RV Camping Mag. | Apr. 2022

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AMAZING CAMPING OPPORTUNITIES JUNE 2021

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO

S H I F T, C O N T R O L & E S CA P E TO RV L I F E

Meet Robert Morales FROM TRAVELING ROBERT!

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from Baja, Me

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MAGAZINE

P ___ 1

WINNEBAGO CELEBRATES AS THE 1ST RV MANUFACTURER TO PRODUCE ½ MILLION MOTORHOMES

FLIPPING NOMAD TURNS TRAILER INTO PODCAST STUDIO

GRILLAHOLICS CHUCK ROAST BURNT ENDS CHILI

EVERY DAY, PLANET EARTH TRAVELS 1.6 MILLION MILES.

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features

CONTENTS

32 MEET ROBERT MORALES OF TRAVELING ROBERT!

By Brian Newman

departments

VOL.2, ISSUE 4

CONTENTS APRIL 2022

08

10

16

24

58

74

104

EDITOR'S

NUTS AND

RV GEAR

RV KITCHEN

ARE WE

RENOVATE

NOTEWORTHY

LETTER

BOLTS

New RV Gear

Easy,

THERE YET?

YOUR RV

NEWS

Letters from

Tips &

& Gadgets

Delicious

Interesting

Updates To

The latest

the Editor

Reviews

Recipes

Locations

Transform

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found here.

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EDITOR'S LETTER

Welcome TO RV

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n this issue of RV Camping Magazine, we meet Robert Morales of Traveling Robert! Robert travels the country making YouTube Videos, sometimes with his own music playing in the background! He has a laid-back style and an amazing voice that keeps his viewers captivated.

CAMPING MAGAZINE!

In this month’s RV Renovation section, we feature an article from Cortni Armstrong – The Flipping Nomad about how she remodeled! Beth walks you through some storage ideas she used to maximize space and stay organized!

In our Are We There Yet? department, we catch up with Jennifer Jennings from that Dashboard Drifters. Jennifer and her husband Kendall live in Mexico in their travel trailer and also camp all around the Baja California peninsula in their campervan!

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S H I F T, C O N T R O L & E S CA P E TO RV L I F E

This month in the RV Kitchen department we meet the Grillaholics, Katie and Devin Dolosh! They make some of the most amazing Chile you will ever taste, and they include a video so can watch the whole process!

In our RV Gear department, we feature some really cool gear from our friends at Clever Camper! Their new foot and arm rests for zero gravity loungers make relaxing even better!

This month the NRVTA shares some outstanding tips about how to clean your air conditioner filters and coils.

Since it’s time to de-winterize this is the perfect time to give your A/C unit some special attention. The folks at the NRVTA are real pros, and they are committed to training people how to service and use their RVs safely!

We hope you enjoy the magazine!

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MAGAZINE

APRIL 2022 VOL.2, ISSUE 4

EDITORIAL EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR

Susan McDonald Mike Scarpignato

DESIGN SR. ART DIRECTOR

Kelly Y. Lee

CONTRIBUTORS

Brian Newman, Robert Morales, Cortni Armstrong, Todd and Julie Bonner Devin and Katie Dorosh, NRVTA, Winnebago, Black Series, and RVnGo ADVERTISING

Mike Scarpignato 443-699-6556, mike@rvblogger.com EDITORIAL mike@rvblogger.com

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NUTS AND BOLTS

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oday we’re going to go over how to clean the A/C coils and filters, which will only take about 2 minutes to explain and 20 minutes when put into practice.

Before getting on the roof, I suggest cutting the air conditioner’s power.

It doesn’t make sense to get up onto the roof, start messing around with the units, and find out there’s still power running to them.

SPRING TUNE-UP HOW TO CLEAN RV A/C COILS AND FILTERS

BY THE NRVTA

CLEANING THE CONDENSER COILS

First off, you’ll get onto the roof and remove the shroud, exposing the back of the air conditioner locating the condenser coils. Then carefully clean out the accumulated dirt.

I recommend a coil cleaner that provides a soft bristle brush that you can purchase from virtually anywhere. If you plan to use your local Walmart, the items you need are by the air conditioning filters.

Next, you’ll remove the brush from the coil cleaner can and carefully clean the coils before you begin to spray the foam cleanser.

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If you have a brick-and-sticks home, you’d finish cleaning coils by using a water hose to rinse the coil condenser off. However, I don’t recommend using a water hose due to hazards and possible holes.

So, purchase an empty spray bottle and fill it with water. Once the foam begins to evaporate, you’ll use the spray bottle to rinse the residue off.

CLEANING THE EVAPORATOR COILS

Next, you’ll go to the front, remove the insulated shroud, and find the evaporator coils. I recommend an evaporator coil cleaner named Nu-Calgon, an

“I recommend a coil cleaner that provides a soft bristle brush that you can purchase from virtually anywhere.”

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evaporating no-rinse foam.

shroud, bolting them into position.

We don’t have the space to go into all the reasons why you don’t have to rinse this cleaner off. Repeat the same steps with the condenser coils with the evaporator coils: clean with the soft bristle brush and use the evaporator cleaner in place of the condenser foam.

CLEANING THE FILTERS

Once the residue is minimal, you’ll simply replace the insulated shroud and the outer

While you’re at the same Walmart purchasing the coil cleansers, you can buy replacement air filters for less than a dollar.

Residential filters are larger than what we use in RV A/C units, but I can make six filters with one of them. First, remove the old filter and lay it across the new filter for a template. Then, go ahead and proceed to cut the new filter.

QUICK TIP: Make sure you do not double up the new filter or purchase anything thicker than what is already there because you could restrict the airflow too much.

If you would like to fix the majority of the problems on your RV or let’s say you want to open a business and become a certified technician or inspector? Head over to our website at www. nrvta.com, select the programs tab, and get started today.

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RV GEAR

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CLEVER CAMPER COMPANY:

BY RVERS, FOR RVERS

hey say necessity is the mother of invention. And I’ve found that to be mostly true.

But if I wanted to be more accurate, based on my experience, I would say the necessity of avoiding pain is the mother of invention. Let me explain.

After our family of five started full-time RVing in 2017 (which involved going from “People are doing this?” to “We’re doing this!” in only 100 days), my wife and I quickly found that we relied heavily on our Zero Gravity chairs for relaxing outside. We loved them, and they brought me much-needed relief from some major lower back pain (sciatica anyone?).

