Learn To RV: The Podcast

Learn to RV: Technically Speaking with Jim Shutt of SA Mobile Repair & Inspections

55 min · 21. heinä 2026
jakson Learn to RV: Technically Speaking with Jim Shutt of SA Mobile Repair & Inspections kansikuva

Kuvaus

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2522973/fan_mail/new] There's a truck that shows up in Tampa every year before we even get the booth set up, and it's Jim's. Jim Shutt has been in our corner since before we owned RV Roofing Solutions, since before anyone called us the voice of Learn to RV. He was the very first technician who said "yes" to working with us, and years later, this show, Technically Speaking, was actually his idea. So it's only right that the first chair in this new series belongs to him. Meet Jim Shutt. A former Air Force military cop turned aeromedical evacuation technician, Jim spent years in aeromedical evacuation (including deployments overseas) before a corporate desk job with 11.5 years as a commodity buyer which ended the way a lot of full-time RV stories start: with a layoff, a wife who was already three steps ahead, and a decision to hit the road. After training at NRVTA in Athens, Texas, Jim launched SA Mobile RV Repair & Inspections in March 2018, starting with an unpaid job in a campground and building it into the trusted, full-time mobile repair and inspection business it is today. In this first episode, we get into the technical side of RV ownership that too many owners find out about the hard way: Why RV inspections matter, no matter your rig's age. An RV is a house on wheels — and unlike a stationary house, it gets shaken up every mile it travels. Jim breaks down what an inspection actually covers and why "it looked fine when I bought it" isn't the same as "it's fine." Maintenance isn't one-size-fits-all. A full-time RVer isn't wearing out their rig the same way a weekender or a snowbird is. Jim lays out how usage type — full-time, snowbird, or occasional camper — changes how often you should be repacking bearings, cleaning your AC, and checking the systems most owners forget about until something breaks. "YouTube University" — helpful, but buyer beware. Jim's take on RV repair videos: that five-minute tutorial took hours of outtakes to make look easy, and nobody's filming the mistakes. His advice? Watch multiple sources, compare what they're actually saying, and know when it's time to call a licensed tech instead. Not every "RV tech" is actually trained. There are only three dedicated RV trade schools in the country — RVTI in Elkhart, IN, NRVTA in Athens, TX, and one in Clearwater, FL. Jim explains the real difference between someone who's trained and stays current with manufacturers versus a handyman with a screwdriver, and why knowing the difference can save you thousands. This episode kicks off a new series for us — real conversations with the technicians who keep this lifestyle running, starting with the person who's been running alongside us the whole time.  Have a question you wish a mobile RV tech would answer? Drop it in the comments — the more questions we get, the sooner we bring Jim back for round two.   Connect with Jim: SA Mobile RV Repair & Inspections More from Learn to RV:  Website: LearnToRV.com  Podcast: Learn to RV The Podcast Facebook Community Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/LearnToRVThePodcast/support] Watch us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@LearntoRV/videos] Join Our Community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/141063741245555] Follow Us On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/learntorv] Visit our Website [https://www.learntorv.com/] Join us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/LearntoRVThePodcast]

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jakson Learn to RV: Technically Speaking with Jim Shutt of SA Mobile Repair & Inspections kansikuva

Learn to RV: Technically Speaking with Jim Shutt of SA Mobile Repair & Inspections

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2522973/fan_mail/new] There's a truck that shows up in Tampa every year before we even get the booth set up, and it's Jim's. Jim Shutt has been in our corner since before we owned RV Roofing Solutions, since before anyone called us the voice of Learn to RV. He was the very first technician who said "yes" to working with us, and years later, this show, Technically Speaking, was actually his idea. So it's only right that the first chair in this new series belongs to him. Meet Jim Shutt. A former Air Force military cop turned aeromedical evacuation technician, Jim spent years in aeromedical evacuation (including deployments overseas) before a corporate desk job with 11.5 years as a commodity buyer which ended the way a lot of full-time RV stories start: with a layoff, a wife who was already three steps ahead, and a decision to hit the road. After training at NRVTA in Athens, Texas, Jim launched SA Mobile RV Repair & Inspections in March 2018, starting with an unpaid job in a campground and building it into the trusted, full-time mobile repair and inspection business it is today. In this first episode, we get into the technical side of RV ownership that too many owners find out about the hard way: Why RV inspections matter, no matter your rig's age. An RV is a house on wheels — and unlike a stationary house, it gets shaken up every mile it travels. Jim breaks down what an inspection actually covers and why "it looked fine when I bought it" isn't the same as "it's fine." Maintenance isn't one-size-fits-all. A full-time RVer isn't wearing out their rig the same way a weekender or a snowbird is. Jim lays out how usage type — full-time, snowbird, or occasional camper — changes how often you should be repacking bearings, cleaning your AC, and checking the systems most owners forget about until something breaks. "YouTube University" — helpful, but buyer beware. Jim's take on RV repair videos: that five-minute tutorial took hours of outtakes to make look easy, and nobody's filming the mistakes. His advice? Watch multiple sources, compare what they're actually saying, and know when it's time to call a licensed tech instead. Not every "RV tech" is actually trained. There are only three dedicated RV trade schools in the country — RVTI in Elkhart, IN, NRVTA in Athens, TX, and one in Clearwater, FL. Jim explains the real difference between someone who's trained and stays current with manufacturers versus a handyman with a screwdriver, and why knowing the difference can save you thousands. This episode kicks off a new series for us — real conversations with the technicians who keep this lifestyle running, starting with the person who's been running alongside us the whole time.  Have a question you wish a mobile RV tech would answer? Drop it in the comments — the more questions we get, the sooner we bring Jim back for round two.   Connect with Jim: SA Mobile RV Repair & Inspections More from Learn to RV:  Website: LearnToRV.com  Podcast: Learn to RV The Podcast Facebook Community Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/LearnToRVThePodcast/support] Watch us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@LearntoRV/videos] Join Our Community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/141063741245555] Follow Us On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/learntorv] Visit our Website [https://www.learntorv.com/] Join us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/LearntoRVThePodcast]

