Wandering Gypsy RV Life

In this episode of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, host Stan Cromlish sits down with Gil and Steve Raye, longtime members and ambassadors of the Family RV Association (FRVA), for a candid conversation about community, education, and why the organization has become such an important part of their full-time RV lifestyle.

Recorded from Kick Back Ranch & Event Center in Ramer, Alabama, this conversation explores what makes FRVA unique and why so many RVers consider it one of the most valuable communities on the road.

Gil and Steve share how they became involved with FRVA in 2018 and why the friendships and support network within the organization have been one of the most meaningful parts of their travels.

Along the way, we talk about:

• How FRVA education programs like RV Basics help both new and experienced RVers

• The importance of community and camaraderie on the road

• Why FRVA chapters are the heart of the organization

• What to expect at the 112th FRVA International Convention in Perry, Georgia

• The role of education, seminars, and hands-on learning at rallies and conventions

• Steve’s upcoming Towable Rodeo event at the convention

• How RVers can get involved with local and special-interest chapters

We also discuss the FRVA Pathfinder program, designed for people who are still RV-curious but planning to purchase an RV in the future.

Whether you’re a seasoned RVer, just starting your journey, or simply curious about the lifestyle, this episode highlights why so many travelers say the FRVA community feels like family.

Mentioned in This Episode

FRVA International Convention

📍 Perry, Georgia

📅 March 18–21

Over 100 seminars, vendor exhibits, social events, and educational opportunities for RVers of all experience levels.

Learn more about FRVA:

https://www.frva.com

Resources

🌎 Wandering Gypsy RV Life

https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

📚 Rolling Smooth RV Book Series

https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth

⚙️ RV gear that helps you adventure more and worry less

https://technorv.com?Click=12127

🎙 Beyond the Chutes Podcast

https://beyondthechutes.show

About the Podcast

The Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast shares real stories from the road, lessons learned from full-time RV travel, and conversations with people who live the lifestyle in their own unique way.

Hosted by Stan Cromlish, author of the Rolling Smooth RV book series, each episode explores the adventures, challenges, and friendships that make life on the road unforgettable.

Closing Thought

Sometimes the best repair isn’t just the one that fixes your RV.

It’s the one that quiets your mind.

Until next time…

Keep your rig Rolling Smooth.

A small roof leak can turn into a surprisingly big mental distraction.

In this episode of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, Stan Cromlish shares the story of a stubborn leak in Bertie Bea that refused to cooperate for nearly three weeks. What started as a minor moisture problem slowly turned into something that occupied far more mental space than it deserved.

After multiple trips onto the roof, careful inspections, and a DIY repair attempt, the leak still refused to disappear. Eventually, Stan made the short drive to Golden, Mississippi, where Tony at Precision RV took a look and finished the job the right way. The final solution involved a careful inspection, experienced craftsmanship, and yes… seven tubes of sealant.

But this episode isn’t really about sealant.

It’s about how small unresolved problems quietly consume mental bandwidth until we finally deal with them. Whether it’s an RV repair, a project, or something else entirely, the Rolling Smooth mindset reminds us to slow down, evaluate the problem, determine the course, and resolve it.

Sometimes the biggest reward isn’t just fixing the problem.

Sometimes it’s the quiet mind that comes after.

In This Episode

• Diagnosing a stubborn RV roof leak
• Why small problems take up so much mental space
• When DIY repairs are enough and when to call an expert
• The craftsmanship behind Precision RV in Golden, Mississippi
• How the Rolling Smooth mindset applies to everyday challenges

Resources & Links

🌐 Wandering Gypsy RV Life

https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

📡 TechnoRV – Gear that helps you adventure more and worry less

https://technorv.com?Click=12127

🎙 Beyond the Chutes Podcast with Doug Simcox

https://beyondthechutes.show

📚 Rolling Smooth Book Series

https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth

About the Podcast

The Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast shares real stories from the road, practical lessons from full-time RV travel, and conversations with people who live life a little closer to the horizon.

Hosted by Stan Cromlish, traveling in his 2016 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 34PA, Bertie Bea.

This week isn’t about electrical systems, tanks, or tire pressure.

It’s about what happens when everything stacks up at once — physically, financially, mentally — and you still have to keep rolling.

A knee that declared mutiny.

A stubborn roof leak.

Cash flow pressure.

Preparing to speak and represent at the FRVA International Convention in Perry, Georgia.

