Camping isn’t slowing down—but it is changing.

In this episode, Kenny and Sean break down the latest findings from the 2026 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report by Kampgrounds of America and talk through what these shifts actually mean for RVers, campground trends, and the future of the industry.

This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about how—and why—people are choosing to camp today.

http://koa.uberflip.com/i/1544394-2026-koa-camping-and-outdoor-hospitality-report/57?

Camping Is Still Huge—But Stabilizing

• Over 50 million households are camping
• The post-pandemic surge didn’t collapse
• Is this the new normal for the industry?

Why People Camp Has Changed

• Shift from budget travel → mental reset
• Rise of “unstructured outdoor wellness”
• Are RVers actually unplugging… or just relocating their lifestyle?

The Rise of Glamping

• Nearly 1 in 3 campers are glamping
• Many new campers start here
• Is glamping feeding RV ownership—or replacing it?

Renting vs Owning

• More campers are choosing rentals over ownership
• Flexibility is becoming more important than commitment
• What this could mean for RV sales long-term

Slower, Longer Travel

• Fewer trips, longer stays
• Shift toward more intentional travel
• Impact on campgrounds, fuel, and how people use their RVs

A Generational Divide

• Younger campers:
  • Experience-driven
  • Renting and glamping
• Older campers:
  • Ownership-focused
  • Returning to camping

Are we looking at two completely different camping worlds?

Campgrounds Are Changing

• More resort-style amenities
• Higher prices across the board
• Less middle ground between budget and luxury

Is this pushing more RVers toward boondocking?

What This Means for the RV Industry

• Are manufacturers building for the right buyer?
• Does the future lean toward:
  • Smaller rigs?
  • More flexible setups?
  • Rental-friendly designs?

Key Takeaway

Camping isn’t declining—it’s evolving.

The biggest shift isn’t how people camp…
it’s why they camp.

Join the Conversation

Are you seeing these changes where you camp?

• Are campgrounds getting more expensive?
• Are you noticing more glamping setups?
• Would you rent an RV instead of owning one?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear what you’re seeing out there.

Listen & Follow

If you enjoy episodes like this, be sure to:

• Subscribe to Beyond The Wheel
• Share with a fellow RVer
• Leave a review—it helps more people find the show

The post The State of Camping in 2026 – What the KOA Report Really Tells Us appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.

There’s a lot of noise out there about RV life, and not all of it is true. In this episode of Beyond The Wheel Podcast, we’re busting some of the most common RV myths and sharing what life on the road actually looks like. From where you stay, to who you meet, to the real costs involved, this is a reality check for anyone curious about RVing.

Whether you’re RV-curious or already rolling down the highway, this episode separates fact from fiction.

What We Cover in This Episode

• Why RV myths exist and how they shape expectations
• Myth #1: You must stay in campgrounds
  • Boondocking, dispersed camping, and unique overnight stays
• Myth #2: RV life is lonely
  • Community, friendships, and unexpected connections on the road
• Myth #3: RVs can’t handle extreme weather
  • Staying comfortable in heat and cold with the right setup
• Myth #4: RV life is always cheaper
  • Real costs like fuel and maintenance
  • How budgeting actually works in RV life
• Final thoughts and a fun sign-off

Who This Episode Is For

• Anyone considering RV life
• New RVers sorting fact from fiction
• Full-time or part-time RVers nodding along saying, “Yep, that’s true”

Connect With Us

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who still thinks RV life only happens in campgrounds.

See you down the road.

The post RV Myths Busted appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.

Thinking about becoming an RVer? Already on the road and wondering why it still feels harder than expected?
This episode is for you.

RV life looks simple from the outside, but the reality hits fast once plans change, weather turns, budgets stretch, and things break. In this episode of Beyond The Wheel, we break down what it actually takes to become an RVer and stay sane doing it.

This isn’t about what RV to buy or which gadgets to install. It’s about mindset, flexibility, planning, and budgeting for real life on the road.

What We Cover in This Episode

Flexibility Is the Real Skill

Why rigid schedules don’t survive RV life and how learning to plan in pencil makes the experience more enjoyable and far less stressful.

Keeping Your Cool When Things Go Wrong

From breakdowns to bad weather, things will go sideways. We talk about what actually goes wrong most often and how experienced RVers stay calm while new RVers panic.

Planning Without Overplanning

How to plan the things that matter like routes, fuel, height, power, and access without killing the fun by over-scheduling every mile and minute.

Budgeting for Reality, Not Instagram

The real costs of RV life, why budgets should be ranges not fixed numbers, and the expenses nobody mentions when you’re just getting startedIs RV Life Really for You?

Honest talk about who thrives in RV life, who struggles, and why there’s no “right” way to do it.

