beautiful the whole state is. Finally, as always, as a viewer and listener, we encourage you to check out TheSmartRver.com, where all the ‘Next Stop’ Articles can be found with more information than we cover in the podcast section! 

RV Envy: Eric highlights how nice Magnadyne USB ports are and how handy they are to have on the road. He talks about how upgrading your RV with awesome gear can improve your life and the enjoyment of the RV life. Please like and subscribe. 

If you are interested in trying MagicMind at a discount, use the following:

And Enter Promo Code SMARTRV20 at check out and save 20% to 50% on your order.

Magnadyne.com

TheSmartRVer.com

This is Eric Stark with The Smart RV’er Podcast Delivering the smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down!

Living the RV Life: Eric talks about how RVing is a great way to see the country and enjoy some time away from home. However, one of the challenges of RVing is staying connected to the outside world. With Anytime Mail-Box, there is no need to worry about finding a post office or making sure your mail is delivered on time. Simply forward your mail to your Anytime Mail-Box account, and they'll take care of the rest. They offer a variety of services that make it easy to stay connected while on the road, including 24/7 access to your mailbox, package forwarding, and email forwarding. 

Staying On The Road: Eric discusses how you, as RVers, can feel safer and more secure while traveling and staying in campgrounds. The best way to feel safe is to have a camera for surveillance and or a bright motion sensor light to keep thieves away from your possessions. Eric helps listeners to navigate the world of security and gives you peace of mind about your travels. 

The Next Stop: Eric and Alexis go to yet another beautiful location virtually in Maine! Acadia National Park. They talk about the things to do in and near the park, where to grab some grub, and where to stay at night. As always, all these articles with links can be found at TheSmartRVer.com.

RV Envy: Eric talks about how upgrading to an Easy Touch Thermostat will transform the way you RV! It will make life more comfortable and easier! Eric also refers to a YouTube video that highlights the details about Easy Touch Thermostats. 

This is Eric Stark with The Smart RV’er Podcast Delivering the smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down!

Living the RV Life: Eric and Alexis talk about the FMCA Rally. From its beginning, FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) has been centered on bringing people together. To make friends. Learn about their RVs. Travel to parts unknown. Have fun. While much has changed since those early days, FMCA continues to unite RV enthusiasts through its conventions, area rallies, and chapter gatherings.

FMCA’s biannual international conventions unite thousands of people for four days of everything RVing – education, shopping, entertainment, and camaraderie. There are also regional events. Each of FMCAs’ 10 areas generally holds an area rally annually, where members gather to socialize, view exhibits, attend seminars, and enjoy quality entertainment. Area rallies are organized by FMCA and area associations. Be sure to check out more at TheSmartRverPodcast! 

Staying On The Road: Eric discusses how most trailers come with the most basic suspension, leaf springs, and that is it. It is the same old suspension that has been used for hundreds of years. Then he talks about each of the below brands!

Dexter Red EZ Flex Equalizers

Equaflex - Lippert

Center Point Air Ride System

Moreryde SRE & CREA

Lippert Shocks

Roadmaster Comfort Ride System Add-On Shocks

Slipper Springs

5K, 7k, 8k Tandem axles, Triple axel system available

The Next Stop: There are many reasons why The Smart RVer should think about visiting Austin, Texas is worth it. Here are a few that Eric and Alexis discuss:

Music Scene: Austin is known as the "Live Music Capital of the World" and for good reason. The city has a thriving music scene with over 250 live music venues and hosts two major music festivals each year, South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits (ACL).

Food: Austin has a diverse and delicious food scene, with a range of options from traditional Texas BBQ to innovative fusion cuisine. You can find food trucks, food halls, and restaurants that serve everything from tacos to sushi.

Outdoor Activities: Austin is surrounded by beautiful natural areas, including several parks, lakes, and hiking trails. You can take a dip in Barton Springs Pool, hike up Mount Bonnell for a stunning view of the city, or go kayaking on Lady Bird Lake.

Art and Culture: Austin is home to numerous museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, including the Blanton Museum of Art and the Harry Ransom Center. The city also hosts a variety of cultural events and festivals throughout the year, such as the Texas Book Festival and the Fusebox Festival.

