Rocking the RV Life

Since 2022 is in the rearview mirror, we share what it cost us to stay in campgrounds. You will be surprised at our nightly average figure. We also explain how we keep campsite and RV park expenditures low. Fuel has been a big challenge. We share how we’ve adapted to lower the cost. In episode 38 we advise using discount fuel cards to help save on diesel and DEF. Find out how many miles we covered...

Jeff and I met YouTube couple Jeff & Steff from, “Jeff & Steff’s Excellent Adventure.” (2 ff's) As fulltime RVers, we are members of RVillage, an online fun and friendly community of RVers. That’s how we originally met Jeff & Steff. Eventually we ended up staying in the same RV park, which led us to meeting in person. Jeff & Steff live and travel fulltime in their RV and tell some great stories ab...

Want to hear about our top 10 favorite RV campgrounds in 2022? Patti and I stayed at 91 different RV camping sites, including State Parks, Harvest Hosts, Cracker Barrels, store parking lots and even a condo parking lot. In this podcast episode we tell you our top 10 favorite RV campgrounds, where they are, and why we liked them so much.  We interviewed 2 of our favorite campgrounds in previous pod...

Arriving at an RV park in the dark usually means much more work getting into a camping site. It also increases the chances of damaging your rig or the park’s facilities. As we were helping a late arrival into a spot, a neighbor turned on her security lights and came outside to help. It was Lisa Hall. She is a solo traveler and no stranger to RVing. She’s been on the road by herself for almost 5 ye...

RV dog, fire, fudge, and a buffoon! We catch up with emails we received from RV travelers. Featuring traveling with a dog (Mark and Mirto), different places to stay, a must tour in San Francisco, an RV fire, the best chocolate, and a buffoon that botched a sewer connection. Plus, lots more. How does your dog handle traveling in an RV? Have an RV story to tell? Contact us: https://rockingthervlife....

Buying a brand new RV is an exciting and fun experience. However, for one man it was a rough road. We introduce you to Danny from Los Angeles, who tells you what he, and his wife, PJ, had to endure to get a brand new RV. Three of them were flawed and one was accidently wrecked. But, the dealer stepped up and Danny got his new motorhome that he and his family thoroughly enjoy. Patti and I also give...

On Thursday November 8th, 2018, the most destructive wildfire in California's history occurred in Northern California’s Butte County. Within 4 hours, the towns of Paradise and Concow were almost completely destroyed by the catastrophic wildfire. Over 85 people lost their lives. 18,000 structures burned to the ground. Jeff and Patti met Scott and Lynn Taylor, at an RV resort in Palm Springs, Califo...

Jill Sirianni, co-host of the Frugal Friends Podcast, joins us to talk about ways to save money and increase your income. It doesn’t matter if you live and travel in an RV or own a home. If high prices at the fuel pump and the grocery store are squeezing your budget, these solutions can help to save money. Would you like to earn more money? Jill also talks about side hustles.  Check out our websit...

There are many great events that take place around our country that are perfect for RVers as well as any traveler. In this episode we give you a list of 5 of the big events we think are easy to get to and are very fun. We advise you to book your campground early for these events. 1.   The Quartzsite Sports, Vacation and RV Show. January 21st to the 29th, 2023. 2.   The Western Winter Blast Pyrotec...

Ed Pardi and his wife Shirley Diamond started RVing four years ago when Ed was 79!! Ed started his very successful career in the car industry in his early 20's, then moved up to selling airplanes. Eventually he started his own company selling high end airplanes and jets. Yes, he piloted all of them. He flew all over the world and flew over everything from place to place. After Ed retired, he decid...

Want to know how much it costs to live fulltime in an RV? It’s been 2 years since Patti and I sold our home and started living and traveling in our motorhome. We discuss the pros and cons of RV living. Listen as we break down our fuel costs to the mile and tell you how much we spent on groceries, insurance, maintenance, campsites, and RV parks. We also talk about how to lower your fuel and campsit...

What happens if you accidentally drop something important into your black tank? How to easily get it out? What could happen if you drive an RV too fast around the corner? What should you be aware of when you use your leveling jacks? All these questions and more are answered during our fun conversation with our good friends Jim and Melinda Mantel, who are living and traveling in their RV. Our exper...

On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian hit Florida. Listen as we interview our friend Tim Apel. He describes what happened to his home in Fort Myers. Many of you will remember him from our podcast, Episode 38. Tim also explains how they are coping with the chaotic aftermath. It’s the second largest disaster loss, with at least $60 billion in private insured losses, not to mention the huma...

