Roadtrekingmike

I counted eight of them yesterday, four Class A motorhomes, 2 Fifth Wheels and two Travel Trailers, pushing the snow flurries around in their slipstream as they moved down the interstates near my Michigan home. Ands that was what I spotted while I was running a few weekend errands. Truth is, there’s a steady stream of recreational vehicles out there and they will continue to be on the move for the next couple weeks. Migrating Snowbirds. RVers fleeing the winter weather of the north for warmer temperatures down south. Most, probably, to Florida and the gulf states, some to the Southwest or Texas hill country. They’re really the second wave of snowbirds. The first departed in late October or early November. This current migration waited till Christmas so they could spend time with kids and grandkids. Happens every year about this time. Heck, I’ll be joining them in a week on our first trip of 2013, heading to cover some RV stories along the Great Snowbird Route that will end us in Tampa, FL on Jan 15 for the start of the huge Florida RV Supershow at the Florida State Fairgrounds. This is one of the nation’s biggest, big for the industry and big for consumers. I’ll do several video reports from there, as well as things we run across in Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. But I’m making plans for lots more. From February 13-18, I want to try out cold – really cold – camping by heading to the wilds of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to do a video report about the UP200, one of America’s premier 12-dog, mid-distance sled dog races thatdraws mushers from around the United States and Canada because it is a qualifying race for Alaska’s famed Iditarod. Then there are the rallies and special gatherings. I have two must-attends. The first is the anniversary rally in Branson, MO May 20-24 that celebrates the 40th anniversary of the founding of Roadtrek Motorhomes. The second is the Family Motor Coach Association’s Family Reunion and Motorhome Showcase June 19 to 22, 2013, at CAM-PLEX in Gillette, Wyoming. And, heck, while I’m out there that far west, might as well swing around and visit Yellowstone National park, the Tetons and maybe a couple of other national parks. I want to find time to get to New England, too. That was on my 2012 bucket list but, well, you know, so many places, so little time. It’s a must visit this year. I devoted my January Open Mike column in Family Motor Coaching magazine writing about my top 10 RV resolutions for the year. They include things like the trips above, eating right and exercising on the road, seeing more of Canada and volunteering more. In regards to the later, I have already joined the Emergency Communications team my community’s local Homeland Security Department by installing an amateur radio station (I’m K8ZRH) in my Roadtrek e-Trek to assist in local emergencies and disasters. The e-Trek is perfect for such a role because it can totally power itself with a bank of eight AGM batteries, a rooftop solar array capable of putting out 240 watts, a 5000 watt inverter for 110 appliances and a diesel system that works as a generator to very quickly charge the system, it means that we can run everything we need â€" all the radio gear, plus heat, air conditioning, TV, DVD, the water pump, even the mircowave â€" for up to nine hours without having to start the engine to charge those batteries. That’s running everything, all at once. I also hope to meet many of my readers over the next year. Between this blog, our very active Facebook Page and the Roadtreking RV Newsletter, I have come to know many of you as friends and I hope that we can share a campfire this new year. Jennifer and I had no idea how this new RV lifestyle would influence our life. I’m a journalist at heart, I love telling stories and our RV takes us to people and places we never would encounter otherwise. But this blog and my other RV writing and video reporting have taken off so fast that we’re still a little breathless, happy and feeling very blessed. I can’t wait to see what 2013 brings. To all of you… Happy New Year! See you out there. Source

Roadtrek Motorhome’s new e-Trek is now showing up in dealer showrooms across North America and I just may be the very first consumer to take possession. Or so Chad Neff of American RV in Grand Rapids told me as he handed over the keys to Jennifer and I. Tai, our Norwegian Elkhound, had already ensconced himself inside. My trek for the eTrek began in September when I went to the Roadtrek factory in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada to do a video news story on the new model, built on the Mercedes Sprinter frame. It’s 22 feet nine inches long and nine feet five inches tall on a 170-inch wheelbase. At heart, Jennifer and I are boondockers. We prefer camping deep in the woods, away from crowded campgrounds. Because the eTrek can totally power itself with a bank of eight AGM batteries, a rooftop solar array capable of putting out 240 watts, a 5000 watt inverter for 110 appliances and a diesel system that works as a generator to very quickly charge the system, it means that we can run everything we need – heat, air conditioning, TV, DVD, the water pump, even the mircowave – for up to nine hours without having to start the engine to charge those batteries. That’s running everything, all at once. In real conditions, that doesn’t happen. “You can totally charge everything by just running the engine for 20 minutes to a half hour,” said Howard Stratton, Roadtrek’s vice president of operations when we visited the factory this past monday to work on a video about other Roadtrek developments. How is that possible? The eTrek utilizes a 3500W generator/alternator mounted to the van's diesel engine that can charge eight dead auxiliary batteries in only 40 minutes. There are two optons we did not get: an 100W EFOY methanol fuel cell generator and three lithium ion batteries that would save weight over the eight AGM batteries. While there, we saw the Roadtrek assembly crew putting the finishing touches on the unit we would get three days later through our dealer in Grand Rapids. I wish I could give you all a full shake down review on the eTrek. But it is wintertime and as we left Grand Rapids to drive back to our suburban Detroit home, we were being chased by a huge winter storm named Draco, which deluged parts of the Midwest and northern Michigan with up to 20 inches of snow. Our 155-mile trip was in pretty stiff winds. Immediately I notice how well it handled. The 2006 Roadtrek RS that I traded in (it’s available at American RV) has single rear wheels. The eTrek, like later model Sprinters, has dualies. I’m not sure if that was why it seemed to be more stable or it was just that new RV love affair I had going. We returned home around dark and by morning, we had two inches of snow on the ground. Hmmm. Do solar panels charge when covered in snow? I took the eTrek out for my last-minute Christmas shopping errands. The roads were slick in spots but I found it handled well and had no tendency to skid on the icy spots. All that weight helps, I guess. The eTrek’s weight, not mine. I spent time this afternoon running everything I could as I familiarized myself with switches. The heat, pushed out through the air conditioning unit in the ceiling, warmed it to a pretty comfortable 63 degrees after an hour’s use. Outside, it was about 25 degrees, with a very stiff wind making the wind chill much less. We’ll see how it heats with that unit in some further tests. Because there is no propane, the usual forced air heater than ran on propane is absent on the eTrek. I did not use the water pump or the instant hot feature. It hasn’t been winterized yet but since those systems are dry, I was told not to worry. I’m thinking I may want to put some antifreeze in the traps anyway. I’ve got a lot more inside putzing to do so I can be sure I know where everything is and how it works. We leave for Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida right after the first of the year, so full tests are coming shortly. Source

