RV Podcast: Recent Episodes
Mike Wendland
It is officially an RV buyer's market. New RV sales are falling, dealer inventories remain high, and manufacturers are cutting forecasts. For RV shoppers, that means something we have not seen in quite a while: real negotiating leverage.
But a buyer's market does not automatically mean every RV is a good deal.
In this week's RV Podcast News Edition, we dig into what is happening at RV dealerships, why so many 2026 models remain unsold, what buyers should be paying attention to with financing, and how to make sure a huge advertised discount really is a bargain. We also look at why the arrival of the new 2027 models could put even more pressure on dealers to move older inventory.
Also this week:
- America's Largest RV Show is coming to Hershey, with the new 2027 RVs arriving while dealers are still trying to clear unsold 2026 inventory.
- Wildfire danger is growing across the West, bringing campground closures, campfire bans and some important evacuation lessons for RV travelers.
- The Farmers' Almanac has issued its 2026-27 winter forecast. We take a somewhat skeptical look at just how much RV travelers should trust it.
- Quicksand in a National Park? A 22-year-old hiker sank shoulder-deep into glacial mud at Glacier National Park and needed four friends to pull her out.
If you are shopping for an RV, traveling through wildfire country, planning a trip to Hershey, or just trying to stay on top of what's happening in the RV lifestyle, we've got a lot to talk about this week.
And remember: We source our news stories. You'll find links to the original reporting and additional information on the show notes page at RVPodcast.com. Look for the Transcript tab and scroll to the bottom.
Subscribe and join us every Monday for the RV Podcast News Edition, and every Wednesday when Jennifer joins me for Stories from the Road, with RV tips, questions, advice and conversations about the RV lifestyle.
REMINDER: There are just two days left to save 20% on our new ebook, The Complete Guide to RVing in Retirement. The early-bird discount ends Wednesday, August 12. Get it at https://RVLifestyle.com/RetirementGuide
After years of RV travel, thousands of camping nights, and more gear than we'd like to admit, we've finally learned an important lesson: the most expensive gadgets aren't always the ones that improve your RV lifestyle.
In this episode, Mike and Jennifer share the RV purchases they'd happily buy again tomorrow, along with the products they wish they'd skipped entirely.
From washer and dryers, lithium batteries, solar power, mattresses, dash cams, air fryers, and cordless tire inflators to gravity chairs, countertop ice makers, RV toilet paper, and black tank chemicals, this is an honest conversation about what actually delivers value and what simply takes up space.
You'll also hear practical advice about black tank maintenance, how much water really matters, and why buying gear based on someone else's camping style can be an expensive mistake.
Plus, Jennifer answers a listener who is afraid of driving a large RV if her husband can't, and Mike offers advice to longtime RVers wondering if it's time to downsize from their Class A motorhome.
Whether you're shopping for your first RV or your fifth, this episode will probably save you money, storage space, and a few buying regrets.
Camping World is cutting another $100 million in costs. What does that mean for RV owners?
In this week's RV Podcast News, Mike Wendland looks beyond the headlines to explain why Camping World's latest announcement could matter the next time you need service for your RV.
Also this week:
- Camping World lowers its sales forecast as the RV market continues to soften
- A tariff break brings some welcome news for RV manufacturers
- Why your next RV trip could cost hundreds of dollars more than last summer
- How RVs are helping families displaced by the devastating Texas floods
- More than 200 outdoor recreation businesses urge Congress to invest in America's aging campgrounds before lawmakers leave Washington
If you own an RV, are thinking about buying one, or simply want to stay informed about what's happening across the RV lifestyle, this weekly news roundup is for you.
FREE CHAPTER
Download a free chapter from our new ebook, The Complete Guide to RVing in Retirement:
???? https://rvlifestyle.com/FreeChapter
Retirement isn't the end of the adventure. For many RVers, it's just the beginning.
In this episode of the RV Podcast, Mike and Jennifer Wendland celebrate the release of their new book, The Complete Guide to RVing in Retirement: What to Expect at Every Age, and share some of its most valuable lessons.
They discuss what RV life typically looks like through each stage of retirement, from the Bucket List Years to the Sweet Spot, the Adjustment Years, and beyond. Along the way, they explain the 330 Rule for more enjoyable travel, how to choose an RV based on the physical work it requires, how to prepare for unexpected medical issues while on the road, and why having a sense of purpose is one of the biggest keys to enjoying this lifestyle for decades.
If you've ever wondered whether your best RV years are still ahead of you, this episode is for you.
Learn more about the new book at:
https://rvlifestyle.com/retirementguide
And don't forget to subscribe to our free Daily RV Newsletter at:
https://RVLifestyle.com/Newsletter
This week, Mike examines a string of reckless incidents in America's national parks, from Yellowstone "tourons" walking across fragile thermal features to dangerous wildlife encounters that could have been avoided.
He also questions the RV industry's growing optimism after spending time in Elkhart and seeing signs that manufacturers are still slowing production while inventories remain high.
Plus:
• An AI-powered fake RV dealership scam targeting buyers on Facebook
• Roadtrek's latest ownership change and what we do, and don't, know about Conestogo Partners
• Major wildfires closing Minnesota's Boundary Waters and affecting summer travel
• New investments aimed at easing congestion in America's national parks
Stay informed with practical RV news and analysis you won't hear anywhere else.
Helpful Links
• CampBuddy Setup & Departure Checklist
https://rvlifestyle.com/campbuddy
• Join Our Free Daily Newsletter
https://rvlifestyle.com/newsletter
• Florida RV Travel Guides
https://rvlifestyle.com/allflorida
• RV Lifestyle Community
https://community.rvlifestyle.com
Roadtrek has a new owner, again.
In this breaking news episode, Mike examines the sale of Roadtrek from France's Groupe Rapido to Conestogo Partners, a U.S.-based investment group focused on outdoor recreation.
Roadtrek has one of the most fascinating histories in the RV industry, from pioneering the Class B motorhome market to surviving bankruptcy and multiple ownership changes. Mike explains what this latest sale means for owners, dealers and the future of one of RVing's most iconic brands.
The episode also covers the end of the Westfalia experiment in North America, the uncertain market facing RV manufacturers today, and why this ownership change comes at such an interesting time for Canadian-built RVs.
Could this finally be the long-term home Roadtrek has been searching for?
More details can be found at RVLifestyle.com/roadtrek-sold-again
For more RV news and practical RV lifestyle advice, visit RVLifestyle.com and subscribe to our free daily newsletter at RVLifestyle.com/Newsletter.
Meet Ron and Barbara Abler: Proof That RVing Has No Age Limit
Ron is 87. Barbara is 82. And right now, they're probably somewhere on the road, planning the next trip.
In this episode, Mike Wendland sits down with longtime friends of the RV Lifestyle community, Ron and Barbara Abler, to talk about what it actually takes to keep RVing in your 80s. Ron retired three times, from Penn State University in 1995, the Association of American Geographers in 2002, and the International Geographical Union in 2016. Barbara spent her career as a professor of geography at the University of North Carolina before retiring from the federal government in 2005. They bought their first RV, a Roadtrek Clas B, in 2018, and haven't slowed down since, traveling this past year from their home in Sheboygan, Wisconsin all the way to California, with stops at RV Lifestyle rallies in Fredericksburg, Texas, St. Augustine, Florida, and Empire, Michigan.
They talk candidly about the health scares and mechanical breakdowns that come with life on the road, how their travel style has changed since 2018, and what they'd tell any retiree who thinks they might be getting too old for another adventure.
Jennifer is off this week recovering from knee replacement surgery, we hope to have her back at the mic soon.
Also in this episode: Mike shares the new RV Maintenance Tracker app, plus listener questions on flat towing versus tow dollies and choosing between solar and a generator for boondocking.
Got a question for a future episode? Send it through the CONTACT link at https://RVPodcast.com.
Sign up for the free RV Lifestyle newsletter: https://RVLifestyle.com/newsletter
Check out the RV Maintenance Tracker: https://RVLifestyle.com/maintenance
This week on the RV Lifestyle Podcast News Edition, Mike Wendland takes a hard look at one of the biggest frustrations facing RV owners today: service department problems at some of the nation's largest RV dealer chains.
You'll also hear about the extreme weather that disrupted RV travel from the Great Lakes to Texas, California's new effort to crack down on ghost campground bookings, a major fire-risk recall affecting many Tiffin motorhomes, an important wildlife safety reminder following a Yellowstone bison attack, and why catalytic converter thefts are once again targeting RV owners across the country.
Every story in this episode is fully researched, independently sourced, and explained in plain English, along with practical takeaways you can use to travel smarter and more safely. Complete source links are available in the transcript tab above.
If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and leave a review. It helps other RVers discover the show and supports the work we do every week to keep you informed.
The RV Trip Dashboard we talked about is at RVLifestyle.com/TripDashboard
Thanks for listening, and as always... Happy Trails
Episode #625 - RV Insurance Done Right, the New Maintenance Tracker, and Slowing Down on the Road
Are you actually covered for life on the road? Matt Jacobs, RV Product Manager at Progressive Insurance, joins Mike to break down the coverage RVers need, the mistakes people make when buying it, and why insurance is one of the topics that comes up most in our Facebook Group.
Also this week: the launch of the RV Maintenance Tracker, a one-time-purchase app for logging every service, tire check, and repair in one synced place. Find it at RVLifestyle.com/maintenance.
Then, two listener questions: whether Starlink is worth adding to your setup if you're not working from the road, and how Mike and Jennifer have adjusted their travel pace in their 70s, including the "330 Rule" that changed how they plan travel days.
Jennifer is taking the week off to recover from knee replacement surgery.
Links mentioned:
- RV Maintenance Tracker: https://RVLifestyle.com/maintenance
- Free daily newsletter: https://RVLifestyle.com/newsletter
- Send us your questions: https://RVPodcast.com (Contact link)
This week on the RV Lifestyle Podcast News Edition, Mike Wendland looks at a surprising new trend that may shape the future of camping in America: communities increasingly pushing back against new RV parks and campgrounds.
We also cover:
• The worst RV sales numbers of the current downturn and why used RVs continue to outperform new inventory.
• Why Grand Design and Coachmen are both betting big on luxury Class C motorhomes.
• The return of rising fuel prices and what renewed Middle East tensions could mean for summer travel costs.
• The story of a small Colorado camper van builder that sold out its entire production run months ahead of schedule.
As always, every story featured in this episode is fully sourced and documented in the show notes at RVPodcast.com so you can verify the facts for yourself.
If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a review. It helps other RVers discover the show and means more to us than you know.
Safe travels, and we'll see you Wednesday for Stories from the Road
DULL TRANSCRIPT WITH ALL STORY SORUCES. CLCK THE TRANSCRIPT TAB AT THE TOP OF THIS DESCRIPTIOM
Brand-new RVs are being liquidated in the middle of peak camping season, and that's just the beginning.
In this week's RV Lifestyle Podcast News Edition, Mike Wendland examines why the RV industry is facing growing challenges, what the newly announced Patrick-Lippert merger could mean for RV owners, and why record Fourth of July crowds created chaos in many National Parks.
Also this week:
• A look at the latest RV safety recalls
• Expanding public campgrounds that could make reservations easier
• An inspiring story about one RVer who accomplished an incredible National Park milestone
Every story featured in this episode is fully sourced. Click the transcript tab for complete show notes and links to every article referenced.
Be sure to subscribe to the RV Lifestyle Newsletter at RVLifestyle.com for daily RV news, travel inspiration, and practical advice delivered free to your inbox.
For years, we dream about retirement. We imagine freedom, open roads, and finally having the time to do everything we've always wanted. But what happens when that day finally arrives?
In this episode of Stories from the Road, Mike and Jennifer share an honest conversation about what they've discovered in the second half of life. After more than 15 years of RV travel, they've learned that retirement isn't really an ending, it's the beginning of a whole new adventure.
They talk about slowing down without giving up, finding purpose beyond a career, making time for family, embracing curiosity, and why some of life's greatest moments happen when you stop rushing to the next destination.
Along the way, they answer your RV questions, share practical travel advice, and reflect on the friendships, experiences, and unexpected lessons the RV lifestyle has brought into their lives.
Whether you're already retired, planning for retirement, or decades away from it, this episode offers a thoughtful reminder that the best years of life may still be ahead.
In this episode:
- Why retirement isn't the finish line
- Learning to slow down without stopping
- The importance of purpose at every age
- How RV travel changes the way you see America and yourself
- Jennifer answers a listener's question about preparing for full-time travel
- Mike answers an RV technical question from a listener
For complete show notes, visit RVPodcast.com.
Join our free daily RV Lifestyle newsletter, delivered every morning by 7:30 a.m. Eastern, at RVLifestyle.com/newsletter.
For years, we dream about retirement. We imagine freedom, open roads, and finally having the time to do everything we've always wanted. But what happens when that day finally arrives?
In this episode of Stories from the Road, Mike and Jennifer share an honest conversation about what they've discovered in the second half of life. After more than 15 years of RV travel, they've learned that retirement isn't really an ending, it's the beginning of a whole new adventure.
They talk about slowing down without giving up, finding purpose beyond a career, making time for family, embracing curiosity, and why some of life's greatest moments happen when you stop rushing to the next destination.
Along the way, they answer your RV questions, share practical travel advice, and reflect on the friendships, experiences, and unexpected lessons the RV lifestyle has brought into their lives.
Whether you're already retired, planning for retirement, or decades away from it, this episode offers a thoughtful reminder that the best years of life may still be ahead.
In this episode:
- Why retirement isn't the finish line
- Learning to slow down without stopping
- The importance of purpose at every age
- How RV travel changes the way you see America and yourself
- Jennifer answers a listener's question about preparing for full-time travel
- Mike answers an RV technical question from a listener
For complete show notes, visit RVPodcast.com.
Join our free daily RV Lifestyle newsletter, delivered every morning by 7:30 a.m. Eastern, at RVLifestyle.com/newsletter.
This week's RV Lifestyle Podcast News Edition is packed with practical information to help you travel smarter.
Mike explains why slowing RV sales could create exceptional buying opportunities, looks at what will likely be the busiest Fourth of July travel week ever, breaks down where fuel prices are headed, explains the latest Starlink changes affecting RVers, and wraps up with two travel center stories you'll definitely want to know before your next trip.
Full Transcript Available with sources
A complete transcript of this episode is available in the Transcript tab at RVPodcast.com
Have a question for a future episode?
We love hearing from listeners. Send us your questions, comments, or story ideas through the Contact link at RVPodcast.com. Your question may be answered on a future podcast.
Don't forget to subscribe to our free daily RV Lifestyle Newsletter at RVLifestyle.com/newsletter and join our private, ad-free RVCommunity at RVCommunity.com.
Happy Trails!
Wall Street has discovered camping.
Across America, investment firms, private equity groups, and large corporate operators are quietly buying family-owned campgrounds at an unprecedented pace. The result is changing the camping experience many RVers have enjoyed for decades.
In this episode, Mike and Jennifer explore how campground consolidation is reshaping RV travel, from rising campsite rates and resort fees to stricter rules and less personal service.
You'll hear from a family campground owner who continues to reject multimillion-dollar offers to sell and learn why independent campground owners are facing increasing pressure from investors eager to capitalize on the booming camping industry.
Also in this episode:
• Jennifer shares a personal update on her upcoming knee replacement surgery
• The story behind one campground family's decision to stay independent
• Tips for finding and supporting family-owned campgrounds
• RV Question of the Week: What to do after driving away with your power cord still plugged in
If you've ever wondered why camping feels different than it used to, this conversation may explain a lot.
Click the transcript tab for complete show notes and resources.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Campbuddy App - https://rvlifestyle.com/campbuddy
Our free newsletter - https://rvlifestyle.com/newsletter
The RV industry is chasing the wrong generation. While manufacturers court 30-somethings with outdoor TVs and influencer campaigns, the buyers who are actually writing checks right now look nothing like the people in the ads.
Last week I sat around a campfire in Hocking Hills, Ohio with 88 members of our RVCommunity. I asked how many had bought a new RV in the past year. Eleven hands went up. A 12th would have, but he was out on a six-mile hike. He was turning 70.
That tells you everything the sales charts do not.
In this episode we dig into who is really driving the RV market right now, what experienced RVers actually want that manufacturers keep missing, the quiet but alarming shift happening in our national parks, and a dramatic rescue on the Appalachian Trail that is a reminder of exactly why preparation matters out there.
Read the companion blog post on RVing in the second half of life at RVLifestyle.com - link below.
Here is the complete episode, start to finish.
THE RV PODCAST - MONDAY NEWS EDITION Episode Air Date: Monday, June 23, 2026 - 6:00 AM Approx. Running Time: 25 Minutes Host: Mike Wendland
THE LAST GENERATION THAT KNOWS HOW TO TRAVEL ...and why the RV industry keeps ignoring them
OPEN
Last week I was sitting around a campfire in Hocking Hills, Ohio, with about 50 members of our RVCommunity.com.
I asked a simple question: how many of you have bought a brand new RV in the last year?
Eleven hands went up. A 12th would have, but he was out on a six-mile sunset hike - and he was turning 70 that summer.
This was happening while the RV industry is posting some of the worst wholesale shipment numbers in over a decade.
Which raises a question the people running this industry ought to be asking themselves: who exactly are they building RVs for?
Because I can tell you who is actually buying them. And they look nothing like the people in the ads.
OPENING
Good morning and welcome to the RV Podcast Monday News Edition. I'm Mike Wendland.
Eighteen Emmy Awards. Thirty-plus years covering everything from wars to the White House to consumer affairs. And for the past 15 years, living the RV lifestyle myself with my wife Jennifer in every type of rig you can imagine, coast to coast, all 48 contiguous states.
Today's show is a little different. Instead of leading with a breaking story, I want to start with something I witnessed firsthand that I believe tells you more about the real state of the RV market than any press release you will read this year.
And if you want to go deeper after you listen, I have been writing about this topic at RVLifestyle.com for the past several weeks. We have been exploring what it means to RV in the second half of life - the freedom, the community, the mindset, and yes, the ways the industry keeps getting it wrong. There is a link in the show notes. I think you will recognize yourself in it.
Here is what is happening on the road. And here is what the industry is getting wrong. Let's get into it.
LEAD STORY: THE LAST GENERATION THAT KNOWS HOW TO TRAVEL
The RV industry is having a rough year. A really rough year. And the numbers tell the story fast, so let me give them to you and move on, because the real story is not the numbers. The real story is who is still out there buying and camping while those numbers grind downward.
Wholesale shipments are down more than 13 percent through the first four months of 2026. Retail sales off 14 to 15 percent from last year. The industry's own forecast, just revised downward again this month, now projects this as one of the worst years for new RV sales in over a decade.
So who is still buying?
Here is what I can tell you from 15 years in this world and from what I saw last week in Hocking Hills. The people who are still writing checks for new RVs, right now, in the worst market in a decade, are the people the industry seems most determined to pretend do not exist.
Baby Boomers. Older Gen Xers. People who grew up reading paper maps. Making reservations by phone. Talking to strangers when they got lost. Fixing things with their hands. Navigating real uncertainty with nothing but experience and nerve.
According to industry research, Americans 50 and older remain the primary customer segment for RVs. Many are retirees fulfilling long-held travel dreams, and that population is still growing as the tail end of the baby boom ages into retirement. These are people with home equity, disposable income, and something even more valuable: the time and the confidence to actually use what they buy.
And yet when you look at the ads. When you watch the Go RVing campaigns. When you walk the floor of any major RV show and look at the marketing materials stacked at the booths. You see toned and trendy 30-year-olds doing yoga on the roof of a Class B. You see influencers with ring lights and perfect hair. What you do not see is the 68-year-old retired engineer who just dropped $95,000 on a new fifth wheel and is headed to Alaska.
That is a real blind spot. And I think it is costing the industry real money.
Here is what I saw at our Hocking Hills rally. Eighty-eight people, ranging from their 50s into their 80s. Riding bikes and e-bikes and scooters. Hiking up and down some of the most spectacular terrain in the Midwest. One of our members, a retired RV technician, got under a fellow member's trailer and repacked the wheel bearings on the spot. Another couple spent an afternoon giving scooter lessons to anyone who wanted to learn.
Nobody was stuck. Nobody was panicking. When something broke, someone fixed it. When someone needed help, someone helped them. These are people who grew up problem-solving before there was an app for it. And they brought every one of those skills out here.
I asked how many had bought a new RV in the past year. Eleven hands went up. Twelve if you count the man who was out on a six-mile hike at 70 years old.
This is happening while the industry chases 33-year-olds with solar panels and TikTok aesthetics.
I am not saying younger buyers are not important. They are the future and we need them. But the marketing case being made inside RV boardrooms right now, that the 50-plus buyer is yesterday's news, is demonstrably wrong. And in a market this soft, you cannot afford to ignore your most reliable customer.
I wrote about this at length over at RVLifestyle.com. It is part of an ongoing series we have been running on RVing in the second half of life. The link is in the show notes. If today's lead story speaks to you, that post will too.
STORY 2: WHO IS ACTUALLY DRIVING THE MARKET
The demographic picture of who owns and buys RVs is more complicated than the ads suggest, and it is worth understanding.
The median age of RV owners has come down in recent years. Younger buyers were absolutely part of the pandemic surge. Millennials and Gen Z now represent roughly 22 percent of RV owners - the same share as Baby Boomers - which tells you something about how quickly the demographics shifted during COVID.
But here is what the industry sometimes misses in that data. Younger buyers came in during a period of historically low interest rates, flush pandemic savings, and work-from-home flexibility. Those conditions no longer exist. The buyers who are proving most resilient in this market are the ones who are not dependent on 7 percent financing to make the purchase work.
Industry analyst Earl Hunter Jr., founder of The Unity Folks, put it bluntly in a recent trade publication outlook piece. He said the biggest trend in the RV industry right now is, simply, lack of growth. And that the industry has not figured out why emerging demographics and nontraditional consumers have little to no interest in the RV lifestyle.
That is a real problem worth solving. But while the industry works on reaching new audiences, there is a generation of experienced, well-capitalized, deeply motivated buyers out on the road right now who built this market and are still carrying it. They deserve a little more respect than a supporting role in someone else's marketing story.
STORY 3: WHAT EXPERIENCED RVers ACTUALLY WANT - AND WHAT MANUFACTURERS KEEP MISSING
I want to tell you one more thing from Hocking Hills, because I think it reveals something important about the disconnect between what the industry is building and what experienced RVers actually need.
During our campfire conversation, I asked people what features they most use in their current rigs. What do they love. What they would change.
Nobody mentioned outdoor TVs. Not one person. This is notable because outdoor entertainment has been one of the most aggressively marketed RV features of the last several years. Manufacturers have been loading up rigs with outdoor TVs, outdoor kitchens, outdoor speakers. The assumption is that RVers want to recreate the suburban living room experience outside.
Our members were out hiking six miles. They were packed into a campfire circle talking to each other. They were fixing each other's trailers. The last thing they wanted was a television.
What did they talk about wanting? Better towing stability. Improved service networks. Simpler systems that do not require a software update to turn on the hot water. Quality that lasts. And dealers who actually know the products they are selling.
These are people with decades of RV miles behind them. They know exactly what they need and exactly what they do not. When you have that kind of experience, you stop being impressed by features and start being impressed by reliability.
The industry could learn a lot by listening more carefully to the people who have been doing this the longest....
Ticks are having a banner year across much of North America, and that has outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, campers, and RVers paying close attention.
Most people know about Lyme disease. But far fewer have heard of Alpha-Gal Syndrome, a tick-borne condition that can suddenly make you allergic to red meat and trigger severe, even life-threatening allergic reactions.
In this episode of the RV Podcast, we revisit one of the most important health interviews we've ever done.
RVer Fred Church shares the remarkable story of how a single tick bite changed his life forever. What started as what seemed like food poisoning after eating a hamburger soon turned into a frightening medical mystery involving swelling, vomiting, intense itching, and a diagnosis that left him unable to eat many of the foods he had enjoyed his entire life.
Fred explains how Alpha-Gal Syndrome develops, the symptoms he experienced, how he was diagnosed, and the precautions he and his wife Kathy now take whenever they head outdoors.
The timing of this conversation couldn't be better. Earlier this summer, Mike had a tick embedded in his face that required a dermatologist to make an incision and use two stitches to remove it. The doctor told him he had already removed dozens of ticks from patients this season.
Whether you're exploring hiking trails, walking the dog around the campground, sitting around a campfire, or simply enjoying the outdoors, this episode is a powerful reminder that tick prevention is more important than ever.
If you think the only tick-borne illness you need to worry about is Lyme disease, this conversation may change your mind.
In this episode:
• Fred Church's personal Alpha-Gal Syndrome story
• The symptoms that led to his diagnosis
• How a tick bite can trigger a red meat allergy
• What RVers and outdoor travelers need to know
• Practical tick prevention strategies
• Why tick-borne illnesses are becoming a growing concern
This is one of those episodes that could make a real difference for you, your family, and your travels.
Also in this episode, answers to your questions about:
- Whether a Combo or a separate washer and dryer is best for an RV
and
- How to best learn how to drive an RV
Get the RV Lifestyle Newsletter at https://rvlifestyle.com/newsletter
This week's RV Lifestyle Podcast News Edition covers five important stories every RVer should know about.
First, a major recall affects more than one million Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators, including many popular tow vehicles used behind motorhomes. Owners are being advised to park affected vehicles outside due to a potential fire risk, even when the ignition is off.
We also look at new vehicle restrictions at Zion National Park that will prevent many larger motorhomes and fifth wheels from using the scenic Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway and tunnel route. If Zion is on your travel plans this year, these changes could affect your trip.
Plus, diesel fuel prices have finally started moving lower, but many RV owners are still running into an outdated pay-at-the-pump system that makes filling large tanks unnecessarily difficult.
In this episode you'll also hear the remarkable story of how investigators finally identified human remains discovered more than two decades ago in Olympic National Park, thanks to advances in forensic genealogy.
And finally, the RV Industry Association has quietly lowered its 2026 shipment forecast, creating what may be the best buyer's market RV shoppers have seen in years. We'll explain what the numbers mean and how they could work in your favor if you're considering a purchase.
Along the way, Mike shares updates from Hocking Hills, Ohio, where RVCommunity.com members are gathering for the summer rally, and explains why these community events continue to be one of the most rewarding parts of the RV lifestyle.
Links, sources, and additional resources for every story are available through the transcript tab.
Happy Trails!
What should every RVer carry in their first aid kit? What medical emergencies are most common on the road? And when is a health issue serious enough to seek immediate help?
This week on Episode 616 of the RV Podcast, we're joined by Dr. Richard Raborn, a retired physician, lifelong RVer, and member of our RV Lifestyle Community. Dr. Raborn shares practical, real-world medical advice for RV travelers, including how to prepare for health emergencies, what medications and supplies belong in your RV, and how to stay safe when you're far from home. It's one of the most useful conversations we've had for anyone who travels by RV.
We also tackle two listener questions that many RVers will relate to:
• Linda and Don, both recently retired, want to buy an RV and travel the country, but their adult children think they're crazy. Jennifer explains why your late 60s may actually be the perfect time to embrace the RV lifestyle and why waiting for "someday" can be the bigger risk.
• Gary from Tennessee wonders whether the 200-watt solar package on his new travel trailer really makes him "energy independent." Mike breaks down the truth about RV solar systems, batteries, inverters, and why many RV buyers are getting an unrealistic picture of what factory-installed solar can actually do.
Plus, we share an update as we pack for our RVCommunity.com Summer Rally in Hocking Hills, Ohio, and talk about why the friendships formed through RVing may be the greatest benefit of the lifestyle.
In this episode:
✓ Dr. Richard Raborn's RV medical preparedness tips
✓ What belongs in an RV first aid kit
✓ How to handle medical issues on the road
✓ Is 68 too old to start RVing?
✓ Why RV travel may be ideal for retirees
✓ The truth about RV solar marketing claims
✓ Battery banks, inverters, and boondocking explained
✓ RV Community updates and rally news
For complete show notes, visit RVPodcast.com.
Subscribe to our free daily newsletter and get RV tips, travel ideas, news, and inspiration delivered to your inbox every morning by 7:30 AM at RVLifestyle.com/newsletter.
What happens when trusted RV influencers, battery manufacturers, dealers, and content creators collide?
In this week's RV Lifestyle Podcast News Edition, Mike Wendland takes a deep dive into two of the most talked-about controversies in the RV industry right now, including the Battle Born Batteries lawsuit against popular YouTube reviewer Will Prowse and the growing questions surrounding the Wingman Wisdom/Bish's RV dispute.
But this episode goes beyond the headlines.
Mike shares his perspective after more than 40 years in journalism, examining the growing influence of sponsored content, affiliate marketing, hidden conflicts of interest, and why RV consumers need to be more careful than ever about who they trust online.
Also in this episode:
• Battle Born Batteries maker Dragonfly Energy sues YouTube creator Will Prowse
• Questions surrounding transparency and influencer compensation
• The Wingman vs. Bish's RV controversy and conflict of interest concerns
• Why disclosure and trust matter in today's RV media landscape
• The surprising leadership shakeup at Lippert Components and what it may mean for the RV industry
• New economic data showing the RV lifestyle now contributes an astonishing $159 billion annually to the U.S. economy
This is one of the most thought-provoking RV News Editions we've ever produced, touching on issues that affect every RVer who relies on online reviews, recommendations, and industry reporting.
???? Subscribe to our free daily RV newsletter:
RVLifestyle.com/newsletter
New RV tips, travel ideas, campground discoveries, gear recommendations, and RV industry news delivered to your inbox every morning by 7:30 AM.
Summer heat can be tough on RVs.
If you've ever wondered why your RV air conditioner struggles to keep up, why your refrigerator doesn't seem as cold as it should be, or what you can do to improve performance during hot-weather camping, this episode is for you.
Mike and Jennifer welcome Will Troyer, Director of Product Management for GE Appliances' Recreational Living Division, for an in-depth conversation about RV cooling systems.
Will explains how RV air conditioners and refrigerators work, why they perform differently than residential appliances, and what RVers can do to stay comfortable and keep food safe when temperatures climb.
Along the way, Mike and Jen answer listener questions, share practical summer RV tips, and announce the release of their brand-new North Carolina RV Travel Guide.
You'll come away with useful, actionable advice that can help make your summer travels cooler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Free Daily RV Newsletter:
RVLifestyle.com/newsletter
North Carolina RV Travel Guide:
RVLifestyle.com/NorthCarolina
Welcome to the June 1, 2026 Monday News Edition of the RV Lifestyle Podcast. I'm Mike Wendland, and this week we have a show that every RV owner needs to hear before they hit the road this summer.
We start with a story that I believe goes a long way toward explaining one of the biggest problems facing the RV industry right now: quality control. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration just released the May 2026 recall report, and it covers nearly 15,000 RVs across more than a dozen separate recalls.
And before you assume this is routine housekeeping, let me tell you what is on this list. A Tiffin motorhome with a fuel tank punctured by a screw during manufacturing - NHTSA's own guidance says to park it outside and away from structures until the repair is done. A Jayco motorhome missing the water heater safety valve entirely - not defective, just absent.
A Winnebago Solis with a propane hose routed directly over the exhaust heat shield. Grand Design Lineage motorhomes with two separate recalls in the same month - unsecured seats and solar panels that could detach at highway speed. And a long list of brands - including our own Brinkley Model Z - with shock bolts that were never properly tightened at the factory.
Here is the part that matters most: manufacturers are not required to notify owners immediately. Some of the letters for these recalls are not going out until July. Two months from now. You should not be waiting. Go to NHTSA.gov, enter your VIN, and find out right now whether your rig is on this list. It takes thirty seconds and it could save your life or someone else's. We cover every brand affected, every defect, and every manufacturer phone number you need.
From there we move to our RV Blunder of the Year, and I want to be upfront with you: this one comes with an asterisk. According to Cowboy State Daily, someone driving an RV pulled into the Maverik gas station in Montrose, Colorado, and emptied their black water tank - the toilet waste tank - directly into the station's underground diesel fuel supply. Not the dump station that was right there on the property. The diesel tank. We dig into what is actually confirmed, where the sourcing falls short, why the station's silence is a little suspicious, and why the story is worth telling regardless of whether every detail holds up. The lesson at the end of it applies to every new RVer on the road this summer.
Then we get into the April 2026 RV industry shipment numbers, and they are not pretty. Total shipments came in at just over 29,000 units for the month - down more than 17 percent compared to April of last year. Through the first four months of 2026, the industry is running nearly 13 and a half percent behind 2025's pace. Towable RVs - the heart of the market - are down more than 20 percent year over year. We connect those numbers directly to the quality control failures we covered in the first story, because they are connected. Consumer confidence does not survive a steady diet of recall lists like the one we just walked through. That said, there is a genuine bright spot: motorhomes finished April up 13 percent compared to last year, and Park Model RVs jumped nearly 30 percent. We break down what those numbers mean and what to watch for the rest of the summer.
We close with a story that felt like a breath of fresh air after everything else this week. Alliance RV - one of the most respected independent manufacturers in the business, known for their Paradigm, Avenue, Valor, and Delta lines - just held their seventh annual owner rally in Goshen, Indiana. Nearly 400 rigs and 800 owners showed up. And when someone from the audience asked founders Coley and Ryan Brady straight out whether they planned to sell the company, the answer was a flat no. Ten-plus years of runway ahead, their words. In an industry where Thor Industries and Winnebago have absorbed so many brands it is nearly impossible to keep track, Alliance is planting a flag and saying they are building something different. We tell you why that matters and what it means for RVers who value buying from a manufacturer that still has skin in the game.
This week on the RV Podcast, it's Questions From the Road.
We're answering listener questions about RV life, travel planning, campground strategies, RV technology, and some personal behind-the-scenes questions as well.
After more than 15 years on the road, we've learned a few things, sometimes the hard way, and in this episode we share honest, practical answers drawn from real RV experience.
Topics include:
• Trip planning and travel routines
• RV tech and connectivity
• Campground and routing questions
• Lifestyle decisions and lessons learned
• Personal questions from listeners
It is real conversation, real RV life, and hopefully some helpful encouragement for your own travels.
Thanks for listening to the RV Podcast with Mike and Jennifer Wendland.
This week on the RV Podcast News Edition, Mike Wendland digs into four stories every RVer should be paying attention to.
First up: Is Camping World really in trouble? Rumors of bankruptcy exploded online after comparisons were made to the collapse of marine retailer West Marine. Mike separates the facts from the fear and explains what’s really happening inside the RV industry right now.
Then, Yosemite National Park is becoming a crowded mess. Reservation systems are gone, traffic is piling up, vandalism is increasing, and many park employees are sounding the alarm about what this summer could look like.
Also in this episode: Why are RV owners staying home? KOA’s CEO just revealed a troubling trend inside the camping industry. More RV owners than ever are using their rigs less often, or not at all. Rising travel costs, fuel prices, campground fees, and economic uncertainty are changing how people camp.
And finally, some good news. In a world where so many people feel isolated and disconnected, camping may be one of the best antidotes to loneliness. New research shows RVers and campers are forming friendships and community connections unlike anywhere else.
This is the RV Lifestyle Podcast News Edition for May 26, 2026.
Stories Covered:
Should you buy a used RV instead of a new one?
This week on Episode 610 of the RV Podcast, Mike and Jennifer talk with Tom MacAllister, an avid RVer who flips RVs as a hobby and has developed a sharp eye for spotting both bargains and disasters.
Tom explains why many first-time RVers may actually be better off buying used, especially in today’s market where new RV prices continue to climb and depreciation hits hard the moment a rig leaves the lot.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to inspect a used RV before buying
- Common red flags that scare experienced buyers away
- The biggest pricing mistakes RV sellers make
- How to avoid expensive surprises after purchase
- Why some older RVs may actually be built better than newer ones
- Tips for getting the best value whether buying or selling
Mike and Jen add their own perspective from years of RV ownership and travel, with candid stories about what they’ve learned buying, trading, and living in RVs over the years.
If you’ve ever wondered whether new is really better, this episode may change the way you shop for your next RV.
Good morning, and welcome to the RV Lifestyle Podcast Monday News Edition. I'm Mike Wendland - journalist, multi-Emmy Award-winning reporter, and a guy who's been living the RV lifestyle for more than 15 years.
This week, something a little different.
Over the past few months, we've been getting a steady stream of listener questions and feedback about some bigger, harder topics. Not just "where should I camp next" stuff. Real questions about the state of the RV industry, about prices, about quality, about the future of our National Parks, and about whether social media is selling people a fantasy version of this lifestyle that doesn't match reality.
So today, I'm going to tackle seven of the biggest ones head-on.
No spin. No cheerleading. Just straight talk - the same way I tried to do things in a thirty-plus year journalism career.
This is the Monday News Edition of the RV Lifestyle Podcast, dropping every Monday morning at 6 AM with news, industry developments, campground updates, and National Park happenings that matter to RV owners and travelers. It's one of two episodes we do each week. Jennifer joins me every Wednesday on Stories from the Road, with destinations, interviews, and your questions.
► If you want help planning and organizing your own RV trips, we have put all our guides, tools, RV travel apps and checklists together in one place.
You will find it all https://rvlifestyle.com/plan
Last week, Jennifer and I got brutally honest about some of the dumbest, most expensive, and most embarrassing mistakes we've made in 15 years of RVing. We talked about broken gear, costly blunders, rookie mistakes, and the kind of RV disasters that make you want to crawl under the camper and hide.
And wow... did that strike a nerve.
RVers from all over the country wrote in with stories of their own. Bent tailgates. Sewage explosions. Torn awnings. Backing disasters. Fuel mistakes. Near misses. And plenty of “please tell me nobody saw that” moments.
So this week, Misery Loves Company.
In this episode of the RV Podcast, we're sharing some of the funniest, most cringe-worthy, and painfully relatable RV mistakes sent in by fellow RVers, along with what caused them, what they learned, and how you can avoid making the same mistakes yourself.
If you've ever:
• Dumped your tanks wrong
• Forgotten to retract something before driving away
• Misjudged a turn or campsite
• Backed into something
• Made an expensive RV mistake you'll never admit publicly...
...this episode is for you.
Because every RVer has a story. Usually more than one.
Plus in this episode:
• RV tips to help you avoid costly mistakes
• Listener stories from the road
• Smart lessons learned the hard way
• A few laughs at our own expense
Listen now and discover why sometimes the best RV lessons come from the worst RV mistakes.
RVLife #RVPodcast #RVMistakes #CampingFails #RVLiving #FifthWheel #Motorhome #TravelTrailer #RVTips #FullTimeRV
Most RV buyers think the negotiation is over when they sign the paperwork.
It’s not.
In this week’s RV Podcast News Edition, Mike exposes the hidden RV sales tax trap that can cost owners thousands of dollars for years after buying their rig, even if they negotiated a huge discount. Some states tax you on the ORIGINAL MSRP, not what you actually paid. And almost nobody warns buyers before they sign.
But that’s just the beginning.
