Friday, September 27, 2019

Monday, August 26, 2019

RV SECURITY | Are you sure you are properly prepared and protected in your RV?

Today I want to talk about something that is unfortunately overseen in RV lifestyle, and yet needs to be addressed. I'm talking about RV security. Whether you're a full-time RVer or weekend warrior, you need to make sure that you're properly prepared and protected in your family's RV home.

We want to go over 10 tactics we use to keep our family properly prepared and protected while living in an RV that won’t break the bank on this episode of Traveling Down The Bannisters

Video here

DISCLAIMER: The this article is not intended to scare or frighten anyone from the RV lifestyle. These tactics can be useful by anyone in any situation and are not intended solely for RV use. We are in no way security professionals and these tips are based on our own experiences only. In no way are sponsored by any of the products that are presented in this article. However, we do have affiliate links for some of the products provided. If you use our links, they will reward us with a very small percentage for linking to their products. This helps us with equipment and gas and is greatly appreciated. We chose all of our links based on vendors we have ordered from ourselves and that have the best price at the time of making this article. However, we always recommend using the info provided to find the current best prices.

The first, and most important is to try to prevent things from happening before they happen. If you don't look like an easy target to a thief, they may very well pass you up and move on to someone else. Some of the ways you can do that is by not flashing your money, jewelry or any expensive items around your RV. Try to hide any GPS displays, reverse camera monitors or any expensive tech in view from the outside of your motorhome or tow vehicle windows when you leave it unattended. We also recommend locking your tow vehicle and RV at all times whether your inside or out.

Another way is to install security cameras. However, we know not everyone can afford to install a security camera system on their RV, but there are many options available that are affordable and could fool a would be thief.

Even just putting a sign on your RV letting people know that you're concerned about security can sometimes be enough. Like this 24 Hour Alarm & Video Surveillance sticker.



Don't know where to get one? Don't worry, we have you covered. For anyone who post in the comments below that they would like an RV security sticker, we will send one to you free as part of our effort to help keep our subscribers safe in their RV. Just make sure you have subscribed to our channel and posted a comment to let us know you want one.

Number two, sometimes just saying you have a security camera system is not enough. If you can not afford to purchase one, check out the assortment we found in our links below of fake camera systems that look very real.
Install them around your RV in key spots for them to be noticed. Don't want to drill holes in your RV? Attach them with double-sided sticky tape.

Make sure you get the ones that run off of batteries and have a red LED that glow at night it will catch any would-be criminals attention.

We do still strongly recommend getting a real camera system that records 24/7 for many reasons. However, the fake cameras can get you by until your ready for the real ones. We have cameras on both our truck and our trailer that record a full 360° view that we can see from our phones at anytime.

Number three, it's always best when you park for the night, that you try to stay in well-lit and populated areas. However, we know that it’s not always possible, so having motion sensored security lights is a must. You can purchase motion lights that attach directly into your RVs outer lighting system, however, they are very expensive. We found it is better to buy a package of four home solar motion sensor lights that you can add to your RV at a quarter of the price of just one RV motion light. We attached them to all four sides of our RV. Make sure that you get the ones that have an on and off switch, so if you travel at night, you can turn them off without violating any laws or bothering other drivers while driving down the road.

         Pro tip: Get lights that use a special pin to turn them on and off so someone cannot easily turn them off and check them regularly.

Number four, have an alarm system. We know that there is not much in the way of RV alarm systems out there, in fact I am in the process of creating my own that will offer a lot for RVers. In the meantime however, we use a security systems that attach to your door and windows with motion sensors that can be armed and disarmed by remote. It's a completely wireless system so you don't have to worry about installing wires or drilling holes as they can be attached with double-sided sticky tape. You just have to replace the batteries from time to time.

Number five, making sure that you always have cell phone service. We understand the want and need to get out into the country with your RV and enjoy the wilderness. However, we recommend never parking for the night with your RV in any place that you do not have cell phone service. It might be better to park your RV a little closer to town and traveling with your tow vehicle to the wilderness area or you can make use of products like Weboost to prevent from being stuck in the middle of the night with an emergency abd not being able to call 911. Check out or RV Internet article and video listed here.

Number six, always make sure that you get the exact address of the location you are parked at for the night and write it down on a post-a-note, then stick it on the wall beside your bed before you sleep. Un-like staying in your home, if an emergency happens you may not know the exact address, location or even town you are staying. You can do this easily with the maps function on your phone.

