With the recent purchase of Europe’s Erwin Hymer Group, US-based Thor Industries has become the largest RV manufacturer in the world, with dozens of brands and billions in assets. CEO Bob Martin is an avid RVer himself, now owning his sixth RV. We got a chance to sit him down for a one-on-one interview at the recent RVX industry show in Salt Lake City and talked about Thor’s vision for the RV future, which Martin says will be dominated by Class B and smaller RVs.

We asked him to talk about rumors that Thor may still eventually buy Roadtrek Motorhomes, and while he conceded the brand had lots of value, he was careful not to imply anything. But he did note that Thor plans to soon introduce an entire new line of Class B motorhomes. The photo above is of a Thor concept Class B shown at the RVX show called the Sequence.

Listen up for Bob Martin from Thor industries in our interview of the week, coming up shortly.

But also this week, lots of RV news,your questions about the RV lifestyle, an off the beaten path report and much more.

Show Notes for Episode #235 March 27, 2019 of The RV Podcast:

WHAT MIKE AND JENNIFER ARE UP TO THIS WEEK

Our mobile podcast studio in the front lounge area of our new Leisure Travel Vans Unity FX

We update our travels to date, including our recent stay in New Orleans.

We’re still getting used to our new 2019 Leisure Travel Vans Unity FX, which we purchased last week. 

We're excited about a fun video we will be releasing this Thursday. It's all about Harvest Hosts, and how we used this awesome service to find three phenomenal spots to overnight on our recent trip west. Make sure you subscribe to the RV Lifestyle Channel on YouTube and check out the video, which should post about noon Thursday.

We'll have a special coupon code that will save you 15% of the cost of a Harvest Hosts membership, which lets you stay overnight for free at over 700 awesome attractions, farms, wineries, and orchards all across North America.

Use the code RVLS at checkout on the Harvest Hosts website to save! 

We invite listener calls on our special Podcast Voicemail at 586-372-6990.

RV LIFESTYLE NEWS OF THE WEEK

 Jennifer

Record floods leave Nebraska officials closing many parks, campgrounds, as damage is accessed 

Extreme flooding in the Midwest has been in the news this past week as homes, farms and large areas of many communities are underwater after melting snow and record rains fell on frozen land, particularly in Nebraska. Among the damage are state campgrounds, with many state parks closed until further notice as Nebraska officials evaluate damage. seek help.

MIKE

The sale of Erwin Hymer Group could be completed next month 

An Ontario newspaper is reporting the Erwin Hymer Group North America, the makers of Roadtrek, could have a new owner as soon as next month. The company went bankrupt earlier this year, closing the doors and laying off 850 employees, after financial irregularities were discovered. Some $273 million is owed to more than 900 creditors.

JENNIFER

Grizzly bears are starting to wake so be prepared when traveling outdoors 

Grizzly bears are starting to wake out west from their winter hibernation and officials are urging outdoor enthusiasts to travel in groups, be alert and bring bear spray. For tips on bear spray safety from an expert we interviewed a while back, click here.

MIKE

Five state parks one newspaper says are among the most stunning in the U.S. 

Earlier this month we visited a breathtakingly beautiful state park in Utah that many consider one of the best in the U.S. (see story here). So it was with interest that I saw this article in the Chicago Tribune last week, that highlighted five other state parks in five different states all breathtakingly beautiful.

More wolves headed for Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park

At least four wolves captured on a seculuded Canadian island in Lake Superior were headed to Isle Royale National Park in Michugan.The four were caught Friday,