RV Podcast - Stories From The Road
Why Now Beats Someday: Full-Timing After Retirement
Mark and Barb Douyard, 72 and 77, rented out their Delaware home, packed up their fifth wheel and set off on a two-year RV adventure across North America. We talk with them in the middle of their first year about how they made it happen, what surprised them, what has been hard, and what has been the best part so far. Also this week: Jennifer answers a listener whose husband wants to go winter camping in their Class B van, and Mike explains why October mountain campsites are so hard to find and how to still get one. Plus, we head...
The Hershey Crowds Were Real. So Is the RV Slump.
Hershey drew its biggest opening-day crowd since 2021 while RV shipments stayed down almost 14 percent for the year. We separate the show buzz from the industry numbers and show you where the leverage is if you are shopping this fall.
Also: Alliance RV opens its Elkhart Open House to the public for the first time, the BLM reviews a dozen AI data center proposals on public land, the Lippert and Patrick merger hits an antitrust delay, and Elon Musk moves into an Airstream in Memphis.
Full transcript and every source link at RVPodcast.com.
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Should You Take the RV or Fly?
We flew to Atlanta for a family wedding instead of taking the RV, and the two hour flight turned into an eight hour day. In this episode we run the real numbers on driving the rig versus flying and getting a hotel, with diesel now over six dollars a gallon, and we land on the one question that actually decides it.
We cover why flying saves you almost nothing on a trip under about 500 miles, what 1,400 miles costs in a 14 mile per gallon diesel Class C now compared to a year ago, what the world's...
Hershey Opens As Diesel Hits A Record And The Industry Reshuffles
Diesel hit $6.05 a gallon Friday. That has never happened before. Not in 2008. Not in 2022. Never. I paid $6.29 in Michigan the morning I recorded this. California stations are posting $9.99.
Then Thor Industries dropped a leadership shakeup Thursday night and never mentioned the man who has run Keystone for a decade. Sources close to the company tell me Jeff Runels is out, effective that day, and that big changes are coming to Keystone.
All of it lands the same week America's Largest RV Show opens in Hershey with 1,500 RVs on the lot and dealers who need to...
Rediscovering RV Serendipity
After years of traveling almost entirely in fifth wheels, Mike and Jennifer added a second rig: a new-to-us 2026 Winnebago View, 25 feet long.
They took it to Michigan's Upper Peninsula last week, and it changed how they traveled. The Brinkley isn't going anywhere.
But somewhere in those years of towing 35 feet, they quietly stopped wandering, and never noticed they'd stopped.
In this conversation they walk through the five things the small motorhome gave back, from pulling over anywhere to nap, to parking at Kitch-iti-kipi on a busy day, to taking the turn when you...
The Hard Conversation Every RVing Couple Needs to Have
Judy Feigel was already an RVer before her husband died. Short trips, sometimes with her granddaughter, sometimes with a group of women friends. A small thing that was hers.
When her huband died four years ago, the question wasn't what to do about the RV. It was what to do with the rest of her life.
Four years and four RVs later, she's in a rig with a music studio and a quilting studio built into it, traveling with a 100-pound Bernese mountain dog named Winston, and surrounded by a community she built one campground...
RV Parks Fill With Workers. Campers Get Squeezed Out.
RV parks are quietly turning into industrial worker housing. A $100 billion SpaceX spaceport in Louisiana and a wave of data center construction in Texas and the Midwest are filling campgrounds with long-term crews, and recreational campers are the ones getting squeezed out.
In this week's Monday News Edition:
RVs as work camps. SpaceX announces a $100 billion spaceport in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, new RV parks are expected to house the construction crews, a Texas park near Abilene advertises 2,300 monthly sites for data center workers, and eastern Iowa campgrounds are already running full year-round.
Monsoon...
How to DIY an RV Trip Alaska on Your Own
Alaska tops the RVer bucket list every year, and most people never go, because the logistics look like too much. Jim and Marcia Badhorn skipped the caravan and planned their own 90 day Alaska trip, and they just got back.
They tell us how they planned it, what had to be booked ahead, what they would change, and what it is actually like out there on your own.
Also this week: we are camping for the first time all summer after Jennifer's knee replacement, we are heading to an RVCommunity mini meetup in Michigan, and we...
The Montana LLC Crackdown Has Started. Are RVers Next?
California has charged 14 people over the Montana LLC scheme, the same sales tax strategy being sold to RV buyers at shows across the country. Montana law says it is legal. The state where you park may disagree, and investigators are now checking RV storage lots for those plates.
