I have a secret I’ve never shared…until now. I love early spring camping. It’s a magical time in early to mid-April that lasts about two weeks, at the most. We typically head south…just far enough to see the budding trees getting ready to “leaf out”. The snow has mostly melted (“mostly” being subjective). The bugs are almost non-existent. And we have the park entirely to ourselves…again “almost”. The nights are chilly—as you’d expect—perfect for a roaring bonfire and a thick blanket or two. The dark skies are awash with stars. And sleep comes easy.

The day warms slowly; into the 60s, if we’re lucky. This is definitely sweatshirt weather. I wear my Spartan Green proudly as we take to the trails. After a few miles—nothing too ambitious—we’re ready for some “retail reconnaissance”. We head into town and hit the shops. Walking the lightly trafficked streets, we take the day at a relaxed pace. Soon enough, we’re back at the park. A couple of filets over the fire—prepared to perfection on our Stake & Grill—are amazing. Tomorrow, we’ll be back on the road and home in a few hours. Refreshed and refueled.

Sometimes life gives us small windows of time to enjoy the better things. I hope you can take advantage of one of these sometime soon.

Happy Camping,

Bob

If you’re a road warrior like me, you love March. You’ve been to the camper/RV shows. You’ve seen all the shiny, new toys. You may have even bought that sleek, new 35’ rig with the palatial floor plan. Now you’re ready to make the most of the summer camping season.

Or are you?

Before you pack that RV for parts unknown, you might want to consider a few new accessories that add convenience, safety and enjoyment to your camping experience. For instance….

1. Lend-A-Hand Assist Rail – Getting in and out of your rig can be a tricky business. Our sturdy assist rails make climbing up and down safe and easy.
2. Electric Tongue Jack – Raise and lower your rig with a click of a button. No more hand cranking or bending over. Our reliable electric tongue jacks are available in several weight capacities for rigs of all sizes
3. Extend-A-Shower – Every camper loves a hot shower. Now you can take one right in your rig. Our Extend-A-Shower is like a slide out room for your shower. More space. More comfort. Yes, indeed.
4. Hose Caddy – Tired of tripping over or trying to put away your hoses? Hose Caddy to the rescue! It securely holds up to 75 ft of freshwater hose…no kinks, no kidding.
5. Stake & Grill – Elevate your BBQ with the grill that adjusts to your tastes. Easily raises and lowers for protein perfection…every time!

I hope you’re excited for a great summer season. I know I am!

Happy Camping,

Bob

Water is running like a faucet off my roof. After being pummeled by weeks of daily snow, nature has decided to cut us some slack with a mid-winter thaw. For the first time in three years, it feels like a “normal” Northern Michigan winter. Last year at this time, we were basking in 70-degree weather. It was a pleasant surprise, for sure. But to be honest, it threw my “reality” out of whack for several weeks. “Normal” just wasn’t normal anymore, climatically speaking.

I think we can all relate to that these days. And it can be downright unsettling. In recent weeks and months, I’ve sometimes found it hard to find that sense of balance. That reassuring feeling that comes from familiar routines and activities.

That’s when I head outside. I take a walk. I let the cool (or cold) air clear my head. I let the quiet surround me. Calm me. It might take a few miles, but I eventually arrive at a more relaxed pace and place. The great outdoors never fail to provide some peace when I need it most.

As I look outside, the water stilling rolling off the roof, I take some comfort in knowing our northern winter has returned to normal, at least for now. I take it as a good sign. It also reminds me that I better check the basement for flooding. I sure don’t need that…

Happy Camping,

Bob.

According to the calendar, Christmas comes in December. I beg to differ. As much as I love the magic and marvel of the whole December Christmas season, for me you can’t beat the sheer joy and anticipation of the new year and all the promise and potential it brings.

What gets me so excited for our first month of the year? Two words: trade shows! January and February are a time of year for us in the RV trade to really strut our stuff. We get to unveil all our shiny, new toys to an eager audience of retailers.

This year is no different. We have a couple of new and exciting items that should attract a lot of attention at an RV dealer near you.

• Lend-A-Hand Banister Rail – A great, new addition to our popular and oh-so-functional line of rails and handles, this one-piece rail pulls right out from the unit for greater convenience and ease of use. It’s offered in two lengths: 42” for triple steps and 50” for quad steps. So if you’re looking for a rail that delivers steady, smooth support, step right up!

