Wandering Gypsy RV Life

Wandering Gypsy RV Life

by Stan Cromlish
LeisurePlaces & Travel
Season 2
RV Community, Safer Travel, and Showing Up | Michael Kilbourne of TechnoRV
What makes the RV community special—and how can better education help travelers make safer decisions? In this episode of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, I sit down with Michael Kilbourne, owner of TechnoRV, during the Grand Design RV Rally in Goshen, Indiana. Michael and I talk about: • Why RVers continue pursuing meaningful trips despite rising travel costs • The importance of businesses remaining present in the communities they serve • How customer service and education distinguish TechnoRV • What RV travelers and the equine community can learn from each other • Tire-pressure monitoring, RV-aware navigation, propane safety, and trip planning • Why technology supports good decisions but never replaces the human element • How the journey often becomes a bigger story than the destination We also discuss the growing connection between RV travel, rodeo, and the equine world—and why helping people understand the risks, equipment, and lifestyle matters. My True North remains simple: Keep People Educated and Safe. Michael and TechnoRV have supported my work as I’ve shared RV lessons, safety information, and life on the road. I’m proud to serve as a TechnoRV brand ambassador. LINKS Wandering Gypsy RV Life https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com TechnoRV https://technorv.com?Click=12127 Rolling Smooth RV books https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth Support Our Journey https://buymeacoffee.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife Beyond the Chutes https://beyondthechutes.show AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE I am a TechnoRV brand ambassador. The TechnoRV link above is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. As always, my opinions and editorial decisions remain my own. #WanderingGypsyRVLife #TechnoRV #RVLife #RVTravel #RVCommunity #RVSafety #RVPodcast #GrandDesignRally #RollingSmooth
S2 · E35
Sep 5, 2026
27:25
Know Your Outs Before You Commit the Rig | Margin Preserves Choices
A safe entrance means very little if your RV cannot safely get back out. After an Airstream trailer was destroyed in a collision with a train in Minot, North Dakota—while its occupants thankfully escaped safely—Stan reflects on the importance of situational awareness before committing an RV to a railroad crossing, fuel lane, narrow road, crowded parking lot, or difficult campground entrance. Traveling with 36-foot Bertie Bea, a four-foot towbar, and 20-foot Rosie means Stan cannot simply back out when a route becomes blocked or a turn proves too tight. Every fuel stop requires looking beyond the pump: Is the canopy high enough? Can the motorhome complete the turn? Will the tow car track safely? Is there another exit if the planned one becomes blocked? This episode explores why RV travelers should: Wait until the entire rig can clear railroad tracks Know the complete path before entering a confined space Understand their rig’s height, length, turning radius, and tail swing Refuse to let another driver’s impatience control a safety decision Investigate the situation before surrendering their options Preserve an off-ramp whenever possible Remember that an uneventful outcome does not make an unsafe decision safe Margin is more than extra time. It is room to observe, stop, think, and change the plan before a difficult situation becomes an emergency. Before you commit the rig, ask one simple question: Do I know how I’m getting out? Keep people educated and safe. LINKS Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com Rolling Smooth RV Books: https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth Support Our Journey: https://buymeacoffee.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife TechnoRV — Adventure More. Worry Less: https://technorv.com?Click=12127 Disclosure: The TechnoRV link is an affiliate link. Wandering Gypsy RV Life may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Beyond the Chutes: https://beyondthechutes.show #WanderingGypsyRVLife #RVLife #RVSafety #KnowYourOuts #RollingSmooth #MarginPreservesChoices #SituationalAwareness #RailroadSafety #MotorhomeLife #RVTravel #RVPodcast #KeepPeopleEducatedAndSafe
S2 · E34
Aug 29, 2026
18:39
From Covered Wagons to Modern RVs | Exploring the RV/MH Hall of Fame with Jennifer Schillaci
