Good Monday morning, RVers!

We're now into Week 3 of Jennifer's recovery from her knee replacement surgery, and I'm happy to report that she's making steady progress. Every day seems to bring a little more strength and a little less discomfort. There's still a way to go, but we're encouraged by how things are coming along, and we're hopeful we'll be able to get back on the road in a few more weeks.

While I've been spending most of my time playing nurse, chauffeur, and chief ice-pack replacer, I did sneak away for a couple of quick reporting trips to Elkhart. One of them involved a major comfort upgrade to our fifth wheel that I've been wanting to do for a long time. I think you're going to like it. If all goes as planned, I'll have a Saturday YouTube video showing exactly what we changed, why we did it, and whether I think it's worth the investment.

One more thing.

If you've grown tired of the constant arguing, negativity, and drama that seems to have taken over so many Facebook groups, I'd love to invite you to join us at RVCommunity.com.

We built it to be everything social media used to be: friendly, helpful, welcoming, and focused on people who simply love the RV lifestyle. There are no algorithms deciding what you see, no political food fights, no anonymous trolls looking to stir things up, just real RVers sharing advice, travel ideas, campground recommendations, and encouragement.

Jen and I are there every day. We host live chats, answer questions, share behind-the-scenes updates, hold rallies and regional meet-ups, and genuinely get to know the people in our community. Many members tell us it's become their favorite place on the Internet, and friendships formed there have turned into campfires shared across the country.

If that sounds like the kind of community you've been looking for, we'd be honored to welcome you. You can learn more at RVCommunity.com.

Now, let's get to today's RV news.

RV Podcast News Edition for July 27, 2026

🎙️Yellowstone Madness, RV Scams, Roadtrek's New Owner and More

It has been another wild week in the RV world, and today's Monday News Edition is packed with stories every RVer should know about.

We begin in America's national parks, where a summer of astonishingly bad decisions by visitors is putting both people and wildlife at risk. From tourists walking across Yellowstone's fragile thermal features to another frightening bison attack and bears being euthanized because of careless campers, I connect the dots behind a troubling trend.

I'll also take a skeptical look at the RV industry's latest claims that the market is "building momentum," after spending time in Elkhart and seeing firsthand what's really happening on factory floors.

Plus, there's an important warning about a sophisticated fake RV dealership scam using AI-generated images to fool buyers, a deeper dive into the mystery surrounding Roadtrek's new owner, Conestogo Partners, and an update on the serious wildfire situation affecting RV travel in Minnesota and Canada.

Finally, I'll wrap up with some encouraging news about millions of dollars being invested to make our national parks safer and less congested.

If you like news that's researched, balanced, and tells you what it all means for RVers, I think you'll enjoy this episode.

Every story in this episode is fully researched, independently sourced, and explained in plain English, along with practical takeaways you can use to travel smarter and more safely. Complete source links are available at RVPodcast.com. You can also send us email, comments, and questions through the CONTACT link there.

If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and leave a review. It helps other RVers discover the show and supports the work we do every week to keep you informed.

My goal with these Monday News Edition podcasts isn't just to read the headlines. It's to explain what's happening, why it matters, and how it affects all of us who love the RV lifestyle.

I'd love for you to give it a listen or watch it on YouTube. I think you'll come away with a much better understanding of where our industry is headed.

Listen to the Audio Version of the Podcast

Watch the YouTube version of the Podcast

RV Question of the Week

Q: Mike, we're seeing more and more wildfire smoke during camping season. Is it actually dangerous to camp or drive through smoky areas, or is it mostly just an annoyance? - Emma, Harpers Ferry, VA

A: It's much more than an annoyance. Wildfire smoke contains tiny particles called PM2.5, microscopic bits of soot and ash that are small enough to travel deep into your lungs and even enter your bloodstream. Even healthy people can experience burning eyes, coughing, headaches, fatigue, or shortness of breath after prolonged exposure.

If you're over 65, or have asthma, COPD, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions, the risks are even greater. Heavy smoke can increase the chances of asthma attacks, respiratory infections, and even heart problems.

For RVers, the first thing to do is check the Air Quality Index (AQI) before heading out. If the AQI climbs above 100, sensitive groups should limit outdoor activity. Once it gets above 150, everyone should reduce prolonged exposure, and above 200 it's best to stay indoors as much as possible.

The easiest way is to use one of these free tools:

1. AirNow (my recommendation for U.S. travelers)
   • Website: AirNow.gov
   • App: AirNow
   • Uses EPA monitoring stations and provides the official AQI.
   • Excellent for planning travel days or checking campground conditions.
2. PurpleAir
   • Website: PurpleAir.com/map
   • Shows thousands of neighborhood air quality sensors in near real time.
   • Great if you're staying in a campground because you can often see a sensor just a few miles away.

Understanding the AQI

• 0-50 (Green): Good
• 51-100 (Yellow): Moderate
• 101-150 (Orange): Unhealthy for sensitive groups
• 151-200 (Red): Unhealthy
• 201-300 (Purple): Very unhealthy
• 301+: Hazardous

If you're driving through smoke, keep your windows closed and set your vehicle's climate control to recirculate so you're not constantly pulling smoky air into the cab. If you're camping and the smoke becomes thick enough that you can smell it inside your RV, it's time to close up, run your air conditioner on recirculate if possible, and consider moving to a different area if conditions aren't expected to improve.

Your RV can protect you from rain and wind, but it's not designed to filter heavy smoke. Sometimes, the smartest travel decision is simply to wait a day or two or change your route. The campground will still be there when the air is safe to breathe.

Have an RV question you'd like me to answer in a future newsletter? Just hit the CONTACT link at RVPodcast.com. I read every email, and your question may appear in an upcoming episode.

Here's the web app I talked about during the podcast - check it out!

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