RV Podcast - Stories From The Road

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 see a sign and wonder what's down there. Plus two listener questions: needing an hour to yourself when a spouse retires, and how to tell when RV tires are too old even though the tread looks fine. LINKS Michigan Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula guides, both for $29.99: https://rvlifestyle.com/uplp Free daily newsletter: https://rvlifestyle.com/newsletter Show notes and full transcript: https://rvpodcast.com RV Overnights, 40% off with code RVLDEAL: https://rvlifestyle.com/rvovernights The RV Lifestyle Community: https://rvcommunity.com

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 at a time. In this conversation she talks about what it meant to already have something of her own, what she wants couples to hear, and how a solo traveler finds people on the road. Plus: Mike and Jennifer are back from their first trip since Jennifer's summer of cataract surgery and knee replacement, and two listener questions, on learning to back a trailer at 68, and on leaving a big dog in the RV safely. Full transcript, chapter markers and every link are at RVPodcast.com

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 season is doing real damage. Eleven hikers are rescued with hypothermia at Bryce Canyon in August, and about 50 people are airlifted out of the Grand Canyon on Saturday after flash flooding tore through Bright Angel Canyon. Phantom Ranch and the North Kaibab Trail are closed until further notice. Why all the rockfalls? A large rockfall closes the Zion Canyon scenic drive, a Glacier National Park visitor is killed by a rock that came through his car roof, and researchers explain the link between heat and falling rock. A Colorado startup wants to cut camper van prices in half. Hunker's removable pod drops into a Ram ProMaster and starts at $55,000, but there is a catch worth knowing about. Twelve years later, a microchip brings Flor home. A chihuahua missing for 12 years is reunited with her Evanston family after a shelter in Indiana scans her chip, plus what every RVer traveling with a pet should check this week. LINKS Free daily RV Lifestyle newsletter: https://rvlifestyle.com/newsletter Show notes and full transcript: https://rvpodcast.com RV Community: https://rvcommunity.com The Complete Guide to RVing in Retirement: https://rvlifestyle.com/retirementguide

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 explain why we are suddenly a two RV household without giving up the Brinkley. In our Questions of the Week, Jennifer answers a listener who is nervous about her first boondocking trip, and Mike answers whether towing a heavy fifth wheel really burns through more DEF. Full show notes and links at RVPodcast.com.

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 National Park Week runs through August 30. And an invasive spider the size of your hand is spreading through the Great Smoky Mountains, which sounds worse than it is. We source every story we report. The full transcript, with links to every source used in this episode, is at RVPodcast.com. Look for the Transcript tab and scroll to the bottom. Free daily newsletter: RVLifestyle.com/Newsletter

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 listener questions about avoiding overpacking groceries and protecting yourself when wildfire smoke threatens your camping trip. Resources: The Road To Coach Net book can be found at https://amzn.to/3SeIfBk Keep your RV service and repair records organized with the RV Maintenance Tracker: https://RVLifestyle.com/Maintenance Save 40% on a year of unique RV overnight stays with promo code RVLDEAL: https://RVLifestyle.com/RVOvernights

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 more boondocking. We will share more details later this week. Even the ultra-rich need a break. A Florida dealer is offering fractional ownership in luxury motorcoaches, including a 25 percent share of a 2027 Millennium for $679,999, plus an estimated $1,500 monthly management fee. The FCC says Starlink had more than 7 million U.S. subscribers, but that number does not match other figures supplied by SpaceX. Who is doing the math? Acadia National Park stewards are dismantling hundreds of unauthorized rock piles. Mike explains why these piles are not harmless decorations and why visitors should stop building them. We source every story. Links to all the original reports are available in the transcript at RVPodcast.com. The RV Podcast publishes twice each week: Monday at 6 a.m.: The biggest news stories affecting the RV lifestyle. Wednesday: Jennifer joins Mike for Stories from the Road, featuring interviews, RV tips, travel ideas and answers to your questions. Get our free daily RV Lifestyle newsletter: https://rvlifestyle.com/newsletter Try our RV Lifestyle Packing List App: https://rvlifestyle.com/PackingListApp If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and leave us a rating or review. It helps other RVers discover the program. Click the Transcript tab above for sources and the written script for this episode.

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 better time your trip. You will also hear about memorable fall destinations and events across the country, from Tawas Point State Park and the Great Smoky Mountains to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, cranberry harvests, giant pumpkin competitions and even racing woolly worms. Fall camping brings cooler nights, fewer bugs, beautiful scenery and some of the year's most enjoyable RV travel. But if you want a good campsite, the time to make your reservation is today. Find all the dates, destinations and helpful links by the transcript tab above:

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.