Key Takeaways

• Flexibility matters more than gear
• Calm decision-making beats control
• Overplanning creates stress, not safety
• RV budgets are unpredictable by nature
• RV life evolves and that’s normal

Final Thought

Becoming an RVer isn’t about being ready.
It’s about being adaptable.

Join the Conversation

If this episode helped you, share it with someone who’s RV-curious or just starting out.
Have a “first RV disaster” story? We want to hear it.

Follow Beyond The Wheel for more honest conversations about RV life, the industry, and what really happens once you hit the road.

The post So You Want to Be an RVer? appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.

Everyone keeps asking us when we’re upgrading.
The truth is… we already did.

In this episode, Kenny and Sean get real about why they are both still traveling in RVs that are years old and why, for most RVers, keeping what you already own and upgrading it smartly is often a better move than buying brand new.

Kenny’s Class A just turned ten years old. Sean’s rig is over five. Between the two of them, they’ve logged thousands of miles, countless repairs, upgrades, and lessons that no sales brochure can teach. This conversation isn’t anti new RVs. It’s pro smart ownership.

If you’ve ever felt pressure to trade in your rig because it feels outdated, this episode will change how you look at what you already own.

In this episode we cover

• Why the RV industry constantly pushes the “upgrade cycle”
• How social media makes perfectly good RVs feel old
• The hidden costs of buying new that no one talks about
• Why knowing your rig is more valuable than owning a new one
• How targeted upgrades can outperform a brand new RV
• The stress and uncertainty that comes with new ownership
• When it actually does make sense to buy new
• Why most RVers don’t need a new RV, they need a better version of the one they already have

Why this matters

RVs are not phones.
They are houses that go through earthquakes.

New does not automatically mean better. Often it just means unproven.

By keeping and upgrading their rigs, Kenny and Sean have built RVs that are tailored to their exact travel style, off grid needs, and comfort. That knowledge, reliability, and confidence is something money cannot buy off a dealer lot.

Who this episode is for

• RVers feeling pressure to upgrade
• Full timers trying to stretch their budget
• Weekend campers who love their current rig
• Anyone who wants less stress and more time on the road

The big takeaway

Most RVers do not need a new RV.
They need a smarter version of the one they already have.

The post Why Keeping Your RV Beats Buying New appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.

In this Driver’s Edition episode of Beyond the Wheel, Kenny takes listeners behind the scenes of the RV industry to unpack what’s really happening right now. Using recent shipment numbers, dealer dynamics, and major industry moves, this episode cuts through the noise to explain where the market stands and what it means for buyers, owners, and anyone watching the RV space.

This isn’t a boom-and-bust story. It’s a look at an industry maturing, recalibrating, and adapting to a more intentional consumer.

• Recent RV shipment numbers from the last quarter and what they actually signal
• Why wholesale shipments and retail sales don’t always tell the same story
• How buyer behavior has shifted toward payments, value, and long-term ownership
• Why some RVs are being heavily discounted while others hold firm on price
• Inventory pressure, floorplan costs, and the reality dealers are managing today
• What types of RVs are still selling well and why
• Interior and upholstery trends driven by real-world use, not showroom flash
• Quiet but meaningful changes in RV build philosophy and serviceability
• RV technology that genuinely improves the camping experience
• The Lazy Days shakeup: how Camping World and Campers Inn split the dealership group
• What dealer consolidation means for consumers, service, and the future of the industry

• RV shipments show stability, not chaos
• Buyers haven’t disappeared, they’ve become more selective
• Dealer consolidation reflects tighter margins and a more disciplined market
• The most important RV improvements today are often the least flashy

Whether you’re shopping for your next rig, considering upgrades, or just want a clearer picture of where the RV industry is headed, this Driver’s Edition gives you the context you need without the hype.

The post Beyond the Wheel – Driver’s Edition Dec 2025 appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.

In this special episode of Beyond the Wheel, Sean flips the mic and interviews Kenny about the creation of his first children’s book, Belle’s RV Adventures.

What started as life on the road with a dog named Belle turned into a children’s book designed to spark curiosity, imagination, and a love for travel. Kenny shares why he decided to turn Belle’s real RV travels into a story for kids, what the self-publishing process actually looks like, and what surprised him most about becoming a first-time author.

This episode pulls back the curtain on the creative process, the emotional side of launching a book, and how storytelling can connect families to the RV lifestyle in a whole new way.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why Belle became the main character
• How real RV travels inspired the story
• The decision to create a children’s book
• Lessons learned from self-publishing
• What this book means for families who love adventure
• What’s next for Belle’s RV Adventures

About the Book

Belle’s RV Adventures is a children’s book told from the perspective of Belle, a curious dog who experiences the world from the passenger seat of an RV. The story celebrates travel, discovery, and seeing the world through fresh eyes.

Get the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G42HQH59

Don’t Forget

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves RVing, travel, or reading with their kids.

The post When Your Dog Becomes an Author – The Story Behind Belle’s RV Adventures appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.