Nightlife: Austin's nightlife is just as lively as its music scene, with a variety of bars, clubs, and music venues that cater to all tastes. From honky-tonks to dive bars to high-end lounges, there's something for everyone.

Overall, Austin is a dynamic and vibrant city that offers something for everyone. Whether you're into music, food, outdoor activities, or just exploring a new place, Austin is definitely worth a visit.

RV Envy: Eric tells Smart RVers about Dometic Water Heaters. He explains what you need to know about water heaters and how to upgrade yours easily!

 

This is Eric Stark with The Smart RVer Podcast Delivering the smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down!

Living the RV Life: For many people, the appeal of full-time RVing is the freedom to travel wherever they want, whenever they want. However, that doesn't mean that living on the open road is free. In fact, one of the most important keys to successful full-time RVing is learning how to create and stick to a budget.

One of the best ways to save money as a full-time RVer is to camp at inexpensive or free campsites whenever possible. There are a number of websites and apps that can help you find cheap or free campsites in your area. In addition, many state and national parks offer discounts for senior citizens, military personnel, and other groups.

Another great way to save money is to cook your meals at home rather than eat out all the time. Not only will this save you money, but it will also allow you to eat healthier food.

Full-time RVers also often take advantage of membership discounts at stores like Sam's Club and Costco. By taking the time to plan ahead and budget carefully, it is possible to live the dream of full-time RVing without breaking the bank.

Staying On The Road: It's cold outside, and your RV Furnace is not coming on with the T Stat. No matter how often you switch it on and off, it doesn’t come on. You need to keep your RV warm or risk your water lines freezing. What do you do? You can call a technician if one is available. You can you take your RV to a service center if possible? Or you can diagnose the problem yourself and save the day. Eric walks The Smart RVers through how to test Thermostats! 

The Next Stop: Eric and Alexis talk about how White Sands National Park is a stunning natural wonder located in the state of New Mexico in the southwestern region of the United States. It was designated as a national park in December 2019, making it the newest national park in the United States. Smart RVers will want to check this place out! 

The park covers an area of 224 square miles (580 square kilometers) and is known for its unique landscape of white sand dunes that cover an area of around 275 square miles (710 square kilometers). These dunes are made up of gypsum crystals and are among the largest gypsum dune fields in the world.

The park is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, many of which are adapted to the harsh desert environment. Visitors to the park can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, picnicking, and camping. The park is also a popular destination for stargazing and offers visitors a chance to view the night sky in all its glory.

Overall, White Sands National Park is a unique and awe-inspiring destination that showcases the natural beauty and diversity of the American Southwest. Alexis and Eric recommend you take a trip here as soon as possible.

RV Envy: Eric talks about how to upgrade to a better furnace! Overall, Dometic brand furnaces for RVs are great because they are efficient, easy to install, durable, user-friendly, and backed by a warranty. These features make Dometic furnaces a reliable choice for RVers who need reliable heating on the road. The Smart RVer will want to look into this for their RV.

This is Eric Stark with The Smart RV’er Podcast Delivering the smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down!

Living the RV Life: What is an RV Show?

At an RV show, you'll get a first-hand look at tons of different makes, models, and styles of motorhomes and travel trailers.

Whether you’re a newbie looking to buy your first travel trailer or a seasoned traveler with an upgrade on your mind, RV shows can be very enjoyable and beneficial.

Don’t forget about all the cool camping gear and gadgets. Dozens of vendors are usually in attendance to promote their camping goods, services, and products.

A complete list of 2023 of over 80 shows during different times of the year and in different states…

 Staying On The Road: Learn how to avoid the pitfalls of converting your RV to LED Lights.

There is a trick to doing it right and not throwing away money if it can be avoided. Converting older light fixtures that use incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs can be a better option than newer LED lights with built-in LED bulbs.

The Next Stop: Eric and Alexis visit Makoshika, MT to explore some of the cool things to do there. Not to mention there is lots of food to eat and places to stay in your RV. They recommend whetting your traveling appetite by checking the Next Stop RV Destinations and seeing where you end up.

RV Envy: Furion Back-Up Cameras - Why talk about backup cameras?

They are more than backup cameras anymore. You can use them to see what happens behind your RV when traveling down the road. Many new RVs come pre-wired at the factory for them. Furrion has become a famous brand for RVs that are prewired. 

