Episode 159: How to shop for and get the absolute best deal on your next RV

The RV Podcast

Episode 159: How to shop for and get the absolute best deal on your next RV

Don't buy an RV without listening to this episode and our interview of the week... Plus your questions, our answers, tips and RV news

Show Notes for Episode #159 Sept. 27, 2017 of Roadtreking - The RV Podcast:

WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK

We’re hitting the road as soon as this podcast is recorded, heading first to Ashville, NC where we will be attending the Overland East Expo, Sept. 29-October 1 on the grounds of the beautiful Biltmore Estate. This is the premier overlanding event in the world—no other event offers the scope of classes taught by the world's leading experts, alongside a professional-level trade show that brings together in one place all the camping and vehicle equipment and services of interest to extreme RVers…overlanders, off the beaten path explorers who love rough terrain and rugged wilderness. We’ll have a Facebook Live report Saturday afternoon from the event.

Bo is not going to be with us! He’s attending a six week off leash boarding school that will make him a very Smart Dog. We’ll be following his progress with photos posted on the training school’s Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/Smartdogllc/

This portion of the Podcast is brought to you by Campers Inn, the RVer’s trusted resource for over 50 years, the nation’s largest family-operated RV dealership with 16 locations and growing

JENNIFER'S TIP OF THE WEEK

In Montana this summer, we spent some delightful time with Marilyn Daniel, who showed us the best screens we have ever seen in an RV. Marilyn made them herself and they cover the driver and passenger windows of their Roadtrek Popular 210.

Mike also shot a video of Marilyn’s do-it-yourself screens. I’ll put a link to it on the shownotes page for this episode at roadtreking-dot-com-slash-59/

And be sure to send me your tips and suggestions for the RV lifestyle. You can use the “Leave Voicemail” link at Roadtreking.com. Just click it and then use the built-in microphone on your computer or mobile devise to record a message to me. You can do it over as many times as you want, until you are satisfied. And then you just click a button and it comes right to my email inbox.

I love hearing from you!

Jennifer's tip of the week is brought to you by RadPower Bikes ,an electric bike manufacturer offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping

LISTENER QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK

Gerhard from Washington State called with information for the Florida caller least week who wanted to be able to use the generator in her RV to power her home refrigerator if they ever lose power again like they recently did with Hurricane Irma.

Kathy wants a hands-free device for her cellphone so she can have access in the car. We like the kind that attach to the air vents. Here’s a link to a whole page of various mounts and cradles that will let you go hands free with your smartphone in your car http://amzn.to/2xsp8Z7 We like the Kenu Airframes - http://amzn.to/2ypDjuX

Lynn wants to travel in her motorhome to Florida or Arizona with “no mountains at all… please.” She hates mountains. She’s leaving either from Canada or Iowa, but to get to Florida from the north, I-65 south to Alabama and then on two lane roads over to I-10 East. That will avoid the little bit of the Smoky Mountains you encounter on I-75 between Corbin, KY and Knoxville, TN. Once you head west on I-10 to where you can pick up I-75 you can then head south right down the middle of Florida.

For Arizona, my best solution is to take I80 to Des Mointes, IA, then I-35 South to Dallas-Ft. Worth, west on I-20 and then pick up I-10 and head north to Phoenix.

I also suggest she post this on our Roadtreking Facebook Group and get input from lots of other RVers. That’s at https://www.facebook.com/groups/roadtreking/

Sponsoring this part of the podcast is Van City RV in St. Louis, and their Partner Dealerships Creston RV in Kalispell, Montana, and Wagon Trail RV in Las Vegas. Bringing You the largest Inventory of class B’s from three locations.

INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK

Gary Tilkin is a very in-demand Automotive Consultant and Trainer. Through 32 years of experience, he has guided automobile dealerships and sales personnel all across the country into developing successful programs that bring integrity and professionalism to the car-buying procedure.

When he decided he wanted to purchase an RV for he and his wife to travel in, he was shocked to find the RV industry was, in his words, “15 years behind the auto industry.”

In this interview, he shares how his many years of automotive expertise applies to the RV industry. Among topics covered:

How consumers should research the RV they want to buy

Is it better to buy from the lot and the dealer’s inventory or wait for a special order?

What markup do RV dealers add to the RVs they sell?

Should you buy an extended warranty?

Why you should never negotiate with a dealer

What’s more important, the dealership or the price?

What are the extra fees that some RV dealers may try to charge that you that you should refuse

The interview of the week is brought to you by SunshinestateRVs.com, where every new or used Roadtrek motorhome is delivered to the customer free, anywhere in the country.

RV NEWS OF THE WEEK:

Four stories this week:

Tourist Vehicles Vandalized at Smoky Mountains National Park

Environmental Groups sue over drilling near Yellowstone

Many Florida State Parks Remain Closed or only open for day use following Hurricane Irma

Officials close a Virgina state park after black bear attacks a woman walking her dogs

This portion of the podcast is brought to you by Alde, the only name in heat that you need to know for your RV

TRAVELING TECH TIP:

By Steve Van Dinter

Verizon Wireless

If you’re a fan of iOS, then you’re in heaven with the recent release of the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and Apple Watch Series 3!

Featuring a new glass and aluminum design with three beautiful finishes, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are sure to stun! Couple that with wireless charging, retina HD displays and an A11 Bionic chip and you’ve got phones designed for the ultimate augmented reality experience!

And what pairs best with the next generation iPhone but an Apple Watch Series 3 of course! This next generation wearable now comes with a built in LTE connection. That means whether users are out for a run, at the pool or just trying to be more active throughout their day, Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular allows them to stay connected, make calls, receive texts and more, even without their iPhone nearby.

Apple Watch Series 3 comes in two models, one with GPS and cellular, and one with GPS, both featuring a 70 percent faster dual-core processor and new wireless chip.

All are available now both in your local Verizon store or online at verizonwireless.com

This part of the podcast is brought to you by Verizon, which operates America’s most reliable wireless network, with more than 112 million retail connections nationwide.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH REPORT - Update on the fires in Waterton National Park, Aberta, Canada

Tom Burkett updates us from the scene about the devastating effects of the fires that swept through Albert’s Waterton National Park in Canada.

This part of the podcast is sponsored by Steinbring Motorcoach, Roadtrek’s newest dealer and a third generation family business in Minnesota’s beautiful Chain of Lakes region built on quality motorhomes and excellent pricing and service.

RV SHOWS THIS WEEKEND

Great American RV Show

September 28-30

Norris Penrose Events Center

Colorado Springs, CO

Austin RV Super Sale

September 29-October 1

Dell Diamond

Round Rock, TX

Evergreen Fall RV Show

September 29-October 1

Evergreen State Fairgrounds

Monroe, WA

New York State RV Show

September 29-October 1

NYS Fairgrounds

Syracuse, NY