Also this week: Roadtrek's new owners announce two new Ford Transit Class B models and a major service partner. What the US-Canada tariff fight is doing to Canadian RV builders, and why the uncertainty costs you money even when the tariff never lands. The National Park Service turns 110 and...
What Really Happens When You Call RV Roadside Assistance?
What should you expect when you call for RV roadside assistance? Mike and Jennifer go behind the scenes with Jerry Aldridge, founder and former president and CEO of Coach-Net, to learn how an emergency call is handled, how the right service provider is found, and why help can sometimes take longer than RVers expect. Jerry also shares the story behind Coach-Net and his new book, The Road to Coach-Net.
Also in this episode, Jennifer reports on her progress six weeks after knee-replacement surgery, Mike and Jennifer tease the used small motorhome they just purchased, and they answer...
Winnebago Shuts Two Plants: The RV Industry Is Deep in the Woods
Winnebago Industries is closing two RV manufacturing plants and moving production into other facilities with unused capacity. The company calls it a "strategic manufacturing alignment." We call it what it is: contraction in an RV industry that is deep in the woods.
Also in this RV Podcast News Edition:
Used RV values are up 11 percent from a year ago, and we took our own advice. We just bought a used small motorhome as a second RV. We are keeping our Brinkley fifth wheel for longer trips, while the motorhome will be used for quicker travel and...Summer Is Ending, But the Best RV Camping Is Just Beginning
Fall may be the best RV camping season of the year, but it is no longer a well-kept secret. October campsites are filling quickly as Halloween weekends, fall foliage trips and seasonal festivals turn autumn into one of camping's busiest seasons.
In Episode 634 of the RV Podcast, Stories from the Road, Mike and Jennifer explain why RVers should make the pivot from summer to fall camping right now. They share strategies for finding campsites after popular weekends appear sold out, including booking Sunday through Thursday, calling campgrounds directly about cancellations and using fall foliage prediction maps to...
It's Official: An RV Buyers Market - But Don't Get Fooled by the "Deals"
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...
The RV Gear We'd Buy Again, and the Stuff We'd Never Waste Money On Again
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...
Will Camping World's $100 Million Cut Hurt RV Service?
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 softenA tariff break brings some welcome news for RV manufacturersWhy your next RV trip could cost hundreds of dollars more than last summerHow RVs are helping families displaced by the devastating Texas floodsMore than 200...RVing in Retirement: What to Expect at Every Age
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...
Tourons Gone Wild! National Park Chaos, RV Scam Alert & Who Owns Roadtrek Now?
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...
Roadtrek Sold Again! Will This Finally Be Its Forever Home?
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...
Meet Ron and Barbara Abler: Proof That RVing Has No Age Limit
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...
RV Service Nightmare? The Truth About the Big RV Chains
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.
<...Don't Make These RV Insurance Mistakes
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...
RV Parks Under Attack? Communities Are Saying NO
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 stor...
RV Industry SHOCK: Dealers Dumping New RVs in Peak Season
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 Nation...
The Freedom We Dreamed About... And What Nobody Told Us
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...
The Freedom We Dreamed About... And What Nobody Told Us
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...
RV Sales Are Slumping... Here's Why That's Great News for Buyers
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<...
Wall Street Took Over Your Campground... And Prices May Never Be the Same
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...
Eleven Hands at a Campfire - and What They Tell Us About the RV Market
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...
Ticks Are Exploding This Year: The Hidden Disease That Can Make You Allergic to Meat
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...
Park It Outside! Massive Fire Risk Recall Hits RVers' Favorite Toad
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...
The RV Doctor Is In! Real Medical Advice for RVers + Are You Too Old to Start RVing?
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...
The Wild West of RV Content: Hidden Agendas, Lawsuits & Big Money
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...
Why Your RV Won't Cool Down (And What To Do About It)
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...
15,000 RV Recalls Every Month. Why Isn't Anyone Talking About It?
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...
Your RV Questions Answered, Tech, Travel, Lifestyle & More
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 liste...
Camping World Rumors, Packed National Parks & The RV Reality Check
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 th...
Don’t Buy a Used RV Until You Hear This
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 us...Seven Hard Truths About RVing in 2026
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...
Worst RV Camping Fails Ever! Misery Loves Company
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 t...
States Are Taxing RV Owners on Prices They Never Paid
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 el...
