Recreational Variables: Recent Episodes
Matt, Jessie, & Ivana
Our family of three sold everything in 2020 and started our adventure in full time RVing. After a couple years, we've learned how to keep it fun and light—even with plenty of obstacles along the way. Join us as we share our stories, tips, and tricks for living life on the road.
Our Keystone 5th wheel had a water leak this past week…not good! Matt even though about calling it quits! Thank goodness Jessie remembered not to freak out. Here we go over our process of addressing water leaks and other problems.
Many full time RVers want solar for their rig so they can boondock with ease or even live off grid—but solar setups can get expensive! We opted for a DIY solution to save money, but has it been worth it? Listen and find out!
We’re back with our Season 2 kickoff episode! There are plenty of myths out there when it comes to full-time RV living, but are they true? We go over some of the most common myths and weigh in on whether we think they’re busted or confirmed.
Eww, what is that smell?! It could be a dead animal, but it could also be your black tank! In this episode, we go over our black tank maintenance routine, as well as the troubleshooting steps we’ve taken as we’ve noticed a not-so-nice smell emanating from our black tank lately.
Generally, our experience with the RV community has been pretty awesome and FULL of kindness. However, there are always going to be a couple bad apples. Tune in as we discuss the top 5 rudest encounters we've had since we started RVing.
When your RV is your home, it might be worth it to do some renovating or cosmetic upgrades. But what should you consider on the road to making your RV interior Pinterest-worthy? We discuss the pros and cons of upgrading and updating the interior of your RV.
There are times when staying connected online can be just as tedious as setting up camp. Whether streaming your favorite show or meeting that deadline for a client, internet on the road can be inconsistent. From Starlink to a mom and pop internet startup. we've tried different options while on the road. We'll break down 5 ways to get and stay connected while traveling.
Once we know where we want to go, how do we figure out the best way to get there? Driving an RV has more to take into account than your typical road trip. In this episode, we'll explain how we use the RV Trip Wizard website to plan the best routes for our rig.
Finances, Solar Power, and Towing. These things have their hidden issues that most of the time are uncovered after the fact. Maybe things would have been different If we had only known. We'll discuss the things we wish we had more of a heads up on, or the advice we should have taken.
Below is a list of products mentioned or related to the topics discussed in this episode. Some of these are affiliate links, some are not. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Solar Panels from SanTan Solar - https://www.santansolar.com/
Solar Inverter From Watts247 - https://bit.ly/3JlRRS9
Batteries from SOK Batteries - https://bit.ly/3JMPGbM
This special After Dark edition of Recreational Variables contains profanity; use discretion around young listeners.
We meet up again with Tasha and see how her Journey is going. Still not fully moved in but making progress. "Towanda" will not let her down.
It's a father, daughter episode. Matt questions Ivana about different aspects of the RV life. Sit back and enjoy this brief, light-hearted chat.
Even though you're in an RV, boondocking requires a lot of thought and preparation to make your trip successful. In this episode, we share the top 10 tips we learned when living off grid in our RV for four months.
Take away the smell, the litter boxes, and the ghiardia, and cats car by far the best travel companions in our opinion. It's story time and it's all about cats.
This special After Dark edition of Recreational Variables contains profanity; use discretion around young listeners.
Break out your favorite adult beverage, light the fire pit, and have some laughs with us as we speak with our friend Tasha, an RV newbie. She went to an RV show "just to look" and ended up with a Class A that she plans to live full time in. Best part is, she figured out that RVing means more money in her pocket each month compared to renting an apartment.
We hit up the 2023 Massive RV show in Quartzsite, AZ. All around it was a blast. This episode breaks down the things we enjoyed and didn't enjoy as first time attendees to this world famous gathering.
YouTube Video of the Show
Stepping away from your RV for a few nights. We'll share our tips so that your place will be secure and smelling fresh upon your return.
Below is a list of products mentioned or related to the topics discussed in this episode. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Happy Camper Tank Treatment - https://amzn.to/3Uy269s
Water pressure Regulator - https://amzn.to/3GerEDA
Govee WiFi Thermometer - https://amzn.to/3Dfisy2
Scented Trash Bags - https://amzn.to/3R6Toiq
Need a low cost place to stay for a few nights while on your journey? Boondockers Welcome is a site to connect campers on their route with hosts who have room for them to stay. Boondockers Welcome not only connected us with kind hosts but provided lifelong memories of our travels.
https://www.boondockerswelcome.com
https://harvesthosts.com
Finding room for everything you need can be a real challenge for full-time RVers. We’re sharing some of our favorite space (and weight) saving items that make our lives easier while giving us all some extra elbow room.