21. heinä 202655 min
jakson The RV Summer Slowdown: Why Fewer Rigs Are on the Road and Why That's Okay kansikuva

The RV Summer Slowdown: Why Fewer Rigs Are on the Road and Why That's Okay

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2522973/fan_mail/new] The RV Summer Slowdown Is Sponsored by RV Roofing Solutions [https://www.rvroofingsolutions.com/]   Emptier campgrounds. Last-minute reservations that used to be impossible. Rigs sitting in driveways instead of racking up miles. In this episode, Jennifer and Tasha get honest about why this summer feels different out on the road, from fuel prices and industry data to the comparison trap that convinces RVers they’re doing it wrong. They also open up about burnout behind the scenes of the podcast itself and what's changing for the show in season three.   Learn How: •     Campgrounds & rallies feel noticeably emptier this summer •     Industry data aligns with the slowdown •     To just say no to the comparison trap that makes RVers feel like they're failing at living the dream •     Jennifer & Tasha are choosing to slow down this season •     To measure a good day on the road by more than just miles •     Part-time & full-time RVers experience summer burnout differently •     The Family RV Association's new Rolling Roots chapter [https://www.facebook.com/FRVARollingRootschapter], built for families on the road, can keep you connected •     Changes look for the podcast in season three   Links & Resources: 🚐 rvroofingsolutions.com [https://www.rvroofingsolutions.com/] 👪 New Chapter, Same Mission — Family RV Association: learntorv.com [https://www.learntorv.com/new-chapter-same-mission-is-family-rv-association-the-rv-community-youve-been-looking-for] | Rolling Roots on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/FRVARollingRootschapter] 🏁 Family RV Association: frva.com [https://www.frva.com/] | Why Join FRVA [https://www.frva.com/why-join-frva] 📸 FRVA on Instagram: @familyrvassociation [https://www.instagram.com/familyrvassociation/] ⛺ Mastering the Weekend Getaway — RVing Part-Time: learntorv.com [https://www.learntorv.com/mastering-the-weekend-getaway-rving-part-time] 🏆 2026 Great American RV Scavenger Hunt: learntorv.com/2026-the-ultimate-summer-scavenger-hunt [https://www.learntorv.com/2026-the-ultimate-summer-scavenger-hunt] 👉 RV Resources: learntorv.com [https://www.learntorv.com/] 🎤 learntorvthepodcast.com [https://www.learntorvthepodcast.com/] 👥 Free Facebook Community: Learn To RV: The Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/learntorv] 📸 Our Adventures: @LearnToRV [https://www.instagram.com/learntorv] 📺 YouTube: Learn To RV Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@LearnToRV]   💛 Support the Pod: •     Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/learntorvthepodcast] (Join the Campfire Crew — first 7 days free! Early access + bonus content + swag) •     Buy Me a Coffee [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/learntorvthepodcast] (drop us a tip ☕) Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/LearnToRVThePodcast/support] Watch us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@LearntoRV/videos] Join Our Community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/141063741245555] Follow Us On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/learntorv] Visit our Website [https://www.learntorv.com/] Join us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/LearntoRVThePodcast]

13. heinä 202649 min
jakson Don’t Let Part-Time Fool You: Meghan & Pete of Our Captain’s Logs on Balancing Full-Time Jobs, Teens & Life on the Road | Community Spotlight kansikuva

Don’t Let Part-Time Fool You: Meghan & Pete of Our Captain’s Logs on Balancing Full-Time Jobs, Teens & Life on the Road | Community Spotlight

