RV Miles Podcast

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This week, Camping World reports a sharp drop in RV sales and expands its cost-cutting plans. Lippert’s latest numbers give us another look at what’s happening inside the RV industry. And a new survey finds that more than half of campers have given up on a reservation because they couldn’t get it booked.

Plus, fuel prices have dropped significantly over the past week, and we’ve got some announcements from SEMA, including a new automotive streaming platform and three new fifth-wheel hitches from Blue Ox and Demco. 

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#RVMiles #RVNews #RVIndustry #RVLife #Camping #FifthWheel #RVTravel

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A competing offer to buy Lippert has added a new wrinkle to its planned merger with Patrick Industries. Monomoy Capital Partners offered $101 per share in cash, but Lippert’s board rejected the proposal. We explain why that offer could still influence the upcoming shareholder vote, and what the two possible paths would mean for ownership of one of the RV industry’s biggest suppliers.

Coming to you from Las Vegas as the automotive industry prepares for the SEMA Show, this week’s RV and camping news also includes:

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 @LectriceBikes   @semashow  

00:00 Headlines From Vegas

Should you sell your house when you’re RVing full-time, or keep it just in case? This week, we answer a question from RVers who love life on the road but aren’t sure what to do with the home they left behind. We discuss the emotional side of selling, the costs and responsibilities of renting it out, and why keeping a house doesn’t necessarily give you an immediate place to return to.

Plus, a new buyout bid for Lippert adds another wrinkle to its planned merger with Patrick Industries. We discuss what it could mean for competition among RV suppliers.

Then, Mountain Gazette owner and editor Mike Rogge joins Jason for a conversation about independent outdoor media, paying writers and artists, and making room for stories beyond gear reviews and sponsored trips. We talk about reviving the oversized print magazine and its anthology, Print Ain’t Dead, which celebrates 60 years of outdoor storytelling.

Also this week: winterizing the RV, our 18th anniversary, and Abby’s new favorite travel toiletry bag.

Explore Mountain Gazette and Print Ain’t Dead: mountaingazette.com

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00:00 Introduction

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Yellowstone National Park is receiving a record $105 million private donation, with a potential new visitor center at Norris Geyser Basin among the projects being discussed. But who's behind the donation, and what will the money be used for?

At Denali National Park, a new vehicle regulation comes as the park prepares to restore bus access beyond the Pretty Rocks landslide in 2027. Meanwhile, Death Valley is beginning a $69.5 million overhaul of its aging water systems, and several Grand Canyon trails have reopened following flood damage — although major closures remain.

We're also following two significant developments at the U.S. Forest Service: a federal judge has temporarily blocked parts of the agency's reorganization, while a separate new rule will shorten the time available for public comments and objections on national forest projects.

Plus, Glacier National Park confirms its first cases of white-nose syndrome in bats, the Blue Ridge Parkway continues recovering from Hurricane Helene, Tennessee dedicates a new state park along the Buffalo River, and Chiricahua officially becomes America's 64th national park.

STORIES & SOURCES

Yellowstone's $105 Million Donation

Denali Park Road Rules and Pretty Rocks Bridge

Death Valley Water Infrastructure Project

Grand Canyon Trail Reopenings

Forest Service Reorganization — Court Order

Forest Service Public Comment Rule

White-Nose Syndrome at Glacier

Blue Ridge Parkway Recovery and Closures

Buffalo River State Park

Chiricahua Becomes a National Park

Subscribe for more news and updates from America's national parks and public lands.

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#NationalParks #Yellowstone #Denali

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The RV industry's recovery has been pushed back AGAIN, with the latest forecast predicting continued declines through the first half of 2027. Meanwhile, Winnebago says there may simply be too many RV dealerships for today's market, even as the company manages to increase profits despite falling sales.

Plus, massive flooding across the Southwest has damaged RV parks, washed out highways, and affected several national parks. In Colorado, a dramatic helicopter rescue saved two people and five pets trapped inside an RV swept into a river.

Also in this week's RV and Camping News Roundup: Ford recalls more than 102,000 trucks over faulty speedometers, Roadmaster expands a major tow bar recall affecting nearly 25,000 units, Illinois announces a 40% increase in state park camping fees, and both gas and diesel prices have retreated from recent highs.

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#RVMiles #RVNews #RVLife #Camping #NationalParks

00:00 Headlines and Intro

Jason and Abby recap a "Road Tested" trip through California wine country in the all-electric Pebble Flow travel trailer, using Harvest Hosts stops near Glen Ellen, Ukiah (Nelson Family Vineyard), and Redwood Valley (Testa Vineyards). Standout Pebble features include iPad-controlled maneuvering, Magic Hitch auto-coupling, exceptional stabilization, privacy glass, and an optional Jackery 2,000W ground-deploy solar system that helped run A/C in 100+ degree heat! A sudden wildfire near Ukiah forces a reroute as Highway 101 closes, leading to a long scenic drive through Napa and an overnight at a crowded Marin-area RV park where the remote parking feature helps again.

