Neil W. LeKander, author of "The RVer's Ultimate Survival Guide" is
a longtime recreation vehicle (RV) enthusiast having been exposed to the joys of
the lifestyle by his parents as a youngster. Neil and Pat (wife of
47 years) have traveled extensively by RV (approximately 300,000 miles to date)
and owned a series of RVs (often more than one) for more than 35 years.
Neil and Pat have lived full time in their classic motorhome, "UNDO",
for the past thirteen years (since retiring) while writing this and other books,
speaking at RV shows and rallies and enjoying their travels throughout the
USA and Canada. Neil is a lifelong racing fan with a passion for
building and driving automobiles and is an avid enthusiast of all things mechanical.
As you can tell from the following photos, "UNDO" has now been joined with a new addition, ("Lil UNDO") a smaller class "B" travel rig as modern as UNDO is classic is now a full-fledged member of the family. In fact, as of this update it has now taken the lead role in our RV life as we have regrettably sold our beloved UNDO. Here's hoping that UNDO truly enjoys its life with a new owner who enjoys the pleasures of this great RV as much as Pat and I have over the past 15+ years.
This new addition illustrates one of the ways the author actually suggests RVer's adapt to the various influences that might affect their RVing life. In this case the cost of fuel/travel and the difficulty of driving a large RV as one grows older is benefited by downsizing the RV allowing the RVer to continue with his/her chosen lifestyle for added years. Doing this has not diminished the enjoyment of RV travel to any noticeable degree and is, in fact, exactly where Neil and Pat started RVing long ago.
Neil & Pat's coach "UNDO" in Utah "Lil UNDO" at Devils Tower, WY
Neil's formal college degree is a BS in maintenance engineering. He is also is a certified engineering technician, a licensed aviation A & P and R & E mechanic and a licensed pilot. Most importantly, Neil is a recent retiree from a major USA tire company following a 32 year career as a wheel/brake/tire design and product support engineer. Most of that career was spent in various field-based positions around the USA working in direct support of customers helping them to resolve operational problems and to derive the maximum economic value from those products. Neil's employment presented the opportunity to lecture extensively on maintenance topics and to work towards the advancement of professionalism of maintenance personnel. It also provided the opportunity to write a series of books with an emphasis on achieving "excellence in the maintenance and operation of those company products."
With that background it was only logical for Neil (and Pat) to combine those lifelong interests by joining A'Weigh We Go®, an RV weight safety program, as the West Coast weighing team for a three year period to utilize those skills for the betterment of all RVers. That program with its day-to-day contact with RVers, RV manufacturers and learning of the multitude of problems faced by RVers prompted them to compile much of what they heard expressed by RVer's into this vitally important book, the product of several years effort.
As Neil and Pat travel the country today they continue to seek the input of the RVers they meet along the way to add detail and personal imprints to "The RVer's Ultimate Survival Guide." Please feel free to share your RV safety stories when you see them "on the road". Just look for "Lil UNDO" as you travel; be certain to wave or say hello.