• Dolly Chock – If you own a single-axle trailer that has wheels on its tongue jack, you’re going to love this. Our new Dolly Chock keeps your dolly firmly in place, greatly reducing the risk of rolling away. It fits 6” an 8” single wheels; 6” tandem wheels, and 5.5” and 6” round jack feet. What’s more, it’s constructed of molded EPDM rubber, instead of crumb rubber, so it won’t split, shred, crack or break.

These are just a couple of the innovative items we’re excited to share. Look for us at your favorite RV dealer. Or more likely, on the road and on our way to that next adventure.

Happy Camping,

Bob.

I’m always amazed by history’s great inventors—the people who, through inspired curiosity and dogged determination, shaped the way we live and interact with our world. Thomas Edison, Marie Curie, George Washington Carver—it’s an amazingly long list.

I will never make that list. My grandfather, who founded our company, won’t either. But I like to think we share one common trait with history’s luminaries. When facing a problem, we tend to ask “Why?” “Why does it have to be this way?” Why can’t someone make it better, easier, more durable or reliable?”

We’ve built our business on asking “Why?”

Everything Stromberg produces—bunk ladders, electric tongue jacks, hand rails, etc.—are designed to solve a problem. All are the result of addressing challenges our customers have faced, at one time or another. Like needing extra support when ascending a ladder. Or eliminating the hassle of hand cranking a jack. Heck, we even came up with a way to adjust grill height when cooking over a campfire. Maybe that’s why many of our products have become “must haves” for campers and outdoor enthusiasts across the country.

So yes, it’s true…our products aren’t going to save the world. But they will save you a little time and energy. And in the grand scheme of things, isn’t that enough?

Happy Camping,

Bob

It’s been a weird year. And that’s probably an understatement. Between the elections, the economy and just life in general, we’ve all had a lot to deal with. Fortunately, November is a month that provides some perspective. With Thanksgiving, comes a time to count our blessings. To find some gratitude for the good things that may seem less obvious these days. Here’s what sticks out in my mind:

• Family – This is the obvious one. My life is tied so closely to those who are closest to me and the Mrs. Though miles may separate us, our kids and grandkids are the center of our universe. They always will be. And for this, I’m forever grateful.

• Friends – Like our family, our  friends are cherished more than they’ll ever know. Time spent with them, and the joy that brings, is irreplaceable.

• The Great Outdoors – We’re beyond fortunate to  live in a place where nature’s beauty and bounty is just outside our front door. We’re never lacking an excuse to enjoy it whenever we can.

•  Health – We’ve had a few  health “scares” in recent years, which have further taught us the importance of never taking our good health for granted.  Good health allows us to enjoy good times traveling and making memories. We’re always mindful of this.

• Faith – I’ll leave it at that.

I hope you find many reasons to be thankful this season.

Happy Holidays and Happy Camping,

Bob

It’s October. The days are getting shorter (and colder). The leaves are barely hanging on, awaiting their cue with a good wind storm. The sun seems to have headed south with half our senior population. And something spooky is in the air…

In the true spirit of Halloween, I’d like to share my top 5 things that “scare” me most about RV-ing, especially this time of year.

#1) The Weather – No one’s better at throwing off travel plans than Mother Nature.  And this time of year, she’s so unpredictable. There’s nothing like a well-planned weekend ruined by a sudden snowstorm. One minute you’re marveling at the fall colors and then “poof”—overnight, you’re blanketed in six inches of slushy snow. So much for that nature hike.

#2) The Wind – Sometimes, I think we RV-ers deserve hazard pay. Especially when driving our big rigs on really windy days (and October has a lot of them.) It can be downright scary. Need an example? Try navigating your Class A across the Mighty Mackinac Bridge with a strong side wind. Talk about white knuckles.

#3) The Darkness – Shorter days mean less daytime driving. And if you’re like me, the daylight is much kinder to your aging eyes, especially when it comes to seeing the road and anything that may cross it suddenly. When fall comes, I log fewer miles per day, or simply camp closer to home.

#4) The Solitude – Don’t get me wrong…I love the scenic solitude when my wife and I have the RV to ourselves. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss the extended family, who are busy with work, school and other fall activities in the fall. Sometimes, it just gets too quiet.

#5) Doing it all over again. For all the “scary” things that October can bring, I  wouldn’t change this  time of year for anything. Between the amazing fall colors and the uncrowded campgrounds, this is still my favorite time of year to be out and about. Thinking I couldn’t enjoy  the great outdoors would be the scariest thing of all.

Happy Camping,

Bob

The kids are back in school. For many families—especially those with school-age kids—this means a return to schedules filled with sports, clubs and lots of driving back and forth. For those of us without such hustle and bustle in our lives, we get to enjoy a special time of year…a time when the pace of life slows down, parks clear out, and those of us with a little more “leisure time” get to enjoy some well-deserved peace and quiet.

