86 episodes

Whether you're just getting started or are a seasoned camping expert, Janine's practical tips, inspirational interviews and her own experiences from the road will inspire you to 'go places and do things'!

Girl Camper Janine Pettit

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.6 • 230 Ratings

Whether you're just getting started or are a seasoned camping expert, Janine's practical tips, inspirational interviews and her own experiences from the road will inspire you to 'go places and do things'!

    Episode 180: Tim Heintz – Vintage Trailer Expert and Restorer

    Episode 180: Tim Heintz – Vintage Trailer Expert and Restorer

    When I see a vintage camper I am transported back to the camp outs of my youth! They hold so much in the way of charm and nostalgia for me. We did some tent camping and had a home made pop up that we rented from a neighbor each year. When we would walk around the campground I would always want to look inside the little trailers. When I returned to camping in 2006 I bought a 1959 Field and Stream with the birchwood interior. I also joined the group Tin Can Tourists to learn as much as I could about vintage trailer ownership.



    Membership in that Facebook group was the first place I ever saw any questions raised about the damage that exists in many (most) vintage trailers. Of course that damage varies depending on how well they were cared for, what part of the country they were in and what manufacturing methods were used. Canned hams that were stick and tin built did not fare as well over time as the riveted aluminum trailers. One thing seemed certain though, any unit that was at least forty years old would have at least some issues that needed addressing.



    Enter Tim Heintz, founder of Heintz Designs Vintage Trailer Restorations. Tim has a love for and extensive knowledge of vintage trailers with a specialty in trailers manufactured from the 1930’s through 1960’s. He is one of the country’s leading restorers and does custom rebuilds for customers at his Panama City, Florida location. I invited Tim on the show to share his wisdom on vintage trailer restorations and help those enamored with these nostalgic beauties know when to buy and when to walk away and when to leave the revitalization to a pro.

    Tim has done many, many trailer restorations over the years and has a big personal collection of vintage trailers. One of my favorite restorations was this 1951 Vagabond.





    Follow Tim!

    Tim’s website, click here!

    Tim’s Facebook page here!

    Listen to Tim’s interview on the podcast.

    • 52 min
    Episode 215: Trailer Tires 101

    Episode 215: Trailer Tires 101

    Girl Camper Guide Catherine Goggia is pinch hitting for me for the next two weeks while I am on a little sabbatical. She is taking us through her purchase of new trailer tires and explaining trailer tires (ST) versus regular tires (LT).







    Catherine is our Northern California Girl Camper Guide. She is an R Pod owner who grew up camping and encourages others to get out there and do things. She is the editor of her own Girl Camper site. You can follow her here.







    Some of the topics Catherine discusses include:









    * ST tires are built differently than LT tires







    * Why the tread is more shallow on ST tires







    * Why side walls on ST tires differ from LT tires







    * C and D rated tires







    * Tire maintenance







    * Things that impact load capacity







    * Open range tires







    * Made in USA tire manufacturers

















    Click the link below to hear the podcast and the full scoop on buying trailer tires.

    • 19 min
    Episode 213: Alan Warren – The RV Show USA’s “Wing-man

    Episode 213: Alan Warren – The RV Show USA’s “Wing-man

    Have you been wondering how an outdoor enthusiast with a top rated TV show became the host of the number one RV Show in the country? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to own a campground? On this week’s podcast, I turn the tables and interview my friend Alan Warren from the RV Show USA.







    Alan began his career in broadcasting by creating a TV show specializing in hunting and fishing. Three reincarnations later the respected expert was ready for a new challenge. He sold the ranch he lived and filmed on and pivoted to an old love – RVing.















    Although The RV Show USA is only three years old, it is the #1 RV Show in the country. Alan has a reputation for calling out bad practices in the industry but, also gives industry leaders a chance to be on the show and answer consumer questions.







    Alan jumped even deeper into the RV lifestyle by buying a campground on beautiful Lake Buchanan in Burnet, Texas. The Big Chief RV Resort is an ideal spot for the sportsman who wants to launch a boat straight from the campground as well as those who just want to enjoy stunning lake sunsets. The campground offers many amenities including a pool and spa that feel like a resort hotel.







    The sunsets at Big Chief are beautiful on Lake Buchanan.







    .

    • 41 min
    Episode 212: Taking the Full Time Leap

    Episode 212: Taking the Full Time Leap

    If you are one of those who dream the full time RVing dream, – in technicolor, black and white, on the job and off, you will enjoy meeting Sandy Ellingson, Executive Director of RVWA, the Recreation Vehicle Women’s Alliance.







