How To Avoid An RV Breakdown Before It Happens

In this episode, we talk with a seasoned RV technician about how to avoid an RV breakdown before it happens. You will learn the most common failure points, the simple checks that catch problems early, and the habits that keep your rig running smoothly and safely. If you want fewer surprises and more confidence on the road, this breakdown prevention conversation is a must-listen.

PLUS the News of the Week, Social Media Buzz, and Question of the Week.

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

If you prefer an audio-only podcast, you can hear us through your favorite podcast app or listen now through the player below.

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RV CONVERSATION OF THE WEEK – RV Breakdown

If you have ever been rolling down the highway and wondered, “What could go wrong with my RV today?” this episode is for you. Breakdowns are not random. They follow patterns and warning signs that most RVers simply do not know how to spot. 

Today, we bring in an expert who sees it all, from roadside rescues to shop repairs, and he is here to show us how to avoid an RV breakdown before it happens. You will pick up practical tips you can use on your very next trip. So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let us help you keep your RV running strong.

Our guest is Jeremy Wagers, an instructor at the National RV Training Academy – the NRVTA. He is going to go over some of these fears and give us some practical tips on things RVers can do to reduce the chance of a breakdown happening on your next trip. (They also have a Home Study Course).

Listen or watch the interview in the players above.

This part of the podcast is sponsored by RVOvernights, where you can stay free at farms, wineries, and attractions across the country. Go to RVLifestyle.com/rvovernights and use the promo code “RVLDEAL” to save 40% of the already low $49 annual fee.

RV NEWS OF THE WEEK

Here’s a heads up on what could be a big issue at our National Parks in 2026 – longer lines to enter the national parks.  Beginning Jan. 1, as all visitors age 16 and up with annual passes will be asked to present a U.S. government-issued photo ID at the entrance to determine if they qualify for the U.S. resident price – or not. We told you last week that U.S. residents will now pay less than foreign visitors, and on free days, U.S. residents can enter for free, but foreign ones can not, again something that must be proven with a valid I.D. The concern is that all these checks will lead to longer entry lines. We’ll see.. But ID checks will take time and a US government ID usually means a passport or a REAL ID. It’s unclear whether state-issued Driver’s Licenses that are not REAL ID – ID-certified will be accepted.

Would you buy a self-driving RV? Footage of the futuristic Tesla Robovan recently went viral and let’s just say, it’s coming. The Robovan looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. It is being developed to move goods, or up to 20 people, but recently an executive said it could also be a small RV. To us, this Robovan that is under development now looks less like a camper van than a sleek car on the Monorail at Disney World. You need to check it out! We show it in the video version of the podcast on our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission wants to change some of its camping rules to help make up for a projected $8 million shortfall. The state is proposing introducing dynamic pricing for campgrounds, changing its Special Access Pass, providing flexibility for the cost of day-use parking and eliminate all refunds for no-show campers and introducing a tiered refund system for those who cancel their reservations. Public comment is being taken through Jan. 15.

Wildlife researchers are really excited in Arizona. A jaguar was spotted at a remote watering hole in southern Arizona on a trail cam, exciting researchers. The jaguar is the fifth such cat confirmed by the University of Arizona Wild Cat Research and Conservation Center over the past 15 years. It likely crossed the border from Mexico. Jaguars are native to Mexico and are the third-largest cat in the world after tigers and lions. This is a big deal for wildlife researchers. They are beautiful animals and now we know at least one is in Arizona.

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.

In our private RV Lifestyle Community, we have a bunch of mini meetups coming up, causing quite the buzz! Now our private RV Lifestyle community is online, and like other social media connections you may have, only it is way more than that. And one of the things we do is get together in person and have mini meetups or have rallies to hang out in real life.

And this Friday, we have a group heading to Shipshewana, Indiana, where they have a whole bunch of different Christmas-themed activities planned. I know they’re gonna have a blast and can’t wait to hear about it. 

Then over in our  RV Lifestyle Facebook Group,  we’re starting to get a lot of posts centered around Christmas, and one was from Haris. Haris asked:

“What are the best Christmas gift ideas for a full-time RVer traveling in a small RV?”

So many interesting and helpful responses to this question that apply to both full time RVers and non-full timers, I had to share them with you.

Here are my favorite 7 gift suggestions, based on this post.

1. Road atlas 

A new year begins 2026, which means it is time to get a new paper atlas so the RVer on your list is up-to-date on the latest road changes in the U.S. and Canada.

2. Photo magnets

Turn photos of grandchildren, family members or close friends into magnets. The RVer can then put those magnets on the fridge and remember their loved ones who are thinking of them as they have their epic adventure.

