This week on the RV Podcast:

• More Than Lyme Disease: The Hidden Tick Disease You’ve Never Heard Of
• Get ready for the Fall RV Show Season: What to expect and why the RV industry is starting to breathe a bit easier
• Why RV Tires Seem to Have More Blowouts than Cars
• All this plus Mike and Jen’s RV Storytime coming up in Episode 560 of the RV Podcast

You can watch the video version from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the player below.

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The big news for us this week is the release of our epic 30-Day RV Adventure Guide to the Pacific Northwest. This detailed route takes you through the best of Oregon and Washington, weaving in stunning coastal drives, lush forests, and mountain vistas. As a special bonus, we’ve even included an excursion into Vancouver, Canada. Whether you’ve always dreamed of this journey or are planning to return to your favorite spots, this guide makes it effortless to enjoy the very best of the region.

Before we jump into our first segment, we’ve got to tell you – if you’re not already part of our private RV Lifestyle Community over at RVCommunity.com, you’re missing out on some of the best RV conversations anywhere. It’s completely ad-free, it’s friendly, and it’s just full of folks who love swapping tips, sharing travel stories, and helping each other out. We’re in there every day ourselves, so come say hi at RVCommunity.com.

RV NEWS OF THE WEEK

The “Splurgecation” Trend is Taking Over RV Travel 

Here's a fascinating shift in how people are approaching RV travel in 2025 – and it might surprise you! According to major industry reports, 63% of travelers say they will take fewer trips in 2025 but spend more per trip, focusing on one big annual RV adventure rather than frequent weekend getaways. 

They're calling these “splurgecations,” and campers are willing to splurge on upgraded experiences, premium campgrounds, and adventure activities like ziplining, guided tours, and fine dining What's really interesting is the rise of passion-driven travel – instead of just picking a famous destination, more travelers are choosing trips based on their interests like baseball stadium tours, brewery crawls, historical sightseeing, or outdoor adventure travel. It's like the RV community is saying, “If we're going to do this, let's make it count!” The trade-off makes sense too – quality over quantity, and with inflation hitting everything, people are being more strategic about their travel budgets.

​No More Limp Mode: Big Win for Diesel RVers and Truck Owners​

RVers who drive diesel motor homes or diesel pickup trucks will be excited to hear that manufacturers will no longer be allowed to program severe, immediate power loss when diesel exhaust fluid runs low or a DEF sensor fails, beginning with 2027 models. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin called on truck and engine makers to scrap the aggressive “limp mode” software that sharply limits performance when DEF runs low, calling the practice both “unacceptable” and “unnecessary.” This has long been a source of frustration for many RVers.

Fall RV Show Season Brings Mixed Signals for Dealers

The fall RV show circuit is about to begin. All eyes are on the granddaddy of them all – America's Largest RV Show returns to Hershey, Pennsylvania, on September 10-14, 2025, featuring nearly 1,500 RVs from 40 manufacturers across 33 football fields of space. Attendees will be among the first to see the 2026 RV models. Last year's show saw an interesting trend with destination trailers having a larger footprint than before, with representation from brands like Campsite Reserve, Cedar Creek, Wildwood, and Coleman Homestead taking prominent positions in the front row of the aisles. The show is more than just an RV showcase – it's where the industry tests new concepts and gauges consumer reactions. With close to 60,000 people expected to attend, it's essentially a massive focus group that helps shape what we'll see on dealer lots next year. For industry watchers, it's the best barometer we have of where RVing is headed.

The RV Industry Is Starting to Breathe a Bit Easier

Behind all these shows and recalls, there's a bigger story about how the RV industry is adapting to post-pandemic market conditions. The RV Industry Association is projecting wholesale shipments to reach a median of 350,100 units this year, a modest increase from 2024, which suggests the market is stabilizing after the wild swings of recent years. Retail registration data for June 2025 showed the first year-over-year increase since late 2023, with 37,596 units sold, an indication that dealers are beginning to see improved consumer activity. What's really interesting is how manufacturers are responding – some are scaling back production while others are doubling down on innovation. Several brands introduced 2025 models with incremental but practical enhancements, including Thor Industries upgrading its Class B camper vans with improved insulation, expanded solar capacity, and better internet connectivity options. The industry seems to be finding its footing in a more measured, sustainable growth pattern rather than the breakneck pace we saw during the pandemic boom.