None of those things is catastrophic on its own.

But together, they carry weight.

In this episode, Stan talks honestly about mental health on the road and what the Rolling Smooth Mindset looks like when it moves from theory into practice.

Real strength isn’t pretending nothing hurts.

It isn’t suppressing stress or “cowboying up” past what’s real.

It’s quieter than that.

It’s slowing down.

Evaluating clearly.

Determining your course.

Resolving steadily — without theatrics.

If your motivation has thinned out lately…

If life feels heavier than expected…

If you’re trying to build something while living inside it at the same time…

This episode is for you.

You don’t need a breakthrough today.

You need one small win.

📍 FRVA International Convention – Perry, GA - March 18–21

Stan will be speaking, representing the RV Basics Alumni Chapter, and bringing copies of the Rolling Smooth book series. There’s still time to register and show up.

📚 Rolling Smooth Book Series

Real lessons from the road about staying steady when things don’t go according to plan.

https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth

🌎 More from Wandering Gypsy RV Life

Stories, photos, and videos from the road:

https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

🔧 TechnoRV

Stan’s trusted source for RV gear that helps you adventure more and worry less:

https://technorv.com?Click=12127

🤠 Beyond the Chutes Podcast

Rodeo history, cowboy storytelling, and legends of the arena:

https://beyondthechutes.show

Until next time,

Keep your rig rolling smooth.

Keep your coffee hot.

And remember… sometimes the best roads are the ones the GPS won’t even show you.

Kevin McCabe has spent more than 30 years in television production. After producing the long-running fishing show Addictive Fishing, he pivoted during COVID and co-created RV There Yet? TV, now airing on the Discovery Channel.

In this episode of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, Kevin shares:

• How a reunion video launched a 20+ year television career
• The moment he pitched an RV travel show to Discovery
• What long-form broadcast storytelling requires that social creators often underestimate
• Why RV rallies and live education still matter
• How to avoid burnout in today’s creator economy
• The mindset behind longevity in both media and RV life

We also talk about authenticity, partnerships, FRVA rallies, and why Kevin believes the real legacy of RV There Yet? is inspiring people to get off the couch and explore America.

If you’ve ever wondered what separates network-level storytelling from social media content, this conversation pulls back the curtain.

Guest Information

Kevin McCabe

Co-host & Producer, RV There Yet? TV

Website: RVThereYetTV.com

YouTube: Search “RV There Yet? TV”

Streaming: Roku, Amazon Prime

Airs Saturdays at 8:30am ET on the Discovery Channel (Season 5)

Links & Mentions

Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

Rolling Smooth Books: https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth

TechnoRV: https://technorv.com?Click=12127

Beyond the Chutes Podcast (Doug Simcox): https://beyondthechutes.show

Key Topics Discussed

• 30+ years in television production

• Addictive Fishing legacy

• Transition from fishing TV to RV travel

• Third-person storytelling vs influencer format

• Vertical vs horizontal content production

• Time-shifting and digital audience expectations

• FRVA rallies and RV community growth

• Authenticity vs chasing algorithms

• Creator burnout

• America 250 and the red, white & blue Patriot coach

It got cold in North Texas last week — cold enough to freeze hoses, shut off water, and send a lot of folks scrambling for backup plans.

But my guest today was still showering in his trailer while everyone else headed to the arena.

In this episode of Wandering Gypsy RV Life, I sit down with PRCA Announcer of the Year Garrett Yerigan to talk about rodeo travel, RV life, and what it really takes to stay ahead of the road when it tries to bite back.

Garrett shares what it’s like living out of a trailer for months at a time, why he travels in a living-quarters horse trailer, how he handles cold weather, water management, maintenance on the road, and the routines that keep him grounded during major runs like the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

Whether you’re an RVer, a rodeo traveler, or someone who lives and works on the road, this conversation highlights the mindset, preparation, and adaptability it takes to keep rolling smooth.

▶️ Watch the Video Version

📺 YouTube Podcast: (use the video link from this thread)

📘 Rolling Smooth Book Series

If you enjoy real-world lessons from the road, check out my Rolling Smooth book series — practical RV wisdom built from lived experience. 🔗 https://bit.ly/wgrvlbooks

☕ Support the Podcast

If you’d like to support the show and keep these stories rolling, you can buy me a coffee here: ☕ Buy Me a Coffee link → https://buymeacoffee.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife

🔧 Partners & Friends

• TechnoRV — my go-to for RV gear, from water filtration to GPS and more 🔗 https://technorv.com?Click=12127
• 🎙️ Beyond the Chutes with Doug Simcox — rodeo history and cowboy storytelling 🔗 https://beyondthechutes.show

Until next time, keep your rig rolling smooth, keep your coffee hot, and remember, sometimes the best roads are the ones the GPS won’t even show you. Not all who wander are lost.

