On The Road Again
RV travel can be economical, even with higher fuel prices. Plus, learn more about Lincoln, Nebraska, and the Lancaster Event Center, site of FMCA’s next convention.
By Rett Porter, F369084
National President
rporter@fmca.com
As I write this, it’s April, and Claire and I are back on the road after spending the winter in Arizona. We are heading east. Yes, the price of fuel has increased, but when you consider that you take along your own hotel room and food, RVing is still a bargain. We really enjoy being back on the road. I see just as many cars and RVs as ever.
Freedom From Electrical Hookups
Many RVers say they are having trouble finding RV parks to stay in while traveling. When Claire and I are doing destination driving, we stay at rest areas that allow overnight parking, as well as at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores, Cracker Barrels, fuel stops, etc.
Bob Baker, an Arizona neighbor of the Porters, has equipped his fifth-wheel RV with solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, and inverters that allow him to be electrically independent when traveling.
One of our favorite state travel centers to stay at is the Texas Welcome Center located at mile marker 1 on Interstate 10, just west of El Paso at the New Mexico border. This welcome center has car parking in front of the building, and behind the building are at least 36 parking spots marked for RVs, and about the same number for commercial (18-wheeler) trucks.
In addition to staying at these types of overnight parking locations, many RVers dry camp for longer periods of time on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property. To stay at any of these places, RV owners need to be self-sufficient when it comes to utilities.
We have a very quiet generator in our RV, and, with hot or cold nights, we run it when we dry camp. We usually eat in our RV, so we don’t have the expense of going out to eat.
My neighbor in Arizona, Bob Baker, decided to make his fifth-wheel self-sustaining while he is on the road. Bob is not an electrical engineer, but he does understand how the wiring in his RV works. He studied the process to make the changes he desired, and he consulted with people at companies he wanted to use to make the conversion. He added solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, and an electrical management system to provide enough power to run the air conditioners and other appliances in his fifth-wheel. His RV does not have a built-in generator.
Bob’s RV has 2,000 watts of solar power; 8,400 watt-hours of lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePo4) batteries (the equivalent of 12 conventional house batteries); and two 3,000-watt Growatt inverters with built-in chargers. They used their system on a 9,000-mile trip around the United States, and, when they were NOT plugged in and were relying on solar power, they never had to use their portable generator.
Bob is not in the business of selling the components for systems like this, but he is more than happy to share his ideas and experiences on the best way to live on the road without being dependent on power hookups. If you are interested, you can contact Bob by email at WeAreWanderingTravelers@gmail.com.
FMCA’s 105th International Convention And RV Expo
This August, FMCA will be holding its 105th International Convention and RV Expo in Lincoln, Nebraska. The dates for the event are August 24 through 27, and registration currently is taking place. You can register online at FMCA.com; call the events team at (513) 474-3622 or (800) 543-3622 to register by phone; or use the form that appears on pages 43 and 44 of this issue of the magazine and mail a check.
I’m particularly excited about this event since it’s the first FMCA convention to take place in the state of Nebraska. We’ll be meeting at the Lancaster Event Center, which is home to the Lancaster County Super Fair each year, among many other events throughout the year – trade shows, concerts, equine shows, and more. The facility has 400,000 square feet of indoor space set on 160 acres. So, we’ll have plenty of room for all our convention activities and plenty of parking space for our RVs.
Lincoln is pretty much smack dab in the center of the United States. In fact, it’s less than a three-hour drive from Lebanon, Kansas, which is close to the geographic center of the contiguous United States. Interstate 80 runs right through Lincoln, so it’s easily accessible. The city has much to offer visitors. To learn more about its many attractions, and why Lincoln was nicknamed “Star City,” check out the story that appears beginning on page 36 of this issue.
Claire and I hope you all are making plans to join us for FMCA’s “Golden Getaway” convention in Lincoln. We’re looking forward to seeing many of you there.
Trip Of A Lifetime
The FMCA Tour Connection, powered by Fantasy RV Tours, helps RV owners to enjoy “bucket list” RV vacations without the stress of planning.
By Chris Smith
Chief Executive Officer
csmith@fmca.com
Traveling and exploring destinations is one of the main reasons people choose to RV. With summer upon us, wanderlust becomes even more prevalent. Many RV owners have discovered that one of the best ways to enjoy an RV vacation is to do so via a trip arranged by an RV tour company.
There are several reasons an RV tour is an option to consider. For one, when you book a trip with an RV tour company, all you have to do is show up. You won’t need to worry about reserving campsites, sightseeing trips, etc. The tour company will do all the planning and make all the arrangements for you! Also, an RV tour allows you to share the experiences with like-minded RVers. It is a commonly held opinion that RVers are some of the friendliest people you will encounter. Traveling with a tour group allows you to make both memories and friends for life. There is also peace of mind in traveling with others, especially in remote areas. If this kind of trip interests you, you are in luck! FMCA has a top-notch RV tour partner.
FMCA Tour Connection, powered by Fantasy RV Tours, offers members the opportunity to embark on member-only RV tours/caravans and rallies at discounted rates. For the remainder of 2022, 20 FMCA-member tours are available. In 2023, 29 tours are scheduled. As you can tell by the number of options, there is a tour for everyone. For many RVers, these are what they would consider a trip of a lifetime. For instance, you can explore the wilderness of Alaska; take in the sights and sounds of the Pasadena Rose Parade; visit the United States’ wonderful capital: Washington, D.C.; embark on a Western national parks tour; or go autumn leaf peeping in New England.
To see the full schedule, gather more information, or sign up for one of the exciting tours, please visit www.fantasyrvtours.com/RV-Tours/Club-Tours/FMCA. You can also call Fantasy RV Tours at (855) 385-3622. Do not forget to mention you are an FMCA member!