Roadtrek Motorhome’s hot new N-6 Active made its network television debut this week in a starring role on NBC-TV’s ”Take it All” game show. The N-6 was a top prize for a contestant in the show, which stars Howie Mandel and is based on one of the most popular holiday party games in America, often called "White Elephant" or "Yankee Swap." In the show, a contestant selects and opens a prize worth thousands of dollars: dream prizes such as luxury cars, exotic trips, jewelry and VIP experiences. Then, the next player is faced with a dilemma: do they steal a prize that has already been revealed, or do they take a chance with another unopened prize, hoping what’s inside is worth more? Jim Hammill, Roadtrek’s president, said the company was honored to have the new six-seat Nav-6 be so prominently featured. You can watch the entire episode above or directly access it at http://www.nbc.com/take-it-all/video/night-4/n30380/ “The N-6 is a very unique vehicle that is like nothing else on the market,” says Hammill. “It serves as a luxury SUV that is perfect for shopping, tailgate parties, trips to the beach and carting the kids to soccer practice. But is can also be used as a camper that can sleep six, equipped with hot and cold running water, sink, microwave and everything an on-the-go family needs.” The N-6 Active, also known as the Nav 6 when sold through Nissan dealers, is built on the Nissan 2500 frame. We had the chance to test out one not long ago. Here’s our video review. Source

The one thing that I most dislike about this time of year is holiday shopping. Usually, I’ll do anything to avoid a shopping mall. If God intended us to go traipsing through crowded shopping centers he wouldn’t have had Al Gore invent the Internet and online shopping. So you can imagine Jennifer’s surprise this afternoon when I actually volunteered to drive her to the mall to look up some Christmas gifts. I took my Roadtrek Class B RV motorhome. Heh heh heh. It’s a diesel, so it needs to be exercised from time to to time. That was my verbalized excuse. But the truth is, I was lonesome for it. And sometimes, I feel pretty silly just sitting out in it in the driveway. So off we went. ”Take your time, honey,” I said as Jennifer got out to go shopping. I stayed in the Roadtrek. I flipped on the battery and fired up the heater. Snow was spitting outside but I soon was toasty warm inside. I turned on the TV, sprawled out on the rear sofa and watched some football as I again bonded with my RV. I was parked in a regular mall spot. Couldn’t have done that in a Class A or Class C motorhome. Made my wife happy. Reconnected me with my RV. A win-win for both of us. Now if only my Detroit Lions would win. Source

There's nothing like the sight of one of Yellowstone National Park's magnificent bison to slow traffic. These shaggy giants seem oblivious to the traffic. They cross the road where they want. They go where they want. The National Park Service says humans need to stay far away from bison. But they don't. People, in quest of a photo, get very stupid. As you can see on , people are stupid. Every year, someone gets hurt. Sometimes very badly. Bison can kill.For these animals will charge. They usually warn you that they’re perturbed by stomping their feet or nodding their heads. But stupid people dont seem to care. That doesn't mean you can't get good photos. Just keep your distance. Yellowstone's bison are awesome creatures. But remember, they outweigh you 10 to one. If you get too close to them, they don't take kindly to it.

When we share our love of RVing in our 22-foot Type B Roadtrek with friends and relatives, probably the most common question we get is why a Type B? Why not one of those giant Type A motorhomes? Well, no offense to Type A or Type C owners but we're really hooked on Type B RVing for one basic reason: Convenience. We can go anywhere in our Type B and when we do, everything we have is with us. That’s why I put together this little video, which was shot across the country during our travels this year. Our Roadtrek RS-Adventurous can be used as a second vehicle. It parks in regular parking spots, which is a great convenience when hitting fast-food restaurants or visiting national parks or places with limited parking for big rigs. Something else our Type B RV lets us do: Boondock. We can travel far off the beaten path, down backwoods roads and forest trails, and to true wilderness spots that bigger RVs couldn’t even get close to. This is our favorite type of camping. Just us and our dog, surrounded by nature Our on board batteries and generator give us power when we need it and cooking is as convenient as home. For us, our Type B is a perfect fit. It gets us where we want to go and it carries everything we need. Check out the video and you’ll see.

