Published by Mike Wendland
RV Lifestyle's RV Podcast – Learn. Travel. Connect. Grow.
Listen on Apple Podcasts24 min
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
20 min
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
7 min
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.
37 min
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
26 min
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
41 min
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)
18 min
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
29 min
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.
29 min
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.
14 min
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.
14 min
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!
29 min
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
16 min
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....
18 min
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!
40 min
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.
39 min
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
22 min
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.
27 min
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.