Episode 143: How Technology is Changing the RV Lifestyle




RV Podcast show

Summary: Technology is changing the RV World and Lifestyle faster than any of us could imagine. Terms like electrical independence, Voltstart, Ecotrek and technologies like lithium ion batteries and solar power generation are revolutionizing the way we camp and experience the outdoors in our recreational vehicles.<br> <br> This week, we talk about the future of RV technical innovation with an RV engineer, our friend Yan Seiner from the Erwin Hymer Group of North America, the makers of Roadtrek motorhomes. Yan tells us how far technology has advanced and where it’s headed. That’s in our interview segment.<br> <br> But we have much more, including our regular RV tip segments, a traveling tech report, your questions and an off the beaten path destination… all coming up in this episode of the RV podcast.<br> <br> Click the player below to Listen Now or scroll down through the show note details. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast.<br> <br> [spp-player]<br> <br> Show Notes for Episode #143 June 7, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Podcast:<br> <br> MONOLOGUE<br> <br> Mike and Jennifer chat about their multi-trip west and how they intend to keep Mike’s “330 Rule,” which is to stop for the day after traveling no more than 330 miles or by 3:30 PM local time, whichever is first.[spp-timestamp time="2:18"]<br> <br> To help keep their own rule, they need to be held accountable and the best way to do that is to be committed to keeping a live video report schedule. So, starting Thursday, June 8, they will go live on the <a href="http://facebook.com/roadtreking">Roadtreking Facebook Page</a> at 4PM local time…which will be 5 or 6PM Eastern Time as they head through the various time zones.<br> <br> Also look for video report on <a href="https://youtube.com/roadtrekingmike">Mike and Jennifer’s RV Lifestyle Channel on YouTube</a>.<br> <br> JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK<br> <br> <br> <br> You know those maps we all like to use that show all the states and provinces we visit? A lot of RVers use them but there’s one thing that many don’t like: They can sometimes leave an ugly residue on the paint because of the adhesive used to stick them on the RV. [spp-timestamp time="9:57"]<br> <br> Well, a listener named Sharon found a way to solve that and she sent us in this tip!<br> <br> Sharon bought a magnetic sheet and affixes the stocker to it, instead of the RV body. The magnetic sheet attaches without glue and can easily be removed. You can find those sheets in differing sizes at craft stores, office supply stores and, of course, Amazon.<br> <br> Be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox.<br> <br> I love hearing from you!<br> <br> Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes (www.RadPowerBikes.com_… an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping!<br> <br> LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK:<br> <br> Listener Jim noticed our new RV has the roof mounted air conditioner, rather than the undermount that we used to have. He also wonders about solar and fuel mileage. We explain that the unit we have was bought off the lot, and to have waited for an undermount would have meant a new build and these days, that takes months. Besides, our new unit is a 4 x 4 and we were not keen on hanging stuff under the chassis because we plan to do a lot of back road boondocking. [spp-timestamp time="14:00"]<br> <br> Kathy from Hamiliton, ON,