RV Camping Mag. | Feb. 2022 by RVCampingMagazine

AN AWE-INSPIRING VISIT TO JUNE 2021

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

S H I F T, C O N T R O L & E S CA P E TO RV L I F E

Meet Jason & Abby

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202

FEB. ISSU2

from Great Sm

ok Mountains Nation y al Park

MAGAZINE

FACEBOOK GROUP MEMBER SPOTLIGHT TO

YUMMY FOIL PACKET RECIPES

ALASKA THE LOWER 48 FROM

FOR YOUR NEXT CAMPING DINNER

P ___ 1

BAREFOOT DETOUR REMODEL

OF A 1991 FLEETWOOD WILDERNESS

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features

CONTENTS

MEET ABBY & JASON

FACEBOOK GROUP MEMBER

FROM RV MILES

SPOTLIGHT

By Brian Newman

FROM ALASKA TO THE LOWER 48 By Cory Splees & Brain Newman

departments

VOL.2, ISSUE 2

CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2022

EDITOR'S

NUTS AND

RV GEAR

RV KITCHEN

ARE WE

RENOVATE

LETTER

BOLTS

New RV Gear

Easy,

THERE YET?

YOUR RV

114, 118

Letters from

Tips &

& Gadgets

Delicious

Interesting

Updates To

NOTEWORTHY

the Editor

Reviews

Recipes

Locations

Transform

NEWS

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EDITOR'S LETTER

Welcome TO RV

RV CAMPING

n this issue of RV Camping Magazine, we meet Jason and Abby Epperson of RV Miles! Jason and Abby release YouTube videos every week delivering up to date news about the RV industry. They have a great YouTube channel, plus a podcast and they are quickly growing their brand!

We also have an amazing story about one of our Facebook Group members, Cory Splees. Most folks plan to visit Alaska someday but Cory is from Alaska! And she has decided to tour the lower 48 states in her travel trailer. Learn all about her incredible adventure in this inspiring article.

CAMPING MAGAZINE!

In this month’s RV Renovation section, we feature an article from Joy Kelly about how she and her husband remodeled their 1991 Fleetwood Wilderness travel trailer. They walk you through their remodeling project and show you how they brought this trailer back to life! In our Are We There Yet? department, we catch up with Melissa Nance from the Penny Pinching Globetrotter. Melissa and her husband Wade travel all around the world for cheap and they share tons of information about how to save money while traveling. They have also lived right near Great Smokey Mountains National Park and give some great tips for visiting the area. Using foil packs to cook your favorite RV camping recipes is an awesome way to easily cook and eliminate the clean-up process. We catch up with Amanda Outside who shares three of her favorite foil pack dinners along with a helpful video to show you how to easily prepare all three of these tasty recipes. Planning on purchasing a new (or used) RV? This month the NRVTA shares 5 great tips for purchasing an RV. The NRVTA has some great info about getting an independent RV inspection and which inspectors to use. The folks at the NRVTA are real pros, and they are committed to training people how to service and use their RVs safely! We hope you enjoy the magazine! Mike and Susan at RVBlogger

CONNECT WITH US AT RV CAMPING MAGAZINE DISCOVER EVERYTHING RV ON THE RVBLOGGER WEBSITE EMAIL RVBLOGGER LEARN SOMETHING NEW WEEKLY ON OUR RVBLOGGER CHANNEL SEE WHAT WE’RE DOING ON FACEBOOK CHECK OUT OUR RV CAMPING FOR NEWBIES GROUP FIND US ON INSTAGRAM FEBRUARY 2022

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MAGAZINE

FEBRUARY 2022 VOL.2, ISSUE 2

EDITORIAL EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR

Susan McDonald Mike Scarpignato

DESIGN SR. ART DIRECTOR

Kelly Y. Lee

CONTRIBUTORS

Brian Newman, Abby and Jason Epperson, Melissa Nance, Joy Kelly, Jennifer Jennings, Amanda Christian, and NRVTA ADVERTISING

Mike Scarpignato 443-699-6556, mike@rvblogger.com EDITORIAL mike@rvblogger.com

ADVERTISING SALES

RV Camping Magazine is a free monthly publication and is a division of RVBlogger.

© 2022 RVBlogger. RV Camping Magazine (aka RV Camping Mag) is a registered trademark of RVBlogger. Unauthorized use of any of RVBlogger’s trademarks is expressly prohibited. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. Privacy Promise RV Camping Magazine will never intentionally share subscribers’ names, addresses or other personal information with other companies when requested not to do so. If you do want to opt out from receiving marketing offers from other reputable companies, or you opt out and subsequently desire to opt back in, contact by email at: info@RVCampingMag.com

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NUTS AND BOLTS

RV CAMPING

oday we are going to cover the 5 things you need to consider before purchasing your first RV. Now, the first thing I need to say is the jig is up; there’s no such thing as the perfect RV. That being said, here’s a few important considerations to make before making the purchase.

5TO tips

Usually the first thing most people do is try to decide between a towable and motorized unit. Whether it be a 5th Wheel or Class A, B or C, you need to ask yourself where you see yourself camping, whether in Colorado up in the mountains, or down on a beach, you may need a different rig depending on where you primarily want to be.

CHOOSING AN RV

So if you have a 40,000 pound motor home, the diesel may be great at getting up in the mountains, but how good is it on the beach? If you see yourself in the national parks, you have to remember in a lot of cases that size matters. In most cases you can not get a large 5th Wheel, or a Class A, into the national parks. So, if that’s a place you may want to spend some time, you’ll need to consider the size of your rig.

BY THE NRVTA

Next, you’ll definitely want to think about how you see yourself RVing. Such as, if you prefer an RV park, where size doesn’t really matter but of course when you make your reservations, they have to ask the dimensions to ensure their sites available may accommodate your rig, plus your truck. The next item on the list is the floor plan. The question that usually comes next is “What is the best brand?” and to be honest with you, brand doesn’t really matter. Each brand has all the same components: Dometic, Suburban, Norcold, Coleman etc. The most important thing is the floor plan. If FEBRUARY 2022

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RV CAMPING you don’t like the floor plan you are in, you’re not likely to be RVing very long. Next you need to ask yourself if you are planning to be a short timer, parttimer or a full timer. If you’re still in a sticks and bricks house, you need to think about where you’re going to store your rig if you’re part time or seasonal. Will you have the ability to park your rig on your property or will it need to be placed in storage? Finally, we want to look at whether you’re going to go with a 5th Wheel or a towable. Let’s say you’re looking at the towables. You’ll want to look at the size and weight of the towable itself against the size of your tow vehicle. Now, I will say that 5th Wheels give you foot-for-foot the most living space out of all the rigs available, including the Class A’s. But, the bigger they are, the bigger the truck

“Let’s say you’re looking at the towables. You’ll want to look at the size and weight of the towable itself against the size of your tow vehicle.”

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RV CAMPING that is needed to pull it. So, it’s a lot to consider, especially since it’s almost two purchases at this point. So at the end of the day, it’s not about brand or style, which are great, but they can be chosen at the end, but where you see yourself camping, what parks you may want to visit, do you need a contained unit or a towable, what type of floor plan and of course, how often you plan to be in your RV. If you can answer those questions, you’ll be able to narrow down the options significantly. If you would like to be able to fix the majority of the problems on your RV, or let’s say you want to open a business and become a certified technician or inspector? Head over to our website at www.nrvta.com, select the programs tab and get started today!

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STEP INTO YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE Live free, go far, ride Lectric. We ’re a simple solution to an over arching issue that faces t ravelers on a daily basis – comfort, versatility, and affordability. With the release of our newest eBike, the Lectric XP 2.0 is an outstanding way to get to work, hit the trails, transport your groceries, or explore the coastline of sunny San Diego. There’s really no limit to what you can or can’t do, so step into our foldable frame design and ride with style!

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RV CAMPING

ROOF MOUNTED WATERGEN ON BOARD FOR RV WATER BY BRIAN NEWMAN

ff-road boondockers could stay out longer in the last few years due to advances in essential RV innovations. Solar panel and lithium-ion battery technology can keep you powered up and cozy for long trips. In addition, composting toilets and water-misers can reduce your wastewater significantly. Now there’s a way to refill your freshwater tank without pulling your jacks up. Since 2009, Watergen, a company from Israel, pioneered Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) technology. Their products collect, filter, and store gallons of tasty drinking water by harnessing moisture in the air. Watergen’s vision of providing access for every man, woman, and child around the world to fresh, clean, and safe drinking water has saved hundreds of thousands of people. Examples include their first community water station in New Delhi, India. They also assisted here in the U.S. with the large-scale and Gen-M versions the American Red Cross and FEMA used after Hurricane Harvey and Irma. On October 11, 2021, Camping World held its annual investor’s conference at the first Electric World location in Draper, Utah. One of the many announcements included CW agreement with Watergen. In the next few months, select locations of Camping World will exclusively sell and install the roof-mounted Watergen ON Board device on drivable and towable RVs in an aftermarket capacity. We’ll show you what the Watergen ON Board does, how it works, and the realities of the atmospheric water generator for your RV. The short answer is that it’s a great way to supplement your freshwater, but you’ll have to track your ounces to survive on it.

