From a campground revival in upstate New York to smarter towing, RV dealership growth, and vintage Airstream restoration, this episode delivers practical insight, business perspective, and a strong reminder that craftsmanship and community still matter in RV life.

• Discover how a new owner is renovating a classic New York campground, building community, and creating rally weekends for modern RVers.
• Learn practical towing advice on fifth wheels, sway control, hitch setup, and the maintenance mistakes that can cause major trouble.
• Hear how one Canadian dealership grew through customer-first service and why destination camping is rising again.
• See why vintage Airstream owners wait years for expert restorations that bring craftsmanship and old trailers back to life.

John talks with John Thatcher about buying Shady Oaks Camping Resort in Plattsburgh, New York, renovating an older campground, and building a strong seasonal camping community.

Then Jim and Rene sit down with towing expert Dave Helgeson for practical advice on fifth wheels versus travel trailers, sway, hitch setup, and must-do brake and bearing maintenance.

Rose and Glynn speak with Keith Barrick about growing one of Canada’s fastest-growing RV dealerships, customer-first sales, and launching a new destination resort project.

Plus, Bob talks with Jim Roy of Silver Moose Restorations about custom Airstream rebuilds, long waitlists, and the craftsmanship behind every restoration.

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From the 3,000-mile Great River Road adventure to smarter Pacific Northwest RV planning, healthier habits on the road, and a bold new electric trailer concept, this episode blends travel inspiration, practical lifestyle advice, and a look at where RV innovation may be headed next.

• Explore the Great River Road and how RVers can turn a 10-state Mississippi route into a flexible trip full of food, history, and river towns.
• Learn why the Pacific Northwest deserves more time on your itinerary, plus practical tips for weather, mountain passes, and planning.
• Hear how Jake and Sarah of Active RV Life built a wellness platform to help RVers stay strong enough to enjoy the lifestyle.
• Get a first look at Evo Trex and its power-generating PG5 trailer, designed to blend electric camping, backup power, and active towing assist.

John talks with Alan Hamry about the Great River Road, a 3,000-mile route following the Mississippi River through 10 states, packed with river towns, scenic drives, food, music, and history.

Then Jim and Rene welcome back Brooks Smothers of RV Out West to share why the Pacific Northwest is one of the most rewarding RV regions in the country, and how to plan for weather, reservations, and mountain travel.

Rose and Glynn sit down with Jake and Sarah of Active RV Life to discuss the health challenges many RVers face, and how they built a business around helping people stay mobile, capable, and consistent on the road.

Plus, Bob talks with Stella Qin of Evo Trex about the PG5, a futuristic trailer concept combining electric capability, onboard power generation, and a new approach to off-grid camping and towing.

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Travel inspiration, roadside kindness, entrepreneurial reinvention, and industry innovation all come together in this episode of the RV LIFE Podcast.

• Explore why 2026 is the once-in-a-lifetime year to drive Route 66, as the legendary “Mother Road” celebrates its 100th anniversary with events and celebrations across the historic highway.
• Meet a skoolie couple known as the “Angels of the Highway” who travel the country offering donation-based roadside assistance through their nonprofit.
• Hear how one solo RVer reinvented her life at 62, learning to tow an Airstream, working remotely, and building new income streams through travel writing and photography.
• Discover how mobile RV service and technical education are evolving, with programs helping more women build careers in the RV industry.

John talks with Alan Wininger about the upcoming Route 66 Centennial, the history behind America’s most famous highway, and how RVers can plan their own trip along the nearly 2,500-mile journey from Chicago to Santa Monica.

Then Jim and Rene share the remarkable story of Martian and Mouse, founders of Journey of a Spirit’s Mechanic, a nonprofit providing donation-based roadside assistance to stranded travelers while living full-time in their skoolie and spreading kindness across the country.

Rose and Glynn sit down with Deborah Dennis, a solo RVer who began RVing at 62 with no towing experience while working remotely as a UX designer, and who has since expanded into travel writing, photography, and other creative pursuits on the road.

Plus, Bob chats with Jessica Ryder, founder of Pull Through Sites Mobile RV Service and a board member of the RV Women’s Alliance, about the rapid growth of mobile RV repair, technical education programs for women, and the new “Chassis to Classy” project building a custom RV designed and assembled by women.

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From owning your RV lot instead of paying nightly rates to staying strong enough to enjoy the lifestyle, plus a behind-the-scenes look at truck camper publishing and RV comfort innovation, this episode covers smart strategy from campsite to boardroom.

• Explore how a luxury motorcoach resort near Nashville lets RVers purchase deeded lots with high-end amenities and rental income potential.
• Learn practical ways to avoid the “RV 15” and stay mobile, flexible, and consistent on the road.
• Hear how Truck Camper Magazine survived the Great Recession and built trust in a niche RV market.
• Get an industry outlook from Truma’s leadership on comfort systems, market trends, and what 2026 may bring.