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2522973/fan_mail/new] Community Spotlight Is Sponsored by RV Roofing Solutions [https://www.rvroofingsolutions.com/]   A used RV with ants crawling through it. A 27-foot Winnebago bought on the spot instead. And six years later they’re still rolling. Our Captain’s Logs are a Chicago-area family of four + three dogs who RV part-time around two full-time jobs, two teenage daughters, and a full school and activity calendar. Tasha sat down with the self-proclaimed Captain Pete and his Co-pilot Meghan to talk Disney strategy, packing systems, the RV breakdown that put them to the test, and why the RV community turned out to be the best part of the whole thing.   Learn How: •        A canceled dance schedule & COVID lockdown finally got them into an RV  •        The real math behind part-time RVing starts in November •        They make the most of a family trip to Disney & if they’d choose the campground or the hotel •        They pack their 40-foot Super C & the Captain’s logistics and operations for a family of four •        A roadside scare ended in an overnight truck stop stay  •        The community became the most unexpectedly rewarding part of the journey •        To make this lifestyle work for you   Links & Resources: 🚐 rvroofingsolutions.com [https://www.rvroofingsolutions.com/] 🔗 Find Meghan & Pete (Our Captain’s Logs): ourcaptainslogs.com [https://ourcaptainslogs.com/] 📘 Facebook: Our Captain’s Logs [https://www.facebook.com/OurCaptainsLogs] 📸 Instagram: @ourcaptainslogs [https://www.instagram.com/ourcaptainslogs/] 🎵 TikTok: @ourcaptainslogs [https://www.tiktok.com/@ourcaptainslogs] 📺 YouTube: Our Captain’s Logs [https://www.youtube.com/@ourcaptainslogs] 📅 RV Rallies: learntorv.com/rv-rally-calendar [https://www.learntorv.com/rv-rally-calendar] 🤝 RV Community & Groups: learntorv.com/rv-community [https://www.learntorv.com/rv-community] 👥 Free Facebook Community: Learn To RV: The Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/learntorv] 📸 Our Adventures: @LearnToRV [https://www.instagram.com/learntorv] 👉 RV Resources: learntorv.com [https://www.learntorv.com/] 📺 YouTube: Learn To RV Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@LearnToRV] 🎙️ Podcast: learntorvthepodcast.com [https://www.learntorvthepodcast.com/]   💛 Support the Pod: •        Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/learntorvthepodcast] (Join the Campfire Crew for bonus content, early access, + swag) •        Buy Me a Coffee [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/learntorvthepodcast] (drop us a tip ☕) 💬 Have an RV story about making part-time (or full-time) life on the road work for your family? Share it in our Facebook community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/learntorv] or email learntorv@gmail.com [learntorv@gmail.com] to be featured on a Campfire Confessions episode! ✨ If Meghan and Pete’s story got you thinking about your next trip, subscribe, share, and review at learntorvthepodcast.com! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/LearnToRVThePodcast/support] Watch us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@LearntoRV/videos] Join Our Community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/141063741245555] Follow Us On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/learntorv] Visit our Website [https://www.learntorv.com/] Join us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/LearntoRVThePodcast]

9. heinä 202643 min
jakson Re-Release: Tracking Weather on the Road: The Apps, Habits & Hard Lessons Every RVer Needs kansikuva

Re-Release: Tracking Weather on the Road: The Apps, Habits & Hard Lessons Every RVer Needs