But there was one annoying problem: kicking back without shoes on your feet was not a pleasant experience. The metal foot rest bar left us frustrated, constantly shifting around to alleviate the pain it inevitably caused in our feet or heels.

BY CLEVER CAMPER COMPANY

During our time on the road, I was too distracted by planning the next week or two of our travels to APRIL 2022

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put much thought into solving this problem. I just dealt with it and wore my shoes far more than I wanted.

But when we landed back in a conventional home, with our beloved Zero Gravity chairs out on the balcony and used daily, I decided it was time to track down a solution.

Just one issue with that: there were no solutions!

“When we

THE BIRTH OF A COMPANY

And so, the creative process kicked in a con- off in the summer of 2020. I was ventional determined to get something on the home, with market (and under my own feet) that our beloved solved this issue and would last for Zero Grav- years.

landed back

ity chairs

By fall of 2020, Clever Camper Company was born! And of course, balcony and our first product which we launched used daily, on Amazon was… out on the

I decided

Well, that’s not entirely accurate. But it was time for me, a pool noodle and duct tape to track that some folks used for that foot down a rest bar was not a viable option. No, solution.”

I wanted a permanent solution that wasn’t an eyesore.

APRIL 2022

The Original Foot Rest Cushion for Zero Gravity Chairs

MARKET RESEARCH?

I have to tell you, it’s a very interesting experience deciding

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to spend thousands of dollars developing a product that, for all I knew, could end up having an audience of two!

Dozens and dozens of people commented on that post, and the comments mainly fell into two camps: (1) “I’ve been doing that for years” or (2) “This is a genius idea!”.

We had no real market research giving us confidence that other folks out there were motivated to solve this same problem that we dealt with, and ready to spend money to do so. The only thing I had done was posted a picture of a pool noodle on my chair as a “helpful tip” in an RVers Facebook group…and it absolutely blew up.

Besides this, we also talked about the product idea with our community of RVers (and hope-to-be RVers) we had built at TREKKN.co since 2018. From this group, we saw some enthusiastic interest in the product as well.

Yep, that concluded our market

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research. We figured based on the reactions from these two small groups, a certain percentage of them would be willing to spend money for a permanent and attractive solution to this nagging problem.

Worst case? We purchase 600 cushions (our initial order) and end up selling at a break-even price, walking away with some valuable lessons learned…and/or a lifetime supply of cushions for our feet!

Who wouldn’t love that? (Yes, we entrepreneurs are an odd bunch.)

“In line with that renewed vision, our next product will be a high quality Universal Tongue Jack Cover for your travel trailer.”

THE MARKET SPEAKS…WITH THEIR WALLETS

By the end of 2020, in just a few short months, we had sold through

our first 600 cushions and had a second order on its way to us.

People were absolutely thrilled with the product and we received rave reviews on Amazon, which caused the sales to continue to pick up.

By the summer of 2021, in the heat of RV and camping season, we were seeing 40-50 sales per day on a regular basis and simply couldn’t keep up with demand. We went out of stock multiple times in 2021 because of the global logistics crisis coupled with this demand, but still finished the year strong.

In addition, we made multiple adjustments and upgrades to the

APRIL 2022

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cushion throughout the year to improve performance and make it more of a universal fit. We also added a larger size of the Foot Rest Cushion for folks with oversized chairs.

LATEST ADDITION TO OUR CLEVER COMFORT LINE

If you’re interested in making your Zero Gravity Chair lounging experiences as comfortable as they can possibly be, you should also take a quick peek at our latest product released in 2022: The Original Arm Rest Cushion for Zero Gravity Chairs

LOOKING FORWARD: THE TRAVEL TRAILER OWNER’S BEST FRIEND

As we entered 2022, we made the decision to refocus our product development efforts. Nope, no more products for the Zero Gravity Chair.

We realized that what we really wanted to do was more effectively serve those folks who are on the same path we were on just a few short years ago: New Travel Trailer Owners.

In line with that renewed vision, our next product will be a high quality Universal Tongue Jack Cover for your travel trailer.

We are in the final stages of product development, just waiting on updated prototypes from our RVBLOGGER.COM

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manufacturer. Our hope is to launch this product on Amazon this summer, so keep your eyes peeled!

JOIN THE CLEVER CAMPER CREW! If you are a Travel Trailer owner (or about to be), we want you on our crew!

We will be leaning on you to tell us EXACTLY which travel trailer products and accessories you want to see us develop next...and to help us test them out for free!

If you want the chance to be a “Beta Tester” for new products and provide your feedback, join the Clever Camper Crew right here. You won’t regret it!

About the Author Todd and Julie Bonner are just a couple of adventurous 40-something souls who love serving the RV community and creating awesome products for them. Now nearing an empty nest, they are preparing to "wander the world" in a 20-foot campervan that fits their desire for simplicity perfectly. You can follow their wanderings on Instagram @ trekkndotco or on their blog at TREKKN.co. You can also explore their ongoing product creations for RVers at CleverCamper.co.

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KITCHEN

T GRILLAHOLICS CHUCK ROAST BURNT ENDS CHILI

wo of my favorite hearty foods are BBQ Burnt Ends and Chili. One cold snowy day I thought to myself, what if I mixed the two!

Take your chili to a whole new level with this Chuck Roast Burnt Ends Chili recipe from Grillaholics. After trying this, you’ll never go back to eating boring regular chili again!

BY DEVIN & KATIE DOROSH

APRIL 2022

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INGREDIENTS BURNT ENDS: 3 lb beef chuck roast Grillaholics SPG and SPG + Butter 1 bottle BBQ sauce ½ stick butter CHILI: 1 can tomato sauce (8oz) 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes and chilis 1 can pinto beans, drained 1 can black beans, drained 1 can kidney beans, drained 1 can beer 1 onion, diced 1 green pepper, diced

2 cloves of garlic ¼ cup chili powder 1 ¼ tsp oregano ½ tsp smoked paprika 1 ½ tsp cumin 1 ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp cayenne pepper ¼ tsp crushed red pepper DIRECTIONS: 1. Prep smoker to 225F 2. Cut chuck roast into 1 inch cubes and season heavily with Grillaholics SPG and SPG + Butter; place on a mesh grill mat or baking tray and set aside to go on the smoker.

