

RV Lifestyle RV Podcast
Mike Wendland
All about the RV Lifestyle – News, Tips, Trip and camping resources
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 2, 2023 • 50min
Industry Downturn! RV Sales Have Slumped
The RV Sales numbers coming out of Elkhart are dismal this summer, with some dealers even using the R-word to describe the seriousness of the problem - R as in Recession!
We'll talk about that and much more in this Episode 458 of the RV Podcast, including:
* Part 2 of our RV Towing Interview: How to tow a car behind your RV
* The difference between an RV converter and an inverter
* RV travel tips
* Your RV questions
* The RV App of the week
* And a delicious campfire treat

Jul 26, 2023 • 1h 5min
The RV Towing Basics You MUST Get Right
One of the most daunting parts of camping has to do with RV Towing. Not just how to tow but how to make sure your tow vehicle is up to the task and then how to tow safely and correctly is what we explore in this week's podcast interview -- RV Towing Basics: Expert Advice on doing it right
PLUS...
RV Social Media Buzz: How to decorate the OUTSIDE of your RV
RV News: Bison and bear attacks and more hikers have died from excessive heat
And your RV questions, tips and much more coming up in Episode 357 of the RV Podcast!

Jul 19, 2023 • 56min
No Water, No Odor, No Problem: The no-mess dry flush RV Toilet!
No one likes emptying their RV toilet. Dealing with black tank odors and regulating the water used for flushing is a pain. But the future of RV toilets is now here.
This week on Episode 456 of the RV Podcast we tall you one of the RV Community's Best-Kept Secret: The electric Laveo Toilet.
Also in this episode:
Expert advice on how to safely unhook, refill and reattach your RV’s propane tanks.
The hottest social media buzz about the RV lifestyle
And the RV News of the week, your questions, a fabulous camping food recipe and much, much more

Jul 12, 2023 • 49min
Yellowstone Tourons: The Shocking and Outrageous Behavior of Park Visitors Revealed!
They're called Yellowstone Tourons - selfish, irresponsible "tourist morons" whose disdain of the Yellowstone National Park rules puts themselves and wildlife at risk. Their outrageous behavior makes the news almost weekly.
And this week on Episode 455 of the RV Podcast, we talk to a ranger at Yellowstone National Park about a rash of these “Touron” incidents - and what responsible visitors can do to help park rangers deal with the problems.
Plus…
expert tips on maintaining the critical safety detectors on your RV
Welcome news of lower gas prices in the near future
Reports on too close encounters with bears
And RV News, travel information, and your RV Lifestyle questions.
You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.
If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.
SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ - Wendy Bowyer
Wendy Bowyer reports on the hot issues most talked about this past week on our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group:
One post that really caught people's attention last week was from John. John took a picture of his awning that hadn't been cleaned in five years. As you can imagine, it was pretty stained and dirty. John bought a Magic Eraser mop and cleaned a section of it and showed everyone the before and after.
People loved it!
Some asked specific questions about the Magic Eraser mop. Others shared what they use to successfully clean their awnings. Some use a product called Awesome, sold at dollar stores, and others use a homemade combo with Dawn dish soap, a dash of bleach, and water.
Others said to prevent the mold in the first place, always make sure your awning is dry before storage.
Lots of helpful tips in that post, with hundreds and hundreds of shares and comments.
Angie had quite the scare last week. The very second she stepped outside her camper last week, what did she see but a BLACK BEAR! She said the bear came up from the side of her RV, completely freaked her out, and she ran right back in.
Can you imagine?
She was camping in Helen, Georgia, and her post led to a big long conversation of what others would do if they came face to face with a black bear. And do you know, quite a few RV Lifestyle Facebook members have!
Rhonda said one time she was camping at Glacier National Park, came out of the camper, turned, and there, under the slide out, was a black bear just 6 feet away! She said she gasped so loudly she scared the poor thing. The bear actually jumped, its eyes grew big and it ran away!
Josh said he had a black bear walk up to him in the Smokies two years ago. He said it was amazing how something so big could be so quiet. The encounter was the scariest experience of his life.
Then, I'll leave you with a picture and a"public service announcement".
Teresa snatched a picture of her dog, a Blue Heeler, poking his head through the window of her rig and wrote:
"Public Service Announcement: Fifth Wheel screens are not Blue Heeler proof."
The picture was adorable and many said their dogs poke their heads through the screens of their campers, too. Who knew?? Many shared pictures - which were fun to see!
RV RECIPE OF THE WEEK - Jerrica Mah
Time now for the RV Recipe of the Week, brought to you by CampingFoodRecipes.com
Here's the editor of CampingFoodRecipes.com, outdoor enthusiast and lifelong foodie enthusiast Jerrica Mah:
Campfire Nachos Recipe
Hey Camping Foodies, Jerrica here with CampingFoodRecipes.com, and this week I have a crowd pleaser for you. The recipe of the week is Campfire Nachos, and if you've ever had them before, you know they disappear quickly around the campfire.
They're really fun to make. You can toss in any ingredients you want with the chips and cheese, cook them over the campfire, and then we all dig in straight from the skillet.

