Mike Wendland

There is a generation of Americans hitting the road right now that grew up doing something most people under 40 have never actually done: figuring things out without a screen. They read paper maps, made campground reservations by phone, talked to strangers when they got lost, fixed things with their hands, and navigated genuine uncertainty

Fourth of July rush? AAA is projecting that 72.2 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during this year's Independence Day holiday period, the highest number ever recorded. More than 61 million of those travelers will be driving, which means America's highways, fuel stops, rest areas, and campgrounds are about to get a whole lot busier.

We’ve been tracking some serious corporate drama behind the scenes for the past month, and today, the hammer finally dropped. Patrick Industries and LCI Industries (better known to all of us as Lippert) just announced a definitive agreement to join forces in an all-stock merger. The two companies are combining to form an absolute titan

If you own an electric vehicle—or if you’ve spent any time wandering the loops of an RV park lately—you’ve probably noticed a silent war brewing right at the power pedestal. As more RVers hit the road towing an EV behind their motorhome, or driving an electric truck to haul their travel trailer, a massive friction

This Independence Day weekend was supposed to be a showcase moment for America's national parks. Instead, it is shaping up as a stress test. The National Park Service is marking the country's 250th anniversary with hundreds of special programs and commemorations, and the July 3-5 weekend is fee-free for US residents. That combination alone was

When did camping become more expensive than hotels? Not long ago, one of the great advantages of RV travel was simple economics. You bought the RV, paid for the fuel, and enjoyed the freedom of the road, knowing that campground fees would almost always be cheaper than a hotel room.

A recent viral article listed '15 Reasons You'll Regret an RV in Retirement,' citing things like fuel costs, traffic, and—gasp—dumping your own tanks. As someone who has happily spent 15 years living the RV life, my only reaction was: Really? That’s the list? Let's talk about why the naysayers have it all wrong.

According to the RV Industry Association, millions of Americans are planning RV trips this year, and the overwhelming majority of current RV owners say they intend to travel just as much or more than they did last year. That raises an interesting question. If the economy is uncertain and new RV sales are slowing, why does demand for the RV experience itself remain so strong? After fifteen years on the road, I think I know the answer...

You’ve seen the thumbnails. A close-up of a crying influencer, a sad font, and a dramatic title: “Why We Are Quitting RV Life For Good.”I'm sorry, but somebody has to call this out for what it is.It’s the ultimate clickbait. It pulls at your heartstrings, spikes the algorithm, and racks up thousands of views. But if you watch until the end, or follow them for another three months, you realize something funny: They aren't actually quitting.

Manufacturers used to compete by adding bigger televisions and prettier interiors. Today, the real competition is happening where many buyers never think to look: under the skin of a smart RV.