There’s a sound every RVer listens for.

Water.

And when you turn the faucet and hear nothing, your mind doesn’t wait for facts. It jumps straight to worst-case scenarios.

This week on the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, I share a quiet winter morning with Bertie Bea that tested patience more than plumbing. Freezing temperatures. No water flow. Nothing broken, but nothing cooperating either.

This isn’t a checklist episode about frozen pipes or emergency fixes. It’s a real-world lesson about restraint, timing, and knowing when not to touch a system. About why Rolling Smooth isn’t preventing problems, but meeting them without panic and without stacking mistakes.

We talk about:

• Why pressure and ice don’t belong together
• The hardest RV skill most people never learn: waiting
• How small decisions protect systems more than tools ever will
• Why does experience teach calm before it teaches confidence

If you’re new to RV life, this episode will help you reframe those “what now?” moments. If you’ve been on the road a while, you already know the truth. It’s not if something happens. It’s when.

You can find more stories, photos, and videos at wanderinggypsyrvlife.com.

A special thanks to TechnoRV for supporting the show and helping RVers adventure more and worry less. And to my good friend Doug Simcox and his podcast Beyond the Chutes, where rodeo stories and cowboy history come alive.

Until next time, keep your rig rolling smooth, your coffee hot, and remember: sometimes the smartest move is doing nothing at all. ☕🚐

There’s a moment in RV life when excitement gives way to reality.

A parking lot decision before cell service disappears. A warning from someone who’s been there before. And the realization that the RV you almost bought could have changed everything.

In this episode of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, I sit down with Bill and Laura Egeln, new Class A RVers who share the real, unfiltered lessons they learned as they stepped into full-time motorhome life with their Tiffin Allegro Open Road, Gladys.

This isn’t a highlight reel or a brand pitch. It’s an honest conversation about what new RVers don’t know yet — and how the right advice, timing, and mindset can save money, weekends, and a lot of stress.

We talk about:

• The moment someone told them, “Do not buy that brand.”
• Rookie mistakes most first-time RVers make
• Why arriving after dark is a lesson you only need once
• The 300-mile rule and planning smarter travel days
• Tire age, pressure, and weight realities
• Why RV inspections are non-negotiable
• Cold weather surprises and winter prep
• Learning from technicians instead of panicking
• Why good resources matter more than floorplans

At its core, this episode is about understanding that RV life isn’t about avoiding problems — it’s about being prepared for them.

It’s not if. It’s when. And everything is fixable.

📘 Buy my RV books: Rolling Smooth – Real Lessons from the Road 👉 https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com/rollingsmooth

🌐 Wandering Gypsy RV Life Blog & Resources 👉 https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com

🎙 New episodes drop regularly. Pull up a chair and ride along.

There’s a moment when the forecast changes.

Not the casual “might dip below freezing” kind of cold, but the kind where weather apps start using words like teens, hard freeze, and winter storm. That’s when RV life gets very honest.

In this episode of Wandering Gypsy RV Life, I walk through how I think about cold-weather RV planning when temperatures drop into the teens and twenties. This isn’t about panic or worst-case scenarios. It’s about staying ahead of the weather instead of chasing it.

We talk through:

• Why do different RV types handle cold very differently
• How water systems become the first point of failure in freezing weather
• Why living off your fresh tank can be a sign of preparedness, not inconvenience
• How to layer heat safely without overloading electrical systems
• The importance of planning for nighttime before temperatures bottom out
• Why calm, comfort, and safety are built long before 3 a.m.

Cold weather RVing is as much mental as it is mechanical. When you wake up warm, stocked, and calm while the temperature outside is in the teens, that isn’t luck. It’s preparation doing exactly what it was meant to do.

🔗 Full cold weather planning write-up: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com/2026/01/23/cold-weather-rv-planning/

🔗 Helpful Links

• 🌐 Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com
• 📘 Rolling Smooth Series: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com/rollingsmooth
• 🛠️ RV Gear & Support (affiliate): https://technorv.com?Click=12127
• 🎙️ Beyond the Chutes Podcast: https://beyondthechutes.show
• ❤️ Support the journey on Patreon: https://patreon.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife

Stay warm. Stay curious. And keep rolling smooth.

