Jason covers a busy week in RV and camping news as Washington’s Department of Natural Resources will fully close four campgrounds for the 2026 season and reduce services elsewhere; California proposes three new state parks in the Central Valley; An update on the potential Lippert (LCI) and Patrick Industries merger includes a letter from Senator Mike Lee seeking details due to antitrust concerns; RV shipments fell in March, and more.

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00:00 Intro 00:28 Washington Campground Cuts 01:41 California Park Expansion 02:46 Alabama Gulf RV Resort 03:47 Sponsor Etrailer 04:33 Merger Antitrust Scrutiny 08:28 RV Shipments Slide 09:26 Airstream Parts Policy 10:08 Airstream F1 Track Tow 10:32 Grand Design Roof Upgrade 11:18 Fantasy Raises Money 12:09 Outro

Jason and Abby answer a listener question about affordable travel-day lunches before discussing common RV purchases new RVers don’t need to buy immediately: RV-specific toilet paper, pricey hiking boots/outdoor clothing, tent-camping gadgets, camping memberships, and more. Plus, one state is getting 3 new state parks, while another is shuttering state park campgrounds to keep their system afloat.

*Get links and more in the show notes at https://RVMiles.com/406 *Support RV Miles and independent RV journalism 👉 https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers *Curated, not Regurgitated. Sign up for the RV Miles Newsletter: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist/ *HOMECOMING tickets are on sale for Mile Marker members and go on sale to the general public on May 1st: https//rvmiles.com/homecoming

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Track SSTK_MUSIC_ID 437726– Monetization ID MONETIZATION_ID AMXDXB4BX5FLHUYE 00:00 Intro and New Set 03:58 Travel Day Eats 17:37 etrailer Sponsor Break 18:24 Things You Don't Need 19:57 Skip RV Toilet Paper 22:21 Hiking Gear Reality Check 25:46 Tent Gadget Traps 30:08 Camping Memberships Worth It 33:18 Solar Power Wait 37:38 Washer/Dryer Debate 41:51 Leveling Gear You Can Skip 45:54 Tools Without Overpacking 49:30 Parks Funding Wins and Losses 52:48 Prom Plans and RV Repairs 59:19 Project Hail Mary Movie Review 01:05:08 Homecoming Tickets and Farewell

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Lippert Components and Patrick Industries are in talks about a potential merger that could reshape RV manufacturing. The Bureau of Land Management is moving toward banning dispersed camping across nearly 14,000 acres near Zion National Park, replacing much of it with two proposed campgrounds totaling 230 sites. Ford recalls about 1.4 million 2015–2017 F-150s for a transmission range sensor issue and RAM recalls 65,000 2025–2026 pickups for an instrument panel software error. Fuel prices dipped amid Middle East developments, and several states announced gas tax holidays, while the EPA is issuing another E15 summer waiver. An Arkansas RV lot arson investigation, ⁨Blu Tech's new Waterstop leak shutoff system, and KOA's 2026 camping report showing shifting demographics and glamping growth.

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Tickets for HOMECOMING go on sale for Mile Marker members on April 1st and for the general public on May 1st. Learn more at: https://RVMiles.com/homecoming

00:00 Headlines and Intro 00:25 New Studio Update 01:06 Lippert Patrick Merger Talk 03:28 Zion Area Dispersed Ban 05:43 Sponsor RV Mattress 06:34 Ford and Ram Recalls 08:18 Fuel Prices and E15 10:26 Arkansas RV Lot Arson 11:19 WaterStop Leak Device 12:36 KOA Camping Report 13:20 Podcast and Community Wrap

In this episode of the RV Miles Podcast, Jason and Abby discuss severe spring storms and the importance of weather awareness for RVers, especially around tornadoes and high winds. They break down reports that major RV component manufacturers Lippert Components and Patrick Industries are in talks for a merger, and how that could further consolidate the supply chain and reduce competition across RV construction and delivery. They also review KOA’s 2026 camping report, highlighting declines in frequent camping, Gen Z participation, and camping families with kids, alongside increasing costs and shifting demographics.

*Get links and more in the show notes at https://RVMiles.com/406 *Support RV Miles and independent RV journalism 👉 https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers *Curated, not Regurgitated. Sign up for the RV Miles Newsletter: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist/ *HOMECOMING tickets are on sale for Mile Marker members and go on sale to the general public on May 1st: https//rvmiles.com/homecoming

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Track SSTK_MUSIC_ID 437726– Monetization ID MONETIZATION_ID AMXDXB4BX5FLHUYE

00:00 Intro 01:18 Spring Storm Safety 06:22 Merger Talks 17:21 KOA Report 19:12 Camping Participation Trends 21:10 Younger Campers Decline 27:49 Families Priced Out 31:15 Diversity and Affordability 34:34 Pricing Pushback 35:56 Solo Travel Surge 36:35 Camping Community Third Place 37:46 Disconnecting From Work 41:02 Glamping Takes Over 45:37 RV Households Drop 52:37 Speed Camera Ticket Story 55:35 Water Stop Leak Tech 58:32 3D Printer Family Debate 01:04:44 Freezer Cookie Dough 01:06:40 Wrap Up

February's new RV retail registrations fell 24% year over year, and motorhomes are worse... Fifth-wheel startup @axiom-rv reports strong early sales, expansion, and a workforce now over 100. The RV Industry Association approved factory-included TPMS on all new towable RVs starting with 2028 model year. Ford recalls about 422,000 Expeditions, Navigators, and Super Duty trucks for potential windshield wiper arm failure, and @OutdoorsyRV shares expansion updates and a move into autonomous taxi rentals.

