Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
It is officially an RV buyer's market!
New RV sales are falling, dealer inventories remain high, and manufacturers are cutting forecasts. For RV shoppers, that means something we have not seen in quite a while: real negotiating leverage.
But a buyer's market does not automatically mean every RV is a good deal.
In this week's RV Podcast News Edition, we dig into what is happening at RV dealerships, why so many 2026 models remain unsold, what buyers should be paying attention to with financing, and how to make sure a huge advertised discount really is a bargain. We also look at why the arrival of the new 2027 models could put even more pressure on dealers to move older inventory.
Also this week:
- America's Largest RV Show is coming to Hershey, with the new 2027 RVs arriving while dealers are still trying to clear unsold 2026 inventory.
- Wildfire danger is growing across the West, bringing campground closures, campfire bans and some important evacuation lessons for RV travelers.
- The Farmers' Almanac has issued its 2026-27 winter forecast. We take a somewhat skeptical look at just how much RV travelers should trust it.
- Quicksand in a National Park? A 22-year-old hiker sank shoulder-deep into glacial mud at Glacier National Park and needed four friends to pull her out. It wasn't real quicksand - but it sure felt like it!
If you are shopping for an RV, traveling through wildfire country, planning a trip to Hershey, or just trying to stay on top of what's happening in the RV lifestyle, we've got a lot to talk about this week.
And remember: We source our news stories. You'll find links to the original reporting and additional information on the show notes page at https://RVPodcast.com. Look for the Transcript tab and scroll to the bottom.
REMINDER: There are just two days left to save 20% on our new ebook, The Complete Guide to RVing in Retirement. The early-bird discount ends Wednesday, August 12. Get it at RVLifestyle.com/RetirementGuide.
You can get a free chapter download at rvlifestyle.com/freechapter
00:00 – Intro and Welcome
00:07 – Special Announcement: RVing in Retirement Ebook Discount
00:52 – Journalism Background and Sourcing Information
01:23 – Why it’s Officially an RV Buyer’s Market
02:55 – Wholesale Shipments vs. Retail Sales Data
03:20 – Manufacturer Sales Declines (Thor, Winnebago, etc.)
03:56 – The Impact of High Interest Rates on RV Loans
05:54 – Tips for Negotiating Financing and Using Credit Unions
06:40 – Warning: Why a Buyer’s Market Doesn’t Mean Every RV is a Deal
07:31 – Step-by-Step Strategy for Negotiating Your Transaction
08:35 – The Importance of Independent RV Inspections
10:01 – Hershey RV Show Preview: 2027 Models vs. Unsold 2026 Inventory
13:29 – Wildfire Restrictions and Safety Warnings for Western Campgrounds
16:51 – Farmers Almanac Winter 2026-2027 Forecast Analysis
22:40 – Safety Lesson: Hiker Trapped in Mud at Glacier National Park
26:43 – Wrap-up and Final Reminders
► If you want help planning and organizing your own RV trips, we have put all our guides, tools, RV travel apps and checklists together in one place.
You will find it all rvlifestyle.com/plan
Join our community: rvcommunity.com
Plan an RV trip: rvlifestyle.com/start
#RVLife #RVLiving #RVTravel #CampingLife #RVLifestyle
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE and click the bell icon to be notified of new videos and our YouTube Live special reports from the cool places we visit on our RV adventures.
Please note this channel is for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV experts and are not simply sharing our opinions and what seems to work for us. You should do your own research and make your own decisions.
It is officially an RV buyer's market!
New RV sales are falling, dealer inventories remain high, and manufacturers are cutting forecasts. For RV shoppers, that means something we have not seen in quite a while: real negotiating leverage.
But a buyer's market does not automatically mean every RV is a good deal.
In this week's RV Podcast News Edition, we dig into what is happening at RV dealerships, why so many 2026 models remain unsold, what buyers should be paying attention to with financing, and how to make sure a huge advertised discount really is a bargain. We also look at why the arrival of the new 2027 models could put even more pressure on dealers to move older inventory.
Also this week:
- America's Largest RV Show is coming to Hershey, with the new 2027 RVs arriving while dealers are still trying to clear unsold 2026 inventory.
- Wildfire danger is growing across the West, bringing campground closures, campfire bans and some important evacuation lessons for RV travelers.
- The Farmers' Almanac has issued its 2026-27 winter forecast. We take a somewhat skeptical look at just how much RV travelers should trust it.
- Quicksand in a National Park? A 22-year-old hiker sank shoulder-deep into glacial mud at Glacier National Park and needed four friends to pull her out. It wasn't real quicksand - but it sure felt like it!
If you are shopping for an RV, traveling through wildfire country, planning a trip to Hershey, or just trying to stay on top of what's happening in the RV lifestyle, we've got a lot to talk about this week.
And remember: We source our news stories. You'll find links to the original reporting and additional information on the show notes page at https://RVPodcast.com. Look for the Transcript tab and scroll to the bottom.
REMINDER: There are just two days left to save 20% on our new ebook, The Complete Guide to RVing in Retirement. The early-bird discount ends Wednesday, August 12. Get it at RVLifestyle.com/RetirementGuide.
You can get a free chapter download at rvlifestyle.com/freechapter
00:00 – Intro and Welcome
00:07 – Special Announcement: RVing in Retirement Ebook Discount
00:52 – Journalism Background and Sourcing Information
01:23 – Why it’s Officially an RV Buyer’s Market
02:55 – Wholesale Shipments vs. Retail Sales Data
03:20 – Manufacturer Sales Declines (Thor, Winnebago, etc.)
03:56 – The Impact of High Interest Rates on RV Loans
05:54 – Tips for Negotiating Financing and Using Credit Unions
06:40 – Warning: Why a Buyer’s Market Doesn’t Mean Every RV is a Deal
07:31 – Step-by-Step Strategy for Negotiating Your Transaction
08:35 – The Importance of Independent RV Inspections
10:01 – Hershey RV Show Preview: 2027 Models vs. Unsold 2026 Inventory
13:29 – Wildfire Restrictions and Safety Warnings for Western Campgrounds
16:51 – Farmers Almanac Winter 2026-2027 Forecast Analysis
22:40 – Safety Lesson: Hiker Trapped in Mud at Glacier National Park
26:43 – Wrap-up and Final Reminders
► If you want help planning and organizing your own RV trips, we have put all our guides, tools, RV travel apps and checklists together in one place.
You will find it all rvlifestyle.com/plan
Join our community: rvcommunity.com
Plan an RV trip: rvlifestyle.com/start
#RVLife #RVLiving #RVTravel #CampingLife #RVLifestyle
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE and click the bell icon to be notified of new videos and our YouTube Live special reports from the cool places we visit on our RV adventures.
Please note this channel is for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV experts and are not simply sharing our opinions and what seems to work for us. You should do your own research and make your own decisions.
