RVing Ain't Always Pretty: Stories From the Bumpy Road

Sponsored by RV Roofing Solutions

Have a mishap story to share? Join the conversation in our Facebook community or send us your stories for future episodes. Just include #MyRVLife in your post.

"Did you hear that?" "No, I didn't hear anything."

If those words sound familiar, you might already know how quickly an RV adventure can turn into an RV disaster. One minute, you're pulling into a beautiful campground, excited about your upcoming travels. The next minute, you're staring at damage you never saw coming. Literally.

The Instagram posts make RV life look perfect: stunning sunsets, cozy campfires, and endless adventures. But there’s a whole side of travel-core media they don't show you. The brakes that turn to powder on a mountainside. The tree branches that reach out like they have a personal vendetta against your rig. The bearings that decide to fail at the absolute worst possible moment. And so much more.

Whether you're a seasoned full-timer or considering your first RV purchase, understanding that mishaps are part of the journey and not the exception can be the difference between embracing this lifestyle and giving up the first time something goes wrong.

This episode is essential listening if you're:

• Wondering what disasters are possible and how to handle them
• Currently overwhelmed by RV damage
• Trying to decide if RV life and risks are right for your family
• Looking for real advice on maintenance
• Needing to hear that you're not alone
• Curious about insurance coverage
• Planning to travel full-time and want to prepare for the unexpected

What You'll Learn: The Unfiltered Truth

Social media won't tell you this, but mishaps on the road aren't just common, they're practically inevitable. From brake failures to bearing burnouts, awning destruction to slide damage, the question isn't whether something will go wrong. It’s will you be prepared when it does?

In this episode, we get brutally honest about real RV disasters, including:

• When Brakes Can Fail, They Do: We share firsthand accounts of brake failures, including one harrowing journey where disintegrated brakes and 268 miles of mountain terrain stood between a family and safety. Learn the warning signs to watch for, why we think TPMS systems and temperature guns are non-negotiable, and what you can do when you realize you're in serious trouble.
• The Great Tree Attack of 2025: Sometimes the campground site that looks a little tight turns out to be a complete disaster. Hear how catastrophic tree damage destroyed an awning, shattered windows, cracked a slide, put a hole in a roof, and derailed the entire summer travel plans of Tasha’s family. This isn't just a cautionary tale. It's a reality check about how fast things can go sideways, even when you think you're being careful.
• The Bearing Breakdown Saga: Do you know how often you should be repacking bearings if you’re a part-timer? A full-timer? Many RVers don't — until they're stranded on the side of the road. We talk bearing maintenance, real-life experiences with the Hub Saver, and why that burning rubber smell should have you pulling over immediately.
• Reading the Fine Print: Tasha shares everyone’s nightmare scenario: while reviewing an accident repair estimate, she and Matt discovered their insurance was set up incorrectly by their agent. Would their rig be totaled? Would they be reimbursed? Was this the end of their road life? Don’t have the same panic attack. Pay attention to these critical tips about choosing and setting up your RV insurance.
• The Repair Timeline Reality: You might think a week or two in the shop sounds reasonable for major repairs. But what happens when you go an entire season without your RV? We discuss the shocking truth about RV repair timelines, parts delays, and long displacement.

Beyond Disaster: Having Grit

The RV community rallies around mishaps in ways that traditional neighborhoods rarely do. When you're broken down on the side of the road, strangers become helpers. When your rig is damaged, fellow RVers offer tools, expertise, and emotional support. Someone who's been through worse reminds you why you started this journey in the first place when you're ready to give up.

The mishaps aren't the story — how you handle them is. From the phone-a-friend network that spans the country to the installers and technicians who become trusted resources, building your RV community connections isn't just about making friends. It's about survival.

We also explore solutions you might not have considered:

• How extra bearings can save your trip
• How a temperature gun can save you from catastrophic tire failure
• What TPMS systems are worth investing in
• Why that one MacGyver friend might be the most valuable relationship you build on the road

But perhaps most importantly, we talk about the moment when you have to decide: do you push through, or do you go home? Every full-timer faces this crossroads eventually, usually while staring at thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs or weeks of displacement from their RV home. There's no wrong answer, but understanding what it takes to persevere through the hard moments is essential before you ever hit the road.

Ready to Dive Deeper?

This episode of Learn To RV: The Podcast is one of our most vulnerable conversations yet about the realities of life on the road. We share our worst moments, our biggest mistakes, and the lessons we learned the hard way so you don't have to. From California engine failures to North Carolina tree attacks, from Colorado brake disasters to the countless bearing replacements in between, these are the stories no one posts on Instagram.

We don't claim that every mishap is preventable or that preparation eliminates all risk. But we do believe that knowing what could happen, how to respond, and where to find help can transform a potential life-ender into just another story you'll tell around the campfire someday.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you stream podcasts. Then visit learntorv.com or learntorvthepodcast.com for additional resources, maintenance checklists, and ways to share your own mishap story. Maybe your disaster-turned-triumph will be featured on a future episode of Learn To RV: The Podcast.

For exclusive content, like bonus episodes, personal stories, insider interviews, antics, and outtakes, check out our Patreon Campfire Crew community. Then join the conversation over at Learn to RV: The Podcast Community on Facebook to share your own mishap stories or ask questions about handling RV disasters. We promise—you're not alone, and your story matters. Just include #MyRVLife in your post.

This episode is sponsored by RV Roofing Solutions, helping RV families recover from mishaps and protect their homes on wheels so they can get back to making memories, even when the road gets bumpy.

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