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3. In a foil pan combine tomato sauce and beer. Add in dry spices, garlic, then stir.

4. Next add in green peppers and onions (you can pre saute for color if you like). Then add beans, diced tomatoes, chili, then stir some more.

5. Smoke the chili (uncovered) and burnt ends for 2.5 to 3 hours until the burnt ends have a nice bark color.

6. Pull the burnt ends, toss with your BBQ sauce, then add the butter. Cover pan tightly with foil and place back on the smoker for another hour.

7. Pull your chili and burnt ends, combine, and smash…nom nom!

About the Author Devin Dorosh and his wife Katie started Grillaholics back in 2014 with one goal in mind…to help people create more memories around the grill by making mind blowing BBQ for friends and family. No matter what you need around the grill, with Grillaholics full line of grilling accessories and rubs, they’ve got you covered.

If you want MORE awesome recipes and tips from Grillaholics, visit www. grillaholicsgiveaway.com to enter our monthly giveaway for a chance to win Grillaholics Gear and Rubs valued over $300!

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our Popular RVer

Meet

Robert Morales

APRIL 2022

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MEET TRAVELING ROBERT

OF TRAVELING ROBERT!

BY BRIAN NEWMAN

RVBLOGGER.COM

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rofessional videographer and musician Robert Morales uses his style of music to describe his adventures as he travels the country in his 20-foot travel trailer. Traveling Robert has become a major RV influencer on YouTube, with over 218,000 subscribers and thousands more listening to his podcast.

We had the opportunity to learn more about who he was, how he started his RV adventures and his plans for the future.

“ Professional videographer and Robert Morales uses his style of m describe his adventures as he trav in his 20-foot travel trailer. ” APRIL 2022

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d musician music to vels the country

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Becoming Traveling Robert 1. HOW DID YOU START THE TRAVELING ROBERT YOUTUBE CHANNEL, AND WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A YOUTUBER?

Back in 2007, I started my first YouTube channel, “Robert Morales,” which was just a way to showcase my music. I would also upload the occasional travel video to that channel, but in 2011 I decided to separate the two different types of content.

I created a second channel just for travel that I named “Traveling Robert.” We had been intrigued by the RV lifestyle for a while, and in 2014 we decided to purchase a small Winnebago travel trailer. That’s when the channel really started gaining some traction. I APRIL 2022

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MEET TRAVELING ROBERT

“We had been intrigued by the RV lifestyle for a while, and in 2014 we decided to purchase a small Winnebago travel trailer. That’s when the channel really started gaining some traction.”

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MEET TRAVELING ROBERT

had had some success with the road trip videos but once I narrowed it down to the RVing niche, people seemed really interested.

My favorite thing about being a YouTuber, besides scratching my own creative itch, is the people who watch, and the impact I have in their lives. Listening to people’s testimonials about how my videos have improved their lives in one way or the other is the most rewarding part of the experience.

I also must mention this great community

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of like-minded people we have created, with which we all share a passion for travel. I think it is a great time to be alive, having access to these platforms where we can be creative and, at the same time, inspire, inform, and entertain.

2. HOW AND WHEN DID YOU BEGIN THE LIVING THE RV

DREAM PODCAST? HOW MUCH FUN IS IT INTERACTING WITH YOUR FOLLOWERS THIS WAY?

I was an avid listener of the Living the RV Dream podcast with John and Kathy Huggins for a long time.

In fact, that is where I learned most of what I know. It was their content that, in part APRIL 2022

inspired me to become an RVer. Then, in 2016 when Kathy got sick, they decided to stop doing the podcast since they could not travel anymore. They contacted a few fellow content creators to take over and I agreed wholeheartedly. It was an honor to follow in their footsteps and

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continue their legacy in my own way.

The podcast provides a different way for me to reach the community with up-to-date content since videos can sometimes take months before I publish them.

3. YOU’VE HAD 2 WINNEBAGO TRAVEL TRAILERS.

WHAT MAKES THEM THE BEST RIGS FOR YOU TO FULL-TIME RV?

My original premise was an inexpensive RV that would fit in my driveway that I could tow with my current vehicle at the time. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, and I didn’t want to spend a fortune. That original Winnebago Micro RVBLOGGER.COM

Minnie fit the bill, being only seven feet wide, weighing less than 3000 pounds dry, and being under $20,000.

Eventually, as my YouTube channel became more popular, Winnebago Towables started to notice me, and eventually, I became a brand ambassador. As part of the deal, I got to use

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“My favorite thing about being a YouTuber, besides scratching my own creative itch, is the people who watch, and the impact I have in their lives.” and showcase a new model every year. At this moment I’m towing the latest 2108DS FLX prototype which has a lot of the technology improvements I originally requested, such as lithium batteries, inverter, tankless water heater, etc.

I still have the original 2015 1706FB model, parked semipermanently in Florida.

It is the rig where it all began. It is holding up well, so I might take it on short trips in the future.

As far as them being the best rigs for fulltime RVing, they may or may not be. I consider myself a part-time RVer since I have a home base in South Florida.

I’ve seen people fulltime in all kinds of APRIL 2022

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rigs, from a 45-foot diesel pusher to a small camper van. It is just a matter of how much one is willing to minimize.

Beware, you may void the manufacturer’s warranty if you full time in an RV not intended for long-term use.

In my case having a bathroom, decent-sized holding tanks, and standard amenities is important. I like being nimble enough so that I can take almost any road and stay anywhere I want.

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4. WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WISH YOU HAD KNOWN WHEN YOU BEGAN RVING?

Since I had never camped before, I had no idea how campgrounds worked or what to expect. I basically wanted to travel with my own hotel room. I had this erroneous notion that most places would be just like a hotel with a 24-hour desk and online booking. I thought I could arrive at campgrounds at any time of the day (or night), and someone would be there to check me in.

I was expecting restaurants, room service, and tiki bars,

“Since I had never camped before, I had no idea how campgrounds worked or what to expect. I basically wanted to travel with my own hotel room.”

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MEET TRAVELING ROBERT

which, to be fair, some of them do have those amenities. I just wasn’t all that aware of the more rustic experience you get at state parks or even boondocking at public lands that I now love.

5. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RV CAMPING LOCATION, AND WHY?

My favorite RV location is Valley of the Gods.

