322. RV Industry Shenanigans and Your Best Day at the Campground

This week, amidst continued consumer frustration, we take a look at the recent update to Grand Design's warranty, the quickness with which Campendium walked back changes to its website, and what all this means for the larger industry/consumer relationship.
Plus, the summer camping season is officially here, and we asked you to share your best day at the campground with us and the comments didn't disappoint.
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[@raoulroberts2024]

So true! More "This Old House," less "House Hunters." Great analogy. ❤

[@turnbullstravels735]

Abby, first of all, you look great! And you’re so right about how Grand Design made this worse for themselves instead of getting out in front of it. Seriously, had no one there ever taken a PR or basic marketing class?

[@jamesr208]

As weekend and vacation rv’ers, the best day at the campground is everyday! No yard to tend, no chores, no work, just freedom to do whatever we want

[@janemuir3546]

Abbie, LOVE your hair. And yes, do a silo camping trip. Last summer a friend and I went camping while my Husband was out of the country. So fun, even tho I wasn't solo, but had a friend along with me. I hope the manufacturers do listen to the struggles that consumers are having. From frames to 12volt fridges. Yes to the bacon wagon! Girls weekend one year...2 nights, 6 ladies, FIVE pounds of bacon. Please do a meet up.... morning coffee, bacon and after 12... beverages. Ryan Hall is our go to for storms. Last week when camping I opened KZbin and checked to make sure we were okay. And last month while at home, 2 am I tuned in to Ryan and his team. Sure enough, tornado warning was in our area.

[@sykesc2]

FYI Airstreams have a 3-year transferrable warranty. They even manage warranty claims related to installed appliance manufacturers, e.g., fridge, water heater, furnace, etc. I would definitely buy a "Camping Coffee & Cocktails" book! In bad weather, don't wait for the siren, get a NOAA weather radio and have it on if there is any chance of bad weather. The local Emergency Management may or may not get the sirens on in time. Ryan Hall Y'all's KZbin channel is a true lifesaver!!

[@lyfandeth]

A NOAA radio is good, and cheap. But even with the NOAA SAME option to just receive local forecasts, I get awakened in the night about tightly localized events 50 miles and two counties away. The system is marginally better than nothing, even in storm country. There are also compact matchbox sized lightening detectors, which only alert when they directly sense lightening within 20-30 miles, which is close enough to reach over and strike you.

[@rd4660]

First! Abby, looking good. Jason, keep her happy.

[@ronaldstarreveld]

My opinion is that no matter what company or product onc they are bought by LARGE corporation the quality suffers. We own a Momentum 351ms. We love our rig but there are some things that make me scratch my head and wonder where the quality control is. Lazydays has it as we speak and other than it taking longer than I’d like both they and grand design have been great. Love your show ( both of them ) keep up the good work

[@Timothy-jo7tb]

Good Sam keeps sending me postcards about my RV is about to expire and they can extend my manufacture warranty 😂😂😂 our RV is 26yrs old that warranty set sail 25 years ago 🤣🤣🤣

[@gorvyourself]

😂😂😂

[@RVMilesPodcast]

Working on intel that’s 25 years old tracks. Lol. Good Sam. lol.

[@Timothy-jo7tb]

@@RVMilesPodcast I laugh every time I get warranty stuff them. I trust tap water from Mexico before I trust Good Sam’s intel

[@schwartz757]

You should try Aspen Glade in CO. Loopc right next to River.

[@davelauraphillips8814]

The sound level from the cicadas in a small crabapple tree in our front yard was 92 decibels - hearing protection required! Also, when they die, they STINK!

[@RVMilesPodcast]

Wow! That’s so loud it’ll set off the sound warning on my watch. -Abby

[@gorvyourself]

OMG @ Everyone is so annoying! I’m protesting with you. I do look at them either. Great video all, thanks again.

[@rhondagiesbrecht4901]

Coming from listening on Apple Podcasts just to say I love Anomia too! I learned it a few Christmases ago at a family gathering and now have it myself but haven’t yet found people to play it with 🤪 Oh and I also don’t ever risk pronouncing it 🤣 I’m bound to say ammonia or something…

[@RVMilesPodcast]

Come join us at our Homecoming rally this October and we’ll get a game going (and we won’t ask each other to pronounce it. lol)!! -Abby

[@steveegbert3554]

When you don't have bacon, you have to go to the people that do and look sad.

[@MaryWehmeier]

Campendium: I would love to know just who in the hades did your Usability Study about features and layout on you last revision? Because… in my 30+ years of experience, someone was Clueless as to who your audience was and their use of the app. I’m available for consulting.

[@chrisadams3491]

Love Ryan Hall Y’all!

[@RVMilesPodcast]

Ryan Hall Y’all is top notch. If they say they’re coming to my area because of a storm, I’m getting the heck out of town.

[@markwiegard8384]

Frame flex frenzy--next thing you would know everyone would want a frenzy buy back…I think the NDA was a good idea for everyone that owns a GD. If GD had to file for bankruptcy wouldn’t be good for anyone either. Like you said, we don’t know everything that could have caused frame flex. Manufacture or user abuse.

[@markwiegard8384]

2021 GD Reflection 337rls: 🤞so far so good. I think the frame flex issue could be a combination of boon docking over rough roads, overloading, and driving faster than 65. I don’t know for sure about anything really. That said, when you look at the axle and leaf spring design the frames were not designed for over weight, off road driving let alone speed. I think Brinkley is potentially building a better structurally engineered line of campers but you’re paying for it. It’s all about the price point and what you have to pull it is where the market has to go to stay in business. With Bidennomics the last three years, inflation, labor costs, and interest rates are keeping quality and price point at a distance. I don’t know is MAGA nomics will fix it anytime soon either. It’s what the manufacturers have to juggle….they need a consistent economy for more than just 4 years to find the balance between quality and price. I do know hitting small and large businesses with higher taxes if Biden lets the Trump tax cuts expire isn’t good for anyone 🤷‍♂️ And to roll the dice again 😖