Episode 92: The Roads Less Traveled

It's a sad fact that so many RVers travel so fast that they miss so much. That's because they travel the interstates, where the country whizzes past in a blur. In this episode of Roadtreing: The RV Lifestyle Podcast, we suggest a better way, through the backroads, the two lane state and county highways. In the interview segment towards the end of the program, Mike interviews RVers Jerry Pavlat [spp-timestamp time="58:32"], who reveals how he makes sure he spends as little time as possible on the Interstate. Then, in an off-the-beaten-path report [spp-timestamp time="51:30"], Tom and Patti Burkett take us to Western Oklahoma and an event far from the Interstate that is worth traveling to just to getthe T-Shirt. Plus your comments, questions and lots of tips.Scroll down for show note details and resources and click the player below to start listening. When you see a time code hyperlink, you can click it to jump directly to that segment of the podcast. [spp-player] Show Notes for Episode #92 June 15, 2016 of Roadtreking - The RV Lifestyle Podcast: JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK [spp-timestamp time="5:10"] This week’s tip is a follow up to the suggestion I made last week about using Zip Lock bags to store all sorts of stuff, from food to spare parts to things like cereal which can be emptied out of those big bulky boxes and stored in much less space. A listener named Diane offers up an alternative suggestion. The system Diane suggested is called Thrifty Vac. It seals all kinds of foods in vacuum bags.. It is very inexpensive, less that $2 . The bags cost about 17-cents each. I’ll put a link on the shownotes page for this episode at Roadtreking-dot-com-forward slash-92. If you have a tip you’d like to share with our RVing audience, use the “Send Voicemail” link on the right side of the Roadtreking.com blog. You can use the built-in microphone on your computer or smartphone to record the tip and send it directly to me. You can also reach me at Jennifer@roadtreking com The tip of the week is brought to you by Good Sam, the world's most popular RV organization, now celebrating its 50th year. LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK: [spp-timestamp time="9:31"] ===Maribeth asks about hooking her RV up to the house current while its parked in her driveway. Mike recommends a 30 AMP system, especially if she wasn’t to run her air conditioning. For the fridge and to charge the house batteries, the normal house system of 20 Amps will work but you will not be able to run the same amount of appliances inside the RV as you could if you were getting power from a 30A or, for the bigger RVs, a 50 A system ===Ann asks about the proper tire pressure in her RV. She checked the door post panels but found a suggestion on the Internet that recommended different settings. The recommended maximum inflation pressures for your tires are indicated on the certification label or in your owner's manual. Since RVs can be loaded with many different configurations, the load on each tire will vary. For this reason, actual air pressure required should be determined based on the load on each individual tire. Inflation pressure should be adjusted to handle the tire carrying the heaviest load, and all tires on the axle should be adjusted to this standard. Each manufacturer provides load and inflation tables specific to their products to help you determine the correct tire inflation pressure for your vehicle's loading. Under inflation brings a higher risk of susceptibility to damage due to road hazards, reduces casing durability, and causes a loss in fuel economy, plus uneven or irregular tire wear. Severe or prolonged underinflation brings about an increased risk of tread It's a common practice for RV owners to lower tire pressure in their search for a smoother ride. This is not only dangerous, it's relatively ineffective, as the difference in ride quality is not significant. When minimum inflation pressure requirements are not met, tire durability and optimum operating conditions are compromised. Tire inflation pressure should always meet at least the minimum guidelines for vehicle weight. Check your tires' air pressures at least once a month, before each trip and each morning you drive during a trip. Tire pressure should be checked cold, or before you have driven that day, as tire pressure ratings have been designed with typical running heat/pressure build-up in mind. Remember to check the air pressures of the inside tires in dual fitments and make sure the valves and caps are free of dirt and moisture. Check http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/tire-inflation-loading.aspx for more info ===Craig asks about the best portable grill for his RV. Mike shares what he has, and news of a new one called the Volcano Grill… a three in one grill that can cook with propane, charcoal or wood…plus it converts into a small campfire. $149 on Amazon. Mike also uses a small Coleman Camp Propane Grill and Stove and the GoSun Solar cooker. Sponsoring this part of the po