FEBRUARY 2022

015 RV GEAR

RVBLOGGER.COM

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Watergen

RV CAMPING

•VOLUME PER DAY: 13.21 GALLONS/ 50 LITERS •POWER REQUIREMENT: 480 WATTS/ 40 AMPS (DC) •ROOFTOP UNIT WEIGHT: 18 POUNDS/ 8.16 KG •STORAGE UNIT WEIGHT: 38 POUNDS/ 17.24 KG •TEMPERATURE RANGE: 59-113°F/ 15-45°C •HUMIDITY RANGE: 20%-99% •FORECASTED COST: $3,000-$4,000

FEBRUARY 2022

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WHAT IS THE WATERGEN ON BOARD? A critical issue for off-road boondockers is potable water. Sometimes staying close to safe drinking water sources can act as a leash, preventing RVers the chance to continue forward into the unknown. Now that 4x4 campervans have become the affordable expedition vehicle, the need to go further is more relevant than ever.

“The Watergen ON Board system is similar to a rooftop RV air conditioner.

HOW DOES THE WATERGEN ON BOARD ATMOSPHERIC GENERATOR WORK? There are 2 main components to the Watergen ON Board Atmospheric Water Generator. The rooftop unit looks like an RV air conditioner. The main storage section breaks up into the heat exchanger, buffer tank, filtering segment, and drinking water tank. Here’s how the system works:

Like an A/C, The Watergen ON Board system is similar to a rooftop RV air conditioner. Like an A/C, it sucks in outside air, condenses it, and removes its moisture. The difference is instead of letting the water evaporate, it gets filtered and stored so RVers can use it for their self-contained living needs.

it sucks in outside air, condenses it, and removes its moisture.”

Not everybody’s ready for an extreme RV lifestyle. However, Lot-dockers, mooch-dockers, and those that may spend a few days at campgrounds where the city water hookup is questionable can find this AWG a helpful product. Every drop of water goes through 3 different filtering systems before it touches your motorhome or travel trailer’s plumbing.

• ROOFTOP UNIT: The built-in blower pulls air into 3 air filters, removing dust, dirt, and other airborne contaminants. The filters remove particles less than 2.5 microns. • HEAT EXCHANGER: The clean air flows into the patented heat exchanger, condensing the moisture into water. • BUFFER TANK: The condensed water collects in the smaller buffer tank. As the water builds up, gravity sends the water into the next stage. • FILTERING SEGMENT: The water then goes

RVBLOGGER.COM

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through a second filtering treatment. 3 foodgrade mineral filters and an UltraViolet (UV) lamp purifier. If you’ve read the September 2021 edition of RV Camping Magazine, then you know the benefits of UV water purification systems. • FILTER 1 CARBON: the 0.8-micron patented Aqualen fiber filter traps inorganic and organic contaminants. The filter also captures parasites and other toxins. The silver ions inside the filter prevent germs from growing during the product’s lifespan.

“The Watergen ON Board AWG has a temperature range between 59°-113°F.”

• FILTER 2 UF AND CARBON: A second activated carbon filter with a 0.1-micron membrane blocks microplastics and any organics that pass through the first filter. This canister removes bacteria, molds, yeasts, spores, viruses, etc.

pH level of the water. For the best taste, the Ca and Mg ions level the pH balance between 6.5-8.5. • UV LAMP: UltraViolet (UV) radiation is harmless to humans at low levels but destroys microorganisms at the genetic level. Even if the organisms pass through all three filters, the UV lamp radiates them where their vital functions stop functioning. (Now that’s one heck of a sunburn.) • DRINKING-WATER TANK: Once the water has reached the drinking water tank, it’s ready to use. The water is clean enough to win American and other worldwide purity awards, it tastes great, and it’ll cycle back through the UV lamp once in a while, keeping it as fresh as possible. Next stop: Your favorite water bottle.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE MY RV FOR THE WATERGEN ON BOARD SYSTEM?

• FILTER 3 CA AND MG: The last filter contains Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg), stabilizing the

The Watergen ON Board may seem magical, but FEBRUARY 2022

019 RV GEAR

there are some things to consider before putting it on your must-have list.

around 1,250 watts to cool down your coach. The good news is that the Watergen ON Board is about one-third as watt hungry. It uses 480 watts between the rooftop device and the other components.

• TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY: The Watergen ON Board AWG has a temperature range between 59°-113°F. Traditional heated water tanks will serve you best if you plan to crawl through the desert in July or plow through the snow in January. The RV camping season in the continental United States has the ideal climates for this Watergen device.

• FORECASTED COSTS: When the RV AWG system hits the market, exclusively at Camping World, Watergen’s Public Relations Department said that the retail price will sit between $3,000-$4,000. The weight cost is surprisingly affordable too. The rooftop unit weighs 18 pounds. The filtering and storage components add another 38 pounds before the water weight.

Watergen’s RV atmospheric water generator can source water from humidity as low as 20%. Low humidity levels like this won’t fill up the 13-gallon collection tank, but you'll have water to drink. To give you an idea of what that means, the average humidity of Phoenix, AZ, in June is 16%.

CAN MY CAMPERVAN SUPPORT THE WATERGEN ON BOARD? The 2022 Storyteller Overland Beast MODE 4x4, Winnebago Revel 4x4, and the Jayco Terrain use the 144-inch wheelbase Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500.

• ELECTRIC REQUIREMENTS: after the initial start-up, a 13,500 BTU RV air conditioner uses RVBLOGGER.COM

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RV CAMPING

The base van has a 7,400-pound Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) with an available maximum payload weight between 2,796-3,237 pounds (depending on the standard or high roof models). The Sprinter 2500 may have a little over 13.5k pounds of total cargo weight, but that doesn’t mean all of that is available. Each RV manufacturer will publish the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). This weight rating may be lower, but it still allows the van to operate in the wild. You wouldn’t want to get stuck in a swamp, on a mountain, or in the desert because you’re too heavy. The Watergen ON Board will unleash these beasts from water sources, but you have to be smart about your power usage. Now that solar-powered A/C units are hitting the RV marketplace, you’ll need to balance the importance of internal temperatures with your water supply. The Watergen rooftop, filtering, and storage unit’s combined weight are 56 pounds, and the additional electric load is 480 watts. Campervans aren’t known for their Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC), and they

“When the RV AWG system hits

don’t have the space on the roof for many solar panels. Here’s what you need to know about the three expedition campervans:

the market,

Beast MODE

Revel

Terrain

exclusively

GVWR

9,050 lbs.

at Camping

CCC

1,650 lbs.

Freshwater Capacity

21 gallons

22 gallons

Amp System

30 Amp

Battery System

12kWh

2-125 Ah

48V, 10kW210 Ah

Solar System

90W, up to 600W

115W option

200W

Secondary Alternator

Yes

World, Watergen’s Public Relations Department said that the retail price will

The Watergen ON Board works in an RV with a

sit between spare exterior bay to house the filtering and storage components. It also needs a roof that can support the $3,000$4,000.”

FEBRUARY 2022

rooftop collector. Since it’s a 12-volt system, your DCpower battery will keep it going without an inverter. If you’re interested in adding this atmospheric water generator to your RV, start looking for it at Camping World around March/April 2022.

CamperGigs.com Post a Gig. Find a Gig. Connecting RVers to opportunity in one simple app! Sign up today!.

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RV CAMPING

KITCHEN

Yummy 3 FOIL PACKET RECIPES

oil packets are one of my favorite camping meal ideas. They’re simple and delicious every single time. And these three foil packet recipes are easy to cook with virtually no clean up! I definitely recommend buying “heavy-duty” aluminum foil for these meals because it’s stronger and better for cooking over the campfire. You don’t want your meals to break open all over the fire!

About the Author

FOR YOUR NEXT CAMPING DINNER

Amanda Christian runs the outdoor blog and YouTube channel Amanda Outside where you’ll find tips for car camping, tons of delicious camp recipes, and resources for planning your next hike or camping trip. Go from confused and overwhelmed, to confident and adventurous in the outdoors! Learn more on her blog at Amanda Outside.

BY AMANDA CHRISTIAN OF AMANDA OUTSIDE

FEBRUARY 2022

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RV KITCHEN

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1. Cajun Shrimp Foil Packets This foil packet recipe is packed with shrimp, broccoli, and potatoes for a great balance of protein, veggies, and carbs! A pre-made cajun seasoning mix gives this camping dinner so much flavor. INGREDIENTS 8-10 oz raw deveined shrimp 1 broccoli crown 8-10 small red potatoes 4 Tbsp butter, cut into smaller pieces 2 tsp cajun seasoning 1 lime salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS: 1. Chop the broccoli and potatoes into bite-sized pieces. 2. Cut off a large piece of foil for each packet. Divide the shrimp, broccoli, and potatoes evenly between the packets. 3. Season each packet with roughly 1-2 tsp cajun season and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. 4. Add 1-2 Tbsp of butter that’s been cut into smaller pieces on top of each packet. 5. To fold the packets, bring the two longest edges towards each other and roll them together to create a seal. Then, fold in the sides. Rip off another piece of foil. Place the packet seam side down and repeat the same folding process. Do this one more time for a total of three pieces of foil per packet. 6. Place the packets on top of campfire coals (not flames), heated briquettes, or a grill set to 425°F. Cook for 30-40 minutes, flipping the packets every 10 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the shrimp is fully cooked. 7. Open the packets (carefully - the steam will be hot) and serve with a fresh squeeze of lime. Enjoy!

