Episodes

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 source...

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 campg...

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...

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 th...

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 usi...

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 R...

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 perspect...

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,...

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 se...

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 rou...

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,...

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 inspec...

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 qu...

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...

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 cou...

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...

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 ...

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 beco...

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 camp...

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 histo...

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...

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, L...

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...

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 si...