How did RV travel evolve from covered wagons and early roadside campers into the modern motorhomes we know today? In this episode of the Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, I’m joined by my friend Jennifer Schillaci of Learn to RV for a conversation recorded at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana. Jennifer and I talk about the history preserved inside the museum, the surprising connections that hold the RV community together, factory tours, RV manufacturing, quality versus production speed, and the stories that can disappear when nobody takes the time to preserve them. We also discuss life as traveling content creators, the friendships built at rallies and industry events, and why adventures are usually better when shared with a friend—even if I still travel with my three favorite people: me, myself, and I. Come along as we connect the covered wagons of America’s westward migration with the modern RV lifestyle and explore the people, vehicles, and stories that helped shape life on the road. FEATURED GUEST Jennifer Schillaci Learn to RV https://learntorv.com EXPLORE MORE Wandering Gypsy RV Life https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com Rolling Smooth RV book series https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com/rollingsmooth RV/MH Hall of Fame https://www.rvmhhalloffame.org TechnoRV https://technorv.com?Click=12127 Beyond the Chutes Podcast with Doug Simcox https://beyondthechutes.show If you enjoyed the episode, follow or subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow traveler. Real RV life. Real lessons. Real adventures. Some links may be affiliate links. If you purchase through an affiliate link, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
S2 · E33
Aug 22, 2026
15:46
When Bertie Bea Gets a Vote | RV Safety and the Next Good Decision
Episode summary One broken anti-billow mechanism changed Stan’s travel plans—and created a genuine GO/NO-GO decision. After arriving in Milton, West Virginia, Stan discovered that the vanity-slide topper on Bertie Bea had lost its only positive anti-billow restraint. Rather than normalize the risk or let the itinerary dictate the answer, he stopped for the night, consulted Precision RV Repair, and waited for daylight. The next morning added severe weather, route decisions, a temporary non-destructive mitigation, a human-factors reminder, and an unexpected leveling-jack warning during the rainy drive to Elkhart. This episode shows the Rolling Smooth Mindset in practice: separate mitigation from repair, investigate alarms without inventing diagnoses, preserve off-ramps, and make the next good decision as the evidence changes. Resources Wandering Gypsy RV Life: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com Rolling Smooth RV Book Series: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com/rollingsmooth TechnoRV: https://technorv.com?Click=12127 Beyond the Chutes: https://beyondthechutes.show Disclosure The TechnoRV link is an affiliate link. Wandering Gypsy RV Life may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
S2 · E32
Aug 15, 2026
16:29
Building an RV Destination | Lundy McKittrick’s Vision for Huckleberry Hideaway
When I visited Huckleberry Hideaway Cabins and RV Resort in Minden, Louisiana, Lundy McKittrick and I talked for nearly an hour. The first half of that conversation became an earlier podcast episode, but as I looked back through the footage, I realized there was another story hidden in the second half that deserved to stand on its own. This isn’t really about campsites. It’s about vision. Lundy shares what goes into building an RV destination from the ground up. We talk about gravel, road design, campsite geometry, hiking trails, future expansion, golf carts, cabins, glamping, and all the little decisions most of us never think about when we pull into a campground. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a place where RVers want to come back year after year, I think you’ll enjoy this conversation. 🌐 Wandering Gypsy RV Life https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com 📚 Rolling Smooth RV Book Series https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com/rollingsmooth ☕ Support Our Journey https://buymeacoffee.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife 🛒 Amazon Storefront https://www.amazon.com/shop/stanc 📡 TechnoRV (Affiliate Link) https://technorv.com?Click=12127 🤠 Beyond the Chutes Podcast with Doug Simcox https://beyondthechutes.show #RVLife #RVTravel #CampgroundLife #HuckleberryHideaway #Louisiana #FullTimeRV #Motorhome #Camping #WanderingGypsyRVLife
S2 · E31
Aug 1, 2026
18:22
Questions Became Answers | Why Good RV Diagnosis Starts with Margin, Not Assumptions
Last week, we talked about building margin. This week, I had the opportunity to live it. After several unusual symptoms began showing up in Bertie Bea, I decided to arrive in Red Bay early instead of rushing from one appointment to the next. What followed wasn’t a week of throwing parts at problems. It became a lesson in slowing down, asking better questions, trusting the right experts, and discovering that symptoms are not diagnoses. From a chassis inspection and hydraulic repairs to airflow improvements and a handful of simple fixes, every question that week gradually became an answer. More importantly, I was reminded that sometimes the best repair isn’t the one that just fixes your RV… it’s the one that quiets your mind. In this episode, we talk about: Why building margin leads to better decisions The danger of assuming the worst Why symptoms are not diagnoses The value of finding the right expert How reducing uncertainty makes the next good decision obvious Why peace of mind may be the most valuable repair you’ll ever make Whether you own an RV, tow horses, or simply enjoy the journey, this week’s lesson reaches far beyond the campground. Support Our Journey ☕ Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife 📚 Rolling Smooth RV Book Series https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth 🌎 Wandering Gypsy RV Life https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com 🧭 Rolling Smooth Mindset https://rollingsmoothmindset.com 🛒 TechnoRV (Affiliate Link) https://technorv.com?Click=12127 🤠 Beyond the Chutes Podcast https://beyondthechutes.show Because in the end, the goal isn’t to eliminate every future problem. The goal is to reduce uncertainty enough that the next good decision becomes obvious. #RVLife #RVMaintenance #Tiffin #RedBay #RollingSmooth #TravelPodcast