One of the biggest controversies in the RV world these days has to do with the fine line between tax avoidance and tax evasion. I’m talking about the practice of setting up an LLC business in Montana to purchase a motorhome, thus avoiding sales and use tax and often stiff registration fees in the owner’s home state. Thousands of RV owners around the country do this and dozens of Montana legal firms specialize in making it happen. I live in a state that has very high taxes. As I am shopping around to upgrade my 2006 RV to a new model I have come face-to-face with the huge tax burden my state (Michigan) imposes. When I bought the 2006 RV in April, I paid some $5,000 in sales tax and registration fees. Gulp. If I trade in that unit and buy a new motorhome, Michigan will hit me again. And unlike many other states which tax only the difference between the trade-in and the new model, Michigan will tax the entire value of the sale. Unfair? Absolutely. Outrageous? Yes. Legal? Unfortunately, it is legal for a state to be a tax gouger. And I live in such a state. So this Montana scheme is very appealing. Essentially, it works like this: You form an LLC business in Montana. It costs you about $1,000 to have one of the Montana law firms set up your LLC and do the registration and titling paperwork and send you back the Montana license plates. Because Montana has no sale tax on an RV, your only cost is the $1,000 to set up the business that technically owns the RV, a Montana corporation, and the $150 or so the law firm charges every year to renew your registration and LLC charter. All this is perfectly legal in Montana. Indeed, forming LLCs and registering RVs like this is a big business out there. The rub comes in your home state. The high tax states that do impose use and sales taxes and high registration fees on RVs quickly took steps to counter the scheme by writing laws and regulations that make it very difficult to take advantage of the plan. In my state, for example, Michigan Compiled Law sections 257.215, 257.216, and 257.217 require that “a nonresident owner of a pleasure vehicle otherwise subject to registration under this act shall not operate the vehicle for a period exceeding 90 days without securing registration in this state.” Is there a loophole there? Some Montana law firms say there is. They say if you take the motorhome out of your home state once every three months, you’re legal. They interpret that as keeping the motorhome in your home state for 90 consecutive days, So, if you head out of state after 89 days, they claim, you’re good. When you return, you can stay another 89 days before you have to take an out state trip. Naturally, they caution the RV owner to keep detailed records that establish the motorhome’s whereabouts. That’s how the Montana law firms insist you can avoid high registration fees. The biggest bite in buying an RV in one of the high tax states like Michigan comes in the form of a use tax, or sales tax, currently 6% in Michigan. And because Michigan and other states have agreements to collect each other’s sales taxes, buying out of state alone is not the solution. As far as sales and use taxes on an RV, my home state has two provisions – one for non-residents, one for residents. For non-residents, which the Montana LLC that “owns” the motorhome would technically be, an exemption to the tax would be allowed provided the motorhome is “purchased by a person who is not a resident of this state at the time of purchase and is brought into this state more than 90 days after the date of purchase.” An LLC is considered a legal entity, able to buy and sell property. In other words, to avoid the Michigan taxes you would buy the RV out of state through the LLC and keep it out of state for three months. The issue here, though, is what would a court decide? If the LLC is in Montana but the owner of that LLC is in Michigan. what is the reasonable assumption here? Pretty obvious, don’t you think? The LLC in Montana is owned by a Michigan resident. In that case, if the property is owned by a resident, Michigan says you must pay the tax unless the motorhome “is brought into this state more than 360 days after the date of purchase.” That means buy it out of state and travel anywhere but your home state for a year. You can clearly see by these legal restrictions that the other states don’t take kindly to Montana’s proffered loophole to potential RV owners. Just do a Google search on Montana LLCs and you’ll see how they are trying to drum up business by touting LLCs that allow you to buy “no sales tax motorhomes” or “tax free.” That sort of exploitation only fuels the resolve of the high tax states to shut down the loophole. Thus, Michigan, Colorado, California and a number of other states are very aggressive in hunting down RVs with Montana license plates and suing the owners for taxes and penalties. Some of the RV forums claim they have set up tip-lines with rewards for people who spot RVs with Montana plates parked in storage yards or driveways for long periods of time. Others say inspectors check out RV repair facilities and look for vehicles with Montana plates. A very evenhanded and comprehensive review of all this can be found on the RV Dreams website, I need to say here that a great many RVers have taken advantage of the Montana law with no issues. For fulltimers, who are gone for very long periods from their home states, it appears to be very workable, especially if those fulltimers have established residency in a low tax state like, say, Florida. But for me, as I look at buying a brand new RV, I’m not going to go the Montana route. I admit, the benefits of saving thousands of dollars in sales and use taxes are very tempting. But as states scramble to shore up sinking deficits, I think we can be sure that pursuing RV owners with Montana plates is going to increase, not decrease. Even if you should be sued and won, I can guarantee the legal costs of defending yourself would far exceed what you saved on the taxes you avoided. Besides this, many insurers frown at covering an RV that is titled in Montana. The big reason I am not going to go the Montana route should I buy a new RV is because, I think, it borders on the unethical. It’s clearly a tax dodge. As long as I live in Michigan, I am subject to its laws. And Michigan laws demand I pay a sales tax on my RV. I know, I know, some will say the Montana LLC is the legal owner. But I am the legal owner of the LLC. That means, in effect, I own the RV with Montana plates. And I live in high taxing Michigan. I may not like those laws, but my conscience just won’t let me do something that – to me – seems questionable. Again, I understand that others see this differently and have and will decide otherwise. They very well may never be sued or have an issue. They may see no ethical dilemma. I don’t criticize them for their decision. I just know my new RV – if and when I get it – will have Michigan plates. The hassle of always looking over my shoulder just isn’t worth the tax savings. There’s got to be another way. But that will have to be the subject of another post.