It is BLM land in Utah and one of the most stunning places to boondock in the United States. At this point, I’ve been to all the lower 48 and Alaska.

I will admit that I've only driven through some states like Connecticut and Delaware without doing anything significant.

We did Alaska before we had the RV. Since Hawaii is the only state you can’t drive to, I’m saving it for last.

6. WHAT’S YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR NEWBIE RVERS? RVBLOGGER.COM

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“Remember the old adage; RV stands for “Ruined Vacations,” so it is not for everybody.”

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MEET TRAVELING ROBERT

Find out as much information as you can about the lifestyle.

Even more important, rent one first to see if you really like it.

Remember the old adage; RV stands for “Ruined Vacations,” so it is not for everybody.

Keep in mind everything will take longer than you expect, things will not always go according to plan, and it is not a matter of if but when something will break.

The freedom and flexibility of having your home with you as you travel are worth the learning curve and the occasional mishap.

7. WHAT ARE THE BEST RESOURCES THAT HAVE HELPED YOU ALONG THE WAY? I have several hundred points of interest saved in my Google Maps which I try and visit if I’m in the area.

Also, the wisdom of the crowd. Many of the places I visit

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nowadays are based on recommendations from my YouTube channel viewers.

I also use Harvest Hosts, Roadtrippers, AllStays, and a handful of other apps to find points of interest and places to stay. Last but not least, I watch many fellow travel content creators and listen to podcasters learning from them as well. I have found it is a great community, and we have made many friends along the way.

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“My favorite RV location is Valley of the Gods. It is BLM land in Utah and one of the most stunning places to boondock in the United States.”

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8. HOW HAS RVING CHANGED YOU AND YOUR PERSPECTIVE OF THE WORLD? Mark Twain once wrote: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness…” the actual quote is much longer, but nothing is truer than this. When someone stays in their “little corner of the earth,” also part of the quote, they have preconceived notions of places, people, cultures.

Once you travel and see for yourself what’s there, you realize that all humans are more or

less the same in their own unique way. That we all want the same basic things; most people are inherently good and welcoming.

Taste is generally acquired, so don’t be afraid to try new things, and there is something interesting to see everywhere. So, travel without fear. It is mostly good out there.

9. DO YOU LIVE

BY ANY PIECE OF ADVICE OR MOTTO? You only live once, so experience as much as you can.

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Future Plans and Learning More from Robert 10. TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING “LEWIS AND CLARK ROUTE” AND WHY YOU DECIDED TO DO A THEMEBASED CAMPING ITINERARY? I’ve always been a little bit of a history buff, but I didn’t grow up in this country. So there are many gaps in my knowledge of American history, and I’m determined to fill those gaps. The Lewis and Clark expedition

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is one of the first great adventures in our country’s history.

At a time before electricity, telegraphs, and trains, when nothing ever moved faster than a horse, those early pioneers were truly isolated out there. They were in an unknown land, all by themselves. Somehow, they managed the great feat to make it all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

I find the story of their survival fascinating and I would love to visit as many historic sites as possible along the way.

This route is also only a guideline. I intend to make several detours along the way in order to see other points of interest, such as Mount Rushmore.

This is also the first of several theme-based trips I have planned.

Some of the others I’m thinking about include the Oregon Trail, the RVBLOGGER.COM

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Trail of Tears, and book-based itineraries like “Blue Highways” or “Travels with Charlie.”

11. HOW OFTEN DO YOU “MEET UP” WITH YOUR LISTENERS AND SUBSCRIBERS, AND HOW GREAT IS IT TO MEET EVERYONE?

The past two years have been slow with in-person meetups for obvious reasons, but

as of Summer 2021, I started to cautiously do them again. We’ve had several ever since.

I usually wait until we are near a highlypopulated area and generally ask a local to recommend a venue and perhaps even volunteer to organize it.

It is incredibly rewarding to meet viewers in person. I get to put a face to a name or social media APRIL 2022

handle and hear their stories about how they found me. Any impact I may have had in their lives is an immensely rewarding and humbling experience.

12. WHAT’S THE BEST WAY FOR OUR VIEWERS TO CONNECT WITH AND LEARN FROM YOU? I’m Traveling Robert everywhere, but the best way is to go to my website.

Helpful Instructional Videos on a Variety of Products

Check out our “IN THE KNOW” series on our youtube channel!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel, Camco Manufacturing, for tips & more cool products!

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RV CAMPING IN

Baja, Mexico

BY JENNIFER JENNINGS OF THE DASHBOARD DRIFTERS

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here are very few places in the world with more amazing camping opportunities than Baja California, Mexico. Just south of the State of California, you cross over into a wondrous, wild, and free land: Baja California and Baja California Sur. Here you’ll find the most amazing hidden camping gems, the best food, and the nicest people. But be prepared, because once you come south, you’ll never want to leave.

Just a tiny portion of Mexico - less than 4% of the landmass - the Baja California peninsula is a narrow slip of desert flanked by the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California. Scattered across the peninsula, you’ll find a range of geography including beaches (playas), oases lush with forests, and lots of sandy deserts… lots of dust too.

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RVING IN MEXICO

RVing along the Baja peninsula is a great adventure. Nowadays everyone is RVing in Mexico, from singles in their vans, couples in their travel trailers, to families in their loaded-up fifth wheels. Whatever your preference for accommodation - posh RV resorts to beachfront boondocking - you’re sure to find it here.

Plus, did I mention Mexico is wild and free? Leave the rules at the border. Here the rules are more like guidelines. The beaches are open, the dogs run free, the music is loud, and the tacos are cheap - what more could you possibly want?

Let’s start with the 5 most popular camping spots.

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5 MOST POPULAR RVING SPOTS IN BAJA, MEXICO

Along the approximately 760 miles of the peninsula, you’re bound to find some amazing RVing spots. These are just some of the best spots - but rest assured there are plenty of quiet, private, and even more stunning gems just waiting to be discovered.

1. ENSENADA

First up is Ensenda, located in the northern region of Baja California. Known as the “Cinderella of the Pacific” this beach city is located just 70 miles

“Ensenda, located in the northern region of Baja California. Known as the “Cinderella of the Pacific” this beach city is located just 70 miles down of the border - perfect for a quick, weekend getaway. ” RVBLOGGER.COM

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down of the border - perfect for a quick, weekend getaway.