S2 · E30
Jul 25, 2026
14:04
Sometimes That’s the Work: Why Margin Creates Better Decisions
Have you ever had one of those weeks where it feels like someone walked over to the chessboard of your life and moved six pieces all at once? This week was one of those weeks. Maintenance schedules changed. Travel plans shifted. New work opportunities appeared. Decisions had to be made before circumstances made them for me. At first, it felt like I hadn’t accomplished much. Then I realized something. Sometimes the most important work we do isn’t something we can hold in our hands. Sometimes the work is simply making thoughtful decisions before life forces us into desperate ones. In this episode, we continue exploring the Rolling Smooth Mindset by looking beyond financial margin and into something even more valuable: Margin creates options. Whether you’re driving across Wyoming in dangerous winds, adjusting RV travel plans, managing maintenance, or navigating everyday life, having room to think often makes the difference between reacting in panic and responding with wisdom. We’ll talk about: Why margin creates better decisions Why consistency matters more than perfection Don’t confuse urgency with importance Don’t pour concrete in panic Thoughtful progress over perfect outcomes Why sometimes… that’s the work Because the goal was never to create a perfect trip. The goal is to keep learning, keep growing, and keep making the next good decision. Episode Links 🌐 Wandering Gypsy RV Life https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com 📚 Rolling Smooth RV Book Series https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com/rollingsmooth ☕ Support the Journey https://buymeacoffee.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife 🛒 Amazon Storefront https://www.amazon.com/shop/stanc 🚍 TechnoRV https://technorv.com?Click=12127 🤠 Beyond the Chutes Podcast https://beyondthechutes.show #WanderingGypsyRVLife #RollingSmoothMindset #RVLife #FullTimeRV #RVTravel #RVLiving #MotorhomeLife #RVCommunity #RVSafety #DecisionMaking #Margin #ThoughtfulProgress #DontPourConcreteInPanic #Consistency #AdventureMore #LifeLessons #TravelSmarter #KeepRollingSmooth
S2 · E29
Jul 18, 2026
12:29
The Rolling Smooth Mindset Isn’t About Perfect
This week, I’m coming to you from the 30th Annual Chas. B. Davis Memorial PRCA Rodeo in Ringgold, Georgia. What started out as a scheduled interview with PRCA Music Director Kye Todd turned into something completely different after a sound system issue forced us to postpone our conversation. Instead, I share a lesson that has become a cornerstone of the Rolling Smooth Mindset. Over the past few days, I’ve intentionally slowed down, recharged my own batteries, and reminded myself that consistency doesn’t mean running yourself into the ground. Sometimes the smartest decision isn’t making another repair. It’s creating enough margin to think clearly. When the bathroom door in Bertie Bea stopped latching because an interior wall had shifted, I didn’t tear half the coach apart in a campground. Instead, I used a pair of Command Hooks and a ball bungee to safely mitigate the problem until my scheduled repair appointment in Red Bay. It’s not elegant. It isn’t permanent. But it’s the right solution for this moment. Join me as we talk about why urgency and importance aren’t always the same thing, why the driver needs maintenance just as much as the RV, and why sometimes the best repair is the one that allows you to continue your journey safely. The Rolling Smooth Mindset isn’t about perfection. It’s about making thoughtful decisions. Resources & Links 🌐 Wandering Gypsy RV Life https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com 📚 Rolling Smooth RV Book Series https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth 🛒 Amazon Storefront https://www.amazon.com/shop/stanc ☕ Support Our Journey (Buy Me a Coffee) https://buymeacoffee.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife 🛒 TechnoRV (Affiliate Partner) https://technorv.com?Click=12127 🤠 Beyond the Chutes Podcast with Doug Simcox https://beyondthechutes.show Connect With Wandering Gypsy RV Life Website: https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/wandering-gypsy-rv-life/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WanderingGypsyRVLife If this episode encouraged you or helped you look at RV travel a little differently, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another RVer or traveler. Every share helps more people discover the Rolling Smooth Mindset and keeps Bertie Bea and Rosie rolling down the road. Remember… The only way to fail is to quit. Travel Rolling Smooth.