“A pre-made cajun seasoning mix gives this camping dinner so much flavor." FEBRUARY 2022

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2. BBQ Turkey Foil Packets This foil packet recipe is full of protein, veggies, and a stickysweet barbecue sauce. Let’s dive into the recipe! INGREDIENTS 1 lb ground turkey 1 large yellow onion 8 red potatoes 4 large carrots 1 jar barbeque sauce 4 tbsp unsalted butter salt and pepper sour cream for serving DIRECTIONS: 1. Roughly chop the onion, potatoes, and carrots into bite-sized pieces. 2. You’ll need 3 large pieces of foil per foil packet. Layer potatoes, carrots, and onions onto the first layer of foil. (For the first layer only, a piece of parchment paper can also be used if you don't want food to cook directly on aluminum foil.) 3. Use a fork to drop bite-sized clumps of ground turkey on top of the veggies. No need to roll the turkey into meatballs. Just take a spoon or fork and scoop the meat right onto the foil. 4. Drizzle your favorite BBQ sauce on top, followed by about 1 tablespoon of butter (per packet) cut into smaller pieces. 5. To fold the packets, bring the two longest edges towards each other and roll them together to create a seal. Then, fold in the sides. Rip off another piece of foil. Place the packet seam side down and repeat the same folding process. Do this one more time for a total of 3 pieces of foil per packet. (If using parchment paper for the first layer, still use 3 pieces of foil on top of that.) 6. Place the packets on top of campfire coals (not flames). Cook for 40 minutes, flipping the packets every 10 minutes until the veggies are tender and the turkey is fully cooked. 7. Once done, top the meal with more BBQ sauce, salt, pepper, and sour cream if desired. Enjoy!

FEBRUARY 2022

“This foil packet recipe is full of protein, veggies, and a sticky-sweet barbecue sauce. Let’s dive into the recipe!"

rvblogger.com

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3. Southwest Chicken Foil Packets This foil packet recipe has a southwestern flair thanks to flavorful spices, rice, beans, corn, chicken, and loads of melted cheese! It’s bound to become your new favorite. INGREDIENTS 1 lb of chicken breast, boneless and skinless 2 (8.5 oz) pre-cooked white rice packets (or about 2 cups cooked rice) 1 (15oz) can of corn, rinsed and drained* 1 (15oz) can of black beans, rinsed and drained* 2 tomatoes, diced (or a 10 oz can of diced tomatoes with chilies) 10 oz fine shredded Mexican cheese blend 4 Tbsp unsalted butter sour cream fresh cilantro

cooler until you’re ready to assemble the foil packets. Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour but no more than 24 hours. Once the chicken is in the marinade, assemble and cook the foil packets within 24 hours.

MAKE THE FOIL PACKETS: 1. You’ll need 3 pieces of foil and 1 piece of parchment paper (if using) per foil packet. Layer corn, beans, and rice onto the first layer of parchment paper or foil. This recipe makes 4 foil CHICKEN MARINADE: packets, so divide the ingredients evenly between the packets. juice of 1 lime 2. Add the marinated chicken, diced tomatoes, and more corn and beans if desired. 1.5 Tbsp taco seasoning (This is 3. Sprinkle a little extra taco seasoning on top. about 1/2 of a taco seasoning 4. Next, add a little bit of butter to each foil packet. About 1/2 - 1 tablespoon per packet cut into packet. Save the rest of the smaller pieces is good. taco seasoning packet for 5. Fold the packets: bring the two longest edges towards each other and roll them together to assembly.) create a seal. Then, fold in the sides. Place the packet seam side down on another piece of foil 3 Tbsp olive oil and repeat the same folding process. Do this one more time for a total of three pieces of foil 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro per packet. 6. Place the packets on top of campfire coals. Cook for 40 minutes, flipping the packets every DIRECTIONS: 10 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked. If the chicken is not cooked after 40 minutes, MARINATE THE CHICKEN: simply keep cooking and flipping the packets until it’s done. 1. Cut the chicken breast into bite7. Remove from the fire and carefully unseal the foil packets. While they’re still hot, sprinkle sized pieces. the shredded cheese on top. 2. Mix the chicken marinade and add 8. Loosely reseal the foil packets. The heat and steam are usually enough to melt the cheese. it to the chicken. 9. After a few minutes, open the foil packets back up to reveal the melted cheese! Sprinkle 3. Store in an airtight container in the with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream, if desired. Enjoy! FEBRUARY 2022

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our Popular RVer

Meet Abby & FEBRUARY 2022

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MEET ABBY AND JASON

FROM RV MILES BY BRIAN NEWMAN

& Jason RVBLOGGER.COM

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RV CAMPING

bby and Jason Epperson are becoming one of the most trusted news sources in the RV World. Over 62,000 subscribers log in each week to learn what’s happening in the RV Industry, National Parks, and other related topics on the couple’s RV Miles YouTube Channel. The Eppersons started their RV adventures due to a series of unfortunate events. Yet, Abby and Jason found that their education and experience in a different

FEBRUARY 2022

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MEET ABBY AND JASON

“ They’re now Brand Ambassadors for Forest River, the Sabre Division, and became one of the best news sources in the RV Community.” niche industry prepared them for the RV Influencer Arena. In our conversation with Abby and Jason, we learned how this family of five started as two Performing Arts graduates and built themselves up. They’re now Brand Ambassadors for Forest River, the Sabre Division, and became one of the best news sources in the RV Community.

Tips for New RV Owners 1. TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREERS IN THEATER AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO START RV MILES? We moved to Chicago around the turn of the century attending Columbia College’s Theater School. Abby got a degree in Acting, and Jason's degree is in Stage Lighting Design. We graduated and stayed in town to begin our careers in Chicago's vibrant Performing Arts Community. We met up again on a show we were doing together called The Secret Garden and have been together ever since. As we began raising a family, our chosen RVBLOGGER.COM

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careers became less and less viable financially. So we shifted into casting, producing, and venue management to “stay in the show.” We were successful but overworked, employed by other people, and chasing paychecks. We took a chance on reviving a 30-year-old niche theater industry publication called PerformInk that didn't transition well from print to digital. However, we took advantage of the burgeoning social media platforms by reviewing theater productions and writing news stories about the industry. We wrote 1,000 articles in that first year and began thinking about expanding to other cities. Unfortunately, we didn't have the resources to travel heavily, so we started looking into RVs. We decided our best option was to take a chance on building our own RV from a school bus after running across a few YouTube channels. We spent $3,000 on a 2002

FEBRUARY 2022

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MEET ABBY AND JASON

Thomas school bus that we bought sight unseen from a guy in Ohio. Abby called around, looking for a place to store and convert the bus while driving home. Over the next six months, we built the schoolie out into our traveling home base. We never intended to travel full-time, but our landlord raised our rent dramatically. So we didn't renew our lease. Instead, we hit the road and haven't looked back. Abby and I started listening to podcasts and following content creators as we learned about RVs and camping. The two of us thought we could bring our knowledge of niche industry news and information to the RV world, so we built RVMiles.com and the RV Miles podcast. We also created our personal social media, Our Wandering Family, to share more intimate details of our travels. The RV Miles podcast was the first thing that became a hit for us, and we've been doing it for over four years now. Since then, we’ve RVBLOGGER.COM

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RV CAMPING

FEBRUARY 2022

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MEET ABBY AND JASON

“Over the next six months, we built the schoolie out into our traveling home base. ” added two others — America's National Parks and See America. When the pandemic hit, we were still working hard on PerformInk, managing our team from the road, and bringing it to Kansas City. The Performing Arts Industry was the first to shut down and the last to come back. Yet, the RV Industry boomed, so we focused our energy on keeping RVers informed. Sadly Abby and I had to let PerformInk take its final bow.

2. HOW HAVE YOUR KIDS ADJUSTED TO THE FULL-TIME RV LIFESTYLE? Life on the road isn't a whole lot different than life in a stationary house, especially during a pandemic. The kids have friends in dozens of states and are very good about making friends quickly, especially when the weekenders hit the campgrounds. But there are continuous growing pains and challenges, too. We recognize this is a unique family lifestyle, and anyone in our family could decide to end it if they have a serious want to settle down somewhere. So every now and then, we check in to see where we're at, and everyone seems content to see the country, their RVBLOGGER.COM

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friends, and family scattered all across it.

3. WHAT’S YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR NEWBIE RVERS? We tell somebody this at least once a week: Slow down. We understand the deep desire to see as much as possible, whether you have a week of vacation time or are traveling in your full-time home. But a week in Yellowstone will beat seven days that have you cramming the Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier every single time.

You can find so much joy and beauty everywhere in this country, and it pays to take the time to really give an area its due instead of checking off a list of states or famous landmarks as fast as possible. RVing is about slowing down and enjoying the moment, not racing through the list. We’re sure there are plenty of lists back home in your daily life.

4. WHAT ARE THE BEST RESOURCES THAT HAVE HELPED YOU ALONG THE WAY?

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We like many apps, websites, and Youtube channels, but there's nothing better than talking to locals. Librarians and visitor center personnel are our favorite sources. States and cities dedicate a significant portion of their tourist budget to visitor centers, yet they are often unnoticed by RVers and other travelers. Yet, the people that work at them know all the best attractions, campgrounds, restaurants, and other sites worth exploring.

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RV CAMPING There are those phony touristtrap ticket-selling "visitor centers" that have their own agenda. But, striking up a conversation with the local wait staff, front counter clerk, or someone who lives locally can help you find the real one. You can also talk to the campground on the phone, call the visitor center, or find them on social media. Of course, don’t forget your online RV community friends on your Facebook groups and forums who may have visited the area before. Their personal experience can help you navigate your way around a new location.

The Twists and Turns Traveling the RV Miles 5. YOU HAVE HAD A FEW RIGS OVER THE YEARS, STARTING WITH A SCHOOLIE CONVERSION. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR FOREST RIVER SABRE 37FLL FIFTH WHEEL, AND WHAT MAKES IT THE BEST RIG FOR YOU?