While you’re here staying in one of the RV parks or along the beach, there are plenty of fun things to do including off-road adventures on ATVs or horseback, eco parks, and wine tours.

Mexico might not be your first thought when it comes to quality wine, but just 12 miles north of Ensenada is Valle de Guadalupe. Growing in popularity with tourists, Guadalupe Valley produces 90% of all the wine that comes from Mexico. So park your rig and get yourself on a wine tour to start your trip off right!

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2. SAN FELIPE

Crossing over to the east side of the peninsula, you can bathe yourself in the Sea of Cortez while you explore San Felipe.

This beautiful beach town is located in the northeastern portion of Baja California and is the gateway to the sea.

San Felipe is growing

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in popularity with the ex-pat RV crowd that migrates south for the winter. Here you’ll find RV parks filled with Americans and Canadians with the amenities you’re used to seeing, plus dry camping spots on the beach with palapas.

3. BAHÍA CONCEPCIÓN (BAY OF CONCEPCION)

Down in Baja California Sur is the infamous Bahia de Concepcion.

Here there are over

50 miles of popular beaches within a large bay, surrounded by the rugged landscape.

This is a must-stay spot if you’re RVing down Mexico!

Nestled between Mulege and Loreto along the Sea of Cortez (the eastern flank of the peninsula) is this magnificent bay. Here you will find dozens of beaches each with its own amazing view.

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Whether you want to stay just for a night or two or want to spend some serious time boondocking, this bay is for you. Plus, regardless of your rig size - from lightweight pop-up to big rig - the bay is welcoming.

For the most part, you won’t need 4x4 or high clearance to enjoy the Bay of Concepcion.

But if you have a large Class A motorhome, it’s best if you stick to Playa Satispac.

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Disconnect while you’re here - there’s no cell service, water hookups, power plugs so you can’t charge your phone anyways.

4. TODOS SANTOS

Back on the Pacific side is Todos Santos and the surrounding area.

For some, you might only want to spend a day or two here, but for others, you might move in forever. It’s a town that you either love or hate.

“Nestled between Mulege and Loreto along the Sea of Cortez (the eastern flank of the peninsula) is this magnificent bay.”

With its rise in popularity, there are a number of RV parks popping up in the area.

A lot of them cater to vanlifers and offer smaller spots, but you’re not limited to a small rig.

Plus, there is plenty of RVBLOGGER.COM

beach camping along Cerritos Beach and around El Pescadero.

If you’re into surfing, then you definitely want to check out Playa de Cerritos which is home to some great waves.

Todos Santos is also a great spot for whale

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“While you can’t camp at Balandra, you can certainly set up at Tecolote and either hike in or drive over to explore the crystal clear blue waters.” watching (you can see them swim and play right from the beach), seeing the turtles, and exploring the local artisans.

5. PLAYA EL TECOLOTE

Last up, but certainly not the end of the road or options for RVing in Baja, is Playa El Tecolote.

Located just outside of the capital city La Paz, Tecolote is a super popular beach that’s actually just around the bend from the worldfamous Balandra.

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While you can’t camp at Balandra, you can certainly set up at Tecolote and either hike in or drive over to explore the crystal clear blue waters.

almost never have to leave.

Tecolote is popular for people dry camping along the sandy beach. There are casual eateries, water equipment rentals, boat tours, and bathrooms along with the beach.

So essentially, you

Other Great Places to RV in Baja California This list is certainly not all-encompassing - we’d never be able to list all the best RV camping - but it’s a start. One of the greatest ways to find

This beach is super popular for RVing, van lifers, and is frequented by locals.

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amazing camping spots is by getting down here and asking the other RVers on your stretch of beach.

But if you want a couple more ideas, here are some other great RVing spots: • CABO GLORIETA: this RV resort is outside of the very popular Cabo San Lucas. Here you get easy access to the nightlife of Cabo plus

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all the amenities you enjoy like full hookups, a pool, and laundry to wash the sand out of your sheets.

• EAST CAPE: located in Los Barriles, this spot is very much like what you’d find at an RV resort in the US or Canada with great amenities. They have lots of full-time guests.

•CLAM BEACH: in between Rosarito

and Ensenda, this campground has full hookups and even a gym!

• BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES: you’re not in LA anymore! Park anywhere along the beach - also called Playa La Gringa - and open your doors to the water. This area is technically free camping but someone might come around to collect 100 pesos or so sometimes.

“Wherever you end up, you’re going to love RVing in Baja California, Mexico.”

About the Author Jennifer Jennings is a full-time RVer and parttime van lifer who lives in Mexico. She is one half of DashboardDrifters.com and the founder of RVSpotDrop, a web service for full-time RVers.

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• SAN IGNACIO: this spot is the ultimate destination for whale watching. Drive down to EcoTurismo Kuyima or stay at Rice and Beans (yes, that’s the name) and go on a whale watching tour.

Wherever you end up, you’re going to love RVing in Baja California, Mexico. At your first stop, you’ll notice a bunch of really happy, tanned faces and a bunch of people who just can’t quite get themselves to leave.

Bienvenido a México!

RENOVATE YOUR RV

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e all know the big manufacturers in the RV world: Winnebago, Thor Industries, Forest River, and Fleetwood’s parent REV Group. Another name you’ve probably heard of but don’t quite know what they do is Lippert.

More than likely, your motorhome or travel trailer has components ranging from air conditioners to windows made from this leading RV supplier and its many subsidiaries.

Flipping Nomad

TURNS TRAILER INTO PODCAST STUDIO

Lippert revealed its firstever Scout Mobile travel trailer at the Tampa RV Super Show in January 2022. Their goal is to journey across America, giving RVers plenty of opportunities to connect with the Lippert Team through the companies Scout program.

“As Lippert is dedicated to delivering a second-tonone customer experience, the Scout Mobile introduces a fresh, new approach for getting to know customers

BY CORTNI ARMSTRONG AND BRIAN NEWMAN

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and learning about their stories,” said Craig Joachim, Consumer Communities Manager.

“It was designed to help connect people, places, and things, and to hold a place within the community that cares for campers and families. A tremendous result of Lippert pioneering, the Scout Mobile displays Lippert’s unwavering dedication to be forward-thinking to cultivate the ideas, concerns and questions of its fellow beloved campers. We are so excited to hit the road and see what’s in store!”

