Drive.Dive.Devour. Interview [Full-Time RVers]

In January of 2014, Kerensa and Brandon decided to ditch their "normal" corporate jobs and lifestyle in the NY metro area. They decided to embark on a journey that many have dreamed of, but few have the courage to do.              

Brandon and Kerensa are Product Designers who both share a passion for exploring, scuba diving, and food and are on the hunt to find the best spots in the country.

I had the privilege of interviewing the couple and happened to catch them out walking the dogs on a beautiful summer day in Colorado!!

Q: What size is your RV?

A: We have a 40 ft motorhome but are looking to downsize in order to be more versatile with our camp spots and fit into smaller space.

Q: How are you able to operate a full fledged business in such a compact space?

A: We actually have a custom set up which we designed to take the place of our "dinet" where there used to be a table there is now a beautiful office setup in which we design our projects.

Q: How do you find a balance between work & play since you are on what some people would call a "Permanent Vacation"?

A: We're definitely learning as we go, since most of the tourist sites we want to see are open during the day, sometimes we to do the opposite of a normal 9-5 working schedule and go out to the city/tourist spots during the week to beat the crowd. Then in the evenings and on the weekend we may stay in and work. This allows us to beat the crowd, as well as see all the sights we want to see while still getting our work done.

Q: How do you handle keeping clean and maintaining the vehicle? 

A1: I try to pick up stuff on a daily basis. Since it is such a small space it tends to get cluttered quickly. Brandon doesn't really care as much as I do about the day to day clutter but whenever we move to a new location that day is pretty much dedicated to cleaning out and organizing the RV.

A2: As far as maintenance we are sure to follow the user manual as well as get our fluids changed yearly. Our generator actually just let us know that it needs to be serviced. So we plan ahead, find a reputable place and set aside a day or so for service.

Q: Have you had any major breakdowns or mechanical problems since you've been on the road?

A: Well luckily we haven't been stranded... One thing we did find was that the previous owner of our RV had taken it down to Florida and had never washed the salt water from underneath the vehicle. We found out when the bottom of the RV rusted to the point where the plastic parts of the fender literally were falling off. So Brandon & I had to makeshift braces out of aluminum on the side of the road in order to hold the bumper in place. We have since replaced all the metal on the undercarriage.

Q: What are some of the day-to-day struggles that you didn't have to deal with before you were living in an RV?

A: As far as day-to-day struggles, the sanitation is very different. Dumping tanks all the time is definitely a lifestyle change, It's just something you don't think about when you're living in a house, I'm not sure if I'm just very sensitive to it but it seems like the bathroom always smells, even though we keep it clean. 

Also getting used to cooking in such a smaller kitchen was a pretty big adjustment. You have to put things away quickly to avoid clutter in such a small space. Learning to use a microwave/conventional oven to cook also took a little bit of strategy especially when we need to use both at the same time!

Q: What kind of meals do you usually prepare on the road?

A: When the weather is good we like to use the grill a lot. I(Kerensa) happen to be vegetarian, so usually one side of the grill is cooking veggies and the other side is cooking some type of meat. Pretty much anything that I used to cook at home I still cook in the RV.

"Part of our blog is dedicated to finding delicious local foods. Brandon & I really love to eat out and explore the food scene wherever we are! Then I like to take it home and and actually try to cook it myself. Our crock pot comes in very handy because I can throw something in there and leave it on while we go explore." -Kerensa

Q: How do you decide where and when you are going to eat out?

A: I usually go out and walk around to get a feel for the lay of the land, as well as search tourist sites online, read yelp reviews, urban spoon, trip adviser etc. A lot of times we like to talk to locals for recommendations too. And we love going out to local Farmer's Markets. 

Q: Can you give some insight into the costs associated with this type of lifestyle?

A: It's actually pretty normal compared to what we had before, a lot of people have a mortgage payment or a rent payment on a house. But with an RV you probably have either a smaller payment, or you've paid it off. So if you're traveling with a car AND an RV you might have payments or you might not. Aside from that for us there is the normal cost of food and groceries, as well as a budget for eating out. 