We loved our Skoolie, it was a part of our family, but we faced a 5-digit engine rebuild. As much as we wanted to keep it, we decided it was no longer fit for travel. We had also become so ingrained in the RV industry that we decided to own one of their products. So, we moved into a 2020 Heartland Pioneer QB300 bunkhouse travel trailer for two years, which was a wonderful home for our family. It got us through Jason's three brain surgeries and a whole lot of uncertainty when campgrounds started shutting down to travelers. Our oldest boy is now 14, so space was starting to get tight in the travel trailer. So we began looking to upgrade to a fifth wheel with a little more room. But we just couldn't stomach the lack of common space in every twobedroom bunkhouse model we toured. Forest River reached out to us while we were shopping for a fifth

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wheel, wanting to bring us on as Brand Ambassadors. They led us to this amazing new floorplan in the 2022 Sabre 37FLL floorplan, which was so different from anything we'd seen. It has a huge loft over the master bedroom where two of the kids sleep and a small loft over the bathroom where our youngest has his bed. We get to have a massive kitchen and a full front living room with seating for six in a bunkhouse.

into them. We're thrilled to be partnering with Forest River and Sabre.

We also went on a tour of Sabre's plant and saw the high-quality construction process these incredible fifth wheels go through and the care the workers put

Then there's about a half-hour of the main topic. Sometimes it's our overview of a destination. It could be a how-to or an interview with someone from the RV Industry.

6. TELL US ABOUT ALL 3 OF YOUR PODCASTS AND WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE? RV Miles is modeled a bit after an hour-long traditional radio talk show. First, we spend about 15 minutes on things that caught our eye over the week and where we're staying.

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Other times it's just something fun. Finally, we close the show with our "Fresh Tank / Black Tank" segment, where we each talk about something good and bad that we came across during the week. America's National Parks is a 1530 minute scripted show that tells the stories of our country's 423 National Park Service sites. We work with a team of writers to find unique human history, ecology concerns, wildlife and habitat restoration, and other stories that occur in these special places. See America is just like America's National Parks, but a little more

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We really enjoy mid-sized cities that are going through sort of a cultural renaissance these days—places like Omaha, Oklahoma City, Shreveport, and Fargo.

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upbeat. It covers the unique roadside attractions, restaurants, museums, and curiosities that you can see on a road trip across the U.S.

7. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RV CAMPING LOCATION, AND WHY? ARE THERE ANY STATES YOU HAVE NOT VISITED YET? We love to find the unexpected and unique places that people don't think of as tourist destinations. We really enjoy midsized cities that are going through sort of a cultural renaissance these days—places like Omaha, Oklahoma City, Shreveport, and Fargo. But if we had to pick one place, it would be the towering canyon of Zion National Park.

8. HOW HAS FULL-TIME RVING CHANGED YOU AND RVBLOGGER.COM

YOUR PERSPECTIVE OF THE WORLD? We all have opinions about different states or cities in the U.S. As we've traveled, we've learned that most of us are wildly uninformed about the actual places that make up this country, especially when it comes to political and social attitudes. No state is more than 60% Republican or 60% Democrat. So if you boycott Alabama based on your perception of racist attitudes, you're avoiding patronizing the largest concentration of Blackowned businesses in the country. If you avoid Chicago because you think it's full of crime and protests, you're missing some of the most beautiful architecture in the world. It's much safer to be

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in the tourist areas than in most other big cities. Travel has taught us that the way we self-select the news and opinions we want to listen to in the age of social media has dramatically altered our perception of reality. There's aren't two sides out there; there are thousands. So it’s worth learning about as many as you can by immersing yourself in the culture of the communities you are visiting. Shop local. Eat local. Go to a high school football game or a small-town parade. It's a great perspective on society.

9. DO YOU LIVE BY ANY PIECE OF ADVICE OR MOTTO? The best place is the next place. And go where you love.

Future Plans and How to Connect With Abby and Jason 10. WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? We would love to get to Glacier [National Park] and Yosemite. The kids would love to get to New York City. One day we plan to travel Europe extensively. We would love to design a campground, but not run one.

11. IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE? As much as people often say travel is more about the journey than the destination, we'd love to be able to teleport to the next stop. Travel days with three kids can be a beast.

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12. WHAT’S THE BEST WAY FOR OUR VIEWERS TO CONNECT WITH AND LEARN FROM YOU? RVMiles.com is our hub for everything we do. You can find us as RV Miles all over social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter). In addition, we have two YouTube channels, RV Miles and the RV Miles Podcast. You can watch the video version or find the audio version on any podcast app.

From Spotlights to Headlights

When Abby and Jason Epperson attended their first day at Columbia College, they dreamed of joining the elite club of 15 EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) award winners. Of course, as the saying goes, People Plan, G-D Laughs.

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“Despite the sometimes 18 hour days of filming, editing, and other tasks that come with the RV Influencer career, the Eppersons still manage to live their RV lifestyle balancing work, family, and fun. Their reporting philosophy is nonbiased and well-researched. ” Despite the sometimes 18 hour days of filming, editing, and other tasks that come with the RV Influencer career, the Eppersons still manage to live their RV lifestyle balancing work, family, and fun. Their reporting philosophy is non-biased and well-researched. With financial uncertainties, Jason’s high-risk surgeries, and the general challenges of the RV Life, you’ll still find a smile on all of their faces because they love what they do. The Eppersons are a true example of how a family has reinvented themselves through the RV lifestyle and became successful. Check out their website for all of the latest news on the RV World, National Park changes, or you just want to learn more about Abby, Jason, and the boys. No matter your background, education, or financial level, Abby and Jason have enough RV miles behind them to show you how to get started. FEBRUARY 2022

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Spotlight

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Spotlight FROM ALASKA TO THE LOWER 48 BY CORY SPLEES & BRAIN NEWMAN

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any of us in the continental United States aspire to take our RV up to Alaska. The AlaskaCanada Highway (AlCan) has become as iconic as Route 66. RVers in the past have braved the high winds, harsh road conditions and earned their stripes as true roadmasters. Today the AlCan is nicer to travel on since it’s entirely paved and has many tourist-friendly exits. But, when we sit around our campfires, we’re still fascinated by the stories we've heard of people making that northern trek to our 49th state.

“Hey everybody, you can do this FEBRUARY 2022

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•LENGTH: 25 FT. •UVW: 5,463 LBS. •GVWR: 7,610 LBS. •TANKS: F- 48G/ G30G/ B- 30G •SLEEP: 2

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If you’ve joined RVBlogger’s Facebook Group, RV Camping For Newbies, you may have come across an Alaskan story that’s very different than the others you’ve heard. One of our RVBlogger Friends in the Facebook Group is from North Pole, Alaska. She came down to the “lower 48” (a common Alaskan reference to the continental U.S.) for a crosscountry RV adventure. After reading her post, we had to learn more about who she was, what prompted her adventure, and her experiences on the road. After you read her story, you’ll agree that her RV trip deserves further explanation.

Go Big or Go Home If you read our December issue of RV Camping Magazine, you learned that North Pole, Alaska sits on the outskirts of Fairbanks. Cory Splees grew up in this Christmas Wonderland,

spending her career working in the imaging department of a hospital in Fairbanks. She raised two daughters and lived with her husband, Chris, in a two-bedroom home close to Eielson Air Force Base.

“If you read our December issue of RV Camping Magazine, you learned that North Pole, Alaska sits on the outskirts of Fairbanks. Cory Splees grew up in this Christmas Wonderland, spending her career working in the imaging department of a hospital in Fairbanks.” FEBRUARY 2022

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Despite the house rattling when a C-130 Hercules occasionally landed at the USAF base, she enjoyed living in her hometown. She volunteered to help write the over 400,000 Santa Letters the post office receives each year during the holiday season. Yet with an average of 58-inches of snow each year and wind chills as low as -50° Fahrenheit, winters can be harsh. Once Cory and Chris retired, they decided to move to warmer climates in the lower 48. Cory has a daughter in South Dakota and another in Alabama. Years ago, her sister moved to Spokane, Washington, which would be their first stop. Growing up, her mother used to say, Go Big or Go Home.

Selling everything and leaving everything she knew behind was a gigantic undertaking.

By Land and Sea With the paperwork complete, Cory and Chris had the house up for sale, leaving it in the hands of the real estate agent. Leaving North Pole in September 2021 filled them with mixed emotions. It was Cory’s home for over 60 years, but at the same time, this exploration was taking her to her family in the lower 48. This trip was taking them from a home that turned into a house. Their goal was to find a new place where the family could visit and create a home for the future.

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The first leg took them from North Pole, Alaska, to Spokane, Washington. Instead of driving through Canada, the Splees drove southwest to Whittier in their 2020 Ford Ranger. Google Maps shows it as an eight-hour drive, but as new retirees, a trip of a lifetime like this should be enjoyed, not rushed. Whittier, Alaska, is a central port for the Alaska Marine Highway System’s fleet of ferries. The ferries serve three regions: 1. Southeast Alaska: The Inside Passage 2. South Central Alaska: Alaska’s Heartland 3. Southwest Alaska: Kodiak and The Aleutian Chain

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of the RV Lifestyle The Splees learned a lot on their road trip. The costs of staying at hotels and eating out cost more than they wanted to spend. Also, it was difficult sleeping in a different place each night. Cory’s Brotherin-Law suggested looking into the RV lifestyle. As an RVer himself, he helped her learn what she needed to know and find the perfect coach. When Cory’s parents retired, they were snowbirds in the lower 48

“Alaska’s Marine Highway System services this route once every two weeks on the MV Kennicott Ferry. Usually, it’s a 12-hour trip that’s either direct or has one stop.” Cory took the mainline trip from Whittier, Alaska, to Bellingham, Washington, in the Southeast Region. Alaska’s Marine Highway System services this route once every two weeks on the MV Kennicott Ferry. Usually, it’s a 12-hour trip that’s either direct or has one stop.

