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It's 4 p.m. on a Friday, you're two hours from home, and your slide won't go out. Do you call a mobile RV tech, wait five days, or grab a wrench and screwdriver?

ASE master certified mechanic and Army veteran Jeff Malatesta of RV Diagnostics joins Jennifer and her guest co-host, Ashliy Sutterfield from Wander About Fulltime RV to share the three questions he asks before anyone touches a tool, the mistakes he sees most often, and how to know when to put the tools down and call a pro.

Learn it before you need it.

In this episode:

Guest: Jeff Malatesta, RV Diagnostics. ASE master certified mechanic (L1 and L2), Army veteran, 56 years as "a wrench".

Links:

• RV Diagnostics
• Jeff's YouTube channel
• RV Diagnostics Facebook group
• Bonus lightning round on the Learn to RV YouTube Channel
• Learn to RV Blog post for this episode
• Ashliy Sutterfield: Wander About Fulltime RV YouTube Channel

Bonus episode on YouTube ONLY: Want Jeff's one-sentence answers on overrated gadgets, the biggest RV myth and the weirdest thing he has fixed over video?

Don't miss the lightning round, but you can only find it on our YouTube channel! (But it's still FREE)

Hosted by Jennifer Schillaci of Learn to RV. New episodes every Monday at LearnToRV.com. If you enjoyed this one, don't forget to follow, like & subscribe & be sure to leave a review and share it with a friend whether they are new to RV life or just a lifelong learner.

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This season, Community Spotlights are woven right into our main episodes. Jennifer sits down with Mary Walker of Life in the RV, who went from a 3,500 square foot house to full-time RV life nine years ago with her husband Tim.

Mary Walker discusses her experience transitioning to her super C RV, sharing insights and tips for those considering their own RV journey.

Finding the Perfect RV

Mary initially hesitated to choose a super C RV due to its appearance. However, her perspective changed when she found a beautiful red one that caught her eye.

"After having our class A gas, I didn't feel safe in it anymore, sitting right up there by the windshield. So we took a Class C for a ride, and it's like, okay, I could do this."

She emphasizes the importance of comfort and safety in selecting your RV, recounting how a dealership owner advised her that super C units require less maintenance than others.

The Joy of Space

Mary highlights the spaciousness of her current RV, despite it being only thirty-nine feet long. The opposing slides create a comfortable living area that feels like home.

Tips for New RVers

For those new to the RV lifestyle, Mary has some essential advice:

• Learn your travel style: Knowing whether you want to boondock or visit national parks can influence your RV choice.
• Take driving lessons: If you're unfamiliar with driving larger vehicles, consider getting professional instruction.
• Follow safety checklists: To avoid mishaps, create a checklist for setup and breakdown, ensuring you don’t forget critical steps.

Resources and Community

Mary is passionate about sharing her experiences and mistakes to help others. Her website provides valuable resources for new RVers, including checklists and tips to enhance their journeys.

Jennifer, co-host, adds that the RV community is supportive and filled with opportunities to learn from one another.

We did have a crazy glitch in this episode but you'll have to tune in & find out what happened!

If you’re considering RVing or looking for community support, these insights from Mary Walker can guide you on your journey.

For more detailed tips and a deeper dive into their conversation, visit Mary's website.

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Stay tuned for more tips and stories from fellow RV enthusiasts!

Don't forget to Follow Learn to RV on socials & you can also watch this episode on YouTube!

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Join me as I navigate the Top Host contest and beyond.

Hey there,

I never envisioned starting a podcast. Until the summer of 2025, it was just a thought. A friend nudged me into it, and here I am, Jennifer Schillaci, a homeschool mom living in an RV, now in the third round of a national search for a podcast host.

My Unexpected Journey

When I entered the Top Host contest, I didn’t expect to progress beyond the first round. Yet, here we are. Every vote I received came from real people, perhaps you are one of them. People were cooking dinner or waiting in a carpool line, but you took a moment to support me. That truly means the world.

The contest isn’t just about winning a chance to host a six-episode podcast or the $25,000 prize; it shines a light on a cause close to my heart, the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, which builds media studios in children’s hospitals. These spaces allow kids to express themselves and escape their circumstances, even if just for a moment.

Community Over Competition

I’ve met so many incredible podcasters through this journey, some seasoned and others just starting out. We share links, support each other, and remind ourselves that we can be in competition while uplifting one another. Community over competition. This has almost felt like my mantra. It’s how we’ve thrived on the road and in this podcasting world.

A Dream Bigger Than Myself

My dream is for "Learn to RV" to become a hub for the RV community—a place where newcomers find guidance and support. Each person who discovers us through this contest brings us closer to that goal. After nearly ten years of hard work, it feels like someone finally sees our efforts.

The Road Ahead

Winning would mean reinvesting in the podcast to enhance the quality of our episodes and provide even more value to our community. But even if the journey ends here, meeting all of you and sharing this experience has been more rewarding than any prize.

Thank you for your support, for voting, and for believing in this journey from an RV. Remember, you’re not just anything—you’re part of this story.

See you down the road,

Jennifer
Learn to RV Podcast

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If you want to help, please follow the podcast wherever you listen and vote once a day for round 3 until October 29th. Every vote counts! We will know late that night if I make it to the next round. From this point every time I do you can find out on our social media channels so be sure to follow both Learn to RV & Learn to RV the Podcast!

Jennifer Schillaci | Top Host

Pillar

Support the show

Watch us on YouTube

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