I have talked about BU cameras in the past, and I pushed a brand called HaloView and at the time, I got behind them; right now, Furrion is the Camera I am going to push. If you know of another great brand, please let me know.

This is Eric Stark with The Smart RV’er Podcast Delivering the smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down!

Living the RV Life: Eric and Alexis talk about staying fit on the road or actually being active on the road. It is important to get some exercise and move around to really enjoy an RV vacation. Without moving around you could easily go into lazy mode and do nothing and waste a great getaway.

Staying On The Road: Eric talks about the importance of keeping your RV locked up to deter thieves from stealing it. The conversation is really about securing a travel trailer and 5th-wheel trailers. There is a lot to securing your trailer using the different types of locks available today. The takeaway would be to use a quality trailer lock and be smart about how you lock the coupler, wheels, and frame to deter would-be thieves by making it a little harder to accomplish.

The Next Stop: Eric and Alexa make a trip outside of the United States to Banf Canada and explore one the beautiful wonders north of us. They explore the various activities and of course, they can’t resist talking about places to eat, and food galore. And of course, Banf is RV Friendly.

RV Envy: Eric cuts the portable diesel heaters that are peddled on the internet some slack. He expressed his low opinion of them in a previous episode but has come to realize they could be a good backup source of heat if you are living in your RV or camping and your furnace fails. His opinion is still low because he knows they could be a disaster in an RV if not used correctly.

This is Eric Stark with The Smart RV’er Podcast Delivering the smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down!

Living the RV Life - Star Gazing;  In the RV Life segment of episode 116, Eric and Alexis talk about star gazing, not Hollywood stars but the bright shiny lights in the nighttime sky. They discuss some great places to see to take advantage of Star Gazing.

Staying On The Road - RV Batteries and a lot of information you should know about RV Deep Cycle Batteries. Eric Explains quite a bit about Flooded, AGM, Gel Cell, and Lithium and 6-volt RV Batteries and the things that are important to an RVer.

The Next Stop - Lake Placid, New York; Eric and Alexis discuss the highlights of taking an RV trip to Lake Placid, New York. This a great episode to whet your traveling appetite.

RV Envy - The Echo Brake Controller by Curt Mfg. - Eric enthusiastically explains why he thinks the Echo Brak Controller is such a great brake controller and why it is his brake controller of choice.

This is Eric Stark with The Smart RV’er Podcast Delivering the smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down!

Eric and Alexis discuss the pros of keeping a Bullet Journal (Short and Quick Entries) and helpful it can be in the tracking of the things that can pop up daily. They also share the value of keeping a running memory of each trip from each member of the family and the value of an awesome tool for RVing.

Staying On The Road: RV 110 Volt Circuit and 12 Volt Fuses, Exactly What You Need To Know; Eric dives in and explains what 110-volt Circuit Breakers and 12 Volt Fuses are used for in RVs and critical information on testing, diagnosing, and locating. Also the main reasons why you should be able to test and repair breakers and fuses. The simple answer is, it can save tons of cash and time.

In this section, Eric and Alexis plow into winter sports and how The Smart Rver can take advantage of the cold winter months.

Eric shares the buzz around the brand of Ebikes he now sell at Highway 93 Rv in Victor MT.

 

 

This is Eric Stark with The Smart RV’er Podcast Delivering the smarts you need to enjoy the freedom of the RV Lifestyle without the fear of breaking down!

Living the RV Life: Eric talks about how to plan a friends and family trip. You can get the whole family involved by asking where everyone wants to go and what they want to do! With a bit of planning, an RV trip can be the perfect way to create lasting memories with those you love most. 

Staying On The Road:  Eric discusses in depth the differences between inverters and converters. He talks about what each one looks like, how they operate, and the benefits of having both. Eric also encourages his listeners to consider purchasing a generator instead of installing an inverter.

The Next Stop: Eric and Alexis dive into Mammoth Lakes, California, where they talk about where to stay and what restaurants are a must-visit! They also lively discuss the activities and how you can plan your next RV trip to Mammoth Lakes! 

RV Envy: In this segment, Eric talks about different brands of sewer hoses and how to find the best quality for your RV. He also gives insight into which hoses he believes work the best!