The MV Kennicott is RV-friendly, so if you’re looking to travel with your motorhome or travel trailer, you can make use of the ship’s amenities. Use the showers to wash off the road and relax in the heated solarium. Fresh towels, pillows, and blankets are available by request for a nominal fee.

The MV Kennicott has a single vehicle stowage deck big enough to hold over 80 vehicles of any size. Two levels have passenger staterooms, and the main deck offers a cafeteria-style restaurant, a movie lounge, comfortable seating, and other features making the long trip feel like a cruise. The ship usually leaves at night, so you’ll be refreshed and ready to depart in the morning.

Once they made port, Cory and Chris drove across the State of Washington, making it to her sister’s home. The whole leg took them five and a half days. By taking their time, they had the chance to see some incredible landscapes and enjoy the adventure.

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with a Class A motorhome for five years. Her father drove and maintained the rig while her mother cared for the day-to-day living tasks. When she was young, Cory had some experience in the #TentLife; otherwise, RVing was a whole new world. Due to Chris’ medical limitations, Cory handles the driving and maintenance. She’s always been the type of person that learns about something, so she knows how to take care of it. The most critical issues on their RV needs list included: 1. Something easy to tow 2. The entry steps had to be

stable enough for Chris to use safely. 3. A comfortable recliner that works for Chris 4. A good bed for Cory to sleep on 5. A travel trailer that Cory feels confident she can care for Cory’s Brother-in-Law took them to an RV dealership six miles into the Idaho border. The dealer located the East to West Alta 1900MMK travel trailer. The problem was, it was in Redmond, WA, a suburb northeast of Seattle. The dealer gave her a choice: wait two weeks for shipping, or drive the six hours each way to pick it up herself. Since she was on a FEBRUARY 2022

schedule, Cory and her Brotherin-Law hopped into his truck and made the 12-hour round trip. Cory and Chris traded in their 2020 Ranger for a Ford F-150 to tow the travel trailer. She found the front residential queen murphy bed comfortable. Her husband sleeps better in recliners, so the theater seats, 32-inch Furrion LED TV, Roku, and Verizon data hotspot made him a very happy camper. RV manufacturers usually sacrifice kitchen counter space in smaller travel trailers, making room for other features. The Alta 1900 MMK's unique rear wall

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to the entry door counter has more room than many full-size towables. Cory and Chris won’t have any problems with meal preparation in their home-onwheels with the 10.7 cubic foot rear RV refrigerator.

Continuing the Journey RV Style Before The Splees left Spokane, her Brother-in-Law took Cory on some practice runs with the Alta. She wanted to get a good feel for her new truck and towing the RV before heading out on the open road. One other matter had to be dealt with before they left: the rear ladder. Due to the backlog, many RV manufacturers stopped providing rear ladders attached to the RV. The paperwork showed that Cory’s coach should have come with one. When she asked about it at the original dealership, they told her that they’d have to get back to her because the sales rep didn’t have an answer. Finally, the dealership said they could provide one for an additional cost. Not satisfied with paying for something she technically already paid for, she called East to West directly. After a good conversation, the company not only agreed to provide it at no cost, they included the labor costs and told her they’d send it to an RV dealership at one of her destinations. Many new RVers don’t immediately think about calling the manufacturer directly in situations like this.

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Now that the ladder situation had a solution, it was time to move on. The plan was to head to South Dakota to spend the winter with her daughter. Unfortunately, a snowstorm closed Interstate 40. So Cory promised her daughter she’d come up in the spring and rearranged her plans. They headed south to Chandler, Arizona, for three weeks to visit family. After that, the couple went east to Alabama to spend the holidays with her other daughter. Cory and Chris traveled smart, using time as their limit. They’d drive from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., finding a nice campground for the evening. They wanted to have all the shore utilities available at night. The six-day drive to Arizona took them through Idaho, Montana, and Utah.

Google Maps was Cory’s GPS of choice, so her biggest fears were realized as she struggled through Salt Lake City and Phoenix’s traffic. Google did warn her about the right lane cutting off, but her anxiety heightened as she tried to merge over. After three weeks in Arizona, it was time to make their seven-day drive to the Greater Huntsville, Alabama area. The trip through New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi showed them some of the best scenery America’s Southwest and South has to offer. Their route down from Washington had a lot of mountain country, but this trip showed them a desert region with fantastic rock formations. Then, Cory and Chris RVBLOGGER.COM

saw our country’s grasslands and farming lands as they continued. Once they reached Alabama, they set the jacks down for a spell at Cory’s daughter’s home just in time for Thanksgiving. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate the end of a long journey than enjoying a holiday meal with family.

The RV Trip Isn’t Over Yet Cory and Chris have traveled a total of 3,419 miles. Once the winter breaks, they plan on heading up to South Dakota to visit her other daughter for a while. After that, the Splees want to find a sticks and bricks home in Tennessee that’s halfway between the two girls. When we asked

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“Cory and Chris stood firm against a lot of fears. Leaving the place, they’ve called home for their entire lives.” FEBRUARY 2022

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about their future RV plans, Cory said they don’t intend to sell their Alta, but the trips will probably be closer to home. We thanked her for her story and asked Cory how she found our Facebook group. During her research, she joined some groups to see what other firsttimers chose for their first RV and learn about their experiences. Facebook’s search algorithm suggested she join RV Camping For Newbies. She told us she enjoyed our group because of its overall positive atmosphere, and there was a lot of helpful information people offered. Cory and Chris stood firm against a lot of fears. Leaving the place, they’ve called home for their entire lives. They joined the RV community by going cross country on their first trip. The Splees deserve a medal for surviving big city traffic more than once. Let’s not forget the ladder incident (by the way, she’s getting it installed in March at an RV dealership in Alabama). Before we ended the conversation, we asked Cory if there was a message she wanted to tell our readers. She finished by saying: Hey everybody, you can do this. We invite you to join the RVBlogger Facebook Group called RV Camping for Newbies too! Just CLICK HERE to join all the fun! RVBLOGGER.COM

ARE WE THERE YET?

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An Awe-Inspiring

VISIT TO GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK BY MELISSA NANCE

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ave you ever photographed a mama black bear and her cubs in the wild? It isn’t as hard as you might think. Cades Cove, a part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just outside of Knoxville, Tennessee, is home to black bears, and they’re not easy to miss. I’ll never forget the first time I saw a black bear. He was near one of the camping areas next to Cades Cove, sniffing the air. You have to be careful with food items there, and this bear was curious. Luckily, a park ranger monitored the situation, ensuring that parkgoers kept a safe distance.

THE AFFORDABILITY AND CONVENIENCE OF THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK The bear wandered into the thick forest, probably looking for blackberries. One of the best things about this sighting was that it was free because Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of just a few parks that does not charge an entrance fee. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is the most visited park in the National Park System. If you have ever explored the park, you understand why that is

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so, besides the bears. Most other parks’ entry and camping fees can cost quite a bit after a week or two. The nice thing about the Great Smoky Mountains is that you can keep busy all day playing in the creeks, hiking, biking, fishing, sitting by the campfire (s’mores!), and enjoying the natural area without spending an extra penny. There are plenty of other attractions in the surrounding communities to explore, such as Dollywood Amusement Park, the bustling towns of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, and the quieter side of the Smokies Townsend. Plus, it's close to I-75 and I-40, making it a convenient national park option.

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National Parks are protected and set aside for everyone in the country to enjoy, but (provided you're not visiting during one of the National Park System's many free admission days each year) a visit to a national park can be expensive. For example, it’s $35 to bring a carload of people into the Grand Canyon, or $20 per individual if you hike/bike/raft in, and that doesn't even count camping costs or the price of lodging and extra activities. We travel on a budget, and I do quite a bit of research to stick to that budget. We’ve found many ways to be entertained and awed in the great outdoors without paying a significant amount of money. Here, I’ll share how to enjoy this gem of a park and still have funds leftover after your vacation.

“We’ve found many ways to be entertained and awed in the great outdoors without paying a significant amount of money.” SWIMMING HOLE AND FREE TUBING

stock up on supplies in nearby Townsend, TN.

A popular swimming hole is at the “Y” near the Townsend, Tennessee park entrance if you’re into water activities. The area allows access to the crystal-clean Little River for swimming, tubing, and lounging by the river. You can also enjoy incredible vistas of rock formations and the surrounding forest.

The “Y” is convenient to major roadways in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It has an official parking lot and porta-potties. You’ll find the lot at the corner of East Lamar Alexander Parkway and Little River Gorge Roads.

You and your family can literally “chill” in the cool water. This area is free to enjoy. You can rent a tube in Townsend, float along with a picnic lunch, and enjoy a day on the riverbank. You could also

The parking lot will be on the left-hand side, just before the road forks towards Gatlinburg and Cades Cove if you are traveling from Townsend. Get there early, especially on summer weekends.

