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
*The episode with Jason: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5xy5dBMEo4
*Aspen Jacobsen's "We'll Create Better": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq4eWoh_e4g

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
*Get your FREE weekly Road Signs Newsletter at https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist/
*HOMECOMING tickets go on sale April 1st for Mile Marker members and May 1st for the general public https//rvmiles.com/homecoming

Support our Sponsors:

*Check out all Blue Ox has to offer at https://BlueOx.com
*Get a free quote for an extended warranty on your RV at https://wholesalewarranties.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/

Track SSTK_MUSIC_ID  437726– Monetization ID MONETIZATION_ID AMXDXB4BX5FLHUYE

00:00 Intro
02:29 Vail Ski Trip
07:42 Skiing Costs And Passes
14:14 Vail Town Vibes
18:16 Snowy Drive Lessons
25:34 Etrailer Sponsor
26:20 Wholesale Warranties
27:15 Campsite Length Confusion
34:29 Overhang and Fit Strategy
37:08 Total Length and Tight Turns
39:06 Backup Plans and Parking
43:49 Speed Camera Tickets Rant
47:12 Ember Fifth Wheel News
55:13 Two Weeks of Sick Kids
01:00:15 Shoutout to a Young Musician
01:02:24 Homecoming Event Details

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
00:30 Fuel Prices Surge
02:11 National Parks Visitation
02:51 RV Mattress Sponsor
03:42 Storyteller Grand Bohemian
04:51 Custer State Park Wildfire
05:28 Indiana Track Chairs
06:20 Buc-ee's BBB F Rating
07:37 RV Sales Decline Data
08:16 Homecoming Rally And Mile Markers
08:51 Wrap Up And Goodbye

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
*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/

Track SSTK_MUSIC_ID  437726– Monetization ID MONETIZATION_ID AMXDXB4BX5FLHUYE

00:00 Intro
03:31 Mile Marker Trip Survey
09:25 Sponsor
10:11 Fuel Prices Context
12:45 Fuel Saving Tips
19:40 Drive Slower Save More
23:54 Cruise And Idling
28:05 Coasting Not Braking
29:11 Stoplight Strategy
32:49 Fuel Savings Math
34:37 Campground Boom Bust
41:54 New Route Planner App
43:58 Daylight Saving Rant
47:09 Piecemeal Debate
49:31 Interrupting Comments
52:18 Wrap Up And Thanks

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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Connect with RV Miles: 
RV Miles Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvmiles
Shop the RV Miles Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/rvmiles
RV Miles Mailing List: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist
Mile Marker Membership: https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers

00:00 Intro
00:31 Why Gas and Diesel Jumped
03:04 RV Industry Stock Slump
04:05 2026 RV Shipment Forecast
04:55 Sponsor Liquified Tank Treatment
05:42 Buc-ees Pay at Pump Rule
06:30 Gen-Y Theft and Weather Gear
07:08 RV 250 Travel Passport Challenge
07:57 Outdoor Recreation Hits $1.3T
08:32 Eddie Bauer Stores Closing
08:57 Alliance RV 30000 Milestone
09:09 Wrap Up

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
*Find all the RV parts and gear you need at etrailer: https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle-finder.aspx?etam=p0001
*Get 30% off your next RV Mattress at https://rvmattress.com/rvmiles with code RVMILES at checkout!
*Find Liquified at https://liquifiedrv.com/

Track SSTK_MUSIC_ID  437726– Monetization ID MONETIZATION_ID AMXDXB4BX5FLHUYE

00:00 Episode 400 Kickoff
11:41 Homecoming Rally Details
14:27 Etrailer Sponsor
15:13 Trip Ideas Setup
16:41 THE FIRST-TIME RVER TRIP
23:53 THE WILDLIFE TRIP
28:35 THE SCENIC DRIVES TRIP
34:48 THE NATIONAL PARKS POWER TRIP 
41:15 THE SLOW TRAVEL TRIP
47:22 Black Tank Fuel Prices
52:38 Fresh Tank: Laundry Detergent Debate
58:06 Black Tank: Protein Pressure Rant
01:02:01 Fresh Tank: Alliance RV Milestone
01:03:30 Episode 400 Farewell

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
• 15,000 Ford Transit vans recalled for potential brake failure
• 3.2 million Weber grill brushes recalled due to ingestion hazards
• Nearly 20,000 Trek electric bikes recalled over rear wheel separation risk

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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Connect with RV Miles: 
RV Miles Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvmiles
Shop the RV Miles Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/rvmiles
RV Miles Mailing List: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist
Mile Marker Membership: https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers

00:00 Intro
00:42 Thor Restructures Brands
02:18 Stocks Slide and Camping World
03:01 Sponsor Etrailer
03:48 Ford Truck Recall
05:25 Transit Brake Failure Recall
05:52 Weber Brush and Trek Recalls
07:41 Washington Parks Budget Cuts
08:57 Texas New State Park Opens
10:15 Wrap Up

 

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
*Find all the RV parts and gear you need at etrailer: https://www.etrailer.com/vehicle-finder.aspx?etam=p0001
*Get 30% off your next RV Mattress at https://rvmattress.com/rvmiles with code RVMILES at checkout!
*Find Liquified at https://liquifiedrv.com/

00:00 Intro
00:31 Poll RV Build Quality
07:56 Sponsors
09:29 Bowlus Interview
10:27 Bolus Origin Story
18:00 EV Towing Future
22:38 Pricing and Ideal Buyer
23:59 Direct Sales and Growth
29:30 Mexico Travel Safety
36:07 Outdoorsy Event Boom
38:11 Parking Lot Door Ding
44:31 Book Club Pick
47:29 Episode Wrap Up

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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Connect with RV Miles: 
RV Miles Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvmiles
Shop the RV Miles Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/rvmiles
RV Miles Mailing List: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist
Mile Marker Membership: https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers

00:00 Headlines and Teasers
00:42 Baja Travel Advisory
02:45 Utah State Park Fee Hikes
03:48 RV Mattress Sponsor Break
04:39 Industry Bright Spots and Expansion
06:04 Leigh Tiffin Moves to NIRVC
08:40 Cornerstone Pricing Experiment
11:30 Wrap Up and Sign Off

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
*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/

Track SSTK_MUSIC_ID  437726– Monetization ID MONETIZATION_ID AMXDXB4BX5FLHUYE

00:00 Intro
02:35 National Parks Timed-Entry Changes
14:42 Sponsor Break: Blue Ox + etrailer.com
15:56 Coley Brady on Alliance’s Move Into Class B Vans
25:04 Black Tank: Apostle Islands Ice Caves
26:40 Fresh Tank: Axiom RV Finally Raises Ground Clearance
29:43 Black Tank: How Big Media Is Reshaping Podcasting
42:02 Fresh Tank: Winter Olympics
42:53 Final Sign-Off

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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Connect with RV Miles: 
RV Miles Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvmiles
Shop the RV Miles Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/rvmiles
RV Miles Mailing List: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist
Mile Marker Membership: https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers

00:00 Intro
00:50 Alliance RV acquires Midwest Automotive Designs
04:51 Sponsor Break: RVmattress.com by Brooklyn Bedding
05:42 Leigh Tiffin resign
08:21 Battle Born responds to safety claims
10:34 RVs as housing
13:05 Campspot Awards 2026
14:47 Liquified RV launches Liquishine exterior care line
15:18 December 2025 RV registrations drop
16:07 Wrap-up & sign-off