We caught up with the ‘Trailer Park Boys’ star who’s touring Canada by RV

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What do cheeseburgers, RVs and Canadian comedy all have in common? At first glance, not much, but in the Venn diagram of Trailer Park Boys’ star Pat Roach’s life, they’re some of his greatest pleasures at the moment. 

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Roach is currently on tour for his Randy’s Cheeseburger Picnic Comedy Tour, which kicked off in London, Ont. on May 26. In partnership with Go RVing Canada, Roach is also embarking on his first-ever RV tour between cities, ending in Brockville, Ont. on June 9. Surprisingly, it was actually his first time setting foot inside an RV despite spending years playing Randy in Trailer Park Boys. 

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“I spent years on a TV show surrounded by trailers, but I’d never actually gone RVing until Go RVing Canada invited me on a trip and I’m so glad I tried it,” Roach shared with Postmedia. 

“Touring is so fun and rewarding but definitely exhausting sometimes. Long drives, quick turnarounds, constantly moving from place to place. With the RV, the travel between shows actually becomes part of the experience. I can relax a little, make a coffee, maybe sneak in a nap between stops, and show up feeling a lot more rested and ready for the crowd that night.”

While still an RV newbie, we asked Roach to share what he’s learned so far on the road, plus the secret to creating real-life Pat Roach/Randy-approved cheeseburgers this summer. 

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Q&A with Canadian actor, comedian and rookie RVer Pat Roach

Q: Despite playing Randy (a famous trailer park expert), you have never travelled via RV before. What was it like finally stepping into an RV for the first time?

A: You’re right. It’s wild I hadn’t done it sooner, and I’m sure there’s a bunch of Canadians that may also be wondering why they haven’t yet. [One] of my favourite parts of RVing after experiencing it for myself included the quality time together. Everybody’s busy all the time now, always looking at phones or rushing to the next thing, and RVing kind of forces you to slow down in a really good way.

I loved getting to spend time with family that I don’t get to see very often. Being out in the woods together, not worrying about much other than enjoying our time together, was pretty special.

I [also] loved being outdoors, cooking outside, sitting under the awning during the rain, having coffee in the morning air and ending the nights around the campfire. It sounds simple, but that’s kind of the point. You realize pretty quickly you don’t need much to have a really good time.

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Q: How did your partnership with Go RVing Canada come about?

A: They probably had the same thought I had – why haven’t you been RVing yet? So they invited me on my first RV trip, and to make it even more exciting, I surprised my family who was already planning a camping trip. I basically showed up to their campsite as they were pitching their tents and totally upgraded their weekend. 

We all got to hang out together in the RV, make memories and enjoy the benefits of what an RV offers – let’s just say the built-in awning, fully enclosed living space and refuge from the rain came in handy!

Q: Were there any major learning moments while planning your trip? Do you have any tips for fellow first-time RVers?

A: Absolutely! I learned RVing is way less intimidating than I thought it would be. Before my first trip, I think I built it up in my head like there’d be a million complicated things to learn. But after the first little bit, you settle in pretty quickly. And honestly, Canadians and Canada are built for this kind of thing. I’ve been lucky enough to see more of Canada than the average person through touring and travelling, and this whole experience really opened my eyes to how much better those journeys could’ve been in an RV.

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Here are my top rookie RVing tips:

1. Just try it!

If you’ve been talking about RVing for years, this is your sign to stop saying “one day” and just hit the road. Whether you’re a hardcore camper or somebody who likes the outdoors with the comfort of a little air conditioning and a good mattress, RVing is honestly one of the easiest and most fun ways to travel. 

For me, it’s kind of wild that I didn’t try it sooner. I spent years on a TV show surrounded by trailers, I’m from the East Coast where there are endless places to explore, and somehow, I never actually did the RV thing properly. Now, I’m doing a big chunk of my comedy tour in an RV, and honestly, it’s a game-changer. 