At least, that’s how it used to be…

Today, the fall season has become more popular than ever with RVers. According to the RV Industry Association (RVIA), 27 million Americans are planning to go RVing this fall. In fact, RVing has surpassed traditional rental properties as a preferred choice for an outdoor getaway. Not surprisingly, much of this is being driven by Millenial and Gen Z campers. According to RVIA, 33% of Millennial leisure travelers express a desire to take an RV trip in the coming year, with 32% even considering purchasing an RV. Gen Z isn’t far behind, emerging as the most active travelers with keen interests in food tourism and music festivals. Clearly, this isn’t your grandpa’s RV industry anymore.

Overall, I think this is a great thing. If we really want to preserve our natural heritage and the outdoor lifestyle we all embrace, it has to be accessible to everyone, especially younger and future generations. On a personal level, I love the active energy that young families bring to the campground (as long as kids and/or pets are cared for appropriately.)

So yes, there may be a few more travel trailers in my favorite camping spot this fall. But I’m not worried. There’s plenty of room in the great outdoors for all of us to  enjoy the awesome-ness of autumn.

Happy Camping,

Bob

It happened last week. For one brief moment—sandwiched between sweltering, sweat-filled days in the 90s—the morning temps dropped into the 40s. It was glorious. For a few fleeting minutes, it felt like a crisp, fall day. It was a welcome reminder of what’s to come…my favorite season of all. Fall! The season of fiery colors, football games, and a fabulous excuse to get outside and experience nature in all its amazing wonder.

I can’t wait! And neither should you. If you haven’t made plans for an autumn adventure, do it now. The crowds are smaller. The bugs are fewer. And the days are cooler and more comfortable (usually!). Here are a few of our favorite fall retreats. (Guess where I’ll be!)

Gunflint Pines Resort & Campground – Nestled on the shores of the breathtaking Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota, this is the perfect place for enjoying nature in all its scenic solitude. You’ll see more moose and bald eagles than people. Come fish, canoe, hike and enjoy a roaring campfire at day’s end. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.

www.gunflintpines.com

Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park Campground – If you haven’t visited Fredericksburg—the unofficial capital of the Texas Hill Country, you’re missing out. Located 90 minutes from San Antonio and Austin (north and south), this burgeoning burg has become a treasured tourist destination. It features wineries, craft distilleries, brewpubs plus the area’s best golf, downtown shopping, natural areas and more.

https://www.fbgtx.org/343/Lady-Bird-Johnson-RV-Park

Sea & Sand RV Park – If you love the ocean’s pounding surf, you’ll adore this place. Located on the Oregon Coast near Depoe Bay, the park puts you just steps from the beauty and majesty of the Pacific. Everywhere you turn is a pic-worthy moment. The views are breathtaking. The sunsets are spectacular. The waves lull you to sleep each evening. You’ll never want to leave.

Wherever you go, may your autumn be awesome!

Happy Camping, Bob

There’s going to come a day—hopefully, not too soon—that I can’t do this anymore. I can’t endure the long trips to distant destinations. I can’t go through the lengthy process of prepping my rig for each trip. In short, someday I won’t have the energy, strength or mobility to enjoy the active RV lifestyle. I’m not looking forward to that day…

That’s why today, I take every opportunity to get out there. I pursue every chance I can to enjoy whatever adventure awaits me around that next bend or over that next hill. What’s more, I make every effort to prolong my active lifestyle by taking advantage of gear and accessories that add convenience and promote my and my family’s personal safety.

You can probably see where I’m going with this, as Stromberg Carlson makes several of these handy items. And it’s no coincidence. All of our products are the result of first-hand experience in the outdoors…either our own or that of our dealers or customers. Here are a few that are always part of my must-have travel accessories:

• Lend-A-Hand Assist Rail – This is a no-brainer, especially for those of us who deal with reduced strength or mobility. It provides safe, steady support when getting in and out of the RV. To me, it’s a must.
• Bunk Ladder – Another handy item for safe climbing in and out and up and down. The injection-molded tread ensures sure footing for any size foot.
• Extend-A-Shower – Create more room in your RV’s shower for added comfort, privacy and safety. Added Bonus: No need to use the public showers anymore.

Staying safe and reducing stress and work can go a long way to extending your time enjoying the RV lifestyle. I’m going to be out there for as many more years as possible. I hope you are too.

Happy Camping,

Bob