Two kinds of people truly understand the road: RVers and cowboys.

Both live by weather windows, fuel stops, and a deep respect for momentum and margin. And both know that when things go wrong out there, they don’t do it politely or on schedule.

In this episode of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, I sit down with Chick Wilfong for a grounded, experience-driven conversation at the crossroads of RV life and cowboy culture.

Chick has spent decades hauling horses and living out of everything from campers and living-quarters trailers to buses, semis, and toterhomes. This isn’t a gear or brand conversation. It’s about what actually keeps people and animals safe when you’re moving heavy rigs down imperfect roads.

We talk about why “have enough truck” is rule number one, why maintenance is the difference between a story and a disaster, and how tire blowouts can get Western in a hurry when you’re hauling serious weight. We dig into TPMS and monitoring systems, air and hub temperature warnings, weighing your rig, and why hope is not a tactic when your family or horses are onboard.

We also cover defensive driving, stopping distances, speed discipline, always knowing your out, and why slowing down is often the smartest move you can make. Along the way, we compare how RVers and cowboys approach the same challenges from different angles and what each group can learn from the other.

If you tow, haul, full-time, part-time, or just want to do this lifestyle safer and smarter, this episode delivers hard-earned wisdom from miles, mistakes, and maintenance.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Cold open: momentum & margin

01:18 Show welcome + Chick intro

04:03 Life on the road (every kind of rig)

05:30 Blowouts, tire realities, and the true cost

07:06 “Have enough truck” + why it matters

08:11 Maintenance, leaks, and rolling earthquakes

14:15 Protecting the rig: TPMS, air, temp warnings

21:53 Weight, scales, and staying legal

34:08 Defensive driving, speed, and stopping distance

39:13 Checklists, slowing down, and staying safe

45:26 Where to find Chick + devotionals

49:20 Wrap-up + shout-outs

Find Chick Wilfong

• Facebook: Chick Wilfong / Wild West with Chick Wilfong
• YouTube, Instagram, TikTok: Chick Wilfong

More from Wandering Gypsy RV Life

• Website: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com
• Rolling Smooth: Real Lessons from the Road Book Series: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com/rollingsmooth
• TechnoRV (affiliate): https://technorv.com?Click=12127
• Beyond the Chutes Podcast: https://beyondthechutes.show
• Patreon: Join the Campfire Circle for bonus content and behind-the-scenes episodes

Outro music: Brother Highway by Ned LeDoux (used with permission)

Until next time, keep your rig Rolling Smooth, keep your coffee hot, and remember: not all who wander are lost.

There’s a sound that signals the start of RV show season. Not engines. Not generators. It’s the low hum of wanderers comparing notes, pointing at rigs, and quietly rethinking their setups. Every January, that sound gets loud in Tampa.

In this episode of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, Stan previews the Tampa RV Super Show, running January 14–18, 2026, at the Florida State Fairgrounds, and explains why this rally is about far more than shiny rigs and new gadgets.

Stan shares why education sits at the core of the Rolling Smooth mindset and how seminars on water systems, tanks, propane, inverters, converters, and power management can be the difference between confident travel and campground stress. He also talks about being on-site representing TechnoRV, answering real-world questions about power, connectivity, and RV systems, plus bringing copies of the Rolling Smooth: Real Lessons from the Road book series for face-to-face conversations.

You’ll hear why clean, protected power matters, including a look at the Hughes Autoformers 50-Amp Power Center installed on Bertie Bea, and why preventative upgrades align with a systems-first RV philosophy. Stan also dives into one of the most overlooked benefits of rallies: direct access to manufacturers, engineers, and technicians from companies like Micro-Air and Shade Pro, often with on-site installation available.

From solving lingering RV issues while you’re already surrounded by experts to using the Florida RV Trade Association mobile app to plan your days, this episode is your grounded, experience-driven guide to getting real value out of the Tampa RV Super Show.

If you’re heading to Tampa, make education the priority, stop by the TechnoRV booth, ask questions, attend seminars, and leave with more than brochures. Leave with confidence.

👉 Learn more at wanderinggypsyrvlife.com.

Until next time, keep it rolling smooth, and maybe I’ll see you down the road… or in Tampa. 📍