One of the biggest surprises we had last year in our travels was with KOA – Kampgrounds of America. On our trip west and then on other meanderings over the season, we had the opportunity of staying at about a dozen KOA campgrounds across the U.S. They were all good experiences, to be sure, but we couldn’t help but notice some big differences between the properties. And so today, when we see that KOA has re-branded itself by deciding to classify each of their more than 400 properties according to the level of service, the amenities and the facilities itself, we have to nod in agreement. Good idea, KOA! KOA Chairman Jim Rogers made the announcement in a news release to rvdailyreport and said re-branding will direct the right marketing messaging to the right guests. Here’s how the re-branding works. KOA Journey campgrounds are for on-the-move campers, those looking mostly for an overnight stop, located close to major interstates and highways. As much as 20 percent of all KOA branded campgrounds will be in this category. KOA Holiday campgrounds fir in as more of a base camp experience, a place to stay for several days, a weekend or as a local base at the end of the day as the guests explore local attractions. These will comprise maybe 75%. of all KOA campgrounds. KOA Resorts are the top of the line facility, making up around 5% of all campgrounds. These offer lots of amenities and top-rate facilities, a five star camping experience and a place where guests can hang out all day, relaxing and engaging in recreational activities. “This is not a good, better, best way of looking at our campgrounds,” said KOA President Hittmeier in the rvdailyreport news release.”It is designed to help guests better understand what they can expect from the facilities at which they chose to stay.” This makes a lot of sense to me. In our travels this past season, we experienced all three. My favorite KOA by far was the Badlands/White River KOA in Interior, SD, which we used as a base camp for two days while we explored the Badlands National Park just down the road. It had trees, which in the Badlands is a very big deal. They had great breakfasts and barbeque dinners and there were all sorts of dirt roads nearby that let me do some fun mountainbiking in full view of the breathtaking tabletop buttes and craggy bluffs. A large swimming pool was particularly welcome after hot, dusty days spent tramping in the Badlands. We also really enjoyed staying at the flagship KOA in Billings, MT, located right on the banks of the Yellowstone River. This was the site of the very first KOA and it offered all sorts of games and activities and some very deluxe, oversized patio campsites.There was a basketball course, min0 golf, two large playgrounds and, of course, an outdoor heated pool and hot tub. But in all the KOAs we visited, there was a consistency of service that we really appreciated, especially after a long day on the road. We were always escorted to our spot and offered help in backing in or setting up. The restrooms and showers at every KOA we stayed at were sparking clean, no matter what time of the day or night we used them. There was usually a store or facilities where we could restock on supplies or find food and refreshment. That reliability of excellence won us over. Knowing what to expect when you book a campground, and never being disappointed, is a great incentive to keep me coming back. The re-branding initiative will make booking a KOA campsite even more reliable.

On this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for many things that have come our way since we embraced the world of RVing. I’m thankful in a new way for the awesomeness of God’s creation, for the many places we visited that I had never seen before. For the majesty of Yellowstone National Park, the beautiful sunrises and sunsets we witnessed in the Bighorn Mountains, the Pictured Rocks National Seashore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Emerald Coast of Florida’s panhandle, the sandhill country of Nebraska, the vastness of the prairie and the magnificent wildness of the eagles, elk, Grizzly bears, wolves, deer, wildfowl and woodland critters we have watched this year. I’m thankful to live in a country that gives us freedom to travel and has set aside vast tracts of carefully-protected wilderness for its citizens to enjoy. I’m thankful to new RVing friends we have met… Alan, Stu, Pam, Kristi, William, Alice, Robert, Ginny and those who share so much on our various Facebook groups. I’m thankful for the Family Motor Coach Association and especially Jerry Yeats, Pamela Kay, Robbin Gould for all they do for Motorhome owners including the annual reunion we had this summer in Indianapolis. I’m thankful to the Roadtrek International Chapter of the FMCA and new friends, ****, Frances, Tim, John and all those on the Cyberrally e-mail group, especially Jerry, from Livonia, who called me on my cellphone when I was stranded on the road in South Dakota to give me the advice that undid my operator error and got me traveling again. I’m thankful to Roadtrek itself and the men and women in the Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, factory who have welcomed me for my video work this year. Jim Hammill, the president, is unlike no other president of a big company I have ever met. He is accessible, refreshingly outspoken, brutally honest, always innovating, lots of fun and passionately committed to a product that is built on an unwavering quality standard and the loyaly of its dedicated customers. Vice President of Operations Howard Stratton and Engineering guru Jeff Stride have patiently shown me the manufacturing process and its commitment to live out the legacy of excellence of the founding Hennemeyer family. I’m thankful to all the readers who have embraced me as I have begun this blog and my social media work. Almost 31,000 now follow me on Twitter where I’m @roadtreking and over 2,000 have liked my Facebook Page at http://facebook.com/roadtreking They have encouraged, corrected, guided and welcomed me as they have offered story ideas and shared their RV adventures. Two of them, Les and Kathy, drove to an RV show I was visiting in Novi, MI this fall to meet me and give Jeniffer and I a gift. In all my years as a journalist, I never experienced such an affirming act of kindness related to my work. I wish a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. See you down the road. What are you thankful for this year? Let us know under comments.