Get links and more in the show notes at https://RVMiles.com/427

Support RV Miles and independent RV journalism 👉 https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers

Curated, not regurgitated. Sign up for the RV Miles Newsletter: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:

*Check out all Blue Ox has to offer at https://BlueOx.com

*Find all the RV parts and gear you need at etrailer: https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle-finder.aspx?etam=p0001

*Get a free RV extended warranty quote at https://wholesalewarranties.com

*Find Liquified at https://liquifiedrv.com/ and get 20% off with code RVMILES

00:00 Sponsor Blue Ox

Recorded live at the 4th annual RV Miles Homecoming in Amana, Iowa, Jason and Abby discuss Choice Hotels acquiring Harvest Hosts, and then take audience questions on how RVing has changed since they started, whether they’re considering a smaller rig, and ideas for a future episode on trip-planning apps and AI-assisted planning. They share the origin story of RV Miles from their 2016 move onto the road and how COVID shifted their work into news coverage, answer questions about composites becoming common RV materials, and address confusing rec.gov campsite length limits.

Get links and more in the show notes at https://RVMiles.com/426

Support RV Miles and independent RV journalism 👉 https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers

Curated, not regurgitated. Sign up for the RV Miles Newsletter: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:

*Check out all Blue Ox has to offer at https://BlueOx.com

*Find all the RV parts and gear you need at etrailer: https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle-finder.aspx?etam=p0001

*Find Liquified at https://liquifiedrv.com/ and get 20% off with code RVMILES

00:00 Sponsor Blue Ox

Get a free quote for an RV extended warranty at https://wholesalewarranties.com

A massive new luxury fifth wheel from Alliance, revolutionary RV manufacturing technology, and two new truck campers are just a few of the big announcements from this year's RV Industry Open House in Elkhart, Indiana!

We're taking you inside the show to look at Alliance RV's new Aurum fifth wheel, a new printing process from Patrick Industries that could change how RVs are built, new truck campers from Sage RV and Rockwood, and much more.

Plus, Camping World announces more dealership closures, two families who won lawsuits against Lazydays may never collect their judgments, and important recalls affect thousands of Grand Design fifth wheels and Ram ProMaster vans.

IN THIS WEEK'S RV NEWS:

@alliancerv unveils its ultra-luxury Aurum fifth wheel

New Alliance solar packages and a sneak peek at the Model B

Former Newmar president launches Sage RV truck campers

@RockwoodRVs enters the truck camper market

Patrick Industries introduces revolutionary direct-to-panel printing

Dexter introduces the E-Z Flex STS suspension system

Jackery partners with @PebbleRV on a 2,000-watt portable solar package

Camping World announces four dealership closures

Lazydays customers win lawsuits but may never get paid

Grand Design and Ram ProMaster recalls

New Teton Pass RV certification requirements

Ford Power Stroke class-action lawsuit moves forward

Ram truck sales rebound

LINKS

Watch Tony and Peggy's full Rockwood Reserve video at StressLess Camping:

@stresslesscamping

Special thanks to our friends Tony and Peggy at StressLess Camping for sharing their Rockwood Reserve footage! Be sure to check out their full video.

Denver7 Investigation: Lazydays Customers May Never Get Paid:

Grand Design Reflection Recall:

Ram ProMaster Power Steering Recall:

Check Your RV or Vehicle for Open Recalls:

Wyoming Teton Pass Safe Pass Certification:

Mile Marker Membership: https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers

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00:00 Headlines Preview

#RVMiles #RVNews #RVIndustry #RVLife #Camping #FifthWheel #TruckCamper #RVTravel

The National Park Service could be headed for a major restructuring that would change how parks across the country are managed.

In this week’s National Parks and public lands news roundup, we break down the proposed “hub and spoke” management model, what it could mean for smaller park units, and why former park leaders are raising concerns.

Also this week:

• Grand Canyon is still recovering from major flash flooding and damage to the North Kaibab Trail

Find all the RV parts and gear you need at etrailer: https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle-finder.aspx?etam=p0001

Mile Marker Membership: https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers

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00:00 Headlines

#NationalParks #NationalParkService #PublicLands #Yosemite #GrandCanyon #GrandTeton #Yellowstone #RVMiles

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The RV industry is gathering in Elkhart, Indiana, this week to show dealers the newest RVs for the coming model year — but they're doing it against a pretty rough backdrop.

New RV shipments fell another 16.4% in August and are now down 14.2% for the year. We break down what those numbers actually mean, which RV categories are getting hit hardest, and why this year's Elkhart Open House matters so much for manufacturers.

Also in this week's RV and camping news:

• Campground prices have fallen for the third consecutive month