RV Podcast - Stories From The Road

Mike Wendland
  • 4.5 (709)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Weekly

RV Lifestyle's RV Podcast – Learn. Travel. Connect. Grow.

  1. 2d ago

    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 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.

  2. Aug 12

    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 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:

  3. Aug 10

    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 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

  4. Aug 5

    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 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.

  5. Aug 3

    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 outdoor recreation businesses urge Congress to invest in America's aging campgrounds before lawmakers leave WashingtonIf 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

  6. Jul 29

    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 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

  7. Jul 27

    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 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

  8. Jul 22

    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, 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.

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RV Lifestyle's RV Podcast – Learn. Travel. Connect. Grow.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Wendland
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 RV Podcast - Stories From The Road
  • Show Website
    RV Podcast - Stories From The Road