It was 3 AM and we were deep in the woods, camped on a friend’s 200 acres of fenced and posted private property off an obscure fire trail more than two miles from the nearest paved road. I jolted awake. I heard a vehicle with a slightly knocking engine. bumping and scraping on the underbrush of the trail. Then I saw its headlights, slowly making its way down the trail towards us. Jennifer was still asleep. So was my Norweigian Elkhound, Tai. Fine watchdog he was. There was no reason for the other vehicle to be out there. In fact, whoever was in that vehicle was breaking the law as the property was clearly marked with “No trespassing” signs. What do I do? We were extremely vulnerable out there. My cell phone coverage was iffy, at best. I wished I had a gun. Think I’m paranoid? Maybe. That’s what decades of being an investigative reporter does for you. For many years, I carried a handgun pretty much everywhere I went. I worked the drug beat in the city of Detroit for many years. Twice, having a gun kept bad guys from getting to me. But whwn I switched to the technology beat years ago, I let my concealed carry permit expired. But that tense early morning in the Michigan woods this past summer got me thinking about weapons and RVing. As that incident turned out, the vehicle never made it to our spot. It eventually turned around and left. But burglars who break into summer cottages, meth addicts, marijuana growers and all sorts of other unsavory characters are just as prevalent in rural areas of the U.S. as are the bad guys who endanger urban areas. The whole subject of carrying a gun in an RV is a hot topic among RVers. Some of the experts I talked to say think that well over half of them do. In Canada, it’s different. Canada has very strict gun laws and few people even own, let alone carry, handguns. On my http://facebook.com/roadtreking page, I posed the issue to the 1,800 folks who “like” our page there and got some opinions on both sides. Said a Kiki: “I carry a firearm in my camper, since I am a woman who camps in remote areas alone. I have a license to carry, but only 29 states reciprocate my license. I try to avoid driving through states where legal issues could occur, but if I can’t, then I ship my gun ahead to a UPS office.” A reader named David wrote: “Used to have a Class A and missed a turn in Greensboro, NC and had to turn around in a gasoline/fast shop station. Before I could get out of there I was stopped twice by people wanting money. Because it was a Class A they thought I had money. Too bad, because of the Class A I didn’t have any money!! I will not let my wife be harmed because of a bunch of bleeding hearts!! And that’s all I have to say!!!!!” Jude, a Canadian, offered: “I’ve never been pro firearm and 40 years of living in Canada has reinforced that. However, I lived alone very far out in the country at one point where cougars and bears roam and I must admit I really understood why country folk at least want a shotgun handy. My RV is currently parked for the winter but if I do extensive traveling alone I will probably get a big dog. Legal in all states and Canada and keeps your feet warm at night to boot." But the fact is, in the U.S. bringing a handgun in an RV for protection is a lot more common than most people think. Most RVers don’t talk about it because the legality of doing so is dependent on where you are. Some states allow it, some recognize another state’s carry permit, some don’t. As armed RVers travel from state to state, you can be sure, though, that at some point in their journeys they are violating some state’s gun laws. Shotguns and rifles are a different matter in most states and usually acceptable. For Big Type A motorhomes and fifth wheels, a shotgun may be the best choice. For Type Bs, there’s often not enough storage room for a long gun. Is bringing a gun along a good idea? A lot of RVers believe it is better to have a firearm and not need it than to need a firearm and not have one. A lot of others think it’s not necessary or too dangerous. The website handgunlaw.us offers an excellent guide to the various laws. Same with the usacarry.com site. Perhaps the best resourse is put out by the National Rifle Association, the Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States. If guns are not your thing, there are other ways to protect yourself. Many RVers say a big, or at least a mean-sounding dog is a good deterrent. My Tai obviously isn’t the watchdog type, but others have had more success. One woman RVer I know has a tape recorder she brings along that has a recording of a mean dog barking. If she hears someone outside her RV at night, she hits play and turns up the volume. Others say the only self defense item they have is a can of bear spray or wasp spray. Carrying guns in RVs is a very controversial subject. But my research has convinced me it is done a lot, especially by fulltimers and those who like to boondock.

There’s a dusting of snow on my RV The first accumulating snow of the season fell last night near my Michigan home and as I look out at my motorhome sitting on the driveway, I swear I hear it calling me to get out of town and get warm. Alas, as I look out, that’s all I can do. Look. I’m standing with the support of a walker. Five days ago, I had a total knee replacement. I picked this time for the surgery specifically because it is the least busy time for RVing. Although the first wave of snowbirds typically leave the Midwest and Northern states around Halloween, most wait until after Christmas. We’re the same. As much as we can’t wait to start touring again, Thanksgiving and Christmas are filled with family and we don’t want to be away from them. But that’s not to say that we don’t have places to go. I’d like to make the big RV industry show in Louisville the Monday after Thanksgiving. My surgeon is dubious about that. While three weeks is the normal time you’re housebound from this kind of surgery, such a long drive could cause lots of swelling. “We’ll see,” he says. Reminds me when my kids were young. I’d use that phrase to shut them up, never intending to let them do whatever it was they were asking. But by mid-December, says my doc, assuming no complications and that I’ve dutifully done my physical therapy, I should be good to go. We’ve got a major tour set, trying to visit the big RV areas in Florida, attending the Tampa RV show in mid-January, swinging across the Gulf States and then perhaps to Arizona via the Texas Hill Country. I will be back in Michigan in mid-February and will do some winter camping as I cover the Michigan UP200, an Iditarod qualifying dogsled race. Then New England in the spring, Branson in May, the Family Motor Coach Association reunion in Wyoming in June and the California-to-Oregon coast over the summer. What I’m looking for in all these places, of course, are stories of the people and places that make RVing so much fun. I’d welcome your suggestions. Where should we go? Who should we meet? Even though I’m temporarily hobbling with my new knee, I can’t wait to get going again. This RV travel bug has bit hard. Wanderlust is an addiction, isn;t it? Roadtreking - A Journalist takes up the RV lifestyle - People and Places Encountered on the Open Road Source