Number seven, make sure you always keep your phone right beside your bed and charging when you go to sleep. If an emergency happens in the middle of the night, you don't want to be searching around your RV trying to find your phone.

Number eight, make sure that your smoke alarm and your carbon monoxide detector is working properly at all times by testing them at least once a month and after anytime you have not use your RV while. You never know when things can go wrong and it's always important to have the proper working equipment that can warn you when things go wrong.

Number nine, use security code words with your family member and have an evacuation plans. It's always a good idea to be able to communicate with your family members without anyone else being the wiser. It's also important to have an evacuation plan for your family that everyone in your RV is aware of and is prepared to use without hesitation, you can achieve this by doing a few drills from time to time just like airplanes and cruise ships.

Number ten, have a battle plan. It is best to be prepared and try to prevent anything from happening. However, in the unlikely event that you have to battle, be prepared to do so. Have a plan for what your family will do while it's happening. Keep any type of defensive devices handy that can help you with the battle. A defensive device can be anything to defend yourself,like a taser, pepper spray, a baseball bat, a gun, a knife or anything that you can use to separate you from an assailant. Just make sure you are comfortable using it and know how to handle it safely. Most of all, just being prepared will make you better protected for an unfortunate event.

No one likes to think of the horrible things that could happen, especially when you're trying to have fun on vacation. However, making sure that you are properly prepared and protected can not just stop horrible things from happening but also allow you to be more relaxed knowing that you have a plan.

If you found this information useful please do us a favor and give us a like, share and comment below and if you haven't already be sure to subscribe so you'll no when we put more RV tips and tricks out on our YouTube.

Also don't forget as a subscriber, if you would like to get one of our RV security stickers, just comment below stating you would like one and we will send one to you.

Traveling Down The Bannister’s | TRAVEL MORE.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

RV INTERNET | UNLIMITED DATA HOTSPOT | NEW RV TECHNOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS

Are you new to RVing or trying to find out an easy cheap way to get unlimited Internet to your mobile RV? If so this is the article for you!


There are many ways to get internet while on the road, some of them can be very expensive both in upfront cost as well as monthly. For most of people just starting out this might be an option or for those of us that have been on the road for a while it may not fit in our budget.

DISCLAIMER: We are not sponsored or monetized at this time and we are in no way professionals in any of the information given in this article. This is only information we find may be helpful to some people and we have set up some affiliate links to help with the rising cost of fuel and other things. We ask that you search the internet for the current best price as it may change from the time of writing the article but if you chose to help us out buy using or codes and links we thank you.

The two devices we will be listing in this article can be use both for providing Internet and making use for any open WiFi that is available within a mile radius. As you may already know, many places provide free WiFi for there guest, i.e. Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Sam's Club, McDonald's, Burger King, Trucks Stops, RV parks and so on. Reaching these available free WiFi signals may not be so easy from your RV, Van, or other vehicle from the parking lot. Even if you do get the WiFi, it may not be very strong and you have to try to connect all the devices in your home to it. This is where the first device comes in known as  the Camp Pro 2. The Camp Pro 2 acts like a WiFi extender / router in the ways of connecting to a local WiFi hotspot and allowing all the connected devices to then be connected through it. Rather the hotspot that is provided by a Wal-Mart or by a cell phone carrier hotspot.

So if you will think of it this way, it's like a power splitter that you would have multiple power plugs into it's self and then plug the one power splitter plug into the power source to provide power to the rest. (how many times can I say power in one sentence). this works in the same way by the Camp Pro 2 providing a local WiFi source for all of your home devices to connect and then you telling the Camp Pro 2 to then connect to a WiFi Source of your choice.

For those of us that boondock a lot or for the times when you connect to that RV park WiFi and the signal is great but the upload and download speeds are horrible, we use a second option. As there are three adults that live in our household we use to keep tree different cell carriers and a two different hotspots just to make sure that no matter where we where we would always be in contact, not just for communication but for security purposes as well. We have found through the test of AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and ect., as well as al the MVNO's like Virgin, Boost Mobile, Google Fi, Verizon Prepaid, Straight Talk, and so on, that Verizon and AT&T gave us the best results on our travels. Google Fi said they would connect to three different carriers but there over all service was for lack of a better word unsatisfactory.