Q: What about maintenance? 

A: Well it's the same as maintaining your house you have to maintain your RV just as well. I remember one time when we were living in a house, we got home from vacation and had to rebuild our whole roof! Luckily none of our RV maintenance has been nearly that expensive. Fortunately our service agreement, commonly known as an extended warranty has covered most of our engine repair expenses. It seems like there would be a lot more things different but really we've found it very similar to the cost of living we had before. 

Q: What advice do you have for the readers at home who want to transition into this type of lifestyle, but are a little bit hesitant about getting their "feet wet"?

A: I say just do it really... it's pretty great! We both love it, we are very happy with our lives. Just make sure to do your research. Go to RV shows to see what you like, research blogs, because there are a lot of people out there who are blogging about what we're doing and the lifestyle that they're living. Reading those posts really helped us prepare before we actually "took off". It allowed us to have a sense of what we needed.

There is a common phrase that goes around:
      "Buy your last RV first."

I personally think this tip applies well to a lot of retirees; but not necessarily us. It works if you're just a straight up snowbird, moving north to south by the seasons. But if you're like us, for example we used to camp. And that was fine for us until we decided to get an RV. But my point is, you don't really know what you want/need until you actually get out there. We started our journey thinking hey we want more space with a 40ft RV but now we're thinking why not go smaller? Save some money and we will be able to travel to a lot more places with more mobility.

Q: Last question, throughout all of your travels thus far, which place has been your favorite to visit?

A: Probably Burlington, Vermont. It was beautiful over there in the summer, the weather isn't too hot. And Brandon got to go diving a lot which was nice and it was just an overall good time! Also now that we are in Colorado witnessing the changing of seasons over here is absolutely beautiful.



Follow Brandon & Kerensa as they embark on their journey by subscribing to their blog!

drivedivedevour.com

See their design work here! http://www.deglossed.com/


Check out this cool .gif we made to illustrate the couples' travels thus far!

Tweet

Top 5 RV Parks in Houston

Houston, TX is one of the beautiful landmarks of the USA. It has four major bayous passing through the city. Not to mention the resorts, and if you are looking for the top five resorts in Houston, then this is the article for you. Here are the top five RV parks that we found to be the best (in no particular order)!

Lake View RV Resort

Situated on 11991 Main Street Houston, Lake View RV Resort is absolutely gorgeous and there is no doubt that your soul will resonate. The grounds have been maintained in an excellent fashion. The park contains a lovely pond where you can enjoy and indulge in nature & fishing. This resort has a hot tub and a pool. Many beautiful flowers are growing all over the campground which creates a very calm serene environment. There is a big family room, loaded with books. The only disadvantage is that in night due to high traffic there tends to be a lot of noise and the resort is not quite pet friendly. The recent rate is $45.

Traders Village RV Park

This resort is located in a very convenient area. The streets are clean and the resort is patrolled and very well lit. The staff is extremely pleasant and efficient. The other facilities provided to the tourists are, ATM Machine, Sunday church service, picnic tables and BBQ pits. Along with a playground, gas station, hair salon, mobile RV service & car rental service connection, full hookups, any length vehicle is allowed in the resort. Their restrooms and showers are clean, swimming pool, laundry, recreation activities. The recent rate is $34.5 for a day.

Northlake RV Resort

Situated in 1919 Humble Westfield Rd, Northlake RV Resort is a wonderful place to spend your time and create wonderful memories. The resort has a beautiful landscape. It has a lot of facilities such as recreation room, free dog washing center, free recreation room, free exercise room, free coffee and popcorn. There is also a free business center/Computer room. The resort has free Wi-Fi too. The recent rates are $50 a day.

South Main RV Park

Situated in 10100 S Maclose, the resort is close to Houston medical Centre and just one mile away from the NRG stadium. They provide laundry supplies, mail, fax and copy services. The resort provides best medical discount and RV supplies. The staff provides free cable TV, Wi-Fi and coffee. The recent rates are $ 50 a day.