3. A destination kit 

Find one of the locations on your RVer’s itinerary and build a gift around that which includes tickets to a museum, a concert, maybe a unique restaurant or coffee shop. Whatever interests your RVer, build the destination kit for spots at that destination around it.

4. Campground stay

Buy a gift card for a free night or two at a campground your RVer enjoys – or maybe buy it for a chain, like KOA, with options all over the country. 

5. Binoculars

These come in handy at national parks or any kind of scenic place. If your RVer is a nature lover, this is a great gift.

6. Dishwashing holiday

This is one of the more unique suggestions that I loved. Buy some paper plates, paper bowls and paper cups, wrap them nicely, and label the gift a “dishwashing holiday”. Most RVs do not have dishwashers, and who would not want a dishwashing break?

7. Fuel card

This was by far the number one gift suggestion, and it makes so much sense.

This part of the podcast is sponsored by Wholesale Warranties, where you can get the best deal on extended warranty coverage for your RVs. Starting January 1st, all RVs are considered one model year older, which means pricing and eligibility for warranty protection will change. Save money and protect your rig by signing up now. Get a free, personalized quote at wholesalewarranties.com/rvlifestyle

RV QUESTION OF THE WEEK

QUESTION: This comes from Richard and Allison: We’re going to the Tampa RV Show and wonder what to expect. We’re shopping for a new RV but we don’t want to be high pressured and wonder if the prices at a big show like that are really worth it?

ANSWER: RV shows can be great for research and comparison shopping, but they’re definitely a mixed bag when it comes to pressure and pricing.

Here’s what you’ll likely encounter at the Tampa RV Show, which, by the way, is officially known as the Florida RV Supershow. 

The Good: You’ll see tons of RVs in one place, as many as 1,500, which makes comparing floor plans, features, and brands incredibly efficient. It’s perfect for narrowing down what you actually want. You can walk through dozens of units in a few hours, something that would take weeks visiting individual dealerships. Plus, you’ll find seminars and vendors that can answer technical questions.

The RVs at the show are for sale. RV Manufacturers send their new models and all the selling is done through dealers at the show. The dealers will often bring their own models, too. The salespeople are from the dealers, though usually there are manufacturer representatives on the scene, too.

But, yes, there will be lots of salespeople. Some are genuinely helpful and low-key, others are more aggressive. Sometimes, dealers bring in freelance salespeople to supplement their own staff. The key for you as a shopper is in setting boundaries early. Tell them upfront: “We’re in research mode today, not buying.” Don’t feel obligated to give your contact info if you don’t want follow-ups. If someone’s too pushy, just move on. There are plenty of other rigs to see.

Now, About Those “Show Specials”: Here’s the reality: show prices aren’t automatically better. Sometimes they are competitive, especially on leftover inventory dealers want to move. They may be new, meaning they are unsold, but they are last year’s models. But “show specials” can also be marketing tactics. The real question isn’t whether it’s a show deal, it’s whether it’s a good deal compared to what you’d negotiate elsewhere.

Before the show, do some homework. Know the MSRPs and typical selling prices for models you’re interested in. Check RV Trader and dealer websites to see what similar units are actually selling for. That way, when someone says “show special,” you’ll know if it’s genuinely good or just average with a bow on it.

My Advice: Treat this trip purely as education. Take photos, grab brochures, note what you like and don’t like. Don’t buy on impulse, no matter how good the “today only” deal sounds. The right RV will still be available after you’ve had time to think, research, and negotiate properly.

The Florida RV Supershow in Tampa is not the only show.  January kicks off RV show season nationwide (you can see the list we’re updating for 2026 here). Tampa’s just the beginning. Over the next two months, shows will pop up all across the country, and dealerships will be working overtime with their “best deals of the year.” That’s why we’re hosting a special webinar at PM on New Year’s Day evening at RVCommunity.com. We’re covering exactly what you need to know: how to shop an RV show without getting pressured, how to spot a real deal versus marketing hype, and the research you should do before you ever set foot in that convention center.

This isn’t just about surviving one show. It’s about knowing how to shop for and buy a new RV without getting taken to the cleaners, period.

The webinar is exclusive to RVCommunity.com members. So you have to be a member to attend. But when you join, you also get access to our twice-weekly livestreams, expert resources, and a community of real RVers (not influencers) who actually know their stuff. And there are NO ADs on the community. Just real info from real RVers.

If you want to know what you’re doing before you walk into that RV show circus, join RVCommunity.com and catch the webinar. And then, as a community member, you’ll have access to so much more after it’s over.