RT21 Roadtreking RV Podcast: The Biggest Problems RVers Face

From bad repairs and overwhelmed service centers to inadequate Wi-Fi, life on the RV roadways can be challenging. For episode 21 of the Roadtreking RV Lifestyle podcast, we talk to Greg Gerber, editor of RV Daily Report – and recently an RV full-timer – about many of the challenges every RVer will likely face at one time or another. "There's always a list of something that needs to be fixed," Gerber says on this Roadtreking podcast. "Hardly a month goes by where we aren't having someone take a peek at something." Gerber has been covering the industry since 2000 and has become widely recognized as one of the top RV industry insiders. He talks about what it took to finally get away from his desk for good and become a full-time RVer - and many of the challenges of which he is experiencing first-hand. Among the many topics covered with Gerber: - Should you buy a new or used RV - Why campground Wi-Fi sucks - Why data card cellular Internet in campgrounds is getting bad - How RV service shops sometimes give second rate service to travelers who bought their rigs elsewhere - Why RV service is so hard to find - Why mobile RV service trucks may be the best way to get your rig fixed in a timely manner [spp-player] Also from episode 21 of the Roadtreking podcast: First Things First: Better Access, Chevy or Sprinter? We kick off the show by drawing on the knowledge of Roadtreking Reporter Campskunk to answer a listener question about what chassis offers easier access - Sprinter or Chevrolet? Specifically, listener Jody is a full-timer who wants to downsize from a 38-foot travel trailer to a Class B yet has concerns about ground clearance because of a disability. Question: When is Roadtreking Going to Talk More Amateur Radio? John, a ham radio operator, suggests we talk more about ham radio. I comment about some of the things we have already done along with my own plans for ham radio. Comment: Stream Roadtreking Through Roku's Private iTunes Channel Dale notes how he listens to the podcast through his Roku Stick, which allows iTunes podcasts to stream through his home entertainment system and TV. Dale fills us in on the free private channel he added to his Roku account to get podcasts like Roadtreking. Question: Can You Tell Us More About Your New RV? Tim asks a bunch of questions about our new RV, including why we're now in the Roadtrek CS Adventurous XL with its propane furnace and gas burners instead of the all-electric eTrek we had been driving. Question: Any Suggestions for Learning More About Dispersed Camping? And a reader asks about suggestions for earning more about dispersed camping across the U.S. I refer him to this post written for the blog - https://rvlifestyle.com/dispersed-camping-in-national-forests/ and the site http://www.forestcamping.com/ RV News of the Week: Las Vegas KOA Moves, Mich. Fees Up, Calif. Parks in Trouble The long time KOA campground on the Las Vegas strip is moving to a new location (Read more) Michigan is raising camping fees at state parks (Read more) A report says California’s state parks are under “serious stress” (Read more) RV Tech Tip of the Week: Apps to Help Split the Bill Sure, meeting other RVers and going out for delicious meals all across the land is fun - except when the bill comes. Worry no more, however, as I offer up three great apps that make splitting the bill way less stressful. I first talked about them for my PC Mike Techcast. The Tip N Split app for Apple perfectly describes what it does. It adds in the tip automatically and then divides it up between those at the table. It splits the tip uniformly, equally among everyone. The Lite version is free. There’s also a similar Tip N Split Caculator for Android on the Google Play store. But if some ordered more expensive stuff, you may want to instead use the Billr app for the iPhone. It splits the bill unevenly, for up to 16 people. It adds the tip, takes into account the cost of each item ordered, assigns them to a person and then gives each person their fair share amount. The ultimate bill splitter though is called Divvy. It makes sure everyone pays their fair share like the other apps but it does so by having you snap a photo of the bill and the people at your table. It reads each item and then you just drag each item to the photo of the person who ordered it. It only works with the iPhone Thinking about getting a new smartphone? The next big thing is here! With a curved screen, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is revolutionizing the way consumers access information and interact with their devices. Gear: New Samsung Galaxy Note Edge Have you seen what many are calling the next big thing? It's the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. Its Quad HD Super AMOLED display wraps to create a side screen, allowing users to easily access their favorite apps, control music and view alerts without having a notification interrupt what’s on the main display. Visit Roadtreking.com/vzw for stories about how technology can enhanc