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN WILDFLOWER VIEWING The design of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an International Biosphere Preserve due to its incredible biodiversity. There are more than 1,600 known flowering plants in the Smoky Mountains. Viewing the plant life in the Smokies is the main attraction, with people coming from all over the country for wildflower walks during the blooming season. The wildflower season usually runs from late February thru September. The peak season is mid-to-late April in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is even a Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage each year in late spring. The event started in 1950 and featured professionallyguided walks, exhibits, and other learning opportunities. Two good walking trails for viewing wildflowers in Great Smoky Mountain National Park RVBLOGGER.COM

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“Alternative wildflower hiking trails include the Schoolhouse Gap Trail, Middle Prong Trail, Little River Trail, The Old Sugarlands Trail, Baskins Creek Trail, and Porters Creek Trail.” are the Deep Creek trails and the River Trail at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee, North Carolina. Alternative wildflower hiking trails include the Schoolhouse Gap Trail, Middle Prong Trail, Little River Trail, The Old Sugarlands Trail, Baskins Creek Trail, and Porters Creek Trail. You may want to purchase

an area-specific plant book. Townsend, Sugarlands, and Cades Cove Visitor Centers are great resources for books and all things Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They would be a great resource to help you plan your visit. To carry with you on a trail, I recommend a handy, waterproof fold-out guide for less than $9. FEBRUARY 2022

While not comprehensive, you can see more than 100 regional wildflowers, even explaining the blooming seasons. The Wildflowers of Appalachia from Quick Reference Publishing is an excellent resource if you’re looking for these types of guides.

HISTORIC CADES COVE IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Back to Cades Cove, my favorite area of the Great Smoky Mountains National park, has an 11-mile loop that you can drive, bike, or walk. The road is closed to motorized traffic each Wednesday, between May 5th to September 1st, for walkers

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and bikers to enjoy it without all the car traffic. This is the busiest section of the park, and you’ll have to slow down to “mountain time” to see wildlife, including wild turkeys, deer, owls, chipmunks, and bears. Be sure to keep your distance, especially from bears. The park service says to use the “Rule of Thumb.” First, put your arm straight out in front of you and your thumb up straight ahead in your field of vision. Then, aim your thumb toward the bear; if it appears larger than your thumb, you are too close. You can also carry bear spray as an added precaution.

Be sure to use the bathroom and bring drinks and water before you begin driving the scenic Cades Cove Loop in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Traffic goes slowly and stops when someone spots wildlife. Even if there is no wildlife around, if someone thinks they see wildlife, that is enough to stop the winding road of cars.

in the bed of the pickups so they can see everything (Rangers do allow this at times, but always check to make sure you will not incur a fine for such behavior).

While making your way through the Cades Cove loop, you can drive so slowly that the kids will want to take off their seat belts and hang out of the sunroof, windows, or sit in the bed of trucks. This is a popular activity for some adults as well. They set up camp chairs

There are even places where you cross a small creek in your vehicle. This drive is a unique experience. People of all ages will enjoy it. The loop can take a few hours, so plan accordingly. There are several notable places to stop and learn a bit of history.

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People bring their pets, but it is wise to keep the windows rolled up in your vehicle if you think your dog will bark at wildlife, especially bears.

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“If you want to try something different, you can take a guided horseback ride with Cades Cove Stables.” HISTORIC LANDMARKS, SHOPPING, AND MORE AT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK The Miller’s home is in this area. While studying it, you may notice that it is a two-story home rather than “just” a log cabin. This indicates that the family had resources. A favorite stroll is to go past the house and explore the paths through the wooded area around the Miller’s property. You may find this spot more private than other places in the park since not many guests know

about it. You will be right by the creek, and it is beautiful level land. This whole area encourages you to imagine what life was like in the 1800s in a beautiful, isolated valley surrounded by majestic mountains. If you want to try something different, you can take a guided horseback ride with Cades Cove Stables. The hayride is the least expensive at $20 per adult, the carriage ride is $22, and the horseback is $40. In addition, there is a small discount for children. FEBRUARY 2022

Seeing Cades Cove by horse is a memorable experience because you can listen to the clip-clop of hooves on the ground and the birdsong of nature the way it used to be. You can avoid the din of your car engine and other modernday devices that hinder your connection to the mountains. For even more fun – and this costs nothing – you and your family can walk through designated fields and bring a picnic. Many park guests find a large, old tree in the area and set up there for a few hours. Eating, dozing, and enjoying nature are a few of the many options. GSMNP has you covered for hiking. A particularly enjoyable hike is the five-mile trek to Abram Falls. This moderately challenging hike rewards you with

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an impressive 20-foot waterfall. Unfortunately, the water rushes quickly, so the park does not allow swimming in the pool at the waterfall’s base. On most trails, pets are not allowed, but there are two petfriendly trails in the park. The Gatlinburg and Oconaluftee River Trails are the only walking paths that invite your four-legged friends to join you. The best way to plan your hiking adventure and get answers to all of your questions is to visit the Visitor’s Center, so the rangers can help you find the trails right for you. About halfway through the scenic Cades Cove loop is the

Visitor’s Center and gift shop, as well as bathrooms. Seasonally, here you will see the Cable Mill and a grist mill with someone demonstrating a flume and mill wheel. In addition, there are times with presentations throughout the year that allow you to see skills used by the early settlers, such as making molasses. If you decide you don’t wish to drive the entire 11-mile loop, there are two cut-through roads (Sharp Lane and Hyatt Lane). Despite the time it takes, I recommend taking the whole drive. Because all of this is free (with the expectation of the horse rides mentioned above), we suggest FEBRUARY 2022

you drop a dollar or so at the end of the loop in the Friends of the Smokies box. Your money helps support the expense of keeping this area open and maintained. Millions of visitors yearly take a toll on the beautiful land and historic homesites. If every car gave a dollar, there would be enough funding to keep the park operating at an optimum level.

WHERE TO STAY NEAR CADES COVE Have you decided to visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and want to drive the Cades Cove loop? Start the drive early so you may choose to stay close to Cades Cove. The Cades Cove Campground is open year-round

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“You can also reserve a spot at a campground located a short distance outside the park in Townsend, Tennessee. You will find everything from resorts, KOA’s, and small family-owned campgrounds.” and offers something to enjoy any season of the year you visit. A campsite is $25 year-round with about 160 campsites available. The campground is relatively primitive, but restrooms have flush toilets and cold-water sinks (no hot water for sinks or showers). A central dump station also provides water. There are no electrical hook-ups, but a section of the campground allows

generators from 8 am to 8 pm. There are both tent and RV sites. 6 sites can accommodate up to 40-foot vehicles. You can reserve a spot up to 6 months in advance. Summer and autumn fill up quickly, so book early. For reservations, call 877-444-6777 or book online at Recreation.gov. You can also reserve a spot at a campground located a short FEBRUARY 2022

distance outside the park in Townsend, Tennessee. You will find everything from resorts, KOA’s, and small family-owned campgrounds. The rates in this area are higher than in the park. Sites start at $75 per night and go up from there. So, if you want to visit the Great Smoky Mountains on a budget, do your best to get a spot inside the park for just $25. Happy camping, and we hope to see you on the road. You can learn more about Melissa Nance on her website at PennyPinchingGlobetrotter.com, on her Facebook Page, or on Instagram.

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BAREFOOT DETOUR REMODEL OF A 1991 FLEETWOOD WILDERNESS BY JOY KELLEY AND BRIAN NEWMAN

n 2006, a student from Chile came to the United States over her summer break to learn English. That destinyfilled college work-exchange program came with more than a new language. She met her husband, Ken Kelley, became a U.S. citizen, and successfully pursued her American dreams as an online entrepreneur. Joy and Ken Kelley live in the Colorado Mountains with their three boys. While Ken works his shifts at the firehouse, Joy stays home with the boys, running her calligraphy and interior design businesses. Her designs focus on Class B campervans, towable RVs, and brick and stick homes. The RV interior design site came out of their desire to join the RV lifestyle. In 2018, they purchased a travel trailer from a family friend. Within six weeks, they remodeled the almost 30-year-old bunkhouse RV into a beautiful coach. The process started when Ken took a week off of work initially. We’ll show you how they did it, some of the things they learned from the experience, and the helpful advice they have to share. You’ll also get to see the before and after pictures along the way. Most importantly, you’ll get to know why the Kelleys advocate not to take shortcuts or speed through

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1991 Fleetwood Wilderness M-29S

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•LENGTH: 29 FT. •UVW: 4,555 LBS. •GVWR: 6,500 LBS. •TANKS: F- 50G/ G- 40G/ B- 40G •SLEEP: 4-6

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1991 FLEETWOOD WILDERNESS M-29S TRAVEL TRAILER Fleetwood’s Wilderness Series was long-running and came in three RV categories at its height. The travel trailer line existed from 1972-2009. The fifth wheel versions joined the series in 1973 and had a short park model production from 1994-2002. The 1991 model year offered travel trailer lengths from 15-35 feet. The popular 29-foot model had three floorplans: M-29L, M-29N, and the M-29S. The “S” was the bunkhouse model. The non-slide-out bunkhouse travel trailer came with two twin bunks in the rear door-side corner next to the all-in-one bathroom. The front bedroom had an East/ West bed with the head on the offdoor side. The dinette was to the immediate left as you entered the main door

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“Joy and Ken had been saving to buy a new RV. For months, she researched design ideas from other RV interior design influencers and social media websites.” with a galley-style kitchen on the opposite wall. A standard-sized jackknife sofa sat between the kitchen and the master bedroom wall. When Fleetwood declared Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on March 11, 2009, they divested their towable assets. REV Group reorganized the company as a drivable RV company. The bankruptcy also ended Fleetwood’s licensing agreement with Coleman on their pop-ups, giving Dutchmen the opportunity to begin the Coleman Lantern Travel Trailer Series in 2010.