The Original RV – The Covered Wagon We RVers have our heritage and it really starts on Interstate 80 in Nebraska, America's heartland. That’s where the Great Platte River Trail became the Oregon Trail. This was the pioneer route that linked east to west. And today, spanning the interstate near the mid-Nebraska town of Kearney, is a must stop for tourists and especially RVers…the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument Of all the places we’ve been to, this is one of the most amazing and fascinating historic displays we’ve seen anywhere. Admission is $12 and a bargain at that price. The monument is built literally across the interstate, spanning north the west and east bound lanes. Visitors walk above and across the interstate inside a covered archway, watching an interactive multimedia display that documents the first RV â€" the covered wagon which opened up the country. It’s hard to believe how difficult this migration must have been, or how big it was. But From 1843 to 1869, the archway folks tell us, nearly half a million men, women and children rode and walked the trails to the West Coast. The distance was vast, the prairie endless, the sky overwhelming and the mountains and wildlife were unlike anything they had ever seen. As the early settlers established their homesteads, following roughly their same route came the railroads, and then automobiles on the Lincoln Highway, America’s first transcontinental road; I-80, the nation’s first interstate. Mark down the archway as a must visit as you visit in a different sort of covered wagon… the RV. Roadtreking - A Journalist takes up the RV lifestyle - People and Places Encountered on the Open Road Source

This year, I’m planning on winter camping We’re in early November now and while the ground is still bare, nighttime temps are regularly dropping to the upper 20′s in my part of Michigan. The leaves are all off the trees and snow can happen any day now. Out on the interstates, I see a steady stream of motorhomes, travel trailers and fifth wheels making their way south, to warmer climes. I hope to join them in Florida and the gulf states in January. For a few weeks. But I also hope to do some winter camping this year. It’s almost a sin in some RV circles to say this but… well… I like winter. I love snow. The more the better. And I want to head out there. My RV is winterized, but as Hank the tech who walked me through the winterizing process in this video explained, I can still use the RV. I can flush the toilet using antifreeze as a chaser. I can use the stove to cook. I’ll eat on paper plates so I don’t have to wash dirty dishes. I’ll bring along bottled water. There are a bunch of winter festivals, dogsled races, ice fishing contests, snowshoe hikes and the like to take in. A reader invited me to International Falls, MN, where, he says, he volunteers for a dogsled race that is a qualifier for the big Iditarod race up in Alaska. He says the temperature in some years has dipped to 30 below and he was toasty comfortable in his Roadtrek. Wonder where you keep your parkas and snow-soaked bots and gloves when you come in? Seems like there’d be quite a puddle. And I suppose camping facilities are a bit limited during winter. Any winter campers out there? How do you manage? I’d appreciate any and all tips. But winter camping is definitely going to be on my list of 2013 New Year resolutions. Roadtreking - A Journalist takes up the RV lifestyle - People and Places Encountered on the Open Road Source

I now have my own drone One of the benefits of being a tech reporter is getting cool new tech toys to test out. To that end, check out the video above. It’s the first test video I shot with something called the AR.Drone 2, a personal quadricopter drone that sells for ls than $300 and is controlled by your iPad or iPhone or Droid device. Coolest thing I’ve played with in a long time. It can go over 100 feet up and a couple hundred feet in a circle – Wi-Fi range from where you are standing. That’s what controls it. It creates its own on-board wi-fi hotspot, which connects via free software for your phone or tablet. In my case, I used an iPad. You actually see the image on your screen as you run the controls. The drone has its own wide angle high def 1280 x 720 camera aboard and it’s relatively easy to control, though if you watch this video of my first flight all the way through, you’ll see it ended in a crash when it ran into some tree branches about 35 feet off the ground. It survived that crash, and two more so, despite it’s light weight, it seems pretty rugged. The HD camera takes stills or video which can be saved on your device or a USB memory stick, or uploaded to You Tune or Facebook. I used the Verizon Wireless 4g connection on my iPad to send this video directly to You Tube. There’s a collar of sorts you can wrap around it when flying inside. Obviously, I need some experience. The wind for my first test flight was pushing 15 miles and hour, which is the drone’s suggested limit. The first video is pretty boring. I ran the drone up over my front lawn. What you don’t see is Tai, my Norwegian Elkhound, jumping around underneath it, barking up a storm. When it crashed, I beat dog to the drone, otherwise, it would be history. I have up, down, left and right movements figured out but I still need to master the tilt control so it can move up and down. That would have been a good shot, to have videoed the barking dog raising a ruckus on the ground below. Fun. I can see using this for loyts travel shots and overheads of the RVs I test out for this blog. When the wind dies down tomorrow, I think I’ll take it out and chase Tai around the yard with it. I’ll put together a bunch of videos but thought you might like seeing this first one. Based on just a couple test flights, I can already say the AR.Drone 2 is surely a candidate for my annual best tech gadgets of the year. Roadtreking - A Journalist takes up the RV lifestyle - People and Places Encountered on the Open Road Source