So that brings us to our next device or service if you will. We have been using a service known as Visible. Visible is an experimental service that has only been around for about a year now that is a MVNO that runs of the Verizon network. Visible is completely online service that has a small overhead so they can keep cost low. No I know I am starting to sound like an infomercial but it really has been nice being with a carrier that is 100% unlimited calls, texts,data and hotspot for only $40 with all taxes and fees a month included is pretty nice.

Up until last month, Visible did limit the download speed to 5mbps speed. However, last month for a short time they lifted that speed cap and anyone who activate service during this time and that is still going on. We have seen speeds up to 200mbps in certain areas. However, you are still subject to congestion but we have not seen it get below 3mbps on the busiest times and areas but for the price we are okay with that. Plus you can bring your own phone with compatible devices, swap devices, or but the Visible R2 that we have (good phone) for $19. they also offer a referral program that will save you and your friend $20 bucks off your bill. speaking of which if your interested in Visible please use one of our 3 links to save us and yourself $20 of your next month bill by clicking HERE or by using one of the tree codes below. The only downfall that we have encountered is that you can only connect one device to the hotpot at a time. That where that Camp Pro 2 comes in.

We use the Camp Pro 2 to connect all of our devices in our RV to the Visible hotspot so we can have unlimited internet anywhere you go with no problems. Now complemented with a Weboost type unit you can essentially have service anywhere.

If you would like to check out or purchase any of the devices we have listed in this article or out YouTube channel with more tips and tricks the links are provided below.

Camp Pro 2 link 1: https://amzn.to/2Zrv7Ii
Camp Pro 2 link 2: https://amzn.to/2YCYV3C
Camp Pro 2 Best Price: https://www.ebay.com/Alfa-WiFi_Camp-Pro.

Visible $20 off 2nd month: https://www.visible.com/referral/zn6TQ
Rr enter these codes:
Code #1: zn7hv
Code #2: zn6TQ
Code #3: tFhMB

Follow us on social media.
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest
Facebook
Email Us
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
This is some of the equipment we use. If you click these links it helps us pay the bills and sometimes we get special discounts for our subscribers.

DJI OSMO Action Cam Digital 4K Camera: https://amzn.to/2Wta8mi
DJI OSMO Pocket 3 Axis Gimbal 4K Camera: https://amzn.to/2KIq7uj
DJI Spark Drone Quadcopter: https://amzn.to/2IwjMzr
Wireless Lapel Microphone FerBuee Lavalier Microphone https://amzn.to/2DopBNw
The Gimbal we use is a Zhiyun Smooth 4 https://amzn.to/2XrkELs
With a light and mic ring attached https://amzn.to/2PqUYMx
and a Movo VXR10 Universal Video Microphone https://amzn.to/2Gleg1p
attached to Selfie Stick & Tripod Fugetek https://amzn.to/2ItdHpN


Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Are you considering moving into an RV full time with a family? Read this first!

We are a family of four that lives and travels the world in an RV full time. My son is 3 years old, and then there is my father, my wife and I. My wife and I grew up living the RV life style.  We are both college educated. My wife is from Argentina, she speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and English perfectly. She is incredibly smart and a humble person. I speak Spanish, Russian, Japanese and English very badly, and as my father would say, I probably have a few loose screws. My father is 70 years old and retired. I thank God for everyday we get to spend so close with him.  Combined we make an elite traveling unit that is force to be reckoned with.


As a combined unit , we've been to all 50 states and 12 countries. When I say all 50 states, I don't. mean that we flew into Denver on our way to California. We have traveled and lived in some of the most beautiful towns across the world that most would not ever even think to go to.
I can tell you personally, I am a better person because of it. I have a much broader view of the world by not being held to one place and one way of thinking. This has been a huge benefit for me throughout my life.

Don't let anyone fool you, this life definitely has its ups and downs just like anywhere in life. But I can promise you this, your family will never be stronger than when they live and travel together.  You're going to fight like cats and dogs because you live in such close proximity. But you also love stronger than you ever have because you are closest to the ones that matter to you.
The best part is if there is any problems that you face, the whole family faces it as a unit. The one thing that I have learned from the army, is there is nothing more fearsome then a unit that loves cares about each other as a family. There is nothing more unstoppable then that.

I hope you give it a try, and if it doesn't work out, please do not feel bad. This life is not meant for everyone. It can be intensive at times. But just trying it will make you a better person. It has for me
My family and I just started making YouTube videos of our travels on the road. If you're interested to see how we live, I invite you to check out our videos and have your family become part of ours.

