RV News Podcast: DJI Drone Reprieve, National Parks Help, RV Industry Woes & Will Trump Change Clean Air Rules?

Hi everyone, and welcome to the RV News Podcast! I’m Mike Wendland from RV Lifestyle, bringing you the latest updates and stories from the world of RVing.

Before we dive in, a quick note: we’ve been creating RV podcasts for over a decade now—back when podcasts were just getting started! This RV News Podcast is one of the newest additions to our growing library of RV-related shows. You can explore the entire collection at RVLifestyle.com/podcast, or catch them a video podcasts over on YouTube.com/rvlifestyle.

Let’s jump into this week’s RV news!

As we head into the final full week of 2024, there are a few important RV news stories we need to catch you up on.

First up, if you’re an RV owner who loves using a drone to capture photos and videos of your travels, chances are you’ve got a drone from the Chinese company DJI. They’re by far the most popular brand out there—so much so that they’re even used by first responders and law enforcement for public safety.

But with all the political tension around China, a bill called the Countering CCP Drones Act made headlines this summer. The bill passed the House of Representatives and would’ve banned the sale of DJI drones in the U.S. Well, last week, in a bit of a twist, DJI caught a break. Despite all the legal and political chatter—especially with those mysterious drone sightings in New Jersey—the Countering CCP Drones Act wasn’t included in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that just passed through Congress. That means, for now, DJI is still allowed to operate and sell drones in the U.S.

So, for the next year at least, if you’re a current DJI owner or thinking about buying one, you're still in the clear. What happens after that? Well, that’s anyone’s guess.

One thing drones can’t do is fly over National Park land—whether they're made in China or anywhere else. Drones have been banned in national parks for years. But there's another, unrelated ban that's about to end: a restriction that prevented YouTubers and content creators from filming or even using their cell phones to capture video in National Parks.

That’s all set to change thanks to the new EXPLORE Act, which stands for Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences. In a rare display of bipartisanship, Congress passed this wide-ranging law to improve access to America's public lands and national parks. It not only removes the regulations requiring permits for filming, but it also opens the door for people to capture more content in these iconic spaces.

While the bill still needs the President’s signature, this is definitely great news fpr RVers, campers, and those who love the wilderness.. The EXPLORE Act will help modernize campgrounds, upgrade infrastructure, improve roads, and make it easier to buy entry passes. It will also expand broadband and cellular access in the parks, helping visitors stay connected while they enjoy the beauty of nature.

In its latest financial report, Winnebago didn’t paint an optimistic picture. The company pointed to slow sales through the fall, with consumers increasingly gravitating toward more affordable models. They described the situation as a “Challenging Outdoor Recreation Market Environment.” And it’s not just Winnebago. The entire RV industry has had a tough 2024, with most manufacturers facing similar struggles.

But it doesn’t stop there. The campground sector is also feeling the squeeze. Occupancy rates are down, investments are shrinking, and there’s been a slowdown in new campground development. Even more concerning, more campgrounds are being put up for sale — and many aren’t finding buyers. In fact, one of the top campground brokers told RV Business last week that RV park sales are down a staggering 80%.

So, what does all this mean for RVers? Well, it’s a buyer’s market right now you’re thinking about getting a new RV. 

And while new campgrounds are becoming less common and existing ones aren’t expanding as much, demand for campsites has decreased by about 5%. That means it could still be tough to secure a spot in 2025. However, in this challenging environment, campgrounds may be less likely to keep hiking prices.

The key word here is may. Let’s hope that holds true.

In California, the clean air regulations that threaten to limit the availability of large motorhomes are still on the table for 2025 and beyond. And for those hoping for a legal break from the Supreme Court — there’s some bad news. Last week, the court declined to hear an appeal from conservative states challenging California’s power to set strict vehicle emission standards, which often end up influencing the rest of the country.

But, as we head into the New Year, things could still change. The legal battle is far from over, and it could be flipped on its head when President-elect Donald Trump takes office next month. You may remember back in 2019, the Trump administration rolled back California’s decades-old waiver, which had allowed the state to set its own air pollution standards. The Biden administration reversed that decision in 2022.

Now, critics of California’s regulations are hoping that Trump will take another swing at it, potentially undoing the waiver once again.

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And that’s it for this week’s RV News! You can find the show notes, along with our entire library of RV-related podcasts and videos, at RVLifestyle.com/podcast. You can also watch and subscribe on YouTube.com/rvlifestyle.

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Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you next week!