Below is a list of products mentioned or related to the topics discussed in this episode. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Thin velvet hangers - https://amzn.to/3IJWEhs
Foldable Cooler - https://amzn.to/3IvZM0y
Storage Ottoman - https://amzn.to/3VWTRV9
Turkish Towels - https://amzn.to/3XkJBao
Camping Chair - https://amzn.to/3k2BVeC
Undersun Bands - https://amzn.to/3HbDS1U
Hanging Laundry Bag - https://amzn.to/3Qs14LW
Knife Set - https://amzn.to/3CCVr7X
Food Container - https://amzn.to/3GmjqJu
Roll Out Dish Rack - https://amzn.to/3k5bzbL
Folding Step Stool - https://amzn.to/3vOufzd
Snowflake Multi Tool - https://amzn.to/3IBX8Xa
Ratchet Screw driver - https://amzn.to/3Qwc7nw
Sure a waste slinky hose is needed, so are chocks for the tires. What about the things that will make your journey on the road more comfortable, safe, and healthy. We will cover the top 10 items that should not be overlooked when hitting the road.
Below is a list of products mentioned or related to the topics discussed in this episode. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Fuses - https://amzn.to/3GFMdu6
Lynx Levelers - https://amzn.to/3jTfqZJ
Adjustable Water Pressure Regulator - https://amzn.to/3GerEDA
Zero G Hose - https://amzn.to/3Cu8FnA
Happy Camper - https://amzn.to/3GKcLum
Dometic Porcelain Toilet Bowl https://amzn.to/3ihY0FE
AlexaPure - https://amzn.to/3GHYcqY
Counter Top Ice Maker - https://amzn.to/3VPPVp6
Eterna Bond Tape - https://amzn.to/3GLomt7
Dremel - https://amzn.to/3CsOtT3
Road Safety Cones - https://amzn.to/3vNmKZf
Walking through sites, dogs barking, and black tank dumping during dinner? Let's talk about some proper etiquette that will make you the RV park's most neighborly neighbor.
Now that's it's winter, the weather can bring some hurdles to your RV way of life. It's important not only for you to stay warm, but also your home. Here's some lessons we've learned along the way to keep us cozy, and our rig functioning properly.
Below is a list of products mentioned or related to the topics discussed in this episode. Some of these are affiliate links, some are not. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Mr Heater Buddy - https://amzn.to/3GdD23O
Adapter Hose for Mr. Heater - https://amzn.to/3HX5BE2
RV Skirting - https://ezsnapdirect.com/products/rv-skirting/
Tank Warmer - https://amzn.to/3vcYnny
Heated Hose - https://amzn.to/3PMpUFW
Reflective Insulation - https://amzn.to/3Vig0Nq
Pipe Insulation - https://amzn.to/3Vl4lNM
Foam Board Insulation - https://low.es/3Ged4x4
It's not fun opening your RV after moving and finding broken glass on the floor...or broken anything! Let's discuss the things that should be consider when moving your RV, including our personal trial and errors.
Below is a list of products mentioned or related to the topics discussed in this episode. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Rubber Chocks
X-Chocks
Lynx Levels
King Pin Lock
Ninja Foodie
Alexa Pur Water Filtration
Air Compressor
Happy Camper Holding Tank Treatment
Walkie Talkies
How do we stay festive in such a small space and while staying in unfamiliar places? In this episode, we discuss our approach and advice for keeping the Christmas spirit alive in an RV.
Below is a list of products mentioned or related to the topics discussed in this episode. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Outdoor gift ideas for kids:
Archery set: https://amzn.to/3HionVR
Ring Toss: https://amzn.to/3BjOuYU
Longboard: https://amzn.to/3HlxlSd
Hammock: https://amzn.to/3HlxlSd
ZOO Pass Reciprocal Information (PDF): https://bit.ly/3FDVzpG
Christmas Trees:
Pencil Trees: https://amzn.to/3FBbjK0
Felt Tree Kits: https://amzn.to/3iOAtMa
It's easy to get off track with being healthy when everyone around you is "vacationing." We discuss our approach and advice for staying healthy and motivated on the road.
How do we keep our daughter's education on track when we're constantly moving? We go over curriculums, schedules, and advice for road schooling kids.
Does that alarm mean we're going to die?! Is the sewer hose on correctly? What is that SMELL?!? Full time RVing can be intimidating at first, but we'll discuss some of the jitters we ran into as a newbies and how we overcame them. Just breathe, and know you'll be fine!
Class A or Class C? 5th Wheel or Bumper Pull? What do these all mean, and which one is best for you? Choosing the right RV for full time living can be tricky and overwhelming, but we'll share some tips to make your decisions a little easier.
Why on earth would we decide to sell everything and move into an RV? We'll break it down in this introductory episode.