RV LIFE Podcast

Your truck may have the towing capacity to pull your trailer, but can it safely carry the load? Discover the overlooked weight rating that could change everything, explore the 2026 RV LIFE Trailer Towing Guide, and help shape the future of the RV LIFE Podcast.Discover why your truck's advertised tow rating doesn't guarantee safe trailer towing.Learn how passengers, cargo, hitch weight, and equipment can push your truck beyond its payload limit.Find out what's new in the 2026 RV LIFE Trailer Towing Guide and why weighing your loaded RV matters.Hear how RV LIFE community members can help shape the future of the podcast.Think your truck can safely tow that bigger trailer just because the manufacturer's numbers say it can? Bob Zagami talks with RV LIFE Senior Content Editor Kris Bunker about why towing capacity is only half the equation and how exceeding payload limits can create serious safety problems.Kris introduces the 2026 RV LIFE Trailer Towing Guide, which now includes payload ratings alongside towing capacities. He explains how passengers, gear, tongue weight, and fifth-wheel pin weight add up faster than most RVers realize.You'll also hear why published dry weights aren't enough, why aftermarket upgrades can't change manufacturer ratings, and how a visit to a CAT Scale can help you understand what your fully loaded rig actually weighs.Plus, Jim shares an important update about the future of the RV LIFE Podcast. We're inviting RV LIFE community members to help shape a more interactive show built around real travel stories, practical advice, campground recommendations, and the experiences that matter most to RVers.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife164/Download the 2026 RV LIFE Trailer Towing Guidehttps://rvlife.com/towing2026Special  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

From New Brunswick camping and lobster to wheel position weighing, Smoky Mountain RV rentals, and premium national park trips, this episode helps RVers plan smarter, travel safer, and understand what every pound really means.Discover New Brunswick camping options, from off-grid dark sky stays to full-hookup resorts, glamping, lobster, and horse camping.Learn why wheel position weighing reveals safety issues a basic truck stop scale may miss. Hear how Miss Daisy became a Smoky Mountains RV rental business built around setup, checklists, and real-world lessons. Understand why premium RV rentals are growing near western national parks and who is driving that demand.John talks with Salma Burney of the New Brunswick Campground Owners Association about camping options, history, lobster, off-grid stays, and why the exchange rate may make Canada especially appealing for American RVers.Then Jim and Rene sit down with Trey Selman from the RV Safety & Education Foundation to explain wheel position weighing, weight distribution, tire safety, water weight, and why every item you pack matters.Rose and Glynn talk with RV Entrepreneur Bob Ashcraft about turning "Miss Daisy" into a Smoky Mountains RV rental business and writing a book to help new campers avoid expensive lessons.Bob wraps up with Becky Goodell, CEO of Blacksford RV Rentals, on premium RV rental growth near western national parks and why more travelers want the RV experience without buying first.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife163/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

From planning an RV trip to Washington DC for America 250 to protecting yourself online, supporting a powerful nonprofit mission, and catching up with RVing Today, this episode is practical, inspiring, and timely.Plan an RV trip to Washington DC with Cherry Hill Park tips on transit, tickets, tours, heat, and America 250 events.  Protect your online life with RV WebSafe advice on Wi-Fi, passwords, banking alerts, scams, VPNs, and cyber safety.  Hear how One Dad’s Mission supports Ronald McDonald House through fundraising, bike rides, and authentic partnerships.  Learn what’s new with RVing Today as the show enters season 16 with expanded TV coverage and Tech Time segments. John talks with Jennifer Gurevich from Cherry Hill Park about RVing to Washington DC for America 250, using public transportation, planning museum visits, and avoiding city traffic.Jim sits down with Robert Mahaffey from RV WebSafe to discuss cybersecurity for RVers, including campground Wi-Fi, password habits, banking alerts, scam texts, and safer remote work practices.For The RV Entrepreneur, Rose and Glynn talk with Jeff Bekos of One Dad’s Mission about his family’s Ronald McDonald House experience, cross-country fundraising rides, and building nonprofit support with integrity.Bob wraps up with Jose Moniz, executive producer of RVing Today, on the show’s 16th season, expanded station coverage, streaming options, and Jessica Ryder’s new Tech Time segment.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife162/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

