In this episode, Mike Wendland sits down with longtime friends of the RV Lifestyle community, Ron and Barbara Abler, to talk about what it actually takes to keep RVing in your 80s. Ron is 87. Barbara is 82. And right now, they're probably somewhere on the road, planning the next trip.
Ron retired three times, from Penn State University in 1995, the Association of American Geographers in 2002, and the International Geographical Union in 2016.
Barbara spent her career as a professor of geography at the University of North Carolina before retiring from the federal government in 2005.
They bought their first RV, a Roadtrek Class B, in 2018, and haven't slowed down since, traveling this past year from their home in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, all the way to California, with stops at RV Lifestyle rallies in Fredericksburg, Texas, St. Augustine, Florida, and Empire, Michigan.
Jennifer is off this week recovering from knee replacement surgery, and we hope to have her back at the mic soon.
Also in this episode: Mike shares the new RV Maintenance Tracker app, plus listener questions on flat towing versus tow dollies and choosing between solar and a generator for boondocking.
Whether you own a motorhome, travel trailer, fifth wheel, or camper van, this app keeps a detailed maintenance log for every repair, oil change, roof reseal, propane inspection, and upgrade you make. Every entry stores the date, mileage, cost, provider, notes, and photos, so you’ll never dig through glove boxes or email receipts again. Because everything is saved to the cloud, your records sync across all your devices — just sign in with the same account on each device.
And you can track multiple rigs without the hassle
Many owners upgrade rigs or tow a toad behind their motorhome. The app supports multiple RVs per account, each with its own profile, odometer, service history, tire records, and reminders. Switch rigs instantly from a dropdown in the header — your data stays organized, not mixed together. ​Other cool features: You can generate a clean CSV export of your records at any time, which is useful for private sales, warranty documentation, or sharing with your insurance agent. The Reminders dashboard tracks service intervals by both mileage and date. It flags what's overdue, what's coming up soon, and what's already been taken care of, so you always know what's next before it becomes a problem. ​We are really proud of this new addition to our lineup of practical RV travel web apps.
RV Lifestyle TIP of the Day: Never Plug In Without a Surge Protector
Campground electrical pedestals are among the most inconsistently maintained electrical systems you will ever connect to. Voltage fluctuations, miswired pedestals, reversed polarity, and power surges from neighboring rigs starting large appliances are all real and documented causes of RV electrical damage. A single surge can fry your refrigerator, air conditioner, converter, or television, sometimes all at once.
A quality RV surge protector with automatic disconnect, either hardwired or a portable model that plugs into the pedestal before your cord does, monitors the incoming power and disconnects your rig if the voltage is outside safe limits. Models from Progressive Industries and Southwire run $100-250 and are widely considered one of the best investments you can make in protecting your RV. Never plug in without one.
Coastal Maine is one of the most spectacular RV destinations in the country. This guide makes sure you experience it the right way.
From the lobster shacks and lighthouses of the southern coast to the dramatic granite shoreline of Acadia National Park and the quiet fishing villages of Downeast Maine, the coast of Maine delivers the kind of scenery that stays with you long after you leave. But it also requires careful planning. Roads narrow. Campgrounds fill fast. Acadia has size restrictions that catch RVers off guard. And the region rewards travelers who know exactly where to stop, where to stay, and what not to miss.
That is exactly what this guide is built to do.
The RV Lifestyle Guide to Coastal Maine gives you a tested, structured 7-day itinerary built specifically for RVers - so you can spend your time exploring, not planning.
What is inside:
A complete 7-day itinerary with realistic RV driving distances and logical stop sequencing
Campground recommendations at every overnight stop, including RV-friendly options near Acadia National Park, Midcoast Maine, and the southern coast
Acadia National Park guidance specific to RVers, including size restrictions, the best approach routes, and how to navigate the park without stress
Must-see stops along the full coast: Portland, Kennebunkport, Boothbay Harbor, Camden, Bar Harbor, and the quieter Downeast reaches
Seafood, lighthouses, scenic byways, and the hidden spots most RVers drive right past
RV-specific road notes including narrow coastal routes, bridge clearances, and seasonal access details
Tips on booking campgrounds in one of the most competitive camping regions in the Northeast
Best for: RVers planning their first or return trip to Maine who want one organized, road-tested plan instead of hours of research. Works for Class A, Class C, fifth wheels, and travel trailers. Especially useful for anyone planning to include Acadia National Park.
Free Stuff, Information, and Tips to Use Right Away
​Use our Blog as an RVers Google... use the search field to find almost anything to do with the RV Lifestyle... water, gas, diesel, hoses, racks, tools, apps, Class B RVs, just about everything you can think of we've written about!
This email was sent to you (Reader) because you opted in on our website and indicated you’d like to receive emails from us. If you no longer wish to receive such emails, please unsubscribe here.
​