RV Miles Podcast

In this week's episode, Jason recaps his visit to Vail, Colorado, and the drive out of the mountains in a blizzard on the way home. Plus, we answer a listener's question about why campsite length listings on Recreation.gov are so confusing.

*The  RVing With Joe video with Ember: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHUEXj4Xtns

Get links to all the past podcast episodes mentioned at https://RVMiles.com/402

*Support independent RV journalism and unlock great perks by becoming a Mile Marker 👉 https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers

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00:00 Intro

Get 30% off your next RV Mattress at https://rvmattress.com/RVMILES with code RVMILES at checkout. 

Fuel prices are climbing fast—and it could be a rough spring for RV travel. Plus, we’ve got the latest from the National Park Service on 2025 visitation numbers, a new overland micro-camper from  @StorytellerOverland , wildfire closures in South Dakota’s Custer State Park, and a major accessibility upgrade coming to Indiana State Parks. RV shipments are down double digits to start the year, while Buc-ee’s—one of the most beloved travel stops in the country—has been hit with a surprising “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau. 

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00:00 Headlines

In episode 401 of the RV Miles podcast, Jason and Abby read Mile Marker survey responses about destinations inspired by the show, and with fuel prices rising, they revisit practical ways to cut fuel costs: proper tire inflation, avoiding interstate-adjacent stations, watching state-line price differences, and more. Jason critiques an overbuilt, tightly packed campground near Iowa City, Abby calls out daylight saving time, and celebrates learning “piecemeal” is the correct term, and Jason fresh-tanks a new route-checking app, RV Route Finder.

Get links to all the past podcast episodes mentioned at https://RVMiles.com/401

*Support independent RV journalism and unlock great perks by becoming a Mile Marker 👉 https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers

*Get your FREE weekly Road Signs Newsletter at https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist/

Support our Sponsors:

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

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00:00 Intro

Fuel prices are spiking fast — diesel up more than a dollar in a month — as tensions in the Middle East disrupt global oil supplies.

We’ll break down what it could mean for RV travel, why RV stocks are tumbling, a new rule at Buc-ee’s pumps, and a nationwide RV travel challenge celebrating America’s 250th birthday.

Get Liquified at https://liquifiedrv.com

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00:00 Intro

In episode 400 of the RV Miles podcast, we celebrate nearly nine years of the show, and reflect on how the show and our RV life have evolved since 2017. To mark the milestone, we're offering up five RV trip ideas based only on places we've visited: a first-time RV trip to the Black Hills/Badlands, a spring wildlife-focused Yellowstone trip, scenic drives with Durango as a base including the Million Dollar Highway and Mesa Verde, a national parks power trip linking Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Devils Tower, Badlands and Wind Cave (plus options like Glacier or Theodore Roosevelt), and a slow-travel route from Astoria, Oregon to Seattle via Olympic National Park. 

*Support independent RV journalism and unlock great perks by becoming a Mile Marker 👉 https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers

*Get your FREE weekly Road Signs Newsletter at https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist/

Support our Sponsors:

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

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00:00 Episode 400 Kickoff

Thor Industries — the world’s largest RV manufacturer — just announced a major corporate restructuring, grouping brands like Jayco, Tiffin, Keystone, Dutchmen, and others under new leadership structures. We break down what this means for the industry… and why it comes as RV stocks continue to tumble.

Several major recalls that could impact RVers:

• 4.3 million Ford trucks and SUVs recalled for trailer module issues

Plus, 19 Washington state park campgrounds could close or see reduced services due to budget cuts, while Texas opens its first new North Texas state park in nearly 25 years — Palo Pinto Mountains State Park.

Get free shipping on orders over $99 at Etrailer: https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle-finder.aspx?etam=p0001

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00:00 Intro

This week we dig into a viral RVTravel.com poll asking: How well built is your RV? The results surprised us—and they raise a bigger question: if so many RVers say their rigs are “well built,” why does the industry’s quality reputation feel so rough… and why can’t buyers easily choose truly better-built options?

Then we’re joined by Geneva Long, founder and CEO of Bowlus to talk about reviving a nearly-forgotten 1930s aviation-inspired aluminum travel trailer and turning it into one of the most interesting luxury RV brands on the road today. We get into what “built like an airplane” really means, why lightweight doesn’t have to mean flimsy, and why Bowlus may be uniquely positioned for the future of EV towing.

Plus: Abby’s “black tank” story about everyday kindness (and a parking lot door ding), and Jason’s take on the way people talk about travel safety in Mexico—especially Baja.

*Support independent RV journalism and unlock great perks by becoming a Mile Marker 👉 https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers

*Get your FREE weekly Road Signs Newsletter at https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist/

Vote for us as the People’s Choice for Best Podcast at the 2026 Outdoor Media Summit Awards: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18EbvKNRa8/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Support our Sponsors:

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

00:00 Intro

Get 30% off your next RV Mattress at https://rvmattress.com/rvmiles with code RVMILES at checkout!

The U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory for parts of Baja, raising questions for thousands of RVers who winter there. Utah state parks are raising camping and day-use fees — and we’ll talk about what that means for affordability.

Meanwhile, while much of the RV industry continues to struggle, a few brands are expanding production… and we’ve got some fascinating inside details on Leigh Tiffin’s sudden move from Thor to National Indoor RV Centers — including a bold experiment that could shake up motorhome pricing and depreciation as we know it.

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00:00 Headlines and Teasers

In episode 398 of the RV Miles podcast, we cover Alliance RV’s acquisition of Midwest Automotive Designs, marking Alliance’s first move into motorized RVs with Sprinter-based Class B luxury vans. Jason interviews Alliance co-founder Coley Brady about why the deal happened and the possibility of an Alliance-branded Class B that could come as soon as this fall. We discuss National Park Service timed entry reservation changes, including Yosemite, Arches, and Glacier not using timed entry this summer, along with Glacier’s alternative measures like parking limits at Logan Pass, shuttle-only access for certain hikes, and reservable shuttle slots.

Jason’s black tank is the short-lived reopening of the Apostle Islands ice caves (open for one day before conditions changed), and his fresh tank is Axiom RV increasing fifth-wheel ground clearance from six to ten inches while raising questions about the engineering tradeoffs. Abby’s black tank focuses on the changing state of podcasting, with exclusivity deals and paywalls involving major platforms; her fresh tank is enjoying the Winter Olympics.

*Support independent RV journalism and unlock great perks by becoming a Mile Marker 👉 https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers

*Get your FREE weekly Road Signs Newsletter at https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist/

Support our Sponsors:

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

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00:00 Intro

Get 30% off your next RV Mattress at https://rvmattress.com/rvmiles with code RVMILES at checkout!

This week,  @alliancerv  makes a major move into motorized — acquiring a luxury Sprinter van manufacturer and possibly signaling an Alliance-branded Class B as soon as this fall.

Meanwhile, Leigh Tiffin resigns as president of Tiffin Motorhomes in a sudden shakeup that set off a swirl of rumors across the industry.

Battle Born Batteries finally breaks its silence after months of controversy over viral teardown videos.

And in two different states, lawmakers are considering whether RVs should be part of the solution to America’s housing crisis.

Plus, the latest retail sales numbers are in — and they show the industry is still feeling the chill heading into 2026.

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00:00 Intro