RV News and Pimping Products! Apparently There Is A Difference?

There is apparently a difference between RV News and Pimping Products! In the video I ask the question. Can you be objective if at the same time you are selling products and services?

Order my new RVTA T-shirt. A must have for the stylish RVer: https://www.bonfire.com/rv-amp-travel-adventures-t-shirt/ AoLithium battery prices have dropped! https://amzn.to/3GfS1Hg Thanks for reading my blog RV & Travel Adventures. Feel free to send RVTA your questions, comments or concerns. This blog is Jesús Manuel Mena Garza's hobby. - RVTA LINKS - Amazon Shop: https://www.amazon.com/shop/jmmgarza Support RVTA via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jmmgarza RVTA Photography & Video Website: https://rvta.myportfolio.com

Added 2 AoLithium Batteries

I've been working on updating my travel trailer. Finally, my #Haloview side marker camera issues are no longer. They work perfectly on my 2022 Rockwood Mini Lite 2205S. Today, I also installed my two #AoLithium batteries. So far so good. I kept my install super simple. My brain can only handle so much. 

Video link: https://youtu.be/dUzsX1Zxka0

They work perfect too. In April, I'll be adding a pair of 200 watt panels to the old roof. That should be fun. At least that's the plan.

Finally Picking Up My New RV

Finally. It's time to pickup my new 2022 Rockwood Mini Lite 2205S travel trailer from Wana RV in Shipshewana, Indiana. On the way there I will be stopping at hotels in Little Rock, Arkansas, Effingham, Illinois and finally in Shipshewana. This San Jose, California boy isn't looking forward to the cold upper Midwest winter weather. 

On the way back, I'll stay at various RV parks and do some boondocking. Most campgrounds in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri will be closed for the winter. Maybe I can relax at DeGrays Lake in Arkansas. Dare to dream. 

Should be fun producing several installation videos. First up is Haloview. I'll be adding their side and observation cameras to the travel trailer mix. I'm super excited about installing my Aolithium batteries. First I have to figure out how to wire them inside the pass through storage. You have to keep them warm and safe. Lithium batteries don't like freezing temperatures.

Here's a link to my YouTube video: https://youtu.be/y_Oe3GEq0Gs

Types Of RV Refrigerators (Most Of 'Em)

 Tell me if I am wrong. There are essentially three types of refrigerators that are popular with RVers.

1) Propane (Gas) Electric: The absorption cooling cycle consists of three phases: Liquid refrigerant evaporates in a low pressure vessel, picking up heat from the interior of the refrigerator. Due to the low pressure, heat required for evaporation is low. Next, the now-gaseous refrigerant is absorbed by a special salt solution. Then the refrigerant-saturated liquid is heated, causing the refrigerant gas to evaporate out. This hot refrigerant gas passes through a heat exchanger, transferring its heat to the outside ambient-temperature air. This heat loss causes the gas to condense back into a liquid, which then supplies the evaporation phase, as the cycle starts over and continues to do this as long as it has heat applied to the burner or heating coil. (From RV Repair Club) https://www.rvrepairclub.com/article/... 2) Residential (120 Volt AC): These refrigerators are like the ones you probably have at home. They may be exactly the same. You plug 'em into a 120 volt socket only. They incorporate a compressor (see graphic above) to cool your food and beverages. Some RVs add an inverter to convert 12 volt battery power to 120 volt AC to power the fridge while off grid. Otherwise, if you are at an RV park with electrical hookups. You are set. No propane needed. Ever! 3) 12 Volt: Similar to residential fridges. DC fridges use a compressor. They do not require an inverter which makes them more energy efficient. Both AC and DC fridges cool significantly faster than a gas electric refrigerator. They don't require that your RV be totally level as compared to propane electric fridges. Here is a link to a company that knows more than I about compressors. https://www.compressorsunlimited.com/... FYI: I am a big fan of combing a DC fridge with plenty of solar and lithium batteries. By the way, there are few other ways to refrigerate your beverages and chow. I didn't talk about them. Your are welcome.

LATINO RVers

More Latinos are enjoying the RV lifestyle. Just like you, Latinos enjoy traveling with their families and enjoying the great American outdoors. Taking the kids fishing, biking and hiking. My wife and I are prime examples of couple's campers. Latinos are building RVs too! From making, to purchasing and enjoying the outdoor lifestyle. Latinos are changing the RVing world. It's time to take notice America. #LatinoRVer #LatinoCamper

https://youtu.be/Dkrl4Dd_gy8

Getting My Travel Trailer ... FINALLY!

Back in March 2021, I ordered a Rockwood Mini Lite 2205S from Wana RV of Shipshewana, Indiana. They noted to me prices would be increased in a month. So place your $1,000 nonrefundable deposit down today, rather than tomorrow. And I did. They said I would get my RV by August. It didn't. 

This week I was notified my RV would be built November 22, 2021. So my wife and I plan to pick up (Fort Worth to Shipshewana, Indiana) our modest travel trailer come early December. That's the plan. It's critical to know that I understand the difference between what the dealership pays and MSRP. I have seen the manufacturer invoices. On my travel trailer back in March the wholesale price would be under $20,000. The MSRP was around $35,000. Today, I am paying $25,000 plus TTL. 

I feel bad for the many RV customers who have been exploited. Sales staff are cruel beasts. Their task masters (managers) are only motivated by profit. I'm hopeful that Devin Puckett at Wana RV continues to hold up to his side of the bargain. That there aren't any surprise price hikes. So far I'm impressed with Devin and Wana RV.