    Sandy Ellingson is the Executive Director of the RV Women’s Alliance







    After achieving empty nest status, Sandy, still working full time, and her retired husband, began researching the possibility of full time RVing. There was so much to consider and to do. What type of RV? Travel trailer or motorhome? What travel style? RV Parks or boondocking? Keep a condo or sell it all and pack all of your worldly possessions in an RV?















    On today’s show Sandy shares the process of going from dreamer to doer and what she would do differently if she knew then, what she knows now.







    At Girl Camper we receive so many letters from full time wannabes and stories like Sandys help to shine some light in the dark places of those dreams and, let us see the realities we may be overlooking. I always enjoy an interview with someone who has gone from home on turf to home on wheels because each story is different and will speak to each of us in a different way.







    Sandy and Mark Ellingson, enjoying road life!

    • 40 min
    Episode 211: Hiking Gear Guide with Mary Kirlin

    Episode 211: Hiking Gear Guide with Mary Kirlin

    Mary Kirlin, Girl Camper Contributing Editor has posted her new spring Gear Guide with her favorite hiking essentials! Mary lives in Northern California and frequently travels the Pacific Northwest where she hikes and captures beautiful photos. I invited Mary to contribute gear guides to Girl Camper because she is a dedicated researcher, loves finding companies with a conscience, and is aware of the impact that a product leaves on the environment. Head on over to Mary’s “More Camper Than Glamper” page under Girl Camper Wisdom and read about the best hiking gear for the season ahead!









    Hiking and Hydration: Spring Gear Guide

    • 45 min
    Episode 210: 5 RV’s Under 3K Pounds

    Episode 210: 5 RV’s Under 3K Pounds

    If you want to travel with all the comforts of home but not need a big tow vehicle to do it, this is the podcast for you. In Episode 190 I shared five RV’s under 3K pounds that you can stand in. I had to leave quite a few off the list though and this week I am filling in that list with the box trailers that fit that bill.







    My criteria was that it had to be under 3 K pounds, have a bathroom and be tall enough to stand up in. I decided to concentrate on the box style trailers with a length of 19″ to 21″10″. These RV’s have many similarities but each has a defining characteristic that sets it apart from its competitors.







    Working heaviest to to lightest the first is the Winnebago, Micro Minnie 1706FB. This RV weighs in at 2,980 pounds and is the only one with a dual axel. It also has the largest fresh water tank at 43 gallons. Another great feature setting it apart is the standard tankless hot water heater. It’s got a built in ladder and good outside storage. The negatives to me are not front window and limited kitchen counter space. The Micro Minnie has a MSRP of $21,464.















    The interior of the Micro Minnie 1706.







    The Jayco Hummingbird 16MRB weighs in at 2,890 pounds. It has a flexible floor plan with a Murphy bed that folds away to reveal a love seat for daytime leisure. It has a portable table that can be set up inside in front of the love seat or outside under the 10′ awning. Without a dedicated dining booth there is room for a bigger kitchen and more storage across from it. The rear bathroom on the Hummingbird is really spacious and has a lot of storage. The negatives in my mind are that it has no front window and some people may not like having a dedicated dining space. The MSRP for the Hummingbird is $25,440.















    The murphy bed hidden away with the love seat showing.







    The Forest River Wolf Pup has several models including one that is a toy hauler. The 14CC weighs in at 2,884 pounds and is 19′ long. It’s defining feature is the rear entry. The window over the dining booth is really large and the booth folds down to become a small sleep space or day bed. There is a lot of kitchen counter space and good storage underneath. The negative is the east/west bed and the separate toilet and shower which are on opposite sides of the rear entry. The MSRP on this unit is $14,380.























    The KZ Sportsmen Classic 160 QB is a great entry level model that weighs 2,860 pounds. It is 21′ 10″. The added two feet allows for this model to have a walk around Queen bed. It has a small dinette across from the kitchen. There is a three piece bath and a large wardrobe in the rear of the trailer. Outside there is pass through storage under the Queen bed. The MSRP for this model is $16,995.















    The Sportsmen Classic 160QB.







    Lastly, the Lance 1475 is the lightest of the five models I chose weighing in at just 2,600 pounds. They have another model with a small slide out but I am focusing on the non slide out model. It is 19′ 8″ long with an east/west facing Queen bed. It has many outstanding features but the main thing that separate...

    • 32 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
230 Ratings

230 Ratings

SelinaSue ,

Best RV Podcast!

Wish there were more episodes!

Gypsisoul1111 ,

Sad there aren’t MORE podcasts!

I really love this podcast. So informative, professional quality and upbeat. I wish there were more.

TheresaMcHenrySmith ,

Going back to my roots

I loved camping with my family while growing up and I am working on my husband to start again. Thank you for all the information !

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