Also in this episode:
• A new bipartisan bill in Congress could eliminate taxes on RV loan interest
• The federal government is opening more public lands to hunting and trapping, including some national park areas
• Winnebago unveils a jaw-dropping $332,000 luxury overlanding rig designed for extreme off-grid adventure
• Two terrifying bear attacks in national parks remind RVers why wildlife safety matters more than ever
And before the news starts, Mike shares details about a live interactive workshop happening Thursday night:
RV Problems on the Road, Fixed Fast, designed to help RVers avoid breakdowns and trip-ending problems before Memorial Day weekend.
If you own an RV, plan to buy one, camp on federal land, or travel in bear country, this is one episode you do not want to miss.
Subscribe and follow the RV Podcast for trusted RV news, consumer reporting, travel stories, campground tips, and real-world RV advice from Mike and Jennifer Wendland.
Listen now and stay informed before your next adventure.
Happy Trails!
We’ve made a lot of RV mistakes over the years… but these eight? They cost us a jaw-dropping $26,000.
In this episode, we’re getting real and sharing the costly, embarrassing, and sometimes downright scary mistakes we’ve made on the road, from a $16,000 fuel disaster to a tailgate crunch, a campsite mishap, and one very icy near-disaster that could have ended much worse.
The truth is, none of these were bad luck. Every single one was preventable.
If you’re new to RVing, or even if you’ve been doing it for years, these lessons could save you thousands of dollars, a whole lot of stress, and maybe even your safety.
Here’s what we cover:
• The $16,000 fueling mistake that forced us to replace our truck
• A simple hookup error that cost $7,000 in seconds
• Why rushing into a campsite can cost you big
• The embarrassing backing mistake in front of a crowd
• How ignoring the weather almost tipped our fifth wheel
• Why driving too far leads to costly decisions
• The checklist mistake that shattered a window
• The fuel habit that nearly left us stranded
And the big takeaway? RVing isn’t hard… but it is unforgiving if you’re not paying attention.
Learn from our mistakes so you don’t have to pay for them.
Also in this episode"
Travel tips to make your next trip smoother
- Our RV Question of the Week, with a practical answer you can use right away to save on fuel costs (especially diesel)
- A featured RV destination to inspire your next adventure- The Great Lakes Shoreline Tour
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
The RV Trip Dashboard app we made - https://rvlifestyle.com/tripdashboard
Our May 14 workshop on Fixing Problems on the Road - https://rvlifestyle.com/workshop
Departure Day Checklist - https://rvlifestyle.com//DepartureApp
The Great Lakes Shoreline Travel Guide - https://rvlifestyle.com/tripdashboard
https://gasguddy.com
https://gasguru.com
https://truckerpath.com
https://rvlifestyle.com/tripdashboard
- Get a free quote from Wholesale Warranties: https://wholesalewarranties.com/rvlif...
- Find unique overnight spots at farms, ranches, wineries, and more - use code RVLDEAL for 40% off: https://RVLifestyle.com/rvovernights
Travel season is here — and so is $6 diesel. This week's Monday News Edition covers five stories that every RV traveler needs to hear before they hitch up and head out.
What we cover this week:
Fuel Prices: The Surge That Could Change Your Summer Plans National diesel is at $5.62 and climbing. Regular gas jumped 34 cents in a single week — the biggest weekly run-up of the year. Real RVers are already shortening trips and canceling plans. Mike breaks down the numbers and gives practical advice for budgeting your 2026 travel season.
Boundary Waters: A Historic Public Lands Decision For the first time in American history, Congress used the Congressional Review Act to overturn a public land protection order — lifting a 20-year mining ban near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota. No mine is being built tomorrow, but the legal precedent is one every camper and public lands user should understand.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park Goes Cashless As of May 1, cash is no longer accepted at TRNP campgrounds. Reservations through Recreation.gov are now required. If you have a trip planned to North Dakota this season, here is what changed and what you need to do before you arrive.
A Chinese Company Just Reinvented the RV The Feixiang "Flying RV" looks like a normal compact motorhome on the road. Park it, hit a button, and the entire upper level rises on hydraulic legs — doubling the living space from 200 to nearly 400 square feet. Mike watched the video twice. Links are in the show notes.
Camping World Q1 Results: Two Trends Worth Watching Revenue hit $1.35 billion, but the real story is buried in the details. CEO Matt Wagner used the phrase "K-shaped economy" to describe what he is seeing at dealerships right now — and a new Costco partnership is about to open a customer pipeline no other RV dealer has.
All stories are sourced and linked below.
Links and Show Notes:
- RV Trip Planning Dashboard: https://rvlifestyle.com/tripdashboard
- Live Workshop - How to Handle RV Problems on the Road Fast (May 14, 7PM Eastern, $10): https://rvlifestyle.com/workshop
- AAA Gas Prices: https://gasprices.aaa.com
- Boundary Waters Mining Decision: https://www.eenews.net/articles/trump-signs-resolution-favoring-mining-near-boundary-waters/
- Theodore Roosevelt NP Cashless Notice: https://www.nps.gov/thro/learn/news/theodore-roosevelt-national-park-to-move-to-cashless-fee-collection-starting-may-1.htm
- Feixiang Two-Story RV Video: https://rvbusiness.com/video-chinese-company-built-a-2-story-transforming-rv/
- Camping World Q1 Results: https://rvbusiness.com/camping-worlds-wagner-pleased-with-q1-performance/
Subscribe for new episodes every Monday and Wednesday. Monday: News Edition - the stories shaping RV travel right now. Wednesday: Stories from the Road - tips, destinations, and the RV lifestyle.
The RV Lifestyle Podcast is the longest-running RV lifestyle podcast in the United States. Hosted by Mike Wendland, an 18-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, every story is sourced, fact-checked, and told straight.
RVLifestyle.com | RVPodcast.com | RVCommunity.com
What happens between the big RV rallies? That is where the real magic often begins.
In this episode, we talk with RVer Jeff Neumann about the growing trend of mini meetups, those small, informal gatherings organized by everyday RVers that are quietly transforming the lifestyle. These casual get-togethers are helping people build deeper friendships, stay connected on the road, and turn quick festival encounters into lasting relationships.
We will explore how mini meetups work, why they are becoming so popular, and how you can find or start one yourself no matter where your travels take you.
Plus in this episode:
Travel tips to make your next trip smoother
Our RV Question of the Week, with a practical answer you can use right away
A featured RV destination to inspire your next adventure
If you have ever felt like the best part of RVing is the people you meet, this episode will show you how to keep those connections going long after the rally ends.
Subscribe, share, and join us as we celebrate the friendships that make the RV lifestyle so special.
This week's RV news is big. A congressional hearing reveals what really happened when the Grand Canyon burned. A potential mega-merger could reshape every RV on the road. Bears are attacking hikers at the most visited park in America. And the national parks are opening - with some major changes you need to know before you go.
In this episode:
- The Dragon Bravo Fire scandal: did the NPS let it burn on purpose? Congress wants answers.
- Fire season is already here - Southeast RVers, there are campfire bans in effect RIGHT NOW
- Patrick Industries and Lippert in merger talks - the two companies inside your RV want to combine
- Bears attacked six hikers at Great Smoky Mountains in two weekends - here is what not to do
- Grand Canyon North Rim reopens May 15 after the most destructive fire in park history
- Glacier National Park drops its reservation system for 2026 - finally
- Acadia, Yellowstone updates - and an RV height warning Acadia visitors must hear
New episodes every Monday (News) and Wednesday (Stories from the Road). Subscribe so you never miss one.
Join our community at RVCommunity.com - ad-free, no algorithms, just RVers. Plan your next trip at rvlifestyle.com/plan
Ever wonder what really goes on behind the scenes at an RV dealership? This week, Mike and Jennifer sit down with Nick Schmidt of Sunshine State RVs for a hilarious and eye-opening conversation about the wildest, most unbelievable customer stories you'll ever hear. "Crazy RV Buyers" - you have to hear these to believe them.
Plus: Jennifer shares practical tips on keeping your RV bathroom fresh (hint: it all starts with water). Mike and Jennifer highlight one of America's most peaceful and historic road trips - the Natchez Trace Parkway, 440 miles of slow, scenic, billboard-free driving from Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi. And they answer a listener question from Matt and Becky in California: how do you run your air conditioner without tripping your RV breakers?
In this episode:
- Crazy RV Buyer stories with dealer Nick Schmidt of Sunshine State RVs
- Jennifer's RV Know-How: keeping your black tank and bathroom odor-free
- Trip of the Week: the Natchez Trace Parkway, RV-friendly and big-rig approved
- Q&A: managing 30-amp power so your A/C doesn't kill your microwave and coffee maker
Planning a Natchez Trace trip? We've driven it from both ends and put everything into a complete 7-day RV travel guide - campgrounds, stops, mileposts, and more: https://RVLifestyle.com/natcheztrace
Join the RV Lifestyle Community - ad-free, twice-weekly livestreams, workshops, rallies, and thousands of fellow RVers: https://RVCommunity.com
Get a free quote from Wholesale Warranties: https://wholesalewarranties.com/rvlifestyle
Find unique overnight spots at farms, ranches, wineries, and more - use code RVLDEAL for 40% off: https://RVLifestyle.com/rvovernights
Show notes and more: https://RVPodcast.com
Jennifer and I just spent a week doing hands-on reviews of six small motorhomes - Class Bs and compact Class Cs.
And I have some things to say about what they cost. Strong things. Things that have been building for a while. We are going there today - including a hard look at the manufacturers who are trying to capture the low end of this market with rigs that are, frankly, not worth what people are paying for them.
Then - tariffs. On April 6th, new steel and aluminum duties took effect. And if you thought that Winnebago or that Newmar was already out of reach - this story is not going to make you feel better.
And we close with a story about 193 million acres of public land and a federal agency reorganization that could change how - and whether - you access your favorite camping territory.
Check out RVCommunity.com for a no ads, hassle free online community made up of real RVers.
Get our Trip Planning Bundle - 4 apps in one money-saving bundle - RVLifestyle.com//WebAppBundle
See the transctipt tab for complet6e shownotes, lins and sources to everything in this episode.
Episode 600 of the RV Podcast is here, and we are marking the milestone with a packed episode.
Mike and Jennifer are on the road near Gainesville, Florida, prepping for their spring rally with RVCommunity.com members in St. Augustine, and they have a lot to share.
First, Love's Travel Stops has been quietly building something big for RVers. Full hookups, dog parks, and campgrounds were just the start. Now Love's is offering tires and batteries to RVers who need them on the road. Jim Wheeler, Love's Director of RV Operations, joins us to explain why Love's keeps expanding its commitment to the RV community.
Then Mike and Jennifer make the case for New Mexico as one of the most underrated RV destinations in America. Carlsbad Caverns, Roswell, Santa Fe, Taos, and the remote Gila region - this is not a drive-through state. It rewards the RVers who actually stop.
Jennifer shares her first-night campsite setup routine, the simple approach that avoids the frustration of trying to do too much when you are tired and just arriving somewhere new.
And Tom from Arizona asked about cargo carrying capacity - and the answer may surprise you. This is one of the most misunderstood numbers in all of RVing, and ignoring it can affect your braking, your tires, and your safety every mile you drive.
Six hundred episodes. Twelve years. We are just getting started.
Show notes and links at RVPodcast.com
Is glamping quietly pushing RVers out of campgrounds?
That is the question we are tackling in this week’s RV Lifestyle Podcast News Edition, and the answer may change how you plan your next trip.
Across North America, more campgrounds are replacing traditional RV sites with cabins, yurts, and high-end glamping units. It is changing availability, pricing, and even the overall camping experience. We break down what is really happening and what it means for RVers.
But that is just one of the big stories this week.
We also cover a major shift in the RV market and a new safety requirement that is long overdue.
Here is what is in this episode:
00:00 Welcome and our journalism standards
01:06 Campground reservation workshop invite
02:11 TPMS will be required on all towable RVs by 2028
05:52 Why morning light matters more than ever after 60
10:04 Used RV prices are dropping, what it means for buyers and sellers
13:26 Is glamping forcing RVers out of campgrounds?
19:37 Wrap up and key takeaways
19:54 RV Trip Planning Dashboard and resources
If you are an RVer, a future buyer, or someone planning trips this season, this episode will help you understand where things are heading and how to stay ahead of the changes.
???? Join our live workshop:
How to Get Campground Reservations Without the Stress
Register at RVPodcast.com/workshop
???? Plan your trips smarter with our RV Lifestyle Trip Planning Dashboard:
RVLifestyle.com/tripdashboard
As always, every story is sourced and verified. Full show notes are available at RVPodcast.com.
They thought RV life would be freedom and adventure…
Instead, they got breakdowns, detours, and the kind of bad luck you can’t make up.
In this episode, we talk with a full-time RV couple who say they have the “best bad luck” of anyone they’ve ever met. From mechanical failures to unexpected setbacks, their journey is filled with moments most influencers never show.
But here’s what makes their story powerful…
They didn’t quit.
They adapted. They laughed. And they kept going.
This is the side of RV life you don’t see on Instagram, the real-life challenges, the frustrating moments, and the lessons that only come when things go wrong. It's part of this week's episode 598. Also this week:
Our Trip of the Week is an epic road trip - California's Pacific Coast Highway. We break it down for you ,so you don't break down.
And in our question of the week, we discuss whether it's too late for summer campground reservations. Here are links to the respurces we share:
The RV Lifestyle Travel Planning Center - https://rvlifestyle.com/plan
Wholesale Warranties - https://wholesalewarranties.com/rvlifestyle
RV Overnights - https://rvovernights.com/rvlifestyle
The Ultimate Guide to the Pacific Coast Highway - https://rvlifestyle.com/pacificcoasthighway
The RV Reservations April 16 workshop - https://rvlifestyle.com/workshop
Questions or comments to Mike & Jen: Use the cntact link at https://rvpodcast.com
Campgrounds are pulling tricks you need to know about. A California RV fraud case just got a lot bigger - and a lot worse.
Diesel prices are doing something that historically makes RVers cancel trips.
A state just tried to quietly hit motorhome buyers with a tax that has nothing to do with luxury. And there's a new campervan from the other side of the world that might just change how you think about where this industry is heading.
Cuttrnt RV stories that matter because they affect your life on the road.
Emmy Award-winning journalist Mike Wendland breaks it all down on this week's RV Lifestyle Podcast Monday News Edition - the longest-running weekly RV lifestyle podcast in the U.S.
New episodes every Monday and Wednesday at RVPodcast.com.
Got a tip, comment, or question? Reach us through the contact link at RVPodcast.com.
What if one simple weekend could completely change the direction of your life?
That is exactly what happened to Julio and his family.
In this episode of the RV Podcast, we share the incredible true story of a couple who had never RVed before, took one short weekend trip… and came back completely transformed. Today, they own a Class A motorhome and are building a whole new lifestyle around travel, family, and freedom.
If you have ever wondered whether the RV lifestyle is really worth it, this story might be the answer.
???? Plus in this episode:
- Our Trip of the Week: Coastal Maine RV Adventure - https://rvlifestyle.com/maine
- Campground tips, routes, and must-see stops
- How to sanitize your RV fresh water system (step-by-step)
This is one of those stories that reminds you why we travel in the first place.
???? PLAN YOUR NEXT RV TRIPGet our RV Trip Planning Dashboard:
???? https://rvlifestyle.com/tripdashboard
???? JOIN OUR LIVE WORKSHOP (APRIL 16)Campground Reservations Without the Stress
???? https://rvlifestyle.com/workshop
Free for RV Lifestyle Community members
???? JOIN THE RV LIFESTYLE COMMUNITYNo ads. No drama. Just helpful RVers.
???? https://rvcommunity.com
???? MORE FROM THE RV PODCASTNew episodes every week:
- Monday: RV News Edition
- Wednesday: Stories from the Road
Subscribe and never miss an episode.
Gas prices are spiking - but are RV travelers actually cutting back? We asked our community, got more than 300 responses, and the numbers tell a surprising story. Plus: the RV loan trap that is costing buyers thousands without them knowing it, why Winnebago's latest earnings report matters to every RV owner and buyer, a behind-the-scenes look at the company that builds the insides of your RV and just invested seven figures in a giant design studio, and a new Washington State law that finally clears up a legal headache for fifth-wheel owners.
In this episode:
- The RV Loan Trap: how dealer financing really works, and how to protect yourself
- Winnebago is back in the black - and here is why that matters to you
- Patrick Industries debuts a massive digital design studio in Elkhart
- Washington State fixes the fifth-wheel length measurement mess
- Our community fuel price poll results: nearly two-thirds are not cutting back
All sources and show notes are at RVPodcast.com.
Subscribe for two new episodes every week - the Monday News Edition and Wednesday Stories from the Road.
Ready to plan your next adventure? Our RV Lifestyle Trip Planning Dashboard gives you everything in one place - routes, budgets, campgrounds, and checklists. One-time $29, no subscription. RVLifestyle.com/tripdashboard
Are long RV drives putting your health at risk?
In this episode of the RV Podcast, we take a closer look at something most RVers never think about... the hidden dangers of long driving days. From circulation issues to fatigue, we share practical, real-world tips to help you stay safe and feel better behind the wheel.
But that is just part of the story.
We also take you along on a beautiful Michigan Lower Peninsula RV adventure, one of our favorite trips. From the Detroit area and world-class stops like The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village, all the way up to the Mackinac Bridge, the Tunnel of Trees, and Traverse City, this is a route every RVer should experience at least once.
And with fuel prices hitting hard, we also share smart, simple ways to save money at the pump, including apps and strategies we personally use every time we travel.
Plus, we highlight a must-have tool that can make every travel day smoother and less stressful.
In this episode, you will learn:
- The real health risks of long RV driving days and how to avoid them
- A step-by-step Michigan RV route packed with incredible stops
- Simple ways to save on diesel and gas while traveling
- A proven system to make departure day easier and stress-free
Helpful Resources Mentioned:
- RV Lifestyle Planning Center Store https://shop.rvlifestyle.com
- Michigan Lower Peninsula Adventure Guide https://rvlifestyle.com/LP
- Ultimate RV Departure Day Checklist https://rvlifestyle.com/DepartureGuide
- Budget Planning app. https://rvlifestyle.com/budget
- RV Trip Planning Dashboard https://shop.rvlifestyle.com
- Join our private RV Lifestyle Community https://RVCommunity.com
- Leave us a message or question https://RVPodcast.com
- Center for Vein Restoration https://www.centerforvein.com/
- Open Road fuel discount https://www.myopenroads.com/
- Loves Travel App https://www.loves.com/promos/download-app
- Gas Buddy https://www.gasbuddy.com/
This week on the RV Lifestyle Podcast News Edition, we are covering the stories that actually matter to your life on the road - and we are not pulling punches.
TARIFF CHAOS IS HITTING YOUR NEXT RV We dig deep into the regulatory whiplash that is hammering RV manufacturers right now. It starts with a piece of wood you have never heard of - lauan plywood - and expands into a full picture of how cascading tariffs on steel, aluminum, and imported materials are forcing manufacturers to make pricing decisions in the dark. We also cover the composite alternatives some builders are quietly pivoting toward, and why this mess may actually change how RVs are built for years to come.
A FLORIDA FAMILY'S RV EXPLODED. HERE'S WHAT EVERY RVer NEEDS TO DO RIGHT NOW. A 32-foot travel trailer in Lecanto, Florida exploded earlier this month, sending two adults and two children to trauma centers with severe burns. The cause is still under investigation. We use this story to share a number that should stop every RV owner cold - how many RV fires happen in this country every single year - and walk you through a practical spring safety checklist you need to complete before your first trip of the season.
THE WORLD IS A MESS. AMERICANS ARE GOING CAMPING. Despite economic uncertainty, trade war anxiety, and a broad pullback in international travel, campground operators across the country are reporting strong advance bookings heading into summer. We tell you why right now is actually a great time to be an RVer - and why you need to book your summer sites this week before they disappear.
WE COULDN'T FIND THE RIGHT TOOL. SO WE BUILT IT. Jennifer and I looked at every trip planning app on the market - The Dyrt, Campendium, RV Life, AllStays - and none of them did what we actually needed as full-timers. So we built our own. The brand new RV Lifestyle Trip Planning Dashboard just launched this weekend. It is a web-based planning hub built from the ground up for RVers - route mapping, campground logging, your own ratings and notes, rig specs, travel journal, and a searchable history of everywhere you have ever been. All in one place. On every device you own. We tell you the whole story - and there is a full walkthrough video waiting for you at RVLifestyle.com/tripdashboard.
A DEALER CLOSED ITS DOORS. CUSTOMERS CAN'T GET THEIR RVS BACK. We close with a consumer warning story out of California that we see play out in this industry several times every year. An RV dealership in Lockeford abruptly shut down, and customers are now telling the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office they cannot recover their money - or in some cases their own rigs. We walk you through the warning signs that were publicly visible before this happened, and give you a practical checklist for vetting any dealer before you hand over a dollar or a set of keys.
LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- RV Lifestyle Trip Planning Dashboard: https://RVLifestyle.com/tripdashboard
- RVCommunity.com membership: https://RVCommunity.com
- RV Industry Association tariff updates: https://www.rvia.org/news-insights/latest-tariff-developments
- U.S. Fire Administration RV Fire Data: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/reports/where-fires-occur/snapshot-rv-fires.html
- National Park Service RV Fire Safety: https://www.nps.gov/articles/p52-rv-fire-safety-101.htm
Buying a new RV is exciting, but according to veteran RVer Janice Smith, your first stop shouldn't be a cross-country trek. With 34 years of experience and 16 different RVs under her belt, Janice joins Mike and Jen to reveal her "must-do" ritual for every new rig: the Shakedown Trip.
In this episode of The RV Podcast, we dive into why this short initial trip is the single most important thing you can do to save your future vacation (and your sanity). Janice shares exactly what she looks for, the common "new rig" issues she’s caught, and why even the most expensive units need a trial run.
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Stories from the Road: Janice Smith on the art of the "Shakedown Trip" and her 3-decade journey through 16 RVs.
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Travel Tips: Essential advice for your next adventure.
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RV Q&A: We answer your burning questions about the RV lifestyle.
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Destination Spotlight: An epic guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway—a bucket-list drive every RVer needs to experience at least once.
Release Date: March 18, 2026
Hosts: Mike and Jen Wendland
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✨ Resources & Links
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Join the RV Lifestyle Community: https://rvcommunity.com
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RV Lifestyle Store https://shop.rvlifestyle.com
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RV Trip Budget Planner: https://rvlifestyle.com/budget
* Ultimate RV Trip Packing List Tool https://rvlifestyle,com/packingapp
*RV Lifestyle Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway https://rvlifestyle.com/blueridge
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE and hit the ???? to join us on the road!
"The best way to enjoy the road is to be prepared for it." — Janice Smith
Fuel prices are skyrocketing, a roadside favorite is under fire, and the RV industry just saw a massive sales drop.
In this Monday News Edition, Mike Wendland breaks down the massive jump in diesel and gasoline prices following military strikes in the Middle East. What does a $5.00/gallon reality mean for your summer road trip? We do the math so you don’t have to.
Plus, we look at why Buc-ee’s—the "king of the road stop"—has been handed a failing grade by the Better Business Bureau. Is the brand losing its touch with the RV community?
In this episode:
- 00:00 - Intro & RVCommunity.com
- 01:15 - Fuel Price Hammer: The real cost of an 8,000-mile trip
- 05:40 - Buc-ee’s Flunks: Why the BBB gave them an "F"
- 10:12 - RV Industry Crisis: New and Used sales are cratering
- 13:25 - Major Recalls: Ford, GM, Newmar, and Grand Design (Do-Not-Drive!)
- 17:50 - Google Maps Gemini AI: A new co-pilot for RVers?
RESOURCES MENTIONED: ???? RV Budget Tool: Calculate your trip costs at RVLifestyle.com/budget ???? Join the Community: Connect with fellow RVers at RVCommunity.com ????️ Check your VIN: Stay safe at NHTSA.gov
Subscribe for more RV news and lifestyle tips! #RVNews #RVLifestyle #FuelPrices #Bucees #RVRecalls #RoadTrip2026
Episode 590 of the RV Podcast Stories from the Road Edition takes you back in time as we share the story of what may have been the very first RV influencer, from 50 years ago. Long before YouTube, social media, and blogs, there were travelers finding ways to tell the story of life on the road, and in this episode, we look at one of those pioneers and why his story still matters today.
We also share our RV Trip of the Week to Colorado, one of the most beautiful summer RV destinations in America, with towering mountains, scenic drives, cool temperatures, and unforgettable camping experiences. And we answer a common question from RVers everywhere: How do you control sway, bounce, and that unstable feeling while driving down the road? We talk about what causes it, what gear can help, and what practical steps can make your travels safer and more comfortable.
If you love RV stories, practical travel advice, and discovering the people and places that make this lifestyle so special, this episode is for you.
Subscribe for more RV Lifestyle content, travel inspiration, and real-world RV advice from Mike and Jen.
RVLifestyle #RVPodcast #RVLiving #RVTravel #StoriesFromTheRoad #ColoradoRVTrip #RVTips #RVSafety
What is really happening in the RV dealership world right now, and what does it mean for RV buyers and owners?
We call it The Great RV Dealership Land Grab... Why Bigger isn't Necessarily Better.
In Episode 589 of the RV Podcast News Edition, we breakdown the dealership consolidation wave reshaping the RV industry, from Camping World's financial struggles and leadership shakeup to the rapid expansion of Blue Compass, General RV, and Campers Inn. We explain who is winning, who is hurting, and why bigger is not always better when it comes to service, pricing, inventory, and your overall RV buying experience.
Also in this episode: fuel prices are spiking just as spring travel season begins, national parks are heading into peak season with fewer staff, and a California county may become the first in the state to officially allow full-time RV living on private property.
Join us live for the Spring Prep Workshop on Thursday, March 12 at 7 PM Eastern.
Non-members: $10
RV Community members: Free
Sign up at https://RVPodcast.com/workshop
If you have ever spent time in campgrounds, you have probably seen them, the friendly “campground cats” who wander from site to site, charming travelers along the way.
But what happens when one of those cats chooses you?
In this episode of the RV Podcast Stories from the Road, we share the heartwarming true story of Hitch, an orange tabby who walked into a Kentucky campsite last fall and never really left.
Janie and Jeff Green were camping with their 13 year old dog, Newman, when a friendly stray appeared, strolled right into their RV, curled up on their bed, and even snuggled beside a very surprised dog. The cat had been living at the campground for nearly two years, relying on passing RVers for food and affection.
As winter approached and their departure date grew closer, the bond deepened. The campground host encouraged them to take the sweet little hitchhiker with them.
And they did.
This is a story about unexpected connections, second chances, and the beautiful surprises that make the RV lifestyle so special.
In this episode, we also share:
- Our Trip of the Week, Route 66 in its Centennial Year
- Why this is the perfect year to drive the Mother Road
- Details about our brand new 217 page RV Lifestyle Guide to Route 66
- Our RV Question of the Week
- And how you can be part of our private RV Community
If you love inspiring RV stories, campground life, and the freedom of the open road, this episode is for you.
Tell us in the comments:
Have you ever met a campground pet that stole your heart?
Learn more about our Route 66 RV Travel Guide here:
https://rvlifestyle.com/route66
Join our private RV Lifestyle Community:
https://rvcommunity.com
Visit our central hub for show notes and more:
https://rvpodcast.com
Subscribe for new RV stories and RV news every week.
Campground prices have exploded - and the experience hasn't kept up. In this week's RV Podcast News Edition, we're calling it what it is: the Campground Quality Collapse. A brand-new analysis of 609,000 pricing data points across 2,100+ private campgrounds shows the national median nightly RV site rate is now $62.10, up dramatically from pre-pandemic prices of $35 to $45. We'll tell you who's behind it, what corporate consolidation and dynamic pricing mean for your travel budget, and what you can actually do about it.
We also dig into the biggest RV industry story of the week: Thor Industries is reorganizing its brands, and Tiffin Motorhomes is now under Jayco's authority. What does that mean for Tiffin owners and buyers? We have the details - including the untold story of Leigh Tiffin's quiet 20-month exit plan.
Plus: RV shipments dropped nearly 11% to start 2026, Camping World posted $6.4 billion in sales but saw its stock crater, and Love's Travel Stops just made their rewards program available to all drivers with real fuel savings for RVers.
Every story is fully sourced. Show notes and links at RVPodcast.com.
Some journeys change your destination. Others change your life.
In this deeply encouraging episode, we share a powerful Story from the Road that reminds us why the RV lifestyle is about more than travel, it is about purpose, healing, and discovering what is still possible.
We share Janet McKinney’s remarkable journey after losing her husband and lifelong RV travel partner. Together, they built a life around adventure and the freedom of the road. But when tragedy struck, Janet faced overwhelming grief and an uncertain future.
Instead of giving up on the dream they shared, Janet found the courage to keep moving forward. She embraced the road again, discovered renewed purpose, and learned powerful lessons about resilience, hope, and healing along the way.
Her story is honest, emotional, and incredibly inspiring, a reminder that even after loss, new beginnings are possible.:
- Our RV Trip of the Week destination suggestion to inspire your next adventure
- Answers to your RV questions
- Practical RV lifestyle tips and insights
- Encouragement for wherever your journey takes you
Whether you are planning your next trip, navigating life changes, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode will speak to your heart.
For more information on our workshop about getting your RV ready for spring go to https://rvpodcast.com/workshop
To get our RV Travel Guide on Utah National Parks go to https://rvlifestyle.com/utah
For information on the RV Community see https://rvcommunity.com
This week's RV Podcast News Edition tackles five stories that cover a lot of ground, starting with a topic the rest of the RV media won't touch: the growing RV homelessness crisis.
From Michigan lawmakers debating whether campgrounds can serve as housing solutions, to San Francisco banning large vehicles from city streets, to the quiet erosion of overnight parking at places like Cracker Barrel, this issue is reshaping public policy in ways that affect every RVer on the road.
We also dig into a major CNBC investigation revealing how RVs have become a housing safety net in Silicon Valley, where even full-time workers are living in aging rigs on public streets because they have no other option.
On the good news front, the National Park Service has officially dropped timed-entry reservation requirements at Yosemite, Arches, and Glacier for 2026. If those parks have been on your list, the reservation window is gone. We break down what that means practically and what to expect when the summer crowds arrive.
We also have the full story on Leigh Tiffin's sudden resignation from Tiffin Motorhomes and his move to luxury dealer group NIRVC. He finally broke his silence this week, but the timeline tells a more complicated story: a 20-month negotiation happening behind the scenes, a plant closure affecting 140 workers, and Thor quietly consolidating control over what was once a true family brand.
And we close with a look at why 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest RV travel years on record - and why you need to make sure your rig is ready before the campgrounds fill up. Our free Spring Prep Workshop is March 12th at 7 PM Eastern. Details and your free Spring Maintenance Book are at RVLifestyle.com/workshop.
This week on the RV Podcast you are about to get one of those classic RV retirement stories you stumble across on the road. We are introducing you to a man who, after retiring, hit the road in his RV to chase a passion that had long been just a hobby, learning about and appreciating fine wines.
This week on the RV Podcast: What Truckers Wish Every RVer Knew... Driving advice to RVersHow to stay warm in your RV - We have smart RV heating tips, plus a few cold-weather mistakes you definitely want to avoid.A longtime RV parts supplier has filed for bankruptcy: RVers are worried about parts availability.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #573 of the RV Podcast
How Brinkley RV Is Rewriting the Rules of RV Manufacturing -- If you have ever wondered whether anyone inside the RV industry is actually trying to fix the system from the inside, this week's RV Podcast episode is for you.Our Conversation of the Week is a candid, behind-the-scenes talk with one of the owners of Brinkley RV, a company that has been shaking up the industry with bold ideas, modern manufacturing, and an obsession with quality. We dig into what is broken, what Brinkley is doing differently, and why it matters to every RVer out there. Trust me, this is one conversation you will not want to miss.We’ll also have RV and camping news, the social media buzz, and your questions.
RV Hot Skin Explained: It’s a real danger you can’t see! Hidden electrical faults and bad power connections at campgrounds. What the industry is doing to protect you!In a stunning reversal, General Motors abruptly canceled a highly anticipated technological advancement, leaving a top RV manufacturer and dealers reeling. Colder temps mean mice are looking for a new zip code—and your RV is on the map! Protect your investment (and your sanity) before they move in. We’ll tell you how.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #571 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast: Liz Amazing on RV Defects and the Fight for Consumer RightsWe interview Liz Amazing, who has one mission, protect RV owners and hold the industry accountable, no excuses, no hiding, she exposes it all.While the government has closed, the National Parks have mostly stayed open…but at a growing costWhy you do NOT want to cancel your RV insurance while the rig is in storage for the winterAll this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #570 of the RV PodcastYou can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.[power press]RV CONVERSATION OF THE WEEK - with Liz Amazing on RV DefectsLiz Amazing is a consumer advocate with a YouTube Channel dedicated to helping people who face significant problems with their new RV. Liz regularly features heartbreaking stories of individuals and couples who poured their savings into a new rig only to face one major repair after another, and run into brick walls when trying to get the problems fixed. Liz lets RV owners tell their stories, sometimes through tears, then approaches the RV dealers and manufacturers seeking solutions, which she often receives. Through her work, Liz has discovered industry trends, advocates for quality improvement, and offers help to those with nowhere to go.In the crowded world of RV YouTube Influencers, Liz has carved out an important niche as a consumer advocate, and we're delighted to have her on the RV Lifestyle today as our guest. In this conversation, we discuss the challenges faced by consumers in the RV industry involving quality issues, unregulated practices, and heartbreaking stories of buyers left with defective RVs. The discussion highlights the importance of consumer rights, the role of social media in advocacy, and tips for avoiding common pitfalls when purchasing RVs. Liz emphasizes the need for manufacturers to prioritize quality over profit and offers insights into choosing the right RV and dealer.Liz Amazing on RV Defects Takeaways:Liz Amazing transitioned from a novice camper to a leading RV advocate.She emphasizes the importance of using her platform for good.Many RV buyers face heartbreaking quality issues with their purchases.The RV industry is largely unregulated, leading to poor consumer experiences.Liz highlights the shift in manufacturing practices, prioritizing profit over quality.Social media serves as a powerful tool for consumer advocacy.Buyers often face challenges with buybacks and NDAs from manufacturers.Avoiding mass-produced RVs can reduce the chances of quality issues.Independent RV makers often provide better quality products.Liz encourages consumers to do thorough research before purchasing an RV.RV NEWS OF THE WEEKWhen Washington Closes, the National Parks (Mostly) Stay Open — But at What Cost?More and more stories are emerging each week of the difficulties the nation's national parks are facing during the continued federal government shutdown. Utah is spending $8,000 a day to keep the visitor centers open at its five national parks, and groups like the Zion Forever Project are collecting donations and paying to print maps, feed rangers, and keep things open for the tourists showing up. At Joshua Tree, a wildfire started in the camping area during the shutdown, but it is now contained. Pinnacles National Park had brownish water coming out of the campsites because a maintenance worker wasn't there to flush the system. The state of Colorado is paying to keep the visitor centers open at the Rocky Mountain National Park. And since none are collecting visitor entrance fees, all anticipate significant budget gaps next year. Six Months, No Camper — So He Brought His Work to Camping WorldWe LOVE this story: A man who dropped his camper off at a North Carolina Camping World last April for repairs is STILL waiting for his unit to be fixed, so he decided last week to set up his office at the dealer and call a local news station about it. (And WITN-TV did do a story!). Alex Naoum told the reporter he would have taken his travel trailer somewhere else by now, but in July, when he came to inspect it, he discovered Camping World had damaged his awning, adding another item to fix. Naoum said he decided to set up office at Camping World so they won't forget him; a Camping World official told the station the delay is because they are waiting for parts. Come on now... since July????DNA Tests Reveal Arkansas Officials Killed the Wrong Bear After Fatal AttackRemember our recent story about a black bear killing a solo camper at the Arkansas Ozark National Forest? Well, it turns out the black bear that the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission put down for killing the 60-year-old camper was the wrong bear! And the real killer bear is still on the loose, according to DNA test results. If you are visiting the Ozark National Forest anytime soon, stay vigilant.Michigan Considering Ban on Overnight Campers at Rest StopsMichigan is considering banning all overnight camping at the state's highway rest areas and carpool lots. The Michigan Department of Transportation is holding online pubic hearings this Wednesday on the proposed rule that would define camping as setting up tents, canopies, or shelters, or parking and occupying enclosed, self-contained camping units. That's because they've been having problems with homeless people setting up encampments in rest areas and ride-share lots. This is an issue shared by many other states. Y’all Come Out Now — Texas State Parks Are Free This SundayIf you are going to be in Texas this Sunday (Nov. 2), entrance to all the state parks is free! The free entrance to the state's more than 90 parks is in honor of Texas State Park Day. We were at Texas' Enchanted Rock State Natural Area earlier this month - and Texas has some beautiful spots!SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ - Wendy BowyerWendy Bowyer reports on the hot issues most talked about this past week on social media and our RV Lifestyle Community group.Last week, many in our private RV Lifestyle Community returned from our third and final rally of the year in the Texas Hill Country. We stayed at the Oakwood RV Resort just outside of Fredericksburg, which is truly one of the friendliest places we have ever stayed. Our group had a great time in Texas and did a lot of things. Some of my favorite activities included a scavenger hunt, a pancake and sausage breakfast, exploring the city, visiting wineries, checking out a local museum, eating some Texas BBQ, and having the most amazing campfires with what I would call a cowboy sing-along. We even went to Luckenbach together for a little Texas Two-Stepping—so much fun!Then, in our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group, we had a question from Reg that caught my eye. Reg asked: Is it a bad idea to lapse insurance while in storage? Sounds like Reg was trying to save a little money and since his rig is not on the road, wondered if letting his insurance lapse would be a way to do so. Some of the more than 100 people who commented said they did this very thing and had no issues. But most cautioned him not to do it.Some pointed out that if his RV is stolen, or a tree falls on it, hail damages it or someone crashes into it, without insurance, he would be out of luck. And there are other concerns.Savannah said she once canceled her RV insurance for the winter, but then her insurance company reported this to the state, and the state suspended her registration. So what was supposed to save her a little money ended up costing her $700 to get the plates reinstated.Others said the insurance company also reported them to the state, and then when they tried to get their insurance going again, they had trouble finding a company that would insure them.Rick was one of many who suggested that Reg work with his insurance company instead of dropping it. Rick said some folks in Ohio, where he is based, have classic cars they store in the winter, and their insurance company reduces coverage during that time since the cars aren't on the road.Rob said this is exactly what he does with his RV. When it is in storage he works with his insurance company to reduce the payment.Sounds like that might be the best option for Reg. And hopefully, this post can also help one of you. RV QUESTION OF THE WEEKQUESTION: From Claude: Can you tell me what the RV CB channel is? I've heard 16 more than any other.ANSWER: There really is no universally used CB radio channels for RVers. Some say still use the old trucker standard of Channel 19, some advocate for 16 but the fact of the matter is that CB radio is just not a very practical tool these days for RVers. A couple of decades ago, CB radio used to be the lifeline for RVers. Today, it is mostly static. There are a few reasons why:The trucker crowd moved onLong-haul truckers were the backbone of CB chatter. Most of them now use phone-based apps like Trucker Path, Waze, WhatsApp groups, or private radio systems. With fewer truckers talking, the CB channels feel empty.Cell coverage is everywhere nowIn most of North America you can get a phone signal or at least text messaging. That means drivers can call, text, or use online communities for help instead of relying on CB broadcasts.Better navigation and traffic apps replaced real-time chatterApps like Google Maps and Waze show crashes, construction, speed traps, and slowdowns much faster and more accurately than waiting to hear someone mention it on channel 19.Most RVers never learned CB cultureCB talk had its own slang, etiquette, and rhythm. Modern RVers usually skip all that.