All Star RV Resort

According to one of the visitors, all Star RV Resort is the oasis of the city. The tourists are provided with laundry facilities. It has sparkling pools, picnic areas, dog wash facilities and many BBQ. The recent rate is $ 40 a day. 

We hope this article was valuable to you :)  www.GAuto.com

Tweet

How to Maximize Space in Your RV or Camper

When it comes to your camper or RV, space can become a scarcity and it does not take much to fill it up unless you are a little creative. Basically, you are in a vehicle that appears to use most of its space for a wide variety of features that are designed for your comfort, but allow for little else. So, you will have to strike the balance between finding storage for your many items that while being creative and secure as you travel down the road.

Today’s RVs and campers are designed with more features than their predecessors, however you can still find some more room for storage space if you use the following tips.

Shoe Organizers, Hooks and Racks

The storage space inside your camper or RV can be found along the walls, doors, seats and ceiling. This is where having space-saving organizers can really pay off as you can use all the available areas inside the unit without cluttering up the floor or standard storage spaces. You can use hooks for clothes and bags of items, racks and shoe organizers for cleaning liquids and brushes, flashlights and other smaller items.  Just be sure that they are secure when on the road so that you don’t have stuff flying around inside if you have to make a sharp turn, brake or accelerate.

http://www.taylorgifts.com/item/overdoor_12_pair_shoe_rack_with_hook/W31025

Slide Out Surfaces

These are areas where items can be slid out such as walls, stairs, under beds, between drawers and the like. A slide out cutting board for example can save a considerable amount of space in the kitchen area. Look for spaces between places and you’ll find areas where you can place even more items.

Inside Cabinet Doors

A great place for the trash is a container that hangs inside a cabinet door. You’ll need to be weight conscious as these types of doors are not meant to carry a great deal of weight, but they are the perfect places for lightweight items that otherwise might fly around your RV or camper when it is one the move. Plus, racks or storage items that hang from cabinet doors are inexpensive as well.

https://www.hghhardware.com/find.jsp?ID=,Cabinet..Drawer...Shelf.Organizers,Cabinet.Door.Shelving

Velcro Surfaces

For small items that need to stay out such as remotes, simply glue some Velcro to the surface of a wall and then put Velcro on the back of the remotes so that they can stay in sight and out of the way. This is a great idea for any small item that should be kept out and not stored. http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jspproductId=1386398&KPID=1140143&kpid=1140143&pla=pla_1140143

Backs of Seats

http://www.cargogear.com/infolib.aspx?lookup=TACPACK&image=tacpackBIGjpg

You can purchase storage items that can hang from the backs of the front seats to keep other small items organized. This can be used for items that you normally take with you when travelling outside your RV or camper which makes them easier to find.

Overall, maximizing the space in your RV or camper is inexpensive and easy to do once you commit yourself to using all the bare space from the ceiling to the walls and the floor. 


We hope you found this article useful :). Visit http://www.gauto.com/about.aspx for more info!

Tweet

What are Harvest Hosts?

People who drive an RV know that it can be a very rewarding experience, but sometimes it seems the RV traveling lifestyle can make it hard for people to stop in a place that makes them feel like they are home. This is the reason why Harvest hosts was invented. A network of farms and wineries have decided to start allowing people in RV vehicles to camp out in their lands, but they will also be given the chance to get to see their production up close and their stay will come at no cost at all!

The great thing about Harvest Hosts is that it allows people to get the opportunity to purchase local products that are grown or produced in the area. The idea is to provide the RV community with a friendly place to stay for a few days, while they also get the chance to watch up close when the farmers get to work or the wineries start to produce their wine.

This brilliant idea is meant to help people feel encouraged to purchase local products from the locations they visit. This is the main reason why this is such a great and innovative idea that will benefit both parties involved.

The only true requirements are that you are considerate and you support your hosts by purchasing their products. There is no required amount for you to purchase, but the more you buy, the more you will be supporting the people who work so hard day by day to create these products for you.

