Traveling Robert: The RV Life Legend Inspiring a Generation of Road Trippers
Why Traveling Robert Resonates with Freedom-Seekers Everywhere
01) Before we jump into the main questions, could you start by telling our readers a bit about yourself?
I am Robert (Traveling Robert) Cuban born, Floridian by choice. Ily and I, we travel around the country in our RV, and sometimes overseas, documenting the journey.
02) What’s been your absolute favorite camping spot so far and why?
I feel there are different categories. As far as a traditional campground, one of the waterfront sites at Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys. As far as boondocking, Valley of the Gods in Utah is hard to beat. When it comes to RV resorts, Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountain in Granby, Colorado is one of the most “resort” experiences I’ve had.
02) What’s one thing you wish you knew before starting the RV lifestyle?
That there is no standardized way to make reservations online. Many campgrounds and RV parks you still have to call and talk to someone. Things are getting better but it is still hit or miss when it comes to that.
04) How do you manage internet connectivity while traveling and editing/uploading videos?
Having a backup is always important. I’ve gone through several iterations. Right now I have a dedicated router with a third party cellular plan and Starlink as backup, but for the past two years Starlink was my main source and our cell phone hotspots as backup. Starlink proved not to be a good primary source because many campgrounds have trees, which obstruct the signal.
05) Can you walk us through the evolution of your travel campers — from your first one to what you’re using now? What made you switch each time?
The first camper was an easy decision: something that I could afford, that sort of fit in my driveway, and that I could sort of tow with my current vehicle. In 2020 I became a Winnebago brand ambassador, so Winnebago has loaned me several trailers over the years, some of them prototypes. For the Alaska trip in particular I chose a small no slide trailer that could handle some of the rougher terrain. I am currently traveling in a small used motorhome doing Route 66.
06) Did you ever imagine, growing up in Cuba, that you’d one day be living this kind of life — traveling the U.S. in an RV and inspiring others to explore with “Traveling Robert”?
I always knew that I wanted to be a filmmaker of some kind, and I always liked to travel, but there was no concept of what an RV was until much later.
07) What inspired you to start documenting your travels on YouTube, and did you ever think it would grow into what it is today?
As I mentioned, I have always liked documenting things on video. Documenting my travels was the next logical step, and while I hoped that at some point people liked what I was doing and watched my videos, I always saw it as a long shot. When I saw that my channel started growing exponentially back in 2017, I decided to start doing it full time, and eventually that decision paid off.
08) What’s been the biggest challenge of running a travel channel — filming, editing, staying consistent, or something else entirely?
Definitely balancing the traveling and filming, with the editing while on the road. It is very hard to manage your time.
09) Was there a specific video or moment that really changed the trajectory of your channel?
There were several videos that helped jump-start the channel. The first California road trip, before we had an RV, the Canada series of 2013, but my most watched video ever is the cross country road trip of January 2018.
10) How do you balance enjoying the journey in the moment vs. capturing it for your audience?
I enjoy capturing it, but not everything ends up on YouTube. Sometimes, I put down the camera and enjoy the moment with my own eyes, or savor a meal with friends, but the temptation to hit “record” is always there.
FIND TRAVELING ROBERT AT:
Official Website
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
Have a favorite content creator that should be featured here? CONTACT ME!