This week on the RV Podcast:Are Canadian RVers in the U.S. being harassed by American citizens? Are US RVers in Canada being harassed by Canadians? There have been incidents on both sides of the border.How to plan a truly epic RV stay - wherever you decide to stop. Expert advice from Wendy Bowyer, who plans all our RV Community gatherings.What’s happening at our National Parks during this prolonged government shutdown? It’s not a pretty picture.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #569 of the RV PodcastYou can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.Free Winterizing GuideWe have a free winterizing guide available for instant download. Yours for the asking at https://rvlifestyle.com/winterize-guideHarassment reported by both Canadian and U.S. RVersToday, we're diving into the frosty chill that's settled over the border for RVers like us—Canadian and American alike. The current tensions between Canada are boiling over into the RV Community. They stem from escalating U.S.-Canada trade and political frictions, amplified by U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that he wants Canada as the 51st state.Then, this summer, new U.S. immigration rules—such as stricter visa requirements and enhanced border scrutiny—have shocked Canadian RVers, leading to a sharp drop in northbound travel, with reservations canceled en masse.Surveys show nearly half of Canadians are now less inclined to visit the U.S. this year, citing not just financial woes but also a growing sense of political alienation from inflammatory rhetoric that paints Canada as an adversary. Meanwhile, some American RVers who have headed northward with fewer hesitations have been reporting a definite chill that strains the once-seamless camaraderie of the RV community. We’ve been hearing about this all summer. But this week, we received two emails that bring this home in the most powerful way, telling us these tensions are being felt by RVers on both sides of the border - by Canadian RVers visiting in the U.S., and American RVers visiting Canada. These sincere and sad emails are an example that words have consequences and that behind every policy tweet may be a family in a Winnebago wondering if the next campsite will feel like home or a battlefield. First, this email from Canadian Rvers named Pat, who has been a regular snowbird visitor to the U.S.I would really like it if you started covering how Canadian snowbirds are navigating going south this year. My husband and I have gone South for years but quite truthfully are a little anxious about doing it this year. There are new rules for Canadians who are staying more than 30 days. We are also concerned about the border and going down there. We have heard some horrendous stories and don't know what to think. For example, one woman spoke of a gun being pointed at her as she drove on the road. There was also the case of the border patrol man who followed someone with an Ontario license plate and screamed at them not to come back to the USA. I think about it everyday because we love going south and we love American friends. It will be a long cold winter without them. I would love some input.Then, a day later, we received this email, from a Tracy - U.S. RVer who spent time in Canada:We are on the final weeks of a four month journey from Texas that included travel to the Canadian maritime provinces and Newfoundland. While we met many nice people along the way, we also encountered some angry Canadians who felt that it was their job to make sure we knew how angry they are at the U.S. and those of us live there and they were quick to offer unsolicited opinions. We certainly feel the need for a welcoming community more than ever and your words remind us all that we all share that need to be “ seen, known and valued”. God’s blessings to you.Mike and Jennifer's Response:There are always a few bad apples on both sides of the border. Every country has people with short tempers or poor judgment, and both Canada and the U.S. are no exception. But those isolated incidents don’t reflect the vast majority of folks you’ll meet on the road. Most Canadians and Americans alike are friendly, helpful, and genuinely welcoming to RVers, often going out of their way to offer directions, share travel tips, or strike up a friendly chat at the campground.Unfortunately, social media can make it seem worse than it is. It’s full of rumor-filled posts, secondhand stories, and exaggerated accounts that are hard to verify. The truth is that these online “he-said, she-said” tales often spread far beyond their reality.RV travel remains one of the best ways to explore both nations, meet wonderful people, and experience local hospitality firsthand. Don’t let a few bad actors or misleading online chatter keep you from hitting the road and enjoying the journey.RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEKNo Pay, No Rangers, No Rules: National Parks Continue to be Caught in Shutdown FalloutAs the federal government shutdown continues yet another week, we're now seeing reports of non-profits fundraising to provide food and other basics for employees at Zion National Park. And at the Grand Canyon, community groups have started a food pantry for their park employees. At Rocky Mountains National Park, volunteers are organizing to pick up trash. At Yellowstone, reports say the bear jams are becoming more of an issue without rangers to keep folks safely moving. And with no one to collect entrance fees at any of the parks, some reports show the National Parks Service is losing as much as $1 million per day. If you're heading out know visitor centers are generally closed, some parks are closed and confusion still reigns.Ford Issues Major Recall for Nearly 292,000 Pickups Over Rearview Camera GlitchAttention Ford pickup owners: There is another recall. Nearly 292,000 pickup trucks from the 2020-2022 model years are being recalled because of discrepancies with a rearview camera image that will not display properly causing a reduced view for the driver in certain conditions. The F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F450 SD models are affected. Letters should be mailed out Oct. 20.Popular South Padre RV Park Shutting Down for Year-Long RenovationA popular 577-site RV park on South Padre Island, Texas, will close for the next year as it undergoes $12 million in improvements. Isla Blanca Park will modernize the RV sites' electrical, water, and wastewater infrastructure, and will realign two streets to improve traffic flow and create another row of RV spots for the popular destination.Less Red, More Meh: Fall Foliage Takes a Hit This YearDrought and unusual weather is causing muted fall colors in much of the country. The best fall colors require rain in August, then sunshine with warm days and cool nights in September. But September provided hot days and warm nights in much of the country, and reports show as much as 40 percent of the country is in a drought.RV Pulled Over, But It’s the Cargo That Shocked Police—44 Small DogsAn RV was stopped in Pennsylvania as it drove through Berks County after someone reported seeing a large number of dogs inside. When police stopped the driver and opened the doors, 44 small terrier-type dogs were discovered, many dirty, matted and shaking. They were turned over to the local Animal Rescue League for care and placement.RV CONVERSATION OF THE WEEKThis week we’re doubling up with our Conversation of the Week and Social Media Buzz. That’s because the Wendy Bowyer - the person who usually brings us the Buzz - is also our chief event planner for all our RV Community gatherings. She’s a pro at spotting the perfect campground, finding local gems, and turning any RV stay into a truly memorable adventure.So when we were together last week in Texas for one of our rallies, we couldn’t resist asking her to share some of her best-kept secrets.Listen or watch the interview in the players above.RV QUESTION OF THE WEEK:QUESTION: My daughter flushed my husband's glasses into the RV black tank. Any recommendations to get them out? - From Haley ANSWER: Oh no, Haley, that’s a tough one! Unfortunately, once something like glasses goes into the black tank, there’s really no easy way to fish them out. The tank contents, design, and narrow valve system make retrieval nearly impossible without a full tank removal—which usually isn’t worth it.Your best bet is to let it go - literally. Empty the tank as usual, and if the glasses don’t come out at the dump station, they’ll probably stay lodged at the bottom.If you really want them back, an RV service center could drop the tank and clean it out—but that’s a messy, labor-intensive job that’ll cost a whole lot more than replacing the glasses.So, in short, write this one off as a funny RV-life story to tell around the next campfire!
This week on the RV Podcast, we’ll meet two couples who have made the RV Lifestyle a huge part of their retirement and hear how they are now living the Best Chapter Yet. Plus the RV Industry News, the Social Media Buzz, and a great question from one of our readers on where to get his rig washed. You can read, listen to, or WATCH the podcast right here...
This week on the RV Podcast: We have a great interview for you that we’re calling Empty Nest, Open Road: How One Couple Found Freedom in RV Life.You’ll meet our delightful friends Don and Karen, who share their RV retirement adventures and challenge us all to make every mile count, making friends and memories all across North America.Plus we have the pros and cons of an on-demand water heater.. The RV News of the Week, and much more coming up in Episode #567 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast: How RVers Handle Medicare and Insurance Issues on the road - with an expert AND RVer.There is a massive recall of the heavy-duty Ford trucks used by many RVers to haul their trailers and fifth wheelsThe fun story about some RVers who adopted a stray cat they found at a campground. Apparently, it happens all the time!All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 566 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast... Between the Truck and Trailer: Why RV Hitching Is so Dangerous.If you drink beer on your camping trip, you’re going to make the mosquitoes very happy.The great debate about light pollution and campers who light up their RVs like the Vegas Strip,All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 565 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast: General Motors has developed a system that monitors your driving abilities and reaction times, opening the door to when you stop driving because you may be too old.If you are camping in bear country this time of year, our conversation of the week is with an expert who reveals just what you should do when you encounter a bear. This is super important info you need to know.Thinking about a washer and dryer for your RV? We’ll tell you what to look for and what to watch out for.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 564 of the RV Podcast.
This week on the RV Podcast: What effect are tariffs having on the RV Industry? In our conversation of the week, we’ll hear straight talk from an industry straight-shooter about the massive RV tariff confusionWith no warning, a Camping World outlet in Michigan has abruptly shut down, causing massive confusion to the blindsided employees and those whose RVs were awaiting service.When do you clean your RV? Before you leave the campground or after you arrive home? We’ll share some insight from 600 real RVers who answered the question on our social media platform.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 563 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:Confessions of a Camp Host: In our conversation of the week, you’ll hear all about the Good, the Bad, and the Wonderfully WeirdGas prices are sky high again, but they’re blaming it on a flood at a refinery and say prices should drop again soon.How not to get burned out from driving to your next camping spotAll this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 562 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast: You’ll meet a legendary retired TV anchorman - Mort Crim, now 90 years old, doing an epic RV journey and exploring campgrounds with his motor scooter. In our conversation of the week, he shares hard-earned wisdom about aging fearlessly and living life to the fullest.One of the nation’s biggest RV dealers just had an employee arrested for embezzling $2 million.What’s best? A pull behind trailer or a fifth wheel? Real RVers share their answers.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 561 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast: Pack Your Camper - The Night Sky is calling! There's an amazing meteor show going on up there this week that provides a great excuse to go camping.Budget cutbacks, staff shortages, and visitor pressure are all combining to seriously stress our National Parks this summer. Protests have started.Protecting your property from campground thefts. Real RVers share their solutions.In Mike and Jen’s Storytime… when your camping plans don’t go as expected, it’s time to pivot.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 559 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:The Last Trip: A Husband’s Powerful Message After THE Unexpected Loss of his wife during an RV TripThat Massive wildfire near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is STILL uncontrolled and is now the single worst wildfire in the entire nation.RVers share the weirdest things they’ve seen in a campground - would you believe a pet kangaroo?All this plus the RV News of the Week, Mike & Jen’s Storytime, and your questions coming up in Episode #558 of the RV PodcastYou can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEKGrand Canyon's Megafire Now Largest of 2025 & So Intense, It Creates Its Own WeatherThe fire still burning through the north rim of the Grand Canyon is now officially the largest wildfire of 2025, a megafire, so hot it is creating its own weather patterns. The fire, which has created "fire clouds," has torched more than 116,500 acres as of Sunday and is about 12 percent contained, according to InciWeb. The north rim is closed for the remainder of the 2025 season, and the fire is still out of control and growing in size.Distressed Camper Nope—Just a Lone Guy Belting Out NickelbackRescue teams rushed to help what they thought was a camper in distress in British Columbia, but it turns out those screams were from a guy rocking out to Nickelback in the middle of the woods. The man was solo camping in the Boulderfields, singing his heart out, when two nearby hikers called 911 after hearing what they described as “repeated cries." Members of a Search and Rescue crew were practicing nearby, so they brought in the drone team and enlisted two Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers only to find the solo camper singing away, blissfully unaware.Birthday Camping Trip Ends in Deadly Explosion at Maine CampgroundTwo friends celebrating a birthday by camping together at the Power Horn Family Camping Resort in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, were tragically killed after their camper exploded from a suspected propane leak. The women, ages 57 and 58, smelled a rotten, garlic-like odor in the camper so they opened the windows and lit a candle to mask the smell. But fire officials believe the bad odor was likely caused by a liquid propane leak which ignited when the candle was lit. Father And Daughter Camping Trip Ends with Horrific Violent Attack and Father in Intensive CareA 58-year-old Georgia father remains in intensive care after suffering severe injuries during a brutal attack while camping with his 20-year-old daughter. The assault occurred at Low Gap Campground in northern Georgia. The dad was cut from the ear to the back of the neck with glass and suffered a severe brain bleed. Four strangers allegedly attacked him and his daughter from behind as they sat at their campsite. Three men and one woman were arrested and charged with aggravated assault and battery in what's an on-going police investigation. There’s no word yet on the motive, and police say more people may be arrested.Micro-Burst Winds Flip RVs with Families Inside During Texas StormTexas and campgrounds have surely had their share of severe weather this summer. The latest was last Thursday when strong winds toppled many RVs at a Gunter, Texas, RV park during a severe thunderstorm. The storm produced "micro-bursts" of strong winds, and at least six RVs rolled over, some with their owners inside. There were some injuries, but no fatalities.Yellowstone Nightmare: 17-Year-Old Severely Burned by Geyser in Thermal AreaA teenager visiting Yellowstone National Park with his family was seriously burned from a geyser when his foot broke through a thermal area about five miles from Old Faithful. The 17-year-old was hiking near the Lone Star Geyser when he br...
This week on the RV Podcast:Just HOW MUCH would you pay for an RV campsite? $200? $300? $400? You won't believe how expensive it has becomeStarlink’s entire global network pretty much collapsed for hours last week, causing reliability concerns for what had been pretty much a trouble-free online source for RVersTall about scary! A mountain lion attacked a four-year-old girl while she was hiking with her parents out west last week. The dad saved his daughter, but she had to be airlifted to a hospital.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 557 of the RV Podcast
This week, we’re releasing our weekly podcast a day early and changing up the normal podcast format in the wake of the devastating loss of life and the terrible flooding in Texas which claimed dozens of lives. So many are still missing, and among those victims are many RVers and campers who thought they were going to spend an idyllic Fourth of July weekend in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.
This week on the RV Podcast:Elkhart’s RV Manufacturing Industry took a big media hit last week over RV Quality Problems involving continued recalls over manufacturing problems and so-called “Serial Recalls.”Over 7 Million Americans are expected to be camping over the big Fourth of July Holiday periodIs propane safe in an RV? Do RV lithium batteries pose a fire risk? We’ll debunk some myths.All this plus your RV questions and Mike & Jen’s storytime, coming up in Episode #553 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast: Gas vs Diesel for RVs and the one mistake you do NOT want to makeA Senate bill proposes selling federal land to lower the national debt. Some fierce opposition is trying to keep that land available for public use.In the Social Media Buzz this week, RVers were discussing Mayflies, also known as Fish Flies. When they hatch each summer around the Great Lakes, all we can say is keep your mouth shut unless you want some extra protein.All this plus your questions and Mike and Jen’s storytime coming up in Episode #552 of the RV Podcast
This week on Episode 551 of the RV Podcast: We introduce you to our friend Tom McAlister, who is an avid RVer with a profitable hobby: He flips RVs. You'll learn how he does it and tour his latest. Plus, the RV News of the Week, the Social Media Buzz, Your RV questions and Mike and Jen’s RV Storytime.
This week on the RV Podcast:The Unspoken Rules for RVers at Truck Stops and Rest AreasRobots working at an RV campground? Coming next year to a new park in North CarolinaReal RVers share Real Tips that work on keeping mice out of your camperAnd in Mike and Jen's Storytime, the perfect boondocking spot...that wasn't
We've all seen the headlines and watched the dramatic YouTube videos warning about crime and danger in the RV lifestyle, but how much of this is actually based in reality? After receiving a deeply concerning email from a couple whose travel dreams were nearly crushed by sensationalized fear-mongering, we decided it was time to have an honest conversation about safety on the road.
In this week's RV Podcast: Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or brand new to the road, bad weather can strike fast, and your safety depends on being prepared and knowing what to do when the skies turn dark. PLUS the Social Media Buzz, The RV Question of the Week, and Mike and Jen's Storytime -- The Black Fly Tango!
This week on the RV Podcast:We have black tank revelations for you, busting some myths and learning the best way to maintain, empty and clean themThe changing tariff landscape has the RV industry in state of confusion, but consumers are hoping it's now a buyer’s marketIn Mike and Jen's storytime, the tale of our white-knuckled Ten-Mile-an-Hour JourneyAll this plus RV ideas and your questions coming up in Episode 547 of the RV Podcast.
This week on the RV Podcast:Here we go again, now there is talk of another MASSIVE budget cut for the National Park Service and a proposal to turn some federal land over to the states.A New Survey reveals what’s #1 on the Bucket List for campers over 55And in Mike & Jen’s Storytime… When Things Go Wrong: A Roadway Cautionary TaleAll this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 546 of the RV Podcast.
This week on the RV Podcast:RV Industry and Camping Shutdowns - We sort through the confusionWe put a Starink Mini to the test with impressive results despite its small formScary Wildlife Encounters - Why you always need to be alertAll this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 545 of the RV Podcast.
This RV Podcast episode 544 digs into the challenges and obstacles involved in going from dreaming to starting your RV Adventure, with two compelling messages from our readers. Plus, we have the social media buzz, your RV Questions, and Mike and Jen's Storytime about one of our many adventures.
This week on the RV Podcast:RV Tire Maintenance. When do you replace them? How do you maintain them?We all have seen the lists on what to bring on an RV Trip. But in the Social Media Buzz segment, we’ll tell you what NOT to bring, the things real RVers say are a total waste of space.How to sanitize your RV freshwater system for the new camping season. We’ll give you a concise step by step guide.And in Mike and Jen’s storytime, the Tale of the Tape Measure… or how to get off the fence of indecision.All this and more coming up in Episode 543 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:We talk about Tariffs and RV Price Hikes: A Big RV Dealer tells us what to Expect in 2025How to Make Sure Nothing Breaks on Your First Big RV Trip of the New SeasonIn Mike & Jen’s storytime, we share the story of The Gray Dream: Our First RV.Our Sweepstakes is Back! Find out what Waggle has for you.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 542 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:Why do Class B RVs cost so much… are the high-end ones really worth a quarter of a million dollars?If you're headed to the Big Bend National Park in Texas, be aware that you’re not alone. hundreds of Federal troops are now patrolling there - on foot and in armored vehicles.RV Travel Tips to make your drive less tiring and more enjoyableAll this plus the RV News of the Week and Mike & Jen’s RV Storytime showcasing Jennifer's nerves of steel... all coming up in Episode 541 of the RV Podcast
This week on Episode 539 of the RV Podcast:Surviving 80 miles an hour winds in an RV. You’ll hear one couple’s harrowing tale of a dark and stormy nightThere are growing indications that a lot of Canadians are deciding not to take vacations in the US this year because of the Trump administration’s ongoing issues with CanadaIn this week’s Storytime with Mike & Jen segment, the tale of Mike’s Great AwakeningAll this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 539 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:Finding RV Gold: A Surprising Motorhome Deal that proves there IS an affordable RV out there!There is more information coming out on how the Trump administration’s layoffs, firings, and forced retirements in the National Parks Service threaten to seriously disrupt camping out west this summer.And in Mike and Jen’s storytime this week, the embarrassing tale on The Day Our RV Became Our Biggest FanAll this, plus the the RV social media buzz and your questions coming up in Episode 538 of the RV Podcast
This week on Episode 537 of the RV Podcast:Why truck stop camping should be in your overnight travel plans this yearYour RV's Pre-Season Checklist - the things that must be replaced at the start of a new camping seasonThe Trump administration’s continuing budget cutting and the dwindling workforce may result in reduced hours and early closures for our National Parks.And in Mike & Jen’s Storytime, The Rooster's Revenge, or Why Bo Doesn't Chase Chickens Anymore
We have a special edition with this episode of the RV podcast, answering your RV Lifestyle questions…. Even the personal ones. We have a bunch of them that we can't wait to get to and they will form this week’s RV Conversation of the Week. PLUS we also have the RV News of the Week and Mike & Jen's storytime about taking our RV in a special stretch of road known as "The Tail of the Dragon."
This week on the RV Podcast: How to Deal with High Pressure RV Sales Tactics. We’ll interview a reputable dealer who exposes unethical tactics and tells you how you should respond to high pressure.RV Campgrounds in six states have been devastated by last week’s Hurricane Helene.With prices continuing to rise, many are asking, “How can anyone afford the RV Lifestyle these days?" We have some advice in our Social Media Buzz segment.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #517 of the RV Podcast.
This week on the RV Podcast: What’s best for the RVer? Starlink or Cellular?Mini Meetup Week starts this weekend for the RV Lifestyle Community, with in-person get-togethers held all across the country. Mike and Jen will hold one Friday night (Sept. 27, 2024)!What to do when your RV’s refrigerator stops coolingAll this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in this episode of the RV Podcast
This week on Episode 515 of the RV Podcast: Essential RV Extras: The Top Upgrades Real RVers Want!
This week on the RV Podcast:Enough is Enough. RVers have had it with ever-rising campground feesThe BLM wants to charge RVers up to $600 to boondock in the Arizona desert. And speaking of Arizona, we have the details on a large chunk of highly desirable RV property near Kingman and Route 66 that’s going to be sold off in 5 acre parcels later this monthAll this plus the Social Media Buzz and your questions coming up in Episode #514 of the RV Podcast
This week on Episode 513 of the RV Podcast: RV Horror Stories: Real RVers Share Their Most Embarrassing RV Fails and “Operator Errors”Is it right for State Parks to give priority camping reservations and special rates only to in-state residents?Getting rid of condensation stains on RV shades… there’s an easy solution to make them look like new again.
Last week, a dog died in an overheated RV when the Air Conditioner lost power. This week in Episode 512 of RV Lifestyle's RV Podcast, we learn about two safety devices every RVer who travels with a pet needs to have. Plus, how one of our followers saved over $1,000 in their extended RV warranty, the Social Media Buzz of the Week and how we plan and find great campgrounds.
We go into a lot of detail about what actually happened when we came back to the U.S. in this week's RV Podcast. PLUS Wendy's Social Media Buzz and more.
In Episode 510 of the RV Podcast, Jen and Mike are on location in the Canadian Maritimes and share their tips for easy long trips in an RV. They are joined by fellow travelers who offer even more helpful advice, Plus the Social Media Buzz, a surprise announcement about no camping at the upcoming Florida RV Supershow in Tampa, and your questions about the RV Lifestyle.
In Episode 509 of the RV Lifestyle RV Podcast, we share the results of how Starlink has performed all across North America. And we also check into the experiences of other Starlink-using RVers who are up here in Nova Scotia with us as part of a 27-day tour of the Canadian Maritimes run by Fantasy RV Tours.
This week on the RV Podcast: Why you MUST take travel breaks! The deadly risk of blot clots caused by too much driving.Wildfires are once again devastating the Pacific Northwest and parts of Canada, The smoke from more than 200 blazes is making its way all the way to the east coast.Updates from the road and answers to your questions about being part of an RV Caravan Tour. We’ll give our honest opinions on what it's really like.All this plus the RV News of the Week coming up in Episode #508 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:RV quality problems don't seem to be getting better, and campground infrastructure issues are straining the 2024 camping experienceThe brutal heat wave gripping the West is being blamed for at least four deaths in National and State parks.In Jen & Mike’s storytime, we’ll share how what sounded like a good marketing idea turned out to be the most embarrassing thing we’ve ever done as RVers.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #506 of the RV Podcast.
This week on the RV Podcast: Picking up the pieces after a major RV accident. Toss in the towel or start all over again? In our RV conversation of the week, you’ll meet a couple who just faced those questions. They have some inspiring advice for us all.Do your RV shades annoy you by rattling as you ride down the road? Our RV Lifestyle Community has some great sound-dampening advice.Dangerous heat and nasty weather have been sweeping across the country taxing the comfort and safety of lots of RVers this past week.All this, plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode # 505 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:What’s going on with the recent violent RV theft crime wave? There have been two more dangerous incidents since last week’s deadly attack in Nebraska.If you have a drone made by DJI, as many RVers do, the government wants to ban them because they think the Chinese could be using them to spy on us.What to do when you empty your RV black tank but the sensor shows it is still full?All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #504 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:Off Grid RV Living in the Desert - We’ll learn how one RVer has found paradise in ArizonaThe latest on the brutal knife attack on an elderly RVing couple at a Nebraska Rest Area that left the husband dead and the wide fighting for her life.There are a lot of people who are disappointed about the rising Internet costs for on-the-go RVers.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #503 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:What real RVers like and dislike about their RVs.An Alaska RV rental company has abruptly shut down after being accused of shady dealings involving security deposits, collecting taxes that were not due and forging customer signatures.And in Mike & Jen’s Storytime, we’ll share how we learned firsthand why every hiker in bear country should carry bear spray.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #502 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:RV Trip Planning with AI is now a reality. We’ll explain in our Interview of the Week about a powerful AI Trip Planner aimed at RVers. It’s finally a buyer’s market for those who want to purchase a new RV. Dealers are anxious and more willing to offer big discounts as their lots remain filled with unsold inventory On Mike and Jen’s Storytime segment at the end of the show, we’ll tell you all about the most embarrassing - and costly - mistake we’ve ever made while RVing.Zion National Park plans to ban all large RVs from its popular eastern entrance starting in 2026 in hopes of unsnarling the park’s often massive traffic jams.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #501 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:This is our 500th RV Podcast.🎉 For close to 10 years, we’ve been doing this show. This week, we tell you how it all began…and where we’re headed...We have some clarification on those controversial new CDC rules on bringing your dog back from Canada and Mexico. But that clarification doesn't mean it still isn’t confusing.In our social media buzz segment, we have tips on keeping cool while camping in the summer heat.All this, plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #500 of the RV Podcast.
This week on the RV Podcast:Those horrific storms and tornadoes keep coming this time hitting campgrounds crowded with Memorial Day RVers.We’ll talk about what to do when a Tornado is heading toward your campgroundThere’s continuing fallout and confusion over new rules by the CDC about bringing your dog back from Canada or Mexico… and the CDC won't comment on our attempts to get clarification.All this plus the RV News of the Week, your questions and Mike & Jen's RV Storytime coming up in Episode #499 of the RV Podcast.
This week on the RV Podcast:Some new Dog Reentry Rules from Canada will make it much more challenging to bring your pet back home to the US. The same goes for Mexico.There’s a new scam going around reported by many RVers. They get an email telling them they have to pay a $50 late fee for missing a road toll. If you get that email, don't click on it.And in our Mike & Jens Storytime at the end of the podcast, we’ll share why a simple tape measure is a great illustration to jumpstart your RV Lifestyle plans.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your RV questions coming up in Episode #498 of RV Lifestyle’s RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:Walmart camping: Is it safe? Why do people overnight at a Walmart? How did this come to be? Is it still safe to overnight at a Walmart with the rise in homelessness and other issues across the country? Are Walmarts cracking down on people overnighting? Is there a proper way to do this?Do sway bars really help with towing?Are YouTube influencers ruining our National Parks?All this, plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #497 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Lifestyle RV Podcast:In the interview of the week segment, tech talks about lithium batteries, how to replace your existing AGM or wet cell batteries, how to pair lithium with an inverter, and what you need for wiring.Yellowstone National Park just reopened for the new season and already, there’s been a touron incident - a tourist moron who dangerously messed with the wildlife.And we introduce a new segment at the end of the podcast - Mike & Jen’s storytime, in which we share a tale and lesson we’ve learned from our many years on the road. This week, we talk about the time we were robbed!All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #496 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:In the interview of the week, we have practical RV driving tips from an expert on operating, backing up, and navigating mountains and steep hills in an RV.A Massachusetts couple dropped off their RV to get repaired. The dealer then moved the RV to an unsecured parking area down the street, where it was then stolen. The dealer basically shrugged and said it wasn't their problem. We’ll explain in the news of the week.Good News! The National Parks Service has abandoned its plan to remove the wild horses from Theodore Roosevelt National Park thanks to public pressure.Plus the latest in RV recalls and your questions coming up in Episode #495 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:The chain of Love's Travel Centers is opening up more and more space for RV camping at a truck stop, not just overnighting, but multiple night stays if you want. We’ll share the details in our Interview of the Week!What’s up with this? Crackerbarrel is closing some if its restaurants where RVers like to overnight.Where can you get the oil changed on your Class C motorhomes? Our RV Community has some practical suggestions.And answering one of our questions of the week, we tell you just how strong the wind has to be to flip an RV.All this, plus the RV News of the Week and much more coming up in Episode #494 of the RV Podcast
Are you ready for the great cicada invasion? We’ll talk to one of North America’s top experts about what you may encounter soon on your camping trips.Can creditors seize your RV if you go bankrupt, even if it is your fulltime home? They did for an Arizona couple and we’ll tell you about it.National Park week is almost here. And that means free entry at National Parks this coming Saturday, April 20.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #493 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:Do your headlights need aligning? If you are having trouble seeing the road while driving at night, your headlights could need adjustment. We’ll learn about this in the interview of the week.There’s a lot of controversy about excessive frame flex and fifth wheels these days. We’ll answer those concerns in our questions of the week segment.How to save money with all those road toll fees. Our RV Lifestyle Community shares some tips.All this and much more coming up in Episode #492 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:Vital Gear for safe drinking water while campingThe latest on the RV Camping Event of the year - Monday’s total eclipse of the sunHow that collapsed bridge in Baltimore will alter travel routes for RVers this summerAll this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #491 of the RV Podcast
Have you ever wondered about RV caravan tours? To find out, listen to our interview of the week with the operations head of Fantasy RV Tours. Also this week on the RV Podcast: A massive hatch of billions of creepy crawly bugs is about to invade large sections of the country. Yes, we really mean billions!Love’s truck stops are greatly expanding overnight camping spots at its service centers. The company is adding electric and water hookups for weary RVers.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 490 of the RV Podcast.
This week on the RV Podcast:How to find a Mobile RV Tech to handle your repairs and maintenance needs.The National Park Service’s insistence on using a credit card has resulted in lawsuits and lots of pushback from people being turned away from entry because they wanted to use cash for the fee.What it means if someone leaves a toy frog on your RV… or a rubber alligator…or a flamingo.The best way to hang photos, towel racks, and other items on the walls of your RV without pounding a nail.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #489 of the RV Podcast.
This week on Episode #488 of the RV Podcast:What you need to know about eBikes for RVers: Where you can ride them, where you can’t, and why they are so popular.There’s some serious price gouging going on by campgrounds along the path of next month’s total eclipse.GM is recalling 820,000 of some of the most popular trucks for a major safety issue, many if which are used as tow vehicles by RVers.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #488 of the RV Podcast
This week on the RV Podcast:How NOT to run out of meds on an RV TripTroubleshooting tips to make RV life easier on the roadAnother state is considering giving back a state park to the native American tribe they stole it fromAll this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #486 of the RV PodcastYou can watch the full video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel right on this post!
This week on the RV Podcast:One of the nation’s top Lemon Law Attorneys says RVers are Crazy to buy a new RV. He says it's because of an insidious legal provision many dealers make you sign.There’s a lot of disappointment by RVers as the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta has decided to reduce the number of RV camping spots this year to make way for more car parking.We have the dates for our spring/summer RV Lifestyle Meetup – June 11-14 – and will announce the details and ticket sales Thursday evening in a special livestream on our new RV Lifestyle Community.All this plus the RV News of the Week, the Social Media Buzz, and your questions coming up in Episode #485 of the RV Podcast
This week on Episode 484 of the RV Podcast:How to plan a truly epic RV trip - 5 tips from a couple who have road trip planning down to an art form.The Buc-ee’s mega gas station chain is rapidly expanding… if only they were more RV-friendly!Looking for a good excuse to get outside this month? The Great Backyard Bird Count is almost here, and it needs your help.All this, plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #484 of the RV PodcastWATCH and LISTEN here: 5 Tips on How to Plan a Truly Epic RV Trip
What happens when you combine a Tiny Home and an RV? We’ll take you on a tour of one.Also this week on the RV Podcast:Famed Football Coach Jim Harbaugh wants to drive his RV out to California and live in it for a few months so he can be close to his team as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.Why the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta has become a must-attend RV bucket list eventAll this plus the Social Media Buzz, the RV News of the Week, and your RV questions coming up in Episode #483 of the RV Podcast.
Greetings from sunny Florida for Episode 482, where we're spending a couple of weeks decompressing from the Florida RV Supershow and editing the videos we shot of all the new RVs.This week in the RV Podcast:Inside info on a new development in the Southwest where RVers can buy their own multi-acre RV property. A look at the RV company that started the whole van life movement – half a century ago!News about an RV company that instituted a very successful 4-day work week for its employees with no change in productivity or their pay.All this, plus the Social Media Buzz, the RV News of the Week, and your questions coming up in Episode #482 of the RV Podcast.
Best Innovation at the 2024 RV Supershow in Tampa - all three of them. PLUS our regular Social Media Buzz, RV News of the Week, and answering your questions.
This week on the podcast, we look at the Top RV Internet Trends for 2024. Our expert guests are Chris and Cherie from the Mobile Internet Resource Center and Erik McCauley, the CEO and founder of MobileMustHave, a leading provider of RV accessories and mobile internet. Erik is an IT Infrastructure Engineer by trade. Plus our Social Media Buzz, News of the Week, and we answer a question about a particular RV fireplace.
Have you attended an RV Rally? An RV rally is one of the best ways to come to understand your RV better, learn how to set up and take down camp more efficiently, and to make lifelong friends who will always bring a smile to your camping travels.
That's what we talk about this week in Episode 464 of the RV Podcast, recorded live at the Montana Owners Club National Rally in Goshen, IN. Attended by owners of the luxury Montana brand of fifth wheels, this 8-day-long event brought more than 400 campers to the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds for seminars, socializing and sight-seeing.
Plus our Social Media News, RV News of the Week, Answers to your questions, and more...
With cooler temperatures and fewer people, a fall camping trip should be at the top of every RVer's bucket list before the camping season comes to an end. That's what we talk about this week on Episode 463 of the RV Podcast, along with:Should you use cruise control when towing an RV?A woman in Georgia dropped off her RV for repair. When she picked it up she found it trashed because squatters had been living in it. If you are in elk country, give them a wide berth It’s mating season and they can become extremely aggressive.All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode #463 of the RV Podcast
This week we offer a detailed guide to choosing the best RV Internet for you. For RVers, there is no one solution for everyone. And this week, we detail all the options available.
Our guests are Chris and Cherie from the Mobile Internet Resource Center. Last week, they shared the pros and cons of using Starlink in your RV. We continue the discussion this week in Episode 462 with a breakdown of all the other options, from cellular to Wi-Fi.
Also in this episode:
What it’s like when a Tornado touches down right next to your campsite
The Best State Parks in Every State
The RV News of the Week and your questions
You can even watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel right on this post.
Starlink for RV use has become a major source of Internet connectivity. But as good as the system is, there are pros and cons to consider before RVers should totally rely on it.
It's been another devasting year for North American forests, with careless campfires too often being the cause of uncontrolled wildfires. What's the best way to have a campfire in the woods?
That's what we talk about in our RV Podcast interview of the week with a spokesperson for the intra-agency task force charged with fighting the catastrophic wildfires that have been so much in the news these days.
Also on the podcast: A terrible highway tragedy killed five people when a tire blew on their RV on I-91 in Pennsylvania, causing it to veer into an oncoming semi.
Expert tips on keeping your RV roof in good shape
Plus the RV news of the week, travel tips and your RV questions…all coming up on Episode 460 of the RV Podcast.
We have some awesome RV Trip Planning Tips and travel advice from some real pros to share in this episode of the RV Podcast. We just spent a week camping with almost two dozen Ambassadors from Keystone RV. Collectively, their wisdom and expertise is like a college education in the RV Lifestyle that you will not want to miss.
Also in this Episode:
There’s a new land development in Tennessee for RVers
The most dangerous National Parks
Hot weather camping tips
RV industry news, camping meal planning and much more coming up on Episode 459 of the RV Podcast
The RV Sales numbers coming out of Elkhart are dismal this summer, with some dealers even using the R-word to describe the seriousness of the problem - R as in Recession!
We'll talk about that and much more in this Episode 458 of the RV Podcast, including:
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Part 2 of our RV Towing Interview: How to tow a car behind your RV
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The difference between an RV converter and an inverter
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RV travel tips
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Your RV questions
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The RV App of the week
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And a delicious campfire treat
One of the most daunting parts of camping has to do with RV Towing. Not just how to tow but how to make sure your tow vehicle is up to the task and then how to tow safely and correctly is what we explore in this week's podcast interview -- RV Towing Basics: Expert Advice on doing it right
PLUS...
RV Social Media Buzz: How to decorate the OUTSIDE of your RV
RV News: Bison and bear attacks and more hikers have died from excessive heat
And your RV questions, tips and much more coming up in Episode 357 of the RV Podcast!
No one likes emptying their RV toilet. Dealing with black tank odors and regulating the water used for flushing is a pain. But the future of RV toilets is now here.
This week on Episode 456 of the RV Podcast we tall you one of the RV Community's Best-Kept Secret: The electric Laveo Toilet.
Also in this episode: Expert advice on how to safely unhook, refill and reattach your RV’s propane tanks.
The hottest social media buzz about the RV lifestyle
And the RV News of the week, your questions, a fabulous camping food recipe and much, much more
They're called Yellowstone Tourons - selfish, irresponsible "tourist morons" whose disdain of the Yellowstone National Park rules puts themselves and wildlife at risk. Their outrageous behavior makes the news almost weekly.
And this week on Episode 455 of the RV Podcast, we talk to a ranger at Yellowstone National Park about a rash of these “Touron” incidents - and what responsible visitors can do to help park rangers deal with the problems.
Plus…
expert tips on maintaining the critical safety detectors on your RV
Welcome news of lower gas prices in the near future
Reports on too close encounters with bears
And RV News, travel information, and your RV Lifestyle questions.
You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.
If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.
SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ - Wendy Bowyer
Wendy Bowyer reports on the hot issues most talked about this past week on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group:
One post that really caught people's attention last week was from John. John took a picture of his awning that hadn't been cleaned in five years. As you can imagine, it was pretty stained and dirty. John bought a Magic Eraser mop and cleaned a section of it and showed everyone the before and after.
People loved it!
Some asked specific questions about the Magic Eraser mop. Others shared what they use to successfully clean their awnings. Some use a product called Awesome, sold at dollar stores, and others use a homemade combo with Dawn dish soap, a dash of bleach, and water.
Others said to prevent the mold in the first place, always make sure your awning is dry before storage.
Lots of helpful tips in that post, with hundreds and hundreds of shares and comments.
Angie had quite the scare last week. The very second she stepped outside her camper last week, what did she see but a BLACK BEAR! She said the bear came up from the side of her RV, completely freaked her out, and she ran right back in.
Can you imagine?
She was camping in Helen, Georgia, and her post led to a big long conversation of what others would do if they came face to face with a black bear. And do you know, quite a few RV Lifestyle Facebook members have!