Being able to participate in the making of these products is another excellent activity that is provided in all farms and wineries that are affiliated with harvest hosts. This is the kind of activity that makes you appreciate the products and services that are provided to you even more. This is the reason why this interaction is so useful and also encourages the promotion of the quality products you try out. Keep this in mind at all times and you will have the best time when you decide to park your RV in one of the many gorgeous farms and wineries of the Harvest Hosts network.

 Most of them even allow you to have pets with you, with the exception of alpaca farms. The one thing that all RV owners need to remember is that in order to qualify to be allowed to enter the Harvest Hosts network as an RV guest, you need to have a self-contained vehicle. This means that you RV needs to be equipped with an interior toilet and it should also have electricity and water. This means that all of your personal needs will always be taken care of in your RV and not in any of the installations at which you are staying.

The stay is meant to last 24 hours tops, but people can ask to stay longer and the chances of that happening will depend on how supportive you have been to the host. Any special requests will be dealt with directly with your host. Once you join the network, you will be able to get a list of all the hosts that are in your area or the area you are planning to travel to. This makes it very easy for you to find at least a couple of them near to your traveling locations.

If you decide to travel with another set of people in a different RV, they will also have to be members of the Harvest Hosts network in order to be given access to the farms or wineries that they visit with you. 

Visit harvesthosts.com for more membership info!

This Article Was Brought To You By gAuto :)

Tweet

How To Properly Store Your RV

RVs or “recreational vehicles” are a type of vehicle that can be used for many purposes including travelling, camping and even living. RVs today come in various shapes and sizes and with different types of features. It is up to the user to decide what type of RV they need. Although each RV is different, the fact is that they do have certain things in common.

 For example, users need to take care of the maintenance regularly and in compliance with the user manual. In addition, RV owners need to take of the storage too. That’s right, even those who live in an RV occasionally need to leave their motorhome for a few days. 

Storing an RV is not a difficult task, but only if you follow these preparation tips. By following these tips you can be sure that your RV will be as good as new once you start using it again.

Take care of the ventilation

The ventilation system in the RV is not important only for the people inside the vehicle. When the vehicle is stored it is crucial to keep the moisture outside. If moisture is present inside the vehicle, it can lead to occurrence of smell, mildew and mold. According to some experts, the best idea is to keep only the rooftop vents open. Everything else should be covered.

Check and clean the seals

You should never store your RV if it isn’t clean. Wash the entire vehicle both inside and outside and use wax if possible. If you use wax you won’t have to spend hours cleaning the vehicle once it is time to use it again and it can protect the paint from sun, snow and rain. After that, check all the seals and see if any seal needs a replacement or repair.

Curtains

When it comes to curtains and blinds, people usually make the same mistake and choose curtains that are very dark and don’t let any sunlight inside the vehicle. This is wrong because if there is no light present inside the RV, there is a great chance to find mold after few months. Use curtains that allow sunrays to penetrate the interior to some extent.

Bug protection

If the vehicle is inactive, it can become the perfect spot for bugs. They can dwell inside the vehicle or in the vents. Make sure that all the openings are blocked and don’t hesitate to use screening for the vents. Of course, you should also remove all foods and materials (paper or clothes for example) that can be used by bugs.

Cleaning the tanks

This is very important in case you are storing your RV during winter time. Tanks should be cleaned regardless of the temperature and the plumbing system should be left without water if the weather is cold.

Security

As we all know, RVs are very expensive vehicles, so it is no surprise why criminals are tempted to break inside. The best way to protect the vehicle is to have someone watch it onsite. You can also get a dog to protect it. Finally, consider installing an alarm inside the RV.

We hope that these tips will help you store your RV the right way!

This Article Was Brought To You By gAuto :)

Tweet

RV Living Pros & Cons by Pippi Peterson

Check out this video by a young freelancer who decided to cut costs and own her own home by purchasing a used RV!



Tweet



Click here to visit here YouTube Channel. Click here to visit her online forum!