S2 · E28
Jul 11, 2026
12:48
Huckleberry Hideaway, A Hidden Gem in Minden
In this episode of The Wandering Gypsy RV Life Podcast, we visit Huckleberry Hideaway Cabins & RV Resort in Minden, Louisiana, and take a golf cart tour with owner Lundy McKittrick. Lundy shares the vision behind the park, what it has taken to build Phase One, and how they are learning and improving as they go. We talk about wide RV sites, preserving the property’s beautiful trees, primitive camping, cabins, glamping RVs, free firewood, laundry facilities, the dog park, walking trails, geocaching, campground insurance, surge protection, water pressure, and a little RV engineering required to get Bertie Bea level. And yes… somehow the conversation even finds its way to Sasquatch sightings in Louisiana. If you’re looking for a quiet hidden gem with room to breathe, Huckleberry Hideaway Cabins & RV Resort deserves a spot on your travel list. Links mentioned in this episode: 🏕️ Huckleberry Hideaway Cabins & RV Resort https://www.huckleberryhideaway.com 🚍 TechnoRV https://technorv.com?Click=12127 🤠 Beyond the Chutes https://beyondthechutes.show 📚 Rolling Smooth RV Book Series https://bit.ly/rollingsmooth 🌎 Wandering Gypsy RV Life https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com #WanderingGypsyRVLife #RVLife #RVTravel #RVPongcast #CampgroundReview #CampgroundSpotlight #HuckleberryHideaway #MindenLouisiana #LouisianaCampgrounds #RVResort #FullTimeRVLife #RVEducation #RVSafety #Geocaching #Sasquatch #Bigfoot #RollingSmooth
S2 · E27
Jul 4, 2026
33:11
The Rally Is Over, But the Mission Isn’t | Education, Stories, and Staying Rolling Smooth
The Newmar Rally has come to an end. The booth has been packed up, the banners have been rolled away, and Bertie Bea and Rosie are getting ready to point east toward the next stop. After a busy week of seminars, conversations, and helping fellow RVers, I found myself reflecting on a few lessons that were reinforced once again. In this episode, I share why: ✅ Education still matters more than selling. ✅ Stories connect better than specs. ✅ RVers want practical help, not fear or fluff. ✅ The Rolling Smooth Mindset applies everywhere, from seminars to travel days and even tired decisions. The mission hasn’t changed. I still just want people educated and safe. As long as I can do that, I’ll keep rolling smooth. In This Episode Why education should always come before the sales pitch The power of storytelling in helping people learn Why practical advice beats fear-based presentations Applying the Rolling Smooth Mindset to everyday decisions Preparing for the next leg of the Summer RV Tour Quote of the Week “Education shouldn’t leave you scared. Education should leave you prepared.” Mentioned in This Episode 🌐 Wandering Gypsy RV Life https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com 📚 The Rolling Smooth RV Book Series https://wanderinggypsyrvlife.com/rollingsmooth 🛒 Stan’s Amazon Storefront https://www.amazon.com/shop/stanc 🛠️ TechnoRV Affiliate Link https://technorv.com?Click=12127 🤠 Beyond the Chutes with Doug Simcox https://beyondthechutes.show ☕ Buy Me a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife Connect with Wandering Gypsy RV Life Facebook: https://facebook.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife YouTube: https://youtube.com/@wanderinggypsyrvlife Instagram: https://instagram.com/wanderinggypsyrvlife TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@wanderinggypsyrvlife Threads: https://threads.net/@wanderinggypsyrvlife Thank you for riding along with me on this journey. Until next time, keep your rig rolling smooth, keep your coffee hot, and remember… sometimes the best repair isn’t just the one that fixes your RV. It’s the one that quiets your mind. Safe travels, my friends. And remember, not all who wander are lost.
S2 · E26
Jun 27, 2026
8:20
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