This week on the RV Podcast:









* RV Industry and Camping Shutdowns - We sort through the confusion







* We put a Starink Mini to the test with impressive results despite its small form







* Scary Wildlife Encounters - Why you always need to be alert







* All this plus the RV News of the Week and your questions coming up in Episode 545 of the RV Podcast.









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.















 







Our First RV Community Rally of the Year















We just returned from a wonderful week in Nashville and our Spring RV Lifestyle Community's Spring Rally.







It was the official start of the 2025 Camping Season for many of our 80 or so attendees, and we attended the Grand Ole Opry, caught lots of music downtown, toured honky tonks, museums and historic spots, and lots of campfire socializing.







In the Social Media Buzz segment in a bit, Wendy will have a special report from the rally and we’ll have a full-length video on YouTube Saturday.







But last week was the first of three rallies we're hosting this year, not counting numerous regional and local events around the country.







If you'd like to attend one of them, check out the RV Community info page at https://rvcommunity.com​







Our summer rally is in Northern Michigan, and our fall rally is in Texas.







But it's not just the rallies that make the community so popular...







Join the Movement







We're not just telling you about the RV lifestyle—we're inviting you to become part of a community that celebrates the freedom, challenges, and joys of life on the road. Your unique perspective is what keeps our community growing and thriving.















RV Industry Layoffs are Starting







The big story is what everyone is talking about in Ekhart, Indiana, this week. Elkhart, as many know, is the RV capital of the world. Some 85% of all RVs on the road in North America are made there, and in the wake of tariff worries, market uncertainties, and slower consumer demand, RV manufacturers are feeling a serious pinch.







The first alarming sign of industry concern came last week, when approximately 500 workers at Thor Industries were laid off. Thor is the largest RV maker in the world and has numerous brands. 







Those laid off came from three of Thor’s smaller RV subsidiary brands: Heartland Recreational Vehicles, Cruiser RV, and DRV Suites. Heartland and Cruiser make travel trailers. Fifth wheels and toy haulers. DRV Suites is a luxury brand of fifth wheels and toy haulers.







Heartland is closing its less-than two year old plant in Sturgis, Michigan, on June 20, permanently eliminating 121 jobs. 







The others are layoffs and are dispersed across...