How to winterize your RV: VIDEO There’s no stopping it. Winter is here and for RVers in northern climates, it’s time to winterize. Making sure your the plumbing system in your RV is protected against the cold is essential and if it’s not done right, serious damage can occur. There are lots of ways to winterize. Some RV owners do the bare minimum. Others don’t miss any preventative protection steps. The first step is to check the manufacturer’s instruction book. If ever in doubt, follow it. But you may also want to take it to a dealer. That’s what I did, taking my Roadtrek RS-Adventurous to American RV in Grand Rapids, MI, where I met up with Service Tech Hank Nuiver, who gave my RV the deluxe winterizing package. We videotaped every step of the process. Once caution: Hank uses an air compressor to blow out the water from the lines. But he does so at low pressure – 40 to 50 pounds, instead by a pressure regulator. Any pressure more than than, he warns, has the potential to damage parts and fittings. Something else I appreciate: I can use my RV in the winter. Take fresh water in bottles and when use use the toilet, chase it down with some anti freeze. There’s no problem, says Hank, in camping all winter long. This video is long, over 16 minutes. But hopefully, it will help you know what to do. Roadtreking - A Journalist takes up the RV lifestyle - People and Places Encountered on the Open Road Source

The Nav-6: SUV/Minivan/RV and more Of all the different Roadtrek models out there, one of the most distinctive is the new NAV-6, an SUV that can be used as an RV. It’s really category-defying. A luxury SUV on the Nissan 2500 frame, it is expertly tricked out by Roadtrek with a built in kitchenette, complete with microwave, refrigerator, TV and sink with hot and cold running water. The NAV-6 has a roof that rises to make it big enough to walk around in without bumping your head. It’s also able to sleep five people. Oh yeah, it can tow up to 9,000 pounds. Jennifer and I visited the Roadtrek factory in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada and took it out for a spin. We had a lot of fun making our video as we drove firm the countryside to the city and back again. There is nothing on the road like this vehicle. “This is perfect for active families,” said Roadtrek President Jim Hammill. “It can haul kids to soccer games, be used for tailgating, running around town as a second vehicle or as an RV for a long weekend.” At Nissan dealers, it’s marketed as the NAV-6. At Roadtrek dealers, it’s the N6-Active. Howard Stratton, Roadtrek’s Vice President of Operations, says the NAV-6 is a game-changer built around the many different needs of active families. “Our purpose was to build true utility into this vehicle to support our customers busy life-styles,” he said. The unit we tested was set up for six passengers. But it’s available for seating for seven in three rows of seats. It’s just over 20 feet long, 7 feet, 10 in high and can fit in most garages - a big plus. Two of the rows convert to a bed with plenty of room for two adults. An upper bunk setup can sleep two kids. And the front seats can be configured into a single bed. There are plugs and adapters everywhere for computers, iPads, video games. Just inside the rear doors is an external use hand-held shower head with hose. It’s handy for many things such as washing off caked on mud, dirty shoes, muddy paws, cleaning fish or washing off sand and salt at the beach. Tables can be put in place up front or in the rear. Or both. They’re perfect for card games, conversation, picnics. We see the NAV-6 as a home base while taking the kids to soccer games, the family to sporting events, the beach or on long road trips to vacation getaways. Chill out and take a nap or get out of the weather, fix your own meals, charge your i-devices. It’s a very innovative vehicle. Roadtreking - A Journalist takes up the RV lifestyle - People and Places Encountered on the Open Road Source

Who says there aren’t deals out there? I don’t usually write about the good deals I come across out there but a new listing on the American RV site caught my eye. It’s for a brand new 2012 Roadtrek 190 Popular. New, it has a MSRP of $95,725. Used, it has a NADA price of $87,680. American RV in Grand Rapids, MI is selling this brand new model at $76,990. That’s more than a pretty good deal: A brand new 190 that is more that $10,000 below the NADA used price! The bargain pricing confirms something that is trending at many other RV dealerships right now. This time of year – as the camping season winds down but still before the snow and ice flies – is one of the best times to buy in northern climates. Dealers don’t like having to go through the winterizing process and keeping a lot of inventory out there on snow-covered lots. So if you’re looking, now may be the time to get the best pricing…as the above deal reflects. Again, I don’t normally write about deals offered by various dealerships, even f they are sponsors of this blog, like American RV. But this one is so far out of the ordinary that it warrants a news brief. Roadtreking - A Journalist takes up the RV lifestyle - People and Places Encountered on the Open Road Source

