Confessions Of A Camp Host

This week on the RV Podcast:

• Confessions of a Camp Host: In our dialog of the week, you’ll hear all in regards to the Good, the Bad, and the Wonderfully Weird
• Gas costs are sky excessive once more, however they’re blaming it on a flood at a refinery and say costs ought to drop once more quickly.
• How to not get burned out from driving to your subsequent tenting spot
• All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions developing in Episode 562 of the RV Podcast

You can watch the video model from our RV Lifestyle YouTube Channel by clicking the participant under.

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Hey, earlier than we get to the information of the week, let’s simply take a second to let you know about one thing we’re actually enthusiastic about. You understand how RVing isn’t simply in regards to the locations you go, it’s in regards to the individuals you meet? Well, that’s precisely what we’ve constructed with our RV Lifestyle Community.

It’s non-public, it’s ad-free, and it’s full of of us identical to you — RVers who need to share ideas, swap tales, and assist one another out. We’re in there day by day ourselves, so it actually looks like a campfire dialog that simply retains going.

And sure, it’s a paid neighborhood, however truthfully… some issues are price paying for. You get a trusted, secure house, and a gaggle of associates who actually get this life-style.

So in case you’ve been searching for a spot the place you belong, come be a part of us at RVCommunity.com. We’d like to see you there.”

RV NEWS OF THE WEEK

​Labor Day Price Spike? Blame the Midwest Refinery Flood​

If you might be from the Midwest and winced on the sudden gas pump worth hike proper earlier than Labor Day, we really feel your ache! Flooding quickly closed the Midwest’s largest oil refinery. The outcome was a sudden 27-cent per gallon worth hike in all places from Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, to some components of Illinois and Indiana. The excellent news is that the BP Whiting Refinery in Indiana is now working once more. And specialists anticipate costs to drop within the subsequent week.

Overwhelmed and Understaffed: Leaked Report Reveals Strain on U.S. National Parks​

The National Parks Service misplaced about one-quarter of its workforce this yr, and a leaked inside parks report from July 2025 exhibits, “staff are overwhelmed, conditions are deteriorating, and visitors are being left without the services or protections they count on,” says the National Parks Conservation Association, an advocacy group. The results of the staffing cuts fluctuate and are primarily based on what number of staff have been misplaced at a selected location by means of the federal government’s early retirement provide and probationary staff’ cuts. For instance, Yellowstone stories no issues, whereas Yosemite stories a brief halt to ranger-led excursions. Zion reported a discount in cleansing capabilities and fewer capability to reply to emergencies, and Indiana Dunes dropped ranger programming from 575 final yr to 100 this yr. 

​Lightship’s Self-Propelling Futuristic Travel Trailer Nears Delivery​

The first clients who bought an all-electric, self-propelling journey trailer created by a Colorado startup will quickly take supply. We interviewed the ​founders of Lightship​ just a few years again on the podcast, and have been monitoring their progress since. Their all-electric journey trailers will be towed by an electrical, diesel, or gasoline-fueled truck, however as a result of they’re self-propelling, the trailers scale back gas prices. They are managed by a pill, fold all the way down to a extra aerodynamic dimension, and are fairly fascinating.

​Keep Your Distance: Elk Mating Season Brings Meadow Closures at Rocky Mountain National Park​

Love is within the air for the elk of Rocky Mountain National Park, which suggests meadow areas are closing Sept. 1 from 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. each day. Elk mating season lasts by means of the tip of October. During this time, guests are urged to remain at the least 75 ft away, and the closed areas embody the meadows of Horseshoe Park, Upper Beaver Meadows, Moraine Park, Harbison Meadow, and Holzwarth.

​Bear Spray Saved Hiker Attacked by Mama Bear in Glacier National Park​

A hiker was attacked by a bear in Glacier National Park final week whereas strolling close to Lake Janet. The bear and her two cubs jumped out of the comb, and the lady dove off the path, protecting her head when the mama bear swiped her, injuring her shoulder and arm. Her companion used bear spray, which induced the animals to flee, and the hikers then made it to Lake Janet Wilderness Campground, the place assist was referred to as. The bears won’t be put down as they have been stunned, and the mama was making an attempt to guard her cubs.

RV CONVERSATION OF THE WEEK – Confessions of a Camp Host

Ari Adler and his spouse Jessi spend about 9 months of the yr touring the nation, working remotely and camp internet hosting at a few of the most fascinating areas. They camp in a  2022 Airstream Flying Cloud (30-foot workplace mannequin) and is on the street about 9 months a yr. Both work remotely on the street, whereas camp internet hosting.

Recently, they spent a while in Texas camp internet hosting at Mustang Island State Park, Goliad State Park, and even the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site. Today Ari is right here to share a glimpse into the Camp Host world that we predict you may discover fascinating.

SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZ – Wendy Bowyer

Wendy Bowyer stories on the new points most talked about this previous week on social media and our RV Lifestyle Community group.

This week in my Social Media report, I’d wish to let you know a few publish Douglas positioned in our RV Lifestyle Facebook Group in search of steering. Perhaps certainly one of you possibly can relate. 

Douglas was feeling a bit discouraged and was starting to surprise if the RV life was for him. Here’s the background. Douglas and his spouse purchased a 36-foot motorhome in 2019. They deliberate to go out and have RV adventures straight away, however COVID occurred, then some new grandkids, so Douglas and his spouse actually began hitting the street for the primary time this yr.

Their first journey was a Fantasy RV Tour to Calgary for 15 days. They loved it. Motorhome ran nice. But he wrote: “The driving seemed a bit tedious and at times nerve-racking, crazy drivers, narrow roads, and road construction.”

Douglas and his spouse scheduled one other journey in Maine in late September, and in a comparatively quick period of time they left North Idaho, went by means of Missoula, MT; Chinook, MT; Williston, ND; Woodworth, ND; Lake Elmo, MN; Sturgeon Bay, WI; Sister Bay, WI; took the ferry boat to Ludington, MI; then to Jenison, MI; Mackinaw City, MI; went to Mackinac Island, MI after which Belleville, MI, the place he wrote this publish.

Douglas mentioned, “So this is the problem. We are burned out on all the driving. It seems like this is not a vacation but a lot of work and stress. I keep asking myself. ‘When does this become fun?’”

Poor Douglas! He and his spouse are questioning if they need to promote their motorhome, as RV life will not be for them. They are additionally desirous about possibly spending the winters in a southern state and summers in a northern state and solely drive from place to position twice a yr. But then they are not actually seeing America which is why they bought into this. And the very last thing Douglas shared is he’s 75, his spouse is 70, and he’s questioning if they’re mainly too outdated to drive a 36-foot diesel pusher across the nation. 

He wanted recommendation, and Douglas obtained some great recommendation – practically 900 feedback. First, the frequent theme is he’s driving approach an excessive amount of every day. 

Sean wrote it fantastically when he mentioned partially: “I appreciate you sharing all this so honestly. What you’re feeling is actually really common for folks who are new to motorhome life. A lot of people go into it with the dream of “seeing America,” however then the fact of fixed driving, lengthy days on the street, building, and coping with different drivers can flip it into extra work than enjoyable—particularly on these marathon cross-country journeys… The tempo could also be what’s draining you. Covering that a lot floor in such a short while could make it really feel such as you’re at all times “pushing” as a substitute of truly having fun with the locations you’re going.”

Others counsel they spend per week or extra in a spot as a substitute of transferring each couple days. Mark had nice recommendation. He urged Douglas and his spouse to consider what they really need to do whereas touring. Is it to go to museums? Meet individuals? Hike? Experience nature? Explore cities? Then construct your journeys round this. Mark additionally reminded them they don’t seem to be on trip however are retired, so they do not must squeeze all the pieces right into a small time window, however can and may schedule downtime.

Also many mentioned it’s okay to reevaluate whether or not that is the precise RV. Is the motorhome too massive? Would a small rig or a journey trailer work higher? 

Lots of nice recommendation. And it makes me surprise, what recommendation would you give to Douglas and his spouse? Drop it within the feedback.

Thanks, Wendy! We need to once more remind you that the dialog doesn’t cease when the podcast ends. Come hang around with us within the RV Lifestyle Community at RVCommunity.com. It’s the place all the very best ideas, tales, and concepts hold rolling in.

RV QUESTION OF THE WEEK

QUESTION: Question for RVers with 50 AMP rigs. We have a fifth Wheel that takes 50 AMP. We are booked at a campsite subsequent month that’s 30 AMP. We booked earlier than we upgraded our RV. Hopefully, we gained’t want A/C, but when we do, will it work to run only one unit? Is it okay to do this?

ANSWER: A 50-amp RV usually has two 120V legs (totaling 12,000 watts), whereas a 30-amp connection supplies a single 120V leg (3,600 watts max). This means you may have considerably much less energy accessible.

Most 50-amp RVs can use a dogbone adapter to connect with a 30-amp pedestal, however this limits you to the 30-amp provide.

A typical RV A/C unit (13,500–15,000 BTU) attracts 12–16 amps when working (greater throughout startup, as much as 20 amps). Running only one A/C unit on a 30-amp connection is often potential, however you’ll have to handle different home equipment fastidiously to keep away from tripping the breaker.

So, Yes, it’s okay to run one A/C unit, supplied you restrict different high-draw home equipment (e.g., microwave, water heater, electrical heaters, or hair dryers) to remain beneath the 30-amp restrict.