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Tickets for HOMECOMING go on sale for Mile Marker members on April 1st and for the general public on May 1st. Learn more at: https://RVMiles.com/homecoming

00:00 Intro 01:07 February Sales Breakdown 04:24 Sponsor Message 05:11 Axiom Fifth Wheel Growth 05:58 TPMS Required 2028 07:15 Ford Wiper Recall 08:01 Montana Sign Fees 08:37 Fuel Price Outlook 09:06 Outdoorsy Summit Recap 12:42 Wrap Up And Thanks

In episode 405 of RV Miles, Jason and Abby take a closer look at RV rentals and fleet operations on Outdoorsy, featuring an interview with Brent Ward of Escape RV Rental, an approved vendor at Disney’s Fort Wilderness. Brent shares how he grew from one travel trailer to 44 units in Florida, and more than 200 across related companies, plus how deliveries, guest support, insurance, and concierge services work for both operators and renters.

Also in this episode: a listener question about when a weight distribution hitch is really necessary, new RV registration data showing a 24.12% drop in sales, and an RVIA standards update that will require tire pressure monitoring systems on all RVs starting with the 2028 model year.

*Get links and more in the show notes at https://RVMiles.com/405 *Support RV Miles and independent RV journalism 👉 https://rvmiles.com/milemarkers *Curated, not Regurgitated. Sign up for the RV Miles Newsletter: https://rvmiles.com/mailinglist/ *HOMECOMING tickets are on sale for Mile Marker members and go on sale to the general public on May 1st: https//rvmiles.com/homecoming

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Track SSTK_MUSIC_ID 437726– Monetization ID MONETIZATION_ID AMXDXB4BX5FLHUYE

00:00 Sponsor Blue Ox 00:28 Episode Preview 02:55 Weight Distribution Question 12:56 Sponsor etrailer 13:42 Outdoorsy Summit Takeaways 22:08 Interview 36:55 RV Sales Slump Data 43:58 TPMS Safety Standard Update 47:02 Aging Eyes 51:04 Lantern Press 54:14 Final Wrap

In RV Miles episode 404, Jason and Abby share spring shakedown updates after discovering a leak caused by a missed winterization step, forcing them to postpone their first trip of the season amid severe weather. They take a look at practical RV driving tips for safety and confidence, including knowing your rig’s dimensions, reviewing routes, going slower, lane strategy, following distances, and more. In Fresh Tank / Black Tank, the FTC’s increased enforcement against deceptive dealer fees and advertising, a new Zion park-and-ride shuttle option, and a cookbook recommendation.

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Track SSTK_MUSIC_ID 437726– Monetization ID MONETIZATION_ID AMXDXB4BX5FLHUYE

00:00 Intro 01:26 Winterizing Leak 04:42 Austin Outdoorsy Summit 07:18 Flight Prices Rant 11:32 Fuel Costs And Camping 18:57 Driving Tips Kickoff 20:24 Know Your RV Size 24:32 Plan Your Route 28:56 Go Slow Stay Right 36:59 Safe Distance Timing 37:47 Tail Swing 42:00 Courtesy On The Road 43:48 Take More Breaks 46:24 Skip Night Driving 49:50 Steep Grade Basics 54:40 Parking Without Stress 01:04:51 FTC Dealer Fee Crackdown 01:12:34 Zion Park and Ride 01:15:55 Protein Salad Fail 01:20:25 Midwest Made Cookbook 01:23:06 Final Thanks

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There’s a lot of confusion right now about diesel engines, DEF, and what the EPA actually changed—and in this episode, we’re cutting through the noise.

We break down the latest announcement from the EPA, what it really means for diesel emissions systems, and why rumors about DEF going away aren’t exactly accurate.

Plus, oil prices are climbing again, Buc-ee’s continues its rapid expansion, and there are some interesting developments across the RV industry—including a possible return of Winnebago fifth wheels, and a behind-the-scenes technology that could change how RVs are designed.

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00:00 Intro 01:25 How DEF and SCR Work 01:58 Deletes Limp Mode and EPA Changes 03:53 New Sensor Guidance and What It Means 06:16 Sponsor RV Mattress by Brooklyn Bedding 07:06 Oil Prices Hit Four-Year High 08:00 Buc-ees Expansion Plans 08:33 Winnebago Fifth Wheels Tease 09:30 REV Group New PDI Center 10:14 Digital Design Studio For Future RVs 11:27 Newsletters and Sign Off