What Is A "Green RV"?

In the last decade there has been a large and rather effective movement that has made waves across the globe. This movement is known as “going green”. Essentially, it involves being more eco-friendly and living a more sustainable life. Vehicles, especially larger ones, like RVs, are part of problem because their emissions are bad for the climate. Well, as with everything else that has become more eco-friendly, you can now find more manufacturers of RVs that are making them “green”. If you are looking to get an RV for road trips, look into getting a green one, that way you can enjoy your road trip without feeling guilty about the pollution.

So what is a green RV exactly? For starters, a green RV has the same skeleton as a regular RV; it just is made up of more sustainable materials. This means that the actual process of making the RV is a lot more energy efficient than it would be to make a non green RV. Some green RVs have mattresses that are made from recycled water bottles and the wood used inside is sustainable and comes from trees that are not harmed in the process of taking the wood.

Also, the vehicle itself runs more efficiently and saves more energy than an RV of an ordinary make. Because it uses most recycled or sustainable materials, they do not have to use so much energy and fossil fuels to create the vehicle from scratch. Green RVs are also more fuel-efficient that those that are not green. Some of the manufacturers of green RVs will tint all the windows in the vehicle, sun roof included, to allow for less sunlight into the vehicle which means running the air conditioning fewer times than you would without the tint.

All in all, if you are a traveling green friendly person who loves to own and operate eco-friendly products and vehicles, buying yourself a green RV is definitely the way to go. You can travel the nation with your family and not have to worry about driving in a vehicle that was damaging to the environment to make.  

Not only that, but you can feel better about driving it because you are not putting more nasty emissions out into the environment on the day to day. Being eco-friendly can be achieved in almost all areas of your life. Just take the time to find the best green RV that fits you and your needs, and pretty soon, you will be out on the open road, guilt free and ready for fun.

Brought To You By Your Friends At gAuto!


Tweet

RV U-Turn Fail

Check out this clip from the movie "RV"

Take your RV for a test drive before you end up like this family! #RIPRobinWilliams


Tweet

How to Plan a Cross Country RV Trip

There are few vacations as enjoyable as one taken with the family in a Recreational Vehicle (RV). The main advantage is that you are basically taking your living quarters with you wherever you go, so no hotel fees, check-ins or worries about where you are going to spend the night. But of course, in order to make the most of your trip, you’ll need to do a little planning first.

Choose a Destination

The first step in your planning is choosing where you want to go. While the joy from an RV trip most often comes from the unexpected and unplanned moments that occur along the way, you still need to have a single destination in mind. So, if you are on a weekend trip, pick something that is local and interesting while a week-long vacation or longer should have a destination that can be reached about halfway to two-thirds into the time you have allocated for the trip.

Everyone will want to head straight home after you have visited the selected destination, but before it is reached you should set aside time to do a little exploring which is always part of the fun!

Map it Out

Now that you know where you are going, you’ll want to map out how to get there. Fortunately, it’s pretty easy when using online maps that plot the destination point for you. However, you’ll want to modify them somewhat by adding excursions that are off the main interstates and feature local attractions.

Set a Budget

Once you know where you want to go, the next step is creating a realistic budget. Naturally, you will need to account for RV rental fee (if you don’t own one), fuel, money for the events and food. However, you can save on food costs by cooking your own meals, although going to a restaurant or two along the way makes for a nice break.

Choose the Right RV

If you are renting an RV, you will need to strike the balance between having one that is large enough to carry your family, yet small enough to be maneuverable and use less gas. One option is to tow your vehicle behind the RV if it is a small car so that you can park at the RV sites. However, this will add a considerable amount to your trip.


For three or four people total, a standard size RV is the best and you should check out all the options first before making your rental agreement.

Leave Most of the Trip Unplanned

The real fun in an RV adventure is the spontaneous moments where you discover hidden locations and events along the way. While you should stick to your main destination, finding the little places of interest along the way adds real joy to the trip itself.