JUMPING RIGHT INTO IT Joy and Ken had been saving to buy a new RV. For months, she researched design ideas from other RV interior design influencers and social media websites. So when their family friend offered them the NeoClassic Era (1990-2007) travel trailer, the offer was too good to give up. The purchase was ahead of schedule for them but well worth it. RVBLOGGER.COM

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Once they brought the RV home, Ken took the next six days off, so they could get to work. It was in great shape for a 1991 travel trailer, except for some water damage on one bunk. The early 1990s interior had the Classic Farmhouse look that the Kelleys wanted to update. Also, they wanted to make some adjustments to the storage and other things. The week went as follows: • Day 1: Bring the Travel Trailer home •Day 2: Plan the entire remodel. The new colors, additional cabinets, furniture, functional decor updates, etc. •Day 3: Shop on the IKEA and Home Depot websites and arrange for pickup. •Day 4: Drive to town and get everything. •Day 5: Start demo and get to work. •Day 6: Continue working. For those that live in the city or suburbia, driving to IKEA or Home Depot maybe a 10-15 minute jaunt if you include traffic. The Kelleys live in a remote Colorado mountain community, so going to the closest stores is an all-day event. When Joy looks back at this first week, she calls that week their moment of craziness because they jam-packed a lot in that one week. But, for those RV veterans reading this, we prefer to say that it’s good to see a young, healthy couple passionate about the RV lifestyle.

She would have spent more time researching restoration techniques if she had to do it again. That’s one of the many reasons she created her RV interior design website; so others wouldn’t make the same mistakes, she and her husband did. Joy created five steps to make RV restoration/remodeling go smoothly.

1. PREP WORK MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE In their haste, The Kelleys learned FEBRUARY 2022

the hard way why preparing surfaces for paint is so important. When Joy painted her first cabinet and one of the walls, she painted over the existing finishes. It didn’t take long before the new layer started peeling. The frustration of having to redo the work probably had Joy using some language in Spanish her mother would disapprove of, but the boys wouldn’t understand (we’ve all been there).

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After some more research, she found some great techniques for different surfaces. For example, Joy learned to sand down the original finishes and used an oilbased primer before adding the new paint. Sanding off the original creates a clean, porous surface for the primer to attach correctly. Using primer gives paint or any finish the best surface conditions and makes the color stand out.

GIVING NEW LIFE TO THE REAL WOOD During the Neo-Classic Era, travel trailers used marinegrade plywood for structural and other woods for decor pieces. In addition, wall molding, cabinet doors, and other parts generally had a finish to increase the natural water resistance. The Kelleys used a liquid sandpaper product to remove the FEBRUARY 2022

finish on the wood. These products are very effective but can damage other material types. They’re also harmful to sensitive skin, so we recommend using Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). Make sure you read the directions before using liquid sandpaper. After Joy and Ken used two layers of liquid sandpaper, they lightly sanded the wood, creating a smooth surface. The primer and

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paint made the wood look fresh from the factory when complete.

PAINTING THE PARTICLEBOARD Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) became a common material for cabinetry because it’s stronger and lighter than natural wood. You’ll find that the brick and stick housing industry uses it for kitchen and bathroom cabinetry too. MDF manufacturers add an adhesive paper-like layer with a natural wood look. When Joy and Ken sanded off the top layer, they had to be very careful. The paper-like top layer won’t hold paint, and over sanding

will dig into the fiberboard itself. The particleboard has similar properties to wood, so the primer and paint attached beautifully.

(TSP) as a cleaning agent for the wallpaper. TSP requires a specific chemical ratio to water and plenty of ventilation.

WHAT TO DO WITH RV WALLPAPER?

If you live in a dry heat area like Arizona, wallpaper edges become loose. Use a primer-sealer that attaches the wallpaper and prepares the paper for paint. (you can spackle holes).

The adhesive used on the wallpaper for RV interior walls makes stripping it arduous work. Some choose to paint over the paper, while others prefer to steam or use chemical treatments to scrape it off. The wallpaper was in great shape in the Kelley’s situation, so they chose to paint over it. Joy and Ken did their homework using Trisodium Phosphate

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CONDITIONING THE COUNTERTOPS Joy and Kelley traded the labors of refinishing their countertops with replacing them. Joy fell in love with a black acrylic kitchen sink from Houser she found on Amazon. To complement it, she

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PEEL-AND-STICK SOLUTIONS Kitchen and bathroom sink backsplashes not only look great but serve as a functional solution, protecting the walls from water. A ceramic tile doesn’t weigh much by itself, but collectively, it doesn’t take many to significantly eat away at your Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). That’s why peel-and-stick vinyl patterns worked so well for the Kelleys. The material weighs next to nothing, and they come in virtually any design imaginable. Joy found a budget-friendly solution as a wallpaper substitute. She wanted to do something different in the bathroom. So she found adhesive shelf paper that worked as an accent wallpaper for a fraction of the cost. Out-ofthe-box thinking like this in many different places around the travel trailer allowed them to splurge on those things they truly wanted.

“ A ceramic tile doesn’t weigh much by itself, but collectively, it doesn’t take many to significantly eat away at your Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW).” wanted a wood butcher block countertop. Unfortunately, while her heart said yes, their budget said, “we’re sorry, but the item you’re requesting isn’t available at this time” (imagine hearing that irritating message as a recorded

computer voice over the phone). The Kelleys found a thick desktop at IKEA Ken could cut down to size. There was even enough to replace the dinette table. They used another desktop for the bathroom and bedroom nightstand. RVBLOGGER.COM

2. GET THE RIGHT PAINT FOR EACH SURFACE One of the first things all RVers learn about the lifestyle is that any moisture inside the coach is terrible. Water-based primers and paints are no exception. The water can get into porous surfaces and find cracks as they dry. The result can lift the paint layer or the top layer of the surface from what you’re painting. Oil-based primers and paints adhere better to laminated surfaces and create a seal against moisture. Joy and Ken Kelley chose Rust-Oleum’s Zinsser Bullseye Primer since they had

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a good experience using it on a previous project. They chose BEHR’s Silent White and Night Club (blue) semigloss for an excellent modern farmhouse look. Also, since they had three boys under 10 years old, the paint would be easy to wipe off dirt and other things. Small plastic parts required five layers of spray paint. A quick and light pass with the spray can color the pieces without the

paint running. If the small pieces were too difficult to remove, the Kelleys used masking tape (as a substitute for painter’s tape) to guard the walls from the spray paint. The shower was a project itself. First, it required a deep scrubbing with a brush set. It was clean, but decades of buildup needed removal. Next, they used a spray primer to prepare the shower basin for paint.

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Joy found a Tub and Tile refinishing kit by Rust-Oleum that uses acrylic paint to restore the shower’s tub. After two coats and three days of drying, the restoration kit protected the basin from moisture and corrosion.

3. MEASURE TWICE WHEN GETTING FURNITURE If you saw our January issue of RV Camping Magazine, we explored what you can do to update RV furniture. The Kelleys decided to go with new foam and upholstery.

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MAKING UP THE BED Joy chose Brooklyn Bedding and Bear RV mattresses with cooling and breathable technology built within the bed. She also found sheets and other bedding through Amazon and IKEA. RV mattress sizes go beyond the four main residential bed sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, and King. You’ll find XL Twins, Short Queens, ¾ Queens, Short Kings. Class C motorhomes cut off or round one corner of the mattress in floorplans that place the bed in the rear door-side corner. Standard sheets won’t fit on these RV sizes. Instead, you’ll find sheets and other bedding online or at camping stores. They come in solid colors, patterns, or camping themed.

ADDING STORAGE Joy also added a two-shelf cabinet next to the entry door. The bottom space kept shoes away from the door, the middle centralized the dog supplies, and the top-level held baby changing supplies.

“If the RV owners want to "hide" their clothes, they may choose to hang a curtain in place of the doors.” FEBRUARY 2022

Finding this cabinet wasn’t easy. With a tape measure in hand, Joy spent a long time at IKEA measuring each cabinet contestant. Her goal was to find that Goldilocks one that was just right. She thought she looked crazy going around the store measuring everything. Yet Many RV restoration experts do the same thing.

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RV designers develop floorplans and features to exact measurements. Engineers do that because they’re taking advantage of every square inch. When remodeling, you have to consider this; otherwise, your new furniture won’t fit correctly. So we say, kudos to Joy!

4. GET THE RIGHT BULBS FOR YOUR VOLTAGE With the significant projects completed, it was time to add the lighting. In a bricks and sticks home, there’s a lot you can do to make the lighting an asset

to the overall decor. The same is true with RVs, but there’s the added issue of heat and power, especially if you’re going to be dry camping. RV lighting works on the DC current of the RV. Older incandescent technology uses 18-watts/ 1.5-amps per bulb and produces heat. LED lights stay cool and sip 2.1-watts/ 0.1 amps. LEDs can be brighter, so you may want to add dimmer switches or space them further apart to balance the brightness.

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Joy decided to add black metal industrial cage ceiling lights above the dinette and in the master bedroom. She stayed with incandescent bulbs that paired well with the look. The ceiling lights added contrasting depth to the overall look with her modern farmhouse base theme. The wall mount sconces around the rest of the travel trailer added to the modern farmhouse decor. Joy and Ken placed LED versions by the sofa, the bunks, both sides of the master bed, and scattered on the ceiling.

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5. WEIGHT MATTERS When we discussed why the Kelleys used vinyl peel-andstick tiles, we mentioned that the material had a weight benefit over ceramic tile. If you’re new to the RV world, there is a weight measurement you have to take into consideration.