RV CONVERSATION OF THE WEEK – A Tick disease nobody knows about

Last year, a few hours after eating a nice, juicy hamburger, RVer Fred Church became violently ill. He shrugged it off as a virus or a touch of food poisoning. 

But then a month later the Little Rock, Arkansas resident had another hamburger and this time he woke at 1 am, a terrible itch on his palms and soles, his tongue starting to swell, he threw up, and as the tongue kept swelling, he was hard to understand. Thankfully, Benadryl helped that night, but the incident led Fred to the allergist, where a blood test showed he had the Alpha-gal IgE antibody. He was now allergic to red meat and the cause: a tick bite.

Everyone, it seems, has heard of Lyme Disease, but according to the CDC, ticks cause at least 15 different human diseases, spread through all kinds of ticks, located all over the country. One of the perhaps least known and easily missed illnesses is the Alpha-gal tick disease.

Fred and his wife, Kathy, are long-time RVers, camping in a Coach House RV. They love the outdoors. But this whole experience has changed their approach to bug spray, and today Fred is here to share his experience on the little-known but extremely serious condition called Alpha Gal that we bet will change your approach to tick precautions, too.

Fred discusses how the Alpha-gal tick disease hit him, which follows a classic pattern. As the tick population continues spreading across the country, RVers are particularly vulnerable to exposure. Here are some kwp points Fred discusses:

Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an allergic reaction to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, a sugar molecule found in most mammals, triggered by bites from certain ticks, like the lone star tick.

Symptoms include hives, itching, swelling, stomach pain, or anaphylaxis, typically delayed 2-6 hours after consuming red meat (e.g., beef, pork, lamb) or mammal-derived products.

Diagnosis involves a clinical history of delayed allergic reactions to red meat and tests like blood IgE antibody levels or skin prick tests for alpha-gal sensitivity.

Management requires avoiding red meat and sometimes dairy or gelatin; patients must check food, medication, and product labels for mammal-derived ingredients.

Prevalence is increasing, especially in areas with lone star ticks (e.g., southeastern U.S.), and there’s no cure, though symptoms may lessen over time with strict avoidance. Some individuals may find that their sensitivity to Alpha-gal decreases over time with strict avoidance, potentially allowing for some reintroduction of certain products, according to Yale Medicine.

SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ – Wendy Bowyer

Wendy Bowyer reports on the hot issues most talked about this past week on social media and our RV Lifestyle Community group.

Last week we had our first mini-meetup in Nashville, Tennessee, where some members of our private RVLifestyle Community “met up” at a restaurant for dinner and laughs. Some camped at the KOA there, and it sounds like everyone had a great time! We have more mini-meet ups this month in other cities and can't wait to hear more.

But this week, I'd like to share three quick tips to make RVing a little easier.

The first tip was shared in a post from Wayne and Susie in our private Community. They wrote:  “We are in a campground with 30 amp power and it is 100°. So I set up my ‘swamp cooler’ by tying freezer cold packs on the back of our portable fan. It helps immensely. Just wish I had another set of 4 freezer packs to switch out when these need to go back in the freezer.”

Wayne and Susie shared a picture of their fan and these ice packs attached, and it was brilliant! I could see this helping in an RV and even other situations. 

Next up is a post from Jane that was shared in our RVLifestyle Facebook Group. Jane wrote: “Found this to be the best kitchen appliance when it is hot outside. Doesn’t heat up your RV.”

And for those listening to the audio-only version of the podcast, what Jane shared was a picture of a single-burner induction cooktop that can be placed outside on a table, plugged in, and used to cook, keeping all of the heat outside of the rig.

Many saw this cooktop and talked about what a game-changer their portable single-burner induction cooktop is. Some said it prevents heat and smells in the rig, plus saves money by reducing propane use. You just need to make sure you have induction-capable cookware.

And then one last tip for this week is about spice storage and it is from Renee. Renee took her RV spice collection – things she used all the time for her cooking in plastic or glass spice jars – and transferred them into Mason Jar Ziplock bags she picked up online, and stored them in a clear box she bought at a Family Dollar store. What a great space-saving kitchen hack! Many said they were going to do the same exact thing.