In fact, you should only use interstate highways when needed as many of the back roads lead to wonderful places.

Remember to stick to your budget and have emergency money available in case something unforeseen occurs. A little planning will go a long way towards making your RV trip one to remember.

 This Article Was Brought to You by Your Friends at gAuto!

Tweet

RV or Trailer - Which One Is Right For You?

When it comes time to choose between an RV or a trailer, there are plenty of different factors to consider. What makes an RV or trailer great for some might make this option less than an idea for others. Both are a significant investment; one that you should not jump into unless you are certain you are picking the correct recreational vehicle for you. Here are the factors you should consider:

1.      How many people will accompany you on trips? You and one other person might be happy and cozy in a trailer. You and your family of six might find that you can all find somewhere to sleep in a trailer, but there likely won’t be anywhere to store anything. An RV, on the other hand, would have more space for people and their stuff, if you’re planning on traveling with a lot of people, but it might be way more space than a couple needs.

2.      How often are you going to use it? If you want something that you can take on the occasional trip, a trailer is usually the right fit. They are less expensive, and you can find very reasonably priced models that will make the few weekends a year you get to use them well worth the price. If you’re going to be using it every weekend or for the entire summer, an RV, with more room for longer trips, is likely a better choice. The more use you’ll get out of it could justify the higher price.

3.      Do you have a vehicle that can tow a trailer? If you have to buy a truck, in addition to buying a trailer, you might be better off just getting an RV. At the very least, compare the cost of purchasing an SUV or truck to the price of just purchasing an RV. However, if you already have a vehicle that can pull that trailer and you’re looking for a lower-priced option, a trailer would be more suitable.

4.      Which amenities do you want? RVs will almost always have more amenities than trailers. Some nicer models will have high-class and almost spacious kitchens and bathrooms. Few trailers can say the same thing. RVs have the benefit of being self-contained; if you ever need to go to the bathroom on the road, you just pull over. That doesn’t mean that a trailer lacks amenities, it just means that an RV has more.

So, which do you think best suits you or your family? Does an RV or a trailer better suit your needs?


This Article Was Brought To You By gAuto!

Tweet

5 Tips On Choosing The Right RV

If you’re thinking about purchasing an RV, you’re probably wondering how to go about making your decision so that you find the best one that fits your needs. After all, there are so many different choices out there that it can be overwhelming when you first start to look. Obviously, there are different RVs to fit your needs and it’s impossible for us to tell you which one you should get, but we can provide you with some tips on how to narrow down your choices and purchase one that you’ll love to go camping or cross-country in.

1. Define Your Goals

By defining your RV goals, you’ll be able to narrow down your choices. Is it just for vacations and weekend trips or do you plan on going across the country for weeks or months at a time. By figuring out what you want from your RV, you can settle on the right one for you. If it’s just for small trips, you might not need a huge one, but if you’re looking to be a full-time RV traveler, then you might want the amenities that the larger RVs offer. 

2. Familiarize Yourself With All RV Types

There are many types of RVs to choose from, so you should get familiar with each type so that you can figure out which one best fits your needs and RV goals. There are Class A through Class C Motor Homes, Fifth Wheel, Folding Trailer, Travel Trailer and Truck Campers, and knowing what each ones offer and provide is key to choosing the right RV. 

3. List Amenities You Want

Once you become familiar with the RV types, it is now time to figure out which amenities you’d like your RV to have. It is recommended that you create a list of “must have” amenities and “optional” so that you can find one based on your l

ifestyle. Remember that more amenities usually translates into a higher price tag!

4. Budget

Price should always be a factor when you’re scoping out RVs so create a budget and follow it. You have to know what you can afford even before you go on an RV lot so that you’re not tempted by RVs that are way out of your price range. This should also include insurance rates since that’s going to be part of the financial costs. 

5.  Buy Used

If you want a nicer RV, but can’t afford a new model, look into buying a used model for half the price. But make sure that you give it a thorough inspection before you actually buy it. 

This Article Was Brought To You By gAuto!

Tweet