RT53: What You Need to Know To Be An RVing Snowbird

With the peak summer travel season behind us, thoughts for many begin to turn toward snowbird season. But RVing for an extended period so far from home during the long winter months isn't all sun and sand, especially if you don't prepare properly. Take it from Tim and Carol Mallon, the couple from Canada behind the Snowbird Tails from the Trail blog at http://snowbirdtailsfromthetrails.blogspot.com/ Tim and Carol Mallon The duo knows how to snowbird right and join Roadtreking's Mike Wendland for episode 53 of the Roadtreking podcast to give you everything you need to know about being an RVing snowbird. Among other things, they discuss: How to mark out a route for snowbirding How to set a snowbirding budget How boondocking can save money Stretching your food budget by eating local and fresh food Why preparing your own food is not only financially sound but is good for you You should treat yourselves to night out and a movie Take advantage of local museums and parks Spend your first season finding the region of the country you like the best Also in this episode, we have all the regular features including listener feedback and questions, Jennifer's Tip of the Week, an amazing RV bucket destination, and a lot more. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #53 Sept. 16, 2015 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: First Things First: Checking in from Florida's Emerald Coast Mike and Jennifer Wendland kick off the show talking about their busy week that COULD include a trip to America's Largest RV Show - or Jennifer sitting in a courthouse. They also talk about how a pothole slowed them down during their most recent trip. [spp-timestamp time="2:42"] Jennifer's Tip of the Week: Go Gear Pop-up Trash Can Jennifer's Tip of the Week this week centers on one of the least expensive, yet most handy accessories an RV can have: a pop-up trash bag. For just $9 on Amazon (http://amzn.to/1M6YovE) you will get the perfect trash bag made of nylon and easily washable. We put it behind the driver's seat and find it's a perfect spot for it. [spp-timestamp time="10:09"] Listener Question: What Can You Tell Me About Alternative RV Power Systems? A listener named Julian from Iowa asks about alternative RV power systems, specifically, the Tesla Powerwall, a residential home system that charges using power generated from energy collected and stored by solar panels or taken from the old-fashioned electricity grid during off-peak hours (when rates are lower). Mike offers that RV technology is more complicated and has already moved far beyond the Tesla system. He further refers to a Roadtreking podcast from earlier this year on the subject of unplugged RVing at: roadtreking.com/41 [spp-timestamp time="11:59"] Listener Feedback: Geocaching and RVing is Great! Julian also shares his enthusiasm for geocaching, which was the subject of a recent Roadtreking blog post that can be found at https://rvlifestyle.com/great-hobby-for-rvers-geocaching/ Listener Question: Vandals Broke My Roadtrek Window. How Can I Fix It? A listener named Carol shares that someone vandalized her Roadtrek Popular 210 RV and broke out a window. She needs help repairing it and Mike offers some suggestions, including possibly heading to her local dealers, Intermountain RV Sales in Colorado Springs, Colorado at http://www.intermountaincoach.com/ [spp-timestamp time="17:54"] Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, Mo. Van City RV only sells Class B. RVs. They've been in the RV business for 45 years and nobody knows more about small motorhomes that the Van City crew. They have new and used Class B motorhomes in stock from the major manufacturers. When you fly in to buy your RV from Van City, they'll arrange to have you picked up from the airport and will reimburse you $500 toward your airfare. Then, your RV will be fully prepared for travel, complete with full tanks of fuel and propane. After a complete orientation with their staff on your new RV, you can take delivery and set out for home. Dan the Van Man gives the week's specials on the podcast. [spp-player] RV News of the Week: U.S. National Park Attendance Way Up, Space Heater Dangers, Hershey RV Show National Park Attendance Way Up in 2015: The number of people visiting U.S. National Parks is way up in 2015 - to the tune of 5 million more compared with last year (Read more) [spp-timestamp time="22:35"] Space Heater Danger: A recent story about a space heater at the root of an RV fire serves as an unfortunate reminder of their dangers heading into cooler temps. (Read more) [spp-timestamp time="24:46"] America's Largest RV Show Opens: The show has opened in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and runs through Sept. 20. Roadtreking did a recent podcast about the event that you definitely need to check out at: roadteking.com/48 [spp-timestamp time="26:09"] This portion of the podcast is brought to you by Alde, the only name in heat that you need to know for your RV. The Alde hydronic system