FROM INVITATION TO PREMIER IN 60 DAYS, UNFLIPPING BELIEVABLE

Lippert reached out to Cortni Armstrong, known as the Flipping Nomad. When Lippert contacted Cortni, the 60-day timer started.

After the Tampa Supershow, Lippert plans to spend the first year traveling with the Scoute Mobile to various RV shows and other RV-focused events.

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We asked Cortni about how Lippert explained the project goals to her and where she found found her inspiration.

She said that Lippert wanted a bright interior podcast studio with the signature Flipping Nomad Wow Factor.

While Cortni waited for the travel trailer to arrive, she was already drafting up her interior design ideas. Lippert sent her photos ahead of time to draw inspiration from the exterior wrap.

Other ideas came from finding creative ways to solve logistical concerns.

If you’ve ever worked on a custom project before, you know that there’s some backand-forth between the client and designer during the development process. However, when Lippert saw Cortni’s first draft, they accepted it without any changes. She considers this a point of pride and a huge accomplishment.

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“Lippert wanted a bright interior THE CONVENIENCES AND FEATURES OF THE LIPPERT podcast studio with the signature SCOUT MOBILE Flipping Nomad Wow Factor.”

Cortni and her team had a few priorities on this build. She wanted to give the interior that bright look Lippert asked for, give the studio different backdrop options, have plenty of seating, and ensure the RV had all the essentials a podcast studio needed.

The RV began as a 2018 Grand Design

Imagine 2400BH. This travel trailer had two full-size bunks and a dry bath in the rear of the coach. The single slide out held a U-shaped dinette and large refrigerator.

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and an extra-large pantry. The front of the travel trailer held a residential queen bed that could be closed off with a barn-style door.

Once the Flipping Nomad Team cleared all of this out the canvas was set for the artistry to begin.

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GLITZING THE BATHROOM

Cortni removed the shower, replacing it with a custom-built white vanity cabinet and countertop.

The white porcelain sink and brass faucet maximized the countertop so anyone that has to get “camera-ready” can use the ambient lit mirror to prepare.

Also, she upgraded the commode to finish the space, so it looked like a dressing room for the stars.

KEEPING THE TALENT AND GUESTS FUELED

When you’re podcasting, presenting, RVBLOGGER.COM

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and genuinely listening to the concerns of RVers, it can burn some serious calories.

Unfortunately, if you’re talking all day, you can suffer from dry mouth, energy depletion, and generally lose your smile. That’s why Cortni moved the kitchen into the space where the bunks used to be.

She plumbed in a sink, added a wine coolersized fridge, and provided deep storage cabinetry. Then, to

add that Wow Factor, she placed the words “Lippert Scout” on the wall depicted as a sound wave on the wall.

A POSH PODCAST PAD

The podcasting table has wheels, so it’s easy to move around. On the camp side wall, Cortni added a painted brick facade with a long LED fireplace. In a ground cabinet next to the fireplace is a power cord in a retractable reel.

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Once the podcasting table is moved into place, the Lippert Team can pull out the cord and plug it into the table. In the center of the table is a popup power tower with multiple outlets. When finished for the day, the electric cord rolls up.

Lippert provided a custom sofa that fits perfectly next to the egg chair in the slide out. The chair is one of Cortni’s favorite features. Not only does it look great, but it

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and practical because “The chair is one of Cortni’s favorite each shelf has a 120v features. Not only does it look great, but it AC and 12v DC outlet for electrical devices.

also serves to fill the windowless space.” also serves to fill the windowless space.

door closet. She considers this her greatest idea.

THE MULTIPURPOSE FRONT WALL Inside the center

Maximizing interior space, Cortni removed the wall that separated the bedroom from the living room. The wall against the front cap has many purposes.

Besides a possible backdrop, it’s a four-

double-door closet, Cortni placed dividers to store director chairs.

This way, there’s always enough seating for the raised podcast table. In addition, the storage possibilities are virtually endless RVBLOGGER.COM

Check out their Facebook page for more information about the Lippert Scout program and the Scout Mobile. You can also use #ScoutMobile to determine when the Lippert Scout Team will be in your area and follow their journey.

UPCOMING PROJECTS FOR THE FLIPPING NOMAD

The Flipping Nomad Team is always working

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on private or companysponsored RV builds.

When we wrote this article, Cortni was working on a 44 ft. toy hauler with a side patio. The client has two pre-teen girls that need their own space. The Flipping Nomad Team turned the garage into a fun bedroom for the

girls (we recommend soundproof insulation).

Once complete, the next client is a solo gal with a build right up Cortni’s alley.

She has a Keystone Montana fifth wheel, just like Cortni. The owner started the remodeling process herself but found

that the project was too complex for her skillset. So the Flipping Nomad Team is finishing what she started. We’re sure that Montana will exceed the client’s expectations.

About the Author Cortni Armstrong is the Flipping Nomad. The RV lifestyle rescued her from homelessness, but she soon discovered that it provided much more. Cortni developed her social media presence and reputation as an RV interior design renovator when she redesigned her second RV. The Flipping Nomad is most known for her 2019 partnership with Keystone RV and other sponsors on the Ultimate Montana project. In 3 months, Cortni and her team turned a 2020 Keystone Montana 2791RD into one of the most luxurious concept full-profile fifth wheel RVs on the road.

If you want to learn more about Cortni, the Flipping Nomad Team, and their work, you can visit their website or find them on Instagram.

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W

ith many people looking for ways to make extra cash, RV owners may wonder how to profit from owning an RV. A recent study showed that the average RV owner only uses the motorhome 19 days out of the entire year. So could your RV make you money when you’re not using it? The answer is YES, and to rent your RV out to people looking to take an RV road trip.

RVNGO HOW MUCH CAN I REALLY EARN FROM RENTING MY RV? NEWS PROVIDED BY RVNGO

Renting your RV could be a great way to make extra income, but there’s a lot of conflicting information out there regarding how much you’ll earn while renting an RV. Some advertisements state you can earn $50,000 a year or even Millions, touted by one company.

Naturally, the radar goes off when we see such hyped up, exaggerated claims. So how do you figure out what you’ll really make by renting out your RV? RVnGO provides the best rental experience for renters and owners. This month, we’ll show you the best tips on how to make your motorhome or travel trailer stand out from the crowd. With some strategic thought, your potential renters will find your RV. APRIL 2022

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5 FACTORS THAT AFFECT RV RENTAL INCOME Many factors go into determining how much you’ll earn when renting out your RV. Here are some key points to consider.