Good luck my friends and don't forget to follow our motto. TRAVEL MORE

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

INVERTER GENERATOR | BEST FOR ANY RV | 2 year review and maintenance





In this video, I do a full two year review of the Harbour Freight Predator 3500 Inverter Generator and show you how to change the oil. I also show you how quite it it runs and that it will work for any RV.

Buy online here:
Predator 3500 Inverter Generator:
https://amzn.to/2LDUOlQ

Friday, July 19, 2019

I was about to cancel unlimited RV prepaid internet and phone that works Verizon for $40 a month!!! BUT THEN!!


Over the past two and a half days, I have been having a horrible time with Visible. My wife has had it for a little over 4 months now, We had a little problem getting her phone set up because visible was so new and had a lot of problems. However, we made it through and she has had amazing service this whole time, They also sent her gifts. My wife got free movie tickets with a gift basket that had candy and popcorn and other stuff. They also send another gift, it was a nice phone case and class cover for the Visible R2 phone. I liked it, I even got kinda jealous. The only thing my phone company ever sent me was a bigger bill than I expected.

I decided to move my father and I service to Visible. I did the phone swap and ordered 2 Visible R2 because for a cheap phone, it's not bad at all. I ordered on Sunday and they came Tuesday. Not bad at all. After charging it for three hours, I turned on my dads phone and his number ported no problem, he was on it in about 30 min with all the updates. Mine on the other hand, not so much. It kept saying I had the wrong pin from my original carrier and to contact customer service.

I tried... and tried.... and tried.... for two and a half days. I would sit in front of my laptop (lucky I had those two days off) in front of me on the web chat and facebook chat, my phone on the app chat and texting them, my tablet on the Instagram app and Twitter app, and even came here to Reddit. during that time my friends that had Verizon could not text me because my number was in porting limbo. I got up and started doing that from the time they opened at 7am and every time I would leave to pee our shower or eat, they would answer on one but would end the chat by the time I got back.

So after two and a half days I get a someone on Facebook chat. They fixed my problem in a few seconds. I told them how I had been trying to reach them for days. She did not reply or attempt to give an apology. So I asked for he account number and pins for each of my phones so I could port the numbers back out with no problem. She gave them to me.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ASKING YOUR ACCOUNT # AND PIN # WHEN YOU FIRST SIGN UP SO WHEN YOU WANT TO CHANGE TO ANOTHER PROVIDER YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR DAYS. I found out the pin is 1212 across the company.

I then asked to have a supervisor call me so I could return everything. The supervisor by the name of Derrick called me within 10 minutes. Derrick listened to me tell him the whole story and that I did not feel very welcome to the company. Derrick responded by first apologizing and telling me that even though they were busy the info I had in the chat logs should have been use to just fix the problem and leave me a message instead of what happened. He went on to explain how the company works and the things that they are trying.

One of many things they are trying is to not have phone calls in, instead he got people above him to set up phone calls out. The idea is to quickly figure out the customer needs bt a quick text and get them to the right area. However, when calls are needed, they could call you instead of you calling and dealing with an AI that does not understand you and then getting some low level rep that cannot fix your problem and then getting transferred on hold x 3 and then have to wait another 10 minutes to get a supervisor. He then explained to me that with the fact of the data cap being lifted (I had just found that out the day before, AWESOME!) and sale prices on the phones they had found out just how much of a larger support group they needed, he said they were working to fix it now.

All of the stuff he said made way too much sense to me and I could see with what they had planed working in the future. He asked me to stay and give it a try. He told me that if I ever have a problem again to send a message asking them to ask Derrick to call me and he would. He said he worked Monday through Friday and would get to me ASAP. I was so impressed with how he handled everything I could not say no.

In short, I am staying for now. I am making a promise in 3 months to report back with a review. 


Also I am happy that I did get in right now because the data caps will be coming back soon!!! I am grandfathered in now. I highly recommend, if you are thinking about signing up, do it now so you can be grandfathered too. Even if you decide not to keep it, you can always cancel. 



If you do sign up, use my code and you will get $20 off your first bill and so will I. My code is: tFhMB Type it in when your filling in your name at the beginning. or go here: https://www.visible.com/referral/tFhMB It is only $40 a month with tax and you get unlimited hotspot forever!!

So we will see, I will let you guys know about it but for now I am happy! Google luck everyone, tell me how it went for you.

P.S.

Check out the speed in Sarasota, Florida and I am getting the same from the hotspot. I saw higher in Tampa, Florida in the 40's I have seen higher as well!!