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.

Episode Summary:
In this episode we sit down with Doug Uhlenbrock and Meagan Butler from the newly renamed FRVA. If you have known FMCA for years and wondered why the name changed or what it means for RV owners, this conversation clears it up. We talk about the thought process behind the rebrand, the challenges of changing a long-standing identity, and how FRVA plans to shape the future of RV community support, events, and member benefits.

Doug and Meagan share what the organization has learned from decades of serving RV owners and how they are adapting to a broader and more modern RV audience. Whether you are a long-time member or hearing the name FRVA for the first time, this episode gives context, clarity, and a look at what is coming next.

Topics Covered:
• Why FMCA changed its name and what FRVA represents
• How the rebranding process unfolded behind the scenes
• What the updated mission means for current and future members
• How RV ownership has changed and what FRVA is doing to stay relevant
• New and upcoming programs and benefits
• Reactions from long time members and the broader RV community
• The future vision for advocacy, education, and events

The post Why FMCA Became FRVA with Doug and Meagan appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.

Even the most seasoned RVers know — things will go wrong eventually. In this episode, Kenny and Sean share their personal stories of roadside disasters, mechanical failures, and how they handled them without losing their cool (well, mostly).

Kenny recounts his recent breakdown that left his RV immobile after a locked brake caliper destroyed his rear axle. Sean chimes in with his own tales of mishaps and misadventures from the road. Together, they dive into what it really takes to stay calm, safe, and sane when your home on wheels decides to quit rolling.

Topics Covered:

• What happened during Kenny’s major brake failure and tow experience
• Sean’s stories of unexpected mechanical breakdowns
• How to safely manage roadside emergencies
• Why patience, humor, and preparation are key to surviving RV life

Key Takeaway:
RVing isn’t about if something will go wrong — it’s about how you handle it when it does. From breakdowns to busted axles, these are the moments that test your resolve and remind you why community, preparation, and flexibility matter most.

Have your own RV breakdown story? Share it with us — your experience might just make it into a future episode!

The post When Things Go Wrong While RVing appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.

In this episode of Beyond the Wheel, Kenny and Sean dive into a growing trend that’s reshaping RV life: people living full-time in RVs without traveling. The image of the open road is what we all think of when we picture RV life, but for hundreds of thousands of people, that’s not the reality anymore.

Since 2021, the number of Americans living full-time in RVs has nearly doubled — climbing from about 240,000 to close to half a million. For some, it’s a smart financial move in a housing market that’s gone off the rails. For others, it’s a lifestyle choice built around simplicity, minimalism, or just staying close to work or family.

Kenny and Sean break down why so many are choosing to stay put, what life actually looks like in a stationary RV, and how the RV industry might adapt to serve this growing community.

The RV lifestyle is evolving. It’s not just about freedom of the road anymore — it’s about freedom from crushing housing costs. Whether it’s by choice or necessity, stationary RV living is here to stay, and it’s reshaping what “RV life” really means.

The post More People Living in RVs — But Not Traveling appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.

In this episode of Beyond the Wheel: Drivers Edition, Kenny and Sean dive into the 2025 Hershey RV Show attendance numbers and talk with you about what those numbers really say about the RV industry right now.

We break down:

• Why attendance dipped slightly from 2024 but still beat 2023.
• What dealers and manufacturers are saying about sales and consumer confidence.
• Which RVs sold well at Hershey—and which ones didn’t move as quickly.
• A full Market Watch segment on the state of RVing in 2025—including interest rates, shipment data, market size projections, and where the industry is headed.

Whether you’re a buyer, dealer, or just an RV enthusiast, this episode will help you understand where RVing stands now and what’s next.

• Hershey RV Show 2025 Attendance:
  • 2025: 45,813 visitors
  • 2024: 47,075 visitors
  • 2023: 45,535 visitors
• Dealer & Manufacturer Reactions:
  • PRVCA: “Mixed bag as far as sales … some record shows, others flat.”
  • Winnebago Industries: Motorized RVs strong, towables steady.
  • Ember RV: “Record-breaking show … quality attendees ready to buy.”
• What’s Selling vs. What’s Not:
  • Motorized rigs slightly outperform towables.
  • Mid-range price points see steady interest; high-end rigs hit by financing costs.
• Market Watch: State of RVing 2025
  • Shipments up 14% in Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024.
  • Market projected to hit $50B by 2030.
  • Interest rates & consumer confidence remain headwinds.
  • Growth expected in value RVs, off-grid features, and lighter towables.
• Looking Ahead:
  • What to expect in 2026 & beyond: affordability, innovation, and market stability.

If you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time to buy an RV, or you’re curious about the future of the RV market, this episode brings you the numbers, the reactions, and the big-picture analysis you need to make sense of it all.

• Hershey RV Show Attendance Report
• RVIA Shipment Reports
• RV Industry Trends 2025

The post Hershey RV Show & State of RVing – What the Numbers Really Mean appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.

RVing Time Capsules: How RV Travel Has Changed in the Last Decade

How has RVing changed since we first hit the road? In this episode of Beyond the Wheel, Sean and Kenny look back on their RVing journeys — Sean starting in 2014, Kenny in 2016 — and compare those early days to how travel looks today.

From rookie mistakes and outdated gear to today’s must-have technology, they reflect on what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what trends caught them by surprise. The conversation then shifts forward: where will RVing and Overlanding be in another 10 years? Will we see electric rigs, smarter systems, or new cultural shifts that redefine life on the road?

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How our first years of RVing looked vs. today
• Gear that became obsolete — and the upgrades we can’t live without
• Surprising trends in RV culture and community
• Predictions for what RVing/Overlanding will look like in 2035

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting out, this episode is a chance to reflect on your own “RVing time capsule” — what you’ve left behind, and what you’ve added along the way.

Link to MilitaryCampgrounds.US

We want to hear from you! Share your must-have gear and your predictions for the future of RVing by emailing us at

Kenny@beyondthewheelpodcast.com

Sean@beyondthewheelpodcast.com

.

The post RV Time Capsule appeared first on Beyond The Wheel.

In this episode of Beyond the Wheel, Sean and Kenny delve into the intriguing world of RV legends, campground myths, and strange experiences encountered on the road. They explore various myths surrounding RV camping, including campground codes, overnight parking policies, and the role of technology in monitoring RV behavior. The conversation also touches on personal experiences with the paranormal and the impact of imagination while camping. Listeners share their own stories, adding to the rich tapestry of RV lore. The episode concludes with a call for listener engagement and future topic suggestions.

• Some campgrounds may keep track of guest behavior.
• Walmart and Cracker Barrel likely do not keep lists of RVers.
• Dump station rumors often stem from outdated app information.
• Strange noises in RVs can often be attributed to wildlife.
• Imagination plays a significant role in interpreting sounds while camping.
• Conspiracy theories about RV components may not hold much truth.
• Technology tracks our movements for marketing purposes.
• Listener stories reveal the eerie side of RV camping.
• The RV community thrives on shared experiences and stories.
• Engagement with listeners is crucial for future episodes.

Have comments? Reach out to us through our Contact Us page.

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We hope you enjoyed this video and wish you safe travels, but before you hit the road could you do us a favor and leave us a review or rating on your favorite podcast platform? These ratings help the show get ranked and makes it easier for new listeners to find us.

Take care all and we will catch you next time.

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