Rhonda said one time she was camping at Glacier National Park, came out of the camper, turned, and there, under the slide out, was a black bear just 6 feet away! She said she gasped so loudly she scared the poor thing. The bear actually jumped, its eyes grew big and it ran away!
Josh said he had a black bear walk up to him in the Smokies two years ago. He said it was amazing how something so big could be so quiet. The encounter was the scariest experience of his life.
Then, I'll leave you with a picture and a"public service announcement".
Teresa snatched a picture of her dog, a Blue Heeler, poking his head through the window of her rig and wrote:
"Public Service Announcement: Fifth Wheel screens are not Blue Heeler proof."
The picture was adorable and many said their dogs poke their heads through the screens of their campers, too. Who knew?? Many shared pictures - which were fun to see!
RV RECIPE OF THE WEEK - Jerrica Mah
Time now for the RV Recipe of the Week, brought to you by CampingFoodRecipes.com
Here's the editor of CampingFoodRecipes.com, outdoor enthusiast and lifelong foodie enthusiast Jerrica Mah:
Campfire Nachos Recipe
Hey Camping Foodies, Jerrica here with CampingFoodRecipes.com, and this week I have a crowd pleaser for you. The recipe of the week is Campfire Nachos, and if you've ever had them before, you know they disappear quickly around the campfire.
They're really fun to make. You can toss in any ingredients you want with the chips and cheese, cook them over the campfire, and then we all dig in straight from the skillet.
In Episode 454 of the RV Podcast this week, we discuss finding missing hikers in National Parks. You’ll be surprised at how many there are. Other topics this week include:
A mystery gas sickens campers in a Colorado campground
Expert tips on how to properly take care of your RV awning
An ingenious and simple hack on how to easily make an RV bed
And the dismal stats that show RV shipments to dealers are down almost 50% so far this year, leading some manufacturers to be on extended shutdowns.
You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by going right to our post.
If you like cruises and all-inclusive travel, a guided RV tour sure makes sense. Except instead of ships, you're cruising in an RV "land yacht" with all your camping, excursion, and most of your meal costs covered at no additional costs. In Episode 453 RV Podcast this week we talk about Guided RV Tours and find out if they are right for you. Other topics this week include:
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Should eBikes be allowed in National Parks?
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A great make-ahead camping food recipe to save you time
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and expert tips on keeping your RV Plumbing System working properly
By tapping into the shared RV knowledge of fellow RVers and leveraging the collective wisdom of the RV Lifestyle Facebook Group, you can solve maintenance problems, make new friends, and even plan trips.
In Episode 552 of the RV Podcast, we explore how shared RV knowledge can empower and enrich your RV journey, enabling you to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Also this week we discuss:
Troubleshooting your TV’s Coach Batteries
A great pancake recipe perfect for camping mornings
A great app to locate essential services near you
The RV News of the Week, and
When it makes sense to downsize your RV
A series of new Harvest Hosts programs is making it super easy for RVers to find overnight campspots – even in sold-out campgrounds. In Episode 451 of the RV Podcast, Harvest Hosts CEO Joel Holland details the new offerings as he shares the many ways his company is helping RVers find unique places to camp and explore.
Also this week we have:
RV News of dangerous wildlife encounters
Social Media feedback on RV campground etiquette
A guide to proper use of your RV air conditioner
And the best way to attach photos to the walls of your RV
If you want to find great camping on private and public land, then the one tool that you will want to use is a popular app called Hipcamp. In Episode 450 of the RV Podcast we talk with the founder and CEO about how it works.
Also in this episode:
Our Fall Gathering has been announced – a Music City Meetup in Nashville, TN Oct. 2-5
The best and most friendly campgrounds as judged by our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group members
A story on how “Tourons” – tourist idiots – have been causing problems again at Yellowstone
And RV recipes, Tips, helpful ways to organize and RV and some solid expert advice on the best speed and distance to travel when RVing
No one likes to pay for RV repairs. That's where an RV extended warranty can save a lot of headaches. But signing up for one at the dealership at the time of the purchase is seldom a wise decision. This week in Episode 449 of the RV Podcast, we dig into the intricacies of an RV extended warranty and how to get the best deal. Also this week:
There's a lot of RV social media buzz about very expensive road tolls out East
Expert advice on how to prep your RV for sale to get the best price
Why campfire hot dogs need sauerkraut!
How to instantly identify any plant, bush or tree
RV news, tips and inside information to make your next road trip a success
This week in Episode 448 of the RV podcast, we find out of you can really use AI to plan a camping trip, interviewing the CEO of a new RV travel planning app that relies almost entirely on AI. Plus, we have lots RV News, RV tips, social media tidbits and answers to audience questions about the RV Lifestyle.
One of the worst things that can happen is to lose your pet on a camping trip. It happens all the time. There are a lot of things you can do to prevent them from running away. In this week's episode, we feature an interview with a real-life pet detective who offers expert advice and tells us what to do if our dog runs away on a camping trip.
What’s it like being a fulltime RV couple? This week on the podcast, we learn what it’s been like spending 1,000 days on the road from a couple that did just that and plans to spend many more enjoying the RV Lifestyle.If you’ve been contemplating the fulltime RV Life, you won’t want to miss our interview of the week.Also, in this Episode 446 of the RV Podcast, we share the RV News of the Week, Tips about your RV refrigerator, the latest RV social media buzz, and answers to your questions about the RV Lifestyle.You can watch the podcast, or listen right here!
This week, we tell you how to plan the perfect camping trip by using the Internet's most popular camping app. It's called The Dyrt and it's adding some new features to the pro version that will revolutionize the way you find campgrounds. Our interview guest on Episode 445 of the RV Podcast is Kevin Long, the CEO of The Dyrt and he's offering our audience a free trial of these new pro features that you'll want to snag to plan your perfect camping trip this summer. Plus our Social Media News, RV Lifestyle News, RV Tip of the week from certified RV Inspector Brenda of Queen Bee RV, and questions we answer from our audience.
The rush to make electric vehicles has now shown up in an amazingly innovative EV travel trailer called the Lightship. In this episode 444 of the RV Podcast, we’ll meet two former longtime employees, Tesla employees, who left to start their own company that has developed this sleek 27-foot long trailer. And there are lots more in this episode - handy tips about RV electrical management, the RV news of the week, hot-button RV topics from special media, and a very clever way to use the latest version of that amazing Chat GPT artificial intelligence tool to help you make short work out of planning an RV trip.
Half the fun of an RV road trip is discovering weird roadside attractions as you get off the interstates and travel the backroads. That's where the bizarre, quirky, and fun stops can be found that are sure to amuse and delight. In Episode 443 of the RV Podcast, we interview an expert about what's waiting for you out there, from Giant Donuts to Mysterious Statues. Further, he tells you how to find them, too.
We’ve used AllStays for over a decade now and it just gets easier and easier. So when we heard that the founder retired and there’s a new CEO, we thought it would be good to get him on the podcast to update us on how this easy-to-use resource can be put to good use. Our conversation with AllStays CEO Phil Rogers is our Interview of the Week with this episode.Also this week:Social Media Buzz talks about finding the best toilet paper for RVers.The RV Tip of the Week uncovers the defects most RVers miss when taking possession of a new rig.The App of the Week shares a digital journal aimed at photographers that is perfect for RVers who take lots of photos on camping trips.The RV News of the Week shares the National Parks that visitors are most pleased by.The RV Question of the Week reveals just how much it can cost to develop an RV property.
Before heading out for a new season of camping, there are some RV Electricity Dos and Don'ts you need to know about. We detail them from a top expert whose advice can save you lots of grief. Our guest is Mike Sokol, who tells us in Episode 441 of the RV Podcast how to safely wake up your RV's electrical system. Plus we talk about all the bad weather and how to safe while RVing, news, and a new FEATURE - Social Media Buzz, and a segment on creating an RV safety plan for peace of mind from Brenda of Queen Bee RV.
Is your RV ready for a new season of camping? In Episode 440 of the RV Podcast, we have insider RV dewinterizing tips from one of the most respected pros in the industry. Chris Daugherty is our special guest and Chris really knows his stiff. He presents very popular RV maintenance seminars at the country’s biggest RV shows and has been an RV industry consultant for years.
Blood clots and RV Travel pose a serious risk to RVers, and yet few are even aware of this hidden danger. When sitting in a truck or RV for extended periods, such as on long drives, blood flow can slow down and cause blood clots to form. These clots can break off and travel to the lungs, causing a potentially fatal condition called pulmonary embolism. That's just what happened to the husband of Betsy Johnson. We interview Betsy in Episode 439 of the RV Podcast.
Planning on selling an RV? This week in Episode 438 of the RV Podcast, Jennifer and Mike share their tips on how to maximize your profits when selling an RV.
So you think a new RV is without problems? We will destroy that notion after you hear the secrets of an RV Inspector in Episode 437 of the RV Podcast about how many problems are found in RVs right after they roll off the assembly line. It's shocking, really. Our guest this week, RV Inspector Brenda Puckett, says shoddy manufacturing and quality control failures are commonplace among new RVs. She shares real-life issues uncovered in the inspection process that every RV owner needs to know about.
Are you tired of tossing and turning on that old, uncomfortable RV mattress? Do you dread spending another night on it during your travels? Well, fear not! In Episode 436 of the RV Podcast, we'll share how to replace your RV mattress and get the best sleep of your life on the road. We just did that ourselves and in researching RV mattress replacement, we learned a lot.
There's a new trend that sees campgrounds becoming full-fledged RV communities with lots of amenities, activities, and year-long stays. We're not talking trailer parks like past generations but real communities catering to the needs of today's RVers. We dig into this in Episode 435 of the RV Podcast, interviewing the owner of just such a community in north central Florida, where this trend has particularly been building for several years now. Also in this episode, RV News, Tips and your questions about the RV Lifestyle.
We have a great RV Love Story to share in Episode 434 of the RV Podcast about a couple of senior snowbirds, both widowed, who went from solo travelers to soul mates.Plus we have lots of RV News, travel planning tips and RV Lifestyle questions.For the video version, click the player below to watch.For an audio version, it's available on iTunes and all the podcast apps or through the audio player below.An RV Love Story - Amy and ThomasAmy and ThomasThomas is a widower who lost his wife of 52 years in December 2019. Amy is a widow who lost her husband of 18 years in August 2018. Both met at the Blueway RV Village in Ft. Myers, FL (formerly called Shady Acres) in January 2021. Amy was outside her rig one night when Thomas walked by, walking his dog. They talked. He came back the next day, also walking his dog, they talked some more, and the rest- is history! They married on May 26, 2022 - their wedding cake was decorated with an RV. And they bought an RV together in September 2022 and are snowbirds, currently in the very RV park where they met, as we speak.Neither was looking for love. Both say to all the other solo travelers out there, be open to meeting new people. You never know where it may lead.Need more ways to bring romance to your life? How to Keep the Romance Alive While RVing (7 Helpful Tips)Rekindle the Flame with these 10 Romantic Road Trips for RVing CouplesWe hope you enjoyed the RV Love Story. New Travel Tech - The Best RV Trip Planning Tool We've FoundThe New Travel Tech segment of the RV Podcast, drawn from the pages of NewTravelTech.com, our sister blog celebrating the many ways technology enhances the travel experience.This is the time of year many are planning RV trips for the coming season and the tech tool we use and rely on is called the RV Life Trip Wizard.Built specifically for RVers, this visual RV trip planner has the most advanced features available. It uses distance rings to show exactly where you’ll be at the end of your driving day to choose the ideal stop. It customizes RV-safe routes to the height & weight of your RV. Avoid low clearances, steep grades, weight limits, and propane restrictions.To get it, you have to join RV Life Pro, where you will find it is one of the tools that make it easy for you to discover, plan, go, and share your RV trips. The 4-in-1 membership includes:RV LIFE Trip Wizard - This is our favorite planning tool. RV LIFE Campground Reviews. We feel this really lets us check out the places we stay ahead of time so there are no surprises.RV LIFE App (RV-Safe GPS). It makes sure you’re not taking unfriendly RV roads.RV LIFE Maintenance Tracker. It's a great resource for making sure your RV is in tip-top travel ready shape.Just to be clear, you get all four of these tools in one with an RV LIFE Pro membership for what we think is a very reasonable price. I think most users would agree the price is actually cheap, considering the value it brings. RV Life Pro only costs $59 per year if you purchase the annual membership (less than $5 per month). The annual membership also comes with a 7-day free trial. The monthly subscription is $19.99 per month and does not include a 7-day free trial. BUT NOTE the discount code below!In all honesty, just one of these tools is easily worth $5 per month, let alone all four combined. That is why I don’t hesitate to say that RV LIFE Pro is worth the money for most RVers.And this is important – if you want to enjoy using all the RV Life Pro tools just add this coupon code: RVLIFESTYLE which gives you 25% off the price! If you already use RV Life Pro – your cost is already low and locked in.Want more RV trip planning ideas? Check out:Planning the Ultimate Spring RV TripsRV Trip Planning with RV Life Pro Trip WizardHow to Plan an RV Trip: 5 Easy StepsHow we plan an RV Trip
If you are looking for RV Travel with a Purpose, the Care-A-Vanners program for RVers from Habitat for Humanity offers one of the most personally satisfying aspects of the RV Lifestyle that you will find anywhere. In Episode 433 of the RV Podcast, we learn all about this volunteer program that invites anyone who travels by RV to make helping others part of their journey or even their destination. Also in this episode, news of an awesome new giveaway for dog-lovers, the RV News of the Week, a great app for those who need to store their RV, and RV Lifestyle questions from our audience.
The problem of dirty campground water is growing as so many campgrounds, state and local parks, and long-established RV resorts grow older. With so many campgrounds relying on aging wells and plumbing systems, it's more important than ever that campers filter the water they bring into their RVs.
RVing can be expensive. So we asked a bunch of RV influencers to share tips on RV Living on a Budget. We also added 10 pro tips of our own, based on 11 years of RV Life. We can't make inflation go away. But we can promise that if you follow the advice in Episode 430 of the Podcast, you will save money.
We've lost count of how many RV shows we've attended. So, here are our expert tips for attending an RV show, whether this is your first RV show or your hundredth. There's a great deal you can do to prepare for an RV show before you arrive and before every day you attend. The following RV show tips will help whether you're attending large RV shows known nationwide or local shows nearby. It doesn't matter the size of the show or your purpose of visiting, they will help you have the best visit possible. Of course, if you attend some of the larger shows, like the Hershey RV Show, Florida RV SuperShow, or the California RV Show, these tips turn into must-do's!
Big RV Travel Difficulties are being predicted for 2023 by real RVers, with many saying they will either sharply curtail their travels or stop entirely. That's this week's main topic in Episode 425 of the RV Podcast, based on a question we posed on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Page that garnered over 500 answers in less than 24 hours.
If you've ever wondered how to be a camp host, you've come to the right place. We're going to tell you how to find camp host jobs, how and when to apply, and what makes the job so rewarding. In Episode 426 of the RV Podcast, we talk to Erik and Jeanne Anderson, full-time RVers who are about to spend six months as camp hosts on the east coast. Erik and Jeanne - and Hershey pup, their charming little Cavalier King Charles spaniel - have visited all 48 states in their RV and share with us the research that has led them to their new jobs as camp hosts. But there's so much more in this episode, including RV News, your Questions and Answers about the RV Lifestyle, and lots of links and resources about valuable camping and RV travel information.
It’s our first anniversary of owning RV Land in Tennessee and we are amazed at the progress we’ve made in developing it. We’re also pleasantly surprised by how much we’ve come to love the land and the Mid-Tennessee community of Linden. Our five acres are in a development called The Woodlands of Buffalo River just outside Linden and not far from the beautiful and wild Buffalo River. So in Episode 424 of the RV Podcast, we thought it would be fun and informative to give you an overview on what our first year of owning RV land in Tennessee has been like and answer some of the more common questions we get.
Many set RV travel goals like visiting all the National Parks or driving to Alaska. Others collect things to hold onto their memories, like a magnet, pins, or maps. But a music-loving RV couple from New York has a whole new way of making memories. Jill and Karl Marsh plan to visit as many cities/locations as they can that have a song written about it. Not only that, they plan to video themselves there, singing the song. The Marsh's are our guests on Episode 423 of the RV Podcast.
We just met a 100 year old RVer who is still going strong. And he has a lot of wisdom about travel and adventure to share. He is James Ziegler, and he is - as you read this - 100 years and five weeks old. We caught up with him at his favorite campground in California and so enjoyed our conversation that we made him the Interview of the Week on Episode 422 of the RV Podcast.
RV Tires are perhaps the most essential but overlooked parts of an RV. Failure to pay attention to the care and maintenance of your RV tires is a significant safety risk, and today we share the basics that every RVer needs to know. This week on Episode 421 of the RV Podcast, we talk to Certified RV Tech and RV Industry Consultant Chris Daugherty. Chris Dougherty is the former technical editor of MotorHome and Trailer Life Magazines, RV Enthusiast magazine, and RVTravel.com, an RVDA/RVIA/RVTI Certified RV Technician and life-long RVer. He's been RVing with his family since 1973 and today trains other RV techs and presents seminars on RV technical matters at RV shows and exhibitions.
We've had lots of people ask if we know of any RV Land for Sale out West and we can now say we do - in Arizona at a new development called Greenwood Ranches. We've been covering RV land ownership for some time now but most of the places we have found are east of the Mississippi. Large, multi-acre parcels aimed at Rvers are hard to find. Especially out west. So when we heard about this one, we decided to devote a podcast to it. Located in an elevated valley not far from Kingman, AZ, and the fabled Route 66, this development is offering five-acre RV parcels starting at $39,900 in an area close to National Parks, Las Vegas, Lake Havasu, and many other attractions. In this Episode #420 of the RV Podcast, we share the details in an in-depth interview with a representative of Western Land and Ranches.
With winter fast approaching, many are planning on storing an RV for the off-season. This week, we talk about the most efficient ways to do that and what procedures should be followed so that when spring comes, the RV is ready for the road again. Our guest on RV Podcast Episode 419 is Master Certified RV Technician Todd Henson. Director of Education for the National RV Training Academy. Also known as “the Beard,” Todd is the lead technical instructor for a very popular home study RV tech training course that teaches everyday RVers how to do basic maintenance and repairs. In Episode 418, Todd passed along RV Winterizing Tips. We continue with the second part of that conversation - all about storing an RV.
If you live in cooler climates, you need to know how to winterize an RV. In late fall, that is job one. This week, we talk with a Master Certified RV Technician and one of the country’s top RV experts to learn when, how, and exactly what steps to take to protect the plumbing system of your RV from cold weather.
Our guest on Episode 418 f the RV Podcast is Todd Henson, Director of Education for the National RV Training Academy. Also known as “the Beard,” Todd is the lead technical instructor for a very popular home study RV tech training course that teaches everyday RVers how to do basic maintenance and repairs.
Wondering about Florida Camping for Snowbirds following Hurricane Ian? You may be surprised by what Florida campground owners have to say. Contrary to some media reports, they're saying the snowbird camping season is still very much on! That's the main topic in Episode 417 of the RV Podcast as we talk to Bobby Cornwell, President and CEO of the Florida RV Parks & Campground Association.
October is known for fall camping fun, from spooktacular campground Halloween-themed events to leaf peeping color tours of nature's autumn beauty. This week on the RV Podcast, we talk to a representative of Jellystone Parks about how fall camping fun has made October one of the busiest times of the year for RVers - so busy that weekend reservations are needed long in advance in most state parks and private campgrounds.
This week on the RV Podcast we talk to a woman about how to renovate an RV, learning her fascinating back story and how she is now helping others to do what she does. She is Cortni Armstrong, known as The Flipping Nomad, who was nearly homeless a few years back and discovered her gift for renovating and redesigning RVs.
Let's face it: These are challenging times. And after a week at the recent Hershey RV Show in Pennsylvania, where we talked with hundreds of real RVers, there are some real RV worries for 2023 clouding the future for many. Not that any are willing to toss in the towel. To a person, everyone we talked to planned to do their best and Keep Calm and Camp ON - as the silly T-shirt says. But unlike many so-called RV industry leaders, who always spin a rosy future, real RVers are realistic and candid about all the challenges they see ahead over the next 12 years in this post-COVID world, where a variety of issues are complicating their RV travel and camping plans.
Essential Info About RV Refrigerators is the topic of Podcast 413. We interview Todd Henson from the National RV Training Academy. Do you have a compressor or absorption refrigerator? Find out all about the types and challenges for both for today's RVer.
The number of solo women campers is on the rise, across all ages and in motorhomes, trailers, fifth wheels, and even truck campers. In fact, the top expert we interview in Episode 412 of the RV Podcast says a significant percentage of all the RVers out there are solo women campers.
If you've followed the news this summer, RVers especially need to know how to protect their dog from Parvo during the current outbreak responsible for dozens of tragic pet deaths across the country. That is the main topic of the week on this week's Episode 411 of the RV Podcast, along with RV news and your questions about the RV Lifestyle.
A tragic robbery-gone-wrong murder in an Alabama national forest last week, many wonder: Are off-grid robbers hiding out on public lands? You can hear this story for yourself in Episode 410 of the RV Podcast, in which we also report a grisly mystery has rangers at Yellowstone National Park wondering about a human foot - in a shoe - found floating in a dangerous hot spring at the park. Also this week, we preview of the upcoming Hershey RV Show – known as America's Largest RV Show - with an interview with the show director. This is a must-attended event if you’re looking for a new RV. Plus, we answer your RV Lifestyle questions and share RV tips.
Although it is a huge trend these days, there are many pros and cons of owning RV Land that need to be considered before jumping in and deciding to develop your own property. We're no experts, but after spending the last nine months buying and then developing five acres of forested land for our own private RV retreat in Middle Tennessee, we have learned a few things that may save you time and money if owning RV land is high on your bucket list. We share the pros and cons of owning RV land in Episode 409 of the RV Podcast, as well as answering your RV Lifestyle questions and reporting the RV News of the week.
It's time to tell the truth about RV solar and lithium batteries. Not that they aren't great to have. It's just that too many RVers have been talked into getting solar/lithium packages by unreasonable claims by RV salespeople who just don't understand the limits of the technology.
Let me be very clear: We've been using RV solar and lithium batteries since 2015. Jen and I love RV solar and lithium batteries. We wouldn't have an RV without a robust systems and, indeed, we just did a major upgrade of the RV solar package and lithium battery bank on our Keystone Arcadie fifth wheel.
But the key is having enough RV solar and lithium to do what the salespeople promise.
This week, we talk to two experts as we explore the capabilities of our new system and learn about battery draw and what is reasonable and not reasonable to expect from it.
We have some really critical RV Safety Tips we need to pass on to you, along with some helpful travel info dealing with National Parks. We had so much audience feedback this week that all of Episode 407 of the RV Podcast deals with the info we received, along with RV news of the week and your questions.
One of the most common questions we get deals with the RV black tank and how to keep it clean and odor free. This week in Episode 406 of the RV Podcast, we interview a true expert – Steve Korsvall, aka “the RV Proctologist.”
For the past 15 years has run his RV Proctologist business in Quartzsite, AZ, helping RVers with their black and grey tanks.
Quartzsite is well known in RV circles. With an annual population of 3,700, Quartzsite grows during the winter months to a population of hundreds of thousand – with most of the new arrivals being RVers.
And when these visiting RVers experience problems with their black or grey tanks, Steve is there to help. He helps those in the RV parks and helps those boondocking in the BLM desert.
And boy, has he seen it all.
We’re in Elkhart this week hosting a rally we called the Elkhart Encounter and are camping right on the grounds of the RV/MH Hall of Fame museum. Our group of about 150 are touring the museum, attending RV maintenance seminars, enjoying food trucks, pot luck dinners, a catered meal, private tours of the production lines of our main sponsor, Keystone RV, and an RV driving school taught by Cortney Armstrong, aka the Flipping Nomad.
We decided to do this Episode 405 of the RV spodcast from the Hall of Fame and to interview Darryl Searer, the president of the Hall of Fame.
It's time to talk about dangerous weather while camping. You are going to be threatened by it. Because besides sunny weather and blue skies, unfortunately, storms, heavy winds, tornadoes, hurricanes, and hail are also a part of camping life.
So when bad weather hits, what should RVers do?
That's what we discuss in detail in Episode 404 of the RV Podcast, sharing our suggestions and those from the RV community at large.
Across the RV industry these days, the question on everyone’s mind is has the RV boom ended?
The recent economic downturn is claiming lots of victims and the RV industry is no exception The industry is still very strong and no one is panicking – yet – but the indications are that sales, production, RV travel, and consumer demand are all starting to slide.
That’s the main topic of this week’s Episode 403 of the RV Podcast, along with the RV News of the week, RV questions, tips, and audience feedback.
After five months of using Starlink, I am ready to share my 5 big disappointments with Starlink, even though I remain a big fan of the service and plan to keep using it in hopes it will soon work out some serious wrinkles unique to the RV lifestyle.
As summer is now officially here, one of the most common questions we get is how we plan an RV Trip. So in this week's Episode #401 of the RV Podcast, we share the resources we use in the hopes they will be very helpful to you, too.
It's a milestone event for us this week as we release Episode 400 of the RV Podcast, sharing lots of RV news including Yellowstone closures, your RV Lifestyle questions, and much more.
Ever wondered what it is like going from a motorhome to a fifth wheel? We have been experiencing just that for the past five weeks and we're ready to share all, what surprised us, what we like, and what we don't like. For the past 10 years, Jennifer and I have been traveling exclusively in motorhomes - Class B campervans, Class B+ big campervans, and Class C small motorhomes. But in early May, we bought a 32 1/2 foot Arcadia Fifth Wheel and have now put about 1,000 miles on it, camping across four states. We talk about that experience and answer your RV Lifestyle questions and share some tips in this week's Episode #399 of the Podcast.
In this week's RV Podcast, we pass along some little-known but very effective tips on saving on RV fuel costs. With record-high prices straining everyone's travel budget, these tips from a fuel industry insider are well worth your time. But there's lots more we talk about in Episode 398 of the RV Podcast, including some geopolitical news that affects RVers, the favorite apps we use on the road and a lively question and answer about when someone may be too old to RV.
As high fuel prices are causing many to stay home or travel closer to home, the camping industry is wondering if they can expect more spots to be opened up this summer due to camping cancellations.
The summer 2022 RV Travel season promises to be extremely challenging thanks to a spate of RV recalls and sky-high fuel prices. This and more for the RV Podcast.
If you've ever wondered what is Boondockers Welcome, in this Episode of the RV Podcast (395), we explain how this awesome new addition to the Harvest Hosts system can literally save your camping trip when you can't find room in a campground.
In this episode of the RV Podcast, we have 5 RV Tips from a pair of celebrity Master RV technicians that EVERY RVer needs to know.
Our guests are Matt Arndt and Bart Taylor, the Master technicians who have a dedicated YouTube Channel showing first-time RV owners basic DIY maintenance and repair tips. The pair work for the Keystone RV Company but their RV tips relate to all of us, no matter what kind of RV we own.
The pandemic may be on the wane but the state of the RV industry as the second quarter of 2022 starts rolling is one of catch up, a slightly easing supply chain situation, and continued record demand for the products they build. Those are some of the things we're learning this week as we visit the Elkhart, Indiana region, the RV Capital of the world. We're here to observe the production and get our first hands-on look at the brand new 2022 Keystone Arcadia 3250 RL Fifth Wheel that we're buying later this week.
This week in Episode 392 of the RV Podcast, we share 5 RV stories you need to know, and news stories of interest that will shape the RV Lifestyle for much of the next year in big and little ways. Plus your comments and questions and an update on our travels and adventures.
It's time to announce our future RV Plans. We can't keep them a secret anymore! We just had to share them with you. And we are so excited about what 2022 will mean for our RV Lifestyle.
This week in Podcast 389 we learn what RVers are thinking about, what Starlink is starting to do, how a certain type of bug can disrupt living the RV Lifestyle, why you need to check your carbon monoxide detector, gas prices, barking dogs, and an emergency alert. All of that on this podcast and more!
Celebrating the RV Lifestyle: 10 years and still going strong! This month sees us celebrating the RV Lifestyle 10th anniversary and on RV Podcast #388 Jennifer and I reflect on the changes we've noticed - the good and the bad, especially as it relates to RV travel.
The massive constellation of low orbiting satellites being launched by Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technologies Corp (SpaceX) each month has been recently been switched on for mobile use. In a March 3, 2022 tweet, Musk himself announced, saying: "Mobile roaming enabled, so phased array antenna can maintain signal while on moving vehicle."
In Episode 386 we tackle two big issues for RVers: How high fuel prices will affect RV Travel in 2022 and the RV Internet solution Jennifer and I rely on for on-the-road connectivity.
Lithium RV batteries have been growing in popularity to the extent that they have pretty much now become the gold standard for RVers looking to maximize house battery power while boondocking and camping off-grid.
No one said RVing is cheap. But trust me, the five most expensive RV Repairs we share in this article are the items you most want to avoid.
Our email has been piling up and we thought we'd use this podcast to answer as many of your RV Lifestyle questions as possible, tossing in a few of the pertinent comments you've sent our way, too.
In Episode 382 of the RV Podcast, we talk about the training and skills of mobile RV techs, what they can and can't fix, and why people like Jennifer and I consider mobile RV techs our go-to source for most of our RV repairs.
In this week's Episode 381 of the RV Podcast, we talk about why RVers are buying land, what things to look for, and what's involved.
Those were sure a bunch of expensive RVs! We're just back from the record-setting Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa and in this week's RV Podcast episode we talk about that, give you a sneak peek at the race to build eRVs and answer in-depth a question about what's needed for a toad - a vehicle towed behind an RV.
RV Travel and Camping is very rewarding. And sometimes very challenging. It is filled with surprises, both good and bad. And in Episode 379 of the RV Podcast, we share them all.
With these winter camping tips, you'll be warm and cozy, hiking and snowshoeing with confidence, and loving all the good times around a roaring campfire deep in the woods of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
It's time for some unvarnished, blunt and no-BS talk about what to expect about RV camping in 2022, in contrast to the "everything is great" pablum being spewed out by RV industry marketers and PR spinmasters.
This week in Episode 376 of the RV Podcast, we talk to two couples who are shopping for land. But for much of the year, I've been hearing from many others about this topic, including other influencers who - like Jennifer and me - have bought their own RV property.
Most national parks offer free RV pads, hookups, and lots of other perks in exchange for volunteer work at the parks, something we explore in-depth in this episode of the RV Podcast with Tom and Karen Hartley, who have been volunteering at National Parks for several years now. Plus all the RV news, tips, and answers about the RV Lifestyle.
Episode 374 of the RV podcast is about RV Travel with Grandkids, making memories that will last a lifetime - for the kids and the grandparents! Plus RV news, tips, and travel ideas.
Want some 2022 camping reservation tips? The first is you better try to snag it right now. Actually, for the best chance, you should have started a couple of months ago. But it will never be easier than today.
What happens when the worst happens - a life-threatening medical emergency on the road? This week in Episode 372 of the RV Podcast, we meet a couple who experienced just that.
In this episode of the RV Podcast we meet a 71-year-old widow who has been Living Alone in a Tiny Truck Camper - and loving it!
On the Podcast - With winter on the way, we share important RV winter maintenance tips on how to care for and properly winterize your RV.
Starting the RV Lifestyle as total RV Newbies can be very challenging, as we learn in Episode 369 of the RV Podcast from a couple that got their first RV just this past summer. Plus all the news, tips and questions answered.
RV innovation has definitely slowed down this year. Despite record sales, RV manufacturers are facing parts and labor shortages, transportation issues and service backlogs. As a result, we're seeing less innovation.
Ever dreamed of taking an epic family RV Road Trip? In this 367th episode of the RV Podcast, you'll meet a couple that just completed an awesome 14-month adventure that changed all their lives in very positive ways.
In Episode 366 of the RV Podcast we meet a Mom and Dad who plan to spend the next several years traveling the country with their 6 kids in a double decker RV bus conversion.
This week on the RV Podcast we meet a couple who have just finished a year of fulltime RV Living. They share their adventures, challenges, and tips for making a successful go of the fulltime RV Lifestyle. Plus all the news, tips and adventures we always bring to you in the RV Lifestyle podcast.
Thinking of doing a DIY RV remodel? That's what we talk about in Episode 364 of the RV Podcast, interviewing Dave and Jo Driscoll, age 81 and 71 respectively, who just completed an awesome DIY project you'll want to hear about. Plus all the news, questions, and tips on living the RV Lifestyle.
The RV Essentials of what people really want when buying an RV are as varied as the people shopping for them. But still, some clear trends emerge when you talk to enough of them. n Episode #363 of the RV Podcast, we talked with a lot of shoppers at America's Largest RV Show in Hershey, PA.
Talk about RV Repair Horror Stories! Wait till you hear about the quality and service issues exposed in this week's RV Podcast by an RV Tech. Our guest this week for the Interview of the Week is Justin Green, a fulltime RVer who runs Go Green Mobile RV Repair Service.
Podcast Interview of the week - Tips for Fulltime Retired Solo Women RV Travelers and RV news, tips, and your questions get answered!
In Episode 360 of the RV Podcast, we show you both the RV Air Conditioner Hack and the Upgrade, plus much more, including the RV News of the week, the latest on the 2021 edition of Ameria's Largest RV Show upcoming in Hershey, PA, RV tips, your RV questions, and a hidden campground gem.
In this Episode 359 of the RV Podcast, we offer some tips for Florida Snowbirds that tell it like it is, from the real weather you can expect, to why you may already be too late for a reservation for this upcoming snowboard season.
In this episode #358 of the RV Podcast we talk about RV Travel with a dog, offering up important tips on how to make your pet enjoy the RV Lifestyle as much as you do. PLUS you can WATCH or LISTEN to the podcast right here. And we included timestamps to make it easier to find just want you want.
We love asking the campers we meet around the country to tell us their best camping spots and in Episode 357 of the RV Podcast we learn of five of them.
Our guest in the Interview of the Week for Episode 356 of the RV Podcast, is Dr. Janet McAllister, of the Centers for Disease Control. Since this has been such a horrific year for mosquitos, we thought it would be good to bring back an interview we did with her a while back that explains what we need to know about mosquitos. Plus we talk RV news, tips, answer your questions and more.
Episode 355 of the RV Podcast is ready for you in your favorite podcast player or you can WATCH or LISTEN to it right here. Looking for an RV Map that helps you find great places, plan your route and even share your own adventures? Then check out our brand new RV Lifestyle Interactive RV Map, which lets you quickly find the best places to stop for food, see attractions, find campgrounds and boondocking spots and locate RV services you need on the road.
Looking to find the perfect campsite this weekend, but frustrated that all the good spots are taken? Before you give up, you'll want to check out the cutting-edge technology we preview in RV Podcast Episode 354 that streamlines the process of finding and booking a great campsite. Our guest in the RV Podcast Interview of the week is Mark Koep, of CampgroundViews.com, whose motto is "Look Where You Are Going."
Everyone loves RV Hacks, those little tips, tricks and inside knowledge that help the RV Lifestyle be easier, safer and economical.
And in Episode 353 of the RV Podcast, our friends Marc and Julie Bennett of RV Love stop by to share their favorite RV Hacks from their book of the same name that has more than 400 tips on just about every aspect of the RV Lifestyle from driving to cooking in the camper to working from the road.
Here's a link to a video version of our entire Podcast from our YouTube RV Lifestyle Channel, in which we also share RV News of the week, answer your RV Lifestyle questions, offer travel tips and reveal another Hidden Campground Gem. The interview about RV Hacks with the Bennets can be found about 38:20 in.
Here's an audio plater of the podcast:
RV Hacks interview with the Bennetts
Mike interviews Marc and Julie Bennett on their new RV Hacks book.
Mike Wendland: I want to welcome to the program two of our longtime friends, Marc and Julie Bennett. You may know them as RV Love? And they have just released our brand new book RV Hacks and there are over 400 from you guys in this book.
It's good to see you. You are in your RV somewhere in Colorado, which is always a good place to be. For the folks who are maybe new to the RV world or they are unfamiliar with RV living, why don't you give us the thumbnail description? Julie, start with that and tell us how long you've been doing RVing. And Marc tell us a little bit more about RVLove.com.
Julie Bennett: We hit the road as full-time RVers back in 2014, sold our home in Colorado, bought a motor home, and explored all 50 states, traveling a while, living, working from the road, and it was amazing to see this country. And we've been sharing as RV love it, in a blog, on YouTube, social media, and written a couple of books now. It's been a wild ride.
Mike Wendland: Now, Julie, I know people who may not be familiar with you are going to say, what is that accent? That's not a Southern accent. That's not a British accent. But you're from Australia, and you have an announcement to make about that too. You just recently became a US citizen.
Julie Bennett: Surely. I did. Yes, actually in February on the 11th and I've been here, living here since the end of 2008. And yeah. Finally got my citizenship and my little US flag. It was very exciting. The 4th of July felt really different, I can't explain it, but it did feel good.
It’s a bit late in the day but we hope you had a happy 4th! It’s my (Julie’s) first Independence Day as a US citizen and I have to say it really does feel different! Boondocking with friends in Colorado. Hope you had a good one! #july4th #4thjuly #boondocking #rvlife pic.twitter.com/yLpIiMCBv8 — RV Love (@RVLoveTravel) July 6, 2021
Mike Wendland: That is great. And Marc, tell everybody about the various platforms that you have and how you guys are celebrating and enjoying the RV love lifestyle?
Marc Bennett: It started off with just a blog and YouTube for fun, and now it's grown. We also have an official school for RVers. And then we also have the two books. Of course, we're all over social media with Instagram, Facebook, and all that.
Julie Bennett: It was a labor of love Mike, and we just love creating educational RV content.
Mike Wendland: Let's talk about your book, RV Hacks. It's actually the second book. The first book that you guys had was a best seller and it was called Living the RV Life. That's still available. It's still a great read, but this one is a little bit different? Why don't you talk a little bit about what RV Hacks is all about?
Marc Bennett: Sure. Our first book like you said, was a really big hit and it was living Living the RV Life and talked about the overall lifestyle. In this book, we just thought, there are so many little things over the years that we've learned that make this lifestyle more easy and more fun.
Camping experts predict the campground overcrowding will continue for the foreseeable future. And with millions of marketing money being invested now in the booming RV rental market, campgrounds are overwhelmed. The fact is, at many campgrounds, there just are no open spots to be found this summer. That's where a whole new aspect of the RV industry has developed - the campground alternative.
Frustrated that you can't find good used RVs for sale? You know that some manufacturers are reporting two-year backlogs for new RVs. And you know that right now, used RVs are hard to find. But that is about to change... Big Time!
Why is it so hard to find open camping spots in 2021? Are you wondering why it so hard to find open camping spots in 2021? And what about the confusing and always changing prices being charged for campsites? That's what we talk about in Episode 350 of the RV Podcast.
Have you wondered what's behind the RV backlog and why new RVs are sold out for many, many months to come? As they say, it's complicated. And very frustrating to the industry. Read (and HEAR and WATCH) the perspective of a manufacturer, a supplier, and dealer have with the current (and future) situation for customers.