1. WHAT TYPE OF RV ARE YOU OFFERING?

While you can charge more per night for bigger motorhomes with more amenities, you may find that you can rent smaller, cheaper pop-up campers more frequently. Whatever APRIL 2022

the case may be, the type of RV you have is significant in determining how much you’ll earn by renting it.

2. ARE YOU IN A GREAT LOCATION WITH HIGH DEMAND? Guests rent RVs to enjoy the journey

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as much as the destination. The first step is getting access to the RV. Many want to rent an RV close to their desired destination.

80% of all RV vacations are within 200 miles of people’s home location.

Yet, if they’re traveling a long distance, it

could impact the amount of money you’ll earn. For example, a renter traveling with your RV to a popular vacation locale has different travel costs than going to your motorhome or travel trailer at the destination.

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3. HOW ARE YOU MARKETING YOUR LISTING? Renting out your RV only happens if people know that you are renting it. Ensure you provide an accurate description, upload high-quality photos, and add video when listing your coach

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on an RV rental site.

Reach a wider audience by marketing your RV’s posting yourself through social media, local groups, and your personal network.

4. IS YOUR NIGHTLY RATE COMPETITIVE WITH OTHERS IN YOUR AREA?

you’ll be able to rent out your RV. However, you can’t just put your listing online for the lowest price around.

You need to make sure you’ll turn a profit.

Typically, Class A RVs start at $175 per night, while trailers and popup campers rent for $50 a night or more.

How your nightly rate 5. OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER compares to similar listings will significantly If you’re listing your RV through on an RV rental determine how often APRIL 2022

“Whatever the case may be, the type of RV you have is significant in determining how much you’ll earn by renting it."

site, there are other costs to consider when determining how much income you’ll make. For example, many of these sites charge transaction fees up to 20% on top of listing fees. Also, regular RV insurance doesn’t cover RV rentals, so you must factor in additional monthly insurance premiums into your profit.

Luckily, listing your RV with RVnGO takes

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care of many of these additional costs, which means you have the potential to earn more from your RV rental.

RV owners keep 100% of every transaction.

RVnGO also insures all its listings up to one million dollars in auto liability coverage and $200,000 in property damage, so you don’t have to pay high monthly premiums for additional insurance.

CALCULATING WHAT YOU’LL EARN BY RENTING YOUR RV

Many factors go into determining how much you’ll make by renting your RV. While some RV rental companies claim you can earn up to

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$40,000 a year, a typical RV owner will probably make closer to half that amount.

Using the average nightly rate of $175 for a Class A motorhome, you would need to rent out your RV for 229 days every year to make $40,000 in rental income. Earning this amount could take a significant amount of time for most RV

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“To make $20,000 a year at $175 per night, you’d have to rent out your RV for 114 days, which is a more realistic number."

renters who are just looking to make a side income. To make $20,000 a year at $175 per night, you’d have to rent out your RV for 114 days, which is a more realistic number.

out how long it will take you to break even on renting your RV, take your total yearly RV ownership costs and divide that by 100 days.

TOTAL YEARLY RV OWNERSHIP COSTS / 100= BREAK-EVEN Instead of hitting a random income number, POINT make a target income goal based on your specific needs. Set your income target based on the total cost of owning your RV for a year—plus a little profit. To figure

HOW TO MAKE MONEY BY RENTING AN RV APRIL 2022

Earning money while renting an RV is easy with RVnGO. First, create a listing with your RV description, features, pictures, video, and availability.

Then, promote your listing on Google with a business listing, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist. Next, wait for interested renters to request your RV. Once a renter books, you get 100% of the booking funds deposited into your bank account.

Get started today by creating your userfriendly RV listing!

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BLACK SERIES: BUILT FOR OFF ROAD ADVENTURES NEWS PROVIDED BY BLACK SERIES

W

hen you look at the exterior of an RV, if you’ve looked at enough of them, you can have a pretty good idea of how it’s going to look inside. More than likely, a 40 ft. fifth wheel with full-body paint will have a luxury interior.

Conversely, a 20 ft. travel trailer with decal graphics will be comfortable but more value friendly.

Then there are the Black Series travel trailers. At first glance, you’d think these towable tanks with expedition vehicle suspensions would have a practical interior. After all, the knobby all-terrain tires, red side guards, full lower-half diamondplate armor, and two spare tires tell you that these RVs are ready for extreme terrain battle.

Once you open the entry door of a Black Series pop-up, toy hauler, or travel trailer, it's like stepping through an extra-dimensional door. You’ll find soft luxury features meant for relaxation.

Black Series provides an exterior or portable shower to clean off before you go inside to answer your first question. Keep your boots handy because, like many Australian camper trailers, the

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smaller trailers and the pop-ups have RV outdoor kitchens to maximize the interior space.

A POP-UP CAMPER MADE TO DOMINATE THE LANDSCAPE

competitors. There are a lot of external bays and hatches on both sides of the camper, and it rides high off the ground. You may even notice more road noise coming from the tires when traveling on the pavement.

When you make that right turn off the roads of civilization, that’s At first glance, the when the Dominator Black Series Dominator wakes up. As you trek Pop-Up Camper looks through the back trails long and relatively filled with rocks, debris, flat compared to and mud holes, this the mainstream pop-up camper will APRIL 2022

climb through it all.

Once you’ve found your perfect off-grid campsite you drop the four heavy-duty adjustable jacks. The two crank winches do all the heavy lifting as you flip the camper’s lid 180° forward over the hitch. After that, just follow the pole diagram on the back of the diagonal exterior bay door, and you’ll have all the headroom you need.

Here are some other

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• Portable shower and portable commode • UVW: 2,740 lbs., GVWR: 4,400 lbs., Tongue Weight: 440 lbs.

up all week, both you and your HQ12 need a weekend in the wild.