John talks with Joey Locker about developing a luxury motorcoach resort designed for long stays, community living, and lot ownership, complete with riverfront sites, clubhouses, pickleball courts, and a managed rental pool model.

Then Jim and Rene sit down with Jake and Sarah of Active RV Life to discuss fitness on the road, mobility for everyday RV tasks, injury recovery, and why consistency beats perfection when building healthy habits.

Rose and Glynn speak with RV Entrepreneurs Gordon and Angela of Truck Camper Magazine about launching an online-only publication in 2007, navigating the recession, staying neutral in a product-driven space, and preparing the next generation of leadership.

Plus, Bob connects with Mark Howlett, President and CEO of Truma North America, to talk about heating and hot water innovation, shifting fuel trends, truck camper growth, and cautious optimism for the RV market in 2026.

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From a month-long St. Patrick’s celebration in Savannah to the real costs, mindset shifts, and safety decisions that shape life on the road, this episode delivers practical insight and meaningful perspective for today’s RVers.

• Discover why Savannah hosts one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country and how RVers can experience it.
• Learn where RV travel costs sneak up on you and how to reduce fuel, campground, and service expenses.
• Hear a candid conversation about identity shifts, mindset, and rebuilding purpose after going nomadic.
• Understand why propane safety starts at the tank and how a shut-off valve can prevent serious emergencies.

Savannah might not be the first place you think of for St. Patrick’s Day, but John DiPietro and Supriya Christopher from Visit Savannah say it hosts one of the biggest celebrations in the country, with events all month and a parade that can run 4 to 6 hours.

Then Jim and Rene talk with Jared Davis of RV Complete Club about the real costs of RV travel, where RVers underestimate expenses, and how simple discounts on fuel, campgrounds, and service can ease the stress.

In RV Entrepreneur, Rose and Glynn sit down with Robyn and Victor Robledo of Nomads With a Purpose for an honest conversation about the identity shift that can hit when you go nomadic and the tools that helped them rebuild from the inside out.

Plus, Bob wraps up with Martin Neeson, founder of GasStop, explaining why propane safety starts at the source and how a shut-off valve can add peace of mind on every trip.

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From Route 66 Plans To Leak Dealbreakers: Big-Event Travel Strategy, RV Buying Red Flags, Holding Tank Truths, and A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Manufacturing.

Planning a trip around America’s 250th anniversary, the Route 66 centennial, or major World Cup events? John DiPietro talks with Woodall’s Campground Magazine editor Ben Quiggle about what’s coming up, why pricing and availability may get wild, and how to plan smarter by booking early, and looking beyond the most obvious campgrounds.

Then, Jim and Rene sit down with master certified mobile RV technician Zeb Hahn, for a clear-eyed breakdown of what goes wrong most often in both new and used rigs. They cover repeat problem areas, what to look – and listen – for during a walk-through, the maintenance that prevents expensive damage, and the dealbreakers that should make any buyer walk away.

For The RV Entrepreneur segment, Rose and Glynn welcome Ricky Stewart from Unique Camping + Marine for a surprisingly fun and very useful conversation about holding tanks, and the business behind this leading additive manufacturer. Ricky explains why some popular “old school” advice can backfire, what actually causes smells and sensor issues, and why their number one recommendation is simpler than people think: use more water.

Bob Zagami wraps the episode with Willie Miller, General Manager at Forest River Plant 410, sharing what it looks like to expand product lines while protecting quality, how manufacturers think about the customer journey, and why follow-through after the sale matters more than the branding on the front cap.

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Winter RVing can be magical until it’s not. With this winter edition of the RV LIFE Podcast, we dig into the hidden and obvious challenges cold weather brings. Learn how to prevent road salt damage, frozen systems, power drain and water management. Hear practical, experience-based advice to help you prevent costly winter mistakes and stay comfortable in cold conditions.

Plus: Get a real-world look at building and marketing an app-based business on the road. And hear what's ahead for RVing as new audiences discover the lifestyle.

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From Tank Myths To Life On Wheels: Real-World RV Tips, Money Mindset Shifts, And Campground Trends

Attending RV shows this year? Discover what RVers really need to know before attending. John DiPietro shares practical tips for getting the most out of any RV show without getting overwhelmed. Got tank odors? Jim and Rene sit down with Ricky and Chris from Unique Camping + Marine for an honest, occasionally hilarious conversation about holding tank care, common myths, and why this topic matters more than most RVers realize.

In our RV Entrepreneur segment, Rose and Glynn talk with executive coach Tim Winders, who explains how losing everything reshaped his definition of success and led to full-time RV life. Industry expert Bob Zagami wraps up this episode with Marsha Galvin from Normandy Farms Resort, reflecting on the camping season and what guests and campgrounds are focused on next.

Packed with real-world insight, this episode is all about helping you RV smarter, easier, and with fewer surprises.

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