Have you heard about our crowded National Parks and the confusion changing policies have brought over not just getting in, but reservations, too? It's also the same at many State Parks as more and more adopt reservation-only camping policies. This week on Episode #348 of the RV Podcast, we dig into that issue and much more. And not just here on the blog and our audio version of the Podcast but also with our new video podcast released simultaneously on our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel.
We've had lots of requests for for more info on owning your RV campsite in response to the story we did on The Landings in Tennessee. Here's an interview with the developer.
Because your RV motorhome, 5th Wheel or Towable Trailer camper is one of the most expensive investments you can make, protecting its roof and finish from unnecessary damage is a top priority for many of us. And an RV cover just may be the best way to do that.
In these days of high demand for RVs of all types, a lot of people have heard about RV Brokers but wonder just what does an RV Broker do? The answer is... a lot! In Episode 345 of the RV Podcast, we talk to Dr. James Upham, a well-known RV broker with years of experience. He offers a very candid explanation of just why someone may want to use an RV broker to either help them find and buy the RV of their dreams or to sell their current model.
He also reveals some little-known insider information about a secret industry sales tactic that explains why some RV salesman may steer you towards a particular RV that pays them an under-the-table payment called a "SPIF" instead of recommending what may be the best choice for you. Click the player below to listen to the entire podcast. And for a complete transcript of my interview, keep scrolling down.
Here is an edited transcript of the interview with Dr. James Upham of MyRVBroker.com:
What does an RV Broker do? Mike Wendland: RVs have never been in higher demand. It's harder and harder to find what you want. And that's why I thought that you would make such a great guest. Tell everybody, first of all, what is an RV broker? What do they do?
James Upham: So an RV broker works much like an auto broker. Okay? So they work... The term is used often the middleman, but really the person in between so that it saves, hopefully, saves money, time and it gets you the best deal. Exactly what you're looking for.
RV brokers are generally used to sell or buy or sometimes both, motorhomes. So if you're looking to get out of one, get into one, you don't want to deal with negotiation. You don't have time. Maybe that's an issue for you. You definitely want to get the best deal. You appreciate the whole sales process. This is where you would hire an RV broker to come in and do the work for you. Why use an RV Broker? Mike Wendland: So, one way would be to sell my RV. And of course, this is a prime time to sell them. You might just talk a little bit about that. So if I contract with you to sell my RV, what do you do? Why would I do that rather than putting an ad in one of the trade publications or put a sign out front?
James Upham: Well, right now, you hit it on the head, Mike, you don't want to do that. The market right now is such that it's amazing what some of these RVs are getting in the used market right now. I mean, I happened to spend a lot of my time helping buyers, new buyers, first-time buyers, especially.
And a lot of first-time buyers are looking into the new market. The reason being is that a lot of the used market, where, as before, you would save a substantial amount of money. In this market, you don't save a lot. So you really don't need an RV broker in my opinion, to sell your unit. Your best way to do that now is to go to Facebook Marketplace, saved Craigslist, some of these free sites that you would do it on your own.
Now, with that said, let's say that you still didn't want to mess with that and you wanted to hire someone like us in order to sell. What we would do is we would pre-negotiate some arrangement with you. RV Brokers take a percentage of the deal We would decide on what our fee would be, and then we would take it from there. So we would take all your pictures. We would list them for you. We do things a little differently for our services and what brokers generally do. But yeah, your big RV sites and such, they'll try to line up certain buyers for your motorhome.
But it may cost you five, 10% depending on what people are charging. And you just don't want to do that right now in this market, because you have a much better chance of selling it yourself.
Mike Wendland: I appreciate you being so honest about that because it really does seem to be a sellers market. So flipping it on the other side and the side that I think is of most interest right now, to so many new people who can't find that RV they want, or they go to a dealer and they find the model and they sa...
Many RVers wonder whether an Extended RV Warranty is worth the investment of protecting what already is the most expensive investment they will ever make besides their sticks and bricks home - the RV. The answer is dependent on a number of factors that we consider in Episode 344 of the RV Podcast. But for those who plan to keep their RV for many years, an extended RV warranty provides something hard to measure: The peace of mind of knowing that pretty much whatever happens, whenever it happens, they're covered.
Listen to the entire podcast in the player below. Scroll to about 25 minutes in to hear the interview. And keep reading below for a transcript of the interview
Here's a transcript of my Interview with Staci Ritchie Roman of Wholesale Warranties
What is an Extended RV Warranty? Mike Wendland: Well, joining us now to sort out this whole issue of extended RV warranties is our friend Staci Ritchie Roman from Wholesale Warranties. And Staci, first of all, welcome to the podcast. It's always great to have you on. I think you've been on, a couple years ago we had you.
Staci Ritchie Roman: Yeah, thank you so much for having us on again.
Mike Wendland: It's such a crazy time in the RV business. Let's start off with the real basic discussion. What is an extended RV warranty?
Staci Ritchie Roman: Sure. So what most of us know as an extended RV warranty is actually an RV extended service contract, and what it is, is a policy that will step in to pay for repairs to some of the most common mechanical failures your RV is going to face. And so that ranges, everything from a diesel engine down to a microwave, and pretty much everything mechanical and electrical in between. Do you need an Extended RV Warranty for a new RV? Mike Wendland: Well, then what about when someone buys a new RV? Do they need an extended warranty for a new RV?
Staci Ritchie Roman: Yeah, so it kind of comes down to personal preference, but we'll tell you what we think. So your RV comes with a manufacturer's warranty and that definitely takes precedence. So if you have a manufacturer warranty, you're going to go there first. Those don't always cover everything, and things start to drop off after a couple of years.
The great thing about an extended warranty is you can lock in several years of coverage all at once, and the best rate you're ever going to get, the best price you're ever going to get for an extended warranty, is when it's brand new because the extended warranty companies know that they're probably not going to be paying too many claims right off the bat.
So the longest term, the best price you're ever going to get is to buy right when your rig is brand new. And there are some added benefits that come with the extended warranty that you'll be able to use as well, during that first year of manufacturer coverage. What are the added benefits of an Extended RV Warranty The most common times major breakdowns occur on an RV Source: Wholesale Warranties
Mike Wendland: What are some of those added benefits that you can use?
Staci Ritchie Roman: Sure. So there are additional things like roadside assistance on some of the policies. So it kind of varies policy to policy, and so as a broker, we have several different options available, and that's something that you'll want to discuss with your warranty specialists. But some of these policies do come with added benefits and coverages that maybe the manufacturer coverage didn't come with, so appliances and things like that. Every rig is different, and the manufacturer warranties that come with them are different, as well.
Mike Wendland: And that leads me to a question. You talked about being a broker. When you buy a new RV, they try and get you to sign up right there at the dealership. Is that necessarily the best place to do it?
Staci Ritchie Roman: You know, you have options. That's what we want RVers to know.
With so many newcomers embracing the RV Lifestyle, this is a good time to go over 10 Unwritten Rules for Campers. For the fact is, there are too many inconsiderate campers these days, people who think it is all about them and that because they rented a space in a campground, they can do as they please with no regard to those who also rented their spaces and are camped nearby.
They also need some etiquette suggestions about driving their campers and parking it in parking lots.
I know this post will stir up some angry reactions.
Whenever you suggest that people adjust their behavior in consideration of others, there are a few who will loudly push back.
But in the interest of making it better for everyone, I'm going to share them anyway. We talked about this a lot in Episode 343 of our RV Podcast
You can listen to the podcast in the player below. And scroll down this page for shownotes and a transcript of the interview, plus links and resources about all the things we talk about.
We did a video version of the rules for our RV Lifestyle Channel on YouTube. Click below to see:
Our 10 Unwritten Rules for Campers The reason these rules are unwritten is that there once was a time when people were polite and considerate. Some things didn't need to be said.
Unfortunately, those days are gone and the same rudeness and incivility that we see in social media becomes evident in all aspects of life, including camping.
Jennifer and I have been RVing for almost 10 years,
We've covered at least 250,000 and crisscrossed the country numerous times staying in all sorts of campgrounds.
And we know, there already are lots of rules you'll see posted along the way. Rules like:
Don't burn trash in your fire pit. Clean up after your dog Make sure your TV antenna is down and the steps are in before you take off Don't drive fast in campgrounds Don't overload your RV
You know all about those kinds of rules, or if you are a newbie, you'll soon find about them.
But, there are also some unwritten rules we want to pass on, some things that we've learned probably through trial and error. A lot of error. On our part and the part of others.
Ready? Take 'em or leave 'em, here they are:
1 - Try not to park right next to another camper
Now, there are times you're going to have to break the first of our unwritten rules for camping if there is just no other room except next to somebody.
People will understand that.
But if you're in a campground and there are two empty spots on both sides of somebody who is already there, and there are other empty spots down the way, take one of those other empty spots. Let them enjoy that space, and you'll get some extra space too.
Just because they have a good spot, don't think have to get right next to them. It's kind of like when somebody is in a fishing hole and you've come into your boat right next to them, it's just not good manners.
That especially is true for when you're boondocking. I remember we were boondocking somewhere in Arizona, and we're in the middle of nowhere and when we woke up in the morning, we had somebody right next to us.
It was crazy. There was room. It was a huge national forest, and they set up right next to us.
2 - Don't leave your porch and outside awning lights on all night long
This makes our unwritten rules for campers list because, well, shining your lights all night long is just plain rude. People want to be in the dark and quiet and see the stars. They don't want to see your porch light.
No matter how cute the little flamingos or lanterns or whatever may be, all that illumination ruins the camping experience.
If you want to leave them on right after dark for a little bit when everybody's still up, that's great. But at 2 AM it just causes light pollution BONUS: Lots of RVers have Pet Peeves and suggest different Rules for Campers. CLICK HERE to read a similar post from one of our friends on the blog:
3 - Don't smoke cigars if there are other campers wit...
Roger Golden is eBike boondocking his way across the United States, living, in his words, "home free, not homeless." He has a great story and some boondocking tips we can all take to heart. Out on the road I recently met into Roger, a "home-free" American with a dream to travel around the USA and raise awareness for Ostomates through his nomad lifestyle.
I met Roger in a park off US 98 in Fort Walton Beach, FL a few weeks ago.
When I checked in with him tonight as I wrote this post, he was in Texas, still headed west.
Roger is on an eBike boondocking cross country trip, towing a customized trailer with two solar panels
Roger rides a converted 26" mountain/eBike, pulling a trailer that houses his 200 Watts of solar power and a place to store his gear. He doesn't travel alone though... his cat Phideaux comes along on every trip. Roger's store of ebike boondocking is featured in Episode 342 of the RV Podcast. You can hear the whole podcast in the player below. Or scroll down for a video version of the interview, and a transcript of our conversation
You can learn more about Roger, and follow him as he continues his mission here: https://www.facebook.com/diginomad3
Here's my video interview:
Here's an edited transcript of our interview: Roger's story of eBike boondocking Mike Wendland: Meet Roger. He is on an e-bike and he is on his way across the country from Florida to California, boondocking all the way. He wants you to know that he is not homeless, he's home-free. Having sold off his sticks and bricks home, he is towing a small homemade trailer with solar panels that charge the battery for his e-bike, his laptop, and cell phone. He is not alone. He travels with a very cool cat and he is the ultimate boondocker who's doing this for the adventure, despite some very serious health issues.
Roger: This will be my second trip across the country. My first trip was from Washington state to Florida, now I'm going from Florida to California. In 2019 we went from Jackson... That was the first trip my cat was with me, we went from Jacksonville, Florida to Calais, Maine at the border, turned around, and came back. I got about as far as Washington DC and started having problems. Roger is doing this eBike boondocking adventure despite a major health challenge
Mike Wendland: Chest problems?
Roger: No intestinal problems. I got as far as Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and I couldn't do it anymore. I called a friend in Jacksonville to come pick me up. That's the first time I've ever had to give up on a trip. I got back down to Jacksonville and I had surgery and I woke up and there were intestines sticking out of my belly. They told me I had to give up my biking lifestyle.
He said, "You can't do that anymore." I told him, "That's not an option. That's what I do." So here I am doing the impossible with a cat, 200 watts, a solar panel and electric bike.
Mike Wendland: I want to just look at this. I ask you because we see down here, in Florida, there's probably a lot of homeless people. I said, "Are you homeless?" You had a great phrase for it. Don't call him homeless! Roger: I am home free. There's a difference between being homeless and home free. A lot of times homeless people are at the mercy of their environment. I'm experienced in my environment. For a lot of homeless people, they don't have a choice in the matter, it was something that happened to them. In my case, I gave it all up to get rid of all of the time that I waste to give money to somebody else.
Mike Wendland: What do you mean by that?
Roger: We spend most of the waking hours of our adult lives working so that we can give our money to somebody else.
Mike Wendland: Taxes.
Roger: Taxes.
Mike Wendland: Mortgages. Credit Cards?
Roger: Mortgages, your car insurance, your tires, your maintenance,
We have found the best weather app for RV travel. It takes the National Weather Service's weather forecast showing RVers the weather along their route at the time they reach each point. It allows comparison of different routes, creating stops, interactively changing departure time, and other features that help RVers plan trips around the weather.
You can easily switch between routes, adjust your leave time, add stops - all so you can find the safest way with the best weather to get to your destination.
Drive Weather is all about decision-making in regards to the weather. Like a pilot before taking off in an airplane and checking the expected weather en route, the app takes just a few seconds to get “briefed” on the safest route and safest time to leave.
We interviewed the developer of this awesome app on Episode 350 of the RV Podcast.
You can listen to the entire RV Podcast episode in the player below. Or keep scrolling down for an edited transcript of our interview.
Best weather app for Rv travel? Here is the interview with Paxton Calvanese, the developer of the Drive Weather app: Mike Wendland: Well, the developer of road trip weather, Paxton Calvanese joins us right now on the RV podcast phone line. And Paxton, you have a really neat app. I'm very impressed.
Paxton Calvanese: Thank you. Thank you.
Mike Wendland: Let's tell everybody a little bit about what it does and how it is different than the standard weather apps out there. Give us the 10th, you are a pilot, so this is an easy one for you. Give us the 10,000-foot overview of how it came to be and what this app does and why it's of particular interest to RVers.
Paxton Calvanese: Okay. I'll be happy to. So I'll tell you what it does right off the bat. It essentially shows you all the weather at each point of your routes when you would get there. And so, and that's kind of the heart of what it does. It presents the weather very clearly in a way that you can make a quick decision.
And so going back to, I developed a pilot app a few years prior to this one where, and I'm a private pilot. And I'm in Chicago and I would fly up to the Rocky Mountains and in a small airplane, you're very susceptible to the weather. And actually, a lot of pilots end up in a lot of trouble and end up in fatal accidents because of the weather.
And I didn't want to be one of those guys. So I would spend a lot of time evaluating the weather as it relates to flights. And with aviation weather, there's a lot to look at. And it would take me about 15 to 20 minutes to do a full weather planning before I would fly.
And that's a lot of time. And it wasn't particularly difficult, but it was very tedious and time-consuming, and a lot of mathematics and a lot of opportunities for errors.
And so I was a software developer for way too many years consulting in Chicago. And then I finally kind of got out of that and I was learning how to fly. And I kind of saw this opportunity where nobody had made this, put these, really put all the weather together in one app or one presentation. And so I did that and it worked pretty good. It basically took that 15-minute process down to like literally seconds, because I could just look at everything at once. And the app would calculate when I would be at each point in my trip. So, go ahead.
Mike Wendland: Yeah, so I'm leaving for a trip. And let's say, actually, I'm going to use this on a trip I'm doing myself. But let's say we, so we enter in where we are now, our current city where we want to go.
Paxton Calvanese: Yes.
Mike Wendland: And as I look at this app and then but we should tell everybody this app is for both Google and or for both Android and the iOS platforms.
Paxton Calvanese: Right.
Mike Wendland: And I look at it and then I plug in where I want to go.
Paxton Calvanese: Right.
Mike Wendland: And then tell me what I see and what I can learn from ...
Across the country, officials are shutting down boondocking areas in many areas because of growing problems with vandalism, litter, and even human waste. Blame it on a combination of homeless encampments in some areas and inconsiderate campers who fail to clean up after themselves and keep clean campsites.
But the result is the same, frustrated state, federal, and local officials in charge of public lands once open to dispersed camping, are closing them down rather than fight what they see as a losing battle.
But the people who lose the most are those who like to boondock in wilderness areas, campers who do follow the rules but now find themselves with fewer and fewer places to enjoy off the grid camping on public land.
For RV Podcast Episode 349, we talk with an expert in free camping spots, Kyle Brady, publisher of the Drivin and Vibin Website. Kyle has been closely tracking the growing list of closed boondocking locations and has lots to share.
You can listen to the entire RV Podcast episode in the player below. Or keep scrolling down for an edited transcript of our interview.
Why are authorities shutting down boondocking? This is a reason why authorities are shutting down boondocking
For starters, consider these recent stories about the shutting down of boondocking areas:
In Oregon, Trash, Human Waste, Forces Authorities on Oregon to Shut Down Dispersed Camping In Utah overnight camping has been banned in Middle Fork because of trash, vandalism and rowdyism Popular Colorado area closed to dispersed camping
Those are just three examples. There are many more, from all over the US.
We talk about the trend in-depth with Kyle Brady. Here is an edited transcript of our interview:
Mike Wendland: Kyle Brady joins us right now. Hey, Kyle. How are you doing?
Kyle Brady: Very good, Mike. Thank you so much for having me on today.
Mike Wendland: Kyle, you are the guy when it comes to finding free camping spots and all these dispersed spots. You've been a specialist in that. And I know you are disturbed and have been keeping track. They're shutting down boondocking. What's going on. They are shutting down boondocking indefinitely Kyle Brady: We have seen so many reports over the last six months, and even the more specifically, in the last three months of these sites getting shut down indefinitely. And it's just becoming a problem because so many more people are out there on the road. And I guess these sites are seeing more usage than they've ever seen before.
Mike Wendland: I get email, and I bet you do too, from people saying, quit telling everybody where to go boondocking. Is that part of the problem? I don't know.
Kyle Brady: Well, yeah. You know what? I get those same emails and nothing that we share isn't available on camping websites. So there are huge resources out there. And that is part of the problem, that everyone now knows about free camping. But to me, it is all of our land. They are shutting down boondocking on public land in many areas It's government land that's paid with tax dollars. And it's there for us to recreate on. So I don't, by no means, think we should keep it a secret to people because people should be encouraged to go out there and camp and connect with nature.
But I feel like there are a few points that are being missed seriously, and that's teaching people proper etiquette, whether that's the manufacturers or the dealers teaching them what it is, what boondocking etiquette is. But then also we see this huge homelessness problem across America. That's a totally different issue when it comes to the sites being closed down, but that affected equally.
Mike Wendland: Where are the sites being shut down, and what are they shutting them down for? I've read all sorts of horror stories about what they find when some of these people leave. Reasons for shutting down boondocking
Frustrated about how to get a camping reservation this summer? We can help with some insider tips on using campground reservation technology. We know. There are a lot of people trying to book camping reservations this summer. Demand has never been higher.
It seems like the entire country - frustrated after a long year of COVID-19 travel restrictions - is anxious to hit the road in their RV and find the perfect camping spot.
But campgrounds across America are reporting record demand. In the most popular destinations - around national parks, for instance - finding an open spot will not be as easy as it was pre-COVID.
Mark Koep, the CEO of CampgroundViews.com, is our special guest on Episode #339 of the RV Podcast. He offers up lots of insider tips for us on how to get a camping reservation this summer. You can listen to the podcast in the player below.
Or keep scrolling down for a video version - in which he demonstrates just how to use the Internet to get a camping reservation. There's also a full transcript of the interview, so keep reading!
How to Get a Camping Reservation: Tips from Mark Koep First, here's a video of the interview in which Mark demonstrates how to get a camping reservation this summer:
Here's an edited transcript of the Interview:
Mike Wendland: To help us get into the right possible groove for finding those difficult-to-locate open campsites is our friend Mark Koep, of CampgroundViews.com. First of all. Hi Mark. How are ya?
Mark Koep: Hey, Mike, doing good. How are you doing?
Mike Wendland: The camping season is here. People are out moving about and I thought, there's no one better suited to help us learn how to navigate the challenges of finding open reservations than my friend Mark Koep. So Mark, let's talk about your site for starters.
I know we have a big surprise that we'll have coming up in a few minutes, but first of all, a lot of people are in the planning mode right now and they hear all these stories, "We can't find a spot. We can't find a spot."
How can we help them with finding a spot? And maybe we can actually bring up your site and show them. How to get a Camping Reservation: Get Creative Mark Koep: Yeah, Mike, it's going to be a busy camping season, flat out. We did a survey last week of 2000 campground owners. And 50% of them said that their advanced bookings are up significantly over average, everybody's just going camping.
But Mike you've been camping long enough. I've been camping long enough to know that this is true.
You can find a campsite anywhere you go as long as you're willing to travel a little bit to go do it. And the best example-
Mike Wendland: And do a little research.
Mark Koep: Exactly.
Mike Wendland: I'm looking at your site. Walk us through. We see a map, what are we looking at? How to get a Camping Reservation: Widen your search area Mark Koep of CampgroundViews.com tells us how to get a camping reservation this summer
Mark Koep: The first example I'm going to pull up is Yosemite Valley. And the reason I do this is that there are only four or five campgrounds on the Valley floor in Yosemite.
And everybody will say Yosemite is full.
But if you notice my default radius is set to 50 miles and Mike, how many campgrounds are there within 50 miles of Yellowstone National or Yosemite national park?
Mike Wendland: Probably 75, a hundred?
Mark Koep: 107 campgrounds within 50 miles of Yosemite Valley floor.
So within that, you can figure the average campground has 60 sites in it. That means there are 6,000 campsites within 50 miles of Yosemite National Park.
I guarantee you can find a campsite any night of the year, as long as you're willing to do a little bit of research and go find them. How to get a Camping Reservation: Alter your expectations The first suggestion on how to get a camping reservation is to wid...
If you were disappointed that RV Shows around the country were mostly canceled last year, I have bad news for you. There will be many that simply will not happen again. A leading RV industry expert says in-person RV shows may be a thing of the past. With RV sales booming like never before, RV dealers have discovered they can sell more units - and more efficiently - in their own showrooms.
It's no secret that dealers have long complained about how much work RV shows are. But now, many feel they no longer need big shows. For despite the COVID shutdowns of 2020 that saw almost all in-person RV shows canceled, RV sales were through the roof.
And they are even stronger in 2021.
As. result, Bob Zagami, the executive director of the New England RV Dealers Association, says in-person events at fairgrounds and convention centers may largely be a thing of the past, except for mega shows like Hershey every fall, and Tampa every January.
Instead, look for more online-only shows, like the one Zagami is organizing for April 10-11 in place of the annual in-person Boston RV Show.
It's a trend he suggests has already taken root in many places. Zagami is our interview of the week of Episode 338 of the RV Podcast. You can hear his interview in its entirety on your favorite podcast app or by clicking the arrow in the player below.' Keep scrolling for an edited transcript of our conversation.
RV Shows are moving online
Before we present the interview transcript, here are the details of the New England RV and Camping Expo
Event Name: New England RV and Camping Expo Dates: Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 Register and buy tickets at: www.newenglandrvandcampingexpo.com Discount tickets are available on the event Facebook page: www.facebook.com/newenglandrvandcampingexpo
Here's the edited transcript:
Bob Zagami
Mike Wendland: Well joining us right now to talk about RV Shows is our friend Bob Zagami from NERVDA, the New England RV Dealers Association. Hey Bob, how are you?
Bob Zagami: Hey Mike. Great. Thank you. Very good to be back with you again.
Mike Wendland: I'm really curious about how online RV shows work. Tell us about it. Yours will be April 10th and 11th, right?
Bob Zagami: Saturday, April 10th, Sunday, April 11th.
Mike Wendland: How's it going to work?
Bob Zagami: Well if we take a step back, we did manage to get the 2020 Boston show and then COVID hit. As we come to 2021, we had it scheduled for January, rescheduled it for April, then realized we were not going to be able to do it. RV Dealers don't miss RV Shows A lot of the dealers, quite honestly, do not miss the in-person shows. The consumers are missing it because they want to touch them and feel them and talk to people and see all the different units.
But there are some shows that are not going to survive.
We came up with a unique platform through an event manager here in Boston, He has a program called Hopin that comes in out of the UK, He studied all of these other programs and several things were missing. But the primary thing missing from most of the commercial programs was the interactivity, the connection with the customer. They could watch a presentation, but they couldn't communicate very effectively.
Then they also lost the networking, walking down the hall and seeing an old friend, catching up or going to the bar and having a drink with your competitor that you haven't seen for a year, those types of things. This platform does that. Will online replace in-person RV shows? We were very careful from the beginning to make note that this does not replace the Boston RV show. It doesn't replace any RV show.
At RV shows, you touch, you feel, and you spend a lot of time looking at units. Online is more educational and information But we have RV dealers and we have campgrounds as exhibitors, but we put a lot of emphasis on the online video presentations and gearing it towards the many first-time buyers that we all saw come into the marketpl...
Harvest Hosts just signed up its 2,000th location and it has plans to reach 3,000 by year's end. Here's how to find the best camping with the program. Harvest Hosts is nothing short of a phenomenon in the RV industry, a service that lets you camp free overnight at wineries, farms, distilleries, tourist attractions, and even golf courses all across North America.
While you are expected to patronize and purchase some of the produce or products at the Harvest Hosts locations where you camp, your RV camping is free, covered in the membership fee you pay to belong to Harvest Hosts.
With commercial campground fees of $50 a night pretty much commonplace now, Harvest Hosts is one of the best camping bargains available. Just a couple of stays more than pays your membership fee.
Here's a video we did on one of our stays not long ago:
The latest News from Harvest Hosts In Episode 337 of the RV Podcast, we interview Joel Holland, the CEO, about his plans for the service in the coming months. You can listen t the complete podcast interview in the player below or on your favorite podcast app. But keep scrolling down for a transcript and video version of our interview with Joel.
And keep scrolling down for a special offer to our community that will save you 15% off your membership fee.
Here's the video of the interview:
Here's an edited transcript of the interview with Joel Holland, Harvest Hosts' CEO:
Mike Wendland: Joel Holland joins us right now, from Harvest Hosts. And Joel, it's time to go camping again. How are you?
Joel Holland: I'm doing great. And I think like most of your viewers, I'm itching to get back on the road. We live out in Colorado. So, it's been our winter season, but the RV is winterized and I'm ready to de-winterize. So, it's exciting times.
Mike Wendland: And you are going to be traveling with a new companion, a three-month-old baby girl, right?
Joel Holland: That's right. Yeah, Waverley was born on December 8th. She's had all her baby vaccinations now, and it feels like she's going to be a good traveler. You never really know. But as far as driving her around in the car, she seems to like to look out the window and it's very... Really enjoys traveling. So, she got that from us, hopefully, that carries over to the RV. RVers are Traveling Again!
Mike Wendland: Well, let's talk about this year that is just now really getting underway. In most places, COVID at least seems to be on the decline. There's a general feeling that we're going to be able to travel again. You guys did a pretty comprehensive study, in fact, I think it's one of the more in-depth studies that we've seen anywhere, about travel, RV travel in 2021. And can you give us a quick recap of what you learned from that study? People are hungry to find the best camping experiences Joel Holland: Yes, absolutely. So, we had 10,000 RV mainly owners respond to our survey. So, it's a lot of data. And it was very positive for the travel outlook, the high-level data points. 76% of respondents said they plan to travel more this year than last year, which was not hugely surprising. What was surprising was a full 60% said they plan to travel more this year than pre-COVID.
There's a lot of people who are just like, "I'm itching to get out and on the road." So, we're going to see... 2021 is going to be a massive RV travel season
And here's why it's going to be domestic, 81% of respondents said they do not plan to go internationally this year. 69% said they still don't feel safe getting on an airplane. And 56% said they don't feel safe staying in a hotel. No surprise, 99% said they do feel safe traveling in an RV. So, all this data, kind of, points to more travel, it's going to be domestic, and it's going to be in an RV.
Mike Wendland: Now, you guys still had a lot of people that were out using Harvest Hosts locations in 2020. As not every venue, of course, was open, but lots of people were out there using it. So,
We have a lot for you in this report: We talk about the coming cicada invasion, the Canadian border, and Rootless Living. After being closed for more than a year, disturbing new reports are surfacing that have many wondering when will the U.S. Canada border reopen for RVers.
That's one of many topics we explore in Episode 336 of the RV Podcast.
We also have a fascinating report about a coming invasion of billions - yes, you read right, billions - of bugs that will soon be evident to RVers who travel through 15 Mideastern States. After 17 years of dormancy, Cicada Brood X is about to reemerge and fill the air with noisy buzzing as they perch in trees, on utility poles, shrubs, or any other structure they can find.
And we meet Demian Ross, whose Rootless Living podcast and magazine chronicle life on the road for the millions of RV nomads who taken to the RV Lifestyle.
Plus, we answer your RV questions, hear another off-the-beaten-path report from our friends the Burketts and we look at the RV calendar of coming events.
You can listen to the entire RV Podcast in the player below or via your favorite podcast app. Scroll down for notes and links and more resources.
When will the Canadian border reopen?
That is the question as Canada's Prime Minister said late last week that he could see the border with the U.S. remaining closed until September or later if necessary.
His comments were in response to some U.S. politicians in states that border Canada pushing the Biden Administration to open the border as soon as Memorial Day.
Justin Trudeau said he would not open the border until the number of new daily COVID cases in the U.S. drops even more. The current number of new COVID cases in the U.S. is about 50,000, while in Canada, it is about 3,000. The U.S. population is about 328.2 million, Canada's is about 37.6 million.
The border with Canada has been closed to non-essential travel (like RVing and camping) for over a year. The current closure is set to expire on March 21, but everyone expects it to be extended longer. The Invasion of the Cicadas For 17 years, they have been underground in the nymph stage, munching unseen on tree roots. But sometime soon - when the soil warms to 64 degrees - billions will emerge at the exact same time across 15 U.S. states and cover trees, shrubs, utility poles, flowers, and any structure they can find, hatching into ugly red-eyed bugs that many mistake for grasshoppers or locusts.
But these periodical cicadas are not grasshoppers. And they are mostly harmless, except for tender shoots on shrubs and flowers. They don't bite. But they are extremely noisy, making their buzzing mating calls for a few weeks at most before they die off.
They are one of the most fascinating mysteries of nature. Watch this short YouTube video done by the BBC:
Expect the periodical cicadas to emerge from mid-May through June. The cicadas, about 2 1/2 inches long with a 3-inch wingspan, will emerge in Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C.
Unlike the common green cicadas you see every year, this 17-year cycle Brood X as it is called, has bright red eyes and black bodies. Birds, frogs, snakes, raccoons, opossums, and all sorts of other creatures will gorge on them.
It's the males who make all the noise, trying to attract females. After they mate and the female lays eggs, they die off. And when the eggs hatch the nymphs all burrow beneath the surface, to stay there for another 17 years.
So don't worry about the invasion. They make a lot of noise but they aren't drawn indoors. Other than the racket they make and the piles of their bodies after they die off, they are at most a nuisance.
Marvel at them instead. The periodic cicadas are one of the great wonders of nature. Insight into the Digital Nomad and Rootless Living Craze Seemingly everywhere you go,
When it comes to how to make the RV Lifestyle a reality, it's as simple a matter as deciding "I will." Not "someday." Not "I hope." I will. That's what our guests on this week's podcast said. And did. And today, Lisa Maas and her husband Dr. Gary Daniel, are traveling the nation in a Class C motorhome, experiencing all the joys and fulfillment that comes from living out their passions to help others, while at the same time working remotely as they explore the country. You can listen to our RV Podcast Interview with them in the player below. Or keep scrolling down for a transcript.
As the couple approached their retirement years, they wondered what to do. Both agreed that traveling in their RV was at the top of the list. But they wanted more than just travel. They wanted purpose. Dr. Gary is a longtime behavioral psychologist. He now practices from the road, working remotely and helping to motivate others to find their passions and purposes, often by embracing the RV Lifestyle. Lisa - wait for it!- has become a Professional Archer. She was a realtor and had a corporate job. Now, in her late 50s she plans to crisscross the country attending archery tournaments, competing for prize money, and selling a new line of clothing and archery gear she developed that is aimed just for women. The process they followed and the process they recommend to others has three simple but powerful steps. Step 1 - Count the Cost Don't go into this naive. Do your research. If you are planning to go full-time, realize that the RV Lifestyle is not cheap. It costs much more than many suggest and it takes emotional maturity to adapt to a life constantly on the move and away from family and traditional support systems. Step 2 - Make a decision Once you conclude you can afford it, don't waste time overthinking about it. Decide. Buy the RV. Make your travel plans. Book those reservations. Or don't. But decide and don't look back. If it doesn't work out, you can return to your previous life, the richer for the experience. Time moves very fast. Go for it. Step 3 - Stop with the what-ifs Don't hope this will work out. Say to your selves I will. I can. The power of positive affirmation is huge. How to Make the RV Lifestyle a Reality - Lisa and Gary's Interview Here's an edited transcript of our interview with Lisa and Gary:
Mike Wendland: Well, joining us now from Twin Falls, Idaho are Lisa and Gary, and we are delighted to have you guys on the program this week. How are you? , Dr. Gary Daniel: To be any better. Mike you'd have to have two of us. Mike Wendland: Well, I do have two of you, so I'm pretty excited. There are so many people who think they're going to retire, but you're not really quite ready to give all that up, but you almost feel a little guilty and just throwing yourselves into the party lifestyle of constantly vacationing. But we all need purpose. That's the way Jennifer and I like to tell people, and I think we can tell everybody through your story and particularly through your expertise, Dr. Gary. Lisa tell us your background. And then Gary we'll get into yours and, and then we'll get into the meat of this operation, which everybody wants to hear about how to really make the RV lifestyle fulfilling and everything you'd hoped it would be. And then some, so Lisa talk, start off with your story. How Lisa and Gary came to the RV Lifestyle Lisa Maas: Okay, thank you first for having us. I've had a really interesting life and an interesting story. I started out in the travel business after I graduated from college and traveled all over the United States and Canada as a guide and owning a travel agency. And then I retired from that. I didn't really want to travel out of a suitcase anymore and hotels and moved to Hawaii. I had never been there. I went there sight unseen and got into the real estate industry and became quite successful, then eventually owning my own agency. I did that for 15 years and eventually moved to the West coast.
Here are 17 insider RV Campground tips to score and enjoy that perfect spot this summer. If you are a new RV owner on your maiden voyage you will want to pay particular attention! Our guest in this week's Episode 334 of the RV Podcast is a campground owner and she has some great info for both new RVers and veteran campers. Her candid suggestions are a great resource and you may want to bookmark this article or share it with a friend.
She is Marcia Neese and, with her husband, Jim, she runs a brand new campground in a very popular location in North Carolina.
The first thing we want to make clear in this article is that, just like it is a seller's market in the RV industry where the demand is so strong that new RVs take a year to 18 months to get, it is a renter's market in the campground industry, whether that recreational vehicle campground is a state park or any of the thousands of private RV parks across North America. RV Campgrounds are selling out very fast We have some RV Campground Tips for finding a place to camp this summer
It makes no difference if you have a travel trailer, a Class B, C, or A motorhome, a fifth wheel, or even a pop-up, RV campgrounds are filled right now for most weekends and holidays during the summer months
And down south or in the Southwest, it's already the same in the winter months of 2021-21. Your fellow campers may have already beaten you to getting an RV camp site.
And that's true whether its with campgrounds in National Parks, State Parks or privately owned campgrounds.
Don't panic, though, because we have RV tips that will help.
Below is an edited transcript of our interview with Marcia. Although we talk a lot about those RVers who are on their first RV trip, her advice applies to everyone who enjoys RV life. So listen up! We are sure you'll find a great idea or two!
Marcia and Jim of RiverWalk offer us lots of helpful RV campground tips
Marcia and Jim Neese opened RiverWalk RV Park in Jonesville, N.C. on June 11, 2020, just as the rest of the world was literally shutting down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To their surprise, even with social distancing and travel restrictions in many place, their 51-site campground on a wooded 11-acre site along the Yadkin River was completely booked every single weekend from the day they opened until even now.
Here are highlights and tips from our conversation.
Mike Wendland: Joining us now from North Carolina, from Jonesville on the beautiful Yadkin River, is Marcia Neese. She is the owner, with her husband, of the beautiful RV Riverwalk Park, the RiverWalk RV Park. I guess you're right between Jonesville and Elkin, right?
Marcia Neese: Yes, yeah. Hello, hello everyone. We are. It's a very fine line there. The river is the only thing separating us so we're just a couple of minutes from Elkin and located... The park is in Jonesville.
Mike Wendland: Now your park is described as a sort of "boutique" RV park. What does that mean in terms of the RV lifestyle? What is a boutique RV park?
Marcia Neese: Yeah, it is a different term as it relates to the RV lifestyle. My husband and I, we're always trying to think outside of the box. We're RVers and we've created our park for other RVers. As we were building it, we were trying to understand exactly where it fit in. Was it a premiere park? Was it a corporate-type park?
We're on 11 acres. We have 51 spacious sites. And the area that we're in is very quaint and boutique-ish as well. We came up with that we're a boutique size park. We have just enough for everyone, but not too much to where you're overwhelmed when you come. I like to use the word quaint again, but we feel that we offer a quaint environment.
Mike Wendland: We'll talk a little bit about some of that in a couple of minutes, but the first thing is you opened this park right in the middle of the COVID shut down. What was that like last year?
Most of us rely on insurance. But when you suffer a Medical Emergency on an RV Trip, that insurance may not be adequate, especially if you need a land or air ambulance. In fact, many of those air and ambulance costs claims are rejected by the insurance companies, even if the transport was called by EMTs or the hospital. It's a giant loophole that is particularly important for RVers to know about because they often find themselves in remote locations where hospitals can be few and far apart.
In RV Podcast Episode 333, we learn the startling high percentage of ambulance runs that are rejected by insurance companies and the catastrophically high costs for emergency air ambulance that also go uncovered by insurers.
You can listen to the entire podcast episode in the player below, or go about 20 minutes in to hear the interview. Or scroll down and keep reading this post for a full transcript of the interview.
Our guest is Tim Gustafson, who runs an outfit called the Medical Air Service Association (MASA) which offers a special program to cover those 100% of those ambulance costs. I met Tim a couple of weeks ago and after hearing some of the horror stories that RVers have had because of uncovered ambulance fees, I thought his information would be of great interest to RVers. Transcript: Interview about ambulance costs related to a Medical Emergency on an RV Trip Mike Wendland: Joining us now to talk about these issues is Tim Gustafson. Tim is with a group called MASA, for Medical Air Services Association. I met Tim a week or so ago, and we were talking about some of the issues that RVers encounter when medical emergencies happen on the road. He had some pretty scary stories to relate to me that I in turn want to relate to you. So Tim, thank you for agreeing to come on the program and talk about some of this stuff.
Tim Gustafson: Well Mike, thank you so much for having me.
Mike Wendland: So let's talk a little bit about a lot of us think that if something happens on the road, we're all covered with all the different insurances. Walk through some of the scenarios that we need to understand about ambulances, whether it's emergency air ambulances or even ground ambulances. When an air or land ambulance is called during a Medical Emergency on an RV Trip Tim Gustafson: Yeah. I've been an insurance broker for 16 years or so now. What that means is that I work for my clients, but I represent about 90 different insurance companies.