When it’s time to drop the jacks and lift the roof, you can enjoy a queen-size bed and convertible dinette inside. The inside kitchen has everything The HQ12 can be your you need to cook mud buddy through your something good. The bogging adventures. This double spout faucet pop-top travel trailer connects to the 2 fresh is very friendly for your water tanks. One is for garage, SUV, and fuel utility and the other has budget. Give the 16-inch a triple filter for drinking wheels and independent water. The 64-gallon suspension a workout. tank holds water for After sitting cooped your shower, cleaning

HQ12 POP TOP MUD BUDDY

unique features the Black Series Dominator has: • Roof size cargo rack • A pull-out RV outdoor kitchen • Queen-size bed, U-shaped seating, and freestanding table • Front bay storage with 12v DC ports for electric coolers • 2x 100-Ah batteries, 1,000-watt inverter, a briefcase-style portable 120-watt solar panel • 35-gallon freshwater tank RVBLOGGER.COM

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chairs • Pop-top softshell uses polymer-coated canvas • 13,500 BTU air conditioner and 16,000 BTU furnace • Porcelain commode and hot water system • 2x 100Ah house batteries, 2,000-watt

inverter, 4x 150-watt solar panels mounted • 12-inch electric tow brakes and ADR approved off-road poly block hitch • UVW: 4,422 lbs., GVWR: 7,500 lbs., Tongue Weight: 750 lbs.

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“The HQ17 rear bunk beds give you enough sleeping space to bring the whole family on a boondocking RV adventure over the “hills and through the woods."

HQ17 A COOL FAMILY CAMPER

The HQ17 rear bunk beds give you enough sleeping space to bring the whole family on a boondocking RV adventure over the “hills and through the woods.”

Here are some of the other great features of the HQ17: • Tri-lock Security entry door with locking fly screen • Spray foam R-16 insulation on roof and sidewalls • 6 cubic foot

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refrigerator • Large interior and outdoor stainless steel sinks • 4x 100Ah batteries, 2,000-watt inverter, 4x 150-watt solar panels • 2x Rear-facing recovery shackle recovery hooks • UVW: 5,952 lbs., GVWR: 10,000 lbs., Tongue Weight: 1,000 lbs.

OPEN THE DOOR TO THE POSSIBILITIES OF BLACK SERIES Open the entry door to the possibilities of the Black Series popups, toy haulers, or travel trailers. When you see for yourself what’s inside that tough exterior, then you’ll

“If you need a full-time RV that needs to withstand the harsh environments of a gold mine, the HQ21 may interest you."

APRIL 2022

know which model is right for you.

If you need a fulltime RV that needs to withstand the harsh environments of a gold mine, the HQ21 may interest you. Did you hear about that secret ATV trail that’s almost impossible to get to; load your 4-wheeler up in the TH19 or TH22 toy hauler.

Contact your local Black Series RV Dealership today, so they can help you begin your quest for the best off-road travel trailer.

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WINNEBAGO

Celebrates AS THE FIRST RV MANUFACTURER

F

OREST CITY, Iowa, March 15, 2022 – Winnebago, the flagship brand in the premium portfolio of outdoor lifestyle product manufacturer Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WGO) announced today it has produced its 500,000th motorhome, becoming the first industry brand to reach

TO PRODUCE ½ MILLION MOTORHOMES NEWS PROVIDED BY WINNEBAGO

APRIL 2022

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the milestone. The company marked the occasion with events across all its facilities, with a special event held at its North Iowa campus in Lake Mills, where the vehicle ceremoniously rolled off the production

line. The 500,000th motorhome is the popular Revel, a model introduced four years ago that embodies Winnebago’s continuous innovation and proven ability to meet customers’ evolving needs.

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“Winnebago is a pioneer in the RV category, producing its first vehicles more than 60 years ago,” said Huw Bower, President of Winnebago Outdoors.

“Yet, the 500,000th motorhome represents much more than longevity in the market.

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To our 2,700 employees, it represents millions of incredible experiences among friends and families that Winnebago has made possible through the decades.

Our team members are committed to excellence every day, motivated and energized by the idea of bringing joy to so many people. This milestone would not be possible without their tireless dedication.”

All North Iowa campus employees gathered for

Bower’s remarks and celebrated the Revel’s roll off the production line. Winnebago paused business across all facilities to allow every employee to join in the celebration. To commemorate the milestone, Winnebago also created a short video honoring the brand’s legacy and achievement.

The event was particularly meaningful to Winnebago team members, especially the top ten-most senior employees who have APRIL 2022

“All North Iowa campus employees gathered for Bower’s remarks and celebrated the Revel’s roll off the production line."

been with the company for multiple decades and can remember some of the earliest vehicles.

The Revel leads the category in meeting the demand for a rugged RV to take customers off-road and off-grid for extended outdoor escapes. It features a four-wheel-drive, elevated ground

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“Winnebago is a pioneer in the RV category, producing its first vehicles more than 60 years ago."

clearance, and a longlasting lithium battery to power RV systems.

Winnebago has significant plans for exciting new products to continue to delight

customers as they travel, explore and play.

Check out Winnebago Insider to learn more about the latest models and what’s in store for the years ahead.

APRIL 2022

HOW FAR HAS WINNEBAGO COME?

When you compare the Revel to the Flying W’s first motorhome, you’ll have a better appreciation of how far this leading RV

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manufacturer has come. Before the iconic Brave or Chieftain, there was the F17.

In 1967, nine years after John Hanson opened Modernistic

Industries in Forest City, Iowa (the name changed to Winnebago in 1960), the company created the F17 Class A motorhome. It sat on the Ford P350 chassis.

The inline 6 engine was RVBLOGGER.COM

paired with a 3-speed transmission.

Due to Hanson’s assembly line construction methodology, Winnebago produced

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“Winnebago produced quality motorhomes and travel trailers faster and at significantly lower prices than the competition."

quality motorhomes and travel trailers faster and at significantly lower prices than the competition. The days of Winnie’s iconic windshield “eyebrow” are long gone, yet they will always resonate in the framing bone and electrical arteries of the Revel and the many other motorhomes throughout time.

About Winnebago Winnebago brand RVs have been stitched into the fabric of the American outdoor experience for generations. Winnebago offers legendary innovation, quality, and service across a full spectrum of travel trailers and motorhomes ranging from Camper Vans to luxury Class A diesel pushers. For more information, visit www.winnebago.com. Winnebago is a whollyowned subsidiary of Winnebago Industries (NYSE: WGO), a manufacturer of premium outdoor lifestyle products. For access to Winnebago Industries' investor relations material or to add your name to an automatic email list for Company news releases, visit

http://investor.wgo.net.

APRIL 2022

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