That's me inside a Rockwood Mini Lite 2205S. I like what I see.

Forest River, THOR Industries Cancel their Open House Plans

09/08/2021 - ELKHART, Ind. — Forest River, Inc. and THOR Industries have jointly announced the cancellation of Dealer Open House activities for 2021,  the two companies announced this afternoon (Sept. 8) in a joint press release. The annual event, scheduled for the week of Sept. 26, attracts thousands of visitors to Elkhart, Indiana from across North America.  The companies’ top priority is the health and safety of valued industry partners, team members and the larger Elkhart community, the release continued. With local and national COVID cases rapidly increasing, safety mandates would be required to help mitigate risks, distracting from the positive experience industry partners expect.     The cancellation of Open House is the right thing to do in order to protect the health of all stakeholders, officials said, while also helping alleviate disruption to production at a time when delivering new RVs is critical to the industry’s continued success. Forest River and THOR continue to be focused on delivering quality products to their respective dealer partners.   “After reviewing all of the factors, we determined it was in everyone’s’ best interest and the safest, most responsible course of action to cancel the Expo this year,” stated Pete Liegl, CEO of Forest River Inc. “The community and dealers always welcome this event, but with COVID rates increasing across the country, we do not want to put our dealers, employees or the community at any additional risk.”    “With a heavy heart, we’re canceling this year’s dealer event,” shared Bob Martin, THOR President and CEO. “Our companies remain steadfast on delivering exceptional RVs to our dealer partners. While we are eager to share the exciting innovation we’ve been developing across our brands, we are committed to protecting the health and safety of our trusted partners, team members, and community.”

My Wife Loves To Knit

I have quite the inventory of wool products that my wife created. They include knit caps, socks and scarves. She has also constructed gloves and mittens for herself. As the magnet illustrates. She is quite dedicated to her craft. Hopefully, she doesn't hold any ill will towards me.

Annie enjoys knitting while watching her favorite TV series, Masterpiece Theater. She also loves to knit in her easy chair and of course while camping. Decades ago, my wife taught fabrics and sewing at UT Austin while pursuing a PhD in Art History.

Annie obviously knows her stuff. She just completed a book on a San Francisco Bay Area fiber artist. The book will released next year by Duke University Press. Busy gal.

Walking Tour of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge

Thanks for checking out my walking tour of the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. What a great place for a hike. My wife Annie and I saw beautiful scenery, kayakers, people fishing, various birds and other wildlife. Yes it was hot and steamy, but we both had a great time. We had hoped to see some bison, but no luck. They were apparently on hiatus. Visiting the nature center was a great respite from our usual routine. We look forward to coming back to burn more calories while walking.  

Thanks for watching. I greatly appreciate it. Feel free to contact the nature preserve with any questions, comments or concerns. Here is a link to their website: https://www.fwnaturecenter.org

The Boyhood Home of LBJ: Johnson City, Texas

My wife and I offer a casual walking tour of Johnson City, Texas. This video includes President Lyndon B. Johnson's boyhood home, farm and ranch buildings from the 1800s and Pedernales Electric Cooperative headquarters. I used to work at PEC. I did not shoot any video of downtown Johnson City. Not much to see there. I would head to Fredericksburg for a more beautiful and tasty downtown experience.

Here is a link to the video: https://youtu.be/oU0dLeDkLfo

Apparently, invariably, inexorably, I'll be getting a call from Wana RV. That's supposed to be in August. I ordered a 2022 Rockwood Mini Lite 2205S travel trailer in February. We'll see. By the way. We are paying cash for the TT once it arrives.

I have already purchased most of the items required to operate and transport a travel trailer. Mundane items like the sewage hose to a surge protector are awaiting their intended purpose. Upgrades like more solar panels, a better charge controller and batteries are planned. More money!

I should have plenty of room for most of my newer cameras and tripods. I plan to take my Nikon D800, Panasonic Lumix G85, DJI Pocket 2 and various accessories. On the road, I will focus my lens on capturing a disappearing America. Remnants, hidden in far away spaces.

My wife is excited about our new family member (travel trailer). Can't wait to park it in the back yard alley. We'll work together as a team to make the TT unique. Annie and I are a modern couple. We enjoy working together. One of our first projects is to make the kitchen and storage areas more usable. No girl this or boy that. We'll keep you updated on our RV upgrades on our YouTube channel.

New 2022 Rockwood and Flagstaff Travel Trailers

JUST RELEASED! The exciting 2022 model year changes for the Rockwood Mini Lite and the Flagstaff Micro Lite travel trailers. Many previously optional items are now standard equipment. This year, you can add another 190 watt solar panel. Fantastic! What do you think? #WanaRV

RV Shopping Spree Almost Over

I am pretty much set. I have most of the items I purchased for my new travel trailer. A few more straglers will come later this week. The 90-00-1069 Equal-i-zer hitch will be installed at the dealership for $700. I feel that's a fair price. 

My Mini Lite lists for $36,747 (no freight charges.) I will pay $25k for the privilege of owning one. I'll be sending them a check for $25,700 when they get delivery (August, September ... whenever?) from the Rockwood factory a short stroll away. 

In about a week or more, I'll be hooking up my modest trailer in Shipshewana, Indiana. Yes, I'll be saying hi to all my Amish cousins. No, I can't stay for the barn raising.