Hey Our Campfire Unplugged Friends!
Summer heat is brutal right now—and it’s not just uncomfortable. When every RV in the park is running dual A/Cs, microwaves, and fans nonstop, campground power grids get overloaded fast.
That’s when things get risky.
Mini brownouts and power dips can fry your RV’s electrical system—and trust us, you won’t always see it coming.
On our trip to the Finger Lakes last year, it was 95 degrees and full sun in Canandaigua, NY. Every rig had the A/C cranked. And that’s when our Hughes Power Watchdog EMS lit up red 🔴. It shut off the power before voltage drops could damage our system. Crisis avoided.
That’s why surge protectors aren’t enough anymore—what you really need is an EMS (Electrical Management System). These smart units don’t just detect problems—they shut things down before anything gets ruined.
We’re diving deep into RV electrical systems this summer, starting with real stories, gear tests, and lessons learned the hard way. This knowledge gives Sara and me the confidence to head into high-demand places like Yellowstone or Glacier without worrying what’s happening behind the power post.
⚡ Don’t Let Power Problems Derail Your Trip
From mystery outages to battery fails, electrical issues can sneak up on even seasoned RVers. That’s why we wrote this:
👉 The Most Common RV Electrical Problems (and How to Fix Them Without Freaking Out)
Real mistakes. Real solutions. All in one place.
Oh—and guess what?
🎨 We’ve officially started renovating our RV!
This week was all about beadboard, paint, and surviving the first round of Home Depot runs without a meltdown. We’ll share behind-the-scenes soon!
Oh—and one more thing...
We’ve officially started our RV renovation project! This week was all about paint, beadboard, and very patient teamwork with the miter saw. We’re tackling it piece by piece, and we can’t wait to show you what we’ve been up to.
🌎 Summer 2025 Travel Is Breaking Records
We’re seeing a major surge in road trips and RV travel this year—again.
- 45 million Americans are RVing this summer (RVIA estimate)
- Domestic travel is up 2–5% over last year
- Parks like Yellowstone just logged over 928,000 visitors in June alone
🎯 What It Means for RVers:
- Book early: RV sites are vanishing fast (especially in top parks)
- Travel mid-week to avoid gridlock at places like Zion and Glacier
- Use AI tools like RV Travel GPT to find fuel stops, traffic-free detours, and backup boondocking spots
🚐 Pro tip: If you're running a biz from the road, this travel wave = major opportunity.
👉 Try RV Travel GPT Free
Or give Galaxy.ai a try!
🤖 This Week in AI: End-of-Summer Fun + Smarter Slides
We’re big believers in AI tools that actually save you time. This week, we’re highlighting two that are making our lives better—on the road and at the desk.
🎯 3 ChatGPT Prompts to Plan Your Perfect August Getaway
Want to squeeze the most out of summer before school kicks back in? Try these:
🟢 “Plan a relaxing but memorable long weekend RV trip within 4 hours of [your city]—bonus points for a swimming hole or sunset view.”
🟢 “Give me 3 outdoor family challenges we can do at the campground to build memories (kids aged [insert ages]).”
🟢 “Help me schedule one unplugged day before school starts—no screens, just fun and connection.”
💻 Gamma: The AI Slide Deck Tool That Ended My PowerPoint Misery
Let’s be honest. PowerPoint sucks. I hate building decks. I hate watching them.
So when I found Gamma—a tool that builds beautiful, clean slide decks in 15 seconds—I was sold. You just type your idea, and Gamma handles the design. Seriously—it’s stunning.
See for Yourself!
If you ever need to present anything (even once a year), this tool pays for itself.
👉 Click here to check out Gamma
Until Next Time…
Sara and I might not follow the 3-3-3 Rule, but we do believe in chasing shade, saving our power system, and doing whatever it takes to stay cool—literally and figuratively. These summer heat waves can test your rig, your patience, and your planning... but they also remind us how far we’ve come.
Whether you’re surviving the scorch, dodging brownouts, or learning to trust your EMS—we’re right there with you.
What’s been your biggest RV win during this summer heat?
Reply and tell us—we’re always swapping stories and learning from fellow road warriors.
Happy Camping!
Mike
Our Campfire Unplugged
mike@ourcampfireunplugged.com
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