Jul 5, 2023 • 53min
Mysteries in the Wild: Hunting Down Missing Hikers in National Parks
In Episode 454 of the RV Podcast this week, we discuss finding missing hikers in National Parks. You’ll be surprised at how many there are. Other topics this week include:
A mystery gas sickens campers in a Colorado campground
Expert tips on how to properly take care of your RV awning
An ingenious and simple hack on how to easily make an RV bed
And the dismal stats that show RV shipments to dealers are down almost 50% so far this year, leading some manufacturers to be on extended shutdowns.
You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by going right to our post.

Jun 28, 2023 • 55min
Is a Guided RV Tour Right for YOU?
If you like cruises and all-inclusive travel, a guided RV tour sure makes sense. Except instead of ships, you're cruising in an RV "land yacht" with all your camping, excursion, and most of your meal costs covered at no additional costs. In Episode 453 RV Podcast this week we talk about Guided RV Tours and find out if they are right for you. Other topics this week include:
- Should eBikes be allowed in National Parks?
- A great make-ahead camping food recipe to save you time
- and expert tips on keeping your RV Plumbing System working properly

Jun 21, 2023 • 42min
Community Connection: How Shared RV knowledge can enhance your RV Lifestyle
By tapping into the shared RV knowledge of fellow RVers and leveraging the collective wisdom of the RV Lifestyle Facebook Group, you can solve maintenance problems, make new friends, and even plan trips.
In Episode 552 of the RV Podcast, we explore how shared RV knowledge can empower and enrich your RV journey, enabling you to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Also this week we discuss:
Troubleshooting your TV’s Coach Batteries
A great pancake recipe perfect for camping mornings
A great app to locate essential services near you
The RV News of the Week, and
When it makes sense to downsize your RV

Jun 14, 2023 • 50min
Escape the Ordinary: Unveiling the New Harvest Hosts Programs
A series of new Harvest Hosts programs is making it super easy for RVers to find overnight campspots – even in sold-out campgrounds. In Episode 451 of the RV Podcast, Harvest Hosts CEO Joel Holland details the new offerings as he shares the many ways his company is helping RVers find unique places to camp and explore.
Also this week we have:
RV News of dangerous wildlife encounters
Social Media feedback on RV campground etiquette
A guide to proper use of your RV air conditioner
And the best way to attach photos to the walls of your RV

Jun 7, 2023 • 52min
Camping on Private and Public Land with Hipcamp
If you want to find great camping on private and public land, then the one tool that you will want to use is a popular app called Hipcamp. In Episode 450 of the RV Podcast we talk with the founder and CEO about how it works.
Also in this episode:
Our Fall Gathering has been announced – a Music City Meetup in Nashville, TN Oct. 2-5
The best and most friendly campgrounds as judged by our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group members
A story on how “Tourons” – tourist idiots – have been causing problems again at Yellowstone
And RV recipes, Tips, helpful ways to organize and RV and some solid expert advice on the best speed and distance to travel when RVing

May 31, 2023 • 0sec
Don’t get burned with an RV extended warranty!
No one likes to pay for RV repairs. That's where an RV extended warranty can save a lot of headaches. But signing up for one at the dealership at the time of the purchase is seldom a wise decision. This week in Episode 449 of the RV Podcast, we dig into the intricacies of an RV extended warranty and how to get the best deal. Also this week:
There's a lot of RV social media buzz about very expensive road tolls out East
Expert advice on how to prep your RV for sale to get the best price
Why campfire hot dogs need sauerkraut!
How to instantly identify any plant, bush or tree
RV news, tips and inside information to make your next road trip a success