Here are 5 RV tips to make your camping experience awesome. We’re coming up on our 2-year anniversary of living and traveling in our RV. This incredible road trip has taught us a lot. Although traveling and living in an RV has many perks, it also has a few challenges. We're here to help you overcome those challenges and make things more enjoyable. From having more options when using a campsite, to...

RVs and football go well together. For years, many have taken their RVs to hometown football games and away games as well. We introduce you to Axel Hoyer, who’s son Brian Hoyer is an NFL quarterback. Ax tells the inspirational story of his son’s rise from a high school quarterback to his college days at Michigan State. You’ll hear what it was like on draft day. Brian has been playing for over 14 y...

Bar Harbor, Maine is a great place to visit. While we were there, many told us about a seafood restaurant called Geddy’s. Not only are the food and drinks great, but it has a vibrant musical history. Arthur and Heather Davis own it and we get the behind-the-scenes story from Heather, and she talks about the famous Geddy’s It’s a Rush t-shirt. We also discover travelers from our hometown. We’ll tel...

We take you on our trip through New England and Nova Scotia. While many RVers were complaining about the summer heat, we were visiting beautiful areas with cool temperatures. In Massachusetts we visit Plymouth, Gloucester and Rockport, plus an amusing sight in New Hampshire. In Maine we turn you on to Kennebunk, Boothbay Harbor and Bar Harbor where we load our 38-foot RV onto the CAT high-speed fe...

While RVing our way through beautiful Nova Scotia, we find a hidden gem of a campground near Cape Breton Island. The Hyclass Ocean Campground is on route to Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the spectacular 186-mile-long Cabot Trail drive. It’s ideal for trailers, fifth wheels, pop-ups, tents, and motorhomes. It’s also very affordable. Campers experience outstanding sunsets, sunrises, star g...

From school bus to motorhome, this cleverly converted schoolie with a second floor bedroom gets a huge amount of attention. Woody Truitt, and his wife Kristen Everett, are on the show today. Woody used his remodeling skills to convert an old school bus into their home on the road. Together with Kristen, they have created a beautiful home on wheels. Commonly referred to as a “Schoolie,” this conver...

Jeff and Patti introduce you to Matt and Jenifer Papesch. They will tell you how they buy RV’s for less and give you tips on how to successfully sell yours. Want to buy an RV below market value? Need ideas on how to sell yours fast? Don’t miss this valuable information. You will also hear about great places to visit and what to see from Glacier National Park in Montana to the Pacific Northwest. Ma...

Hearthside Grove Lake Erie, a 5-star luxury motorcoach resort in Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio. It's so easy to get to and it checks all the boxes when it comes to spacious, level, clean sites. This is not your typical dirt and gravel park. Experience relaxation surrounded by freshwater lakes, lush forests, wineries and more. It’s a great way to enjoy your motorhome. Eric and Diane Frantz own Hearthsid...

It is vital that RVers, campers, hikers and all travelers keep an eye on the weather. Jeff & Patti were recently invited to tour the National Weather Service in Cleveland, Ohio, by meteorologist Kirk Lombardy. Kirk is their guest this week and gives important information about monitoring the weather and how to stay safe. Kirk was influenced by legendary television meteorologist Dick Goddard who st...

While RVing, you’ll see amazing sights and visit incredible places. But can you meet someone special and eventually get married? Yes! Hear the story of Michelle and David Brown. Each of them had been through a lot in their lives and had made the choice to hit the road solo to find a new beginning. She left Indiana and he left Atlanta. Fate had them meet in a Harvest Host in Louisiana where their s...

How to save money on diesel fuel. Jeff & Patti give important information about a fuel card that offers instant discounted prices on diesel fuel and soon for gasoline too. It’s the TSD Open Roads Fuel Card. Where are some of the best RV campgrounds? Special guest Tim Apel talks about that and the five amazing RV’s he’s had including a luxury, high end, 45-foot Newmar King Aire. Tim also gives good...

Listen as Jeff & Patti recap their sold-out live show at the Music Box Supper Club. Hosted by Plain Dealer/Cleveland.com Travel Editor Susan Glaser. Ohio has some great campgrounds that have been a relatively best kept secret. Director of Marketing and Communications for the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, Adria Bergeron, talks all about the amazing camping that is now available at https...