2. Pack your favourite stuff

I’m an overpacker. Always have been. I like being prepared, and touring with hotels can turn into a lot of hauling bags in and out, unpacking for one night, then packing it all up again the next morning. With the RV, once I’m settled in, I’m settled in.

I get to keep all my stuff accessible the whole trip. My favourite snacks, coffee, comfy clothes, even games, whatever I want is just there. No constantly digging through suitcases or living out of a bag. It honestly makes the whole experience way more relaxing.

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3. Once you’re parked, open the awning…always!

We’re in Canada, so let’s be honest, you’re not guaranteed tropical sunshine every day. My first RV experience was amazing, [but] it rained for a big chunk of the trip. If we were crammed into a little tent the whole time, we probably would’ve lost our minds.

The awning gave us this covered outdoor space where we could still sit in the fresh air, relax and not feel trapped indoors waiting for the rain to stop. It even meant we could keep cooking outside without getting soaked, which is a huge win for me. Anything that helps keep the grill going is a good idea in my books.

4. Don’t be a hero!

Ask the questions. Read the manuals. Ask a friend who’s been RVing, ask your campground neighbour, ask the rental company, ask anybody. That was one of the first things I noticed — RV people are incredibly helpful. Nobody expects you to know everything right away. 

I definitely had moments where I thought, “Okay… what button does what here?” But once somebody shows you, it’s usually way simpler than you built it up to be in your head. Honestly, a little bit of homework and a willingness to ask questions go a long way.

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Q: What is the secret to a real-life Pat Roach/Randy-approved cheeseburger?

A: The secret to a real-life Pat Roach/Randy-approved cheeseburger is keeping it simple and using good quality ingredients. I love a smash burger, but I don’t put anything into the beef itself. Just regular ground beef, smashed properly on a hot flat top or grill so you get those crispy edges and lots of flavour.

Soft buns are absolutely crucial. I use grilled onions, and the cheese has to be a quality old white cheddar… something like Balderson. (Hit me up, Balderson.) Then it’s mayo, mustard, ketchup, shredded lettuce, tomato and pickles. Nothing too fancy, just a really solid cheeseburger done right. [You can] try out my recipe – I’m not saying this recipe will change your life… but I’m also not not saying that.

Q: Can you share some of your go-to grilling gear?

A: I’m not officially part of the Blackstone club yet, but after using one during my travels, I’m definitely in the market for one. I can absolutely see why people love them so much, especially for smash burgers and making breakfast outside at the campsite. It was one of the highlights of my trip, and made me look like a pro-chef to my family.

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Right now, my propane BBQ gets a ton of use. I also love using cast iron on the grill, especially for onions. A good cast iron pan holds heat so well and gives you that perfect cook. Other than that, I keep it pretty simple. A solid spatula and a good set of tongs are probably my most-used pieces of gear.

Q: You are spending a large portion of Randy’s Cheeseburger Picnic Comedy Tour travelling by RV. What are some of your must-have items to keep on hand on the road?

A: My must-have items on the road are pretty simple. I always like to have water, pistachios, fresh fruit, and a few good snacks on hand for travel days. I also always bring dice and cards so my team and I can have some fun during the little bits of downtime we get between shows and long drives.

Q: What is your favourite part about touring across Canada and meeting the fans face-to-face?

A: My favourite part of touring across Canada is getting to see how many people have connected with Trailer Park Boys over the years. It’s pretty incredible meeting people from all different ages and walks of life who grew up with the show, discovered it later with friends, or still quote it with their families today.

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A lot of people also tell me the show helped them through tough times in their lives, and hearing that never stops meaning something to me. You never really expect that the comedy show you are a part of would end up having that kind of impact on people.

I also love getting to experience so many different parts of Canada while touring. Every town and city has its own personality. But honestly, the laughter, the roar of the crowd, and the love from the fans is addictive. It keeps me coming back year after year. We truly have the greatest fans.

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kmendonca@postmedia.com 

instagram.com/kate.mendonca

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