One of the biggest gaps that I see is ambulance coverage, by ground or by air.
Statistically, there's roughly three and a half million ground ambulance runs per year, and one out of seven is just outright denied, because it's not up to you, it's not up to the EMT to determine whether it's medically necessary. They have some heartless dorks sitting behind a desk at a home office and an insurance company to decide if it's medically necessary or not. So 14%, roughly one out of seven get denied. Most health insurance plans do not cover emergency transportation The denials by air ambulances are far greater than that. Denial rates are through the roof really, because air ambulances are not considered a medical expense due to the Deregulation Act of 1978. They're actually classified as a common carrier so they can just charge whatever they want whenever they want.
The Department of Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid services, any insurance company, they have about as much influence over the pricing as they do over Southwest or Delta Airlines.
Mike Wendland: Give us an example. The costs of an air ambulance during a Medical Emergency on an RV Trip Tim Gustafson: I had some great clients that were taking their RVup to Alaska in the summer of 2019. They got just North of the Washington border and the husband ended up having a heart attack.
So they called 911, which is the number you call if you're in Canada, by the way. I didn't know that. Both he and his wife were airlifted into Seattle.
We have emergency winterization tips for RVers and campers caught in sudden cold. What a mess. Historic low temperatures, snow in places where it is all but unheard of. Power outages. Freezing water pipes.
All this has been the plight of thousands of RVers whose getaways to what they thought would be warm places turned out to be anything but! Many of the campers caught in sudden cold were not ready!
The campers hit by the February 2021 cold snap have been for the most part totally unprepared. Areas, where snowbird RVers would normally expect temperatures to be in the 60s and 70s, have plunged to the single digits.
Heavy snow and ice have resulted in massive power outages.
And RVers, snowbound and stuck in sometimes powerless campgrounds, are finding their RVs getting uncomfortable cold, pipes freezing and propane needed for heating and gasoline needed for generators running low.
In Episode 332 of the RV Podcast, we hear from several of them. You can hear their firsthand reports in the player below, staring about 21:30 in.
Campers caught in sudden cold share their stories and emergency winterization tips It's no fun for campers caught in sudden cold if unprepared!
That's what happened to many snowbirds who thought they were heading to nice warm southern weather. A cold motorhome in Memphis RV Lifestyle Facebook Group Member Laurie Sollas was camping in her 34-foot motorhome in Memphis, TN, when the cold and snow hit.
"We filled our propane tank on Sunday ahead of the snow," she said. "We are now below a half of a tank and hoping not to run out. Temps won’t be above freezing until Saturday and we have six inches of snow on the ground. We are expecting another 3 to 4 inches later this week. Our gray water tank froze. We finally managed to thaw and drain it. So, we are putting nothing in any of the tanks. We are using bottled water. This is no fun." Waterless in Waco Marlene Hacenfuss Wacek was at a Corps of Engineers campground in Waco, TX where the cold and unusual snow brought rolling power blackouts. "There is no water," she said. "The low last night was about 4 degrees and the high today was about 17. This is colder than home, which is the Buffalo, NY area!
Marlene and her family were in a popup camper with "a huge tarp thrown over the whole thing to help with the howling winds."
The good news is the propane furnace in the camper works great, she reported.
"We're keeping at the lowest setting so we don't burn through as much as fast, so we're about 60-65 degrees. Also have two ceramic heaters to help. Had the foresight to get water in gallon jugs before the spigots froze. There's no water anywhere in the campground or the bathroom and the stores are completely wiped out. This is nuts! Frozen in Ft. Polk Jennifer Romeyn was amping in Ft. Polk, LA, where the temperature dropped to 12 degrees at night.
"We knew it was coming, said Jennifer. "We emptied the black and gray tanks yesterday and added pink stuff (RV antifreeze) to them. We filled the freshwater tank and disconnected from city water. We woke up this morning and the supply line to the toilet was frozen. We put a heater on the floor and it thawed quickly. Other neighbors in the park are frozen and have no water." Putting a skirt around the trailer in Alabama Sharon Hamilton was camping in her trailer in Town Creek, AL when the freeze warnings were issued.
"I bought black plastic sheeting and gorilla tape," she said. "With those, I made make-shift skirting around the trailer. Unhooked the water. Using bottled water. I have all the faucets open. Am keeping the furnace on 60 so I won’t use as much propane and it will heat the underbelly. So far we still have electricity, but I have an onboard generator and 30 gal of gas, just in case. Hoping the propane doesn’t run out before this is over."
Throughout a huge swath of the country, from Texas to the Florida panhandle, RVers reported long lines for propane, with some places selling out.
Family Camping, whether in a tent, pop-up camper, a towable trailer, motorhome, or any other type of RV, unites families through great memories! That's what we talk about in this 331st episode of the RV Podcast.
And through our special podcast guest - a Mom and Grandma who has passed along a love for the outdoors and family camping to her children - and the remembering of Jennifer and me with own experience with our kids. We hope that this article and our podcast will inspire newcomers to try it out and cause others to rekindle a love affair of the great outdoor and family camping.
You can listen to the podcast in the player below or scroll down this page for shownotes and a transcript of the interview, plus links and resources about all the things we talk about.
There is great power in family camping Jennifer and I have camped our entire married life.
I grew up in a family that hunted and fished but we never really camped. When Jennifer and I got married, one of the first things she insisted on was that we would be a camping family. She grew up camping and spent family vacations in tents and trailers along the shorelines of our Michigan Great Lakes.
The first big expense we made as a married couple was a 13-foot Shasta trailer. As we started having kids, we replaced it with a Coleman pop up camper.
And although we camped in state and county cames every time we could, our preferred style even way back then was boondocking - though no one called it that then. It was truly off the grid, with no hookups, down a rough two-track carved out of the woods in Ogemaw County and along the Rifle River.
This Coleman Popup was what we used for family camping back in the '70s. That's our favorite spot along the Rifle River in northern Michigan.
My sister and her family owned a bunch of raw acreage up there and even in this empty nest stage of our life, we take our RV to the exact same spot as often as we can.
Photo of the tent Jennifer and I used from the 80s through the 90s
Our three kids grew up camping and the memories we made around campfires, hiking deer trails, taking innertubes down the swift-moving river, and being together made memories that we all still laugh about today.
After our kids went to school and grew up, Jen and I sold the popup and turned to tent camping for many years. We've been in small Class B and Class C motorhomes since 2012.
Our daughter, Wendy camps in a tent with her family and has passed her love of family camping to her husband, Dan, and daughters, Elizabeth and Rachel. Son Jeff didn't have to work to convince his wide Aimee to camp, She, too, grew up in a camping family and they camp every chance they can in a travel trailer with their kids Jovie and Jax.
And all of us get out a couple of times a year for big family campouts. Our third child, Scott, along with his wife, Lauri, and grandsons Zachary, Nick, Matthew, and Jacob, lives in Nashville. And while he is not doing much camping these days because of work responsibilities, we expect him to do so.
Here's a video of one of those summer family campouts we do with our grown kids and grandkids, this one from Silver Lake along Lake Michigan.
That was from a couple of summers ago. Here's our latest family campout, this one taken just this fall, right around Halloween time.
\ The benefits of Family Camping Here's a list of 7 camping benefits that Jennifer and I can quickly identify:
Disconnecting from devices and connecting with one another Having quality one-on-one-time away from the daily routines of home, work and school Learning about God's creation, the natural world, wildlife, and the seasons not from a book but by seeing it and living in it Learning how to handle challenges together, be it mechanical problems on the road, sudden storms, or sorting out personal issues. There's nothing like being in a confined space together to quickly get to issues that otherwise may simmer and build resentment.
Our friends Tom and Patty Burkett have this great Off the Beaten Path discovery about bygone life on Chilo, Ohio along the beautiful Ohio River Scenic Byway. Lock up, lock down—these are phrases we’re all familiar with. Two or three generations ago they were familiar, too, but often meant something entirely different.
That was the time period when lots of people and goods moved across and around the eastern part of the USA on canals.
To listen to their report as delivered on the RV Podcast, click the player below. They appear about 44:10 in. Their written report appears below.
Life along the Locks - Canals and River Traffic
Most canals have one end higher than the other and though they may move imperceptibly slowly, they wouldn’t be navigable for two-way traffic were it not for locks. In addition to dealing with elevation changes, locks sometimes helped navigators conquer the occasional rapids or other difficult terrains. How River Locks work
To understand how locks work, there’s no better place than the Cuyahoga National Park in northeastern Ohio, where there are detailed models in the visitor centers, and you can actually operate the real lock just outside the front door.
For a boatside view, paddle your canoe or kayak along the Erie Canal in New York and ask the keeper to lock you through one of the fifty-plus locks along the way. For a special treat, either to boat or to watch, stop in Lockport, New York where the original flight of five stepped locks still operates next to a more modern barge lock.
If you’ve been to the Soo Locks in Michigan or the Eisenhower Lock in New York, you may have seen huge oceangoing ships moving in and out of them, sometimes with just inches to spare along the sides.
Big inland rivers, like the Ohio, see mostly barge traffic, and though the barges aren’t as large as those big container ships, they’re still impressive. Most of the dangerous to operate wicket locks have been replaced, but you can watch a video of one being closed. Lock keepers had an interesting life They were tied, necessarily, to their locks, where a boat might come along at any time and ask for service. At the same time, they spent the long minutes (or hours) waiting for the lock to cycle in conversation with the ship captains who had lots of stories about far off exotic places.
Stan Rogers, the great Canadian songwriter, captured the dichotomy movingly in a song. The lock at Chilo along the Ohio River Scenic Byway
When you travel the beautiful Ohio River Scenic Byway, you’ll pass through a little town called Chilo, It’s the only settlement in a fairly large geographic area with no big towns and no restaurants.
The church there has a pizza night a couple of times a month and folks travel from miles around for dinner out and a chance to socialize.
At any rate, Chilo was for many years home to Lock 34.
The lock, a wicket lock, had to be regularly serviced by divers who descended into the river wearing outfits that looked like something from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The Chilo Lock 34 Museum The old lock building is now a museum with three floors of nicely curated displays about river life and history.
Just outside the museum is a concrete stairway going down into the river, marked with depths along one side. It’s easy to imagine one of those suited divers descending into the river.
Easy, too, to imagine what it might have been like for that apocryphal diver who walked down them one stormy spring day and became untethered from his air and safety lines. Legend says you can see his helmet light pass by the bottom of the stairs on a still Spring night.
Overnight parking is not permitted at the Lock 34 park, except by permission.
We weren’t intending to stay the night, so we didn’t ask, but our experience in all these river towns is that if you simply ask a police officer or a business owner where you might spend the night, you’ll be directed to a safe and pleasant spot,
Hundreds of thousands of camping newbies are flocking to our federal lands, with many of them ignorantly - but sometimes intentionally - causing damage to National Parks. It is a nationwide problem, unprecedented in scope, brought about by COVID travel restrictions and the need for people to get away.
And the flood of new campers and RVers shows no signs of abating. posing great threats to the sustainability of our national parks, already hamstrung by bare-bones budgets and hiring freezes.
That's the topic of our interview of the week on the RV Podcast as we talk to the superintendent of one of our most pristine hunks of federal wilderness, the beautiful Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
You can listen to the podcast in the player below or scroll down this page for shownotes and a transcript of the interview, plus links and resources about all the things we talk about. The interview can be heard about 26:20 in.
About the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the stress caused by Camping Newbies Some of the Lake Superior Cliffs of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore... photo from National Parks Service
Our guest is David Horne, the Superintendent of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which hugs the south shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
It's known for the dramatic multicolored Pictured Rocks cliffs and its unusual sandstone formations like Miners Castle and Chapel Rock. It covers the south shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and has pristine beaches, rugged hardwood forests, abundant wildlife, and little development.
BONUS: Click Here for our blog post on seven special attractions in Michigan's Upper Peninsula Size of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore It covers 73,236 acres (114 square miles), roughly between the towns of Munising on the West and Grand Marais on the east. Hiking trails crisscross the lakeshore, with the most popular being a 42-mile section of the North Country Trail that traverses the hilly lakeshore.
There are three rustic, but small, campgrounds. Backcountry camping is available by permit through the lakeshore.
Normally, the park gets around half a million visitors every year. But this past year was anything but normal. The number of Camping Newbies exploded last year Here is a video we shot last fall that shows parts of the Lakeshore which even in the fall, saw every campground filled:
Over a million people flocked to the lakeshore in 2020, shattering the 2019 record of 859,000, which itself broke the previous year’s record of 815,000. The growth started about 2015 when the park averaged around a half million visitors a year.
The result has been more than troublesome.
The visitors and camping newbies have damaged trails. Made their own trails where they shouldn't.
They have so congested some of the two-lane roads in and around the park that many places had traffic jams, with hundreds of cars competing for a few dozen parking spots.
Trash, human waste, littering, illegal camping, and a massive strain on the park's infrastructure and staff have reached a point of crisis.
Again, this is not happening just at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
It is all across the country.
But in looking at the problem through the lens of what the invasion of the camping newbies and other new visitors have brought to just one park, perhaps we can better understand what is happening everywhere.
So we can figure out what to do about it. Yes, I said "we." For those parks are our parks. And they, and the dedicated staff that works so hard to protect them for us, need all our help.
12 Mile Beach on the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - photo from National Parks Service Interview with David Horne, Superintendent of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore David is a 26 year veteran of the National Parks Service and took over running the lakeshore in 2018.
A graduate of Humboldt State University in north...
The White House has issued an order that some say requires wearing masks in national parks and BLM land when we are outside. But does it really?
It is an understatement to say that there is a lot of confusion over the new COVID rules put in place by the Biden administration requiring the use of masks on federal land.
Does that mean we need to mask up while hiking in a national park or hanging out at our BLM campsite?
When we are outside?
That’s what we’re going to try and answer this week on episode 329 of the RV Podcast.
Plus we have lots more RV news, tips, your questions, an interview about a new service that promises to help RVers who have breakdowns on the road, and, of course, another great off-the-beaten-path report from the Burketts.
Do campers have to wear a mask when outside or hiking in National Parks or Federal land? There is confusion about whether you need to wear masks in National Parks
Last week one of the first things the new Biden Administration did was issue an executive order requiring all people to wear masks on federal land - even when outside.
In order to stop the spread of COVID-19 the order states: "individuals in federal buildings and on federal lands should all wear masks" which, if taken literally, seems to imply everyone in a national park or camping on land owned by the federal government popular with boondockers would fall under this order.
I know, other RV writers and websites have been really stressing the literal application of the order but it’s been my experience that few things in life are to be taken literally and I would like to suggest we look more at the intent here than the most extreme application.
The fact is, right now many details are lacking. For example, it is not clear exactly when this order takes effect, how it will be enforced, or what the penalties are for violating it.
Actually, President Biden signed two orders. One requires that masks be worn at airports and on many planes, trains, ships, and intercity buses. That is pretty clear. The Order About Wearing Masks on Federal Property The second order requires masks on federal property.
Let me quote from it:
“Accordingly, to protect the Federal workforce and individuals interacting with the Federal workforce, and to ensure the continuity of Government services and activities, on-duty or on-site Federal employees, on-site Federal contractors, and other individuals in Federal buildings and on Federal lands should all wear masks, maintain physical distance, and adhere to other public health measures, as provided in CDC guidelines. Who must wear masks in national parks? So the intent of the order is to protect federal workers and those interacting with them. That could include rangers, campers, the folks who staff registration booths, concessionaires. Campground volunteers. Got it. that’s clear.
So the requirement is that masks and social distancing be required inside buildings. Understood. What about masks "on federal lands?" But besides buildings, it also says “and on Federal lands.” That is where the confusion comes.
Some sensational reporting in the RV media…maybe to get ore clicks… imply that means you now would have to always be wearing masks while anywhere in a National Park or BLM lands. That is NOT what the order says. "Should" instead of "Must" regarding wearing masks in National Parks Let me read what it says: It says “should all wear masks.” Not must. Big difference. It also references that people should follow the CDC guidelines.
Well, guess what those guidelines say about wearing masks outdoors? It says masks need not be worn outside, when not in close proximity to people. What the CDC says about outdoor mask use Here’s the exact CDC quote:
Masks may not be necessary when you are outside by yourself away from others, or with other people who live in your household. However, some localities may have mask mandates while out in public, please check for the rules in your locality.
Listen up RV Industry! Here is what Real RVers say are the most important RV features they want when they buy their next RV. We surveyed and heard from more than 300 of them and it's clear they know what they want.
And between the lines in their responses, it's equally clear that the RV Industry hasn't been delivering it.
You can listen to the podcast in the player below. And scroll down this page for shownotes, plus links and resources about all the things we talk about.
Results of our Survey: The Most Important RV Features wanted by Real RVers We really hope the RV Industry gets ahold of this report because it's pretty clear to us that there seems to be a pretty big disconnect between what this industry is making and what real RVers want.
Earlier this week, we asked a simple question on our RV Lifestyle Social Media accounts: What features do you want in your next RV?
The response, from our RV Lifestyle Group, our RV Lifestyle Facebook Page, our RV Lifestyle YouTube community and our @rvlifestylemike Instagram followers was immediate, detailed, and well-informed.
We had nearly 300 responses to that question, and more are still coming in.
But from those responses we seen some clear trends. Here are the 10 things RVers say are the most important RV features they want in their next RV:
Four-season capabilities, with things like heated tanks Lithium batteries for coach power Solar panels Office space for remote workers Ducted air conditioners Comfortable beds Stand up dry showers More storage space Pet friendly amenities Quality workmanship
They said lots more, so much more we are going to share many of the messages we received on our voicemail line (586-372-6990) and we are going to print some selected text responses we received, too. From them all, we picked 54 responses that reflect on just about every single aspect of an RV.
Clearly, consumers today know what they want. And clearly, many think the industry doesn’t know what they want.
That’s why we think it so important for these voices from Real RVers be heard.
Let’s start with some of the audio messages we received: Roger says local service and creature comforts count the most "Hi Mike and Jennifer, this is Rodger Stambaugh in response to your request about what we look for most in a RV. Number one is local maintenance of the chassis in the RV build. We recently ordered a Wonder we may have to change to a Unity because the local Ford dealer need not maintain that chassis of the Wonder. Next is a large storage area and a full-time bed. So in the unit they would go with the island bed, which has almost the same storage as The Wonder of rear twin beds. Next would be a dry restroom with a separate shower, and ease of dried driving, so it'd be a van chassis." Rod & Carla want a four-season camper "This is Rod and Carla in Topeka Kansas. We recently bought our first travel trailer a couple of months ago. Haven't even been out yet because of COVID but getting ready, learning a lot, reading a lot and learned a lot from this site. One thing on the table we will look for when we upgrade would be a four-season camper. We didn't even know there was such a thing before now. I think we would have to have that for starters. Enjoy camping" Reese wants an AWD Class C "Hi, Mike and Jen. My name is Reese with my husband is Mike and we're calling from Chesterfield, Virginia. We watch your Ask Us Anything show every Sunday night and have watched probably all videos over and over. Our next RV is actually our first RV and we have spent months and months during the shutdown, or lockdown, studying all the different models.
And what we want for our next RV is a Class C model with all-wheel-drive, inverters, heated tanks, leveling jack options… things like that. We've looked at the Odyssey and the Quantum and the Four Winds and the Winnebago's and something lately called a Gemini. But we're not real fond of the Murphy bed, either.
This episode of the RV Podcast has the latest RV News, RV Travel tips about moving around the country during the pandemic and shares a great off the beaten path spot in Montana. You can listen to the podcast in the player below or through your favorite Podcast app. Scroll down this page for shownotes and links and resources about all the things we talk about.
WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK
We talk about the two RV shows being held this week… The Florida RV Supershow in Tampa and the big Quartzsite RV Show in Arizona. We also explain why we decided not to attend this year We share our winter campout experience up at Tahquamenon Falls in the Michigan UP this past weekend where the temperature dropped to 10 degrees We talk about Bo falling into a foot and a half of muck along a lake during a hike and why it's important to keep your eye on your pets when they are off-leash
This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer
RV PODCAST INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK This week the podcast interview is… with us! We’re going to share an interview that was done with us by Camping World. It’s part of a mini-documentary they did on us that was shot at our campsite at the Holland Michigan State Park last fall. It aired nationwide last week on their Ultimate RV Show and we present it here for you on the podcast for those who missed it. The interview of the week is brought to you by SunshinestateRVs.com, where every new motorhome is delivered to the customer free, anywhere in the country
OFF THE BEATEN PATH RV PODCAST REPORT FROM MONTANA BY TOM & PATTI BURKETT Oh,” said the lady on the other side of the table, “I’m so glad you picked that one! That cookie recipe won the blue ribbon at the State Fair eight years ago.” It was late September, and the Rocky Mountain Front farmers market had pretty slim pickings—apples, Brussels sprouts, a bit of kale, and these jars of fine looking cookies. Even though the season was clearly winding down, a dozen or more folks were gathered, chatting, around the coffee pot, whose long electric tail stretched to the municipal building across the lot.
A lot of us like to spend some time every now and then in Glacier National Park. If you’re entering the park from the east side, the quickest way us up Interstate 15 and then across US 2 to East Glacier or up to Saint Mary. We’re a hundred percent in favor of spending as much time as possible in the park, but, as is often the case, taking a less hurried route to get there can pay off. Unless we’re in a big hurry or the weather is bad, we avoid the four lanes, opting instead for the almost-always-present older blue highway that goes through the center of town instead of bypassing it. Such was the case as we made our way north toward Glacier along US 89, the original highway connecting Yellowstone to Glacier.
The Old Trail dino It’s a great road trip all on its own, starting in Flagstaff and winding north through a half dozen National Forests, past the Great Salt Lake, through the Teton Valley, and reposting the traveler at the edge of the Waterton International Peace Park on the US-Canadian border. If you drive it right up here near Glacier, you’ll undoubtedly be stopped by the imposing brightly colored dinosaurs that greet visitors outside the Old Trail Museum in Choteau, Montana. Sadly, the museum had closed for the season by the time we wandered through, but the dinosaurs and the other exhibits outside made it worth a look anyway, and that’s how we came across the farmers market, in a parking lot around the side. Up here, way north of the Teton Park, the Teton River is dry much of the year, and droughts are not uncommon. Still, it’s a fertile and productive agricultural area that’s supported a strong community since its founding in the 1880s. Among the things you’ll notice as you drive through are the school and county courthouse, both made of stone quarried from nearby Rattlesna...
In the wake of the Nashville RV bombing of Christmas Day, a jittery public has been reporting parked RVs spotted on city streets, sending police to check them out. We’ll talk about that and why now may not be a good time for RVers to leave their units unattended on city streets in this episode of the RV Podcast.
Plus, we’ll hear from RVers on their RV Travel Bucket List plans for 2021, answer your RV Lifestyle Questions and check in with our friends Patti & Tom Burkett for another interesting Off the Beaten Path report.
You can listen to the podcast in the player below. scroll down this page for shownotes, plus links and resources about all the things we talk about.
Shownotes for Episode 326 of the RV Podcast WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK Happy New Year… this is our first Podcast of 2021.
We share info on our whereabouts and planned travel schedule.
We talked about the topics we will be covering in the podcast and current travel issues related to COVID.
This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer The Ultimate RV Show will be featuring... US! With so many in-person RV shows canceled for the year, many people are wondering the best way to safely buy an RV during a pandemic… But don’t worry, we’ve got a solution for you! We’re excited to share that Camping World is bringing back their Ultimate RV Show, and this time, they’re going on a National Tour from coast to coast to bring you the BIGGEST VIRTUAL RV SHOW EVER, livestreamed straight from Camping World’s social channels.
From now through March 6, tune in each week for discounts on hundreds of RVs that are shoppable right from your couch, including one hand-selected by yours trul for our son, Jeff, and his growing family.. In addition to the deals, they’ll be offering RV walk-throughs, tons of retail product specials, and even an exclusive interview with me and Jennifer about our RV adventures at 9 PM Eastern Time this Friday, January 8!
Head to UltimateRVShow.com to register for free and make sure you get reminders about our session this week—We’d hate for you to miss it! Plus, they gave us an exclusive discount code for fans of this podcast to get 10% off on CampingWorld.com this week in celebration of our Influencer Session! Use code LIFESTYLE at checkout for 10% off your online order, with no minimum. RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK A Parked RV like this on a city street could bring a Police Response because of a public still jittery over the Nashville Christmas Day bombing Parked RVs Bring Police Response Police clear downtown Lexington area after explosives-trained dog triggered by parked RV As Mike noted, that Christmas Day incident in which a bomb detonated in downtown Nashville is causing lots of jotters by the pub;ic when people see a parked RV. As an example, a several-block area in downtown Lexington, KY, was evacuated on New Year's Eve because of a concern that a Class C RV parked there may have contained explosives.
It turned out, like several such incidents around the country, to have been a false alarm. In this case, the RV was rented by a family spending the night in an area hotel. For some reason. a bomb-sniffing dog "alerted" police explosives were in the RV, triggering the police acted out of concern of a copycat incident. It was not clear what triggered the dog, since no explosives were inside.
But it caused quite a stir. Nearby restaurants, bars, hotels, and apartments were evacuated until the incident was settled. Louisville police bring out bomb squad after caller reports suspicious parked RV that turned out to be false alarm There have been lots of similar calls. A day after police cleared a section of Lexington, the same exact thing happened across the state in Louisville, KY. This time police were called after someone reported a suspicious RV parked downtown on New Year's Day.
The bomb squad and K-9 units were called, traffic was stopped and a wide safety parameter around the RV w...
Finding the best Internet for RV Nomads is a daunting task but we have advice for you from two experts who know more about this than anyone else you can find. With the help of Chris and Cherie of Technomadia, the RV Lifestyle’s top Internet experts, we’re going to tell you what companies and what plans are the best for today’s demanding RVer.
They candidly warn us what companies to stay away from and what service providers are offering the best plans.
Plus we learn why 5G may not be very handy for the RV community just yet and what – and when – that new Starlink Satellite constellation will be ready for RV Nomads.
If you prefer, you can listen to the podcast in the player below. The interview is about 25:00 in.
The Best Internet for RV Nomads Our guests o are Chris and Cherie of the website Technomadia, which chronicles all things technology-related to RVers, and the Mobile Internet Resource Center, which is a member-supported site that is the most respected and reliable resource for the absolute latest information about Mobile Internet.
Chris and Cherie are true Nomads themselves, traveling the country in a bus converted into an RV, a Class B van and a boat. They truly are the leading experts on anything related to RVing and the Internet.
We interviewed them in a recent episode for our RV Podcast and tapped into their expertise to help our readers and listeners fund the best Internet for RV Nomads in 2021.
Cherie and Chris of Technomadia and experts on finding on the best internet for RV Nomads Here's a full transcript of the interview on how to find the Best Internet for RV Nomads: Mike Wendland: Joining us now are Chris and Cherie. You guys are on, let's see, you have a whole fleet of mobile, you're in a boat right now, right?
Chris: Yes. We have a boat, a bus, and a van. So we kind of dive into many different ways of being a nomad.
Mike Wendland: That is awesome. That is awesome. Well, it's been a while since we've had you on. And so much has changed, particularly in the lockdown that we're all going through. So many people now working from home and now people saying, "Well, why should we work at home? Let's go work from the road."
So let's start off with a couple of questions about those who are out there on the road and need internet. What's the best advice for September of 2020 from the tech nomadic experts here that really know more about it than anybody else I know?
Cherie: It's a tough challenge right now because the needs for a lot that are hitting the road right now, they're trying to work remotely. They may be doing a lot of video work, like what we're trying to do right here. They're schooling their kids on the road. And they want to be able to stream Netflix and YouTube. So they want all the high-bandwidth things.
Chris: Just like they're at home.
Cherie: Just like at home. But these are some of the most difficult things to do over mobile internet. And at the same time, there's a lot of us wanting to do it right now because, well, not just wanting to, we need to with the pandemic and work from home. So the carriers, especially the cellular carriers, are all having supply and demand issue. So they're having to-
Chris: Their networks are overwhelmed. They're trying to price their plans and stuff. Their target market isn't people who live and work full time on the roads. They're trying to design their plans around people who are just, you know, need to be connected in between home and work or just when they're away from the house. Best Internet for RV Nomads Advice: Be Flexible, plans change So we're kind of special. The whole mobile community is kind of special. You have to find the right combination of how to use the devices, what devices to use,
The question of Mail Forwarding for RVers is one of the most common ones we get from people hoping to go full time or planning long RV trips away from their sticks and bricks home. We talked to Amber Hobert, the President of Dakota Post, one of the largest of the various mail forwarding companies that service RVers.
We also talk about when it makes sense for RVers to declare residency in South Dakota and also registering their vehicle in South Dakota. It’s an interesting conversation,
What to do with mail is a question we are asked about a lot by RVers planning to go fulltime or to be on extended trips away from home.
Others want to know about the tax benefits of registering their RV in South Dakota or even declaring South Dakota as their residency.
Here's the full transcript of our interview with Amber Hobert.
Mike Wendland: Amber, thank you very much for making time out of your schedule to join us and talk about mail forwarding. How are you today?
Amber Hobert: I'm doing very well. How about yourself? Mail Forwarding Services for RVers Mike Wendland: We're doing excellent. Let's talk a little bit about Dakota Post. I have used your service and there's a number of other ones out there, I know.
This has become a very important concern for people as they embrace the full time RV lifestyle. Exactly how does it work and when should one consider signing up with a mail forwarder if you're a full time RVer?
Amber Hobert: Even if you're a snowbird, you can still sign up for service with us. We have short term and long term policies for both.
A good portion of our customers though are full time in the RV traveling world and so as you can imagine, your mail doesn't stop coming to you just because you no longer have a home.
We make sure that we can get the mail in here and then find you wherever you are to get your mail back out to you.
Mike Wendland: Now, how do you get that mail back out to somebody who is on the road? They may be in Montana this week, Idaho next week, down to Utah, and then Arizona. How does one get their mail that way? How do you get your mail when you are on the move all the time? Amber Hobert: Yeah. We have a couple of different options. We have some of our customers that just do traditional mail. They put in a forward of their address to here, so we would receive their mail in and then they pick the option of how frequently they want to get their mail.
Whether it's once a week, once a month, twice a month, and then at that time they know that their contract is for the 16th of the month. So they know 16th of the month, right before that they need to let us know where they're at. They can go onto the website, they can enter in their information, they can give us a call.
And then that way we make sure that we're sending it out to the correct location because as you said, we have people who are traveling to a different state, different location all the time.
Mike Wendland: Now there are-
Amber Hobert: The other option-
Mike Wendland: Yeah, I was going to go to the other option. In fact, when we used the service, we were gone pretty much half the year and I really got hooked on being able to look at my mail online. Explain how that works. I can't do it justice cause you guys do it all the time, but I just thought it was magic. It was pretty cool. A Virtual Mailbox for your Forwarded Mail gives you access from the road Amber Hobert: Yeah. That's the other option is to have a virtual mailbox. That is by and far one of our most popular plans.
Essentially your mail comes in here, we go ahead, we scan it into a portal. You have an individual login that you go to our website, you put in your own credentials, and then you can see everything that's been scanned into your mailbox that day.
From there, you can go ahead and tell us, "Don't do anything with it," which means we're going to put it in your box.
The RV Podcast's big new this week is the announced $300 million purchase of Tiffin Motorhomes by the giant Thor Industries, which already is the largest RV manufacturer in the world. The purchase absorbs one of the few remaining independent family-owned RV makers, run by the Tiffin family of Alabama whose luxury motorhomes are known for attention to detail and quality construction.
Thor, which has aggressively been gobbling up numerous RV brands across the country as well as the Hymer RV company in Europe over the past few years, vows that other than accounting procedures, little will be changed as they take over Tiffin. You can listen to the complete episode of the RV Podcast in the player below. And scroll down this page for shownotes for links and resources about all the things we talk about.
Regarding the Thor buys Tiffin story Here’s an excerpt released by both companies of an interview between Tiffin’s owner, Bob Tiffin, age 78, and Thor’s CEO Bon Martin discussing the acquisition and what it means.
I’ve met and interviewed both Bob Tiffin and Bon Martin several times over the years I've been covering the RV Lifestyle.
Bob Tiffin is a legend in the industry for his personal attention to his customers. At RV shows, he shakes every hand he can find as folks tour his luxurious coaches, even handing out his direct phone number to those who ask.
Bon Martin is a well-respected industry veteran. I have always found him to be congenial and a straight shooter. Tiffin Management will stay the same under Thor Ownership Tiffin Motorhomes is known for its luxurious Class A motorhomes and, more recently, it's Class C Wayfarer
And I take them both at their word that the acquisition will not change the quality or service Tiffin owners have come to expect. Bob Tiffin’s sons and even a grandson are very active in running various elements of the Tiffin company, which is one of the largest employers in the state of Alabama.
Tiffin will continue to be headquartered in Red Bay, AL, where it has been since 1972. They also have some operations in neighboring Mississippi.
“We needed a partner who we could trust would sustain all of those elements and help us grow the business in a manner that is consistent with how we’ve done business at Tiffin for nearly 50 years,” said Bob Tiffin.
“The dealers and customers who love the Tiffin brand will continue to receive the high-quality products they have grown to expect. And I am not going anywhere as I will continue to operate the Tiffin companies as I have with no timeline for change.
“My sons, Van and Tim, as well as my grandson, Leigh, will also continue to have major roles in the Tiffin business. Instead of feeling like I sold a business, I feel like we have aligned with a great company that will enable us to take Tiffin to a new level while maintaining the Tiffin culture and brand integrity that has set us apart from our competitors for years.” Thor expects Tiffin to add Class B vans and towables The top of the Line Tiffin Zephyr model sells for almost $700,000
Martin, of Thor, stresses that Tiffin will “operate as stand-alone operating company within the Thor family of companies.”
But Martin sees Tiffin expanding into different RV markets besides its premier models on the Class A motorhome chassis, and more recently, it’s Wayfarer line of Class C coaches.
Martin and Thor want to move into different segments.
“Tiffin currently has no offerings in either the travel trailer or Class B segments,” he said. “Growing the great Tiffin brand name into these segments will be well-received by dealers and consumers alike.” Now that Thor Buys Tiffin, they become even harder to compete against These are just some of the RV brands Thor Industries owns
So there you go.
The bottom line is Thor promises to keep Tiffin pretty much the same, even expanding. And it will continue to be managed by the Tiffin family and existing senior management team.
But make no mistake.
After a year of RV show cancellations because of COVID, the RV Show season is set to roar back next month with the 2021 Florida RV Supershow in Tampa Jan. 13-17. Here's what to expect: Because the Florida RV Supershow is mostly outside, organizers say they are confident that social distancing, wearing masks inside the RV, limits of how many people can be in an RV at one time, along with frequent sanitization can make for a safe show. On the RV Podcast Interview f the week, we learn what to expect.
Plus we have lots of RV News this week, your questions and feedback about the RV Lifestyle and a great off the beaten path report from the Burketts.
All that is waiting for you in Episode 324 of the RV Podcast!
You can listen to the podcast in the player below. And scroll down this page for shownotes and a transcript of the interview, plus links and resources about all the things we talk about.
WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK
We share our current RV Lifestyle activities, including:
Getting ready for Christmas - Even in the year of COVID, there's no stopping Christmas! To see the video we did about decorating an RV for Christmas, CLICK HERE. Travel 2021 – Tampa RV Supershow - We'll be there! Schedule - We will have an RV Podcast on Dec 22, but take off the week between Christmas and New Year's
This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer RV PODCAST INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK - The 2021 Florida RV Supershow The RV show season is about to begin again after a tumultuous 2020 that cancelled almost every show from February through this month. But in just a few weeks, the show season starts again with the 2021 Florida RV Supershow, to run January 13-17 at the Tampa Fairgrounds in Tampa, FL.
Dave Kelly, of the 2021 Florida RV Supershow
Our guest this week is Dave Kelly, the Executive Director of the Florida RV Trade Association, which puts on the annual show, always one of the largest, and as you;ll hear from Dave, probably the largest RV show in the nation. Here's a transcript of our interview about the 2021 Florida RV Supershow: Mike Wendland: Joining us right now to talk about the big show, I feel like Ed Sullivan, the Big Show, is Dave Kelly from the Tampa RV Super Show. How you doing, Dave?
Dave Kelly: Thanks. Yeah, thanks for having me. Great. We're doing wonderful down here.
Mike Wendland: Well, we are...it certainly has been a year. In fact, it was almost a year ago, that was really the last of the big shows and wow. What a show last year was. So I am delighted that you guys are on, and hopefully this sets the stage for us out of the funk that 2020 was.
Tell us about the show, the dates, what people need to know in terms of being careful about social distance stuff, all that. What do we need to know about this year's, this 2021 big super show in Tampa again? Here's a video of what the 2020 Florida RV Supershow was like, just before COVOD forced the cancellations of the rest of the RV Show Season
Dave Kelly: Well, we open on Wednesday the 13th of January, and we run through the 17th. $12 for adults. We've extended our senior days to Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this year. $2 off for seniors any of those days and kids under 16 free. So it's a great family way to spend the day with the family out at the show.
We will be doing temperature checking and a mask by Hillsborough County ordinance would be required in the buildings and when you're inside the RV. We're going to try to make it as unobtrusive as possible for everyone to have a good time. As you know, the majority of the show is outdoors and from what we're reading, the outdoors is a fairly safe place to be. So, we're feeling uncomfortable we can provide a safe atmosphere for the show.
Mike Wendland: Give us a sense of the size of this year's show. I know not all the folks that exhibited last year will be there this year, but it looks from what I could look in the early literature,
Listing the most important RV features you're looking for is one of the best things any RVer can do when shopping for an RV. Here's the list of our "must-haves!" But understand, this list is ours.
Meaning, the RV features you choose for your needs will be different than ours.
The most important RV features you identify will depend on what kind of RV you get, how you like to camp, what you do when you are out there, and how you use your RVs.
This article comes in response to a specific request from a listener to our RV Podcast and we answered it on Episode 323.
Click the Player below to hear the caller's question and an audio recording of our response. It's about 19:25 in on the player.
For details, photos, and videos of the features, keep scrolling down. Question: What are Mike and Jen's Most Important RV Features? Here's a transcript of the question, left on our RV Podcast Voicemail number of 586-372-6990: "Hi Mike and Jennifer:
Thank you for the valuable information you provide to the RV Community. My husband (six foot two)and I are nearing retirement and planned to purchase our RV in the near future. We've narrowed the search to a 20 to 25ft class B or B+ RV, which we believe allows us to fit in the most national park smaller camp sites do boondocking. I plan to continue to work part-time remotely.
We purchased your RV buying secrets and it has been very informative and answered a lot of questions.
TIP: CLICK HERE for more information on our RV Buying Secrets eBook. It will save you money!