RV QUESTION OF THE WEEK

QUESTION: I’m always reading about RV tires blowing out. Why don’t car tires blow out so much? – Nancy

ANSWER: Great question! The short answer is: RV tires are used under much harsher conditions than car tires, which is why blowouts are more common. And there are a lot of reasons:

• RVs are very heavy, often carrying loads close to the maximum rating of the tires.
• Many RVers unknowingly overload their rigs, putting extra stress on the tires. Car tires usually operate well below their maximum weight capacity, so they have more margin for error.
• RV tires run hotter because they’re carrying heavy loads, sometimes at higher pressures.
• RV tires often “age out” before they wear out. An RV might sit parked for long stretches, so the rubber degrades (dry rot, cracking) even if the tread looks fine. Cars are more likely to be driven regularly and stored in garages or shaded driveways.
• Finally, some RV manufacturers cut costs by equipping their rigs with the cheapest tires they can source – often from little-known overseas brands. Critics sometimes refer to these as “China Bombs” because of their reputation for failing under stress. Now, it’s true that many tires today are made in China, but the difference is that cars typically roll off the lot with well-known, reputable name brands. An RV dealer once gave me a simple rule of thumb: if you can’t easily pronounce the manufacturer’s name, it’s probably best to steer clear.

Bottom line: RV tires blow out more because they carry heavier loads, sit unused for long periods, and suffer more from age and heat, while car tires are used more regularly and under less strain.

Mike and Jen's RV Storytime: The Ogemaw County UFO Encounter

Mike: So Jen, remember that time we were boondocking way out in the middle of nowhere in Ogemaw County?

Jen: How could I forget? We were so deep in those woods, I'm pretty sure our GPS just gave up and started showing question marks.

Mike: We're talking like, just us, the RV, and about a million trees. And it's getting dark, and we're sitting outside with our camp chairs, just enjoying the peace and quiet…probably around 10 at night, and Jen goes, “Mike, what is that?”

Jen: Because there were these lights, you guys. Just over the treeline to the east of us. And they weren't like airplane lights or anything normal. They were moving really slowly from north to south, and here's the creepy part – they kept turning on and off.

Mike: Like, not blinking. Turning completely ON, then completely OFF. Just floating there, then gone, then back again in a slightly different spot.

Jen: We're watching these things for like twenty minutes, and Mike's got his phone out trying to record, but of course…

Mike: It's dark, so I'm just getting a black screen with maybe a tiny dot that could be anything. Super helpful.

Jen: But we both saw it. Multiple lights, moving in this weird pattern, definitely not following any flight path that made sense. And we're looking at each other like, “Are we really seeing this right now?”

Mike: I mean, we've watched enough YouTube videos to know what UFOs are supposed to look like, right? And this was checking all the boxes. Mysterious lights, middle of nowhere, no logical explanation…

Jen: We went to bed that night and I was like, “Mike, I think we just saw actual UFOs.” And he's like, “I think so too.” Neither of us slept great that night.

Mike: I kept listening for weird humming sounds or waiting for the RV to start shaking or something. Every little noise had me convinced the aliens were coming back.

Jen: So the next morning, we drive into town to hit up the local general store – you know, one of those places that has everything from fishing bait to breakfast cereal to motor oil.

Mike: And the guy behind the counter sees us and instantly spots us as not being locals. He goes, “Y'all camping out in the woods?” And we're like, “Yeah, why?”

Jen: And he starts telling us about how there's apparently this other campsite about a mile from where we were – which we had no idea existed – and the people camping there last night were celebrating something.

Mike: “Setting off Chinese lanterns,” he says. “Probably saw them floating around for a while last night.”

Jen: Chinese. Lanterns.

Mike: We just stood there looking at each other. All our UFO excitement just…vanished.

Jen: But you know what? For about twelve hours, we were absolutely convinced we'd witnessed something otherworldly. We were ready to call the Discovery Channel.

Mike: I was already planning our interview with the local news. “Camping couple spots unexplained phenomena over Ogemaw County.”

Jen: Instead it was more like, “Camping couple mistakes party decorations for alien spacecraft.”

Mike: The moral of the story is: sometimes the truth really is out there… it's just way more boring than you hoped.

Jen: But hey, at least we got a good story out of it! And those Chinese lanterns were actually really pretty, even if they weren't from outer space.

Before we go, let us again invite you to come hang out with us in the RV Lifestyle Community – our private, ad-free group for RVers who love to share stories, share tips, hold rallies and meet-ups, and share great places to camp. Check us out at RVCommunity.com.

That’s it for this week…

Happy Trails!