The Jennifer Interview
Our latest interview is with…ta da… my wife Jennifer, as suggested by various readers when I asked for ideas on who they'd next like me to interview.
And in this one, Jennifer opens up and tells it like it is when she is asked not what her greatest joys are while traveling, but what bugs her the most.
I asked the questions you sent me.
Her chief frustrations: Finding good food on the road. A refrigerator that is too small and what to do with dirty laundry.
We're using Google Hangouts On Air to do these interviews. Let me know who you'd like me to interview next and Ill see if they'll agree.
You can be alerted when our next Hangout will be and even join in live by through my Google + page at  plus.google.com/+MikeWendlandontheroad Add me to your circles.
Meantime, how about you? What are your greatest RV frustrations?
2014 SS Agile – not sure why Roadtrek did away with propane refrigerators but will use shoehorn to fit:
http://www.thetford.com/Home/Products/NorcoldRefrigeratorsHome/N1095/tabid/214/Default.aspx
and more batteries
I think Jennifer should do regular posts on the blog like Mike. I always like her thoughts and ideas. Go go girl! You make us proud!
On or 10 day trip from PA to Yellowstone to CO and back to PA, we had 6 kids and 2 adults in our Roadtrek hauling a trailer. We bought a AC/DC fridge/freezer. They make many different sizes. Ours is the size of a standard full size cooler. It has two separated sections (divider can be removed) so one area is a fridge and the other area a freezer. It kept the fridge stuff cool and the frozen stuff absolutely frozen. It fits on the floor behide the driver’s seat at the base of the second row seat where our 3yr old sits, so its out of the way. It was a bit pricey around $500-$600 though, but honestly, it doubles our refrigerated food capacity. And you can use it in your car for a picnic or on your deck in the summer, either plugged in or unplugged. We didn’t buy a bag of ice all last summer. Its been a great investment for us
That sounds like a great investment!
Jennifer, have you looked into the small 12-v freezers (EdgeStar,etc) to carry in your storage area? Some of them are pretty pricey, but you can pick them up on sale. Here is a vido about one; http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=12+volt+freezer+video&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=1181B5654C7D6CF146411181B5654C7D6CF14641
There are several brands varying in size and price. Does you frig have the removable freezer compartment that turns the whole thing into a frig? If so, turning it into all frig and then using one of these should give you as much cooling and freezing space as a home frig.
This is interesting. These little mini washing machines and now a freezer. I’ll have Mike’s new storage space filled up in no time:-)
I forgot to mention, the 12v also runs off 110. And there are some propane freezers out there, too.
Great interview! I purchased a small refrigerator/freezer that I put behind the driver’s seat. It holds lots of extra frozen food & ice. You can use it as a refrigerator or a freezer. It also serves as a table when the seat is turned to watch TV. http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/dometic-portable-refrigerator-freezer/49355
Loved that interview, nice to hear how people handle that everyday life on the road. We are new to Roadtreking and so far Love it. Leaving 2/18 for a few days in Florida. I try to plan my meals and take portions. Last year I purchased the small size mayo and such. I kept the containers and will refill this season before leaving the house. The small sizes are so much more expensive.
Sorry – that’s “at home or”………
Always nice to hear from Jennifer! I don’t cook at he or on the road so it’s easy for me. I am a mostly vegetarian so my meals of choice are the delicious frozen organic Amy’s products. When I take them out of their boxes I can fit nine entrees in the little RT freezer. In addition, I’m big on oatmeal for breakfast & I always carry the fixings for cheese or pbj sandwiches. I round it out with fresh fruit & veggies & local speciality meals. Oh, & always a 20 oz camper made fresh latte in the AM 🙂
I’m learning that not all produce needs refrigeration, so I now keep some vegs and fruits at room temp (unless it’s really warm weather) and plan the meals using the room temp produce first. This might include kale, spinach, radishes, broccoli, green beans, carrots and other “sturdy” vegetables. I refrigerate salad lettuces and fragile berries. I also freeze chicken and fish in one-portion sizes in freezer bags. I use the example of a deck of cards – the meat serving should be that size. You can fit lots of decks of cards in the freezer!
Jennifer, Good job!! I have a mini washing machine that uses electricity it’s around 18″x12″ it works well…drawback…you must wring the clothes out yourself.I have seen clothes lines for motorcoaches but a hanger inside works for me. I bought hangers with soft spongy arms that clothes won’t fall off of and while you roll they dry. It is called the “WONDER WASHER” it’s cool as long as you try to follow the directions for weight. I would think your gym clothes would do very well in it. /*
Thanks for the information on washing, I will check out the “Wonder Washer”
The mini washer sounds like a good idea. I don’t like putting smelly gym clothes into a plastic bag for a couple of days.
Good to hear your take on Roadtreking, Jennifer. I agree about the frig. I found that when I have leftovers at home I vacu-seal them as flat as possible, freeze them and then when I take a trip I throw them in the freezer of my Roadtrek. Then when I ready to eat I just put a little vent hole in it and toss it in the microwave. I try to find fresh fruit and veggies as I go so that adds to my meal. I realize doing this for two might take more space but its great if you aren’t near a store or you just don’t want to cook. Plus I don’t travel as many days at a time as you folks so it works great for me!
Thanks! Good to hear from Jennifer!