From Cape Cod beaches and bike trails to practical boondocking wisdom, an independent film tour by RV, and camping trends shaped by younger travelers, this episode celebrates freedom, flexibility, and the people who make RV life meaningful.Discover why Cape Cod is more than summer crowds, with beaches, bike trails, whale watching, seafood, and shoulder season camping.  Learn practical RV advice from Gone With John on safety, budgeting, boondocking, and starting before everything feels perfect.  Hear how Jack and Claire Kennedy are taking their independent film You Are Here on tour with their family in an RV.  Understand how younger campers, glamping, events, and device-free connection are shaping the future of campgrounds. Discover RV travel on the Cape with Liz Di Giralamo from the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce – from seafood and beaches to bike trails, whale watching, and shoulder season stays.John Kaufman from Gone With John provides practical advice from more than 40 years of RV travel, including safety routines, budgeting, boondocking, and why new RVers should not wait for perfection.Jack and Claire Kennedy discuss their independent film You Are Here and how they're taking it on a 25-city RV tour with kids, dogs, and a whole lot of creative hustle.Plus,  campground consultant Sandy Ellison shares trends in younger campers, glamping, themed weekends, and the growing desire to disconnect from devices and reconnect in person.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife161/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

Explore four-season RV travel in Maine, support for retired RVers at Escapees CARE, mail management for full-timers, and trusted RV owner education.Explore Maine’s coastline, mountains, lakes, forests, and four-season camping with Kathy Dyer from the Maine Campground Owners Association. Discover how Escapees CARE helps retired RVers age in place, recover, and stay supported while living in their own RVs. Learn how Vern Six turned full-time RV mail headaches into Circle 6 Mail Drop, a flexible mail service built for travelers. Hear why Mark Polk of RV Education 101 says trusted, human RV training still matters for safety, maintenance, and confidence.Kathy Dyer from the Maine Campground Owners Association shares why Maine is more than a summer destination, with coastal camping, mountains, lakes, forests, rustic parks, resorts, and even winter RVing.Dave Condit and Crystal Saulters explain how Escapees CARE in Livingston, Texas supports retired RVers who want to age in place, recover from surgery, or transition safely while staying in their own RVs.Vern Six discusses mail management when full-time RVing and how Circle 6 Mail Drop helps travelers receive, scan, forward, shred, and manage mail from the road.Mark Polk of RV Education 101 talks about nearly 27 years of consumer RV training, online courses, trusted technical education, and why real-world expertise still matters.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife160/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

From van festivals and healing journeys to building a business on the road and turning RV influence into products, this episode explores how community, resilience, and entrepreneurship shape modern RV life.Discover how VanFest brings van lifers, skoolies, and nomads together to build real community on the East Coast. Hear how one RVer navigates serious cancer treatment while staying mobile, organized, and committed to life on the road. Learn what it looks like to build a virtual assistant business from scratch while living full-time in an RV. Get an inside look at how Matt Foxcroft is growing his RV brand from reviews into nationwide product lines.John talks with Lance Wilkinson, founder of VanFest, about building community through van gatherings along the East Coast. It is a look at how a simple event became a reunion point for nomads of every kind.Then Jim and Rene sit down with Keith Wadsworth, who shares how cancer changed his life and led him into full-time RVing. His story is honest, practical, and deeply inspiring for anyone facing health challenges on the road.Rose and Glynn talk with Kelsie Rozendaal about launching a virtual assistant business while living full-time in an RV and caregiving at home. She offers a real-time look at entrepreneurship in the messy middle.Bob wraps up with Matt Foxcroft of Matt’s RV Reviews, who explains how he turned audience trust into a growing product business. It is a fascinating look at content, retail, and influence in the RV space.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife159/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

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.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife158/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

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.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife157/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

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.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife156/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out

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.Get Complete Show Notes & Full Transcripthttps://podcast.rvlife.com/rvlife155/Connect & Learn Morehttps://facebook.com/rvlifepodcast/https://instagram.com/rvlifepodcast/https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvlifemovementSpecial  Discount Codes: Click Link & Use Code* RV LIFE Pro  25% off at check out