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2522973/fan_mail/new] Tracking Weather on the Road Is Sponsored by RV Roofing Solutions [https://www.rvroofingsolutions.com/]   Weather isn’t just small talk when you travel in an RV — it’s a safety issue. Jennifer and Tasha discuss how they track weather on the road, the specific apps that have saved their trips (and maybe their rigs), and the hard lessons they’ve learned from brownouts, water spouts, tornadoes, and hail. From AQI (listen to learn what it is!) to evacuation strategies, they cover the weather topics RVers don’t talk about enough.   Learn How: •        To tell the difference between a tornado watch & warning •        To keep the AQI on your radar & your health top of mind •        Weather apps can change the game for your route planning •        To manage if your campground doesn’t have a storm shelter •        To build a simple weather routine that protects your family & your rig   Links & Resources: 🚐 RV Roofing Solutions: rvroofingsolutions.com [https://www.rvroofingsolutions.com] 🗺️ RV Weather (route-based forecasting): rvweather.com [https://www.rvweather.com/] ⛈️ Weather Underground: wunderground.com [https://www.wunderground.com/] ☀️ NOAA Weather: noaa.gov/weather [https://www.noaa.gov/weather] 📱 WeatherWise App: weatherwise.app [https://www.weatherwise.app/] 🌪️ Ryan Hall Y’all: ryanhallyall.com [https://ryanhallyall.com/] 🐛 WeatherBug (lightning strike tracker): weatherbug.com [https://www.weatherbug.com/] 🌡️ AccuWeather: accuweather.com [https://www.accuweather.com/] 👥 Join Our Free Facebook Community: Learn to RV: The Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/learntorv] 📸 Follow Our Adventures: @LearnToRV [https://instagram.com/learntorv] 👉 More RV Life Resources: learntorv.com [https://www.learntorv.com] 📺 Watch on YouTube: Learn To RV Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@LearnToRV] 🎙️ Podcast Website: learntorvthepodcast.com [https://www.learntorvthepodcast.com]   💛 Support the Podcast: Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/learntorvthepodcast] (Join the Campfire Crew for bonus content, early access, + swag) Buy Me a Coffee [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/learntorvthepodcast] (drop us a tip ☕)   💬 What’s your most memorable weather lesson from the road? Share it in our Facebook community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/learntorv]. Have a wild story to share around the campfire? Email learntorv@gmail.com [learntorv@gmail.com] to submit it for Campfire Confessions. If yours is read on the air, we’ll send you a Campfire Confessions sticker!   ✨ If this episode kept you safer, subscribe, share learntorvthepodcast.com [https://www.learntorvthepodcast.com], and leave a review. Your support keeps the stories coming! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/LearnToRVThePodcast/support] Watch us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@LearntoRV/videos] Join Our Community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/141063741245555] Follow Us On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/learntorv] Visit our Website [https://www.learntorv.com/] Join us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/LearntoRVThePodcast]

6. heinä 202645 min
jakson Re-Release: Don’t Wait: Full-Time RVing, Breast Cancer on the Road & Living Life Now with Jennifer Skinnell | Community Spotlight kansikuva

Re-Release: Don’t Wait: Full-Time RVing, Breast Cancer on the Road & Living Life Now with Jennifer Skinnell | Community Spotlight

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2522973/fan_mail/new] Sponsored by RV Roofing Solutions [https://rvroofingsolutions.com]   What would you do if a breast cancer diagnosis landed in the middle of your full-time RV life? Jennifer Skinnell and her husband Mike have been living their don’t wait motto since 2019, and when life threw them the ultimate curveball, they didn’t stop rolling. Jennifer, a creative writer, quilter, and Learn To RV contributor [https://www.learntorv.com/jennifer-skinnell], shares the raw, real story behind the Skinnell’s life on the road, their unforgettable Alaska and Baja California adventures, and the book she wrote to help others facing the unthinkable while chasing their dreams.   This episode is for anyone who keeps saying “someday” — because someday isn’t promised.   Learn How: •        Waiting to start your RV journey could cost you more than you think •        To manage routine medical care, mammograms, dental, and follow-ups as a full-time RVer •        To navigate a serious health diagnosis while living on the road •        RV tours like Fantasy RV Tours can unlock experiences you’d never plan on your own •        To travel Alaska and Baja California by RV and survive the dust •        Full-time RV life shapes your relationship and your resilience   Links & Resources: ✍️ Jennifer Skinnell — Author & RV Writer: •        Author website & books: jenniferskinnell.com [https://www.jenniferskinnell.com] •        Travel blog: theramblingquilter.com [https://theramblingquilter.com/] •        Don’t Wait: Our Full-Time RV Journey Through Breast Cancer — available on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=don%27t+wait+jennifer+skinnell] 🚐 RV Resources: •        Fantasy RV Tours [https://www.fantasyrvtours.com] — Guided group RV tours to Alaska, Baja, and more •        Learn To RV Blog [https://www.learntorv.com] •        Escapees RV Club [https://www.escapees.com] 🎤 Visit Our Podcast Website: learntorvthepodcast.com [https://www.learntorvthepodcast.com] 👥 Join Our Free Facebook Community: Learn to RV: The Podcast Community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/learntorvpodcast] 📸 Follow Our Adventures: @LearnToRV [https://www.instagram.com/learntorv] 👉 More RV Life Resources: learntorv.com [https://www.learntorv.com] 📺 Watch on YouTube: Learn To RV Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@LearnToRV]   💛 Support the Podcast: •        Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/learntorvthepodcast] (Join the Campfire Crew for bonus content, early access, exclusive episodes, + swag) •        Buy Me a Coffee [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/learntorvthepodcast] (drop us a tip ☕)   💬 Have you dealt with a health challenge on the road, or are you still waiting to take that big trip? Share your story in our Facebook community [https://www.facebook.com/groups/learntorvpodcast]!   ✨ If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your support helps! Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/LearnToRVThePodcast/support] Watch us on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@LearntoRV/videos] Join Our Community on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/141063741245555] Follow Us On Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/learntorv] Visit our Website [https://www.learntorv.com/] Join us on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/LearntoRVThePodcast]

2. heinä 202621 min