RV Security Cameras

Since adding solar components to our RV, we decided it was time to add some security features. We use the Ring Cameras at home, and they work very well, so we purchased two cameras for our RV that use the same app as our home. Both cameras connect to our Starlink Wifi inside our RV and are super easy to use! We use an indoor camera to monitor our pets when we leave the RV. The doorbell camera notifies us immediately if someone is at our door or even walking around in our campsite.

Here are the two cameras mounted on our RV.

We appreciate the extra security we have around our campsite and to be able to view our precious pets when we are not in the RV.

*These are affiliate links and we will make a small commission if you choose to purchase a camera.

Ring Video Doorbell

Ring Indoor Cam

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Should You Add Solar to your RV?

We just released our newest video on YouTube this morning, and it is a lot of information. We have made all the mistakes, learned from them, and have laid it all out in this video in hopes that no one else has to make these mistakes. This is not a fun video like we usually make. This one exposes all the flaws in our system and how poorly our installation was done. We even lost a solar panel directly out of the driveway of our installer! Watch today and learn from our mistakes! Don’t miss the bloopers at the end!

Is it Worth the Money?

If you are debating solar and think it is a magical upgrade for your RV, but are not very knowledgeable about electricity or the electrical systems of your camper, then this video should give you a good idea of what you may be getting yourself into if you install solar! You will see all the pros and cons of our system, as well as systems in general! We are not electricians or mechanics, although we do have some basic RV technician training from the NRVTA, so learning how to fix this system has been very time consuming and labor-intensive. The first year after installation, or system failed us in some way EVERY SINGLE CAMPING TRIP! We camp to relax and get away, having electrical issues does not fit into this goal.

*Our system has been fixed and is now safe for us to camp and sleep in our RV.

Looking Back on our RV Travels

I’m a planner and a recorder of things, keeping spreadsheets, maps, and lists of all things RV and all things travel for our family. As I update things from our most recent 2,220-mile trip to the Grand Design National Owner’s Rally, it is fun to reflect on some of our statistics as part-time RVers.

So far in 2023, we have traveled 9101 miles with our Momentum behind us! This year so far, we have stayed at 18 RV Parks, Boondocker’s Welcome, Harvest Host, State Parks, and National Forest Lands for a total of 53 nights! 2023 isn’t over yet!

We attended two rallies, took our RV on a ferry, and took our RV off-road! We raised thousands of dollars for our favorite charity and had the CEO of Grand Design, Don Clark, visit our tiki hut! We toured the remaining 3 National Parks, accomplishing the “Mighty Five”! We checked off “RVing to the Florida Keys” on our bucket list! We traded in our truck for a brand-new dually! We gave our RV a facelift by removing the front decal, adding our logo, and giving it red pin-striping as well!

We have towed our 2020 Grand Design Momentum 351M 39,001 miles since November 2019 and have slept in it 285 days! We have now attended 5 Grand Design Rallies! We are so happy to have you follow along on our journey as we share not only our travels but what we have learned while RVing across the USA.

Thank you for following our adventures,

~Charlotte

Starlink Removes Portability from Residential Customers

As of today, February 22, 2023, Residential Customers can no longer add on Portability, according to Starlink’s Support website. According to their FAQ section:

“How do I add Portability on my account?

Add Portability on Your Account:

  • If you are an active customer, you can enable Portability from your account page and it will take effect immediately. 
  • If you have multiple Starlinks, Portability must be selected and purchased for each location.

Note: Portability is not available for Residential service in the US. You may change your service address or change your service plan to RV through your Starlink account.“

This is a huge change for many users, including part time RVers who have a permanent home where they spend most of their time, but travel part time and bring their Starlink with them by adding month to month portability. It seems interesting that instead of grandfathering in customers who have been using this service for almost a year, they are choosing to take away the service altogether. It almost seems like a bait and switch where customers were lured in and promised Residential Portability and then Starlink takes it away after their loyal customers have invested in their system and promoted it to their friends and neighbors.

What does this mean for the future? We don’t know. Starlink is a month to month service with no contract, so they truly can change it whenever they want.

Is this the best business practice? Maybe not, but they have the monopoly for this type of internet service, so they really can charge what they want and change the service when they want.

Will this drive away their loyal customers, such as part time Rvers? Time will tell, but it will likey discourage new customers from wanting to join when they change their policies, practices, and billing so frequently!

Here are a few videos to explain more about the changes.

Our Newest Video is Live

Our newest video is live on YouTube and it is another DIY video!

This video is about how to repair a torn Clam Screened Shelter! This may happen to you someday, and if it does, we’ve got the help you need to fix it yourself and save you some money! Clams are expensive! Let us now how you like the video!

Check out our YouTube Short about who we are and what’s next!

Who are we and what are we all about? ❤️ #excessiveparttimers #parttimervers #notweekenders
https://youtube.com/shorts/MMrPjjMHPMM?feature=share

Big Bend in 5 Days?

Our latest video is going live tonight and we hope you enjoy it! We have been very busy over the past month, so putting content out has been slow! Please watch, like and subscribe to our channel! We really appreciate your support!

Your BEST 5 Days at Big Bend – A Guide for 2022 at this National Park in Texas!

You’ve got 5 days. Is that enough time to see Big Bend National Park? Absolutely! We’ll show you what we did in 5 days!

Link Will be Live, soon!

Day 1: Arrival in Terlingua Area

Day 2: Grapevine Hills Trail and Balance, Rock Window View Trail, Chisos Basin Welcome Center, Terlingua Ghost Town and Cemetery

Day 3: Window Trail, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Santa Elena Canyon Trail

Day 4: Hot Springs Trail, Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico, Black Gap – Jeep Badge of Honor – 4×4 trail

Day 5: Emory Peak Trail (an all day experience)

Day 6: Depart Please follow our channel!  @Keevs5 Adventures 

A new truck?

We have been searching for a better truck to haul our 2020 Grand Design Momentum. We almost ordered one earlier in the year, but hesitated and missed our opportunity because Ford closed the ability to order trucks. We have a “thing” with our trucks. They have always been bright red. If we couldn’t get a truck in red, we wouldn’t buy one. The prices of used F-450’s sky rocketed when people could no longer order them. Finding a red one was impossible, we tried!

This week, Ford reopened the ability to order Superduty trucks, so we placed our order yesterday and are very excited for it to arrive. We ordered a 2023 Ford F-450 Superduty in the Lariat trim. Stay tuned for updates on our order!