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum weight your RV can safely be towed/driven. This requirement comes from the Department of Transportation and the RV Industry Association (the non-government agency that regulates the RV Industry). Using your RV over the GVWR had RVBLOGGER.COM

dangerous, insurance, and legal consequences. In Joy and Ken’s situation, towing their travel trailer safely, the weight must be under the GVWR and balanced. If the coach leans one way or the other, there’s a potential for many problems:

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"The Fleetwood is still a family member, and the Kelleys have no plans to sell it. After all the work and memories they made, the RV is like their fourth child."

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•Additional sway issues •A byproduct of these symptoms can get you pulled over and fined •Increased chance for a traffic collision or flipping •Lower fuel efficiency •Uneven wear on the tires Some remodelers will keep a running tally of the weight they take out and what they add. If you do this, make sure you weigh everything. For example, if you’re mounting an LED TV, don’t forget to weigh the mounting arm too. The TV is generally light, but the arms use thick aluminum or steel that weigh a lot.

WHERE ARE JOY AND KEN KELLEY NOW? Joy and Ken still live in the same town. After a few part-time years in their 1991 Fleetwood M-29S travel trailer, they decided to step into the full-time lifestyle but now have a Forest River XLR Nitro fifth wheel toy hauler. Their older son slept on the convertible sofa when they used the travel trailer. Now that they’re full-timers, everyone has a bed. The Fleetwood is still a family member, and the Kelleys have no

Once you’re RV’s complete, Find a vehicle weigh station like CAT scales in your area. Get two weights. The first should be the new Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW), also known as the “Dry Weight.” Leave the holding tanks empty and leave your storage empty. Your wall accessories and anything that would typically be in an RV at a dealership or RV show are okay. Go home, load your essential gear and ordinary things. Fill the fresh tank halfway and even the throw pillows on the sofa. Then, go back to the scale and weigh the coach again. This measurement will be your actual Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). The original GVWR didn’t change unless you reinforced the RV’s structure. As long as your actual GVWR is less than the RV’s rating, you’re all set. Otherwise, you may have to trim some things down.

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plans to sell it. After all the work and memories they made, the RV is like their fourth child. The difference now is that it has a fifth wheel younger sibling. Ken continues his work with the fire department. Joy’s calligraphy and interior design business is going strong. You can reach Joy through her Instagram Page. If you want to learn more about the remodel, check out the Barefoot Detour Website. For your calligraphy needs, take a tour of her How Joyful website.

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RVSpot Drop:

NEW SERVICE FOR RVERS TO FIND AVAILABLE CAMPING SITES NEWS PROVIDED BY RVSPOTDROP

e’ve all been there. You want to RV in a location that books months, even years, in advance (looking at you, Zion). You spend hours searching dozens of RV parks, only to find “no availability.” RVing has been exploding. As this past year, in particular, has encouraged people to look at what's really important and prioritize their time, an even greater number of full-time RVers and families have hit the road. The Kampgrounds of America’s annual North American Camping Report found that compared to 2019, the number of first-time campers has grown five-fold. Plus, the number of RV-owning households grew by 2.6 million. The best part of full-time or vacation RVing is the flexibility to go places and explore. The flip side is the need to find places to stay. It can be timeconsuming and frustrating to find and reserve spots, cutting into precious travel and family time. A new service called RVSpotDrop eliminates the need to spend hours searching online and making dozens of phone calls to find your next RV site. Through this service, RVers can sign up to receive notifications of available camping sites sent right to their email inbox.

A NEW WAY TO FIND RV PARKS AND RESORTS RVSpotDrop was created by full-time RVers, Jenn and Kendall from @dashboarddrifters, who had first-hand experience trying to find and book sites. With the onset of the pandemic and massive restrictions across the US and Canada, they noticed in online forums and chats that there were displaced RVers desperately searching for campgrounds with long-term availability. “We wanted to help our fellow RVers. We wanted to create a system that could easily connect RV

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“We had a look at your site and like what you're doing!” - RV park in Newfoundland, Canada

parks and resorts with full-time RVers looking for a new home.” The increase in the popularity of RV life has added to the challenge of finding and booking available sites. With more RVers than ever before, the supply of RV parks can’t keep up with the demand for new RVers. Jennifer says that campgrounds across the US and Canada have

been excited about RVSpotDrop. She personally calls the parks to talk to the owners and managers and to introduce the service. Smaller campgrounds are especially excited about joining. “YES, YES!!! PLEASE SEND THEM OUR WAY.” - RV park in Texas RVSpotDrop offers an easy way for RV parks to get exposure to a larger market of RVers. Instead RVBLOGGER.COM

of relying on a Google search or a directory, partner campgrounds can directly reach RVers who are looking for availability in their area. It’s like a mini advertisement personalized to that camper. “We had a look at your site and like what you're doing!” - RV park in Newfoundland, Canada

AVAILABLE AND CANCELLED RV SITE EMAIL ALERTS RVSpotDrop is quick and simple to use for both RVers and campgrounds.

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RV CAMPING campgrounds simply update their profile when they want to fill a cancelled or available site. This information triggers an email alert to members who are looking for availability in that area. Members book directly with the campground. Even those great, smaller campgrounds with email or telephone reservation systems can use this tech-driven service, as RVSpotDrop does not require integration with the campground’s existing booking system.

CONVENIENCE FOR A SMALL ANNUAL PRICE

MEMBERS Becoming a member is easy. Create an online profile that specifies your RV requirements, such as hook-up needs, campsite stay locations, and dates. The service is set up for short-term stays as well as monthly or full-time sites options. When availability is found, the member receives an email with the details and can then book directly with the campground.

RV PARKS, RESORTS, AND CAMPGROUNDS What makes RVSpotDrop special is its partnership with RV parks, resorts, and campgrounds.

“There are so many campgrounds out there that are amazing and have great features but aren’t highly visible online. These parks might be on page 40 or 50 of a campground directory. We want to get these amazing (and sometimes smaller) RV parks front and center in people’s inboxes.” Campground and RV park owners have a profile, similar to the member profiles, that showcases their services, amenities, and special features that make their park amazing. RVSpotDrop’s partner FEBRUARY 2022

The yearly cost of membership is only $9.99 for RVers. There is no cost for campgrounds to join. When you consider every hour spent searching online or on hold just to hear "sorry, we're full," there is no question that membership is a small price to pay for the time saved Memberships last one year from the time of enrollment and can be automatically renewed yearly or cancelled at any time. “Our mission is to make it an enjoyable experience to find amazing places to camp. RVing is supposed to be fun, not a job. We do the work finding you a spot so you can get back to fun.” RVing is a great way to get out and explore with friends and family. Make the most of your personal time and travel plans by allowing RVSpotDrop to do the searching for you. Pick your destination, get the email, book the site and then kick back and relax.

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NEWS

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AirSkirts

OPENS SEED ROUND TO ACCELERATE GROWTH WORLD’S FIRST INNOVATIVE INFLATABLE SKIRTING SYSTEM INSULATES & PROTECTS YOUR RV NEWS PROVIDED BY AIRSKIRTS

ontville, CT (January 25, 2022) AirSkirts today announced a seed funding round to accelerate the growth of their innovative line up of inflatable RV skirt kits. Unlike traditional skirting methods that require drilling dozens of holes into your RV or messy DIY solutions, AirSkirts® is the first ever inflatable RV skirt system to insulate your camper. As the only skirting solution retailers can sell off-the-shelf, AirSkirts® inflatable design succeeds where other skirting methods fail – providing a durable, easy-to-install insulation solution that is resistant to extreme weather. The modular design makes yearround RV life possible and fits any travel trailer, motorhome, fifth wheel, or tiny house. “Support from investors will help us take things to the next level. Together we can bring much-needed climate tolerance solutions that will last for decades to the rapidly growing RV community,” said Jim Phelan, Founder and Managing Director of AirSkirts. “I created AirSkirts after several frustrating seasons in my Airstream and I’m convinced it offers the best protection for your RV.” Historically, RVers had limited and often timeconsuming options to skirt their trailers. AirSkirts® has changed the game with the world’s only inflatable design for year-round RV living that is installation free and can be retailed at scale. The robust kit creates a large barrier of trapped air between two layers PVC that acts as an insulator. This prevents freezing pipes, retains heat, gives you warmer floors and saves on energy. Kits set up in under 30 minutes with ultra-durable, military-grade construction that requires no drilling of holes or messy homegrown solutions. As the pandemic supercharged the RV lifestyle into a $20 billion dollar industry, AirSkirts® propelled onto the scene at just the right time. The bootstrapped start-up’s explosive growth combined

FEBRUARY 2022

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“AirSkirts® has changed the game with the world’s only inflatable design for year-round RV living that is installation free and can be retailed at scale.” with energy from new investors is setting up the company for the long-haul. With over 11 million American households owning an RV and 1,000+ satisfied AirSkirts® customers around the U.S., the family owned and operated company aims to offer fresh products to support the RV lifestyle. Funding will be utilized to make inventory more robust, improve production and shipment

logistics, and expand product development and marketing efforts. To participate in this seed round, go to www.fundable.com/ airskirts. For more information about AirSkirts, head to www. airskirts.com and check out the full line up of skirting kits and components here. Follow us at @ airskirts on social media.

FEBRUARY 2022

About Airskirts: In January 2020, Jim Phelan founded AirSkirts after several frustrating seasons with traditional skirting methods. A software architect by trade, he sold his home in Brooklyn, NY and most of his possessions in 2016, and began living and traveling in his Airstream. AirSkirts’ one of a kind, patent-pending system prevents frozen pipes so you stay warmer, saves on energy costs, requires no installation, and fits any camper, RV, Fifth Wheel, travel trailer or motor coach. The family owned and operated small business is headquartered in Oakdale, Connecticut. The start-up is dedicated to creating costeffective, innovative solutions for RVers.

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