We are a bit overwhelmed with the features. We should be looking for in our RV. I would like to ask the experience two RV experts - you and Jennfer - to select the top ten features you can't live without in your class B B+ RV,
If you could, please focus on features that you must make in the initial purchase that can't be added later. For example, dedicated bed, ducted air conditioning, safety features on the coach like blind spot and lane-keeping assist, on-demand water heater, six-cubic-foot 3-way fridge freezer, convection oven, deep sink, counter space, tank sizes, propane versus induction, diesel vs gas ,storage capacity.
Thank you again for all that. You do to provide quality and educational content to the RV Community wage. I look forward to hearing the top ten features you guys can't live without. Thank you!" Answer: Some RV Features are Preferences rather than Essentials The caller asked about a lot of things that deal more with preferences rather than must-haves.
For example, she asked about:
Gas vs Diesel - We are happy with both. Right now we have a gasoline-powered RV. Our previous RVs are diesel. We can and have been happy with both. Gasoline is a bit easier to find. And, right now, it's cheaper.
CLICK HERE for an article we wrote on Gas vs Diesel
Induction vs Gas cooktop - We've had and have been happy with both.
Countertop - Most countertops in Class Bs are about the same. The bigger the better, but counter space is not a deal-breaker for us.
Sink faucet - A lot of RVs have very cheap plastic faucets. Stay away from them is you can. But, again, this is not a deal-breaker for us. We can easily replace and upgrade if we want.
Ducted air conditioning - We had this on our last RV and it was awesome. Our current RV does not have it and we do miss it. This is important, almost a deal-breaker. But not quite.
Lane-keeping assist - These come standard on all new coaches
Blindspot detection - This is standard on Class B RVs but is not available as a factory option on B+ r Class C RVs
So let us share our most important RV features list - and some accompanying photos and videos - in the hopes that it will give you an idea of what kinds of things should be on your list. Our 10 Most Important RV Features List
Dedicated beds – And always-made real bed. In our case. We like the twin beds on our Leisure Travel Vans Wonder RTB. They have a nightstand between them that can be converted into a foundation t...
What a year 2020 has been. We can’t wait till 2021 begins. But that said, there are no guarantees on what RV Travel in 2021 will be like. It promises to still be challenging. Very challenging in certain places.
In fact, as we review all the growing travel restrictions, lockdowns and restrictions as we experience what is described as the Third Wave of COVID, uncertain seems to be the one word that best describes what will most characterize RV travel in 2021.
To listen to this episode of the RV Podcast, click the player below:
Take RV Travel in Pennsylvania for example For now and in the indefinite future, its state parks are off-limits to out-of-staters, unless they meet some tough requirements. If you live in another state and visit a state park in Pennsylvania, you must show proof of a COVID-19 test, with negative results, that was taken within 72 hours of arriving in the commonwealth. If you can't prove you test negative, you must quarantine 14 days on arrival in Pennsylvania. And camping in a state park or forest as part of the quarantine regimen is not allowed. Fines for violations can be as high as $300. Read more here from our friends at RVTravel. New Mexico has similar restrictions It is pretty much the same in New Mexico. No out of state residents can camp in any of the state parks until Dec. 31. Only people with a New Mexico driver’s license are allowed in the state’s parks According to the order, out of state visitors must do a two-week quarantine if they plan to travel within the state. Our immediate plans for RV Travel in early 2021 So, let me tell you what we are doing:
We're staying relatively close to home and not planning any long trips for most of December. What RV travel we will be doing for the next few weeks will be in the Great Lakes region, or, after Christmas, down near our Florida condo, where we'll closely monitor local conditions and maintain social distancing.
Yes, we are going camping… just not far from home for a few weeks. We'll be avoiding any gatherings or groups and stick pretty much to ourselves. Our Annual Winter Campout in January is on hold Every winter, we gather with about 50 other RVers for Winter Campout at Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The dates for the 2021 gathering are January 8-12. But Michigan is a state with lots of COVID restrictions, including a liit of groups of over 10. Also, restaurants are closed. Usually, our group takes over local restaurants on Friday and Saturday nights.
We haven't ruled it completely out but, unless things drastically change, it looks like this gathering may not be the smartest thing for 2021 The Florida RV Supershow is still on
This is one of the biggest RV shows in the nation. We attend every year. As of now, it's still on, scheduled for Jan 13-17 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. But many manufacturers say they are skipping the show this year. Camping World is not going. Neither is Leisure Travel Vans.
Frankly, we're not sure if we will go. While the show is mostly outdoors, traipsing in and out of small RVs all day long seems unduly risky. Yes, most will be wearing masks. But even if they regulate how many can go inside an RV at any given time, you will still be exposed to a lot of air in a confined space that was breathed out by a lot of people.
We're holding the dates open. Maybe things will improve over the next two months. If so, we'll go. If not, we won't.
Being flexible is the key in the midst of the uncertainty involving RV travel in 2021. Is the RV Industry "Essential?" One worry many in the RV industry have has to do with government shutdowns of RV dealerships and campgrounds deemed as nonessential businesses by government regulators. That’s what happened in the spring.
With this latest surge, the industry is fighting hard to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
The RV Industry Association (RVIA) is pulling out the stops in attempting to convince both federal and state governments t...
If you’re like most RVers, you take a lot of pictures. But what to do with them? In this week’s episode of the RV Podcast, we learn about using Google Photos and what it can do for you. Our Interview of the Week guests are Chris and Jim Guld, known as the “Geeks on Tour” to thousands because of the seminars they do across the country at RV rallies and shows and their online instruction. Chris just released her updated “Learn Google Photos” book and joins us to talk about how to store, organize, edit and share all those photos you take on your RV adventures.
Plus, we have the latest RV News of the Week for you, RV tips, and another great off-the-beaten-path report from the Burketts.
WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK This week, we put up our Christmas Tree. It's a bit early, we know, but we all need some cheer.
Besides, we've heard from lots of other RVers who have told us that they, too, were doing some early holiday decorating. Thus has been a challenging year, to be sure. But thinking about Christmas is a great way to shake off the negativity that seems to be hanging over the world in 2020. RV Podcast Programming Note: We're taking Thanksgiving week off the podcast. It's a busy time for everyone, us included, so we're off next Wednesday (Nov. 25). We'll be back the following week on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020
This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer You can get 10% off all purchases over $99 with the discount code RVLIFESTYLE10. RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK AAA expects Thanksgiving travel to drop significantly this year AAA is projecting about 50 million Americans will travel this Thanksgiving, but the organization says this is the biggest drop in travel seen since the recession of 2008. The decline is blamed on rising COVID-19 cases and an increase in unemployment and financial strain. The majority of those who do travel - 95 percent - will do so in a vehicle. And AAA is urging all travelers to plan ahead, know the route, and be sure to know the COVID-19 rules for any stops.
Five die, including 1-year-old baby and a teenager, after floodwaters ravage North Carolina campground Five people died, including a 1-year-old child and a teenager, after floodwaters rushed through the Hiddenite Family Campground about 50 miles north of Charlotte last week. The heavy rain and accompanying flooding were the result of tropical storm Eta moving through the country. About 7-10 inches of rain fell in the downpour. Emergency personnel were able to rescue more than 30 people at the campground.
Python hunters break records in snake capture in the Florida Everglades Florida snake hunters have caught a record number of Burmese pythons this year in the Florida Everglades - great news for everyone who loves that part of the country. (See our recent story on Flamingo Campground in the Everglades National Park here.) Burmese pythons are an invasive species that pet owners illegally released in the Everglades years ago, and have now increased in numbers so rapidly, they are causing massive damage to this unique ecosystem of the Everglades.
The Florida governor has challenged two state agencies to take out more of the snakes, and the result has been competition and an increased effort by various snake hunters. As of mid--October, about 4,000 pythons have been caught and removed this year - shattering previous records.
Louisiana state parks add safari-style glamping options to eight campgrounds Eight Louisiana state parks are offering camping experiences for those who don't own a camper or a tent. The state park created 60 "glamping" sites in its park system, each featuring safari-style tents on a raised floor with canvas sides. Each tent will have a bed, heating source, fire pit, chairs. The glampling sites are part of a state partnership with a company called Tentrr, with prices starting at $85 per night.
Rocky Mountain National Park releases video so visitors can see damage caused by ...
This week on the RV Podcast, we talk about RV Covers: Are they worth it? Should you have one? What to look for? Our guests are two product managers from Camping World, located in different parts of the country, and they will help us understand what to look for in an RV cover, what kind of RVs need them and what kind don’t.
Plus we have lots of RV News this week, along with your RV Lifestyle Questions and another great Of the Beaten Path Report from the wandering Burketts. Show Notes for Episode #319 of The RV Podcast You can listen to the podcast in the player below. And scroll down this page for shownotes and a transcript of the interview, plus links and resources about all the things we talk about.
This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer Check out the RV products and accessories we like and use for your next road trip or outdoor adventure…For a 10% discount on purchases over $99, use the discount code RVLIFESTYE10. RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Fewer snowbirds coming to Florida, and when they arrive, may find new COVID protocols await at the larger RV parks Florida is seeing fewer snowbirds this fall because of COVID-19. Some places estimate the number of snowbirds will be down as much as 20-25 percent, with many would-be deciding to just stay home. Canadian snowbirds can not drive across the U.S. border, causing additional challenges for our RV friends to the north. Snowbirds who do travel south may find that some RV parks and condo associations are asking them to quarantine, or avoid using the facilities for a period of time. And some of the luxurious RV parks are keeping their community room, gyms, and other such sites closed because of COVID according to the story. To see some of our favorite places to camp in Florida, click here.
Campgrounds hit by Hurricane Zeta cleaning up, staying open for business Campground owners in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are mostly open after Hurricane Zeta, reporting minimal damage. Hurricane Zeta was a category 2 storm that took at least six lives and caused millions to lose power. At the campgrounds in its path, most were removing downed trees, repairing fencing and buildings, and conducting other clean up efforts. But most did not appear to suffer long-term damage and most were still open to campers. This has been a historic hurricane season for the gulf coast (see story here) with eight named storms hitting in 2020, and the season is still not over.
Veterans and Gold Star families will be able to enter national parks for free under new rule Veterans and gold star family members will soon have free access to all national parks. Current active-duty troops and their families can enter the national parks for free. The change, which goes into effect Nov. 11 - Veterans Day - will grant veterans and gold star families this same benefit. Gold Star families are immediate family members of soldiers who died in the line of duty. For veterans, if they are driving into a national park with an admission fee, their vehicle will be free. But if the national park has a per person admission fee, the veteran will be free, but the family members will have to pay.
Catch a brown trout, get paid $25 in pilot program in Arizona If you love fishing and are anywhere near Arizona, you may want to head over to the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area later this month and get paid to catch brown trout. The National Park Service and Arizona Game and Fish Department are paying anglers $25 per non-native brown trout they catch in the Colorado River below the Glen Canyon Dam. The pilot program is trying to reduce the number of non-native brown trout in the river, and there is no limit on how many fish an angler may turn in for payment. There are, however, some rules tied to Arizona licensing. For more details click here.
Yellowstone to test self-driving shuttle service next summer If you are planning to visit Yellowstone National Park next year,
Questions! We get RV questions! And we have Monster stories to tell around the campfire! This week on the RV Podcast, we answer the most recent RV questions you’ve been asking about the RV Lifestyle as our Interview of the Week. And in honor of Halloween, we have Monster Stories for the campfire from Patti and Tom Burkett Plus, we have lots of RV News, tips, the RV Show Calendar, and much more.
You can listen to the podcast in the player below. And scroll down this page for shownotes, photos, videos, links and resources about all the things we talk about.
Show Notes for Episode #318 of The RV Podcast: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK Mike and Jennifer, hosts of the RV Podcast
It’s Halloween week and despite COVID and social distancing which are still very much with us, most campgrounds will be full this weekend for end of season camping and Halloween fun.
Many places are urging that trick or treating be foregone this year, but costumes and decorated RVs will keep the spooky good times going.
And come Sunday, Nov. 1, don’t forget to fall back… to set your clock back an hour as Daylight Savings Time comes to an end.
RV News - The Michigan UP is getting snow! photo by Dan Spase via Upspash
The cold is coming. Some parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula have received over 19 inches of snow this month, the most they’ve had in October in many years.
Not surprisingly, Gasoline prices - and demand - has dropped significantly since the beginning of October, down from 8.8 million barrels per day to 8.2 million b/d, according to the AAA auto club. This latest demand measurement is the lowest since mid-June. While the drop isn’t out of the ordinary for this time of year, people tend to drive less in the fall, it is a staggering 14% less than last October.
Gas prices for a gallon of regular-grade is now averaging $2.16
RV usage though is just the opposite. Informal surveys of state parks and campgrounds show much higher occupancy rates in October, compared to previous years.
And RV sales continue to be on fire. The RV Industry released its September 2020 survey of manufacturers showing that total RV shipments ended the month with 41,509 units, an increase of 31.2% from September last year. This is the fourth month in a row that wholesale shipments showed a year-over-year increase.
And then there is the matter of RV Rentals. RV rental company Outdoorsy reports it is already on pace to exceed last year’s November bookings. Initially, the company said RV rental demand was because of quarantine fatigue, where travelers were eager to spend more time outdoors, in a safe and socially distant way, after months cooped up inside. Now, the company says the new catalyst for bookings is coming from travelers in search of a safe way to visit family over the holidays.
Still, COVID has cast a dark shadow over us again as it appears the nation is experiencing a second wave. Infection rates and hospitalizations are showing dramatic increases as October comes to an end. There is just so much uncertainty.
This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer For a 10% discount on purchases over $99, use the discount code RVLIFESTYE10. RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Rocky Mountains National Park and nearby towns evacuated because of roaring wildfire and dense smoke Rocky Mountain National Park closed, and the neighboring city of Estes Park, CO was among many evacuated late last week as a huge fire roared across the area. As many as 6,000 acres an hour burned, sending up massive smoke clouds that caused the day sky to turn dark, as was captured in very eerie photographs by many of those escaping. More than 4 million acres have burned in Colorado this year, one of many places in the west affected by massive, out-of-control wildfires this camping season.
Colorado to officially open parts of its newest state park this Friday Colorado's newest state park is scheduled to open this Friday.
This week on the RV Podcast we ask and answer the question: When are you TOO Old for the RV Lifestyle? And rather than beat around the bush, let’s answer that question right now with just five words: You are NEVER Too Old! This week, we will hear the encouraging answers from lots of RVers on that question plus a very special interview with one of our favorite people, soon-to-be-90-years-old Loren Phillis, who travels cross-country in his meticulously maintained quarter-century-old RV.
Loren shares his experience with solo traveling as a senior and is sure to inspire and motivate you to get out there and enjoy the RV Lifestyle as long as you can.
Plus we have lots of RV News this week, an update on the still closed US/Canadian/Mexican border, and a fascinating off the beaten path RV report from our friends, Patti & Tom Burkett.
But first, my lifelong traveling companion and my bride… Jennifer.
You can listen to the podcast in the player below. And scroll down this page for shownotes and a transcript of the interview, plus links and resources about all the things we talk about.
WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK
Mike, Jennifer and Bo being videotaped by a Video crew and still photographer last week at Holland State Park in Southwestern Michigan . The crew is doing a documentary about us. We'll share more details when it is done and ready to be seen!
We’ve been on the road for the past week, finishing up our fall color tour with a visit to Southwestern Michigan and the beautiful Lake Michigan Shoreline.
We stayed at the Holland State Park last week and had an awesome time, hiking and also visiting a nearby apple orchard.
We brought the apples back to the campsite and even made some caramel apples.
Hanging out at our campsite in Holland, MI.
And we did it all being carefully watched and videotaped by a six-person crew who used two cameras and a drone to document our camping experience there for a future story being done about us.
We promised not to reveal by who and where it will be shown until it's ready, but we do promise to tell you as soon as it premieres. Meantime, though, we had a lot of fun. The crew was great to work with.
I will say they had us smiling for almost every shot. It was a lot of work to always be smiling! And we got a new sensitivity for what it’s like being on the other end of the camera, being the interviewees instead of the interviewers.
Bo was with us and he had a ball. The crew loved Bo, especially when he got loose at the apple orchard and went running u and down the orchard, eating as many apples as he could find.
And after the trip to Holland, we headed to the Michigan Indiana border for a weekend camping trip with our son Jeff and his wife, Aimee, and our grandkids Jax and Joie and Aimee’s mom, sister, and brother in law and their kids.
We had five kids and three generations of family fun… plus three dogs. And although the weather turned pretty chilly, there was lots of fun and big, war campgrounds.
In fact, the weather has definitely changed. Peak color has passed and those falling leaves will soon be followed by falling snow. For a lot of people in the north and Upper Peninsula, the 2021 camping season has pretty much come to an end.
Maybe one more weekend but once Halloween is past, the majority of campgrounds will be closed.
This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Rangers seek public's help finding vandals who destroyed eight iconic saguaros at Arizona's Saguaro National Park Rangers at Saguaro National Park are searching for vandals who slashed eight iconic saguaros earlier this month. The cactuses were between one and 10 feet tall and were either slashed open or cut down along the Scenic Trail. The saguaro cactus grow very slowly, with one ranger saying a 10 foot cactus could easily be 100 years old. If you were there in October and may have seen something,
They may be selling RVs at a record pace, but there are lots of lingering Pandemic Problems for the RV Industry The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc across all aspects of the economy including the RV Industry. And while RV sales have never been better, the damage done by the shutdowns and the resulting incredible demand for RVs continues to stress the industry.
In Episode 315 of the RV Podcast, we talk about Pandemic Problems for the RV Industry and much more.
We interview Dean Corrigal, of Leisure Travel Vans. Dean is probably America's Best-known RV Salesman because of his amazingly detailed walk-through RV reviews on YouTube.
We talked to Dean about a lot of things about how the pandemic is still affecting the RV Industry, including:
The Rise of the Digital Nomads, the near 5 million people who now work remotely from their RVs The lingering effects of the pandemic and critical, ongoing shortages in RV parts and components The incredible demand for RVs and how if you want to order a new one, you shouldn't expect to see it for 14 months! And how some are predicting the U.S. Canadian border will remain closed for RV travel through next spring!
This is an interview you will not want to miss.
Plus, we have lots of RV news. RV Lifestyle questions, tips and another great off the beaten path report from our friends Patti and Tom Burkett.
You can listen to the RV Podcast in the player below. And scroll down this page for complete shownotes, transcripts, plus links and resources about all the things we talk about.
RV PODCAST opening: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK Mike and Jen have been Digital Nomads for nine years, doing the RV Podcast, RV Lifestyle Blog, YouTube Videos, and their RV Travel books from the road much of the year
Here's what's happening with us this week...
We’re back from UP…where we encountered the best fall foliage ever. We timed it for peak color. And except for Mike losing a memory card from his drone with the best aerial shots, it was an awesome 10-day trip. Mike has a new drone coming this week and hopes to up his aerial photography videos and still photos We’re planning to be in Southwest Michigan next week along the Lake Michigan shoreline October is a very busy time in RV campgrounds every weekend Halloween… decorating rigs… There will be NO Trick or Treating in many places… but decorations and the festivities are on tap at most campgrounds. Most are booked up every weekend in October.
This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK You can listen to the RV Podcast in the player below. And scroll down this page for complete shownotes, transcripts, plus links and resources about all the things we talk about. The News of the Week comes about 13:20 in.
Florida RV SuperShow WILL happen this January, organizers announce It's now official: The Florida RV SuperShow is on! The show, one of the largest in the nation, will happen in person (vs. virtual) on the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa Jan. 13-17. Show organizers say they will do everything possible to provide a clean and safe environment for exhibitors and attendees. Currently, Hillsborough County, where the state fair is located, is under a mandatory indoor mask order which - if that is still in place in January, will be enforced. The Florida RV Super Show is one of our favorites. To see past reports we have done click here.
New regulations spell out e-bike rules for federally managed land, including national parks U.S. Department of the Interior finalized its e-bike polices last Friday, announcing e-bikes are allowed where traditional bikes are permitted on land managed by the National Park Service or Bureau of Reclamation land. For the Bureau of Land Management, an authorized official must say where the e-bikes can go, and a refuge manager must determine if e-bikes are appropriate for land managed by the U.S.
This week on the RV Podcast we talk about working remotely from an RV from a remote and beautiful area far away from the crowds. That’s where we are this week, camping in Michigan’s remote Upper Peninsula. Now as RV travel writers and reporters, we’re always working remotely from an RV. But with the pandemic, we’re noticing a lot more people also doing their remote work in remote locations, too.
In our interview of the week coming up in a few minutes, we’ll talk to a local tourist official in the UP who is running a national advertising campaign urging remote workers to come do that remote work in one of the most remote and beautiful areas of the UP. You may get some great ideas from this interview about how you can also be working remotely from an RV instead of staying close to home.
Also, this week, travel tips, your RV Lifestyle Questions, and a great off the beaten path report from the Patti and Tom Burkett.
You can listen to the podcast in the player below. And scroll down this page for shownotes with links and resources about all the things we talk about.
Show Notes for Episode #314 of The RV Podcast: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK We love working remotely from an RV when we can do so in beautiful spots like this In the Upper Peninsula
We’re having an awesome time in the Upper Peninsula. And yes, as we prepare this podcast, we are indeed following our own advice and working remotely from an RV. This report is coming to you from Copper Harbor, MI on the Keweenaw Peninsula, which juts out like a thumb into Lake Superior at the northwestern end of the Upper Peninsula.
We’ve been on the road a week so far, boondocking some nights in really wild country, other nights staying in state parks. We’re slowly making our way from one end of the UP to the other. We couldn’t have timed it any better. The weather is cool and crisp. And the fall color is spectacular. Peak color up here is right now.
See why we like working remotely from an RV? This is the Rapid River in the Central UP.
I don’t think we’ve ever seen the fall foliage so brilliant. Naturally, we’ll have a video about it on our YouTube RV Lifestyle channel. And stay tuned for the News of the Week segment a little further down because we’ll have a resource that we’ll share that will let you know when peak fall color will happen in your area.
If folks are coming up here, we should remind them that, except for the lone interstate in the UP – I-75 – the speed limit on all two-lane roads in the Upper Peninsula is 55. And it IS enforced. We should also note that it is much more crowded up here this fall than we’ve seen on previous fall trips. One reason, of course, is because of what we’ll learn in our interview segment coming up about working remotely from an RV.
Also, we need to report that many of the U.S. Forest Service campgrounds will be shutting down across the UP starting next week. Most of the state parks will be open a bit later but there’s no doubt, the season is coming to an end.
That’s been brought home this week by a cold snap. Last week we had temperatures up here in the mid-seventies. This week, daytime highs are in the 50’s and the nighttime temperatures are expected to drop near freezing. We find it very pleasant. And Bo is thrilled. We’ve been taking two or three hikes every day and enjoying every minute or it.
We mention on the RV Podcast about the winter season and snow up here. Below is a sign on the Keweenaw Peninsula showing how much snow falls annually. The record is nearly 32 feet. Last year was about 27 feet.
This is the snow pole on the Keweenaw Peninsula showing how much snow falls each winter. The record was 32 feet. Last year it was about 27 feet.
This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer Listeners of the Podcast can get 10% off all purchases over $99. Just go to RVLifestyle.com/campingworld and you will see all the Camping word RV gear and accessories we like the most!
This week in the RV Podcast Interview of the Week, we’ll hear from a group of RVers who will share their individual RV stories about how they got into the RV Lifestyle, what challenges they’ve had, and what the RV Lifestyle is really like. These are REAL RV stories from REAL RVers, unedited and I think you’ll find them very encouraging. Inspirational even. Whether you are a newbie RVer, someone just dreaming about getting an RV, or an experienced RVer for many years, I know you’re going to really enjoy these stories… coming up in just a few minutes.
Also this week, we share lots of RV News of the week, answer your RV Lifestyle questions, and listen to another great off the beaten path report from Tom & Patti Burkett.
You can listen to the podcast in the player below. And scroll down this page for shownotes that include links and resources about all the things we talk about.
WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK Mike and Jennifer Wendland, hosts of the RV Podcast
First, on the personal side, we want you to know that Jennifer and I have just launched special RV Lifestyle Supporter Communities on Facebook and on YouTube as a way for us to become more community-supported (instead of advertising-driven), to connect with you better, and to sharpen the focus of all our platforms to meet more of your needs.
We won't change anything in the content we deliver each week. We'll continue to produce all that content as before, all free. These new members-only support communities are in addition to all the regular content we create each week.
This new effort to build community support is a way for you to contribute to the channel and help support our work… And for us to give something extra back to you.
I realize, being a supporter is not for everyone. Not everyone has the means to do so. This won’t change a thing for you, we'll still do all the content you’re used to seeing from us, still free. But for those who do choose to support us, it will enable us to do more with our content and you’ll get some cool rewards in the process.
You’ll get members-only perks, badges, and emojis that only supporters get that show up in our livestreams so we can give your questions priority answers and shoutouts. In addition, there will be discounts on RV products and services, member-only meetups around the country, and exclusive content in the form of members-only posts, photos and videos.
CLICK HERE to learn about our YouTube Members-Only Community
CLICK HERE to learn about our Facebook Members-Only Community
This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer Listeners of the Podcast can get 10% off all purchases over $99. Just go to RVLifestyle.com/campingworld and you will see all the Camping word RV gear and accessories we like the most! Just use the discount code RVLIFESTYLE10. RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Raging wildfires lead California to close of ALL national forest land and 30 state parks All national forests are closed in California totaling more than 20 million acres because of the unprecedented fires devastating the state. About 30 state parks, including the Big Sur area along Highway 1, are also closed because of fire risks. With so many fires burning out of control in California, and much of the West for that matter, you may want to get an app to help you monitor police and fire activity for safety reasons. To learn more click here.
Oregon officials also close national and state lands to camping, outdoor use, due to fires and smoke Oregon is another state facing devastating wildfires roaring all across the state. More than a million acres are burning, with many reported deaths. Not surprisingly, state and federal officials are also closing campgrounds and parks. Much of the land operated by the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S Department of Agriculture, forestry, state parks, and national parks are either closed or camping is banned. This includes Crater Lake National Park,
You surely have heard the term moochdocking by now, a variation on the boondocking trend that is so popular with RVers these days. While boondocking is typically off-grid camping in remote areas, moochdocking is camping – usually without hookups – in people’s driveways or the back of their property. This week, we’ll learn about a new website that will help you find places to inexpensively do some moochdocking, offering still another resource for RVers who want to avoid overcrowded and overpriced campgrounds.
Also, this week on Episode 311 of the RV Podcast, we have lots of RV news, your questions, and a fun and entertaining off the beaten path report from Tom and Patti Burkett.
You can listen to this episode of the RV Podcast in the player below. And scroll down this page for shownotes and a transcript of the interview, plus links and resources about all the things we talk about.
WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK Mike and Jennifer Wendland, hosts of the RV Podcast and the RV Lifestyle Travel Blog
We hope everyone had a fantastic Labor Day weekend. Many were camping. But, according to an informal survey of campers and campground hosts, we're hearing that more RVers than normal will continue camping through the rest of the month.
Many campgrounds are filled and others report being much busier than normal. With so many still working remotely, a lot of RVers figure why not work from the road.
We’re planning a fall color RV getaway to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – right after Jennifer has a tooth pulled. Ouch!
This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer Listeners of the Podcast can get 10% off all purchases over $99. Just go to RVLifestyle.com/campingworld and you will see all the Camping word RV gear and accessories we like the most! Just use the discount code RVLIFESTYLE10. RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK More than 200 people were evacuated from a California campground, some with burn injuries, as a fast moving fire trapped campers More than 200 people in California trying to squeeze in a little camping over the Labor Day weekend had to be evacuated by military helicopters after a fast-moving wildfire came upon them, sending more than 20 to the hospital, at least two with critical injuries. The campers were near Mammoth Pool Reservoir in the Sierra National Forest in northcentral California. The fire started Friday night and by Saturday blocked the only exit to Mammoth Pool Reservoir, trapping the campers as fire spread on all sides. The National Guard sent helicopters in to rescue people, taking more than 200 to safety. One evacuee shot some terrifying video (click here) of what the campground looked like before he was rescued. Wildfires have been a major problem in much of the West, and California especially is hard hit.
Majority of Americans planned a road trip vacation Labor Day weekend If you decided to take a last minute road trip this weekend, turns out you were in the majority. Some 60 percent of all Americans planned to travel over the weekend, 88 percent by vehicle. Also the majority of those traveling headed out further from home than they did Memorial Day weekend. The stats come from a survey by Cars.com. The info collected was very similar to AAA reports, indicating 97 percent of all Americans were vacationing by vehicle this summer, and which corresponds to what we are hearing out there in the middle of the pandemic. Not too long ago we had YOU call in and tell us what it is like out there on the road. To hear that podcast click here.
The Better Business Bureau urging RV shoppers to be aware of scams if shopping for used RV online If you are shopping for a used RV online, the Better Business Bureau has a warning: Beware of scams. As more people are shopping for an RV as a way to travel in the time of a pandemic, scammers are spotting an opportunity to make a quick dishonest buck by listing RVs for sale that do not exist. To avoid being scammed,
This week we learn about the 2021 Quartzsite RV Show, scheduled Jan. 16-24. This just may be the biggest RV show in the world, drawing from the estimated 750,000 to 1 million visitors (most in RVs) who flock to the tiny desert town every January. Our guest on the RV Podcast Interview of the Week is Kimmy King, producer for the 2021 Quartzsite RV Show. Plus we have lots of RV news, tips and travel ideas, including an off the beaten path report from the Burketts.
You can listen to the podcast in the player below. And scroll down this page for shownotes. The question of the week about a 4 season RV is at 19:15 in, while the interview about the 2021 Quartzsite RV show is at 26:09
RV Podcast Show Notes for Episode #310, released Sept. 2, 2020: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK Special Live Feed Friday at 3 PM ET on the 2021 Quartzsite RV Show We’re having fun doing live stream broadcasts simultaneously on all our platforms. We’ll have our next one coming up this Friday, Sept 4 at 3 PM Eastern Time and our special guest will be Kenny and Kimmy King, the producers of the giant 2021 Quartzsite RV Show.
Kimmy will be our guest in the interview of the week in this episode of the RV Podcast. And in our live video stream Friday, she’ll be joined by her dad, Kenny. This will be a really fun broadcast and you will have an opportunity to ask them questions live. So if every you have had questions about boondocking in Quartzsite, about the biggest RV show in the world (that’s what their event has become) tune in live at 3 PM Friday Sept. 4 on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group, our RV Lifestyle Facebook Page and our RV Lifestyle YouTune Channel. Fall Camping Updates We’ve had some really fun discussions on the blog lately about fall camping. Just this week we have published articles on fall camping in the UP and our five favorite RV destinations around the country to see the fall colors. You can read them and much more at rvlifestyle.com RV service issues I have an update on the status of our RV issues. The inverter failure while on battery power that I taked about last week had a very easy solution. It was a blown fuse. The fuse that blew was a 150 amp fuse between the house batteries and the inverter. My service tech at Holland Motor Homes in Holland, MI said the reason why it blew is that someone put the wrong sized fuse in at the factory. It is supposed to have a 250 amp fuse. Not a 150 amp fuse. Problem solved. And my dealer even gave me a spare fuse if it should happen again.
As to the Dometic three-way refrigerator door that keeps falling off there is bad news. The dealer says Dometic told themthere is a 70 day wait time for replacement parts. Since I talked about it on the podcast last week I have heard from several others who have the same problem with the door falling off. One said he grew so impatient with Dometic’s lack of service that he has replaced his fridge with a new one from a different company. We are considering the same thing.
This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer For a 10% discount on purchases over $99, use the discount code RVLIFESTYLE10. RV PODCAST RV NEWS OF THE WEEK Wild fires continue to cause havoc in West, California closes 34 state parks, Oregon, Montana, Arizona, Utah and more states affected Wildfires continued to devastate the West with 1.4 million acres burned, and more than 800 new wildfires between Aug. 15 and 29 in California alone. California closed at least 34 state parks because of fires, many will be closed indefinitely. Historic Little Basin Campground in California's Big Basin State Park was destroyed, with visitors evacuated in a rush last Tuesday just before the flames came through. But California is not alone. An 850-plus acre wildfire is in Yellowstone National Park, just three miles from Old Faithful. Oregon and Colorado are also especially hard hit, but fires are popping up in many western states.
Tired of noisy Walmarts and crowded CrackerBarrels for your overnight stops? Now you can do Overnight RV Parking at churches where it's quiet, secluded, and safe. This week in the RV podcast interview of the week, we learn all about Faithful Parking, a website that helps RVers find overnight RV parking at churches. Often those spots come with electric hookups, too. Plus we have RV News of the week, tips about getting rid of mice in an RV, and an off the beaten path report from the Burketts. You can listen to this episode of the RV Podcast on your favorite app or right below in the audio player. The interview about Faithful Parking and RV parking at churches is about 25.32 in:
Show Notes for Episode #308 Aug 19, 2020 of The RV Podcast: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK
Mike & Jennifer Wendland, hosts of the RV Podcast. In Episode 308 we talk about RV parking at churches and a website called Faithful Parking, plus the RV news of the week, getting rid of mice in an RV and an off the beaten path travel report
We’re on the road, headed to Southwest Michigan to explore some out of the way campgrounds located on some great little inland lakes.
We’re also planning a visit to Elkhart, IN – the RV Capital of the World – to work on a little project based on one of Jennifer’s ideas.
And we’re planning an extended trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We’ll be leaving after Labor Day and the crowds head back to school and work. Fall is our favorite time of the year up there and we plan to stay until first frost in October.
CLICK HERE to read an article on 10 Spectacular Campgrounds in the UP
This part of the RV Podcast is brought to you by Camping World – America’s #1 RV Dealer Listeners of the Podcast can get 10% off all purchases over $99 with the code RVLIFESTYLE10 RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Woman seriously injured by charging bison after getting too close to take a picture
A woman was seriously injured by a bison last week after she got off her motorcycle, and approached a bison herd to photograph a mama and her calf. The woman was at Fort Custer State Park in South Dakota taking the picture when a different bison decided she was too close. The animal charged her, catching her belt on its horn, and flung her around before her pants fell off and she fell to the ground. After the animal retreated people rushed to help. The woman was flown to a hospital and had serious injuries. State park officials are reminding visitors to stay at least 100 feet away from bison. Custer State Park is one of our favorite parks to visit in the fall and the bison are part of the draw. To see our list, click here.
Illegal boondockers near California's Big Sur leaving behind big mess With warm weather and totally booked campgrounds, officials near California's Big Sur have experienced problems with people illegally camping along Highway 1 over the past several weekends. More than 150 people illegally camped along Highway 1 in Monterey County last weekend, generally in turnouts. And they leave behind human waste, toilet paper, beer cans and coals from fires. Officials are closing several roads through Oct. 19 to stop the illegal boondocking. We are big fans of boondocking, but ALWAYS clean up after yourself, and check to see if boondocking is allowed before settling in for the night. For more boondocking tips click here or here.
Colorado wild fire causing campground evacuations, road closures Wildfires in Colorado have burned part of the popular Chambers Lake campground. The fire was about 62 miles west of Fort Collins over the weekend and was burning primarily on Roosevelt National Forest Land. Several campgrounds in the upper Poudre Canyon have been evacuated, and some roads in the area are closed.
Federal land near some Utah national parks no longer available for lease for gas, oil exploration The Bureau of Land Management decided to take 86,000 acres in Utah off the table as potential oil and gas development sites.
There are a lot of RV myths out there and one big one is that you can’t boondock in a big rig. This week, we dispel that bit of fake news by introducing you to two couples who not only boondock in big RVs, but both are thriving on it!
Jason and Rae Miller are known as the Getaway Couple on their blog and YouTube community and they travel and boondock regularly in a huge Fifth Wheel.
Mark and Julie Bennett, who publish the RV Love channel and blog and are authors of a very popular book on RVing, boondock in a huge Class A motorhome.
We hear from both couples this week as they tell you about boondocking in a big rig, what are the challenges and more importantly just how they get those giant RVs down the road and off the grid.
Both couples will teach you a lot!
Plus, we have RV News of the week, your RV Lifestyle questions and a great off the beaten path report from the Burketts. You can listen to this episode of the Podcast on your favorite app or right below in the audio player. The interview about how to boondock in a big rig is about 20:37 in:
Show Notes for Episode #302 July 8, 2020 of The RV Podcast: How to boondock in a Big Rig RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Oregon now charging out-of-state residents more to camp at its campgrounds The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department now adds a surcharge to out-to-state residents wanting to use its campgrounds. The surcharge works out to about a 30 percent price hike, making a full-service campsite cost $42 for out-of-state residents (compared to the previous $33). Cost of a tent site will increase to $23 from $19 a night. The state hopes to raise $500,000 from the new fees to make up for lost revenue from when the campgrounds were closed earlier this year because of COVID-19. It also hopes to encourage people to stay closer to home. The surcharge will be applied to new reservations and first-come, first-served campers and will remain in place for the rest of this year.
June RV and towable camper sales break the record Well, most of the numbers are in, and now it is official: More Americans than ever are giving the RV Lifestyle a try. The RV industry recorded the best sales month EVER last June, with a 16.5% increase over last year’s 41,699 total. And that doesn't even include numbers from the states of Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Oregon and Vermont. Americans are really buying RVs and towables. The numbers support what we have been hearing for months. More and more people are camping as a result of COVID-19. To see more of what we've reported about camping changes this year click here.
Peak viewing of the Perseid meteor showers will be Tuesday and Wednesday- don't miss it! The annual Perseid meteor shower is expected to peak this week, and if you can get outside to watch, you don't want to miss it! Up to 100 shooting stars can be seen per hour during its peak. It should be visible all this week. A good strategy is to look up as late in the evening as possible, but before moon rises. The Perseid meteor show is visible every year when the earth drifts through a debris cloud left from a comet. To learn more click here or here. To learn more about photographing the night sky, click here.
Vandals spray painting campers, campground signs with messages of "COVID-19" and "Go home" in British Columbia We saw reports last week out of British Columbia of people vandalizing camping trailers with the words "no camping" and "COVID-10". About two weeks ago a story was in the news from North Island Campground where someone spray painted "Go home" on a campground sign. In the latest report, the camping trailer targeted was not even being used. The border between Canada and America is closed for non-essential travel, like camping, and while it is possible to "sneak" in, we wanted to remind you again that not every community wants out-of-owners visitors.
In this summer of pandemic camping, remember to check ahead Because of a surge in COVID-19 cases,
A lot of RVers are asking these days: How to find a campsite despite the crowds? The national news media has been filled with stories in recent weeks claiming that campgrounds are bursting at the seams across the country as people are taking up camping and RVing because they are afraid to take traditional vacations or stay in hotels, fly airplanes or deal with crowds in amusement parks and resorts.
Believe it!
This week in Episode 306 of the RV Podcast, we hear from real campers who tell us whether those gloom and doom stories are true. Yes, it’s summer, and campgrounds are always a bit crowded, especially on weekends and holidays. But this year, it’s way worse.
That’s coming up in this week’s episode of the Podcast, as well as your RV questions and comments, RV News of the week, and a great off the beaten path report from the Burketts.