Every RVers worst nightmare: When your dog gets skunked We’re not going camping this weekend. Blame it on a skunk. That’s because the night before we were to leave, Tai, our Norwegian Elkhound, was tagged at close range by a strolling skunk that has declared our front lawn his territory, despite the grey and black furball that patrols it with vigor. It was a busy night for Tai. First, he nailed an Opossum. Actually, he just thought he took out the Opossum. The ‘possum was playing, all curled up in the grass. Funny thing is the ‘possum and Tai should be old friends by now. This happens several times each year. Tai is always mystified that this “kill” is gone when he rushes out the next morning. I was on my way home from a meeting when Jennifer noticed Tai and the ‘possum last night. “Bring Tai in and move the ‘possum next door so when Tai goes out before bed he won’t harass that poor creature,” Jennifer instructed on the phone. The skunk must have come by shortly afterwards and Tai, thiking he was in doggy heaven, figured he had another critter to bag. Alas, he got sprayed. Drenched, actually. Skunked Tai tried to sleep off the stink on the front swing. Now we have to wash the cushions on that, too. I smelled skunk in my car a block away. It was heavy in the air as I parked in the garage and went to take Tai from guarding the ‘possum. I didn’t notice that the odor was coming from him. But Jennifer did, when I opened the garage door and sent him inside while I moved our little ‘possum buddy. She sent him out fast and we both gave up plans of packing the RV for a quick Friday getaway. The smell lingered inside and we both gagged. We sentenced Tai to hard time in the garage for the night and I Facebooked my plight. In the morning, Tai relocated to a front porch glider, where he looked humiliated. He lost his ‘possum and he stunk with skunk. Doggie disaster. From Facebook, I was armed with numerous suggestions from friends far and wide. I did two things: First, I went to Pet Smart and picked up two bottles of Nature’s Miracle Skunk Odor Removal. It came highly recommended from a friend in Canada named Jim and a local vet. Douse the dog in it, leave it on for five minutes or longer and then rinse it off. I used most of a bottle on Tai. I’ll keep the other one in the Roadtrek in case this happens while we’re out there boondocking. The second thing I did was take Tai to the pet groomer for a bath. They also claimed to have a secret formula which they applied, though they wouldn’t share the recipe. The bottle of the Miracle Skunk Odor Removal and the bath did the job, though there’s still a slight skunk smell which, we fear, would be way too noticeable in the Roadtrek. Hence, no boondocking trip this weekend. But the suggestions of other skunk remedies seem well worth passing along. Here they are. Feel free to add your own suggestions under comments. David and Helen both separately suggested that I mix up a three percent solution of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and liquid soap. That’s also the suggested recommendation of the Humane Society of the United States. For more detailed instructions, here’s another variation of that recipe. Tina has had her dog skunked twice this year. She cautioned against leaving that peroxide solution on your dog for too long. “Mine ended up with blond highlights,” she lamented. “Took forever for the fur to grow out normal.” Instead, she swears by “Permatex hand cleaner, bought it at Meijer. Scrub it in, and wash it off.” Cathy says “Vinegar & dish soap really helps.” Colleen says “try Dry douche powder.” Susan said to bathe him tomato juice. Char says don’t. “Bathe Tai in dawn dish washing soap and then rub lemon juice all over. I had an Old English bulldog who did the same thing and trust me when I say tomato juice does not work but the dawn & lemon juice does.” And Judith suggested that I “Rub him with catsup – a lot – then wash off. Sounds strange but it really works. Something about the correct acid or pH or something.” Finally, as much as Tai reeked and cleaning him up was a hassle, Craig shared a perspective that made my experience seem not quite so bad: “The only thing worse than having a dog skunked? Having three dogs skunked. One night all 3 of our dachshunds cornered a skunk in the back yard. Long haired dachsies, too. It was weeks.” Lots of suggestions. I appreciate them all. As does Tai. Maybe we can get away next weekend. Roadtreking - A Journalist takes up the RV lifestyle - People and Places Encountered on the Open Road Source

If Fuel gets too costly there’s always the Camper Bike Gas and diesel prices are a drag allright and RV trips cost more and more. But if you don’t mind downsizing, there’s always the Camper Bike. Designed and built by artist Kevin Cyr , the camper bike was made from scrap metal, painted and inspired from a series of his paintings and drawings. Cyr got the idea for the Camper Bike while on a trip to Beijing. He calls it “an amalgamation of a Chinese 3-wheeled flatbed bike with an American cabover style camper.” While he did build a functioning model, it doesn’t seem to be in production. But, hey, the way fuel prices keep increasing, who knows? He also has designed a Camper Cart, a camper built into a shopping cart. Based in Boston, Cyr’s painting and interest features RVs, delivery vans, ice cream trucks, beat up old trucks and motorcycles. You can see his work at http://www.kevincyr.net Roadtreking - A Journalist takes up the RV lifestyle - People and Places Encountered on the Open Road Source

My 22 foot Roadtrek RS-Adventurous parks everywhere. I have videos and photos and lots of discussions about the way it works on my http://roadtreking.com blog and on my OpenMike blog at http://fmca.com/openmike. We are very, very pleased with it... especially the 21-23 mpg we get with the diesel engine.

Anticipation.... Our first on-the-road trip for the FMCA is a week away... hope you'll follow us...http://roadtreking.c...s-half-the-fun/

I appreciate the feedback. We're sold on the B platform. I'm booking CGs now for the long trip but may mix it up with a hotel every few days. Here's one question I have: RT makes a big deal out of its macerator. The other B manufactuers - leasureeway, Winnebago and Airstream - use gravity dumping. Wonder that the thoughts are over the two systems?

Elitism aside, can we really live in a Type B RV for weeks at a time? The Roadtrek RV motorhome http://ht.ly/cu1CM

My weekend project took all of about 5 minutes: Make your RV battery last longer: Swap out old bulbs for LED lights | The Roadtrek RV http://roadtreking.c...lbs-led-lights/

Apparently, there's a big trend underway in downsizing from an A to a B http://roadtreking.c...wners-downsize/