Show Notes for Episode #306 August 5, 2020 of The RV Podcast: RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Fewer Walmart stores permitting RVers to overnight in parking lot If you have been a RV fellow traveler for long, chances are you spent the night at a Walmart parking lot at least once. But finding a Walmart that allows RVers to sleep in their parking lot is getting harder.. Currently only 58 percent of the nation's Walmart stores allow campers to stay compared to 78 percent in 2010. Spending the night in a parking lot has been super popular with many RVers over the years. They get a free, easy place to overnight when they are on a road trip and do not need a full campground experience. Typically overnighters buy something from the Walmart and are gone first thing in the morning, so the store benefits, too. But the problem is more and more campers are not practicing basic etiquette. They are staying for more than one night, they are leaving their trash even sometimes human waste or dirty water behind. Homeless people are also using lots. The result is more and more Walmarts are banning the practice, often forced to do so by new zoning rules enacted by local governments. It’s another example on how a bad apple can spoil the whole bunch.
Rangers at Zion National Park ask for help finding vandals who painted rocks blue Speaking of bad apples. I have a story about a really rotten apple. This is the type of story that makes my blood boil. Vandals at Zion National Park painted a large section of the sandstones in the northeast section of the park blue. Rangers are now asking the public's help in finding who did this. Bold blue squares and miscellaneous shapes - some three feet by three feet in size - are on the rock formations south of Wildcat Trailhead in the Kolob Terrace area. The area is believed to have painted around July 8. Officials say they are not sure they can remove the paint, and doing so will be costly.
Family decides to move in an RV and homeschool from the road because of COVID-19 We've been reporting for years about road schooling (click here or here), and for months about the rise in RV newbies and some challenges out there because of COVID-19 (click here). So, when we saw this story of a family that combines both, we had to share. The Tennessee family apparently decided to cope with the in-person schooling challenges COVID-19 caused by buying a large RV bus built on a Greyhound chassis, selling their possessions, and hitting the road. The family of seven plans to homeschool their five children while traveling the country, all while self-containing as best as possible and working remotely from the road.
Man shoots himself in the leg at Rocky Mountain National Park after gun in his backpack accidentally fires A man visiting Rocky Mountain National Park accidentally shot himself in the leg with his own gun. The man had put a loaded gun into his backpack. When he took off his backpack and put it on a rock at Emerald Lake, the gun accidentally fired a round with the bullet lodging in his leg. Other visitors helped, providing first aid, and a rescue crew then took the man by ambulance t...
This week in the RV Podcast, we hear what RV travel during COVID is like. RVers from across North America candidly share their experiences, what was open, what was closed, how welcome they were, and what it’s like trying to do the RV Lifestyle in these challenging times.
This week in our interview of the week segment we turned to our RV Lifestyle social media followers for their insight into RV travel during COVID as they encountered restrictions and shutdowns in various locations.
There is lots of RV-related news to report. RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Congress passes Great American Outdoor Act which is expected to send much-needed money for national park maintenance Congress passed the Great American Outdoor Act last week, sending it to President Donald Trump's desk where he is expected to sign it. The bill will provide $900 million a year to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. It will also provide up to $6.5 billion over five years to help pay for the many maintenance needs of the nation's national parks. Look for more details out this week, when it is expected to be signed into law.
Campfire-caused wildfires on the rise in several places throughout country In several parts of the country, officials are reporting more campfire-caused wildfires than normal. In Maine, there has been a 170 percent increase in campfire-related wildfires this year compared to 2019. A campfire is also suspected as the cause of a wildfire near Clayton Beach in Washington's Larrabee State Park last week. And some places, like the Tahoe National Forest, are seeing an increase in illegal campfires causing officials to say they are responding to the second highest number of campfire-caused fires ever recorded.
Too many people risking injury by jumping into posted Yellowstone waters, officials warn Yellowstone National Park urged visitors last week to stay out of the water. Apparently more people than normal are ignoring posted signs at Yellowstone and swimming in water where swimming is clearly prohibited. Park officials are reminding visitors the signs are there for a reason. Some Yellowstone water is boiling - in 2016 a man is believed to have literally dissolved after trying to soak in a prohibited thermal area. And in other places the water is extremely frigid - a literal snow melt. Other times people are told not to go in because the water is infested with organisms that will make them sick. As always, if the sign says stay out - we advise you to stay out.
West Virginia police arrest two men connected to international RV theft ring West Virginia police arrested two men involved in an international RV theft ring last week. The men were arrested for stealing two stolen camping trailers. Police also found two other stolen camping trailers abandoned by their drivers. The thieves are part of an international crime ring that steals RVs and campers in southeastern states then ships them to Mexico and other foreign countries.
In this summer of pandemic camping, remember to check ahead We have an update on what is open and what is closed. As of today, July 29, 2020, 91 percent of the campsites listed by Campendium are now open, with New Mexico remaining the only state park campground system closed. But according to Campendium, which is doing an excellent job keeping track of things, many other popular spots throughout the country remain closed because of COVID-19. Theodore Roosevelt National Park campgrounds are closed, for instance, as are Point Reyes National Seashore campsites, Mount Rainer National Park campgrounds, Navajo Nation Tribal Parks and many other spots. As always this year, things are fluid. We recommend checking before heading out and be sure to listen to our interview of the week coming up in which you will hear from numerous RVers exactly what RV travel during COVID is like.
This part of the podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes, America's #1 e-bike brand, offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium elec...
In this jampacked 302nd Episode of the RV Podcast: We’ll learn about a handy RV toll road pass. We’ll also share the most important questions you should ask when taking possession of a new RV and we’ll report the RV News of the week during these very challenging times. Here’s a player to the audio version of this RV Podcast episode. You can also listen to the RV Podcast on your favorite podcast app. A full article with links, transcripts, photos, and other resources follows:
Show Notes for Episode #302 July 8, 2020 of The RV Podcast WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK
Mike and Jennifer
Hi Fellow Travelers and welcome to Episode 302 of the RV Podcast. And we have a lot of ground to cover this week.
So I want to remind you that you can follow a text version of this podcast, with all the links and resources we share, on our shownotes page on our RV Lifestyle Travel Blog at rvlifestyle.com/302.. just go there.rvlifestyle.com/302 and you’ll find a full outline and transcript.
First off, let me welcome back my lifelong traveling companion, the bride of my youth and my cohost.. .Jennifer.
We share the latest…
Jen is on the mend, though still has to watch talking too much so she doesn’t cough We were tested and we do not have COVID-19. We learned that doctors are seeing a spike in blood pressure problems they blame on the COVID disruptions – the Three S’s of too much Salt, too much Stress and not enough Sleep. We are taking time setting up the new RV Travel plans are still up in the air as renewed shutdowns, cancellations and hints of travel restrictions are once again bringing disruption to everyone’s RV Lifestyle
On a positive note, we are very excited to report that we finally have our RV Lifestyle OFFICIAL Pinterest account up and running! For those of you who LOVE Pinterest - please Follow us and Share our posts about the RV Lifestyle. You can find us at https://www.pinterest.com/rvlifestylemike/ AND we are starting to create Pinterest-ready images over on our blog so when you Pin from our site the images are BIG and beautiful. Thank you for supporting a fun way for people to find us and what we have to offer RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK Woman gored by Yellowstone bison after getting too close for a picture
A woman was gored by a bison at Yellowstone National Park last week after she got too close to the massive animal while taking its picture. The woman, from California, was tossed 10-15 feet in the air, and when she stood, was attacked again. She was taking the picture near her Bridge Bay Campground campsite, and ended up being flown to a hospital for treatment. The woman was reportedly within 10 feet of the animal, causing it to feel threatened. When a wild bison feels threatened it will snort, paw the ground, bob its head, lift its tail. Rangers recommend visitors stay at least 25 feet away.
California RV Show the latest big show to cancel because of COVID-19 The California RV Show is the latest casualty of COVID-19 cancelations, with organizers announcing several days ago that the show, which typically runs in early October, is off. The California RV Show is one of our favorites, attracting about 45,000 visitors. Click here to see our review of last year's show and why it is so important to the industry and consumers..
Woman taking pictures at Grand Canyon slips, falls to her death An Arizona woman fell to her death at the Grand Canyon last weekend. The woman, 59, was off trail, when she slipped and fell 100 feet while taking pictures. The woman was near Mather Point.
Three people hospitalized with severe injuries after their campfire exploded Three people were hospitalized with severe burns, including a 7-year-old, after their campfire exploded last Saturday night in Ontario, Canada. Apparently a propane cylinder was buried in their campfire pit, and it exploded when a campfire was set, causing severe injuries to those around it. The three were camping near the town of Perth.
This week on the RV Podcast, we give you inside tips on how to sell your RV. Don't get low balled from a dealer that offers to buy it or take it in as a trade-in. Sell it yourself! We did and the process couldn't have gone more smoothly. And in the process, we learned a lot that literally saved us tens of thousands of dollars when it came time to sell our RV so we could buy a new one.
This week in Episode 301 of the RV Podcast, we share our personal experience in selling our RV (we did so just last week), introduce you to the couple who bought it, hear from a dealer and learn from an expert at RV Trader how to sell your RV and get the most for your used RVs.
Here's a player to the audio version of this RV Podcast episode on how to sell your RV. You can also listen to the RV Podcast on your favorite podcast app. A full article with links, transcripts, photos, and other resources follows:
BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT HOW TO SELL YOUR RV...TWO PROGRAMMING NOTES First a couple of RV Podcast programming notes. I (MIKE) am doing this episode solo this week as Jennifer, my lifelong traveling and the bride of my youth, is feeling a bit under the weather this week and thus, won’t be able to handle her normal co-hosting duties. We’re hoping she’s back next week feeling much better.
Secondly, from popular demand, we’re rearranging the order of the various segments of the RV Podcast. We’ll move our Interview of the Week segment up towards the top of each episode, to more quickly get to the key theme of each podcast. The other regular sections will follow the interview. RV PODCAST INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK - How to sell your RV And this week, that theme is how to sell your RV... yourself, instead if trading it in or selling it outright to an RV dealer.
As regular listeners know, Jennifer and I bought a brand-new RV last week - a 2021 Wonder Rear Twin Model from Leisure Travel Vans. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be talking a lot about why we changed RVs, why we chose the Ford Transit vs the Mercedes Sprinter chassis and showing videos and photos and doing a full review and walkthrough on the RVLifestyle.com travel blog.
We have so much content about that new Wonder to show you that it will take lots of articles and videos.
But this week on the RV Podcast and in this article on the RVLifestyle.com travel blog, we talk about how to sell your RV yourself, which we just did with the 2019 Leisure Travel Vans Unity FXa that we have owned for the past year and a half.
We change RVs a lot. I want to know as much as possible how the different models handle. Their strengths and weaknesses, so I can speak from experience in our videos and blog articles. There were lots of reasons why we chose the Wonder on the Ford Transit chassis and I have a whole article coming out on that in a could of days. Beware of being low-balled! But obviously, to buy a new one, we had to sell our old one.
We thought of simply trading it in at a dealer or selling it to them outright. Many advertise that they are desperate for used RVs and are paying "premium rates" or "top dollar for your trade."
When I checked with a couple of dealers who advertise that, it didn’t take long to realize that top dollar to a dealer was not reflective of what our RV is really worth.
The dealers quite simply low balled us. They offered wholesale prices. In our case, almost $30,000 LESS than what we actually sold it for ourselves. Dealers make big money on trade-ins. By low, sell high. You can’t blame them.
But you also can blame us in saying no way. Tip #1 on how to sell your RV - Do your research There is no Kelly Blue Book prices for RVs.
But there is something called the NADA RV Guide which stands for the National Automotive Dealers Association. But the NADA Guides – which cover automobiles, motorcycles, boats, classic cars, manufactured homes and RVs – is actually owned by JD Power. They just bought the use of the NADA logo and name for marketing purposes because NADA is well known.
By Tom & Patti Burkett RV Podcast Off the Beaten Path Reporters
This spring our rhubarb plant went out of control. It sprouted three huge flowering stalks which bent from their own weight and then grew sideways and then up again reminding us of nothing so much as Audrey 2 from the Little Shop of Horrors. “Feed me!” we imagined her saying as we passed close by.
So Patti got out the clippers and lopped off her offending parts, then most of the leaves (from which she mad rhubarb pudding cake, one of my favorites) and now the plant looks tame indeed. There really are, though, as I’m sure you know, meat-eating plants out there off the beaten path! The Burketts audio version of this article can be heard on Episode 299 of the RV Podcast. Click the player below and fast forward to about 48:27 to hear them:
Most of the carnivorous plants subsist on insects, but they do score an occasional worm, small frog, or even an unwary lizard. You go, plants! These carnivorous plants are specialized for growing in low nitrogen soil. Inasmuch as nitrogen is a primary plant nutrient, what the soil lacks is gathered from the surrounding area by attractive nectar and aromas. You can find pitcher plants in any bog around North America, tucked among the sphagnum moss and lady’s slippers. Off the Beaten Path to the world of flesh-eating plants The Burketts take us off the beaten path in this RV Podcast report about man-eating plants
But if you want to get a good look at the stars of the meat-eating plant world, you’ll have to head off the beaten path to the Carolinas on the east coast or California and Oregon in the west.
The Cape Fear area of North Carolina is in the heart of flytrap country, and it was here that Stanley Rehder grew up, first helping his grandmother sell flowers from her yard to visitors on their way to a nearby cemetery and, later, at his father’s wholesale and retail florist business. He earned a degree in horticulture from NC State University.
Stanley fell in love with carnivorous plants and spent his career studying and promoting them. He appeared on “Good Morning, America”, and "That’s Incredible,” and was interviewed by Barbara Walters on the “Today” show, always with plant in hand to explain its unique features.
He found a boggy off the beaten path area behind a local elementary school and began to transplant and culture his favorite specimens.
When Rehder passed away in 2012, the area was designated as a preserve in his name.
When you’re driving US 17 (one of our favorite off the beaten path broads) along the East coast, turn off on Independence Boulevard in Wilmington, North Carolina and drive a few blocks south to the Piney Ridge Nature Preserve.
A paved path and boardwalk will take you back into the garden, where a surprising variety of plants grow in the bog, and some are cultivated in planters right on the boardwalk so visitors can have an up-close and personal look.
Carolina Beach State Park, a few miles south, also has a flytrap trail that winds through a bog with many pitcher plants and bladderworts. Off the beaten path carnivorous plants out west There's another off the beaten path spot to observe more meat-eating plants just north of Florence, Oregon. Look for the Darlingtonia wayside stop, where a paved trail will take you into a bog where you can see the cobra plant, which looks just like its namesake, waving above the peat.
Stanley, the flytrap man we talked about above, may be gone, but thanks to his effort and foresight, we can all have a look at some rare and beautiful (if just a touch scary) plants, out here.... off the beaten path. Subscribe to the RV Podcast on your favorite app downloaded from the app store. New episodes come out every week! Get more off the beaten path RV travel ideas, tips, news, and perks! Each Monday we publish our RV Lifestyle Newsletter, where we share weekly articles about RV travel that inspire and inform. As soon as you sign up,
The best way to make normally yucky-tasting campground water taste good and run clear is by using an RV water filter system that fits inline, right between the water spigot and tour RV's after intake connection. But note this: All inline RV water filter system inline cartridges are not alike! Here's a player to listen to the full podcast. The interview of the week segment about the RV water filter system is about 29:08 in.
This week on the RV Podcast, we learn about the new RV water filter system we are now using when we fill our RV fresh water tanks or when we connect to a campground spigot. It's from a company called Clear20 and this week on the RV Podcast we interview the company's CEO about a two-stage RV water filter system they sell that consists of an inline water filter and a the Dirtguard pre-filter device that takes out the sediment and particulates before they go through the inline filter.
Together this RV water filter system transforms your inline water filter into a two-stage filtration approach. This makes the water taste good and ensures that you have the cleanest possible water.
How is the bright green RV water filter system by Clear2o different than than the normal blue or gray inline filters you pick up from Walmart or a camping store? Three ways: Flitration medium, filtration efficiency and price.
First off, let me note that I have no financial interest or sponsorship relationship with this company. I sought out the interview with the Clear2o CEO after being fed up with bad-tasting campground water and doing some research that led me to get both the Clear20 inline filter and the Dirtguard pre-filter.
Both units sell for $34.95. The Camco inline filters we had been using cost $17 or so on Amazon, or two for $30. So the Cler2o inline filter is about twice as much. The DirtGuard pre filter is $39. That's the price difference.
The filtration medium difference is the way the water is filtered. The cheaper and more common inline RV water filter uses powdered charcoal. The Clear2o RV water filter system uses solid charcoal.
And that leads to the efficiency of the filtering. The cheap carbon powder filters screen out particulates and sediment down to about 20 microns. The solid Clear2o inline RV water filter system screens those particulates down to 1 micron. It makes the star cleaner, clearer and it taste better.
See why I got this Clear2o RV water filter system?
Here's a link to the Clear2o inline filter- https://amzn.to/2YEZ1JX Here's a link to the Clear2o DirtGuard pre-filter - https://amzn.to/3fywywn
Here's a transcript of the interview I did for Episode 299 of the RV Podcast with Keith Bernard, CEO of Clear2o on what to now about an RV water filter system:
Mike Wendland: Well, to find out more about an RV water filter system to make that RV drinking water taste a little better and be a little healthier, I'm excited to have on the other end of the phone Keith Bernard, he is the CEO of Clear20, and I just came across this process, this product really this week. I should tell you we have no commercial relationship with these guys. This is just a really cool product that I think will benefit us and hence you guys, too, out there in the listening audience. So first of all, welcome to the program, Keith, thanks for making time for us.
Keith Bernard: Thanks very much. I'm glad to be here.
Mike Wendland: Let's talk in general about an RV water filter system. I mentioned at the top of this, on how hard it was for us to drink the water that was coming out of the campground spigot. Even though I use one of those little inline filters, I always have one of those, it just didn't taste very good. So maybe you could help us all understand it. What are some of the issues involved with campground water from that little spigot that they provided at the campsite?
Keith Bernard: Yeah, absolutely. Well, quite often everybody's more comfortable with the...
We love our RV air conditioner…except when it’s really hot and we’re boondocking or moochdocking and we don’t have enough RV battery power to run it. That's where SoftStartRV comes in. This week on the RV Podcast we dig deeply into RV battery and power management challenges faced by those who enjoy off-the-grid boondocking or moochdocking (camping in the driveways of friends and relatives) and want to run their RV air conditioner. Our guest in the RV Podcast interview segment is a top RV electrical expert who breaks down our power needs and tells us about a way we can run those RV air conditioners under low power with a device called SoftStartRV.
Plus, we have RV news of the week… we answer a question on why we’re getting a new Rv in a couple of weeks ...and Tom and Patti Burkett stop by with a great off the beaten path report.
RV PODCAST UPDATE ON WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK Mike & Jennifer Wendland, hosts of the RV Podcast..this week we talk about RV battery issues, a product called SoftStartRV and boondocking and moochdocking
This episode comes from the road…
We’re in Jacksonville, FL, staying at Hanna Park on the Atlantic, just east of town.
We share what we’re doing here and look forward to our travel to Michigan next week and, at the end of the month, our purchase of a new RV… the 2021 Wonder by Leisure Travel Vans, built on the new Ford Transit chassis. We’ll share the reasons we’re making the switch when we answer one of our listener questions coming up in a few minutes, RV PODCAST NEWS OF THE WEEK If traveling to Alaska, expect to take COVID-19 test If you are thinking of visiting Alaska this summer, the state now requires a COVID-19 test before t]raveling around the state. The new rules took effect Saturday. The COVID-19 test is required within 72 hours before flying into Alaska. But, if you are unable to do that for some reason, or you are driving there, you will need to quarantine at your own expense for 14 days once you arrive or take a COVID-19 test at the airport and quarantine until the results are back. You may not quarantine in an RV, and you may not go out for groceries or anything other than medical care during this time. We recently interviewed someone about ways to get your RV to Alaska while the Canadian border is closed (click here) and wanted to share this, too. For the complete list of Alaska rules, click here.
President Trump and the first lady hitting the road in an RV? Well, that's what he said At a press conference last weekend about the economy starting to rebound after COVID-19, President Donald Trump said he might get an RV, and head to upstate NY with the first lady. While that off-the-cuff comment may have drawn the headlines, we have to reiterate it again - LOTS of newbies are buying and renting RVs right now. They are making travel plans to camp because of COVID-19 safety concerns about airplanes, cruises, and hotel rooms. To see more about why many say this is the year of the RV, click here.
Here is a new one: Man buys an Airstream trailer for studio office during quarantine Speaking of newbies, we saw a story last week out of California about a man in the Silicon Valley who bought a 22-foot Airstream trailer for his office. He parked it in his yard,and set it up to be his office with a souped up conference table. The trailer, on a 30-year-loan, costs $370 a month, is a deductible business expense, and he can sell it when he is done. This is the first time we have seen a story of someone buying a camper for zoom calls, but in these times, we see how it makes sense!
More campgrounds continue to open, but check before you go Again, more and more states are starting to permit camping. California is expected to start opening campgrounds June 12, Wisconsin state parks are open today, June 10, Oregon opened more campgrounds yesterday, June 9 ,while other states, like Michigan, remain closed for a few more weeks. As always, if you are heading out, check ahead.
Curious about Harvest Hosts? Here's our ultimate Harvest Host review featuring a podcast interview and videos of what you can expect at a Harvest Host location. By now, everyone's heard of Harvest Hosts, that awesome membership service that lets RVers stay overnight for free at leading wineries, farms, golf courses, and tourist attractions.
But it's time for a Harvest Hosts Review in which we tell you - from our first-hand experience and an interview with Joel Holland, the CEO of Harvest Hosts - just what to expect.
Click this link and use the code HHFriends15 for 15% off the $79 membership: https://rvlifestyle.com/hh
Joel was our special guest in Episode 294 or the RV Podcast. He gives us a Harvest Host Review from his perspective, talking about new locations, what hosts are open during the COVID-19 restrictions, and why Harvest Hosts has become so popular with RVers. RV Podcast Harvest Host Review from RV Podcast Episode 294 Here's the podcast episode with the Harvest Host review featuring Joel... just click the arrow to listen right now on your computer or smartphone, or download it for later review. You can also hear it on your favorite podcast app or player like iTunes, Stitcher, TunedIn or Spotify. Joel's interview is about 17:24 in. But we invite you to listen to the entire podcast from start to finish.
Then, Jennifer and I want to share our own Harvest Hosts review, showing you from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel videos exactly what to expect. Harvest Host Review videos Here's the first Harvest Host review video we did. Honestly, Harvest Hosts locations are our favorite place to stay. It's a membership site that offers free overnight camping all across North America.
How does it work? Check out this Harvest Host review video to see some of the unique places we visited. 0 Comments in moderatio
Here is another Harvest Hosts review video we did that shows you three more spots.
Okay, now the good news. Of you listened to the podcast, you've heard the CEO and seen our videos of what to expect with our Harvest Host Review videos. Now here is the best part: We can save you money!
If you join with our link - you get 15% off so you'll pay just $63/year for your annual membership.
Using this link and the discount code: HHFriends15 you save get 15% off Harvest Hosts annual membership of $79.
This is a still photo from one of our Harvest Host review videos taken in the Finger Lakes region of New York. We were camping at the Heron Hill winery as Harvest Host guests
Harvest Host locations across North America
We covered much more in this podcast besides the Harvest Hosts review. Here's the rest of what we talked about: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK The RV Lifestyle can be quite daunting, especially when you are just starting out. We've heard from a lot of new RVers over these past several weeks during the lockdown, especially women who will be traveling with husbands of significant others, seeking some newbie advice.
Some of those women aren't quite as enthusiastic about the RV Lifestyle as their traveling companion, It's not that they don't want to RV. They just have some basic questions and are seeking advice on how to adjust and handle things as they start traveling in their RV.
So this week, Jennifer has put a lot of time and effort into writing a very detailed article on our RV Lifestyle blog, offering up helpful advice to RV women newbies. It's filled with lots of tips, links to how-to videos, and other resources.
We think this free article will greatly ease those newbie jitters as it answers many of those basic beginning questions women have. Men will find helpful info in this article, too, But this one is clearly aimed at women. I plan to do a similar article aimed at men for next week.
To read Jennifer's article offering Helpful NewbIe RV Advice: Just for Women, CLICK HERE.
RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK
Oregon closes its state forests to boondockers because of health hazards ...
This week on the podcast, we talk about getting your RV ready for travel again. For most RVers, it’s been a long wait and their RVers have been just sitting there waiting for the 2020 RV travel season.
We tell you what we do to prepare our RV and hear from Tim Marriott, our mechanic from LT Truck and Trailer in Pontiac, MI. Plus we have lots of RV news about what is open and what isn’t, where travel is allowed, plus your questions and a great off the beaten path report from the Burketts.
Show Notes for Episode #293 May 6 2020 of The RV Podcast: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK and Getting Your RV Ready for Travel Again
It wasn't long and it wasn't far and we maintained social distancing the whole time but we did get out this weekend for a nice campout in the RV, making our way from NW Florida to SW Georgia. Both states have eased travel restrictions and the stay at home orders. Just being able to go for a drive and spend a beautiful weekend in the RV chased away those quarantine blues built up over the past two months..
By no means are we all out of the coronavirus woods and many other places remain locked down, but there are regions where restrictions are easing and people are starting to venture out again. And that is Good News!
Speaking of Good News, we are very pleased to announce that our latest 7 Day Adventure Guide is now available for instant download!
It's on the Florida Keys and Key West and we are thrilled to release it.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY TODAY!
The book is jam-packed with maps, photos, and helpful info on what to see and where to go and camp in the Keys. It joins our library of ebook guides and is the third one in Florida.
The Keys guide as a standalone is just $7. But you can bundle it at a special price with our other two Florida guides - one for the Atlantic Coast and one for the Gulf Coast.
The book is jam-packed with maps, photos, and helpful info on what to see and where to go and camp in the Keys. It joins our library of ebook guides and is the third one in Florida.
The Keys guide as a standalone is just $7. But you can bundle it at a special price with our other two Florida guides - one for the Atlantic Coast and one for the Gulf Coast.
All three Florida guides are available as a three-pack bundle for just $16.99! You can also get all eight of our 7 Day Adventure guides at a huge discount for just $39.99! RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK RV industry prepares to gradually reopen manufacturing plants this week Much of the RV industry in northern Indiana is planning to restart operations this week. Gulf Stream, Thor, Airstream, CrossRoads, Cruiser, Dutchmen, Entegra Coach, Heartland, Jayco, Keystone RV, Starcraft, and others, along with most suppliers and parts manufacturers are now reopened. The restart will be slow, with employees at many factories receiving temperature checks before entering the building, plastic shields between work stations, sanitizing between shifts, personal protective equipment worn, and more. But the bottom line is the RV industry is back in business.
Man airlifted from Wyoming wildlife area after being attacked by a grizzly If you find yourself social distancing outdoors in bear country, be sure to bring bear spray and be stay alert. Bears are definitely out now, and a grizzly attacked a Wyoming man who was outdoors last weekend near the Sunlight Wildlife Habitat Management Area. Thankfully the man was able to send an SOS signal from a satellite communication device, rescuers found him and airlifted him to a hospital. He suffered severe injuries to his neck. A few years ago we interviewed an expert on bear spray. We always travel with it and recommend it. Here is a link to read more.
Public campground closed? Family heads to a private campground in Michigan and practices social distancing in their RV Many states, such as Michigan, are still under stay at home orders, and state parks in Michigan are closed to camping until June 21.
Worried about how you’re going to get healthcare when everything is closed? For many RVers during the recent lockdown, the answer was telemedicine. And what better way for RVers to learn about telemedicine than from. . . an RVer who does telemedicine.
In this episode of our RV Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Tom Davis MD, a practicing Family Physician and full-time RVer who talks telemedicine; how to use it, how not to use it, and why telemedicine is the way of the future.
Plus your RV Lifestyle questions, RV News of the week and a great off the beaten path report from the Burketts.
Show Notes for Episode #292 April 29, 2020, of The RV Podcast: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK It's been seven weeks now since most of North America began to self isolate and practice social distancing under stay at home orders and travel restrictions. Finally, we're seeing many places starting to ease up on those restrictions as many parts of North America begin the process of reopening.
Most of the big RV manufacturers and suppliers will be soon restarting production. State parks are taking reservations again in many parts of the country and it now looks like there will be a robust camping season this summer after all.
We're not quite there yet, but optimism is running high that we will be able to get out there and enjoy the RV Lifestyle again within the next few weeks.
We remain in Northwest Florida where the beaches will partially reopen later this week after a shutdown of more than a month. A full reopening is expected in two or three weeks. So there really is light at the end of this long tunnel.
Hang on, stay home, and be safe a little longer. It will soon be better!
This part of the podcast is brought to you by RadPower Bikes, America's #1 e-bike brand, offering direct to consumer pricing on powerful premium electric bikes. Now with free shipping RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK Visit your favorite national park - virtually Are you wishing you were at your favorite national park during this stay-at-home time? If so, why not do the next best thing - and visit that special spot virtually? The National Park Service has a web spot (click here) where you can see web cameras of famous locations, join in live programs the various parks are offering online, or just enjoy some amazing photo and video tours.
Animals in some closed national parks enjoying walking on roads and resting in parking lots as people are away Speaking of national parks, did you see the picture released last week of a lone coyote lying down, looking almost like he was enjoying the view from the parking lot at Yosemite National Park? As many of the national parks are closed, the animals are able to wander where they please without fear of running into people. And apparently, but the looks of this photo (click here) they are enjoying it.
Will RV living be the preferred vacation mode when COVID-19 travel restrictions ease? For those who are joining our Friday night virtual campsite chats or Sunday night Ask Us Anythings, you know Jen and I have shared that we could see a greater interest in RV vacations when travel restrictions start to lift. Why? When you are in an RV you are outdoors and bring along your own bed, kitchen, bathroom, and living space, which may appeal to a lot of folks who want to go on a summer vacation but want to limit their interactions with others.
Apparently we aren't the only ones speculating about this. An article in Forbes magazine was a Q and A from an RV industry spokesperson, sharing very similar thoughts. (Click here.)
Some states starting to announce dates when campgrounds will reopen We are getting word that more states are permitting campgrounds to open. While right now most are closed, some states are saying they'll allow campgrounds to re-open May 1, others May 15, others May 30. Some are open now for full-timers and medical or other essential workers seeking to isolate themselves from their families.
Campgrounds across North America are getting ready to open as we’re seeing many places in the US adopting a three-phased process to ease mandatory stay at home orders and travel prohibitions.
The question is… when?
Some campgrounds in a handful of states are planning to book new campers starting in May. Others have tentatively set reopening dates to a little later. Still, others say they have no idea.
But whenever they do open, as we learn in our Interview of the Week segment, camping as we know it will be different, sometimes vastly different, with new procedures and policies that may be with us long into the future.
We update the current open and closed list of campgrounds and hear from two industry experts, both of whom are voicing cautious optimism that the 2020 camping year will soon be starting – in one form or another.
Plus, we have RV News of the week, your questions, and an off the beaten path report. But first, my lifelong traveling companion and my bride… Jennifer.
Show Notes for Episode #291 of The RV Podcast: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK Like you, Jen and I have pretty much been staying at home during this pandemic and while we are not in as strict of a lockdown as other places, we are starting to feel the strain of no travel and closed businesses.
While there is a strong glimmer of hope that things are starting to improve and some of those restrictions will be lifted, I think we all have at least a couple more weeks yet where unnecessary travel will be prohibited by health and governmental authorities. But I am very optimistic now that, come summer, we will all be able to get back on the road.
To that end, while we're all hunkered down, we now are doing two YouTube live streams. Our regular Sunday evening "Ask Us Anything" show on our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel has been joined with a Friday night Virtual Campfire. Both start at 7 PM Eastern time and are a great way to stay connected and interact with the online RV Lifestyle community. Join us at https://youtube.com/rvlifestyle
We invite you to pull up a chair and join us for the live streams! Here’s hoping that soon we'll be able to have real campfires again!
We’ve been watching the Super B RV Show online this past week Like all in person RV shows, this year’s annual Super B Show I Phoenix was canceled. So the event organizers – LaMesa RV -moved it online and have been featuring video tours of various small motorhome models, along with live Q&A on their Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.
The online Super B Show will continue all week. Here are the ones we’ve watched so far.
The Pleasureway Ascent TS - https://youtu.be/_pOmtyH0sDI
The Pleasureway Tofino - https://youtu.be/MFqmsBWZqE8
The Leisure Travel Unity - https://youtu.be/iye_CPe0Dqw
LaMesa is doing a live broadcast each day of different Class B units at 10 AM PT at https://www.facebook.com/lamesarv RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK Homeowners association refuses request by COVID-19 treating physician's assistant to live in RV in her driveway A New Jersey physician's assistant treating COVID-19 patients was denied the right to live in an RV in her driveway by her neighborhood homeowners association in Burlington County. The physician's assistant and her husband have a 6-year-old daughter, so the couple thought if she lived in an RV in the driveway she could see her daughter and husband and be close, but have the separation needed to protect their child. But apparently the homeowners association still denied the request.
Gary Bunzer, widely known as the RV doctor, dies after four-week fight against COVID-19
Last weekend we shared over our RV Lifestyle Facebook group, the very sad news that Gary Bunzer, known far and wide in the RV Community as "the RV Doctor," died in a Washington hospital after a four week battle with COVID-19. Gary was a frequent guest on our podcast and he made appearances in several of our videos. We last saw Gary in October in Elkhart,
RVs for MDs RVers are helping front line doctors and medical personnel fighting the COVID-19 pandemic by donating their RVs to those health care workers to give them a safe place to hang out without infecting their family. In our interview of the week you’ll learn about RV4MDs, an awesome Facebook group that is helping provide RVs for those health care workers.
Show Notes for Episode #289 April 8, 2020 of The RV Podcast: WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK It's another week of being hunkered down for all of us. We have so much bad news it there that we want to remind everyone that this national crisis that so overshadows our lives right now will come to an end.
We may not yet know when but we will be able to travel again and we choose to think of our many plans being delayed, not denied... postponed not canceled.
We announced over the weekend that Bo, our Norwegian Elkhound, now has his own Instagram Page. You can follow his adventures @bothervelkhound on Instagram. Or go to his page directly at https://instagram.com/bothervelkhound.
And don't forget to follow us on Instagram, too. We're sharing several times during the day and can be followed at https://instagram.com/rvlifestylemike. RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK Many current and 100 new hosts at Boondockers Welcome providing a place for full-timers, snowbirds, to stay One hundred new hosts joined Boondockers Welcome in March to help full-timers and snow birds find a safe place to stay. Many of the new and current hosts in the U.S. and Canada are also extending the amount of time campers can stay on their private property to help people hunker down during the pandemic. Boondockers Welcome is a web platform that lets members arrange overnight stays with hosts for typically one to five nights. For more information check out our special link at rvlifestyle.com/boondockerswelcome. click here.
Tucson area sheriff deputies seeing a large increase in distress calls as more people hit the trails unprepared Everyone’s anxious to get outdoors for exercise during these days of social isolation but in Pima County near Tucson, emergency officials are seeing a huge spike in distress calls from hikers hitting the trails without taking basic safety measures. Search and Rescue deputies have answered 17 such calls in the last two weeks, a time frame in which they’d normally see half a dozen or so cases. That’s roughly a 100% increase in call volume, a strain on emergency responders.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department says the increase may be due to more novice hikers venturing out at a time many are off work with limited recreation options during the COVID 19 pandemic. The best way to avoid trouble out there is to carry enough water, about one liter for each hour of hiking, bring along a fully charged cell phone. And be sure to let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return.
Bears are starting to wake from hibernation in Georgia, Maryland, elsewhere Across North America, bears are waking up, coming out of hibernation, and looking for food. BearWise is an education program developed by bear biologists from each of the 15 state wildlife agencies that make up the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. The program, anchored by the website www.bearwise.org, offers lots of tips. And we urge you if you plan to get some outdoor exercise in bear country, that you check out their advice.
Most states close campgrounds, numbers constantly changing Most states have now closed their campgrounds, as COVID-19 continues to spread across the continent. Most recently this week… Texas. The Governor has closed all Texas State Parks effective April 7th. Most ocean beaches across the country are closed. Fewer and fewer national parks are open. Instead of listing every state here that may be out of date when you see it, We want to again direct you to the folks at Campendium. They have compiled a list of what RV parks and services are open that provides a goo...
In this episode, we meet a young couple ( The Adventurous Way,) who left lucrative jobs in the tech industry to travel in an RV and visit all 400 plus U.S. National Parks and Monuments in their own…unique way.
Our guests are Matt & Dianna of The Adventurous Way, bloggers, and YouTubers who share their life on the road as they visit America’s most beautiful locations. Plus, we have your comments, questions, and a fascinating off the beaten path report.
Show Notes for Episode #288 April 1, 2020, of The RV Podcast:
WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK
This week's podcast comes with our sincere hope that you are all healthy and hunkered down. It looks like we have another month or so in which we are urged to avoid unnecessary travel and practice social distancing.
We've been doing a lot of live YouTube videos. Besides our regular Sunday night Ask Us Anything show at 7PM Eastern time, we've now added a Friday Night 7PM "Virtual Campfire" YouTube live stream in which we can connect, interact, answer questions and talk about the places we want to go once this crisis ends.
You can find links to these live broadcasts on our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE.
Then click the little bell icon to be notified when we have new broadcasts or are going on with an update.
And don't forget to follow us n Instagram. We're sharing several times during the day on Instagram and can be followed at https://instagram.com/rvlifestylemike. RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK More national parks close, as locals and park rangers urge visitors not to come amid Covid-19 Utah's Arches and Canyonlands national parks closed over the weekend because of COVID-19 (click here), and a push is on to close more of the national parks. Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Parks also closed last week, but others remain open. One ranger from Grand Canyon National Park - a park that is open - told a reporter that he had 600 close contacts with people on a single day. We expect the list of closed national parks to grow, and wouldn't be surprised to see them completely close nationally in the weeks ahead.
More state parks, federal land, and private campgrounds close throughout the country Colorado was another state in the news last week after the U.S. Forest Service in Colorado along with Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced closures of campgrounds, trailheads, playgrounds, and bathrooms in an effort to keep people home. There are so many campground closures coming in daily, we again want to repeat our advice to stay at home. Think of it as not canceling your travel plans - rather think of it as postponing them. The folks at Campendium compile a list of what RV parks and services are open that provides a good overview. It is updated daily and you can access that list HERE.
Some states that ban camping kept their state parks open for hikers- now thieves are stealing the toilet paper and hand sanitizer Meanwhile, several states, like Michigan, which canceled all camping but kept the state parks open for hikers and day users, are experiencing a new problem stolen toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Several parks in Michigan and elsewhere around the country report thieves taking the large rolls of toilet paper and draining all the hand sanitizer in park bathrooms - even those with only a vault toilet.
Some RV rental companies now seeing business in helping government, essential services, vulnerable during COVID-19 Like much of the country, RV rental companies have seen their vacation rentals tank as Americans are hunkering down and staying home. But some RV rental companies say they are getting new business from government agencies, health services, and people trying to get loved ones home and need a safe way to do so. Because RVs have their own beds, bathrooms, and kitchens, some families are renting them to go pick up an elderly loved one instead of flying.